Pre-mRNA processing factor 3 (PRPF3) is an RNA binding protein in a core component of the exon junction complex. Abnormal PRPF3 expression is potentially associated with carcinogenesis. However, the biological role of PRPF3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains to be determined. We analyzed PRPF3 expression via multiple gene expression databases and identified its genetic alterations and functional networks using cBioPortal. Co-expressed genes with PRPF3 and its regulators were identified using LinkedOmics. The correlations between PRPF3 and cancer immune infiltrates were investigated via Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER). PRPF3 was found up-regulated with amplification in tumor tissues in multiple HCC cohorts. High PRPF3 expression was associated with poorer overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Functional network analysis suggested that PRPF3 regulates spliceosome, DNA replication, and cell cycle signaling via pathways involving several cancer-related kinases and E2F family. Notably, PRPF3 expression was positively correlated with infiltrating levels of CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. PRPF3 expression showed strong correlations with diverse immune marker sets in HCC. These findings suggest that PRPF3 is correlated with prognosis and immune infiltrating in HCC, laying a foundation for further study of the immune regulatory role of PRPF3 in HCC.

Diagnosis of neurosyphilis is currently based on the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) assessments and CSF-Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (CSF-VDRL) is the traditional “gold standard.” In the real world, CSF assessments and CSF-VDRL are not always available. This study aimed to identify noninvasive predictors of neurosyphilis based on real-world clinical parameters and diagnostic criteria in populations with different HIV status. In this retrospective cohort study, syphilis patients with different HIV statuses hospitalized for neurosyphilis screening were retrospectively recruited at an infectious disease hospital. Neurosyphilis was defined by real-world diagnostic criteria. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were used to investigate and evaluate predictors of neurosyphilis. In total, 528 patients were enrolled, including 143 syphilis patients without HIV infection and 385 HIV/syphilis-co-infected patients. One hundred twelve and 304 neurosyphilis patients were identified in the HIV-negative and HIV-positive groups, respectively. A high serum toluidine red unheated serum test (TRUST) titer was a robust predictor of neurosyphilis in all participants. An age ≥50 years old [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 5.062, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.449–17.680] in the HIV-negative group and CD4 ⁺ T cell count <330/μL (<300 as reference, aOR = 0.552, 95% CI, 0.315–0.966) in the HIV-positive group were predictors of asymptomatic neurosyphilis. In real-world situations, for asymptomatic syphilis patients, relatively old age and a high serum TRUST titer in HIV-negative populations, and CD4 ⁺ T cells 1:64 in HIV-positive populations might predict neurosyphilis.

Backgroud The role of HIV infection in precipitating different clinical features in Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) patients remains controversial. Methods One hundred and twelve CM patients living with HIV/AIDS (CM+HIV+ patients) and 112 CM patients living without HIV/AIDS (CM+HIV- patients) were enrolled after propensity score matching. Demographic characteristics, symptoms, routine blood tests, biochemical and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) profiles were compared between the two groups. Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess 10-week mortality. Results CM+HIV+ patients frequently occurred in young (mean age 40.3±10.5) and male (89.3%) populations who also experienced leukopenia, neutropenia, lymphocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, and hypoalbuminemia, less headaches (66.9%) and higher cryptococcemia (23.2%) (all P < 0.050); they also had higher glucose (2.6±1.1 mmol/L), increased smear positivity (78.8%) and decreased white blood cells [8.0 (2.0-28.0)×106/L] in initial CSF assay (all P< 0.050). The 10-week cumulative survival rate was 84.6% for CM+HIV+ patients and 88.5% for CM+HIV- patients (P = 0.345). Age < 35.0 years old (Hazard ratio (HR) 3.0 (1.0-8.9), P=0.046), intracranial pressure (ICP) > 250.0 mmH2O (HR: 4.8(1.1-21.6), P=0.041) and treatment lacking amphotericin B [HR: 6.5(1.9-21.4), P=0.003] were independent risk factors for 10-week mortality in CM+HIV+ patients. Conclusions There are significant clinical differences in cryptococcal meningitis patients living with or without HIV/AIDS. However, the 10-week survival rate was similar between the two groups. Younger population, high ICP and treatment lacking amphotericin B were independent risk factors for 10-week mortality of Chinese CM+HIV+ patients.

Incomplete immune reconstitution (IIR) is a serious complication affecting 10 to 40% of people living with HIV (PLWH) despite effective antiretroviral therapy, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Current risk prediction models rely on single–time point measurements and lack dynamic assessment capabilities. We developed a dynamic joint prediction system for IIR risk (DJPSIIR) using Bayesian joint modeling to analyze longitudinal data from 21,862 PLWH across 31 Chinese provinces (2003–2024). The system integrates continuous CD4 ⁺ T cell counts and CD4/CD8 ratios with clinical parameters to generate real-time risk predictions. DJPSIIR demonstrated strong discriminatory performance with area under receiver operating characteristic curves of 0.890 to 0.912 for 5- to 7-year predictions, consistently outperforming expert assessments and 19 machine learning algorithms across multiple validation cohorts. Our dynamic prediction system enables precise identification of high-risk individuals and could transform clinical decision-making by facilitating timely interventions to prevent IIR progression in HIV care.

Background Since December 2019, when Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China, it is currently causing outbreaks in many countries worldwide. No specific therapeutics have yet been proven effective for the treatment of COVID-19. Methods A retrospective, single-center case series study was conducted in a designated hospital for special treatment of COVID-19 in Hangzhou, China. Clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients were described and compared between the common and severe groups. Multiple linear regression and sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the antiviral effects of the 3-drug combination therapy (lopinavir/ritonavir, interferon, and arbidol). Results One hundred and ten confirmed COVID-19 patients were enrolled, including 99 common cases and 11 severe cases. The mean age was 43.1 years and 54.5% were female. Severe patients might be older (P < 0.01), and have more coexisting disorders (P < 0.01), lower levels of lymphocyte counts (P = 0.016), blood sodium (P = 0.039) and chloride (P < 0.01), and higher levels of C reactive protein and procalcitonin (both P < 0.01). Multiple linear regression and sensitivity analysis indicated that both in Model 1 and Model 2, after adjusted by confounding factors, significant associations between completing the 3-drug combination antiviral therapy (vs. incompleting) and a shorter hospital staying time could be seen (B = -5.970, 95% CI, -9.222, -2.718, P < 0.01, in Model 1; and B = -5.948, 95% CI, -10.622, -1.274, P = 0.014, in Model 2). Conclusions Severe patients might be older and have more comorbidities. The combination of lopinavir/ritonavir, interferon, and arbidol may be a well choice for antiviral therapy, especially in adult common cases.