Effect of splenic transfer factor on the development of intestinal mucosal barrier in laying hens.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different doses of chicken spleen transfer factor (TF) on the structure of intestinal epithelial cells in different age groups. One-day-old White Leghorns laying hens were randomly divided into four groups: three groups were administered TF at different dosages (0.10, 0.25 or 1.00 mL) and a fourth group was set as control (administered saline, 1.00 mL). Using hematoxylin and eosin staining, high-throughput sequencing, microbiota analysis, quantitative polymerase reaction and western blotting. RESULTS: We measured the effects of different doses of TF on the following: intestinal mucosal epithelial tissue morphology, intestinal mucosal epithelial barrier-related gene expression profiles, and intestinal epithelial tight junction gene protein levels. The collected data show that TF can improve the absorption of nutrients by increasing villus height and crypt depth, and regulate intestinal flora disorders. Furthermore, we verified that the expression of the claudin and occludin tight junctions between intestinal epithelial cells was increased with TF. this research is very important for focusing on the structure and gene expression of intestinal tissues. CONCLUSION: The results provide a scientific rationale for feeding and nutrition programs for green and healthy farming, as well as technical support to improve the production efficiency of the livestock and poultry breeding industry. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Putative Transcription Factor Genes Associated with Regulation of Carotenoid Biosynthesis in Chili Pepper Fruits Revealed by RNA-Seq Coexpression Analysis.

During the ripening process, the pericarp of chili pepper (Capsicum spp.) fruits accumulates large amounts of carotenoids. Although the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway in the Capsicum genus has been widely studied from different perspectives, the transcriptional regulation of genes encoding carotenoid biosynthetic enzymes has not been elucidated in this fruit. We analyzed RNA-Seq transcriptomic data from the fruits of 12 accessions of Capsicum annuum during the growth, development, and ripening processes using the R package named Salsa. We performed coexpression analyses between the standardized expression of genes encoding carotenoid biosynthetic enzymes (target genes (TGs)) and the genes of all expressed transcription factors (TFs). Additionally, we analyzed the promoter region of each biosynthetic gene to identify putative binding sequences for each selected TF candidate. We selected 83 TFs as putative regulators of the carotenogenic structural genes. From them, putative binding sites in the promoters of the carotenoid-biosynthesis-related structural genes were found for only 54 TFs. These results could guide the search for transcription factors involved in the regulation of the carotenogenic pathway in chili pepper fruits and might facilitate the collection of corresponding experimental evidence to corroborate their participation in the regulation of this biosynthetic pathway in Capsicum spp.

Systems-biology analysis of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes implicates cell line-specific transcription factor function.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an immune-mediated disease affecting diarthrodial joints that remains an unmet medical need despite improved therapy. This limitation likely reflects the diversity of pathogenic pathways in RA, with individual patients demonstrating variable responses to targeted therapies. Better understanding of RA pathogenesis would be aided by a more complete characterization of the disease. To tackle this challenge, we develop and apply a systems biology approach to identify important transcription factors (TFs) in individual RA fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) cell lines by integrating transcriptomic and epigenomic information. Based on the relative importance of the identified TFs, we stratify the RA FLS cell lines into two subtypes with distinct phenotypes and predicted active pathways. We biologically validate these predictions for the top subtype-specific TF RARα and demonstrate differential regulation of TGFß signaling in the two subtypes. This study characterizes clusters of RA cell lines with distinctive TF biology by integrating transcriptomic and epigenomic data, which could pave the way towards a greater understanding of disease heterogeneity.

The combined impacts of selenium and phosphorus on the fate of arsenic in rice seedlings (Oryza sativa L.).

Although the single role of selenium (Se) or phosphorus (P) in regulating the As contamination of rice plants has been reported in some studies, the combined impacts of Se and P on the fate of As and the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, the uptake, translocation, and biotransformation of As mediated by Se were investigated in rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings hydroponically cultured with P-normal and P-deficient conditions. The results showed Se addition stimulated the uptake of arsenite and arsenate by 15.6% and 30.7%, respectively in P-normal condition, and such effect was more profound in P-deficient condition with the value of 43.8% and 70.8%. However, regardless of Se addition, P-deficiency elevated the As uptake by 47.0%-92.1% for arsenate but had no obvious effects for arsenite. Accompanying with the As transfer factorShoot/Root reduced by 74.5%-80.2% and 71.1%-85.7%, Se addition decreased the shoot As content by 65.8%-69.7% and 59.6%-73.1%, respectively, in the arsenite- and arsenate-treated rice plants. Relative to the corresponding treatments of P-normal condition, P-deficiency reduced the As transfer factorShoot/Root by 38.9%-52.5% and thus decreasing the shoot As content by 35.2%-42.5% in the arsenite-treated plants; while the opposite impacts were observed in the arsenate-treated plants, in which the shoot As content was increased by 22.4%-83.7%. The analysis results of As species showed As(III) was dominant in both shoots (68.9%-75.1%) and roots (94.9%-97.2%), and neither Se addition nor P-deficiency had obvious impacts on the interconversion between As(III) and As(V). Our results demonstrate the regulating roles of Se in As accumulation mainly depend on P regimes and the specific rice tissues, but the effects of P-deficiency on the fate of As were influenced by the form of As added to the culture.

Prevalence of reduced carbon monoxide transfer factor in smokers with normal spirometry.

We report the prevalence of reduced levels of carbon monoxide transfer factor (TLCO) in middle-aged current or ex-smokers with normal spirometry. Spirometry and TLCO measurements were performed and we identified 391 subjects aged 40-60 years, with a significant smoking history and normal spirometry. In this group, 96 subjects (24%) had TLCO measuremements below the lower limit of normal when using the newly established Global Lung Initiative (GLI) reference equations. The measurement of TLCO should be considered as part of the standard assessment of smokers.

Improvement of lung function in patients with systemic sclerosis after 6 months cyclophosphamide pulse therapy.

This study aims to analyze the effects of cyclophosphamide pulse therapy on parameters of lung function in patients with systemic sclerosis. Nineteen patients with systemic sclerosis (15 women and four men, aged 25-67 years, mean disease duration 5 years and 9 months) were included in this study. The main reason for the beginning of cyclophosphamide therapy was the decrease of transfer-factor (DLCO) or diffusing coefficient for carbon monoxide (DLCO/VA) under 70% of predictive value. Intravenous cyclophosphamide was administered monthly in a dose of 500 mg/m(2 )body surface. The efficacy was evaluated by comparison of forced vital capacity (FVC), DLCO, and DLCO/VA at the baseline and 1 month after the sixth pulse. Statistical analyses were performed using Student's T test and Wilcoxon's test. The difference between FVC at the baseline (86.6%) and at the end of the follow-up period (89.2%) was not statistically significant (t=-1.25, p>0.05). However, a significant increase of DLCO (from 61.2% to 70.5%, z=-2.04, p=0.04) and DLCO/VA (from 57.8% to 72.5%, z=-2.67, p=0.008) was observed. Minor side effects were noticed in some patients. Two patients had nausea after cyclophosphamide infusion, two patients had insignificant decrease of creatinine clearance, and two patients had temporary and mild leukopenia. In patients with systemic sclerosis and lung involvement, an improvement of lung-diffusing capacity was noticed 6 months after the beginning of cyclophosphamide pulse therapy, with only minor side effects.

Differential distribution of mRNAs encoding phosphatidylinositol transfer proteins alpha and beta in the central nervous system of the rat.

The expression of the alpha and beta isoforms of phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (PI-TP alpha and PI-TP beta) in the adult rat brain was examined by in situ hybridization analysis with isoform-specific RNA probes. PI-TP alpha mRNA was detected in rather restricted regions of the brain whereas PI-TP beta mRNA was widely distributed in the brain. PI-TP alpha mRNA signals were remarkable in neocortex layers II/III and V/VI, Purkinje cell layer, deep cerebellar nuclei of the cerebellum, red nucleus and most part of brain stem. Low levels of PI-TP alpha transcript were present in CA3 of the hippocampus, ventral and dorsal thalamic nuclei, and motoneurons of spinal cord. No hybridization signals was obtained in the olfactory bulb, basal ganglia, amygdala, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland. In contrast, strong signals of PI-TP beta mRNA were detected in the dentate gyrus. The beta isoform mRNA was moderately expressed in olfactory bulb, layers II/III of the neocortex, striatum, CA1-CA4 regions of the hippocampus, medial habenula, cerebellum, amygdala, hypothalamus, spinal cord, and pituitary gland. Thalamus and brain stem contained relatively low, but significant levels of PI-TP beta transcript. The distinct distribution of PI-TP alpha and PI-TP beta mRNAs suggests different functional roles for each of the gene products in the mature nervous system.

Large lungs and growth hormone: an increased alveolar number?

Previous physiological studies suggest that increased lung growth in patients with acromegaly is associated with either a normal or above normal pulmonary transfer factor. These findings can be interpreted to suggest either alveolar hypertrophy or hyperplasia as the mechanism for lung growth in this condition. Since the ventilated airspaces retain normal elastic properties, we wanted to determine whether the mechanism for lung growth in acromegaly is the result of an increased alveolar number rather than size. Measurements of pulmonary distensibility (K) (an index of alveolar size), elastic recoil, single-breath carbon monoxide transfer factor and carbon monoxide transfer coefficient (KCO), pulmonary capillary blood volume and alveolar membrane diffusing capacity, together with chest width, were compared in nonsmoking, acromegalic and normal men and women, with and without an increased lung size. Pulmonary transfer factor was normal for all groups studied, regardless of lung size. However, KCO was inversely related to total lung capacity (% predicted) for all subjects and KCO (% predicted) was inversely related to chest width in men. Pulmonary capillary blood volume (% predicted) was inversely related to total lung capacity (% predicted) for subjects with large lungs. Pulmonary distensibility (K), membrane diffusing capacity and elastic recoil were within the normal range. These findings suggest normal alveolar size, alveolar membrane surface area and mechanical function in subjects with large lungs. They also suggest that KCO may not be a reliable guide to the interpretation of the mechanism of lung growth in individuals with disproportionately large lungs, and may be reduced because not all the alveoli are perfused. The normal values for pulmonary distensibility found in all our individuals with large lungs, including acromegalics, suggest that lung growth has been achieved by an increased alveolar number rather than size. However, morphometric studies of the lungs of nonsmoking, acromegalic subjects without lung disease, are required to substantiate this finding.

Evolution of resting lung function in the first year after cardiac transplantation.

The aim of our study was to characterize the time course and magnitude of the changes in lung function in the first year after cardiac transplantation. Resting pulmonary function tests (spirometry, lung volumes and transfer factor) were performed in 14 patients prior to and at 1, 3 and 12 months after surgery. Resting central haemodynamics were also measured serially in the first year post-transplantation. Before transplantation, patients had impaired resting lung function with marked decrease in transfer factor (TL,CO). Although resting central haemodynamics improved markedly within the first week after cardiac transplantation, lung function (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)) was significantly improved only at three months post-transplantation. TL,CO, however, decreased further early after cardiac transplantation. By 12 months, FEV1 and forced vital capacity had increased significantly by 31 and 33%, respectively, while total lung capacity increased by 22%. On the other hand, TL,CO did not increase significantly and remained well below normal at 12 months after cardiac transplantation, at a value equal to 68% of predicted. We conclude that the resting abnormalities in lung function of most patients with heart failure are reversible after cardiac transplantation, except for TL,CO which remains below normal values. Recovery of lung function, however, lags behind the improvement in cardiac function.

Management of fibrosing alveolitis with polymyositis dermatomyositis.

A 38-year-old man with polymyositis-dermatomyositis developed acute life-threatening fibrosing alveolitis. We report a two year follow-up of this patient, during which control of alveolitis was obtained using prednisolone, and was maintained with the addition of cyclophosphamide. Relapse of myositis responded to increased prednisolone. Serial measurements of vital capacity and transfer factor assisted management of alveolitis, but changes in vital capacity preceded changes in transfer factor, and were more convenient to perform during frequent outpatient review.

Murine transfer factor. III. Specific interactions between transfer factor and antigen.

The interactions between dialyzable transfer factor and antigens have been studied. Incubation of transfer factor-containing dialysates from ferritin-sensitized mice or ferritin-coated plastic surfaces removed the antigen-sensitizing activity; incubations of the same preparations on cytochrome c-coated surfaces did not. Similar results were obtained when cytochrome c-transfer factor was studied. Incubation on cytochrome c-coated surfaces removed the activity, but incubation on ferritin-coated surfaces did not. Specific transfer factor activities could be recovered by elution with 8 M urea or acetonitrile. The finding of interactions between transfer factor and antigens provides evidence for a molecular basis of the specificity of the immunologic effects of transfer factor. This technique may also enable us to obtain amounts of specific material that are adequate for chemical analysis.

Susceptibility of murine transfer factor to dimerized ribonuclease A.

Dialyzable transfer factor was prepared from the spleens of CF1 mice actively sensitized with killed Coccidioides immitis antigen. The transfer factor was administered to normal mice either intraperitoneally or into the hind footpads. The recipient mice were tested for reactivity to the coccidioides antigen and to Candida albicans antigen by means of the footpad swelling test. The transfer factor conferred antigen-specific reactivity upon normal recipient mice when given by the intraperitoneal and footpad routes. This capacity of the transfer factor was destroyed by in vitro pretreatment with dimerized ribonuclease A, an enzyme active against double-stranded, as well as single-stranded, ribonucleic acid. In contrast, monomeric ribonuclease A, which is active against only single-stranded ribonucleic acid under the conditions used here, was without effect upon the transfer factor. These data provide evidence that murine transfer factor contains ribonucleotides that are essential for immunological activity. In addition, the data are consistent with the hypothesis, advanced by others, that the ribonucleotides may be double-stranded or uniquely looped configurations.