Wheat is a widely consumed crop across the world. Its flavour, aroma, and taste has been successful in attracting people to include this cereal as a part of their staple diet. However, wheat gluten protein primarily consisting of gliadin and glutenin limits their consumption in certain susceptible population. Various gluten disorders that has been associated with their consumption suggests the introduction of gluten-free breads and other baked products in the diet. However, the structural, functional, and rheological properties offered by gluten to the dough could not be replaced, and hence, this study suggests the use of millets as an alternative diet. Millets not only protect from gluten sensitivities but also provide all other essential micro- and macronutrients required for the growth and metabolism of the body. They also hold potential in eradicating the malnutrition owning to their high nutritional, phenolic, and other antioxidant elements, indicating their probability to help in achieving a major sustainable goal related to good health and well-being. Despite offering a wide variety of health benefits, the consumer acceptability of millets is quite low at the moment. This paper is a wake-up call for the researchers and farmers to gear up in popularizing millets and their associated products and in improving the limitations associated with the shelf life of certain millets. Different physical processing technologies in the production of traditional and modern millet-based food products are also discussed in this paper, providing an overview of how various major millets can be used in promoting the health security with lesser dependency on environmental conditions for their growth and production.

In the first quarter of the 21st century, we are already facing the third emergence of a coronavirus outbreak, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Comparative genomics can inform a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Previous strains of coronavirus, SARS-CoV, and Middle-East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-CoV), have been known to cause acute lung injuries in humans. SARS-CoV-2 shares genetic similarity with SARS-CoV with some modification in the S protein leading to their enhanced binding affinity toward the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors of human lung cells. This expert review examines the features of all three coronaviruses through a conceptual lens of comparative genomics. In particular, the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2 that enables its survival within the host is highlighted. Susceptibility of humans to coronavirus outbreaks in the 21st century calls for comparisons of the transmission history, hosts, reservoirs, and fatality rates of these viruses so that evidence-based and effective planetary health interventions can be devised to prevent future zoonotic outbreaks. Comparative genomics offers new insights on putative and novel viral targets with an eye to both therapeutic innovation and prevention. We conclude the expert review by (1) articulating the lessons learned so far, whereas the research is still being actively sought after in the field, and (2) the challenges and prospects in deciphering the linkages among multiomics biological variability and COVID-19 pathogenesis.

COVID-19 is a recent emerging pandemic whose prognosis is still unclear. Diagnostic tools are the main players that not only indicate a possible infection but can further restrict the transmission ...

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging challenging area for the researchers to buckle up against the spread and control of the virus. Since earlier times, the diagnosis has been an important procedure in estimating the fate of epidemics by indicating the extent to which disease has been spread and to the extent, further disease prognosis would occur. The absence of anti-viral therapies and vaccines for COVID-19 at present suggests early diagnosis and isolation of the patients as the only smart approach available as of now. Presently, the increasing death rates, faster rates of transmission, non-availability of vaccines, and treatment have over-pressurized the researchers, health professionals, and government officials to develop effective clinical strategies in diagnosis and to come up with guidelines to be followed during conduction of each diagnostic procedure for maintaining healthcare systems. Since the incubation period of this virus is 2– 14 days, a patient can transmit the infection without showing symptoms. Therefore, early diagnosis and isolation of susceptible individuals are the only way to limit the spread of the virus. Significance of diagnosis and triaging, information on specimen collection, safety considerations while handling, transport, and storage of samples have been highlighted in this paper to make people more aware and develop better clinical strategies in the future.