ABSTRACT:Smoking is well-known to cause respiratory disorders and pulmonary functions decline. Respiratory system evaluation and screening can easily be done by Pulmonary Function Tests. This study was carried out in the Kosi region, Katihar, Bihar, in 74 participants. Prior consent was obtained from the Ethical committee for this study. For this study, computerized spirometer, "RMS Helios 701"was used. In view of increasing behaviour of smoking among the people of Kosi region of Bihar, this study was undertaken for a better understanding of the correlation between smoking and its effects on pulmonary functions. It was observed that pulmonary function in mean ± standard deviation, FVC was 2.93±0.66 litres, FEV1 2.74±0.57 litres, FEV1 % was 94.19±7.37 and PEFR was 7.69±1.74 litres and FEF 25-75% was 4.08±1.15 litres. The pulmonary function tests in smoker population in mean ± standard deviation, FVC was 2.54±0.86 litres, FEV1 1.81±0.88 litres, FEV1 % was 74.83±31.43 and PEFR was 5.98±2.35 litres and FEF 25-75% was 2.95±1.31 litres. The comparison of PFT in non-smokers and smoker population was significant with "p" value <0.05, showing decreased pulmonary functions in smokers.

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Microteaching is a scaled down teaching encounter in class size and time. The word micro is emphasized to imply that there is reduction in both size and duration of class. It is aimed at practicing one particular teaching skill and focuses on a single concept of teaching. It is a real time teaching simulator which aids in acquiring in depth knowledge of the core art of teaching. It scales down the complexities encountered in regular professional teaching. Observing a flawless teacher and trying to come up to that particular standard is what most novice teachers try to do. Microteaching helps to eliminate common errors in teaching and improves both, in class teaching performance and class managing skills in junior as well as experienced teachers. In India, this powerful teaching improvement tool is rather underutilized and if practice of microteaching is made mandatory in all professional courses related to teaching it will produce versatile, dynamic and better teachers in India.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the causative agent for Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). AIDS is a fatal illness which burns down the body's immune system making the victim vulnerable to multiple life threatening opportunistic infections, neurological disorders or unusual malignancies. A variety of endocrinologic, metabolic and nutritional disturbances are common during the course of HIV infection. Most HIV infected patients develop multiple metabolic abnormalities including insulin resistance, lipodystrophy and dyslipidaemia. An observation on the nature of dyslipidaemia in HIV positive patients with reference to correlation if any that exists between CD4+ levels and lipid profile in these patients was performed. Results revealed that the total cholesterol, HDL and LDL decreased while triglycerides and VLDL were found to increase as CD4+ levels depleted. It can be concluded that changes in lipid profile can be a good index of disease progression in HIV infection.

Smoking is well-known to cause respiratory disorders and pulmonary functions decline. In India, where majority of the population lives by agriculture and linked occupations in rural areas despite of rapid increase in urban population, the pulmonary function is expected to vary between rural and urban areas. Rural and urban variations in disease distribution are well known. Respiratory system evaluation and screening can easily be done by Pulmonary Function Tests. This study was carried out in the Kosi region of Katihar, Bihar, in 100 participants. For this study, computerized spirometer (RMS Helios 701) was used. In view of increasing behaviour of smoking among the rural and urban population of Kosi region of Bihar, this study was undertaken, for a better understanding of the correlation between smoking and its effects on pulmonary functions. It was observed that pulmonary function in mean ± standard deviation in urban smokers, FVC was 2.54 ± 0.86 litres, FEV 1 1.81 ± 0.88 litres, FEV 1 % was 74.83 ± 31.43 and PEFR was 5.98 ± 2.35 litres and FEF 25-75% was 2.95 ± 1.31 litres. The pulmonary function tests in rural smoker population in mean ± standard deviation, FVC was 2.56 ± 0.86 litres, FEV 1 2.21 ± 0.96 litres, FEV 1 % was 86.00 ± 23.73 and PEFR was 5.65 ± 2.18 litres and FEF 25-75% was 3.34 ± 1.37 litres. The comparison of PFT in urban smokers and rural smoker population was significant with "p" value <0.05 only in FEV 1 , other parameters showed insignificant results.

Visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-azar) is a disease caused by a protozoan parasite, Leishmaniasis donovani and transmitted by the bite of sand fly vector Phlebotomus argentipes. For patients with Indian visceral leishmaniasis, Amphotericin-B deoxycholate is usually given as 15 alternate-day infusion of 0.75mg/kg over 30 days; daily treatment with 0.75mg/kg body weight is also used. An observation of toxicity of intravenous Amphotericin-B in diagnosed cases of Kala-azar on daily versus alternate day regimen on a dose of 0.75mg/kg body weight was compared. Results revealed that daily regimen of Amphotericin-B in a dose of 0.75 mg/kg body weight can be given safely to patients and this regimen can not only reduce the financial burden on the patients but can also reduce hospital stay.

Pleural effusion can cause significant symptoms and diminished quality of life, but more importantly, is associated with increased risk of respiratory failure and mortality. This hospital based study was carried out on 80 patients to find the etiological profile and clinical presentation of patients with pleural effusion in Kosi region of Bihar. Results of this study revealed that Tubercular effusion, par pneumonic effusion, malignant effusion, Congestive cardiac failure, Liver disease, Renal disease are major important disease factors with various presenting feature of patients with pleural effusion, mainly shortness of breath, fever, cough, chest pain, oedema, haemoptysis and weight loss. This study would help in early diagnosis and possible intervention and prompt treatment of patients with pleural effusion.

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