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Increasing utilization of nuclear power enhances the risks associated with industrial accidents, occupational hazards, and the threat of nuclear terrorism. Exposure to ionizing radiation interferes with genomic stability and gene expression resulting in the disruption of normal metabolic processes in cells and organs by inducing complex biological responses. Exposure to high-dose radiation causes acute radiation syndrome, which leads to hematopoietic, gastrointestinal, cerebrovascular, and many other organ-specific injuries. Altered genomic variations, gene expression, metabolite concentrations, and microbiota profiles in blood plasma or tissue samples reflect the whole-body radiation injuries. Hence, multi-omic profiles obtained from high-resolution omics platforms offer a holistic approach for identifying reliable biomarkers to predict the radiation injury of organs and tissues resulting from radiation exposures. In this review, we performed a literature search to systematically catalog the radiation-induced alterations from multi-omic studies and radiation countermeasures. We covered radiation-induced changes in the genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, lipidomic, and microbiome profiles. Furthermore, we have covered promising multi-omic biomarkers, FDA-approved countermeasure drugs, and other radiation countermeasures that include radioprotectors and radiomitigators. This review presents an overview of radiation-induced alterations of multi-omics profiles and biomarkers, and associated radiation countermeasures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: This review provides a comprehensive atlas of QTLs, genes, and alleles conferring resistance to 28 important diseases in all major soybean production regions in the world. Breeding disease-resistant soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] varieties is a common goal for soybean breeding programs to ensure the sustainability and growth of soybean production worldwide. However, due to global climate change, soybean breeders are facing strong challenges to defeat diseases. Marker-assisted selection and genomic selection have been demonstrated to be successful methods in quickly integrating vertical resistance or horizontal resistance into improved soybean varieties, where vertical resistance refers to R genes and major effect QTLs, and horizontal resistance is a combination of major and minor effect genes or QTLs. This review summarized more than 800 resistant loci/alleles and their tightly linked markers for 28 soybean diseases worldwide, caused by nematodes, oomycetes, fungi, bacteria, and viruses. The major breakthroughs in the discovery of disease resistance gene atlas of soybean were also emphasized which include: (1) identification and characterization of vertical resistance genes reside rhg1 and Rhg4 for soybean cyst nematode, and exploration of the underlying regulation mechanisms through copy number variation and (2) map-based cloning and characterization of Rps11 conferring resistance to 80% isolates of Phytophthora sojae across the USA. In this review, we also highlight the validated QTLs in overlapping genomic regions from at least two studies and applied a consistent naming nomenclature for these QTLs. Our review provides a comprehensive summary of important resistant genes/QTLs and can be used as a toolbox for soybean improvement. Finally, the summarized genetic knowledge sheds light on future directions of accelerated soybean breeding and translational genomics studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants can use silicon (Si) as a common element that helps plants recover from environmental stresses. Using Si helps build tolerance to many stresses, illnesses, infections and protects plants against fungus and herbivorous insects. Silica is absorbed by plant roots and then transferred to the plants above-ground components via the transpiration stream. Si deposition in plant tissues promotes stiffness and strength while decreasing water transpiration and abiotic stress. It is found in plant cell walls, lumens, trichomes, intracellular spaces and reproductive organs. Plants contain 0.1–10% silicon by weight. Concentration-based categories include accumulators, intermediates, and excluders. It increases protective chemicals (enzymes such as peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase) and phenolic resins (phytoantitoxins, polylactones). Silicon can regulate plant volatile emissions, which may affect herbivore insects and higher trophic levels. Si accumulation in plants modifies three major plant hormones (jasmonic acid, salicylic acid and ethylene), altering volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. During pest infestations, soluble Si in plant tissues attracts natural predators and parasitoids and it works as a natural insect repellant and can be easily integrated with other pest management practices. Because silicon leaves no pesticide residues in food or the environment, it is a feasible component of integrated pest management, so the connection between silicon-treated plants and reduced insect damage was discussed in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indian system of medicine – Ayurveda says "When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. When diet is correct, medicine is of no use". In this context, mushroom constitutes one of the major resources for nutraceuticals. Biomolecules of mushrooms have attracted the attention of researchers around the globe due to their proven healthy attributes. They have a plenitude of health-giving properties and these range from immunomodulatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, anticancer, anti-HIV, antidiabetic, anticholesterolic to antiarthritic activities. Mushrooms contain both primary and secondary metabolites. The primary metabolites provide energy while the secondary metabolite exhibits medicinal properties. Hence, the mushroom can be a recipe for human wellness and will play a significant role in fighting COVID-19 pandemics and other infectious diseases. The key findings suggested in this paper refer to the exploration of health and the healing traits of biomolecules of mushrooms. This article reviews the current status of the medicinal attributes of mushrooms and their biomolecules in different diseases such as cardiovascular, diabetes, reproductive diseases, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. The global malnutrition-related morbidity and mortality among children under five and lactating women presents a frightening picture and also a black spot on the human face. Malnutrition is responsible for more ill-health than any other cause. Mushrooms as a rich source of bioactive compounds can be claimed as "Best from the Waste" since they grow on the most abundant organic wastes of the Earth, the lignocellulosic substrate, and 'Best of the Rest' because they are excellent nutraceutical resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytosterols are naturally occurring plant cell membranes, which have received greater attention in food industries due to their potential health benefits especially lowering low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels within the human body. However, the application of phytosterols in various foods (aqueous‐based) is challenging due to their low water solubility and poor stability resulting in poor bioavailability/bioaccessibility. The encapsulation technique is considered as an alternative approach to protect phytosterols from various factors, thus improving their bioavailability and stability. This review aims in presenting a detailed study on techniques and technologies currently employed to encapsulate phytosterols. Based on recent studies, mostly used techniques are spray drying, freeze drying, spray chilling, emulsification, liposome entrapment, extrusion, electro‐spinning, and electro‐spraying. Various processing factors affecting phytosterol stability in fortified food have been outlined as well. Practical Applications: Phytosterols are plant‐based bioactive compounds that have been commonly linked to having anti‐diabetic, anti‐inflammatory properties and cholesterol‐lowering effects. Consumption of processed and ready‐to‐eat foods lowers the intake of plant sterols in the human diet. Additionally, their availability in plant‐based foods is also limited. Phytosterol fortified foods are now available to fulfill the phytosterol requirement in our diet. The consumption of phytosterol enriched foods or supplements can be an alternative option to lower cholesterol levels in the human body. However, phytosterols are insoluble in water which results in poor bioavailability and stability. Furthermore, the incorporation of phytosterols in food products is difficult due to the probability of oxidation at higher processing temperatures and storage. Hence, encapsulation is an alternative approach to enhance phytosterols' stability and bioavailability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine biofouling has gnawed both mobile and non-mobile marine structures since time immemorial, leading to the deterioration of designed operational capabilities as well as a loss of valuable economic revenues. Mitigation of biofouling has been the primary focus of researchers and scientists from across the globe to save billions of dollars wasted due to the biological fouling of marine structures. The availability of an appropriate environment along with favorable substrata initiates biofilm formation within a few minutes. The crucial element in establishing a gelatinous biofilm is the excreted metabolites of destructive nature and exopolymeric substances (EPSs). These help in securing as well as signaling numerous foulants to establish themselves on this substrate. The larvae of various benthic invertebrates adhere to these suitable surfaces and transform from juveniles to adult barnacles depending upon the environment. Despite biofouling being characteristically witnessed for a month or lengthier timeframe, the preliminary phases of the fouling process typically transpire on a much lesser timescale. A few natural and synthetic additives had demonstrated excellent non-toxic anti barnacle establishment capability; however, further development into commercial products is still far-fetched. This review collates the specific anti-barnacle coatings, emphasizing natural additives, their sources of extraction, general life cycle analysis, and concluding future perspectives of this niche product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twelve forms of programmed cell death (PCD) have been described in mammalian cells, but which of them occurs during embryonic development and the role played by the p53 transcription factor and tumor suppressor remains enigmatic. Although p53 is not required for mouse embryonic development, some studies conclude that PCD in pluripotent embryonic stem cells from mice (mESCs) or humans (hESCs) is p53-dependent whereas others conclude that it is not. Given the importance of pluripotent stem cells as models of embryonic development and their applications in regenerative medicine, resolving this enigma is essential. This review reconciles contradictory results based on the facts that p53 cannot induce lethality in mice until gastrulation and that experimental conditions could account for differences in results with ESCs. Consequently, activation of the G2-checkpoint in mouse ESCs is p53-independent and generally, if not always, results in noncanonical apoptosis. Once initiated, PCD occurs at equivalent rates and to equivalent extents regardless of the presence or absence of p53. However, depending on experimental conditions, p53 can accelerate initiation of PCD in ESCs and late-stage blastocysts. In contrast, DNA damage following differentiation of ESCs in vitro or formation of embryonic fibroblasts in vivo induces p53-dependent cell cycle arrest and senescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diaspora carries a sense of displacement of a community or an individual who, for whatever reason, are separated from their national territory, and usually diasporic people have a hope, or at least a desire, to return to their homeland at some point, if the "homeland" still exists in any meaningful sense. In recent times, there has been a tremendous growth and popularity of Indian writing in English due to the writers like Bharati Mukherjee, Kiran Desai, and Jumpha Lahiri etc. In her novels Bharati Mukherjee exhibits diasporic consciousness through the negotiation of identities by her women protagonist. In 'The Tiger's Daughter' the woman protagonist strives to resuscitate her identity through the act of adapting, nostalgia and establishing of a home culture through material and non-material forms of belonging, by creating transnational identities and by ensuring continuity with the homeland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reviews the book "The Online Writing Conference: A Guide for Teachers and Tutors" by Beth L. Hewett.

Reviews the books 'The Ideological Origins of the British Empire,' by David Armitage, 'South Asia at Gun Point: Small Arms and Light Weapons Proliferation,' edited by Dipankar Banerjee, 'Security Studies in South Asia: Change and Challenges,' edited by Dipankar Banerjee, and 'Community, Empire and Migration: South Asians in Diaspora,' edited by Crispin Bates.

A review of the book "From the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean: The Global Networks of Armenian Merchants from New Julfa," by Sebouh David Aslanian, is presented.

The article reviews the book "Participatory Citizenship: Identity, Exclusion and Inclusion," by Ranjita Mohanty and Rajesh Tandon.

Reviews the book `Absent Lord: Ascetics and Kings in a Jain Ritual Culture,' by Lawrence A. Babb.