Effect of binders on sulfamethoxazole tablets.

Five batches of sulfamethoxazole tablets were prepared using different binders [starch, acacia, ethyl cellulose sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and povidone (1-vinyl-2-pyrolidinone polymer, PVP)] with water in 3% (dry basis) concentration. Comparative data show that granules prepared with PVP have the best flow properties and minimum angle of repose, percentage fines, and compressibility, while granules of sodium carboxymethylcellulose could not be compressed into well-defined tablets. Tablets containing starch as a binder possess all the quality features. Tablets from acacia, however, give a poor dissolution profile. Ethyl cellulose has less effective granule formation, leading to poor quality tablets. Rank correlation with respect to solubility and absorption characteristics according to granulating agent in the formation is: starch greater than ethyl cellulose greater than PVP greater than acacia.

Semen-conservation doctrine from ancient Ayurvedic to modern sexological theory.

The ancient doctrine of semen conservation has a long philosophical history in Europe and Asia. In Sanskrit, semen is equated with sukra, the life force. As early as 600 B.C., the Caraka Samhita taught the importance of sukra, and gave prescriptions to augment it. In the 18th century, semen conservation theory reentered Western medicine through Tissot's Treatise on the Diseases Produced by Onanism. It became the basis of the degeneracy theory of all disease, and of the masturbation hysteria of the 19th and 20th centuries.

A secondary carcinomatous lesion masquerading as a primary osteosarcoma - a case report.

Penile carcinomas account for 10% of all the malignancies in men with a predominant regional lymph node involvement, but a distant metastasis of such a carcinoma via the haematogenous route is rare (2.3%), with the common sites being the kidneys, adrenal glands, retroperitoneal lymph nodes, lungs, brain and the dorsal spine. The pattern of the metastatic spread from carcinomas of the penis has been well described in the literature, with the inguinal and the iliac nodes being the commonest sites. The distant metastases are uncommon and delayed, even in advanced disease. Although metastases to the liver and lungs have been reported, the osseous metastases are exceptionally rare. We are presenting a case of carcinoma of the penis which metastasized to the tibia.