-Background -Infection with hepatitis-B virus has been a significant cause of morbidity claiming more than a million lives every year. Epidemiological data reveals that there are 360 million carriers of hepatitis-B virus throughout the globe and 78% of the world populations' hail from Asia. Though several studies from Indian sub-continent have provided an estimate of the prevalence of this viral infection, there exist only few studies, which reflect the status in the general population. Aim -The present study was designed to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis-B infection in North Indian general population. Methods -The study population comprised of 20,000 healthy blood donors who were screened for hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg) status using third generation ELISA kit. Seroprevalence rate of seropositive donors was calculated and stratified by age, sex and blood groups. Statistical analysis was performed using tests of proportions, chi-square and confidence interval. Results -The study showed that out of 20,000 donors, 450 (2.25%) were HBsAg positive (95% confidence interval (CI), 2.0445-2.4554). Higher prevalence of HbsAg was found among males (440/19235) than females (10/765). The age specific prevalence rose from 1.78% (108/6058) in donors aged 19-25 years to a maximum of 3.03% (96/3161) in donors aged 35-45 years and decreased in older age groups. The peaks were detected in male donors aged 35-45 years and in females aged 25-35 years. Rh-negative blood group donors (21/873) and Rh-positive group donors (429/19127) had almost equivalent prevalence rates of HBsAg. HBsAg was more prevalent in blood group B donors (174/7426) and less prevalent in AB blood group donors (38/2032). Conclusion -It was found that variables including gender and age were significantly associated with HBsAg positivity. HBsAg positivity in our population was statistically not associated with ABO blood groups.

Efficacy of misoprostol was studied for induction of labor at term. Seventy patients were randomized to Group A (n = 36, oral misoprostol 50 microg four hourly to maximum of 5 doses) and B (n = 34, continuous oxytocin infusion). Induction-delivery interval was shorter with misoprostol (7.7 +/- 2.8 h against 14.3 +/- 4.8 h with oxytocin) but the rates of vaginal delivery, cesarean, neonatal outcome variables were similar. Hence, misoprostol is an effective agent for induction of labor at term.

Objective To study the diagnostic potential of fluorescence spectroscopy and its comparison with different screening methods, including Pap smear and colposcopy, in detecting early cervical neoplasia. Method The study was conducted on patients with gynecological complaints. A full gynecological workup of the patients was done along with Pap smear and colposcopy. Cervical biopsy was done in suspected cases and fresh tissue was sent to IIT for spectroscopy. Result There is a definite increase in NADH fluorescence (67.4 %) and a decrease in collagen fluorescence (74 %) in dysplastic tissues. When epithelial fluorescence and stromal fluorescence are considered together, diagnostic accuracy is increased to 96.5 %. ConclusionThe clinical diagnosis of cervical neoplasia by spectroscopic methods is potentially a reliable, fast, and costeffective alternative to the conventional smear test which needs trained personnel for its interpretation. Research is still continuing to obtain a statistically significant cutoff value from in vitro studies and then use them for in vivo study.

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Background: Computers have significantly impacted cognitive, social, physical and various other aspects of the modern daily lives of computer users, especially among internet users. Our life is inseparable from the internet, e.g., chatting, online shopping, gaming, video conferencing, and emailing. In the modern day, nearly every job is done sitting in front of a computer. Majority of the day is spent on the computer either working or for recreational purposes. Consequently, the effects of computer use on eyes and vision has increased too. This study will review the factors relating to eye and vision problems amongst students and its association with computer work and provide recommendations for preventing or reducing their development. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the current study was to estimate the prevalence of computer vision syndrome, its knowledge and application among medical students. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, which was carried out amongst the MBBS students (1st, 2nd and 3rd year) of Rama Medical College Hospital and Research Center, Kanpur, India. The data was collected between January 2017 to March 2017. Students who gave their consent were taken up for the study. A pretested, semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Results: A total of 214 medical students participated and majority of them were below 22 years of age. The prevalence of Computer Vision Syndrome was found to be 83% [95% CI = 67.9% - 91.6%]. More than 70% students spend up to 4 hours in front of computer. Roughly 40% knowledge of Computer Vision Syndrome, but only 10% took any measures to prevent the disease. And those who had symptoms experience them within 2-3 hours of computer use. Majority of them complained of having watery eyes and blurred vision. Conclusion: A significant proportion of students do manifests Computer Vision Syndrome and denotes that the health of the people working on the computers should be emphasized as a field of concern in public health. These are young kids and having this syndrome so early in life will have a detrimental effect on their health in future. Hence the stakeholders involved, needs to be sensitized regarding the importance of the regular eye and health check-ups and proper rest to the eyes. Further research is recommended to know the depth of the problem as it has the potential to become a modern-day pandemic.