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The present study details the facies description and hydrocarbon reservoir characterization of the Paleozoic rocks of Peshawar Basin, northwest Pakistan. The outcrop samples from the Cambrian-Devonian rocks along the famous Nowshera-Risalpur Road and Turlandi Village Section were investigated. The analysis of outcrop data revealed significant information regarding the facies and their depositional environments. Based on its detailed sedimentological data, it is believed that the Ambar Formation is deposited in shallow shelf-tidal flat settings, while the protolith of the Misri Banda Quartzite came from the wide beaches. The protolith of the Panjpir Formation was deposited in the shelf conditions, which shows an overall shallowing when moving up the section from the argillites and phyllites to crinoidal limestone. The Nowshera Formation was deposited as a reef complex on the shelf edge having reef core, reef breccia and a backreef lagoon. The techniques of petrography, XRD and SEM were used for the bulk geochemical composition of the rocks focusing on their matrix, mineralogy, micro-porosity and pore-filling materials. The presence of micrite, goethite, kaolinite and illite as intergranular mass, dolomitizationinduced porosity, twin cleavage plane and high dissolution porosity in the Ambar Formation can provide significant pore space to the reservoir fluids migration. Hematite with minor kaolinite, illite and chlorite as alteration products of unstable framework grains as intergranular mass and a deep seated burial diagenesis has minimized the reservoir potential in Misri Banda Quartzite. The coarse and fine calcite, dolomite, chlorite and kaolinite occur as pore-filling material between the framework grains while the high intensity of intragranular dissolution and micro intergranular connecting porosity in the Nowshera Formation makes it a promising reservoir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efflux pumps are a specialized tool of antibiotic resistance used by Pseudomonas aeruginosa to expel antibiotics. The current study was therefore conducted to examine the expression of MexAB-OprM and MexCD-OprJ efflux pump genes. In this study, 200 samples were collected from Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) and Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) in Peshawar, Pakistan. All the isolates were biochemically identified by an Analytical Profile Index kit and at the molecular level by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) utilizing specific primers for the OprL gene. A total of 26 antibiotics were tested in the current study using the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) and high-level resistance was shown to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (89%) and low-level to chloramphenicol (1%) by the isolates. The antibiotic-resistant efflux pump genes MexA, MexB, OprM, MexR, MexC, MexD, OprJ, and NfxB were detected in 178 amoxicillin-clavulanic acid-resistant isolates. Mutations were detected in MexA, MexB, and OprM genes but no mutation was found in the MexR gene as analyzed by I-Mutant software. Statistical analysis determined the association of antibiotics susceptibility patterns by ANOVA: Single Factor p = 0.05. The in silico mutation impact on the protein structure stability was determined via the Dynamut server, which revealed the mutations might increase the structural stability of the mutants. The docking analysis reported that MexA wild protein showed a binding energy value of −6.1 kcal/mol with meropenem and the mexA mutant (E178K) value is −6.5 kcal/mol. The mexB wild and mutant binding energy value was −5.7 kcal/mol and −8.0 kcal/mol, respectively. Efflux pumps provide resistance against a wide range of antibiotics. Determining the molecular mechanisms of resistance in P. aeruginosa regularly will contribute to the efforts against the spread of antibiotic resistance globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Patients with oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) are at risk for development of malignancy. This study was designed to assess the dysplastic changes in oral exfoliative cytological specimens from OPMD cases thus screening patients who may need biopsy for evaluation and progression of their lesion. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Histopathology Laboratory of Peshawar Medical College, Peshawar for which samples were collected from two dental hospitals and private dental clinics of Peshawar. The study included 20 cases of clinically diagnosed Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders (OPMDs); including 10 cases of leukoplakia and 10 cases of oral lichen planus (OLP), and 20 age and gender matched healthy controls, after observing a strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. A pre-designed proforma was used to collect the data, which was later analyzed in SPSS version 21. Results: A total of 40 participants had a mean age of 48.25±10.01 years with gender distribution of 32(80%) males and 8(20%) females, giving a male to female ratio of 4:1. The duration of OPMD lesions had a mean of 2.3±4.4 years. On Oral Exfoliative Cytology (OEC), 10% OPMDs showed atypical changes and 90% showed no such changes, as compared to healthy controls which exhibited a normal cytology without any atypia. As per Oral Bethesda Criteria, 18 (90%) OPMD cases were Negative for Intraepithelial Lesion/Malignancy (NILM) and 2 (10%) showed Low grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (LSIL). Buccal mucosa 12 (60%) was the most common site of lesions. Conclusion: This study concluded that dysplastic cytological findings were seen only in 10% of OPMD cases thus saving majority of the patients from the need to go through the invasive biopsy procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the information needs and seeking behavior of forestry scientists at the Pakistan Forest Institute. Peshawar. A total of 64 questionnaires out of 69 werereceived back from forestry scientists with ar, overall response rate of 92.75 percent. These data were supplemented by qualitative interviews of 12 selected respondents. The study revealed that the main motivation for seeking information by this group was their interest in personal development, conducting research, and keeping up to date. The top three frequently used information sources were books, journals, and newspapers and magazines. Interpersonal communication with colleagues, academic staff at PFI, and attending professional conferences were ranked as the three top communication channels. In-service training courses on information searching would be useful to improve their ISB. Enhanced library facilities will motivate them to use latest information sources. The results of this study can be used to provide improved information sources and services for forestry scientists and remove barriers to facilitate the use of forestry information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Reading is perhaps the most important tool in all academic advancements. It is an essential requirement for achieving skill in our occupations and professions. Regular and systematic reading sharpens the intellect, refines the emotions, elevates tastes and provides perspectives for one's living; and thereby prepares him for an effective participation in the social and political life. He who does not read is as bad off as one who cannot read. The primary objective of this study is to bring to light the reading interest and use habits of college students in Peshawar. Survey method of research was used, using questionnaire and interview techniques for data collection. The study gives a vivid picture of the reading interest and use habits of the students' community in Peshawar. In this study a number of recommendations have been made for developing healthy reading habits in College students in Peshawar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine the frequency of various surgical outcomes of acute extra dural hematoma (EDH) in the Department of Neurosurgery, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. Methodology: This was a case series study conducted in Neurosurgery Department, Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) Peshawar, from 1st January 2009 to 30th September 2009. Total 145 consecutive patients of acute extradural hematoma were admitted and their baseline GCS was recorded. They were operated by consultant neurosurgeon. Post-operative outcome including good recovery, moderate disability, severe disability, persistent vegetative state and death were recorded. Results: Out of 145 cases, 82% were male and 18% were female. Majority of the cases were less than14 years old. Fall was the cause of EDH in 60% patients, road traffic accident (RTA) in 26% and physical assault was the mode of injury in 14%. Interval between injury and surgery of more than 8 hours was recorded in majority of the cases. Parietal lobe was the commonest site of EDH. Craniotomy was performed in 80% cases and craniectomy in 20% cases. Post-operative GCS of 13-15 was noted in 123 (85%) cases compared to GCS at arrival of 13-15 in 72 (50%) cases. Post-operatively, good recovery was noted in majority of the cases (n=123, 85%) having higher GCS scores (13-15). Conclusion: Surgical outcome in EDH patient is affected by GCS. Lower GCS have poor outcome. Good recovery was noted in maximum cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]