Efficient Microbubble Trajectory Tracking in Ultrasound Localization Microscopy Using a Gated Recurrent Unit-Based Multitasking Temporal Neural Network.

Ultrasound Localization Microscopy (ULM), an emerging medical imaging technique, effectively resolves the classical trade-off between resolution and penetration inherent in traditional ultrasound imaging, opening up new avenues for noninvasive observation of the microvascular system. However, traditional microbubble tracking methods encounter various practical challenges. These methods typically entail multiple processing stages, including intricate steps like pairwise correlation and trajectory optimization, rendering real-time applications unfeasible. Furthermore, existing deep learning-based tracking techniques neglect the temporal aspects of microbubble motion, leading to ineffective modeling of their dynamic behavior. To address these limitations, this study introduces a novel approach called the Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU)-based Multitasking Temporal Neural Network (GRU-MT). GRU-MT is designed to simultaneously handle microbubble trajectory tracking and trajectory optimization tasks. Additionally, we enhance the nonlinear motion model initially proposed by Piepenbrock et al. to better encapsulate the nonlinear motion characteristics of microbubbles, thereby improving trajectory tracking accuracy. In this study, we perform a series of experiments involving network layer substitutions to systematically evaluate the performance of various temporal neural networks, including Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), GRU, Transformer, and its bidirectional counterparts, on the microbubble trajectory tracking task. Concurrently, the proposed method undergoes qualitative and quantitative comparisons with traditional microbubble tracking techniques. The experimental results demonstrate that GRU-MT exhibits superior nonlinear modeling capabilities and robustness, both in simulation and in vivo dataset. Additionally, it achieves reduced trajectory tracking errors in shorter time intervals, underscoring its potential for efficient microbubble trajectory tracking. Model code is open-sourced at https://github.com/zyt-Lib/GRU-MT.

One-pot conversion of xylose to 1,2-pentanediol catalyzed by an organic acid-assisted Pt/NC in aqueous phase.

The direct synthesis of 1,2-pentanediol (1,2-PeD) from renewable xylose and its derivatives derived from hemicellulose is appealing yet challenging due to its low selectivity for the target product. In this study, one-pot catalytic conversion of xylose to 1,2-PeD was performed by using nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) supported Pt catalysts with the assistance of organic acids. A remarkable yield of 49.3% for 1,2-PeD was achieved by reacting 0.1869 g xylose in 30 mL water at 200 °C under a hydrogen pressure of 3 MPa for 8 h in the presence of 0.1 g of 2.5Pt/NC600 catalyst and 0.1869 g propanoic acid co-catalyst. The presence of vicinal Pt-acid pair sites on the surface of the 2.5Pt/NC600 catalyst exhibited a synergistic effect in promoting the hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol intermediate and subsequent hydrogenation and ring-opening reactions leading to the formation of 1,2-PeD. The addition of organic acids, may serve as both acid catalyst for dehydration of xylose and hydrogen donor for hydrogenation of furfural and furfuryl alcohol, thereby promoting the one-pot conversion of xylose to 1,2-PeD. Remarkably, the 2.5Pt/NC600 catalyst demonstrated outstanding catalytic performance and good reusability over five consecutive cycles without significant deactivation.

Prognostic value of lymphocyte-C-reactive protein ratio in patients with liver cancer: a meta-analysis.

Background: The impact of lymphocyte-C-reactive protein ratio (LCR) on clinical outcomes has been reported in liver cancer such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), but the results remain inconsistent. Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library databases for relevant studies evaluating the association of LCR with survival outcomes and clinicopathological parameters. Results: Eight studies with 4316 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Low LCR was significantly associated with poor overall survival, disease-free survival/relapse-free survival and disease progression clinicopathological parameters in patients with HCC or ICC. Conclusion: Low pretreatment LCR was an adverse prognostic indicator in patients with HCC or ICC. In addition, it was correlated with clinicopathological parameters indicating a higher stage of malignancy.

Incidence and risk of hypertension associated with cabozantinib in cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Cabozantinib (XL184) is an oral inhibitor of multiplereceptor tyrosine kinases including mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). Hypertension is one of its major side effects, but the incidence rate and overall risk has not been systematically studied. We thus conducted this meta-analysis to investigate the overall incidence and risk of developing hypertension in cancer patients treated with cabozantinib. AREAS COVERED: Pubmed, Embase and oncology conference proceedings were searched for relevant studies. Eligible studies were phase II and III prospective clinical trials of cabozantinib in cancer patients with data on hypertension available. A total of 1,514 patients (cabozantinib, 1083; control, 431) with a variety of solid tumors from 8 prospective clinical trials were included for the meta-analysis. The use of cabozantinib was associated with significantly increased risk of developing all grade (RR 5.48; 95%CI, 3.76-7.99; p < 0.001) and high grade (5.09; 95% CI: 2.71-9.54, p < 0.001) hypertension in comparison with controls. Additionally, the risk of high grade hypertension with cabozantinib was substantially higher than other four approved VEGFR-TKIs (sorafenib, sunitinib, vandetanib and pazopanib). Expert commentary: Cancer patients receiving cabozantinib have an increased risk of developing hypertension. Close monitoring and management of hypertension are recommended.

Incidence and risk of severe infections associated with aflibercept in cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: Aflibercept is an engineered humanized vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted agent. Severe infections are serious adverse event associated with aflibercept. However, the contribution of aflibercept to infection is still unknown. We thus conducted this meta-analysis to investigate the overall incidence and risk of developing severe infections in cancer patients treated with aflibercept. METHODS: Electronic databases including PubMed, Embase and abstracts presented at American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) meeting were searched. Eligible studies were phase II and III prospective clinical trials of aflibercept in cancer patients with toxicity profile on infections. Summary incidences, relative risk (RR), odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated by using either random effects or fixed effect models according to the heterogeneity of included studies. RESULTS: A total of 4310 patients with a variety of solid tumours from 10 prospective clinical trials were included in the meta-analysis. The incidence of high grade infections associated with aflibercept was 7.3% (95% CI 4.3, 12.0%), with a mortality of 2.2% (95% CI 1.5, 3.1%). In addition, patients treated with aflibercept had a significantly increased risk of developing high grade (RR 1.87, 95% CI 1.52, 2.30; P < 0.001) and fatal (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.14, 4.11; P = 0.018) infections. No evidence of publication bias was observed. Furthermore, the risk of infections with aflibercept was substantially higher than bevacizumab. CONCLUSIONS: Aflibercept is associated with a significant increased risk of developing severe infections in patients with solid tumours. Frequent clinical monitoring and appropriate management for infections should be emphasized during aflibercept treatment.