Cold stress limits plant geographical distribution and influences plant growth, development, and yields. Plants as sessile organisms have evolved complex biochemical and physiological mechanisms to adapt to cold stress. These mechanisms are regulated by a series of transcription factors and proteins for efficient cold stress acclimation. It has been established that the ICE-CBF-COR signaling pathway in plants regulates how plants acclimatize to cold stress. Cold stress is perceived by receptor proteins, triggering signal transduction, and Inducer of CBF Expression (ICE) genes are activated and regulated, consequently upregulating the transcription and expression of the C-repeat Binding Factor (CBF) genes. The CBF protein binds to the C-repeat/Dehydration Responsive Element (CRT/DRE), a homeopathic element of the Cold Regulated genes (COR gene) promoter, activating their transcription. Transcriptional regulations and post-translational modifications regulate and modify these entities at different response levels by altering their expression or activities in the signaling cascade. These activities then lead to efficient cold stress tolerance. This paper contains a concise summary of the ICE-CBF-COR pathway elucidating on the cross interconnections with other repressors, inhibitors, and activators to induce cold stress acclimation in plants.

Higher milk yield and prolificacy of the modern dairy cattle requires high metabolism activities to support them. It causes high heat production by the body, which coupled with increasing environmental temperatures results in heat stress (HS). Production, health, and welfare of modern cattle are severely jeopardized due to their low adaptability to hot conditions. Animal activates a variety of physiological, endocrine, and behavioral mechanisms to cope with HS. Traditionally, decreased feed intake is considered as the major factor towards negative energy balance (NEBAL) leading to a decline in milk production. However, reciprocal changes related to insulin; glucose metabolism; failure of adipose mobilization; and skeletal muscle metabolism have appeared to be the major culprits behind HS specific NEBAL. There exists high insulin activity and glucose become preferential energy fuel. Physiological biochemistry of the heat stressed cows is characterized by low-fat reserves derived NEFA (non-esterified fatty acids) response, despite high energy demands. Besides these, physiological and gut-associated changes and poor feeding practices can further compromise the welfare and production of the heat-stressed cows. Better understanding of HS specific nutritional physiology and metabolic biochemistry of the dairy cattle will primarily help to devise practical interventions in this context. Proper assessment of the HS in cattle and thereby applying relevant cooling measures at dairy seems to be the basic mitigation approach. Score of the nutritional strategies be applied in the eve of HS should target supporting physiological responses of abatement and fulfilling the deficiencies possessed, such as water and minerals. Second line of abatement constitutes proper feeding, which could augment metabolic activities and synergizes energy support. The third line of supplemental supports should be directed towards modulating the metabolic (propionates, thiazolidinediones, dietary buffers, probiotics, and fermentates) and antioxidant responses (vitamins). Comprehensive understanding of the energetic metabolism dynamics under the impact of incremental heat load and complete outlook of pros and cons of the dietary ameliorating substances together with the discovery of the newer relevant supplementations constitutes the future avenues in this context.

Metallic trace elements toxicity has been associated with a wide range of morphological abnormalities in fish, both in natural aquatic ecosystems and controlled environments. The bioaccumulation of metallic trace elements can have devastating effects on several aspects of fish health, encompassing physiological, reproductive, behavioural, and developmental functions. Considering the significant risks posed by metallic trace elements-induced toxicity to fish populations, this review aims to investigate the deleterious effects of prevalent metallic trace elements toxicants, such as mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and copper (Cu), on the neurological, reproductive, embryonic, and tissue systems of fish. Employing diverse search engines and relevant keywords, an extensive review of in vitro and in vivo studies pertaining to metallic trace elements toxicity and its adverse consequences on fish and their organs was conducted. The findings indicate that Cd was the most prevalent metallic trace elements in aquatic environments, exerting the most severe impacts on various fish organs and systems, followed by Cu and Pb. Moreover, it was observed that different metals exhibited varying degrees and types of effects on fish. Given the profound adverse effects of metallic trace elements contamination in water, immediate measures need to be taken to mitigate water pollution stemming from the discharge of waste containing metallic trace elements from agricultural, industrial, and domestic water usage. This study also compares the most common methods for treating metallic trace elements contamination in water.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens LFB112 on the growth performance, carcass traits, immune response, and serum biochemical parameters of broiler chickens. A total of 396 1 day old, mixed-sex commercial Ross 308 broilers with similar body weights were allotted into six treatment groups. The assigned groups were the CON group (basal diet with no supplement), AB (antibiotics) group (basal diet + 150 mg of aureomycin/kg), C+M group (basal diet + 5 × 10⁸ CFU/kg B. amyloliquefaciens LFB112 powder with vegetative cells + metabolites), C group (basal diet + 5 × 10⁸ CFU/kg B. amyloliquefaciens LFB112 vegetative cell powder with removed metabolites), M group (basal diet + 5 × 10⁸ CFU/kg B. amyloliquefaciens LFB112 metabolite powder with removed vegetative cells), and CICC group (basal diet + 5 × 10⁸ CFU/kg Bacillus subtilis CICC 20179). Results indicated that chickens in the C+M, C, and M groups had higher body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) (p < 0.05) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p = 0.02) compared to the CON group. The C+M group showed the lowest abdominal fat rate compared to those in the CON, AB, and CICC groups (p < 0.05). Compared to the CON group, serum IgA and IgG levels in the C+M, C, and M groups significantly increased while declining in the AB group (p < 0.05). B. amyloliquefaciens LFB112 supplementation significantly reduced the serum triglyceride, cholesterol, urea, and creatinine levels, while increasing the serum glucose and total protein (p < 0.05). In conclusion, B. amyloliquefaciens LFB112 significantly improved the growth performance, carcass traits, immunity, and blood chemical indices of broiler chickens and may be used as an efficient broiler feed supplement.

Intestinal inflammation is an inflammatory disease resulting from immune dysregulation in the gut. It can increase the risk of enteric cancer, which is a common malignancy globally. As a new class of anti-inflammatory agents, native peptides have potential for use in the treatment of several intestinal inflammation conditions; however, their potential cytotoxicity and poor anti-inflammatory activity and stability have prevented their development. Hybridization has been proposed to overcome this problem. Thus, in this study, we designed a hybrid peptide (LL-37-TP5, LTP) by combing the active centre of LL-37 (13–36) with TP5. The half-life and cytotoxicity were tested in vitro, and the hybrid peptide showed a longer half-life and lower cytotoxicity than its parental peptides. We also detected the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of LTP on Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal inflammation in murine model. The results showed that LTP effectively prevented LPS-induced weight loss, impairment of intestinal tissues, leukocyte infiltration, and histological evidence of inflammation. Additionally, LTP decreased the levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma, and interleukin-6; increased the expression of zonula occludens-1 and occludin; and reduced permeability in the jejunum of LPS-treated mice. Notably, LTP appeared to be more potent than the parental peptides LL-37 and TP5. The anti-inflammatory effects of LTP may be associated with the neutralization of LPS, inhibition of oxidative stress, and inhibition of the NF-κB signalling pathway. The findings of this study suggest that LTP might be an effective therapeutic agent for treating intestinal inflammation.