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Egg white proteins play an important role in avian reproductive systems and are an ideal resource for bioreactor construction. In this study, 1D electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF-MS were performed to analyze egg white proteins in four species. In total, 18, 11, 28, and 13 proteins were identified in the egg whites of the chicken, duck, goose, and pigeon, respectively. Egg white proteins in chickens have been studied previously; therefore, we focused on the proteins in goose and duck egg whites. Based on the amino acid sequence analysis and a comparison of the unique peptides, high similarity was observed between the goose and duck egg whites. Diversity in the regulatory region of the ovalbumin gene explained the higher ovalbumin expression in the duck and goose than in the chicken. These data clarify the evolutionary processes underlying to the unique peptides contributing to the differential expression of ovalbumin in avians., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.)

Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) is a severe childhood inflammatory disorder that shows clinical and genetic overlap with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). AGS is thought to arise from the accumulation of incompletely metabolized endogenous nucleic acid species owing to mutations in nucleic acid-degrading enzymes TREX1 (AGS1), RNase H2 (AGS2, 3 and 4), and SAMHD1 (AGS5). However, the identity and source of such immunogenic nucleic acid species remain undefined. Using genome-wide approaches, we show that fibroblasts from AGS patients with AGS1-5 mutations are burdened by excessive loads of RNA:DNA hybrids. Using MethylC-seq, we show that AGS fibroblasts display pronounced and global loss of DNA methylation and demonstrate that AGS-specific RNA:DNA hybrids often occur within DNA hypomethylated regions. Altogether, our data suggest that RNA:DNA hybrids may represent a common immunogenic form of nucleic acids in AGS and provide the first evidence of epigenetic perturbations in AGS, furthering the links between AGS and SLE.

Objective: To explore the application of B-ultrasound monitoring plus gastric insufflation for nasointestinal tube indwelling in critical neurosurgical patients., Methods: A total of 96 critical comatose neurosurgical patients indicated for nasointestinal tube indwelling were randomized into three groups of routine (A, n = 32), gastric insufflation (B, n = 31) and B-ultrasound monitoring plus gastric insufflation (C, n = 33). And the position of nasointestinal tube was observed within 24 h and at 72 h in three groups., Results: The general profiles of three groups showed no significant differences (P > 0.05). The proportions of nasointestinal tube passing pylorus within 24 h in three groups were 43.8%, 74.2% and 93.9% respectively. Comparing group C with groups A and B, the differences presented statistical significance. The proportions of nasointestinal tube passing pylorus at 72 h in three groups were 68.8%, 83.9% and 100% respectively. Comparing group C with groups A and B, the differences had statistical significance., Conclusion: Refined method of nasointestinal tube indwelling and B-ultrasound monitoring may boost the rate of successful indwelling.It is worth wider promotion and application.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of the HIV/AIDS patients newly received highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) during 2005-2013 in Jiangsu province., Methods: According to the baseline data of HIV/AIDS patients newly received HAART during 2005-2013, an Excel database was established and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 16.0 software., Results: There were 5 788 HIV/AIDS patients newly received HAART during 2005-2013 and the number increased annually. 79.7% of these patients were from the local province, with the ratio of male to female as 4.69 : 1, mean age as 39.9 years old, 55.8% of them married, 52.0% of them were treated at CDC. 91.9% of them were infected through sexual contacts. Mean baseline CD4(+)T cell count of cases was 187 cells/µl. Median of the interval between the time of HIV confirmation and HAART initiation was 4.0 months. Proportion of the HIV/AIDS patients that were being male, elderly, unmarried, not local resident, treated in hospitals and with higher baseline CD4(+)T count etc. showed a trend of increase., Conclusion: HIV/AIDS patients had the opportunity to start the HAART at early stage of the disease. However, many of them started the treafment late as the results of being diagnosed late. Programs related to both earlier detection and diagnosis on HIV cases should be strengthened.

Objective: To analyze the five-year effectiveness of the people living with HIV/AIDS who initially received highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in Jiangsu province., Methods: HIV/AIDS initially received HAART from 1 Jan 2005 to 31 May 2014 in Jiangsu province with the CD4(+)T cell count tested in baseline, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years and 5 years after treatment initiation were selected. According to their retrospectively collected baseline and follow-up data, statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 16.0 software to analyze the variation of CD4(+)T counts and its impact factors in different times after treatment initiation., Results: A total of 200 patients were included. A total of 134 patients were men, and 66 were women, the ratio of male to female was 2.03: 1; mean age was (39.7 ± 10.3) years old; 69.0% (138/200) of the patients married; 53.0% (106/200) as the most were infected with HIV through heterosexual transmission, and followed by men who have sex with men (MSM) (25.5%, 51/200); taken together as 78.5% (157/200).58.5% (117/200) were treated in the CDC. The mean (95%CI) baseline CD4(+)T cell count of cases was 106.9 (93.3-120.5) cells/µl; the CD4(+)T count tested in 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years and 5 years after treatment initiation were 107.3, 152.9, 221.6, 260.0, 281.3 and 316.4 cells/µl more than baseline respectively; the CD4(+)T count after treatment initiation has increased over time (F = 201.06, P < 0.01) . The mean(95%CI) CD4(+)T count tested in 5 years after treatment initiation can increase to 540.7(445.4-635.9) cells/µl with a baseline CD4(+)T count more than 200 cells/µl, but in the subgroups with a baseline CD4(+)T count less than or equal to 50 cells/µl, 51-100 cells/µl, 101-150 cells/µl and 151-200 cells/µl, it only can reach to 431.4 (375.9-487.0), 400.0 (339.9-460.2), 380.3 (330.6-430.0) and 412.1 (369.3-454.8) cells/µl respectively. The mean (95%CI) CD4(+)T count tested in 5 years after treatment initiation with 1 baseline symptom categories can increase to 449.2 (392.2-506.2) cells/µl, while 409.1(317.8-500.5)cells/µl in the subgroup with baseline symptom categories more than or equal to 2. The CD4(+)T after treatment increased slowly associated with a lower baseline CD4(+)T count level and more baseline symptom categories (F values were 3.96 and 2.35, P < 0.01)., Conclusion: It has a remarkable effectiveness for HIV/AIDS treatment in Jiangsu province. The patients with a baseline CD4(+)T count more than 200 counts/µl have a better immune function recovery.

Objective: To investigate the association between tea consumption and lung cancer., Methods: A case-control study was conducted, including 1225 newly diagnosed cases with lung cancer and 1234 healthy control subjects frequently matched by gender and age (+/- 3 year). Epidemiological data were collected by in-person interviews using a standard questionnaire. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by fitting multivariate unconditional logistic regression models that included potential confounding factors., Results: A protective effect of tea drinking on risk of lung cancer was observed for non-smokers with adjusted OR was 0.465 (95% 0.345 - 0.625), and the risks decreased with increased years of tea drinking. The adjusted ORs for drinking green tea, black tea, oolong tea and others was 0.333 (95% CI 0.154 -0.720), 0.522 (95% CI 0.356 - 0.767), 0.735 (95% CI 0.424 - 1.274) and 0.267 (95% CI 0.143 - 0.497), respectively. The inverse associations were also observed between frequency, concentration, consumption and risk of lung cancer among non-smokers. Tea drinking was associated with decreased risk of lung cancer for those smokers with drinking tea < 3 times/week and low concentration, with the adjusted ORs of 0.453 (95% CI 0.286 - 0.717) and 0.518 (95% CI 0.346 - 0.778), respectively., Conclusion: The protective effect of tea drinking was observed on the risk of lung cancer, especially for non-smokers.