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Abstract Biopolymers such as nucleic acids and proteins exhibit dynamic backbone folding, wherein site-specific intramolecular interactions determine overall structure. Proteins then hierarchically assemble into supramolecular polymers such as microtubules, that are robust yet dynamic, constantly growing or shortening to adjust to cellular needs. The combination of dynamic, energy-driven folding and growth with structural stiffness and length control is difficult to achieve in synthetic polymer self-assembly. Here we show that highly charged, monodisperse DNA-oligomers assemble via seeded growth into length-controlled supramolecular fibers during heating; when the temperature is lowered, these metastable fibers slowly disassemble. Furthermore, the specific molecular structures of oligomers that promote fiber formation contradict the typical theory of block copolymer self-assembly. Efficient curling and packing of the oligomers – or ‘curlamers’ – determine morphology, rather than hydrophobic to hydrophilic ratio. Addition of a small molecule stabilises the DNA fibers, enabling temporal control of polymer lifetime and underscoring their potential use in nucleic-acid delivery, stimuli-responsive biomaterials, and soft robotics.

Food security is a matter of human existence and a top agenda item of United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs); in the wake of the fact that 2.37 billion people are classified as either undernourished or unable to sustain regular intake of nutrient-dense diet, is a matter of prime importance across the globe. Our study investigated the zero-hunger reality through the prism of food security impacted by the consumption of fixed capital (Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing), environmental temperature surges, arable land, agricultural land, nitrogen and phosphate nutrient usage in the context of the most populous Asian countries. We employed the quantitative approach to investigate our problem by relying on the data collected from the FAOstat, World Bank, Economist Impact, and national statistics bureaus spanning 2016 to 2020 for six Asian countries such as China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Malaysia. This study’s findings explain that environmental temperature surges and arable land negatively affect food security, while fertilizers and fixed capital consumptions positively impact food security. Moreover, the study findings pave the path for policymakers and businesses to find the best approaches to enhancing food security, hygiene, quality, availability and wealth prosperity in these specific countries, which are half the world’s population, i.e., approximately 4 billion.

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the novel coronavirus-infected millions globally. Despite a wide range of advised options for the treatment of COVID-19, a single strategy to tackle this pandemic remains elusive, thus far. That is why we are conducting a clinical trial to find out the efficacy of iodine complex to clear a viral load of severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) along with a reduction in time taken to alleviate symptoms. Method The proposed study is a placebo-controlled, add-on, randomized trial using parallel group designs. This is a closed-label and adaptive with sample size reassessment, multi-centered design with a 1:1:1:1 allocation ratio and superiority framework. It will be conducted in Shaikh Zayed Post-Graduate Medical Complex, Ali Clinic, and Doctors Lounge, Lahore, Pakistan. This study will have three arms of mild to moderately symptomatic COVID-19 patients (50 patients in each) which will receive ionic-iodine polymer complex with 200 mg of elemental iodine: interventional arm A will have encapsulated, arm B will receive suspension syrup form, arm C will get throat spray, while arm X will be standard care with placebo. Data will be collected on self-constructed, close-ended questionnaires after obtaining written consent. Data will be analyzed using SAS version 9.4. COVID-19 patients will be monitored by RT-PCR and HRCT (high-resolution computed tomography) chest. In addition to these, the duration of the symptomatic phase and mortality benefits will be analyzed in both groups. Discussion The study is designed to measure the superior efficacy of the iodine complex as an add-on in treating COVID-19-positive patients with mild to moderate symptoms. This combination is hypothesized to improve various parameters like rapid viral load reduction, clinical and radiological improvement, lower mortality, and reduction in hospitalization. The trial will aid in devising a better strategy to cope with COVID-19 in a relatively inexpensive and accessible way. The implications are global, and this could prove itself to be the most manageable intervention against COVID-19 especially for patients from limited-resource countries with deprived socioeconomic status. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04473261 . Registered on July 16, 2020.

Abstract Objectives The study objective is to quantify the effectiveness of ivermectin (subcutaneous/oral IVM) in the presence or absence of zinc (Zn) for clinical and radiological improvement in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with moderate severity. Trial design This quadruple-blinded, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial will be a multiarmed multi-centered study with superiority framework. Participants Quinquagenarian and sexagenarian patients with moderate COVID-19 symptoms and positive severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus -2 (SARS-CoV-2) PCR will be included. Participants with co-morbidities and pregnant women will be excluded. Patient recruitment will be done in Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex, Doctors Lounge and Ali Clinic in Lahore (Pakistan). Intervention and comparator The registered patients will be allocated in 6 groups (30 participants each). Patients will be taking subcutaneous IVM at 200 μg/kg/48 h (Arm A) or subcutaneous IVM at 200 μg/kg/48 h and oral Zn 20mg/8 h (Arm B) or oral IVM at 0.2 mg/kg/day (Arm C) or oral IVM at 0.2 mg/kg/day and oral Zn 20mg/8 h (Arm D) or alone oral Zn 20mg/8 h (Arm E) or placebo alone (Arm X). Patients in all arms will receive standard care and respective placebo (empty capsule 8 hourly and/or subcutaneous normal saline 2ml/48 h). Main outcomes Primary endpoints will be duration of symptomatic phase and SARS-CoV-2 clearance along with high resolution CT (HRCT) chest score and clinical grade scale (CGS) on day 6. 30-day mortality will be documented as a secondary endpoint. SARS-CoV-2 clearance will be calculated by second PCR on day 7. HRCT chest score will be measured by the percentage and lung lobes involvement on day 6 with a maximum score of 25. CGS will be recorded on a seven-point scale; grade 1 (not hospitalized, no evidence of infection and resumption of normal activities), grade 2 (not hospitalized, but unable to resume normal activities), grade 3 (hospitalized, not requiring supplemental oxygen), grade 4 (hospitalized, requiring supplemental oxygen), grade 5 (hospitalized, requiring nasal high-flow oxygen therapy and/or noninvasive mechanical ventilation), grade 6 (hospitalized, requiring ECMO and/or invasive mechanical ventilation) and grade 7 (death). Randomisation A simple lottery method will be used to randomly allocate scrutinized patients in 1:1:1:1:1:1 ratio in 6 groups. Blinding (masking) Patients, primary care physicians, outcome assessors and the data collection team will be blinded. Numbers to be randomised (sample size) 180 participants will be randomized into six arms with five investigational and one placebo group. Trial Status Institutional Review Board Shaikh Zayed Post-Graduate Medical Complex, Lahore, Pakistan has approved the protocol (version 2.3) with ID SZMC/IRB/Internal0056/2020. The trial was approved on July 14, 2020, and enrolment started on July 30, 2020. The estimated completion date is October 30, 2021. Trial registration Clinical Trial has been retrospectively registered on www.clinicaltrials.gov with registration ID NCT04472585 dated July 16, 2020. Full protocol The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). With the intention of expediting dissemination of this trial, the conventional formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol. The study protocol has been reported in accordance with the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Clinical Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) guidelines.

Abstract Objectives Considering the therapeutic potential of honey and Nigella sativa (HNS) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, the objective of the study is defined to evaluate the prophylactic role of HNS. Trial design The study is a randomized, placebo-controlled, adaptive clinical trial with parallel group design, superiority framework with an allocation ratio of 1:1 among experimental (HNS) and placebo group. An interim analysis will be done when half of the patients have been recruited to evaluate the need to adapt sample size, efficacy, and futility of the trial. Participants All asymptomatic patients with hospital or community based COVID-19 exposure will be screened if they have had 4 days exposure to a confirmed case. Non-pregnant adults with significant exposure level will be enrolled in the study High-risk exposure (10min without face protection) Moderate exposure (10min with face protection) Subjects with acute or chronic infection, COVID-19 vaccinated, and allergy to HNS will be excluded from the study. Recruitment will be done at Shaikh Zayed Post-Graduate Medical Institute, Ali Clinic and Doctors Lounge in Lahore (Pakistan). Intervention and comparator In this clinical study, patients will receive either raw natural honey (0.5 g) and encapsulated organic Nigella sativa seeds (40 mg) per kg body weight per day or empty capsule with and 30 ml of 5% dextrose water as a placebo for 14 days. Both the natural products will be certified for standardization by Government College University (Botany department). Furthermore, each patient will be given standard care therapy according to version 3.0 of the COVID-19 clinical management guidelines by the Ministry of National Health Services of Pakistan. Main outcomes Primary outcome will be Incidence of COVID-19 cases within 14 days of randomisation. Secondary endpoints include incidence of COVID-19-related symptoms, hospitalizations, and deaths along with the severity of COVID-19-related symptoms till 14th day of randomization. Randomisation Participants will be randomized into experimental and control groups (1:1 allocation ratio) via the lottery method. There will be stratification based on high risk and moderate risk exposure. Blinding (masking) Quadruple blinding will be ensured for the participants, care providers and outcome accessors. Data analysts will also be blinded to avoid conflict of interest. Site principal investigator will be responsible for ensuring masking. Numbers to be randomised (sample size) 1000 participants will be enrolled in the study with 1:1 allocation. Trial Status The final protocol version 1.4 was approved by institutional review board of Shaikh Zayed Post-Graduate Medical Complex on February 15, 2021. The trial recruitment was started on March 05, 2021, with a trial completion date of February 15, 2022. Trial registration Clinical trial was registered on February 23, 2021, www.clinicaltrials.gov with registration ID NCT04767087 . Full protocol The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). With the intention of expediting dissemination of this trial, the conventional formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol. The study protocol has been reported in accordance with the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Clinical Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) guidelines.

Abstract Objectives The objective of the study is to measure the efficacy of ionic-iodine polymer complex [1] for clinical and radiological improvement in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Trial design The trial will be closed label, randomized and placebo-controlled with a 1:1:1:1 allocation ratio and superiority framework. Participants All PCR confirmed COVID-19 adult patients including non-pregnant females, with mild to moderate disease, will be enrolled from Shaikh Zayed Post-Graduate Medical Complex, Ali Clinic and Doctors Lounge in Lahore (Pakistan). Patients with any pre-existing chronic illness will be excluded from the study. Intervention and comparator In this multi-armed study ionic-iodine polymer complex with 200 mg of elemental iodine will be given using three formulations to evaluate efficacy. Patients will be receiving either encapsulated iodine complex of 200 mg (arm A), iodine complex syrup form 40 ml (arm B), iodine complex throat spray of 2 puffs (arm C) or empty capsule (arm D) as placebo; all three times a day. All the 4 arms will be receiving standard care as per version 3.0 of the clinical management guidelines for COVID-19 established by the Ministry of National Health Services of Pakistan. Main outcomes Primary outcomes will be viral clearance with radiological and clinical improvement. SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR and HRCT chest scans will be done on the admission day and then after every fourth day for 12 days or till the symptoms are resolved. RT-PCR will only be shown as positive or negative while HRCT chest scoring will be done depending on the area and severity of lung involvement [2]. Time taken for the alleviation of symptoms will be calculated by the number of days the patient remained symptomatic. 30-day mortality will be considered as a secondary outcome. Randomisation Stratification for initial COVID-19 status (or days from initial symptoms as a proxy), age groups, gender, baseline severity of symptoms and co-morbidities will be used to ensure that the study arms remain balanced in size for the 1:1:1:1 allocation ratio. Randomization will be done using the lottery method. As patients are being admitted at different times, they will be recruited after obtaining their voluntary written informed consent following all standard protocols of the infection, control and disinfection. Blinding (masking) This is a quadruple (participants, care providers, investigators and outcomes assessors) blinded study where only the study’s Primary Investigator will have information about the arms and their interventions. Numbers to be randomised (sample size) 200 patients will be randomized into four groups with three experimental and one placebo arm. Trial Status Protocol Version Number is 2.3 and it is approved from IRB Shaikh Zayed Hospital with ID SZMC/IRB/Internal0056/2020 on July 14th, 2020. The recruitment is in progress. It was started on July 30, 2020, and the estimated end date for the trial is August 15, 2021. Trial registration Clinical Trial has been retrospectively registered on www.clinicaltrials.gov with registration ID NCT04473261 dated July 16, 2020. Full protocol The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). With the intention of expediting dissemination of this trial, the conventional formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol. The study protocol has been reported in accordance with the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Clinical Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) guidelines.

In this research, we debate the critical challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic such as food scarcity, by examining the influence of consumption values on consumers’ willingness to consume genetically modified (GM) food in the presence of consumer food attitudes, animosity, and ethnocentrism, which could be the one possible option to deal with the food scarcity problem. The proposed relationship could help to understand the complex societal problem of food scarcity and import dependency in the food sector before and after the crisis. Therefore, based on the theory of consumption values, we investigated government actions, consumer attitudes, and their willingness to consume GM food through 1340 valid USA responses and 1065 Chinese responses. We observed that COVID-19 doubled the number of malnourished people in 2020 relative to 2019, while consumption values, to some extent, changed consumer food attitudes and were inclined toward other food alternatives such as GM food regardless of governmental support for GM food in both USA and China. Moreover, this research enables governments, policymakers, market practitioners, and other stakeholders to use the COVID-19 crisis as an opportunity to negotiate with other countries to share their food technology along with imports.

This study is conducted to evaluate the inmical impact of distillery spent wash on the soil properties. This is a quantitative study based on the physico-chemical analysis of distillery spent wash and soil. Soil and spent samples were collected from two different locations; Mirpurkhas and Tando Muhammad Khan in Sindh province, A controlledsoil sample was also collected from Town Tando Qaiser, Hyderabad district, where there is no distillery operating and has farms. All the samples were analyzed with different analytical parameters and compared with Sindh Environmental Quality Standards. The testing methods were followed under standard reference methods of ASTM-2011, USEPA-2001 and APHA-2005. The analytical results have shown the chronic effect of spent wash on the soil, Electrical conductivity of district Mirpurkhas was found 92348.421μs/cm and Tando Muhammad Khan has 76375.134μs/cm, which was greater than the controlled samples EC of 18229.89μs/cm. Both distilleries have very high electrical conductivity of 171448.65μs/cm and 160314.462μs/cm respectively. Other results of spent wash and soil were also exceeding the limit of SEQs and controlled sample. The distillery spent wash has high concentration of BOD (760 mg/l, 4,120 mg/l) and COD (2,950 mg/l, 20,640 mg/l) as compared to SEQs BOD (80 mg/l) and COD (150 mg. l) for discharge of industrial effluent. Both the distilleries discharged their effluent directly into the river canal. The physical appearance of the soil was noticed to be garish black in color and stunted growths of trees indicate the excessive use of spent wash for irrigation.

The surface coating is one of the novel approaches to enhance the performance and durability of the mechanical components by decreasing the wear and friction among two interacting bodies. In this study, tribological and mechanical properties of titanium nitride (TiN) coatings were investigated on the AISI 52100 bearing steel deposited by low-temperature physical vapor deposition system. Surface morphology and elemental composition of the TiN coating were analyzed by scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum, respectively. Substrate surface roughness and coating thickness of TiN were varied for correlative analysis among adhesion, mechanical, and tribological properties. Scratch and tribo tests were performed for evaluating the adhesion and tribological properties, respectively. Samples having the substrate surface roughness (0.2 ± 0.05 µm) and the coating thickness of more than 2.83 µm presented relatively better adhesion, wear resistance, and lower coefficient of friction of the TiN coating.

Piston ring and cylinder liner (PRCL) interface is a major contributor to the overall frictional and wear losses in an IC engine. Physical vapor deposition (PVD) based ceramic coatings on liners and rings are being investigated to address these issues. High temperature requirements for applications of conventional coating systems compromise the mechanical properties of the substrate materials. In the current study, experimental investigation of tribo-mechanical properties is conducted for various titanium nitride (TiN) coated PRCL interfaces in comparison with a commercial PRCL system. Low-temperature PVD based TiN coating is successfully achieved on the grey cast iron cylinder liner samples. Surface roughness of the grey cast iron cylinder liner substrates and the thickness of TiN coating are varied. A comprehensive comparative analysis of various PRCL interfaces is presented and all the trade-offs between various mechanical and tribological performance parameters are summarized. Coating thickness between 5 and 6 micrometres reports best tribo-mechanical behaviour. Adhesion and hardness are found to be superior for the TiN coatings deposited on cylinder liner samples with higher roughness, i.e., ~ 5-micron Ra. Maximum 62 % savings on the COF is reported for a particular PRCL system. Maximum 97% saving in cylinder liner wear rate is reported for another PRCL system.

The growing demand for sustainable and healthy practices has led to an increased interest in the electrolyzed water (EW) application. This technology has garnered widespread acceptance as a sanitizer within the food industry. It also enhances the nutritional, functional, and sensory properties of food products to improve quality and safety. This review undertakes a comprehensive review of the recent advancements in electrolysis technology, exploring its applications in fruits and meat industry and its impact on nutritional, functional, microbiological, safety, and sensory characteristics. It is concluded that the EW should be considered an essential component of industrial equipment sanitization and food product decontamination by offering antimicrobial benefits and promoting functional component accumulation. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of EW can be compromised by the presence of organic matter and equipment corrosion. Furthermore, it provides a concise overview of EW generation, elucidates the influential factors governing its production, and delineates prospective directions for research and development in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]