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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: As Rota virus leads to significant morbidity in children 2 months to 5 years, this study was done to observe the effect of one dose of nitazoxanide on the total duration of rotavirus diarrhea. The primary objective was to evaluate the reduction in the mean duration of viral diarrhea in children after administration of first dose of Nitazoxanide. METHODLOGY: This descriptive study was done in the Department of Pediatric Medicine Unit I, Mayo Hospital, Lahore from Jan 2016 to June 2016 after approval from the ethical review committee. Sample size calculated was 175 using WHO sample size calculator. Patients of 4–5 years were given 200 mg nitazoxanide twice daily for 3 days; 100 mg nitazoxanide was given twice daily to 12–47 months age group, and patient of

The sedimentary strata along the Permian–Triassic Boundary in the Western Salt Range of the sub‐Himalayas were analysed to gain an insight of its geological character regarding palaeoenvironments, palaeoclimate, and sequence stratigraphic attributes. The Early Triassic Mianwali Formation is dominated by shallow marine facies with transgressive phases, differentiation in facial character, and palaeowater depth among different sections. The study suggests that compared to the siliciclastic‐dominated Nammal Gorge Section, the Zaluch Nala Section is more carbonate‐dominated, representing algal‐laminated limestones, dolomitic marls, and siliciclastics – mainly restricted to the Mittiwali Member. There is a general decrease in ammonoids and increase in thickness from east to west, that is believed to be due to algal‐induced rapid sedimentation in the shallow marine environments as compared to deeper marine in the east. The Mianwali Formation has been deposited in two transgressive systems tracts, two highstand systems tracts, and one falling‐stage regressive systems tract. Two flooding surfaces, one each in the Mittiwali and Narmia members, have been recognized. The maximum regressive surfaces at the bottom (with the Chhidru Formation) and top (with the Tredian Formation) mark second‐order eustatic falls. The study also advocates for existence of a low‐energy platform in the temperate waters of the Palaeo‐Tethys. The sediments have similarities with various sections of Gondwanaland having the same trend of shallow marine facies and presence of algal‐laminated deposits. In the Middle Triassic, the gradual loss of sediment binding organisms shifted the low‐energy meandering patterns to high‐energy braided systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation resulted in the biostratigraphic framework of the Upper Palaeocene–Lower Eocene rocks from the Upper Indus Basin, Pakistan, Eastern Tethys. The Patala Formation of the Chinjana Nala, Surghar Range of the Upper Indus Basin, was selected for this purpose. Lithologically, the Patala Formation is composed of shale and limestone interbeds. Three different fossil groups – smaller benthic foraminifera, planktic foraminifera, and calcareous nanno‐planktons – are used to establish a biostratigraphic framework for the Patala Formation. The biozones recognized in this study include: (a) bathyal benthic biozones, BB1 and BB2 of the Late Palaeocene and Early Eocene, respectively; (b) planktic biozones, P4 and P5 of the Late Palaeocene, while E1 and E2 of the Early Eocene; and (c) Calcareous Nanno‐planktons biozones: the NP9, which is further divided into NP9a and NP9b of the Late Palaeocene and Early Eocene, respectively. These biozones have been integrated to identify the Palaeocene–Eocene (P–E) boundary interval by applying widely used biostratigraphic criteria (i.e., Rhomboaster‐Discoaster [RD]‐assemblage of calcareous nanno‐planktons). In this study, we have considered the lithological interval between ChN/TP‐16 and ChN/TP‐17 as a marker horizon for the P–E boundary interval, which provided a basis for the correlation of locally established biozones with those established Tethys wide, that is, Pak‐DIV to part of Pak‐DVI correlated to SRX‐1 and SRX‐2, which are equivalent to BB1, P4, P5, and NP9a. Similarly, parts of the Pak‐DVI and Pak‐DVII are correlated to SRX‐3, which are equivalent to BB2, E1, E2, and NP9b within the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Palaeocene–Eocene boundary (PEB) interval has been recognized in the Patala Formation, Nammal Gorge Section, Pakistan using lithostratigraphy, stable carbon isotope stratigraphy and integrated biostratigraphy. Four distinct lithological units are identified in the Patala Formation in stratigraphic order from bottom to top; unit‐1 to unit‐4. The top of unit‐3 hosts three closely spaced unconformities demarcated as U1, U2, and U3. The PEB interval is represented by a negative shift of 1.61‰ in δ13CV‐PDB representing the carbon isotopic excursion (CIE) in unit‐2. Based on the encountered foraminifera, dinocysts, and calcareous nannoplanktons, the following biozones are identified across the PEB; two larger benthonic foraminiferal (LBF) zones (SBZ4 and SBZ5), the zonal boundary slightly postdating the CIE, two smaller benthonic foraminiferal zones (BB1 and BB2), three planktonic foraminiferal zones (P4/P5 + E1), four dinocysts zones (Pak‐DV, Pak‐DVI, Pak‐DVII, Pak‐DVIII), and two calcareous nannoplankton subzones (NP9a and NP9b). The following protist, dinocyst and calcareous nannoplanktons encountered in the studied interval advocates for the placement of the possible PEB at the level between samples NAM‐SH‐07 and 08; 1—presence of the smaller benthonic foraminifera Angulogavelinella avnimelechi diagnostic of the base of the CIE and the benthonic extinction event (BEE) Tethys wide, 2—presence of the cosmopolitan and the PEB diagnostic dinocyst species 'Axiodinium augustum', 3—presence of the PEB diagnostic Rhomboaster‐Discoaster calcareous nannoplankton assemblage. The LBF species Alveolina vredenburgi [a marker species of the Larger Foraminiferal Turnover (LFT) associated with the Palaeocene Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) and PEB in western Tethys] occurs slightly above the onset of the CIE. Previously reported compositional change in the LBF assemblage from the Salt Range [i.e. the replacement of the Palaeocene orbitoidiform LBF (Setia and Orbitosiphon) by the Eocene LBF (Orthophragminids, Alveolina, Nummulites and Assilina)] also postdates the PEB interval here. The late appearance of Alveolina vredenburgi and the compositional change in the LBF after the onset of the CIE are attributed to the facies variation across the PEB reflecting fluctuating depositional environment due to the active tectonic across this interval. This fluctuation is evident from the smaller benthonic and planktonic foraminiferal dominating assemblages in unit‐2 representing bathyal settings followed by LBF dominating unit‐3 representing shallow carbonate platform settings. The change in LBF assemblage closely resembles the well‐known LFT associated with the PETM as well as the carbonate platform stage III and the PEB reported from other Tethyan sections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the Salbutamol alone and Ipratropium Bromide supplemented Salbutamol in children with exacerbation of asthma in terms of PEFR. Study Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Setting: Pediatrics Emergency, KRL Hospital Islamabad. Period: 1st August 2016 to 31 January 2017. Material & Methods: Group A patients were given only Salbutamol (0.15mg/kg per dose with minimum 2.5 mg, maximum 5 mg/dose). Group B was given Ipratropium Bromide supplemented Salbutamol (250 mcg/dose for <20 kg while 500 mcg/dose for >20kg of Ipratropium Bromide with same dose of Salbutamol as prescribed for Group A). Baseline spirometry was performed on each patient and after measurement of baseline peak expiratory flow. The outcome was measured by Peak flow meter and reassessed at 60 minutes. Results: Comparison of salbutamol alone and ipratropium bromide supplemented salbutamol in children with exacerbation of asthma in terms of PEFR shows that 40.5 + 4.28 in Group-A and 59.5 +4.75 in Group-B, P-value was calculated as 0.0001, showing a significant difference between the two groups while the difference in increase was recorded as 19%. Conclusion: We concluded that salbutamol alone is significantly less effective when compared with Ipratropium Bromide supplemented Salbutamol in children with exacerbation of asthma in terms of PEFR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: As Rotavirus leads to significant morbidity in children 2 months to 5 years, this study was done to observethe effect of one dose of nitazoxanide on the total duration of rotavirus diarrhea.The primary objective was to evaluate thereduction inthe mean duration of viral diarrhea in children after administration of first dose of Nitazoxanide. METHODOLOGY: This descriptive study was done in the Department of Pediatric Medicine Unit I, Mayo Hospital, Lahore fromJan 2016 to June 2016 after approval from the ethical review committee. Sample size calculated was 175 using WHO sample size calculator. Patients of 4-5 years were given 200 mg nitazoxanide twice daily for 3 days; 100 mg nitazoxanide was given twice daily to 12-47 months age group, and patient of <12 months age were given 7.5 mg/kgtwice day along with routine care and were followed 12 hourly till the passage of normally formed stools. Duration of diarrhea was recorded. RESULTS: Out of 175 cases, 58.9%(n=103) were between 2-36 months age while 41.2%(n=72) were 37-60 months age, mean+SD was calculated as 35.06+13.34 months, meanreduction in duration of rotavirus diarrhea in children after administration of first dose of Nitazoxanide was recorded as 32.85+2.32 hours. CONCLUSION: With the use of nitazoxanide along with routine care for rotavirus diarrhea children, the mean duration of rotavirus diarrhea was reported to be less than 1.5 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Enlarged lymph glands almost always represent a local or systemic disease that may be benign or malignant. We see many patients including the referred ones in our OPD clinic and subsequently do the excision of quite a big proportion of the enlarged glands especially the cervical glands. Study Design: Descriptive study. Setting: Retrospect by reviewing the operative and histopathology department of King Edward Medical University. Period: April 2016 to April 2017. Methods: We will analyse the record of 121 patients who had peripheral lymph gland enlargement and presented to us. Results: Ours results show that the mean age of our patients was 25.03±18.06 years. We found that 40% of our patients had a definitive diagnosis from the histopathology of excised lymph nodes while 35.5% of the patients had reactive hyperplasia and 25% of the patients had inconclusive results and we were unable to help them. Conclusion: Our results conclude that the lymph nodes are a very good source of getting the diagnosis especially the cervical lymph nodes with a diagnostic yield of 76.4% and we may need to have a more robust criteria for excising the peripheral lymph glands in order to improve the diagnostic yield from 40%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we have used the outcrop data and utilized facies analysis techniques for the dynamic depositional modeling of Chhidru Formation, exposed in the Nammal Gorge and the Chhidru Nala sections in the Salt Range, Upper Indus Basin of Pakistan. Based on the integrated field and petrographic criteria, five different facies types i.e., CHF-1-CHF-5 are recognized. The CHF-1 corresponds to the sandy limestone interbedded with clays facies while CHF-2 is a medium bedded sandy limestone facies. The CHF-3 is represented by the massive sandy limestone facies. The CHF-4 (calcareous sandstone facies) and CHF-5 (thick bedded to massive white sandstone facies) have been identified in the upper part of the two stratigraphic sections. The depositional characteristics of these facies are consistent with the proximal inner shelf to distal middle shelf settings of a siliciclastic-carbonate mixed platform. Based on the integration of the outcrop data, facies information and fusulinid biostratigraphy the dynamic depositional model of the Chhidru Formation is presented. The new data enabled identification of two (02) 3rd order Transgressive-Regressive depositional sequences. The first Transgressive Sequence consists of the Transgressive Systems Tract (TST 1) that further constitutes six parasequences. The second transgressive depositional sequence constitutes the second Transgressive Systems Tract (TST 2) with no significant parasequence. The chronologic calibration fusulnid biostratigraphic age of the Chidru Formation suggest that deposition of the at the base TST 1 started at 252.5 Ma and the topmost beds of TST 2 corresponds to 253.8 Ma, respectively. The global comparison of the relative sea level during 252.5-253.8 Ma shows prominent eustatic signatures, however the flooding surfaces bounding the parasequences are ascribed to the local tectonics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The southeast Hazara forms a part of Himalayan fold and thrust belt of Pakistan. The study area is covered by Mesozoic-Cenozoic age rocks that have undergone severe deformation and is characterized by the formation of complex fold and thrust assemblages. The structures include northwest and southeast verging thrust systems with associated folds. Two deformational events separate the structures in the area. The structures in the northwestern quadrant display southeast facing direction whereas the southeastern quadrant is dominated by structures that dip towards southeast. The general trend of the structures is northeast- southwest and that attributes to the northwest-southeast contractile deformation. The trend of the structures depicts that stresses were directed from northwest. The folds are found to be tight to overturned and the cores of the folds are usually occupied by competent Samana Suk Formation. The organic rich horizons were observedin the field within the Formation, the TOC of which was calculated as 0.28%. Microfacies analysis reveals well sorted and well-rounded ooidal-peloidal grainstones and packstones as well as dolomitized and fractured wackestones and mudstones. The diagenetic signatures include fracturing and dolomitization depicting its source and reservoir quality for a hydrocarbon prospect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagenetic fabric and its implications for the thin section porosity in carbonate facies of the Margala Hill Limestone in the Haripur area of North Pakistan is documented here. The facies analysis suggests deposition of the unit in a carbonate shelf platform setting having characteristic sediments of the inner shelf lagoon to middle shelf subtidal environments. The diagenetic overprinting of these facies includes micritization, neomorphism (microspar, aragonite calcite transformation, dolomitization) and compaction (disorientation of biocalst, pressure dissolution fabric). The inner shelf facies have an enhanced porosity due to transformation of calcite to dolomite and micritization of skeletal fragments. The occlusion of the effective porosity in the middle shelf and sub-tidal distal shelf facies is related to the stylonodular, stylobrecciated fabric and calcite filled veins. The overall assessment of the unit suggests that the middle part of rock intervals have fair porosity (8-13%), in contrast to the lower and upper part which has negligible porosity (0-5%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper a detailed stratigraphic analysis of the Middle to Late Permian Wargal Limestone in the Western Salt Range area of the Potwar Basin in north Pakistan is presented. The outcrop data and microfacies analysis suggested that deposition of the Wargal Limestone occurred in the inner shelf to middle shelf-lagoon setting. A regional sequence stratigraphic model of the study unit, with a particular emphasis on the diagenetic fabric of different microfacies has been developed. In this study four, third order depositional sequences (1-4) are recognized. These sequences constituted three Transgressive Systems Tracts (TST 1-3) and four Regressive Systems Tract (RST 1-4). Based on the facies criteria a relative sea level curve is constructed and a comparison with the global sea level curves is made. The relative sea level fall at the 259.6 Ma and 254 Ma in the study area have a global signature, while the 263 Ma fall might be related to the interplay of the local tectonics and sediment supply. The synergy of the diagenetic fabric, results of the XRD, porosity/permeability analysis revealed that best hydrocarbon reservoir qualities exists in the dolomite facies in the middle and upper part of the study unit. The overall hydrocarbon reservoir potential of the Wargal Limestone is moderate to high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper deals in biostratigraphy and depositional environments of the Early Eocene Margalla Hill Limestone found in Kohala-Bala area, Haripur from the southern Hazara Fold-Thrust Belt (north western Himalayan Fold-Thrust Belt). The stratigraphy ranges in age from Pre-Cambrian to Holocene. The Margalla Hill Limestone having limestone with thin inter-beds of claystone and marl is 136m thick, and has conformable lower contact with Patala Formation of the Palaeocene age. The upper contact (conformable) with Chorgali Formation of the Eocene age is not exposed here. The Margalla Hill Limestone is described here as having a wide variety of faunal and floral assemblage; includes larger benthic forams, planktic forams, echinoderms, mollusks and dasycladacean algae. Their comparative studies suggest Middle Illerdian-2 age. There were three microfacies recognized; 1) Miliolid Lockhartia Mud-Wackstone Microfacies, inferred the deposition in a low energy, restricted circulation with slightly high salinity in a lagoonal environment of the inner shelf, 2) Nummulitic Wack-Packstone Microfacies, inferred to be deposited in a subtidal conditions of the carbonate shelf and 3) Benthic Foraminiferal Wack-Packstone Microfacies, representing deposition in the distal middle shelf area relatively further offshore. The microfacies are frequent in the section, which reveal changing sea level conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]