Fungi are an understudied, biotechnologically valuable group of organisms. Due to 
the immense range of habitats that fungi inhabit, and the consequent need to compete against a diverse array of other fungi, bacteria, and animals, fungi have developed numerous survival mechanisms. The unique attributes of fungi thus herald great promise for their application in biotechnology and industry. Moreover, fungi can be grown with relative ease, making production at scale viable. The search for fungal biodiversity, and the construction of a living fungi collection, both have incredible economic potential in locating organisms with novel industrial uses that will lead to novel products. This manuscript reviews fifty ways in which fungi can potentially be utilized as biotechnology. We provide notes and examples for each potential exploitation and give examples from our own work and the work of other notable researchers. We also provide a flow chart that can be used to convince funding bodies of the importance of fungi for biotechnological research and as potential products. Fungi have provided the world with penicillin, lovastatin, and other globally significant medicines, and they remain an untapped resource with enormous industrial potential.

The amazing potential of fungi: 50 ways we can exploit fungi industrially

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has become an evolving worldwide health crisis With the rising prevalence of obesity and diabetes has come an increasing awareness of their impacts on infectious diseases, including increased risk for various infections, post-infection complications and mortality from critical infections Although epidemiological and clinical characteristics of Covid-19 have been constantly reported, no article has systematically illustrated the role of obesity and diabetes in Covid-19, or how Covid-19 affects obesity and diabetes, or special treatment in these at-risk populations Here, we present a synthesis of the recent advances in our understanding of the relationships between obesity, diabetes and Covid-19 along with the underlying mechanisms, and provide special treatment guidance for these at-risk populations

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/dmrr.3377

Obesity and diabetes as high-risk factors for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Comorbidities and the risk of severe or fatal outcomes associated with coronavirus disease 2019: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AGE/RAGE signaling has been a well-studied cascade in many different disease states, particularly diabetes. Due to the complex nature of the receptor and multiple intersecting pathways, the AGE/RAGE signaling mechanism is still not well understood. The purpose of this review is to highlight key areas of AGE/RAGE mediated vascular calcification as a complication of diabetes. AGE/RAGE signaling heavily influences both cellular and systemic responses to increase bone matrix proteins through PKC, p38 MAPK, fetuin-A, TGF-β, NFκB, and ERK1/2 signaling pathways in both hyperglycemic and calcification conditions. AGE/RAGE signaling has been shown to increase oxidative stress to promote diabetes-mediated vascular calcification through activation of Nox-1 and decreased expression of SOD-1. AGE/RAGE signaling in diabetes-mediated vascular calcification was also attributed to increased oxidative stress resulting in the phenotypic switch of VSMCs to osteoblast-like cells in AGEs-induced calcification. Researchers found that pharmacological agents and certain antioxidants decreased the level of calcium deposition in AGEs-induced diabetes-mediated vascular calcification. By understanding the role the AGE/RAGE signaling cascade plays diabetes-mediated vascular calcification will allow for pharmacological intervention to decrease the severity of this diabetic complication.

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The Role of AGE/RAGE Signaling in Diabetes-Mediated Vascular Calcification.

Each human intestine harbours not only hundreds of trillions of bacteria but also bacteriophage particles, viruses, fungi and archaea, which constitute a complex and dynamic ecosystem referred to as the gut microbiota. An increasing number of data obtained during the last 10 years have indicated changes in gut bacterial composition or function in type 2 diabetic patients. Analysis of this ‘dysbiosis’ enables the detection of alterations in specific bacteria, clusters of bacteria or bacterial functions associated with the occurrence or evolution of type 2 diabetes; these bacteria are predominantly involved in the control of inflammation and energy homeostasis. Our review focuses on two key questions: does gut dysbiosis truly play a role in the occurrence of type 2 diabetes, and will recent discoveries linking the gut microbiota to host health be helpful for the development of novel therapeutic approaches for type 2 diabetes? Here we review how pharmacological, surgical and nutritional interventions for type 2 diabetic patients may impact the gut microbiota. Experimental studies in animals are identifying which bacterial metabolites and components act on host immune homeostasis and glucose metabolism, primarily by targeting intestinal cells involved in endocrine and gut barrier functions. We discuss novel approaches (e.g. probiotics, prebiotics and faecal transfer) and the need for research and adequate intervention studies to evaluate the feasibility and relevance of these new therapies for the management of type 2 diabetes.

/pdf/gut-microorganisms-as-promising-targets-for-the-management-5cux83ravc.pdf

Gut Microorganisms as Promising Targets for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is increasing at an alarming rate and has become a global challenge. Insulin resistance in target tissues and a relative deficiency of insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells are the major features of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Chronic low-grade inflammation in T2D has given an impetus to the field of immuno-metabolism linking inflammation to insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction. Many factors advocate a causal link between metabolic stress and inflammation. Numerous cellular factors trigger inflammatory signalling cascades, and as a result T2D is at the moment considered an inflammatory disorder triggered by disordered metabolism. Cellular mechanisms like activation of Toll-like receptors, Endoplasmic Reticulum stress, and inflammasome activation are related to the nutrient excess linking pathogenesis and progression of T2D with inflammation. This paper aims to systematically review the metabolic profile and role of various inflammatory pathways in T2D by capturing relevant evidence from various sources. The perspectives include suggestions for the development of therapies involving the shift from metabolic stress to homeostasis that would favour insulin sensitivity and survival of pancreatic β-cells in T2D.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus: From a metabolic disorder to an inflammatory condition

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s43042-019-0031-4.pdf

Hyperandrogenism in polycystic ovarian syndrome and role of CYP gene variants: a review

Aims PCOS is associated with various immediate and long term health complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of serum fasting insulin concentration with cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Methods A total of 349 women, 249 women with polycystic ovary syndrome and 100 age-matched healthy controls, were recruited in this case-control study. Fasting insulin and various other biochemical, hormonal and clinical parameters were measured in all participants. The correlation of insulin with cardiometabolic risk factors was evaluated in PCOS women with normal and high serum insulin concentration. Results Fasting Insulin, BMI, WHR, FAI, LH: FSH, HOMA, QUICKI were significantly higher in PCOS women compared with healthy controls (p  Conclusion Fasting insulin is an important determinant in the pathogenesis of obesity and hyperandrogenism in PCOS. It is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders in women with PCOS.

Elevated fasting insulin is associated with cardiovascular and metabolic risk in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a complex reproductive as well as endocrinological disorder characterized by anovulatory dysfunction, androgen excess and polycystic ovarian morphology. Hyperandrogen...

CYP17 gene polymorphic sequence variation is associated with hyperandrogenism in Kashmiri women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Although poultry industry has gained momentum during the last few decades, there are still various impediments like improper infrastructure, unscientific management and above all various deadly infectious diseases which incur huge economic losses on poultry industry. These diseases include viral diseases like Avian Influenza, Marek’s Disease, New Castle disease and bacterial diseases like Colibacillosis, Pasteurellosis and Salmonellosis, etc. Development of disease resistant poultry has been found successful practice over the use of drugs or vaccines for disease control. Studies involving genome wide associations to figure out certain candidate genes that are involved in disease resistance have also been carried out. Single nucleotide polymorphism studies to unveil the mechanisms underlying disease resistance in chicken show that SNPs and other candidate gene approaches play a vital role in providing disease resistance. Also, understanding the genes and biological pathways that confer genetic resistance to various infections will lead towards the development of more resistant commercial poultry flocks or improved vaccines against various diseases. This chapter shall focus on various factors involved in disease resistance in chicken that interact with the pathogen and provide resistance against the pathogen.

/pdf/genetics-of-disease-resistance-in-chicken-2mt4nkt6rt.pdf

Mudasar Nabi

Papers

Type 2 diabetes mellitus: From a metabolic disorder to an inflammatory condition

Hyperandrogenism in polycystic ovarian syndrome and role of CYP gene variants: a review

Elevated fasting insulin is associated with cardiovascular and metabolic risk in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

CYP17 gene polymorphic sequence variation is associated with hyperandrogenism in Kashmiri women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Genetics of Disease Resistance in Chicken