Bikash Baral

Fungal antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing concern for world health caused by an increase in multidrug‐resistant infections, an increase in environmental reservoirs, and the ineffectiveness of current antifungal treatments. Fungal infections continue to be largely excluded from AMR initiatives while causing over 1.6 million deaths annually, exceeding malaria and competing with tuberculosis (TB), due to diagnostic blind spots, inadequate monitoring, a limited antifungal arsenal, and long‐standing bacterial‐centric preconceptions. Several mutations, efflux pump upregulation, biofilm‐associated tolerance, aneuploidy, and stress‐induced adaptations are just a few of the mechanisms through which resistance develops. Moreover, agricultural triazoles are also responsible for the widespread azole‐resistant Aspergillus fumigatus . Clinically, treatment failure and significant mortality are increasingly caused by multidrug‐resistant Candidozyma auris , Nakaseomyces glabrata , fluconazole‐resistant Cryptococcus neoformans , and terbinafine‐resistant dermatophytes. Resistant fungi continue to develop mostly unchecked due to a lack of funding, misconceptions regarding fungal infection, and low epidemic visibility. To match global action with the actual burden of fungal resistance, I have summarized the molecular, ecological, clinical, and policy drivers of fungal AMR in this review. I have also identified key priorities, such as increased surveillance, expanded diagnostics, agricultural fungicide regulation, and accelerated antifungal innovation.

Summary: Can plants live without defenses? Mutant analysis in Arabidopsis thaliana has identified numerous regulators of biotic, abiotic, and hormone‐based defenses, but the redundancy among separate defense pathways remains unexplored. We constructed an Arabidopsis mutant, defenseless , lacking six canonical defense pathways using abi1‐1 (abscisic acid), coi1 (jasmonic acid), sid2 (salicylic acid), ein2 (ethylene), eds1 (biotic defense signaling), and rbohD (apoplastic reactive oxygen species production), enabling dissection of defense network resilience. In optimal growth conditions, defenseless exhibited no stress phenotypes, demonstrating that plant defenses are dispensable under favorable environments. Stress assays revealed paradoxical responses: some defenses remained functional in defenseless , while others were severely compromised. Notably, ozone‐triggered apoplastic ROS signaling was largely preserved, uncovering alternative and redundant defense mechanisms. Transcriptome profiling identified a core set of immune‐related genes consistently downregulated in defenseless , yet pathogen susceptibility was not elevated beyond known immunity‐deficient mutants, underscoring extensive redundancy and positioning defenseless as a platform to probe several layers of plant defenses.

Oxygen (O2) availability in plant tissues is dynamically shaped by photosynthesis and respiration and is linked to stress responses and development. While mitochondria are the primary consumers of cellular O2, their impact on chloroplast functions under low-oxygen conditions remains insufficiently understood. Mitochondrial retrograde signaling activates expression of nuclear genes encoding alternative oxidases and other respiratory components, and high abundance of these enzymes coincides not only with changes in respiration but also with alterations in chloroplast functions. For example, plants with induced mitochondrial signaling are tolerant to methyl viologen, which catalyzes the chloroplastic Mehler reaction. The mechanism of this inter-organelle interaction remains unclear. Here, we investigated respiration, photosynthesis, and in vivo O2 levels in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutants and transgenic lines with perturbations in diverse mitochondrial functions, including defects in respiratory complex I, ATP synthase, mitochondrial protein processing, transcription, nucleoid organization, and organelle architecture, as well as in lines with altered mitochondrial signaling, alternative oxidase activities, and nitric oxide metabolism. Increased abundance and capacity of alternative oxidases correlated with elevated O2 consumption in darkness, slower O2 re-accumulation in light, and reduced effects of methyl viologen on chloroplasts. The changes are likely mediated by multiple stress-induced alternative respiratory components. Our results support the hypothesis that enhanced mitochondrial O2 consumption under stress lowers tissue O2 levels, thereby modifying chloroplastic electron transfer and ROS metabolism. These data provide insights into the establishment and sensing of hypoxia in plants, plant adaptation to mitochondrial stress and low-oxygen environments, and the roles of chloroplasts in these processes.

Lentinula edodes (Shiitake mushroom [SM]), a Basidiomycete with extensive ethnomedicinal use, exhibits significant nutraceutical and pharmaceutical potential. This review critically discusses findings from multidisciplinary sources, including ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and classical medical literature, to elucidate the bioactive constituents of L. edodes —lentinan, eritadenine, lenthionine, guaiacol, syringol, diterpenes, triterpenoids, flavonoids, organic esters, tocopherols, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. These compounds collectively contribute to its potent antineoplastic, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and immunomodulatory effects. Advances in processing technologies have mitigated the toxicity risks associated with prolonged use, thereby enhancing the safety profiles for therapeutic applications. Emerging evidence also supports its role in dermatological health. Furthermore, rigorous analytical characterization of its bioactive profile is critical for standardization and quality control. SMs demonstrate translational potential for pharmaceutical and functional food applications; further studies are needed to elucidate their mechanisms and develop standardized, evidence‐based formulations.

Reporter gene-expressing plants show promoter activity, the stability of transgene expression, and are suitable tools to teach students about plant biotechnology and plant–environment interaction.

This comprehensive literature review delves into the multifaceted attributes of Trametes versicolor, commonly known as turkey tail mushroom. The turkey tail mushroom stands as a noteworthy source of diverse bioactive compounds with potent health benefits. This review offers a contemporary synthesis of its phytochemical constituents and their multifaceted impacts on human health. The mushroom's intricate composition, encompassing polysaccharides, phenols, and triterpenes, underpins its remarkable therapeutic potential. Focusing on key attributes such as anti-cancer, anti-microbial, and immunomodulatory activities, this review delves into the intricate mechanisms by which the turkey tail mushroom exerts its effects. In addition, the exploration extends to the enzymatic constituents inherent in the mushroom and their industrial significance. Mechanisms of action for both phytochemicals and enzymes are studied, providing a well-rounded understanding of their roles in conferring therapeutic and industrial benefits. This synthesis of research aims to provide an up-to-date perspective on turkey tail mushrooms' versatile applications. By intertwining the exploration of health benefits and enzymatic constituents, this review offers insights into the potential of harnessing this natural resource for innovative therapeutic strategies and industrial applications. Overall, it contributes to the advancement of knowledge and utilisation of turkey tail mushrooms' diverse properties for human health and industrial progress.