Sex-specific differences in the effect of lymphocyte-to-C-reactive protein ratio on subclinical myocardial injury in the general population free from cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The Lymphocyte-to-C-reactive protein ratio (LCR) combines information on immune and inflammatory status. Lymphocytes reflect immune health, while C-reactive protein (CRP) signals systemic inflammation. Some studies have linked LCR with cardiovascular outcomes, suggesting it could help identify at-risk individuals. However, its clinical utility needs further research validation. To investigate the association between lymphocyte-to-C-reactive protein ratio (LCR) and subclinical myocardial injury (SC-MI) in individuals who are free from cardiovascular disease (CVD) within the general population. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study included individuals in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III. SC-MI was defined as having a Cardiac Infarction Injury Score (CIIS) greater than 10 units on a 12-lead electrocardiogram. Logistic regression models were employed to investigate the association between LCR and SC-MI. In total, 5870 individuals were included in the study, among whom 3266 had a history of SC-MI. Compared with the lowest quartile (Q1) in male, the odds ratios (OR) of SC-MI in Q2, Q3, and Q4 were 0.67 (95%CI: 0.53-0.86), 0.66 (95%CI: 0.51-0.84), and 0.70 (95%CI: 0.55-0.89), respectively. The data shows a trend where the OR of SC-MI are lower in higher quartiles of LCR, compared to the lowest quartile, in the male population (P for trend = 0.006). In other words, the likelihood of SC-MI tends to be lower among males with higher LCR values. However, after adjusting for potential confounding variables, the relationship between LCR and SC-MI displays a pattern of an initial decline, followed by a minor upward shift. CONCLUSION: LCR is independently and inversely associated with SC-MI risk in the general population free from CVD. Furthermore, the observed association is exclusive to males, indicating a need for further randomized controlled trials to substantiate the efficacy of implementing LCR reduction as a means of CVD prevention in the male population.

An Inverse Correlation between the Atherogenic Index of Plasma and Heart Failure: An Analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-March 2020 Pre-Pandemic Data.

Aims: The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) is associated with cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, limited studies have investigated the association between AIP and the risk of heart failure (HF) in the general population. This study aimed to explore the association between AIP and HF risk using a large-scale population dataset from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017−March 2020 Pre-pandemic data. Methods: A total of 5598 individuals were included in the analysis of the association between AIP and HF from the NHANES database. The relationship between AIP and HF was examined using multivariate logistic regression and smooth curve fitting. An association between the two was detected based on the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The overall prevalence of HF among the 5598 participants analyzed was 3.21%. Compared with individuals in the lowest quartile of AIP, participants in the higher quartiles showed a significantly reduced probability of HF. Smooth curve fitting analysis revealed a linear association between AIP and HF. Compared with individuals in Q1 of the AIP, participants in Q2 (OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.2−0.72, p = 0.0033), Q3 (OR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.12−0.48, p < 0.0001), and Q4 (OR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.14−0.74, p = 0.0075) had a significantly decreased risk of HF after adjusting for other risk factors. Analysis of subgroup strata revealed that AIP may interact with age and statin use (p for interaction = 0.012 and 0.0022, respectively). Conclusion: Our results suggest that a high AIP value is negatively correlated with HF prevalence. The AIP may be an effective method for identifying individuals at a high risk of HF.

Construction Schedule Management System for Large-Scale Construction Projects Based on Multisensor Network.

As an important task of construction project management, construction schedule management is related to the realization of project period, cost, quality, and other objectives. However, in actual construction, problems such as difficulties in plan implementation and management are often encountered, and schedule delays often occur. Moreover, with the increase in the scale and complexity of modern buildings, the management of construction schedules has brought about larger issues and higher requirements have been put forward for the management level of the construction schedule. The traditional timetable management and scheduling is not highly relevant to the project entity. There is no entity change, the project information loss is serious, the tracking and control of the construction timetable is not in place, there is fine management, and the construction timetable management cannot meet the needs of modern construction. In order to ensure the smooth implementation of projects and objectives, it is urgent to explore new management ideas and methods to promote the smooth progress of construction process management. BIM technology has the advantages of visibility, simulation, adjustment, optimization, and advanced data integration, which helps to make up for the shortcomings of previous schedule management and improve the level of construction schedule management. Based on the research situation of large-scale construction project monitoring system and the analysis of information fusion technology, this paper proposes a large-scale construction project monitoring system scheme based on multisensor network information fusion. Through the investigation of the monitoring content, the composition of the multisensor network is determined. This paper is applicable to large-scale construction projects. Through the research and design of hardware modules, software modules, and fusion algorithms, the data acquisition, transmission, calculation, and display functions of the monitoring system based on multisensor network information fusion are realized, which can effectively monitor the entire process of large-scale construction projects.

Association of the systemic immune-inflammation index with all-cause mortality in patients with arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Objective: Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), derived from blood cell counts of circulating platelets, neutrophils, and lymphocytes, has been identified as a novel inflammatory and prognostic marker. However, the clinical value of SII in patients with arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) had not been further explored. Thus, this study is designed to explore the associations of SII with mortality in ASCVD individuals. Methods: All individuals with ASCVD aged ≥20 years were included from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (NHANES) 2005-2014 and followed for survival until 31 December 2019. Multivariable Cox analysis investigated the associations between SII, evaluated as a continuous variable with splines, as categorical ones (quartiles), and the all-cause death. To demonstrate the association between SII and mortality, subgroup analysis, restricted cubic spline along with piecewise linear regression were also conducted. Results: A total of 2,595 participants (57.8% men) were included. During a median of 7.7 years of follow-up, 1,122 deaths due to all-cause were recorded. After adjusting for multiple confounders, when compared with the patients in quartile 1 (SII ln transform), those in quartile 4 had a 46% increased risk for all-cause death [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.22-1.75]. As a continuous variable, each unit of raised ln-SII was associated with a 24% increased risk of all-cause death (HR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.10-1.38). In the restricted cubic spline regression model, the relationship between ln-SII and all-cause death was non-linear. The cutoff value of ln-SII for mortality was 6.57 and those with a higher than the threshold point had a 1.25-fold risk of mortality. No significant difference was noted below the threshold points. Conclusion: An association was detected between the baseline ln-SII and all-cause mortality in a United States ASCVD population. Increased SII is associated with poor survival in individuals with ASCVD.

Transjugular Approach to Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale Under the Guidance of Fluoroscopy and Transthoracic Echocardiography: A Case Report.

Background: We describe a rare case of patent foramen ovale (PFO) associated stroke in a patient with pulmonary embolism, inferior vena cava thrombosis and undergoing filter implantation who successfully underwent PFO closure using the right internal jugular venous approach. Case Summary: This is a rare case of a 42-year-old patient who presented with stroke and pulmonary embolism and was diagnosed with a PFO, inferior vena cava thrombosis and underwent filter implantation. The patient suffered from stroke and pulmonary embolism successively; that is, embolic events occurred in both the arterial and venous systems. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) showed a PFO with an atrial septal aneurysm (ASA), which we considered a "pathological" PFO. Due to the obstructive nature of the inferior vena cava approach, we successfully performed PFO closure via the right internal jugular venous approach under the guidance of X-ray and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Discussion: The right jugular venous approach provides a simple technical solution for patients who require PFO closure when femoral venous access is unavailable, which can be performed under X-ray and TTE guidance.

Transformation mechanisms of acetaldehyde and its substituted aldehydes into the corresponding nitriles and (N-chloro)amides during chloramination: A computational study.

As an alternative disinfectant to free chlorine, monochloramine reduces the formation of regulated disinfection byproducts (DBPs); however, it also contributes to the formation of highly toxic nitrogenous DBPs (N-DBPs), especially through the aldehyde pathway. The current understanding of aldehyde pathway mechanisms is limited. In this study, the transformation pathways of acetaldehyde and its substituted aldehydes into the corresponding nitriles and (N-chloro)amides during chloramination were investigated using quantum chemical calculations. Consistent with previous studies, 1-chloroamino alcohol first forms in the chloramination of aldehydes and then undergoes competitive dehydration and HCl elimination branch reactions to generate the nitrile and (N-chloro)amide, respectively. Iminol was found to be a key intermediate for (N-chloro)amide formation. Moreover, the results indicated that acetaldehydes substituted with electron-donating groups (EDGs) and electron-withdrawing groups (EWGs) are beneficial to the formation of the respective nitriles and N-chloro-amides, while those substituted with conjugated groups (CGs) are favourable for both. Based upon the above results, in addition to acetaldehyde, other aldehydes, such as propionaldehyde, glycolaldehyde, 3-butenal, and phenylacetaldehyde, which are the α-H of acetaldehydes substituted with -CH3, -OH, -CH=CH2, and -C6H5 groups, respectively, are potential precursors of toxic nitriles and (N-chloro)amides during chloramination. Thus, more attention should be given to these aldehydes. The findings of this work are helpful for further understanding the aldehyde pathway mechanisms and predicting potential precursors of toxic nitriles and (N-chloro)amides during chloramination.

[Prenatal diagnosis of three fetuses with small supernumerary marker chromosomes].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the origin and mechanism of small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMC) in three fetuses. METHODS: The three fetuses were predicted to have carried chromosomal abnormalities by non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). G-banding chromosomal karyotyping analysis were carried out on amniotic fluid samples of the fetuses and peripheral blood samples from their parents. Single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP-array) was used to determine the origin, size and genetic effect of sSMCs. RESULTS: In fetus 1, SNP array has detected two microduplications respectively at 4p16.3p15.2 (24.7 Mb) and 18p11.32q11.2 (20.5 Mb) which, as verified by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), have derived from a balanced 46,XY,t(4;18)(p15.2q11.2) translocation carried by its father. Fetus 2 has carried a de novo microduplication of 15q11.2-q13.3 (9.7 Mb). The sequence of SMC in fetus 3 has derived from 21q11.2-q21.1 (8.3 Mb), which was inherited from its mother. CONCLUSION: Both NIPT and SNP-array are highly accurate for the detection of sSMC. SNP-array can delineate the origin and size of abnormal chromosomes, which in turn can help with clarification of sSMC-related genotype-phenotype correlation and facilitate prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling for the family.

(Z)-7,4'-dimethoxy-6-hydroxy-aurone-4-O-ß-glucopyranoside attenuates lipoteichoic acid-induced damage in rat cardiomyoblast cells.

OBJECTIVE: Excessive inflammatory responses in the endocardium are related to progression of infectious endocarditis. This study aimed to investigate whether (Z)-7,4'-dimethoxy-6-hydroxy-aurone-4-O-ß-glucopyranoside (DHAG), a compound isolated from the endophytic fungus Penicillium citrinum of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, could attenuate cell damage caused by lipoteichoic acid (LTA) in embryonic rat heart cells (H9c2). METHODS: LTA-induced cell damage occurred in H9c2 cells and the protective effects of DHAG at different concentrations (1-10 µM) were assessed. Indicators of oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in H9c2 cells were measured. RESULTS: DHAG (1-10 µM) significantly attenuated LTA-induced damage in H9c2 cells, as evidenced by increased cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential, decreased cytochrome c release and DNA fragmentation, inhibition of caspase-3 and -9 activity, and altered expression of apoptosis-related proteins. DHAG also decreased oxidative stress by increasing protein expression of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2). Furthermore, DHAG inhibited inflammatory responses by decreasing protein expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). CONCLUSION: DHAG exerted protective effects against LTA-induced cell damage, at least partially by decreasing oxidative stress and inhibiting inflammatory responses. Our results provide a scientific rational for developing DHAG as a therapy against infectious endocarditis.