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Objective: To compare the efficacy of Tazarotene 0.1% cream versus Clindamycin 1% gel in treating acne vulgaris. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of the Study: Dermatology Department, Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jan to Jul 2018. Methodology: One hundred and fifty-four patients of both genders who had moderate acne vulgaris for more than four weeks were divided into two Groups. In both Groups, patients applied one-fourth fingertip unit of Tazarotene 0.1% cream in the evening once daily and Clindamycin 1% gel over the affected area in the morning once daily for 12 weeks. The Global Acne Grading System Score (GAGS score) was used for severity and efficacy assessment. Results: The majority of the patients belonged to 13-25 years of age, i.e., 61(79.2%) and 54(70.1%) in Group-A (Tazarotene 0.1% cream) and Group-B (Clindamycin 1% gel), respectively. The efficacy of topical Tazarotene cream (0.1%) was better than topical Clindamycin 1% gel, and the difference was statistically significant with a p-value less than 0.01. GAGS score

This research study examines the content of re-enactment-based crime shows to understand how violence-based crime events are portrayed to the viewers. Quantitative Content Analysis has been executed by the researchers on the two leading T.V.shows of Pakistan and India – Jurm Bolta Hai and Crime Patrol. All the episodes of the selected shows on-aired from the 1st of November 2016 to the 31st of December 2016 have been studied, coded, and analyzed.The findings reveal that Crime Patrol on-aired more episodes and showed more violence. The data confirmed that both the shows discussed the crime events in a similar line by focusing on the murder,kidnapping, and robbery. There is a space for improvement in the language of both the shows to tell the crime story to the audience in a more decent way. It is also much needed that Jurm Bolta Hai should respect the privacy of different characters involved or affected by the crime. The findings of this research study are grounded in the Cultural Criminology Theory.

This research study aims to discover the possible relationship between social media usage with academic procrastination exhibited by students. The multistage sampling technique was utilized and a sample of N=240 belonging to different educational levels (intermediate, graduate, and post-graduate), stratified by gender (boys=120 and girls=120), was drawn from various educational institutions in the Peshawar district. The researchers utilized Social Networking Time Use Scale:SONTUS (Olufadi, 2016) to measure the time spent by the subjects on social networking sites. Whereas the Academic Procrastination Scale: APS (McCloskey, 2011) was used to gauge the Academic procrastination level of the respondents. Results indicated significant positive correlation between social media usage and academic procrastination, r = 0.424; p less than 0.01. An inverse relationship of educational level with social media time usage and academic procrastination was also manifested, r=-.153; p less than0.01 and r = -.167; p less than 0.01. Moreover, there was no significant difference in academic procrastination tendency by gender F(1,238)= 1.334, P greater than .05.

Objective: To measure the sagittal changes in the maxilla via angular change in point A with Sella Nasion plane and incisor to palatal plane before (T1) and after (T2) rapid palatal expansion with bonded expander. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Feb 2017 from Jan 2018. Methodology: 30 patients both male and female presenting to orthodontics department AFID between the ages of 9 and 12 years, with transverse maxillary deficiency were given a bonded hyrax appliance with an activation schedule of 2 turns per day, the retention period was 2 months followed by further retention with a removable plate. Two cone beam computerized tomography evaluations were done. One pre-expansion (T1) and the other after 2 months of retention (T2). Results: 30 children 16 males (53%) and 14 females (47%) with a mean age of 11.03 ± 0.76 years were studied showing that from pre-treatment to post-treatment Sella Nasion point A value changed insignificantly from 77.03 ± 2.81 to 77.2 ± 3.02and 1 to palatal plane changed insignificantly from 111.82 ± 5.74 to 110.8 ± 5.80. Paired sample t-test results confirmed the statistically insignificant change in Sella Nasion point A and 1to Palatal Plane. Conclusion: Following rapid palatal expansion with a bonded expander in growing patients the change in maxillary location in the sagittal dimension and the change in inclination of incisor to palatal plane following expansion was insignificantly affected statistically and hence clinically.

Objective: To determine the presence of iron deficiency anemia and assess the relationship of various factors with the presence of anemia among the patients of inflammatory bowel disease reporting to Military Hospital, Rawalpindi. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of General Medicine, Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from Jan to Dec 2018. Methodology: Two hundred cases were recruited in this study, which were diagnosed as inflammatory bowel disease in medical outpatient department (OPD) by a consultant medical specialist or gastroenterologist. Iron deficiency anemia was diagnosed on the basis of hemoglobin and ferritin levels. Relationship of age, gender, duration of inflammatory bowel disease, type of inflammatory bowel disease and poly-pharmacy was taken into account with the presence of iron deficiency anemia among the patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease. Results: A total of 106 patients were males and 94 were females. Most common type of inflammatory bowel disease was ulcerative colitis 118 (59%). Out of 200 patients of inflammatory bowel disease, 111 (44.5%) showed the presence of iron deficiency anemia while 89 (55.5%). Long duration of illness and poly-pharmacy had a significant correlation (p-value

This research study investigates the coverage of Dawn and The News during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic to understand whom they relied on most to share the story of the COVID-19 pandemic with their readers. Sources cited or quoted in the news stories play a significant role in emphasizing the particular aspect of the coverage. The researchers studied the selected newspapers' news coverage for one month, from March 13, 2020, to April 13, 2020. The findings, based on the content analysis, reveal that both the selected mainstream newspapers relied more on the elite official sources to share the story of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic – by sidelining the general public, health experts and victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the newspapers failed to reflect on the issue through people's, victims’, and health experts' voices. Thus, they faced failure to observe the diversity and investigative line in coverage.

This research study investigates how selected mainstream Pakistani print media, Dawn and Ummat, represented the image of Afghanistan and the Taliban in its news coverage. The aim is to understand whether the selected two newspapers portrayed the image of Afghanistan and the Taliban positively or negatively. Dawn is considered the leftist newspaper that holds liberal views about the issues in Pakistan. On the other hand, Ummat is considered a right-wing newspaper with conservative views. The news content of both newspapers was studied from the 1st of January 2019 to the 31st of January 2019. Content Analysis has been employed as a research method in this study to answer all the outstanding research questions. The findings support that though most of the newspapers' discussion revolved around the US-Taliban peace talks, Ummat emphasized the Taliban's perspective more in the coverage. It was also revealed that both the selected newspapers relied more on the Afghan sources to share the Afghan government and Taliban's story with its readers. The research study is grounded on Goffman's Framing Theory.

he importance of media in the globalized world has multiplied many folds. The government and the other stakeholders always try to propagate their narratives to the public and inform and convince them about the different prevailing issues. The prime time private TV talk shows are often seen as the most important genre of mass media that informs and educates viewers about the different issues. This study focuses on three leading TV talk shows named "Capital Talk", "Off the Record", and "On the Front with Kamran Shahid". This research study's prime objective is to investigate whether the selected TV talk shows follow the PEMRA's code of conduct in their programs or not? The researchers utilized the 'Content Analysis' as a research method to investigate all the queries. Based on the analysis of June 2018 TV talk shows, the findings reveal that PEMRA's code of conduct has not been followed by all the three selected TV talk shows,and they breached it in different ways and levels.

During August–September 2018, powdery mildew symptoms were observed on both surfaces of leaves of Isodon rugosus in the Abbottabad and Malakand districts of Pakistan. The causal agent was identified as Erysiphe bunkiniana, based on its asexual morph and chasmothecia, and its identity was confirmed by molecular data. This is the first Pakistani report of Erysiphe bunkiniana and the first sequence obtained for this powdery mildew species.

This paper reviews the literature on the flipping activity of initial public offerings (IPOs). To achieve the objective of this study, the papers indexed in the Scopus data repository and Google Scholar were employed. Based on the review, it was discovered that the extent of flipping varies significantly across countries. The emerging markets have a higher rate of IPO flipping than developed markets, which captures the high information asymmetry prevalence in the emerging markets. In addition, some significant variables were found to influence filliping activity. This includes underwriters, institutional investors, initial return, market conditions, lock-up provision, and issue size. Despite the identified variables that were found to influence flipping activity, there remain some variables that have not been considered. Some of these variables include institutional settings, listing regulations, political factors, and pre-IPO information in the prospectus that could give the research a promising field. The investigation of these variables will be assisting prospective investors in making informed decisions when investing in IPOs in order to maximise their profits

Background: Melasma is a very common skin problem that is much more prevalent in women. In our society, it results in many psycho-social implications and eventually leads to an impaired quality of life. Many treatment modalities have been developed for it. However, in recent years resistant forms of melasma have emerged that are unresponsive to the usual first line treatment options. Thus, this study is being conducted to explore new treatment modalities for this disease by using micro-needling with vitamin C and tranexamic acid. Methods: Thirty patients participated in this non-randomized clinical trial including 11 males and 19 females. All patients received Tranexamic acid via micro-needling on right side of the face and Vitamin C on the left side. A total of three biweekly sessions were performed. Patients’ response was evaluated at week 2, 4 and 6 on the basis of Physician Global Assessment, Patient Global Assessment, modified Melasma Area Severity Index and clinical assessment. Paired sample t-tests were used to calculate the difference in the means of two groups at 2, 4 and 6 weeks and p-value of 0.05). Conclusion: Both Tranexamic acid and Vitamin C are potent therapies for melasma as an adjuvant to micro-needling.

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 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.

Objective: comparison of efficacy of topical 4% hydroquinone monotherapy with combination of oral tranexamic acid and topical 4% hydroquinone in the treatment of epidermal melasma Study design: Quasi experimental study Study period and place: Dermatology OPD, Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi from July 2018 to January 2019. Methodology: Total 80 patients presenting with epidermal melasma were selected from outdoor patient department after applying the inclusion criteria and consent was taken from selected patients. Study was started after getting permission from hospital ethical review board. Two treatment groups were made after dividing patients by using alternate method. Treatment with topical 4% hydroquinone alone was started for group A patients and combination of capsule tranexamic acid (250 mg two times a day) along with topical 4% hydroquinone were started for group B patients for the next 6 months. Evaluation of patients through detailed history, clinical and wood’s light examination before starting therapy and after of 24 weeks of treatment was done for both groups. Efficacy of treatment was assessed via Modified MASI score. Results: Hydroquinone monotherapy was effective in 21 (52.5%) patients among group A while in group B patients, combination treatment i.e. oral tranexamic acid and topical hydroquinone, was effective in 31 (77.5%) patients (p value= 0.01). Conclusion: Effectiveness of Hydroquinone 4% topical therapy combined with oral tranexamic acid for epidermal melasma is better than topical 4% hydroquinone alone. Key words: Epidermal melasma, oral tranexamic acid, topical 4% hydroquinone.

Objective: To determine mean platelet volume in patients of psoriasis Study Design: Cross sectional study Place and duration of study: Dermatology Department, Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi from August 2017 to January 2018. Methodology: Approval from the hospital ethical review committee was taken and a total of 100 patients were enrolled by non-probability consecutive sampling. After an informed written consent, name, gender, age, hospital record number, and phone number of each individual were noted. At the time of enrollment, all the individuals were subjected to complete blood count, bleeding time, fasting blood sugar, fasting lipid profile, renal and liver function tests. Patients with abnormal parameters were excluded from the study. A two ml venous blood sample was drawn from each patient and sent in CP bottle to the laboratory of Armed Forces Institute of Pathology for blood complete analysis by hematology analyzer machine. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 22. Results: In this study mean age was 40 ± 10.40 years. 54% patients were male and 46% patients were female. Mean platelet volume in patients presenting with psoriasis was 9.10fL with SD ± 2.12. Conclusion: Our study concludes that the mean platelet volume in patients presenting with psoriasis was 9.10fL with SD ± 2.12 which is in the normal range. Therefore, mean platelet volume is not affected by psoriasis. Key words: Mean platelet volume, psoriasis, severity, cross-sectional study

Purpose This study aims to examine the impact of sponsors and democratic government on the flipping activity of initial public offerings (IPOs). Design/methodology/approach Based on the sample of 95 IPOs listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange between January 2000 and December 2019, this study used multiple cross-sectional regression to examine the relationship between sponsors and democratic government on flipping activity. Findings The findings indicate a significant negative association between sponsors and the flipping activity of IPOs. Sponsor(s) signal quality by trying to share accurate information about company values. As a result, the confidence of rational investors in the company’s future prospectus increases and they hold their shares for future gains, which reduces the flipping activity. Also, democratic government, along with sponsors' participation, provides investors with liquidity immediately after listing. Practical limitations/implications The findings of this study have implications for investors as they may assist them make informed decisions about whether or not to invest in an IPO with high sponsor(s) ownership. In addition, issuers should consider the disclosure of sponsor information(s) as such information may directly affect the first day’s trading volumes. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first research study that explores the correlation between sponsors and democratic government and flipping activity of IPO. This study is important for investors and issuers.

Introduction: When it comes to pollution, smoking, infections, tuberculosis (TB), and allergies, the lungs are the most sensitive organs to damage. Pleural fluid is a fluid that fills the parietal and visceral layers of the pleura that surround the lungs and helps to keep them moist. An investigation of the link between age, gender, and immunohistochemistry findings in lung and pleural biopsy samples was conducted. Materials and procedures: This is a four-year retrospective study that will take place between May 2017 and May 2021. In the current study, a total of 112 cases were submitted for histological investigation, with 100 instances using lung biopsy and 12 cases involving pleural biopsy being the most prevalent. Immunohistochemical testing was carried out as and when it was necessary. Results: A total of 100 lungs were examined. There were 56 cases of neoplastic tumours, 35 cases of non-neoplastic tumours, and nine cases of inconclusive tumours. The most common type of cancer was squamous cell carcinoma. The most prevalent non-neoplastic lesion was angioedema, which was the most common type of lesion (4 percent ). Patients with lung tumours who have malignancy outweigh those who have inflammatory illnesses at our institution. Seven of the 11 pleural biopsy cases were malignant, whereas the other eleven were not. Adenocarcinoma was the most common kind of neoplastic pleural lesion, followed by tuberculosis. Conclusion: The use of histopathology in the diagnosis of lung and pleural lesions is essential. It is possible to increase the accuracy of histological diagnosis with the use of immunohistochemistry. Keywords: Lung biopsy, pleural biopsy, histopathological examination.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of privatized initial public offerings (IPOs) on flipping activity in the Pakistan IPO market.Design/methodology/approachThis study sampled 95 IPOs listed on the Pakistan stock exchange over the period of 2000 to 2019. The ordinary least square technique and quantile regression were used to examine the impact of privatized IPO on flipping activity.FindingsThe present study finds that privatization affects flipping activity and creates a quality signal in Pakistan’s IPO market. The findings of this study also show that privatized IPOs were subjected to high levels of flipping activity compared to non-privatized IPOs. Additionally, investors’ demand has been found to moderate the relationship between privatized IPOs and flipping activity in Pakistan’s IPO market.Research limitations/implicationsBased on the fact that the sample consists of a combination of privatized and non-privatized IPOs, the results provide valuable insight into factors that may lead to unusual trading behavior/flipping during the first day of listing.Originality/valueDespite several studies on events (e.g. short- and long-term price performance) around IPO, there is little evidence on how privatized IPOs affect flipping activity, which is a high volume of trading immediately after listing.

This work reports on the synthesis of aspartic acid-functionalized graphene oxide-zinc oxide, as a functional porous material, and its potential to mitigate levofloxacin (LFXN). The adsorbent was characterized by various techniques, including ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The average crystallite size of the prepared composite was about 17.30 nm. Batch adsorption studies were carried out to elucidate the adsorption process for LFXN. Different parameters, including contact time, LFXN initial concentration, adsorbent concentration, pH, temperature, and ionic strength were studied. The mechanism and kinetics were studied by fitting the data to Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms, pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, respectively. The isotherm data was better fitted to Langmuir isotherm (R

During September–October 2017, powdery mildew symptoms were observed on both surfaces of leaves of Chenopodium ambrosioides in Abbottabad, Malakand, and Upper Dir districts of Pakistan. The causal agent was identified as Erysiphe betae, based on its asexual morphology and chasmothecia, and its identity was confirmed by molecular data. This is the first Pakistani report of Erysiphe betae on this host.

Background: Healthcare related bacterial endocarditis represents a significant portion of endocarditis seen today. Suspicion for these infections should be particularly high in patients with chronic indwelling central venous catheters, and most notably, in patients with hemodialysis catheters. These infections may have a predilection for the superior vena cava due to proximity of the catheters to the great veins of the neck. Transthoracic echocardiography and/or trans-esophageal echocardiography should be done promptly in patients in which there a high suspicion for such infections, in order to identify these lesions, and guide appropriate management with either antibiotics or surgical intervention. Case presentation: We present a 59-year-old female with multiple comorbidities including diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis via an anterior chest wall catheter, who presented with fever, chills, and abdominal pain. She was found to have pus in and around her catheter. Further evaluation with trans-esophageal echocardiography revealed the presence of a superior vena cava vegetation extending into the right atrium. She received a 6 week course of appropriate antibiotics with repeat trans-esophageal echocardiography showing a significant reduction in the size of the vegetation. Patient remained afebrile, and without leukocytosis and negative blood cultures for the remainder of her hospital stay.

A new species of smut fungi, Urocystis piptatheri is described from Kumrat Valley, Pakistan based on morphological characters and molecular phylogenetic analysis of nuclear ribosomal DNA comprising the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions along with large subunit (LSU). The new species is characterized by the large size of its spore balls, size and number of central spores, spore wall thickness, sori in leaves and by the host plant species (Piptatherum laterale). Phylogenetic analysis of nuclear ribosomal ITS and LSU nucleotide sequences confirmed the novelty of Urocystis piptatheri. A key for the identification of Urocystis species on Pipthatherum spp. is provided.

Chitosan (CS)/metal oxide (MO) nano-carriers have recently attracted attention due to their great integration into several biomedical applications. Herein, CS and dysprosium oxide based bio-nanocomposites (Dy

The cutting-edge development known as FinTech is now fast replacing traditional financial services all over the world. Despite that, UAE consumers are still not embracing FinTech services at the expected rate. This study hence suggests expanded research based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) to deeply examine the obstacles preventing consumers from using FinTech services. This research utilised an exploratory sequential mixed-method approach. Preliminary semi-structured interviews involving ten banking experts were undertaken to explore the barriers preventing consumers from using FinTech services. To get additional empirical support for the research concept, the study sequentially examined numerous components using a quantitative cross-sectional online survey involving 332 bank customers. The qualitative investigation highlighted six new barriers that consumers face when using FinTech. Through quantitative data analysis, the preliminary qualitative findings were largely verified. As far as the authors are concerned, this inquiry is the first to put forth a thorough model that takes into account organisational, technological, individual, and environmental aspects for addressing the problem of low FinTech usage. By incorporating several new factors, this study also expands the UTAUT. Additionally, it is one of the first studies to examine FinTech adoption employing a mixed-approach methodology.