Background: The incidence of hypertension is high in people living with HIV (PLWH). High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), and neutrophil-to-monocyte ratio (NMR) are considered economic and convenient parameters that reflect the levels of inflammation in patients. Our aim was to explore whether indirect inflammation markers are associated with hypertension in PLWH.Methods: This was a case-control study. The case group (hypertension) comprised PLWH with hypertension, and the control group (non-hypertension) comprised sex- and age-(± 3 years)-matched PLWH without hypertension. Demographic parameters, hsCRP, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune- inflammation index (SII), SIRI, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet-to-neutrophil ratio (PNR), platelet-to-monocyte ratio (PMR), NMR, time to HIV diagnosis, antiretroviral therapy (ART) duration, recent CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cell counts, recent CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio, recent HIV viral load (HIV-RNA),and recent ART regimen were obtained from the patients’ electronic medical records. A t-test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test was performed to compare differences between the two groups, and conditional logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of hypertension. Correlations between inflammation markers and CD4⁺ cell counts, CD8⁺ cell counts, and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation.Results: In the hypertension group, body mass index (BMI), hsCRP, NLR, SII, SIRI, NMR, time to HIV diagnosis, ART duration, CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cell counts, and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio, the ratio of HIV-RNA < 100 copies/mL were all higher than those in the non-hypertension group, while the PNR was lower than that in the non-hypertension group. ART duration, CD4⁺ cell counts, HIV-RNA < 100 copies/mL, hsCRP, SIRI, and NMR were positively associated with hypertensive risk in PLWH. CD8⁺ cell counts and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio was negatively associated with hypertensive risk in PLWH. SIRI was negatively correlated with CD4⁺ cell counts and CD8⁺ cell counts, but positively correlated with CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio.Conclusions: We identified positive associations between inflammation markers hsCRP, SIRI, NMR and hypertensive risk in PLWH. Alleviating inflammation may help control or delay the occurrence of hypertension in PLWH.

Aim: Exploring the value of inflammatory markers in diagnosing active pulmonary tuberculosis in diabetics. Patients and Methods: Routine clinical indicators and a range of inflammatory markers were assessed in 276 diabetic patients (DM) and 276 patients with diabetes mellitus combined with active tuberculosis (DM-PTB) from Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. Differences between indicators were compared between the two groups, and factors influencing the susceptibility of diabetic patients to active tuberculosis were analyzed. A novel predictive model was constructed by combining inflammatory and lipid markers using R-Studio in a pioneering manner, and the efficacy of the predictive model was assessed using Calibration Curve and other methods in a multifaceted manner. Results: Univariate analysis showed that clinical markers including triglycerides, leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and platelets; inflammatory markers including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein ratio (NHR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), platelet-to-neutrophil ratio (PNR), platelet-to-monocyte ratio (PMR), monocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), aggregate inflammation systemic index (AISI), neutrophil-to-monocyte ratio (NMR), and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) showed significant differences. Specifically, triglyceride, PNR, PMR, MHR, and MLR are risk factors for the development of PTB in DM patients. The model for predicting DM-PTB using a combination of indicators has a high sensitivity (75.0%) and specificity (81.9%). Conclusion: Triglycerides, PNR, PMR, MHR, and MLR were identified as influential factors in the progression to PTB in diabetic patients. The combined application of these indicators provides an economical, convenient and direct method for early identification of diabetic patients susceptible to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Objectives. To evaluate the role of short‐term low‐dose glucocorticoids in mild COVID‐19 patients. Methods. We conducted a retrospective, cross‐sectional, single‐center study in Kunming, China. A total of 33 mild COVID‐19 cases were divided into two treatment groups (with and without glucocorticoids, methylprednisolone, were used in this setting), and the absolute value of peripheral blood lymphocyte count; CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cell counts; and the time to achieve negative transformation of a nucleic acid pharyngeal swab were recorded. Peripheral blood lymphocyte and T cell counts were compared between the treatment group and 25 healthy individuals. At the point of time when there was a 50% accumulation conversion rate (positive to negative nucleic acid on pharyngeal swab), and the nucleic acid turned negative in half of the patients in two groups, the peripheral blood lymphocyte and T cell counts were compared between treatment groups. Results. The mean cumulative time for the 50% negative conversion rate of the nucleic acid in the pharyngeal swab was 17.7 ± 5.1 days and 13.9 ± 5.4 days in the glucocorticoid group and the nonglucocorticoid group, respectively. The absolute peripheral blood lymphocyte count and the T cell subset count in the glucocorticoid group were lower than those in the nonglucocorticoid group. When the nucleic acid turned negative in half of the patients, the absolute value of peripheral blood lymphocyte count and CD4+ T cells of the glucocorticoid group and the nonglucocorticoid group was not significantly different; the CD3+ and CD8+ T cells in the glucocorticoid group were lower than those in the nonglucocorticoid group. The absolute peripheral blood lymphocyte count, CD3+ T cells, and CD4+ T cells in the glucocorticoid group were lower than those of the healthy group during the whole disease period, and CD8+ T cells returned to normal at 19‐21 days of the disease period. There was no significant difference between the nonglucocorticoid group and the healthy group for absolute peripheral blood lymphocyte and CD8+ T cells; moreover, CD3+ T cells and CD4+ T cells were lower in the nonglucocorticoid group than those in the healthy group from the day of admission to the 18th day and returned to normal at the period of 19‐21 days. The absolute peripheral lymphocyte count (P = 0.048, effect size d = 0.727) and T cell subset count (CD3: P = 0.042, effect size d = 0.655; CD4: P < 0.01, effect size d = 0.599; and CD8: P = 0.034, effect size d = 0.550) in the nonglucocorticoid group were higher than those in the glucocorticoid group, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant. Conclusions. This study found that the use of short‐term, low‐dose glucocorticoids does not negatively influence the clinical outcome, without affecting the final clearance of viral nucleic acid in mild COVID‐19 patients.

Animal models are indispensable for unraveling the mechanisms underlying post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). This review evaluates recent research on PASC-related perturbations in animal models, drawing comparisons with clinical findings. Despite the limited number of studies on post-COVID conditions, particularly those extending beyond three months, these studies provide valuable insights. Three hallmark features of PASC—lung fibrosis, hyperglycemia, and neurological sequelae—have been successfully replicated in animal models, paving the way for mechanistic discoveries and future medical interventions. Although most studies have reported post-COVID conditions within 14–60 days post-infection, they still offer critical reference for future long-term research. This review also explores potential mechanisms of persisting immune misfiring, a key factor in the chronicity of PASC symptoms. Moreover, challenges in modeling PASC are also discussed, including the limited genetic diversity in inbred animal strains and difficulties in accurately identifying PASC-affected individuals. To address these issues, we propose methodological improvements, such as comparing individual animal parameters with control averages and incorporating genetically diverse populations like collaborative cross models. These strategies will enhance the identification and characterization of PASC endotypes in animal studies. By integrating findings from animal models with clinical manifestations of PASC, future research can provide more valuable insights into its mechanisms and support the development of effective therapeutic strategies. Finally, we emphasize the urgent need for longitudinal studies in animal models to fully uncover the mechanisms driving PASC and guide interventions to mitigate its public health impact.

Background: Data concerning adherence to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance among chronic liver disease (CLD) patients at high risk of developing HCC in China are limited. We aimed to examine the relationship between HCC-related knowledge dimensions and adherence to HCC surveillance procedures among chronic liver disease patients at high risk of developing HCC and to identify potential barriers. Methods: A total of 380 patients with chronic liver disease at high risk of developing HCC were recruited between May and August 2018 to complete a survey during the first week of their first hospitalization at the Third People's Hospital of Kunming in China. We followed up each patient up to 7 months by telephone to confirm whether the patient returned to complete investigations for HCC surveillance. Patient's socio-demographic characteristics, HCC-related knowledge, and perceived barriers to HCC surveillance were measured using a structured questionnaire during their hospitalization. Factor analysis was performed on the knowledge questions to reduce the dimensions. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine the association between dimensions of HCC-related knowledge and patients' adherence to HCC surveillance. Results: A total of 327 eligible patients had been successfully contacted in the follow-up phase. Only a quarter of patients completed HCC surveillance within 7 months after their first admission to hospital. High costs and perceived poor test efficacy were the two major barriers for HCC surveillance. Three common factors were derived from the factor analysis of HCC-related knowledge, namely, "Surveillance", "Lifestyle", and 'Prognosis'. Knowledge of HCC surveillance and lifestyle but not prognosis had an influence on adherence to HCC surveillance. Patients with better surveillance and lifestyle knowledge domain had better adherence to HCC surveillance. Conclusion: Adherence to HCC surveillance procedures is low in the study area. Closing the gap in HCC-related knowledge, particularly regarding surveillance and lifestyle, may help to increase adherence rates.

To investigate the value of peripheral blood clusters of differentiation 4 (CD4⁺) T-lymphocyte (T cells) count and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the treatment and prognosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM). Sixty-five patients with TBM were prospectively included in the observation group. Sixty-five patients with pulmonary TB and a group of 65 healthy individuals served as the control groups. The differences in peripheral blood CD4⁺ T-cell count, serum IL-6, and IL-8 levels were compared, and changes in these indices after anti-TB treatment in the observation group were analysed. The observation group was divided into effective and ineffective groups based on their response after 24 weeks of anti-TB treatment. The study also evaluated the influence of peripheral blood CD4⁺ T-cell count, serum IL-6, and IL-8 levels on the adverse prognosis of TBM during anti-TB treatment. Before treatment, the CD4⁺ T-cell count in the peripheral blood of the observation group was lower than in both the control and healthy groups, and serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels were higher than in the control group (P < 0.001). After 24 weeks of anti-TB treatment, the CD4⁺ T-cell count in the peripheral blood of the observation group increased, whereas the levels of IL-6 and IL-8 decreased significantly (P < 0.001). The levels of CD4⁺ T cells and IL-6 in the peripheral blood of patients before treatment were identified as independent factors influencing the efficacy of anti-TB treatment (odds ratio [OR] = 0.989, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.980–0.997; OR = 1.010, 95 % CI: 1.003–1.017). In patients with TBM, the CD4⁺ T-cell count in the peripheral blood is decreased, whereas serum IL-6 and IL-8 are increased. The combination of CD4⁺ T cells and IL-8 shows a degree of predictive value for the prognosis of anti-TB treatment.