The current status of apathy in patients with dementia and its factors: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the current status of apathy in dementia patients and its associated factors. METHODS: We searched Chinese and English databases to collect studies on the associated factors of apathy in patients with dementia from inception to March 14, 2023. Two researchers independently screened the literature, evaluated the quality, and extracted the data RESULTS: A total of 20 studies were included, and the incidence of apathy in patients with dementia ranged from 21 % to 90 %. According to the model of apathy proposed by Massimo in 2018, the associated factors were divided into individual factors for dementia patients, caregiver factors, and environmental factors. The individual factors of apathy in patients with dementia mainly include demographic characteristics, the severity of cognitive impairment, a combination of other behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, acute medical problems or adverse drug reactions, unmet needs, and malnutrition. Caregiver factors mainly include emotional expressions of hostility or criticism towards dementia patients and caregivers' expectations for a better life in the future. Environmental factors mainly include too high or too low stimulation and a lack of daytime activities CONCLUSIONS: Existing studies have shown that the incidence of apathy in dementia patients is high and is affected by multi-dimensional factors. There are more studies on individual factors in dementia patients and fewer studies on caregivers and environmental factors. In the future, a large number of high-quality studies are needed to demonstrate the mechanism of apathy in dementia patients and to find more related factors.

The influence of athletes' gratitude on burnout: the sequential mediating roles of the coach-athlete relationship and hope.

Background: Athlete burnout is a widespread psychological syndrome in competitive sports, negatively impacts athletes' competitive state and hampers the healthy development of sports organizations. With the rise of positive psychology, exploring the mechanisms of athlete psychological fatigue through the lens of psychological capital has become a focal point of recent research. This study introduces gratitude, a key element of psychological capital in positive psychology, to examine its effect on athlete burnout and its mechanism of action, with a particular focus on the sequential mediating roles of the coach-athlete relationship (CAR) and hope. Method: A cross-sectional study design was utilized, involving 483 active Chinese athletes from national training teams and professional sports teams. The sample comprised both male (n=251) and female (n=232) athletes, with an average age of 19.24 ± 3.99 years. Participants were asked to complete self-administered questionnaires, including the Gratitude Questionnaire, CAR Questionnaire, Hope Questionnaire, and Athlete Burnout Questionnaire. Structural equation modeling in AMOS 24.0 and descriptive statistics and correlation analyses in SPSS 20.0 were employed for data analysis. Results: The study revealed significant associations between athlete gratitude, CAR, hope, and athlete burnout. Notably, gratitude was found to both directly and indirectly (via CAR and hope) influence burnout levels among athletes, suggesting a sequential mediation effect. Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of positive psychological constructs in buffering against athlete burnout. Specifically, gratitude, alongside a supportive CAR and elevated levels of hope, may play crucial roles in mitigating burnout symptoms. These insights offer promising directions for the development of targeted intervention strategies aimed at fostering athlete well-being and performance, advocating for the integration of positive psychology principles in the management and prevention of athlete burnout.

Effects of Dietary Cholesterol Regulation on Spermatogenesis of Gobiocypris rarus Rare Minnow.

Cholesterol is an important component of cell membranes, and also a precursor for the synthesis of sex hormones, playing an important role in reproduction. However, few studies have focused on cholesterol and reproductive health. To investigate the toxic effects of different cholesterol levels on the spermatogenesis of rare minnows, we regulate the cholesterol content in fish by feeding them a high-cholesterol diet and cholesterol inhibitor pravastatin, and cholesterol levels, sex hormone (T and 11KT) levels, testis histology, sperm morphology and function, and the expression of genes related to sex hormone synthesis were investigated. The research findings indicate that increasing cholesterol levels significantly increases the liver weight and hepatic-somatic index, as well as the total cholesterol and free cholesterol levels in the testis, liver, and plasma of rare minnow, while inhibiting cholesterol has the opposite effect (p < 0.05). However, both increasing and decreasing cholesterol levels can suppress rare minnow testicular development, as evidenced by a decrease in testis weight, lowered gonadosomatic index, suppressed sex hormone levels, and reduced mature sperm count. Further exploration revealed that the expression of sex hormone synthesis-related genes, including star, cyp19a1a, and hsd11b2, was significantly affected (p < 0.05), which may be an important reason for the decrease in sex hormone synthesis and consequent inhibition of testicular development. At the same time, the fertilization ability of mature sperm in both treatment groups significantly decreased. Scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence polarization tests showed that reducing cholesterol levels significantly increased the rate of sperm head cell membrane damage, while both increasing and decreasing cholesterol levels led to a reduction in sperm cell membrane fluidity, which may be the main reason for the decrease in sperm fertilization ability. This study demonstrates that both increasing and decreasing the levels of cholesterol are detrimental to the fish spermatogenesis, providing fundamental information for the study of fish reproduction and also a reference for the causes of male reproductive dysfunction.

HFFNet: hierarchical feature fusion network for blind binocular image quality prediction.

Compared with monocular images, scene discrepancies between the left- and right-view images impose additional challenges on visual quality predictions in binocular images. Herein, we propose a hierarchical feature fusion network (HFFNet) for blind binocular image quality prediction that handles scene discrepancies and uses multilevel fusion features from the left- and right-view images to reflect distortions in binocular images. Specifically, a feature extraction network based on MobileNetV2 is used to determine the feature layers from distorted binocular images; then, low-level binocular fusion features (or middle-level and high-level binocular fusion features) are obtained by fusing the left and right low-level monocular features (or middle-level and high-level monocular features) using the feature gate module; further, three feature enhancement modules are used to enrich the information of the extracted features at different levels. Finally, the total feature maps obtained from the high-, middle-, and low-level fusion features are applied to a three-input feature fusion module for feature merging. Thus, the proposed HFFNet provides better results, to the best of our knowledge, than existing methods on two benchmark datasets.

Study of Chemical Compositions and Anticancer Effects of Paris polyphylla var. Chinensis Leaves.

Paris polyphylla var. chinensis (Franch.) Hara is a perennial herb belonging to the Trilliaceae family. Ultraperformance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF MS) was used to detect the composition of different fractions of Paris polyphylla var. chinensis leaves. Meanwhile, the extracts of different fractions were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against four selected human cancer cell lines and one human normal epithelial cell line based on the MTT assay method. Multivariate statistical analysis was performed to screen differential compounds and to analyze the distributions between different fractions. Finally, more than 60 compounds were obtained and identified from the different fractions of Paris polyphylla var. chinensis leaves, and the chloroform and n-butanol extracts showed significant cytotoxic effects on these four cancer cells. Several compounds were preliminarily identified from different fractions, including 36 steroidal saponins, 11 flavonoids, 10 ceramides, 8 lipids, 6 organic acids, and 8 other compounds. Various compounds were screened out as different chemical components of different fractions, which were considered as a potential substance basis for the cytotoxicity of Paris polyphylla var. chinensis leaves.

Attention-based fusion network for human eye-fixation prediction in 3D images.

Human eye-fixation prediction in 3D images is important for many 3D applications, such as fine-grained 3D video object segmentation and intelligent bulletproof curtains. While the vast majority of existing 2D-based approaches cannot be applied, the main challenge lies in the inconsistency, or even conflict, between the RGB and depth saliency maps. In this paper, we propose a three-stream architecture to accurately predict human visual attention on 3D images end-to-end. First, a two-stream feature extraction network based on advanced convolutional neural networks is trained for RGB and depth, and hierarchical information is extracted from each ResNet-18. Then, these multi-level features are fed into the channel attention mechanism to suppress the feature space inconsistency and make the network focus on a significant target. The enhanced saliency map is fused step-by-step by VGG-16 to generate the final coarse saliency map. Finally, each coarse map is refined empirically through refinement blocks, and the network's own identification errors are corrected based on the acquired knowledge, thus converting the prediction saliency map from coarse to fine. The results of comparison of our model with six other state-of-the-art approaches on the NUS dataset (CC of 0.5579, KLDiv of 1.0903, AUC of 0.8339, and NSS of 2.3373) and the NCTU dataset (CC of 0.8614, KLDiv of 0.2681, AUC of 0.9143, and NSS of 2.3795) indicate that the proposed model consistently outperforms them by a considerable margin as it fully employs the channel attention mechanism.

The association of 6 variants of 8q24 and the risk of glioma: A meta-analysis.

With the advances in sequencing technologies and genome-wide association studies (GWAS), several inherited variants that increase glioma risk have been identified. Ten studies including 8818 cases and 17,551 controls were collected to conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the associations between 6 variants in 8q24 and glioma risk. Of the 6 variants located in 8q24, 2 have strong significant associations with the risk of glioma, including rs4295627 (P = .003, odds ratio [OR] = 1.21), rs55705857 (P = 2.31 × 10, OR = 3.54). In particular, both homozygous GG (P = 1.91 × 10, OR1 = 2.01) and heterozygous GT (P = 7.75 × 10, OR2 = 1.35) genotypes of rs4295627 were associated with glioma risk. Further studies are needed to explore the role of the 8q24 variants involved in the etiology of glioma.

Comparison Between Dual-Energy Computed Tomography and Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Gout of Various Joints.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) and ultrasound are both used to assess gouty arthritis. The present study was designed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of DECT and ultrasound in detecting monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition in various joints. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study enrolled 40 patients diagnosed with acute gouty arthritis. All affected and contralateral joints were scanned (128 in total) using both DECT and ultrasound to determine the MSU deposition in upper limbs (wrist and elbow) and lower limbs (the first metatarsophalangeal joints, ankles, and knee). The MSU crystal accumulation detected by each method was compared for various joints. RESULTS: The 128 scanned joints included 52 of the upper limbs and 76 of the lower limbs. For the upper limbs, the percentage of MSU crystal accumulation detected by DECT (22/52, 42.3%) was significantly higher than that by ultrasound (10/52, 19.2%; P = .0027). The detection rates of the two methods for the lower limbs were similar (P = .3173). CONCLUSIONS: For detection of MSU crystal deposition in the upper limb joints, DECT was superior to ultrasound, whereas there was no difference between the two methods for the lower limbs. Therefore, ultrasound can be used for primary screening, and DECT afterward. Although the modalities are similar in making the initial diagnosis, DECT is far superior at displaying the anatomic extent of the disease.

[Isolation of sperm cells of Allium tub rosum Roxb].

Pollen grains of Allium tuberosum Roxb broke and released their content including generative cells using osmotic shock method. In a medium containing 0.05% CaCl2, 0.01% Boric acid, 0.01%KH2PO4, 15%PEG 10% sucrose (710 mOsmol/kg H2O) 86% pollen grains germinated and grew out pollen tubes, which broke after transferred into 6% mannitol solution, and released tube content including generative cell. When pollen grains were cultured in the same medium but adding 0.1% casein, a few generative cells divided into two sperm cells. Stigmas of Allium tuberosum Roxb were pollinated at second day after anthesis and the styles grow 3 h in vivo. Then the styles were cut and cultured in a medium for about 6-8 h, some pollen tubes grew out of the cut end of the style. The cut end of the style was transferred into a solution containing 6% mannitol to burst pollen tubes. Pairs of sperm cells of Allium tuberosum Roxb were released and collected using a micromanipulator.

[Calcium distribution in the central cell of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) before and after pollination].

Potassium antimonite precipitation was used to locate calcium in the central cell of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) before and after pollination. At 3d before anthesis, two polar nuclei of central cell separately located at two polarity of the cell, and few calcium precipitates (ppts) appeared in the polar nuclei and cytoplasm, but some ppts in its small vacuoles. At 2d before anthesis, two polar nuclei moved toward the middle of the cell and fused to form a secondary nucleus, and the ppts evidently increased in the nucleus and cytoplasm. At 1d before anthesis, secondary nucleus again moved toward micropylar end and located near the egg to prepare for fertilization. Calcium precipitates were mainly accumulated in the secondary nucleus. After pollination and before fertilization, the distribution of calcium ppts was similar to that before pollination. At 4h after pollination, the central cell was fertilized, and calcium ppts evidently increased in the cell and numerous were accumulated in its nucleus and cytoplasm. At 6h after pollination, the primary endosperm nucleus completed its first division and formed two dissociate endosperm nuclei, and still many calcium precipitates appeared in the nucleus and cytoplasm. With endosperm development, calcium ppts decreased in the endosperm cell. At 1d after emasculated and without pollination, the secondary nucleus of the cell still bordered on the egg and some calcium ppts appeared in the secondary nucleus. The results indicated that the temporal and spatial changes of calcium in the central cell may play an important physiological role during the development of the central cell and endosperm.

[The distribution of ATPase during the pollen development of Allium cepa L].

The distribution of ATPase in pollen of Allium cepa L. was studied using Pb3 precipitation technique during pollen development. Only some ATPase precipitates were located in the nucleus of microspore mother cells (MMC) and a few in its cytoplasm. After meiosis of MMC,many ATPase precipitates appeared in the exine of pollen wall of microspore even it was in tetrad, suggesting that ATPase from tapetum is necessary during pollen wall construction. The intine of pollen wall of microspore was synthesized at its late stage and consisted of cellular material which was from microspore. There were also many ATPase precipitates in intine,and the ATPase came from microspore. Then ATPase precipitates in vegetative cell increased and that in generative cell decreased during the development of 2-cellular pollen,suggesting the differentiation of vigor between both cells. The physiological functions of ATPase in developing pollen of Allium cepa L. were analyzed.

Effects of RNAi-mediated Smad4 silencing on growth and apoptosis of human rhabdomyosarcoma cells.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signals through membrane-bound heteromeric serine/threonine kinase receptors. Upon ligand binding, TGF-beta activates intracellular Smad proteins and regulates proliferation and apoptosis in various cell types. To demonstrate the effects of TGF-beta/Smad signal on growth and apoptosis of human embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cells, a strategy of RNAi-mediated 'gene silencing' of Smad4 was used to interrupt endogenous TGF-beta/Smad signaling in an RMS cell line, RD, and the regulation of exogenous TGF-beta1 to growth and apoptosis of the cells was also determined. Physiologically, TGF-beta/Smad signaling was essential for the normal growth of RD. The interruption of endogenous TGF-beta/Smad signaling by RNAi significantly suppressed the growth of RD cells and dramatically induced apoptosis of RD cells. Exogenous TGF-beta1 also inhibited the growth of RD cells, but had no effect on apoptosis. It also partially counteracted the growth inhibition and apoptosis induced by Smad4 silencing in RD cells. These findings provide a new insight into how TGF-beta/Smad signaling regulates the growth and apoptosis of cancer cells. Moreover, as a powerful tool, shRNA interference suppresses endogenous Smad4 gene expression and subsequently modulates cell growth and apoptosis, which may provide a novel basis for the development of rational intervention strategies in RMS therapy.

[ATPase distribution in fertile and sterile anther of a genic male sterile Chinese cabbage].

Lead precipitation technique was used to locate Adenosine Triphosphatase (ATPase) in the fertile and sterile anthers of a genic male sterile Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. Chinensis Makino var. communis Tsen et Lee),which would help us to understand the relationship between ATPase and sterility of anthers of the cabbage. At megaspore mother cell (MMC) of fertile anther many ATPase reactive precipitates were located in nucleus but few of the precipitates in cytoplasm of the cell. Meantime, some ATPase reactive precipitates also specially appeared in mitochondria of the MMC. After meiosis of MMC, the precipitates in cytoplasm of early microspores increased evidently and then decreased step by step with development. The ATPase reactive precipitates in tapetal cell also increased ultimately in early microspore stage and then decreased with development of anther. When microspore formed a large vacuole, which is late stage of microspore, the ATPase reactive precipitates were located in its mitochondria. After microspores mitosis a few of the ATPase reactive precipitates appeared in pollen grains and tapetal cells. More ATPase reactive precipitates appear in MMC of sterile anther than in fertile anther but fewer of them in mitochondria. Although more ATPase granules appear in abnormal tetrad microspores which degenerate by cytoplasm shrinkage and plasmolysis. The relation between ATPase and male sterility of the cabbage was discussed.

[Calcium distribution in the developing anther of Lycium barbarurn L].

We used potassium antimonate to precipitate "exchangeable cellular Ca2+"-calcium that is sufficiently loosely bound to combine with antimonite, to investigate the feature of calcium distribution during anther development of Lycium barbarurn L. Before the stage of microspore mother cell, few calcium-induced precipitates were found in sporogenous cells and the somatic cells of anther wall. When microspore mother cell (MMC) preparing meiosis, calcium precipitates appeared in the cytoplasm of tapetal cells and callus wall surrounding MMC. After the meiosis of MMC,abundant calcium precipitates were accumulated in the cytoplasm of early microspores,and then in pollen wall, especially in the part of germ-pores. During the late microspore stage,a big vacuole formed and the nucleus was forced to move to peripheral region. Calcium precipitates decreased sharply and might dissolve in the large vacuole. After microspore mitosis, calcium precipitates appeared in the big vacuole of 2-cellular pollen,and then the vacuole disappeared. After that, the calcium precipitates again appeared in the cytoplasm of 2-cellular pollen, and the cytoplasm became densely and storage materials like starches accumulated inside the pollen grains. When pollen maturating,many small calcium precipitates distributed in its cytoplasm,especially in nucleus. The feature of calcium distribution in the anther of Lycium barbarurn L. means that it plays some biological roles during microspore development.

Systematic analysis of the TGF-beta/Smad signalling pathway in the rhabdomyosarcoma cell line RD.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a multifunctional regulator of cell growth and differentiation, whose actions are highly cell type specific. To study the role of the TGF-beta1 autocrine loop in regulating growth and myogenic differentiation in the human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line, RD, an attempt was made to establish a framework for the expression of several components of TGF-beta1/Smad signalling pathway at the mRNA and protein levels by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis in RD cells compared with the normal myoblasts. Higher exogenous concentration of TGF-beta1 was necessary to reach a growth-inhibition effect, whereas TGF-beta1 downregulated the expression of myosin heavy-chain mRNA at lower concentrations than that was required for growth inhibition. Treatment with TGF-beta1 significantly decreased the number of sarcomeric actin and myosin-expressing cells. In this study, we have shown that RD cells displayed higher expression of TbetaRI, TbetaRII, Smad2 and Smad4 at both the mRNA and protein levels than myoblasts. Smad3 and Smad7 mRNA were expressed at higher level in RD cells than in myoblasts. The staining patterns of TbetaR and Smads suggest that they may transduce different TGF-beta1 signalling in RD cells than in myoblasts. TGF-beta1 signalling induced a rapid relocation of Smad2 to the nucleus; in contrast, Smad4 remained localized to the cytoplasm unless it was coexpressed with Smad2. These studies suggest that signalling from the cell surface to the nucleus through Smad proteins is a required component of TGF-beta1-induced cell response in RD cells. The RD cell line is a suitable model to study the TGF-beta autocrine loop involved in growth and differentiation of RMS.