Automatic Sequence-Based Network for Lung Diseases Detection in Chest CT

Objective

To develop an accurate and rapid computed tomography (CT)-based interpretable AI system for the diagnosis of lung diseases.

Background

Most existing AI systems only focus on viral pneumonia (e.g., COVID-19), specifically, ignoring other similar lung diseases: e.g., bacterial pneumonia (BP), which should also be detected during CT screening. In this paper, we propose a unified sequence-based pneumonia classification network, called SLP-Net, which utilizes consecutiveness information for the differential diagnosis of viral pneumonia (VP), BP, and normal control cases from chest CT volumes.

Methods

Considering consecutive images of a CT volume as a time sequence input, compared with previous 2D slice-based or 3D volume-based methods, our SLP-Net can effectively use the spatial information and does not need a large amount of training data to avoid overfitting. Specifically, sequential convolutional neural networks (CNNs) with multi-scale receptive fields are first utilized to extract a set of higher-level representations, which are then fed into a convolutional long short-term memory (ConvLSTM) module to construct axial dimensional feature maps. A novel adaptive-weighted cross-entropy loss (ACE) is introduced to optimize the output of the SLP-Net with a view to ensuring that as many valid features from the previous images as possible are encoded into the later CT image. In addition, we employ sequence attention maps for auxiliary classification to enhance the confidence level of the results and produce a case-level prediction.

Results

For evaluation, we constructed a dataset of 258 chest CT volumes with 153 VP, 42 BP, and 63 normal control cases, for a total of 43,421 slices. We implemented a comprehensive comparison between our SLP-Net and several state-of-the-art methods across the dataset. Our proposed method obtained significant performance without a large amount of data, outperformed other slice-based and volume-based approaches. The superior evaluation performance achieved in the classification experiments demonstrated the ability of our model in the differential diagnosis of VP, BP and normal cases.

[Heritability of body mass index based on twin studies: a Meta-analysis]

Objective: To use Meta analysis to understand the prevalence of the heritability of body mass index (BMI) in twins. Methods: All studies on the heritability of the twins' BMI published before December 31, 2020 were retrieved through the China National Knowledge Network, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed and Web of Science databases. The literature quality was evaluated by using Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools. Stata 16.0 was used to perform subgroup analysis on the outcome indicators (heritability, 95%CI) to explore the source of heterogeneity. The local weighted regression method was used to fit the trend of heritability with age. The publication bias test and the sensitivity analysis of included literatures were also performed by using Stata 16.0. Results: A total of 10 articles meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included with 79 twins' independent estimates of heritability for BMI. Meta-analysis showed that the combined value of BMI heritability was 0.69 (95%CI: 0.65-0.71), the combined value of BMI (0.68, 95%CI: 0.65-0.70) in males was lower than that (0.70, 95%CI: 0.68-0.72) in females. The heritability of BMI (0.72, 95%CI: 0.68-0.76) in childhood and adolescence was higher than that (0.68, 95%CI: 0.66-0.70) in adulthood. The gender specific difference in BMI heritability in twins ≤18 years old was even greater, which was lower in males (0.68, 95%CI: 0.61-0.76) than in females (0.75, 95%CI: 0.69-0.81). The heritability increased with age in childhood, reached peak at about 18 years old, and then slowly decreased with age. Conclusions: The heritability of BMI varied with population characteristics, especially age and gender. In view of the high estimated value of BMI heritability in female children and adolescents, more attention should be paid to the start time of health intervention.

Superficial Macula Capillary Complexity Changes Are Associated With Disability in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders

Purpose: We examined the macular microvascular changes of the macula in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients and its association with their disability and other clinical variables.

Methods: Thirty-four NMOSD (13 patients without optic neuritis, NMOSD-NON, and 21 patients with a history of optic neuritis, NMOSD-ON) and 44 healthy controls (HCs) were included in the study. Optical coherence tomographic angiography (OCTA) was used to image the superficial (SCP), deep (DCP), and whole capillary plexus (WCP) in a 2.5-mm-diameter concentric circle [excluding the foveal avascular zone (FAZ)]. An algorithm (D_box) was used to quantify the complexity of the three capillary layers by fractal analysis. We also evaluated the expanded disability scale status (EDSS).

Results: D_box values were significantly reduced in SCP (p < 0.001), DCP (p < 0.001), and WCP (p = 0.003) of NMOSD when compared with HCs. D_box values were significantly reduced in NMOSD eyes with optic neuritis when compared with healthy controls (p < 0.001) and eyes without optic neuritis (p = 0.004) in the SCP. In the DCP, eyes with optic neuritis showed significantly reduced D_box values when compared with eyes without optic neuritis (p = 0.016) and healthy controls (p < 0.001); eyes without optic neuritis showed significantly reduced D_box values (p = 0.007) in the DCP when compared with healthy controls. A significant negative correlation (Rho = −0.475, p = 0.005) was shown between the superficial macula D_box values and the EDSS in NMOSD patients. Additionally, a negative correlation (Rho = −0.715, p = 0.006) was seen in the superficial D_box values in [e]eyes without optic neuritis and EDSS.

Conclusions: Macular microvascular damage in the superficial plexus is associated with disability in NMOSD. Macular microvascular alterations arise independently of the occurrence of ON in NMOSD.

[Trends of a burden on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and its related risk factors in China, 1990 to 2019]

Objective: To quantitatively analyze the effects of population aging and other risk factors on the burden of atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in China from 1990 to 2019. Methods: Disability adjusted life years (DALY) and age-standardized rates obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD2019) were used to describe the temporal trend of a burden on ASCVD. And a decomposition method established by Gupta was applied to quantify the burden related to population growth, aging, age-specific prevalence, and the severity of the disease. Results: In 2019, 61.00% of the burden of cardiovascular disease in China was caused by ASCVD. The DALY of ischemic heart disease increased by 133.66% compared with that in 1990, with 29.57% of the increase attributed to population growth, 108.74% due to population aging, and 8.87% due to the rise of age-specific prevalence and -13.53% benefited from changes in disease severity. The DALY of ischemic stroke increased by 138.64% compared with 1990, and the proportions attributable to the above four parts were 30.95%, 123.38%, 55.80%, and -71.49%, respectively. Hypertension remained the leading risk factor for ASCVD in 2019, followed by high LDL cholesterol. The age-standardized DALY rate attributable to drinking had the most significant increase (486.01%) from 1990, with an average annual growth of 10.93%. Conclusions: Aging population seems responsible for the main reason for the considerable increase in the burden of ASCVD in China. Still, the adverse trends of other avoidable risk factors, especially metabolic risk factors, can not be ignored.

Outer Retinal Layer Thickness Changes in White Matter Hyperintensity and Parkinson's Disease

Purpose: To investigate the thickness changes of outer retinal layers in subjects with white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and Parkinson's Disease (PD).

Methods: 56 eyes from 31 patients with WMH, 11 eyes from 6 PD patients, and 58 eyes from 32 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in this study. A macular-centered scan was conducted on each participant using a spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) device. After speckle noise reduction, a state-of-the-art deep learning method (i.e., a context encoder network) was employed to segment the outer retinal layers from OCT B-scans. Thickness quantification of the outer retinal layers was conducted on the basis of the segmentation results.

Results: WMH patients had significantly thinner Henle fiber layers, outer nuclear layers (HFL+ONL) and photoreceptor outer segments (OS) than HC (p = 0.031, and p = 0.005), while PD patients showed a significant increase of mean thickness in the interdigitation zone and the retinal pigment epithelium/Bruch complex (IZ+RPE) (19.619 ± 4.626) compared to HC (17.434 ± 1.664). There were no significant differences in the thickness of the outer plexiform layer (OPL), the myoid and ellipsoid zone (MEZ), and the IZ+RPE layer between WMH and HC subjects. Similarly, there were also no obvious differences in the thickness of the OPL, HFL+ONL, MEZ and the OS layer between PD and HC subjects.

Conclusion: Thickness changes in HFL+ONL, OS, and IZ+RPE layers may correlate with brain-related diseases such as WMH and PD. Further longitudinal study is needed to confirm HFL+ONL/OS/IZ+RPE layer thickness as potential biomarkers for detecting certain brain-related diseases.

Characterizing the impact of high temperature during grain filling on phytohormone levels, enzyme activity and metabolic profiles of an early indica rice variety

Global warming results in high temperature stress (HTS), which presents severe challenges worldwide for modern agricultural production and will have significant impacts on the yield and quality of crops. Accumulation of photosynthetic products, activity of enzymes involved in sucrose-starch metabolism, phytohormone levels and metabolic profiling using LC-MS were analysed in the flag leaves and/or developing grains subjected to HTS during the grain-filling stage of an indica rice. HTS induced significant yield loss and reduced the grain quality, with lower amylose content. HTS reduced photosynthetic product accumulation in flag leaves and reduced starch accumulation in developing grains, compared to growth under normal temperatures. The activity of enzymes related to sucrose-starch metabolism were dis-regulated in developing grains grown under high temperature (HT). Moreover, phytohormone homeostasis in flag leaves and developing grains was also dramatically disturbed by HT. Metabolic profiling detected many metabolites with remarkably different relative fold abundances at different time points in the developing grain at HT versus normal temperatures, these metabolites were enriched in several HTS response pathways. The change in phytohormone ratio and auxin level might be associated with the reduction in photosynthetic products and their translocation, and ultimately with reduced starch accumulation in the developing grain. The detected metabolites might have different roles in response to the HTS in developing grain at different development stages. These results provide a theoretical reference and basis for future rice production towards higher quality and yield when grown under HTS.

[Effect of malleostapedotomy procedure on 17 cases of congenital middle ear malformation]

Objective: To conclude the clinical features and the postoperative efficacy of congenital middle ear malformation treated with Malleostapedotomy (MS), and to explore the security and effectiveness of MS surgery. Methods: The clinical data of 17 patients (18 ears) with congenital middle ear malformation undergoing MS procedure were analyzed. There were 10 males (11 ears) and 7 females (7 ears), aged from 7 to 48 years. The imaging examination, pure-tone audiometry, intraoperative findings and postoperative hearing improvement of these patients were analyzed and summarized, and software SPSS23.0 was used for statistical analysis. Rusults All the 17 patients (18 ears) presented with hearing loss since childhood on the affected sides. Preoperative high resolution CT (HRCT) of the temporal bone revealed definite malformations in 9 ears (6 ears with incus long process dysplasia and 3 ears with anterior and posterior crus dysplasia). Before surgery, the mean bone conductive hearing threshold at 500, 1 000, 2 000 and 4 000 Hz was (15.6±10.2) dB HL, the mean air conductive hearing threshold was (60.6±9.7) dB HL, and the mean air-bone gap was (45.0±8.9) dB. During the surgery, all 18 ears were found to be accompanied by absence or hypoplasia of incus long process. 12 ears had stapes fixation, 6 ears had oval window atresia. All patients were treated with MS procedure by using Piston. The patients were followed up for 3 months to 1 year. The mean bone conductive hearing threshold was (14.7±8.8) dB HL. The mean air conductive hearing threshold was (37.7±11.6) dB HL, and the mean air-bone gap was (23.0±8.0) dB. There were statistically significant differences in the mean air conductive hearing threshold and mean air-bone gap before and after surgery (P<0.05). While there were no statistically significant differences in the mean bone conductive hearing threshold before and after surgery (P=0.550). Conclusions: MS procedure is safe and reliable in patients with congenital middle ear malformation of incus long process dysplasia, stapes fixation or oval window atresia. HRCT is useful in evaluating the major deformity of ossicular chain and facial nerve deformity. However, it is not enough to evaluate the joint of incus-stapes and oval window atresia. MS surgery in middle ear malformation requires advanced surgical experience and skills. The hearing improvement can be significant, even though some air-bone gap after surgery exist.

P–757 The risk of aspirin and prednisone using in women with antithyroid antibodies undergoing assisted reproductive technology

Study question

Is it safe using aspirin (A) and prednisone (P) before pregnancy among women with antithyroid antibodies (ATAbs) undergoing assisted reproductive technology?

Summary answer

Combination therapy of aspirin and prednisone didn’t improve likelihood of clinical pregnancy, but increased miscarriage rate.

What is known already

Compared with women with negative-ATAb, women with positive-ATAb had a lower live birth rate and a higher miscarriage rate. Insufficient evidence existed to determine whether aspirin and prednisone therapy improved the success of pregnancy following assisted reproductive technology (ART) in ATAb-positive euthyroid women. Aspirin and prednisone were used frequently in clinical practice, but the use of these medicines before pregnancy during ART process is still controversial, and the risks of these medicines were not well understood.

Study design, size, duration

A prospective study involving 268 women with unexplained reason for infertility who tested positive for antithyroperoxidase antibody (TPOAb) and/or thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) were being treated for infertility at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Ningbo Women and Children’s Hospital and People’s Hospital of Jinhua from October 2017 to July 2020. Their TSH level ranged from 0.35–4.0mIU/ml and they all underwent fresh embryo transfer.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Overall, a total of 268 ATAb-positive women were divided 2 groups: group A: no treatment; B: A+P. Both medicines were used in the lowest effective dose. Between the two groups, we measured oocytes retrieved, fertilization rate, high-quality embryo rate, blastulation rate, cleavage rate,implantation rate, likelihood of clinical pregnancy and miscarriage rate. Kruskal-Wallis test was used in nonnormally distributed variables, and the χ2 test or Fisher exact test was used to compare categorical variables.

Main results and the role of chance

A total of 268 infertile women with unexplained reason who tested positive for TPOAb and/or TgAb were recruited in our study. According to assignment, they were divided into two groups. All women in different groups had the similar age, BMI, number of miscarriage and duration of infertility. Levels of FSH, AMH, TSH, FT4, FT3, fibrinogen and d-dimer were similar in all groups. The use of A+P reduced cleavage rate (F = 23.982, P &lt; 0.001) and implantation rate (F = 4.388, P = 0.036). The fertilization rate (P = 0.407), high-quality embryo rate (P = 0.208) and blastulation rate (P = 0.157) were not influenced by the use of medication. In this study, likelihood of clinical pregnancy (P = 0.066) did not change significantly after therapy, and miscarriage rate (P = 0.042) increased after medical treatment.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Firstly, Aspirin is just one representation of anticoagulation therapy, so additional consideration of low molecular heparin should also be considered. Secondly, further randomized controlled trials of aspirin and prednisone alone are needed.

Wider implications of the findings: In this study, use of A+P showed no positive effect, and reduced cleavage rate and implantation rate, while increased miscarriage rate. So, the use of medication for interfile women should be cautious.

Trial registration number

n/a

[Clinical and experimental study of late postoperative opacification of hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses]

Objective: To analyze the cause of late postoperative opacification of hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) and the effect of IOL replacement surgery. Methods: This retrospective case series study comprised 15 eyes of 15 patients who were diagnosed as late postoperative opacification of hydrophilic acrylic IOLs from January 2019 to June 2020 at Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University. The clinical data of patients were reviewed, and two IOLs were examined by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The intraoperative and postoperative complications of IOL replacement surgery were evaluated, and best corrected visual acuity was compared before and after surgery. Preoperative and postoperative data were compared using the paired t test. Results: The interval between the first IOL implantation and the detection of IOL opacification in 15 patients was (27.3±5.9) months. All the 15 patients had unilateral IOL opacification, and 9 patients had hypertension. Glycosylated hemoglobin A1c was significantly higher than the normal value in 4 of the 10 patients who underwent cataract surgery at our hospital. Confocal microscopy disclosed coralliform deposits on the superficial IOL optic. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed the presence of calcium and phosphorus crystals in the opacification region of IOLs. Visual acuity in all 13 eyes receiving IOL exchange was significantly improved from 1.03±0.64 (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) to 0.39±0.21 (P<0.05). Posterior capsule rupture (4 eyes), new IOL implanted in the ciliary sulcus (3 eyes) and zonule breaking (1 eye) occurred during IOL replacement. Conclusions: IOL opacification is related with the IOL material and calcium ion concentration on the IOL surface. IOL replacement surgery can improve visual acuity safely and effectively. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57: 512-518).

[Japan narrow-band imaging Expert Team type 2B colorectal cancer: consistency between endoscopic prediction and pathological diagnosis]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the potential factors that affect the accuracy of endoscopic diagnosis for Japan narrow-band imaging (NBI) Expert Team (JNET) type 2B colorectal lesions.

OBJECTIVE

The clinical data were collected from 261 patients with JNET type 2B colorectal lesions diagnosed in Nanfang Hospital between July, 2018 and July, 2021. We analyzed the macroscopic type, size, location or pit pattern classification of the lesions for their potential influence of the diagnostic accuracy of JNET type 2B lesions.

OBJECTIVE

The 261 lesions included 91 low-grade intramucosal neoplasia lesions (34.9%), 132 high-grade intramucosal neoplasia lesions (50.6%), 13 submucosal invasive cancer lesions (5.0%), and 25 deep submucosal invasive cancer lesions (9.6%). The coincidence rate between endoscopic prediction and pathological diagnosis of these lesions was 55.6% (145/ 261). The macroscopic type and size of the lesions were significantly associated with the diagnostic accuracy of JNET type 2B lesions (P < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the diagnostic accuracy among the lesions with different pit pattern types (P < 0.001).

OBJECTIVE

Both the macroscopic type and size affect the accuracy of endoscopic diagnosis of JNET type 2B colorectal lesions. JNET classification combined with pit pattern types can have better accuracy in predicting the pathological diagnosis of these lesions.

The correlation between tissue Doppler imaging and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide concentration during left ventricular diastolic function recovery after coronary artery bypass grafting

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the changes in left ventricular diastolic function after coronary artery bypass grafting through tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration and the correlation between the two.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 133 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting between January 2016 and December 2018 were included in this study. Echocardiography and NT-proBNP concentration were reviewed pre-operation, 1 month post-operation, and 3-6 months post-operation. The transmitral peak flow velocity (E) of the mitral valve was measured at each of the three-time points using spectral Doppler imaging. The mitral annulus displacement (Ea peak and Aa peak) was then measured at each of the time points using TDI, and the E/Ea ratio was calculated. Subsequently, the correlation of the E value, Ea value, and E/Ea ratio with NT-proBNP concentration was statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

The data obtained at the three-time points were compared with the respective concentrations of NT-proBNP. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a correlation between NT-proBNP concentration and E value, Ea value, and E/Ea ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

Left ventricular diastolic function gradually recovered at 1 month and 3-6 months after coronary artery bypass grafting. There was a correlation between TDI-related values and NT-proBNP concentration.

Quantification of Increased Corneal Subbasal Nerve Tortuosity in Dry Eye Disease and Its Correlation With Clinical Parameters

Purpose

This study quantified corneal subbasal nerve tortuosity in dry eye disease (DED) and investigated its correlation with clinical parameters by proposing an aggregated measure of tortuosity (Tagg).

Methods

The sample consisted of 26 eyes of patients with DED and 23 eyes of healthy volunteers, which represented separately the dry eye group and the control group. Clinical evaluation of DED and in vivo confocal microscopy analysis of the central cornea were performed. Tagg incorporated six metrics of tortuosity. Corneal subbasal nerve images of subjects and a validation data set were analyzed using Tagg. Spearman's rank correlation was performed on Tagg and clinical parameters.

Results

Tagg was validated using 1501 corneal nerve images. Tagg was higher in patients with DED than in healthy volunteers (P < 0.001). Tagg was positively correlated with the ocular surface disease index (r = 0.418, P = 0.003) and negatively correlated with tear breakup time (r = -0.398, P = 0.007). There was no correlation between Tagg and visual analog scale scores, corneal fluorescein staining scores, or the Schirmer I test.

Conclusions

Tagg was validated for quantification of corneal subbasal nerve tortuosity and was higher in patients with DED than in healthy volunteers. A higher Tagg may be linked to ocular discomfort, visual function disturbance, and tear film instability.

Translational Relevance

Corneal subbasal nerve tortuosity is a potential biomarker for corneal neurobiology in DED.

Kallistatin alleviates heart failure in rats by inhibiting myocardial inflammation and apoptosis via regulating sirt1

OBJECTIVE

Heart failure (HF) is the loss of myocardial structure and function caused by various congenital or acquired heart diseases. This study explored the new target of treatment of HF by investigating the effect of Kallistatin (KS) on inflammation and apoptosis of myocardial tissue in HF rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used doxorubicin to induce rat HF, and determined the success rate of modeling by detecting changes in rat heart weight and body weight, cardiac function and histology. We used two different doses (1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg) of KS intraperitoneally injected rats and detected changes in inflammation and apoptosis of rat myocardial tissue by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical staining. Changes in the expression of sirt1 were also detected. In addition, we cultured rat myocardial cell line, H9c2 cells, and used siRNA-sirt1 to inhibit sirt1 in H9c2 cells to clarify the mechanism of KS regulating myocardial cells.

RESULTS

The body weight of HF rats treated with KS decreased while the heart weight increased. KS has also been found to reduce the concentration of brain natriuretic polypeptide (BNP) in rat serum. The results of echocardiography showed that KS effectively relieved the cardiac function of HF rats. Inflammatory factors (interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α) and pro-apoptotic molecules (caspase3/9 and Bax) in the serum and myocardial tissue of rats treated with KS were also significantly reduced. The inhibition of sirt1 in H9c2 cells significantly reduced the anti-apoptotic effect of KS on H9c2 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

KS reduces the inflammation and apoptosis of myocardial tissue in HF rats by promoting the expression of sirt1, thereby alleviating HF-induced myocardial injury.

LINC00114 promoted nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression and radioresistance in vitro and in vivo through regulating ERK/JNK signaling pathway via targeting miR-203

OBJECTIVE

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignancy and is prone to distant metastasis and radioresistance. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play vital roles in human cancers. The purpose of this study was to explore the role and the action mechanism of intergenic lncRNA (LINC00114) in NPC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The expression of LINC00114 and microRNA-203 (miR-203) was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). NPC cells were exposed to X-ray as radiation treatment. Cell proliferation, migration, cell survival fraction and apoptosis were assessed by 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), transwell, colony formation, and flow cytometry assays, respectively. The expression of Cleaved-cas-3, Cleaved-cas-9, phosphor-ERK (p-ERK) and phosphor-JNK (p-JNK) was quantified by Western blot. The interaction between miR-203 and LINC00114 was predicted by bioinformatics tool microRNA.org and verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Tumor formation assay in nude mice was conducted to examine the role of LINC00114 in vivo.

RESULTS

LINC00114 was upregulated in serums from NPC patients, tissues and cell lines of NPC. LINC00114 knockdown inhibited proliferation, migration, and radioresistance of NPC cells. MiR-203 was a target of LINC00114, and miR-203 inhibition eliminated the effects of LINC00114 knockdown. Besides, the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)/c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) pathway was inactivated by LINC00114 knockdown but recovered by miR-203 inhibition. Moreover, LINC00114 knockdown suppressed tumor growth and radioresistance in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

LINC00114 contributed to NPC development and radioresistance through the regulation of ERK/JNK signaling pathway and the mediation of miR-203, suggesting that LINC00114 was a promising biomarker to defense NPC progression and radioresistance.