Evaluation of Willingness to Accept COVID-19 Vaccine and Willingness to Pay among Pakistani Parents for Their Children Aged 5 to 11 Years: Findings and Implications.

Vaccines are the most efficient and cost-effective tool to halt the transmission and prevention of COVID-19. The current study examined the willingness of parents to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. This was a cross-sectional study that used a questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model, previous history of COVID-19, willingness to accept, and willingness to pay for the COVID-19 vaccine. The questionnaire was administered among parents of children aged 5 to 11 years. Descriptive statistics, χ2 tests, and regression analysis were carried out for data analysis. A total of 474 respondents participated in this survey with a response rate of 67.7%. In our study, a majority of the respondents exhibited a willingness to accept the COVID-19 vaccine for their children (Definitely yes/Probably yes = 252, 53.2%); nevertheless, 229 (48.3%) respondents were unwilling to pay for it. More than three-quarters of the respondents were worried about the probability of COVID-19 infection in their children (n = 361, 76.2%) and were afraid of COVID-19-associated complications (n = 391, 82.5%). Likewise, most respondents showed their concerns regarding the effectiveness of the vaccine (n = 351, 74.1%), vaccine safety (n = 351, 74.1%), and the halal nature of the vaccine (n = 309, 65.2%). Respondents who were aged 40 to 50 years (odds ratio [OR]: 0.101, 95% CI: 0.38-0.268; P < 0.001), family income > 50,000 PKR (OR: 0.680, 95% CI: 0.321-1.442; P = 0.012), and location (OR: 0.324, 95% CI: 0.167-0.628; P = 0.001) were the factors that were likely to impact vaccine acceptance among parents. Education-based interventions are urgently required to improve COVID-19 vaccination acceptance among parents for their children.

Online vs. traditional learning: A comparative analysis of student's responses during COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a major impact on the educational institutes globally and resulted in the transition from traditional educational systems to online electronic learning methods. OBJECTIVE: This study endeavored to address and compare the dental student's understanding regarding the Oral Biology course by assessing their knowledge and skills between the students enrolled during 2020 (online teaching) and 2021 (face-to-face teaching). This study also aimed to assess the perception of dental students regarding the virtual mode of teaching. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study evaluated students from two years, in which a retrospective group of dental students enrolled during the academic year 2020 were compared with a prospective experimental group enrolled during the academic year 2021. Knowledge and skills for both years were compared. This comprised of theoretical and practical component. Students also completed a questionnaire that assessed student's perception regarding online teaching. RESULTS: A total of 98 students of Bahria University Dental College participated. A comparison between grade scores of online and traditional learning groups reported statistically significant differences (p = 0.05*) with regards to short answer question types, viva or verbal questions (p = 0.016*). Strong correlations were observed via the multivariable analysis. All correlations were statistically significant at p < 0.01 level. Learning satisfaction was not satisfactorily observed by the online learning group. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that despite the disruption that the educational sector had to face due to the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the differences in the subjective domain scores, students appeared to like on-campus teaching more than the online teaching, as most students found online learning to be stressful and were quite unsatisfied. However, the difference in mode of teaching did not affect the knowledge and skills of the dental students.

Dithymoquinone Analogues as Potential Candidate(s) for Neurological Manifestation Associated with COVID-19: A Therapeutic Strategy for Neuro-COVID.

The COVID-19 era has prompted several researchers to search for a linkage between COVID-19 and its associated neurological manifestation. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) acts as one such connecting link. spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 can bind either to ACE-2 receptors or to TLR-4 receptors, leading to aggregation of α-synuclein and neurodegeneration via the activation of various cascades in neurons. Recently, dithymoquinone has been reported as a potent multi-targeting candidate against SARS-CoV-2. Thus, in the present study, dithymoquinone and its six analogues were explored to target 3CLpro (main protease of SARS-CoV-2), TLR4 and PREP (Prolyl Oligopeptidases) by using the molecular docking and dynamics approach. Dithymoquinone (DTQ) analogues were designed in order to investigate the effect of different chemical groups on its bioactivity. It is noteworthy to mention that attention was given to the feasibility of synthesizing these analogues by a simple photo-dimerisation reaction. The DTQ analogue containing the 4-fluoroaniline moiety [Compound (4)] was selected for further analysis by molecular dynamics after screening via docking-interaction analyses. A YASARA structure tool built on the AMBER14 force field was used to analyze the 100 ns trajectory by taking 400 snapshots after every 250 ps. Moreover, RMSD, RoG, potential energy plots were successfully obtained for each interaction. Molecular docking results indicated strong interaction of compound (4) with 3CLpro, TLR4 and PREP with a binding energy of -8.5 kcal/mol, -10.8 kcal/mol and -9.5 kcal/mol, respectively, which is better than other DTQ-analogues and control compounds. In addition, compound (4) did not violate Lipinski's rule and showed no toxicity. Moreover, molecular dynamic analyses revealed that the complex of compound (4) with target proteins was stable during the 100 ns trajectory. Overall, the results predicted that compound (4) could be developed into a potent anti-COVID agent with the ability to mitigate neurological manifestations associated with COVID-19.

Oleuropein as a Potent Compound against Neurological Complications Linked with COVID-19: A Computational Biology Approach.

The association of COVID-19 with neurological complications is a well-known fact, and researchers are endeavoring to investigate the mechanistic perspectives behind it. SARS-CoV-2 can bind to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) that would eventually lead to α-synuclein aggregation in neurons and stimulation of neurodegeneration pathways. Olive leaves have been reported as a promising phytotherapy or co-therapy against COVID-19, and oleuropein is one of the major active components of olive leaves. In the current study, oleuropein was investigated against SARS-CoV-2 target (main protease 3CLpro), TLR-4 and Prolyl Oligopeptidases (POP), to explore oleuropein potency against the neurological complications associated with COVID-19. Docking experiments, docking validation, interaction analysis, and molecular dynamic simulation analysis were performed to provide insight into the binding pattern of oleuropein with the three target proteins. Interaction analysis revealed strong bonding between oleuropein and the active site amino acid residues of the target proteins. Results were further compared with positive control lopinavir (3CLpro), resatorvid (TLR-4), and berberine (POP). Moreover, molecular dynamic simulation was performed using YASARA structure tool, and AMBER14 force field was applied to examine an 100 ns trajectory run. For each target protein-oleuropein complex, RMSD, RoG, and total potential energy were estimated, and 400 snapshots were obtained after each 250 ps. Docking analyses showed binding energy as -7.8, -8.3, and -8.5 kcal/mol for oleuropein-3CLpro, oleuropein-TLR4, and oleuropein-POP interactions, respectively. Importantly, target protein-oleuropein complexes were stable during the 100 ns simulation run. However, an experimental in vitro study of the binding of oleuropein to the purified targets would be necessary to confirm the present study outcomes.

Immunomodulatory role and potential utility of various nutrients and dietary components in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Recently, the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome cornoavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has become a great perturbation all around the globe and has many devastating effects on every aspect of life. Apart from the oxygen therapy and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, Remdesivir and Dexamethasone have been proven to be efficacious against COVID-19, along with various vaccine candidates and monoclonal antibody cocktail therapy for Regeneron. All of these are currently at different stages of clinical trials. People with weak immunity are more prone to a severe infection of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, early and judicious nutritional supplementation along with pharmacological treatment and clinician collaborations are critical in restituting the current situation. Nutritional supplements help in acquiring strong immunity to prevent the progression of disease any further. Vitamin C, vitamin D, selenium, zinc and many other nutritional and dietary supplements inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines during a viral infection and prevents several unwanted symptoms of infection. Many dietary components like citrus fruits, black elderberry, ginger, and probiotics have the ability to attack viral replication. These supplements can also tame the overriding immune system during coronavirus infection. Keeping in view these facts, nutritional and dietary supplements can be used along with other management modalities. These nutritional and dietary supplements are potential candidates to curb the convulsive unfolding of novel COVID-19, in combination with other standard treatment protocols. In this review, various search engines were used to exploit available literature in order to provide a comprehensive review on nutritional and dietary supplements with respect to the viral infections. It will also provide a brief overview on some of the clinical trials that are in progress to assess the role of nutritional supplements, either alone or in combination with other pharmacological drugs, in fight against COVID-19.

Identifying the Most Potent Dual-Targeting Compound(s) against 3CLprotease and NSP15exonuclease of SARS-CoV-2 from Nigella sativa: Virtual Screening via Physicochemical Properties, Docking and Dynamic Simulation Analysis

Background: The outbreak of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has drastically affected the human population and caused enormous economic deprivation. It belongs to the β-coronavirus family and causes various problems such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and has resulted in a global pandemic. Though various medications have been under trial for combating COVID-19, specific medicine for treating COVID-19 is unavailable. Thus, the current situation urgently requires effective treatment modalities. Nigella sativa, a natural herb with reported antiviral activity and various pharmacological properties, has been selected in the present study to identify a therapeutic possibility for treating COVID-19. Methods: The present work aimed to virtually screen the bioactive compounds of N. sativa based on the physicochemical properties and docking approach against two SARS-CoV-2 enzymes responsible for crucial functions: 3CLpro (Main protease) and NSP15 (Nonstructural protein 15 or exonuclease). However, simulation trajectory analyses for 100ns were accomplished by using the YASARA STRUCTURE tool based on the AMBER14 force field with 400 snapshots every 250ps. RMSD and RMSF plots were successfully obtained for each target. Results: The results of molecular docking have shown higher binding energy of dithymoquinone (DTQ), a compound of N. sativa against 3CLpro and Nsp15, i.e., −8.56 kcal/mol and −8.31 kcal/mol, respectively. Further, the dynamic simulation has shown good stability of DTQ against both the targeted enzymes. In addition, physicochemical evaluation and toxicity assessment also revealed that DTQ obeyed the Lipinski rule and did not have any toxic side effects. Importantly, DTQ was much better in every aspect among the 13 N. sativa compounds and 2 control compounds tested. Conclusions: The results predicted that DTQ is a potent therapeutic molecule that could dual-target both 3CLpro and NSP15 for anti-COVID therapy.

Motivation and job satisfaction among medical and dental college faculty in Pakistan amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

BACKGROUND: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected economies all over the world. The ability of an organization to grow is heavily influenced by job satisfaction and employee motivation. OBJECTIVE: This study examines the factors affecting employee motivation and job satisfaction among medical and dental college faculty members in Pakistan, both in the private and public sector, during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Medical and dental college faculty in Pakistan comprised the sample for this multi-centric cross-sectional study. A questionnaire, which was modified from an existing study, was distributed electronically. A student's independent t-test was applied to compare the mean scores of the responses from public and private sector employees. RESULTS: Of the 466 total respondents, 55 %were female and 45 %male. Public sector faculty reported receiving adequate resources and preferred online teaching. Both public and private sector faculty reported being satisfied with regular workshops and training. Private sector employees demonstrated more satisfaction with workplace safety measures. Public sector faculty highlighted the positive influence of job security and timely salary payments on productivity. CONCLUSION: Faculty members from both the public and private sector find working from home to be easier and better for handling one's workload. Public sector faculty noted job security, timely salary payments, and an individual's sense of achievement as sources of motivation. Private institutes are more lacking in ensuring their faculty feel content and satisfied. Measures should be undertaken to improve the level of motivation felt by faculty members, especially in the private sector.

Assessing the impact of COVID-19 and safety parameters on energy project performance with an analytical hierarchy process.

COVID-19 has destabilized the global economy, disrupted the lives of billions of people globally, and caused the workforce to suffer. Furthermore, the spread of this disease has caused most nations to impose strict lockdown regulations and shutdown most industries. This study aimed to highlight the key issues of energy project performance alongside construction activities that were halted during the COVID-19 outbreak to follow social distancing, lockdown, and public safety parameters. A questionnaire survey was administered to accomplish the purpose of this study. The responses of 42 energy project professionals and experts were evaluated using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) for group decision-making. AHP shows that the biggest influences on project performance during COVID-19 pandemic were government measures and personal factors. The findings provide insight to support energy project planning and management during and after the pandemic, including prioritization of labor force health and safety.