Monogenic diabetes refers to a group of single gene disorders of insulin secretion impairment resulting in diabetes. We selected two of the commonest forms of monogenic diabetes namely, maturity onset of diabetes of the young (MODY) and neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM), and looked for studies that reported these two conditions in South Asians (SA). The primary aim was to identify the number of monogenic diabetes cases reported so far in SA. We searched major databases from 1990 to 2022 to identify articles published on monogenic diabetes in SA countries and SAs. Original articles that showed the prevalence or reported cases of monogenic diabetes through genetic analysis, on children, adolescents and adults, published in the English Language were included. Following an initial screening by title and abstract by three reviewers, the full texts retrieved were independently screened by two reviewers. A total of 3176 studies on monogenic diabetes were obtained and 2525 abstracts were selected for the title and abstract screening, subsequently were excluded. The remaining 235 abstracts underwent full-text analysis. Finally, 46 studies (MODY, n = 18 and NDM, n = 28) were included in this paper. A total of 89 variants in MODY and 139 variants in NDM were recorded. Among the documented variants, 38 were causal for MODY and 116 were causal for NDM. This review provides the list of causal variants of MODY and NDM in SA. This could be helpful in the clinical setting for planning the treatment of MODY and NDM individuals in SA.Systematic Review registration http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#myprospero (ID: CRD42022296268).

Obesity and its associated metabolic derangements have become a major global health challenge. Ectopic fat accumulation disrupts metabolic homeostasis leading to metabolic syndrome (MetS), type 2 diabetes (T2D), and cardiovascular diseases. T2D is strongly associated with chronic low-grade inflammation in the adipose tissue, liver, and arguably in the skeletal muscle. Secretory proteins elaborated by these organs, i.e., adipokines, hepatokines, and myokines, are collectively grouped as organokines, which interact with each other to produce complex effects in insulin target tissues through endocrine, autocrine, and paracrine pathways. Since organokines have both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects, the optimum balance between them is critical for metabolic homeostasis. The goal of this review is to focus on the functions of some of these organokines that have been identified in contemporary research as major regulators of inflammation, leading to the onset and progression of metabolic diseases.

Understanding the habitability of both past and present Mars continues to evoke scientific interest, particularly now that there is growing evidence of previous, vastly available liquid water and a warmer Martian climate. While today the surface of the Red Planet is barren and dry, the presence of hydrated minerals like phyllosilicates and sulphate minerals may indicate that the planet was once much more conducive to the emergence of life. These observations are the driving force behind investigations into possible biomarkers and signs of extinct life in the context of Mars. While Mars orbiters, landers and rovers have significantly improved our understanding of the planet’s past, Earth-based experiments are necessary to support those missions technically and scientifically. Simulation facilities replicating the Mars climate are used to test instruments before flight and investigate interactions of biomarkers with the Martian environment. Here, we review some exemplary, modern ground-based facilities with a focus on sample species relevant to astrochemistry and astrobiology. The presented Mars simulation facilities utilize a variety of technical implementations and thus are capable of simulating all of the major environmental parameters on the Martian surface: atmosphere, temperature and electromagnetic solar radiation. Depending on the subject-specific requirements of each investigation, these setups integrate various simulation features and different measurement techniques. A few examples of particularly remarkable simulation facilities include: the Planetary Atmospheres and Surfaces Chamber and the MARTE Simulation Chamber at INTA's Centro de Astrobiologia, Spain, which are unique in terms of integrated measurement techniques and Martian dust simulation; the Mars Simulation Facility, one of several planetary simulation chambers based at the German aerospace center DLR, Germany, is specialized in humidity measurements and sample analysis using PAM fluorometry; the Mars Simulation Chamber/Planetary Atmosphere Chamber at the Kennedy Space Center, USA, integrates an optical filter system to simulate ultraviolet-light attenuation by Martian dust; the Mars Environmental Simulation Chamber at Aarhus University, Denmark, provides atmospheric cooling and the possibility to extract samples mid-experiment. Many state-of-the-art technologies used in Mars simulation chambers are also integral to space-based experimental platforms, such as the planned OREOcube/Exocube experiment on the International Space Station. In-situ space experiments are highly complementary to Martian simulations, particularly in providing supplementary knowledge about the influence of broad-range radiation exposure and the true solar spectrum.

Development, validation, and testing of algorithms for artificial pancreas (AP) systems require mathematical models for the glucose–insulin dynamics inside the body. These physiological models have been extensively studied over the past decades. Two broad types of models are available in diabetic research, each with its own unique purpose: (i) minimal models, which are relatively simple but still manages to capture the macroscopic behavior of the glucose–insulin dynamics of the body, and (ii) high-fidelity models, which are complex and precisely describe the internal dynamics of the glucose–insulin interaction in the body. The minimal models are primarily utilized for control algorithm synthesis, whereas the high-fidelity models are used as platforms for testing and validating AP systems. The most well-known variants of these physiological models are discussed in detail. In addition to these systems, data-driven models such as the auto-regressive moving average with exogenous inputs (ARMAX) models are also used widely in control algorithm synthesis for AP systems. High-fidelity models are utilized for simulating virtual diabetic patients for in silico testing and validation of artificial pancreas systems. Two currently available high-fidelity models are reviewed in this paper for completeness, including the Type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) simulator approved by the food and drug administration of USA. Models accounting for exercise and also glucagon infusion (for dual-hormone AP systems) are also included, which are essential in developing control algorithms with better autonomy and minimal risk.

The architectural feats of termites and their farming capabilities have been admired by biologists, engineers and architects and have inspired writers including early natural historians. South India is endowed with termite mud castles; their seeming impregnability threw up intellectual challenges, initiating conversations between biologists and engineers. The biologists were interested in how termites kept their farmed basidiomycete fungus free from parasites and discovered experimentally that termites can sniff out parasitic ascomycete fungi, proceed to anoint them with broad-spectrum fungicides and bury them resulting in mortality-yielding anoxia. High levels of humidity and carbon dioxide inside soil nests are conducive to the growth of parasitic fungi whose density is likely actively supressed by eradication of incipient foci of parasite growth by the termite farmers. The engineers were interested in how the mound acquired its strength, stability and longevity while allowing gas exchange. They discovered that the safety factor of termite mounds is very high, that termite-manipulated soil achieves great strength and weathering resistance, that termites manipulate the water content of soil between its plastic and liquid limits and that mounds have a more porous exterior shell and a less porous core. Dialogues between biologists and engineers have enabled insights into the bio-engineering aspects of animal-built architecture. The natural biological constraints of the termite builders (e.g. size, load-carrying ability in relation to particle grain size, caste) and available material (red soil containing organic matter) in the presence of water have been realistically incorporated into modelling the greenhouses that harbour termites and their crops.

ObjectivesThis review summarizes the burden and emerging risks of type-2 diabetes and prediabetes in South Asian populations and reviews recent evidence regarding diabetes prevention through lifestyle modifications among South Asians worldwide. We highlight gaps and discrepancies in the current literature, indicate opportunities and consider implications for future research in this area.FindingsRandomized, controlled trials along with major cohort studies and implementation research have demonstrated lifestyle intervention as an effective, cost-effective, and feasible method for reducing diabetes and prediabetes and their associated risk factors in South Asians, a population at high diabetes risk even of early age onset and with lower body mass index (BMI). However, there is a lack of evidence as to the best methods of diabetes prevention in normal-weight South Asians across age groups as well as individuals with impaired fasting glucose. Future prevention research should also aim to improve community-level education and implementation, ensure individual uptake, and dissemination of proven programs, design culturally tailored programs; and assess long-term outcomes of interventions.

The topic of extra-terrestrial habitats for humans is becoming more and more relevant with progress in space technology. For developing human colonies on moon or other planets, processes should be focussed around the utilisation of in situ resources so as to minimise the need of intra-terrestrial transportation of desired resources. Here we discuss how microbes can lend themselves to in situ resource utilisation on the moon and Mars.

Microorganisms are ubiquitous in nature and form complex community networks to survive in various environments. This community structure depends on numerous factors like nutrient availability, abiotic factors like temperature and pH as well as microbial composition. Categorising accessible biomes according to their habitats would help in understanding the complexity of the environment-specific communities. Owing to the recent improvements in sequencing facilities, researchers have started to explore diverse microbiomes rapidly and attempts have been made to study microbial crosstalk. However, different metagenomics sampling, preprocessing, and annotation methods make it difficult to compare multiple studies and hinder the recycling of data. Huge datasets originating from these experiments demand systematic computational methods to extract biological information beyond microbial compositions. Further exploration of microbial co-occurring patterns across the biomes could help us in designing cross-biome experiments. In this review, we catalogue databases with system-specific microbiomes, discussing publicly available common databases as well as specialised databases for a range of microbiomes. If the new datasets generated in the future could maintain at least biome-specific annotation, then researchers could use those contemporary tools for relevant and bias-free analysis of complex metagenomics data.

Space travel has been shown to affect various physiological and psychological processes in humans including the composition and function of the gut microbiome. In addition to the unique conditions of space, space travel is associated with changes in diet, circadian and diurnal rhythms, and physical activity, all of which can impact the gut microbiome. Additionally, the microgravity and radiation exposure encountered during space travel may have direct effects on gut microbiome composition and function. In this short review, we summarize the current state of knowledge on the effect of space travel on the human gut microbiome, including research designs that include animals (rodents), humans, and novel simulations. Experiments were conducted under conditions of spaceflight, ground-based, and analogous flight simulation.

Diabetes is an ancient disease and for centuries extreme diets and herbal remedies were used to treat diabetes symptoms. The discovery of insulin in 1921 transformed the landscape of diabetes treatment and was followed by the discovery of several new therapies which improved glycemia and increased patient life span. However, as patients with diabetes lived longer, they developed classic microvascular and macrovascular diabetes complications. In the 1990s, the DCCT and the UKPDS trials demonstrated that tight glucose control reduced the microvascular complications of diabetes, but had marginal effects on cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in patients with diabetes. In 2008, the FDA directed that all new diabetes medications demonstrate cardiovascular safety. From this recommendation emerged novel therapeutic classes, the GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2-Inhibitors, which not only improve glycemia, but also provide robust cardio-renal protection. In parallel, developments in diabetes technology like continuous glucose monitoring systems, insulin pumps, telemedicine and precision medicine have advanced diabetes management. Remarkably, a century later, insulin remains a cornerstone of diabetes treatment. Also, diet and physical activity remain important components of any diabetes treatment. Today type 2 diabetes is preventable and long-term remission of diabetes is possible. Finally, progress continues in the field of islet transplantation, perhaps the ultimate frontier in diabetes management.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as abnormal glucose tolerance recognized first during pregnancy. Presence of GDM has been associated with obstetric and neonatal complications and has been recognized as a risk factor for future risk of diabetes and obesity in both mother and baby. The factors that play a role in development of GDM, include age, obesity, family history of diabetes, and previous history of GDM. Ethnicity, multi-fetal pregnancies, and presence of polycystic ovaries are some other risk factors for GDM. There are several screening and diagnostic criteria for GDM. The most widely accepted is the International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria which recommends a single step 75 g oral glucose tolerance test at 24–28 weeks. To ensure normal glucose levels and reduce mortality and morbidity due to GDM, management of GDM during pregnancy and postpartum follow up are very essential. In this review, we present some key issues related to postpartum testing and have highlighted some strategies to tackle the same. We also present some learnings from the Women in India with GDM Strategy project, which developed a model of care for GDM in resource constrained settings. As part of the implementation of the model of care, several strategies were adopted that led to a 95.8% postpartum follow up of women with GDM.

The Integrated Microbial Genomes and Microbiomes (IMG/M) system is a web-based platform that provides access to the wealth of public sequence data arising from diverse environments and enables the user to answer biological questions. In this review, we explore IMG’s tools and features using genome data for genus Deinococcus isolates as well as metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs). We use various comparative genomic and visualization tools to investigate this genus and address specific research questions.

Discovering exoplanets and satellites in habitable zones within and beyond our solar system has sparked intrigue in planetary setting varieties that could support life. Based on our understanding of life on Earth, we can shed light on the origin, evolution, and future of Earth-like organisms in the galaxy and predict extinct or extant extraterrestrial life. Hence, extremophiles thriving in mimic outer space environments are particularly interesting as they exhibit traits that preponderate our comprehension regarding the possibility of life elsewhere and in situ life detection. Additionally, many extremophiles have been used for astrobiological research model organisms to unveil native alien life or possible life-produced metabolites outside Earth. Laboratory-based simulation chambers mimic this outer space condition, helping researchers study life beyond Earth in near identical conditions and understand molecular mechanisms for survival. This review summarizes relevant studies with isolated microorganisms from extreme analog Earth environments, harnessing them as promising astrobiological model candidates for pursuing life potentialities in other planetary bodies. We also highlight the necessity of environmental simulation chamber approaches for mimicking extraterrestrial habitats.

Quantum information processing is now a well-evolved field of study with roots to quantum physics that has significantly evolved from pioneering works over almost more than a century. Today, we are at a stage where elementary forms of quantum computers and communication systems are being built and deployed. In this paper, we begin with a historical background into quantum information theory and coding theory for both entanglement-unassisted and assisted quantum communication systems, motivating the need for quantum error correction in such systems. We then begin with the necessary mathematical preliminaries towards understanding the theory behind quantum error correction, central to the discussions within this article, starting from the binary case towards the non-binary generalization, using the rich framework of finite fields. We will introduce the stabilizer framework, build upon the Calderbank-Shor-Steane framework for binary quantum codes and generalize this to the non-binary case, yielding generalized CSS codes that are linear and additive. We will survey important families of quantum codes derived from well-known classical counterparts. Next, we provide an overview of the theory behind entanglement-assisted quantum ECCs along with encoding and syndrome computing architectures. We present a case study on how to construct efficient quantum Reed-Solomon codes that saturate the Singleton bound for the non-degenerate case. We will also show how positive coding rates can be realized using tensor product codes from two zero-rate entanglement-assisted CSS codes, an effect termed as the coding analog of superadditivity, useful for entanglement-assisted quantum communications. We discuss how quantum coded networks can be realized using cluster states and modified graph state codes. Last, we will motivate fault-tolerant quantum computation from the perspective of coding theory. We end the article with our perspectives on interesting open directions in this exciting field.

BackgroundDairy products have been used for centuries and were generally believed to be healthy. Recently, dairy products have been implicated in the rise of non-communicable diseases especially new onset type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the available data have been inconsistent.ObjectiveTo perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of all the available prospective studies on the effect of dairy products with incident (new onset) T2D.MethodsA total of 3009 articles were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Medline and Science Direct from January 2000 to March 2022 from which 27 prospective cohort studies were included. We classified dairy products as ‘total dairy’ and ‘total milk’ and further stratified them based on their fat content and fermentation. A subgroup analysis was conducted in people of Asian and Western ethnicity.ResultsGlobally, total dairy products [Relative risk (RR) − 0.14; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) − 0.23; − 0.05; I2 = 30%], total fermented dairy [RR − 0.08; 95% CI − 0.16; − 0.00; I2 = 41%], and plain yogurt [RR − 0.08; 95% CI − 0.15; − 0.01; I2 = 34%] were inversely associated with incident T2D. Other dairy products including low and high fat total dairy products, low and high fat milk and cheese had a neutral effect with no significant association with T2D. Subgroup analysis by ethnicity suggested similar findings with total dairy products and milk having protective effects on T2D among the Asian population while fermented dairy products were protective against T2D in western populations. Among the fermented dairy products, plain yogurt, in particular, showed protection against T2D across both ethnicities. Further, subgroup analysis by age showed that the consumption of high fat dairy predisposed younger adults to T2D.ConclusionTotal and fermented dairy products, particularly plain yogurt, are protective against new onset T2D while milk, cheese and other dairy products have a neutral effect with no effect on incident T2D.Study Registration NumberThis protocol was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, PROSPERO (CRD42021249202).

The DOE Joint Genome Institute has developed and maintains a number of computational resources and databases to help biologists perform -omics-based scientific research. In this review, we describe two of its widely used microbiome data management and analysis resources: the Genome OnLine Database (GOLD) and the Integrated Microbial Genomes (IMG). GOLD is a sequencing project and associated metadata management system. It provides a catalog of genome and metagenome projects with well-curated associated metadata which are critical for sequence data interpretation. IMG is an omics data management system enabling the comparative analysis of microbial genomes, metagenomes, and metatranscriptomics and their associated genes and functions. IMG contains close to 200,000 datasets and provides advanced search and comparative analysis tools. GOLD’s metadata are integrated into IMG to provide a better understanding of the environments and properties of each dataset. In addition to all the public data integrated, both systems support private user data submission and integration to support annotation and comparative analysis with all other data integrated into the systems. There are currently over 25,000 registered users from more than 110 countries, and the systems are also used for educational purposes across various universities around the world.

Microbes are important decomposers of organic waste. By decomposing organic waste and using it for their growth, microbes play an important role in maintaining ecosystem's carbon and nitrogen cycles. An ecosystem's microbial shift may disturb it's carbon/nitrogen cycle as a result of any climate change or humanitarian factors, but heat produced by various instruments and greenhouse gases contribute significantly to global warming which in turn may be related to microbial shift of ecosystems. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, innovative clean energy production methods must be employed to develop fuels with minimal greenhouse effect. Biofuels, such as bioethanol, provide clean energy with less carbon dioxide emissions. For the production of bioethanol, it is always recommended to use microbes that are capable of decomposing complex organic matter (cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose). Some microbes can efficiently decompose complex organic matter due to the presence of genetic machinery that produces cellulases and β-glucosidase. The membrane transporters are also important for microbes in uptake of simple sugars for metabolism and ethanol production. Microbial technologies are addressing the future needs for not only organic waste management but also clean energy/bioethanol production. However, the role of these technologies on space missions and extraterrestrial settings needs to be explored to improve long term space missions.

Indian people are at high risk for type 2 diabetes (T2DM) even at younger ages and lower body weights. Already 74 million people in India have the disease, and the proportion of those with T2DM is increasing across all strata of society. Unique aspects, related to lower insulin secretion or function, and higher hepatic fat deposition, accompanied by the rise in overweight (related to lifestyle changes) may all be responsible for this unrelenting epidemic of T2DM. Yet, research to understand the causes, pathophysiology, phenotypes, prevention, treatment, and healthcare delivery of T2DM in India seriously lags behind. There are major opportunities for scientific discovery and technological innovation, which if tapped can generate solutions for T2DM relevant to the country’s context and make leading contributions to global science. We analyze the situation of T2DM in India, and present a four-pillar (etiology, precision medicine, implementation research, and health policy) strategic research framework to tackle the challenge. We offer key research questions for each pillar, and identify infrastructure needs. India offers a fertile environment for shifting the paradigm from imprecise late-stage diabetes treatment toward early-stage precision prevention and care. Investing in and leveraging academic and technological infrastructures, across the disciplines of science, engineering, and medicine, can accelerate progress toward a diabetes-free nation.

Due to their extraordinary genetic and phenotypic plasticity, yeast and yeast-like fungi have been able to adapt and colonize a wide range of ecological niches. Pigmented and nonpigmented extremophilic yeasts have been discovered in areas on Earth characterized by physical and chemical conditions similar to those found in extraterrestrial environments. Thus, these "simple" eukaryotic life forms have evolved unique genetic, metabolic, and phenotypic characteristics for coping with extreme conditions, existing in both natural (polar continents, deep sea, stratosphere, etc.) and manmade environments such as the cleanrooms where spacecraft are built. This makes them ideal test organisms for astrobiology research. All of the results from the numerous experiments in which they have been tested are helping us to understand what to look for and where in space missions searching for signs of present and/or past life. Meanwhile, we must continue to explore the most inhospitable places on Earth to discover new promising extremophiles that could be used as model organisms for astrobiology research.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is one of the major global public health concerns. The incidence of T2D is expected to increase dramatically in the coming years globally as well as in India. Development of T2D is a result of desensitization of peripheral tissue to stimulation of insulin. Skeletal muscle is responsible for the majority of postprandial glucose uptake and is of the utmost importance to maintain glucose homeostasis. T2D is manifested by structural, functional, and metabolic impairment of skeletal muscle and is characterized as the primary site of insulin resistance in T2D patients. T2D patients exhibit impaired insulin-stimulated muscle glucose uptake, fat metabolic abnormality, increased accumulated muscle fat, and a dysbalance in muscle protein synthesis and breakdown. Skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction also plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. Skeletal muscle fiber shift and diabetes-associated loss of muscle mass and strength further worsen insulin sensitivity. This review provides a comprehensive overview of skeletal muscle pathophysiological changes in diabetes and discusses the potential therapies targeting skeletal muscle pathophysiology to ameliorate diabetes.