Background: Pharmacology is one of the most fundamental subjects in the field of medicine and a good grasp of this subject is vital for any clinical practitioner. The teaching of pharmacology in medical and dental colleges of India has evolved from mere didactic lectures to audio-visual aid based lectures and computer based learning. Aim: To identify strengths and weaknesses in the current teaching-learning and evaluation methodology in pharmacology using feedback from the undergraduates of Late Shree Baliram Kashyap Memorial Government Medical College, Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh. Materials and Methods: The present study was carried out in March-April 2015. The tool used was pretested questionnaire. A total of 150 students from II, III, & Final year MBBS participated in study. They were administered a pre-validated questionnaire after explaining them the purpose of the study. Suggestions were also asked regarding the qualities of good pharmacology teachers and modification in pharmacology teaching methods. Descriptive statistics were used and results were expressed as percentage. Results: The students' opinion revealed important information. Most of the students are aware that pharmacology as one of the most important subjects in the medical curriculum. Many students wanted the use of audiovisual aids and introduction of integrated teaching, also clinical demonstrations on the manikin. Conclusion: The present study has helped us to elicit the student preference regarding pharmacology teaching and its Outcome would be helpful in modifying undergraduate pharmacology teaching patterns.

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the leading causes of hospital-acquired as well as community-acquired infections due to significant changes in microbial genetic ecology; as a result of indiscriminate use of antibiotics, the spread of multidrug resistance (MDR) is now a global problem. Its general resistance is due to a combination of factor. Several different epidemiological studies indicate that antibiotic resistance is increasing in clinical isolates. Objectives: The present study was conducted to find out the current antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of P. aeruginosa isolates obtained from various clinical samples at our tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in South Chhattisgarh, India, from June 2014 to May 2016. One hundred and ninety-eight clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa obtained from various clinical samples were studied. They were identified by routine standards and operative procedures, antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, and the results were interpreted according to the CLSI guidelines. Quality control of the test was done by standards ATCC strain P. aeruginosa 27853. Data obtained were analyzed and presented in counts and percentage. Results: Piperacillin-tazobactam was the most sensitive chemotherapeutic agent with 93% susceptibility rate, followed by imipenem 91% and levofloxacin 83.5%. Amikacin showed better susceptibility rate 78% when compared to that of gentamicin 53%; the susceptibility rate to cephalosporin and aztreonam was relative very low. Most of the P. aeruginosa strains were isolated from clinical samples such as pus 73, urine 42, and respiratory secretion 16, and sputum 26. Out of 198 clinical isolates, 34 (17%) clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa were found to be MDR. Most of the MDR P. aeruginosa strains were isolates from pus, urine, and respiratory sample. Conclusions: To prevent the spread of the resistant bacteria, it is critically important to have strict antibiotic policies in our country. There should be surveillance programs for the detection of MDR organisms in every locality. Infection control programs need to be implemented with quality control in every hospital.

Background: Self medication is becoming very popular among medical students as they get exposed to knowledge about diseases and drugs, but which is very superficial in second year undergraduates, so the present study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of self medication among second year undergraduate students.Methods: A questionnaire based study containing 12 questions was conducted in 175 second year undergraduate students after taking informed consent. Statistical analysis was done by using descriptive statistics by Graph Pad Prism version 6.01.Results: Out of the 175 students, 155 (88.57%) students have taken self medication. The common reason for taking it was no need to visit the doctor for minor illness (64%), quick relief (48.57%) and time saving (34.29%). The common indications for taking self medication were fever (69.14%) and cough and cold (69.14%) followed by headache (64%). Although students rarely practised it due to risk associated like adverse effects 131 (74.86%) and lack of proper knowledge about drugs 118 (67.3%).Conclusions: Self medication is highly prevalent among students, as most of the students get it from pharmacies, it is necessary to make strict guidelines for availability of such medicines over the counter and also there is need to educate the students about harmful consequences of self medication to make them responsible future doctors.

Fourteen elderly patients with malignant oesophageal obstruction have undergone palliative intubation with a modified Celestin tube inserted under intravenous sedation using a fibreoptic endoscopic technique. Eleven patients surviving the two-week post-insertion period had a mean survival time of five months (range 1--20 months). In the majority, palliation was excellent, most patients being able to eat a virtually normal diet within 36 hours of the procedure. This technique has a much lower mortality and morbidity in the elderly than palliative surgery and allows for early mobilization and discharge. Earlier referral of suitable patients is necessary and the technique deserves wider application.