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Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second deadliest cancer worldwide. The impact of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on many diseases is a global concern, yet its association with CRC is unclear. This study aimed to assess the effect of PM2.5 exposure on CRC. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases for population-based articles published before September 2022, providing risk estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Among 85,743 articles, we identified 10 eligible studies across multiple countries and regions in North America and Asia. We calculated the overall risk, incidence and mortality and performed subgroup analyses according to countries and regions. The results revealed an association between PM2.5 and increased risk of CRC (total risk, 1.19 [95% CI 1.12–1.28]; incidence, OR=1.18 [95% CI 1.09–1.28]; mortality, OR=1.21 [95% CI 1.09–1.35]). The elevated risks of CRC associated with PM2.5 were different across countries and regions, at 1.34 [95% CI 1.20–1.49], 1.00 [95% CI 1.00–1.00], 1.08 [95% CI 1.06–1.10], 1.18 [95% CI 1.07–1.29], 1.01 [95% CI 0.79–1.30], in the United States, China, Taiwan, Thailand, and Hong Kong, respectively. Incidence and mortality risks were higher in North America than those in Asia. In particular, the incidence and mortality were highest in the United States (1.61 [95% CI 1.38–1.89] and 1.29 [95% CI 1.17–1.42], respectively) than those in other countries. This study is the first comprehensive meta-analysis to find a strong association between PM2.5 exposure and increased CRC risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Although the anti‐cancer activity of isoalantolactone (IATL) has been extensively studied, the anti‐melanoma effects of IATL are still unknown. Here, we have investigated the anti‐melanoma effects and mechanism of action of IATL. MTT and crystal violet staining assays were performed to detect the inhibitory effect of IATL on melanoma cell viability. Apoptosis and cell cycle arrest induced by IATL were examined using flow cytometry. The molecular mechanism of IATL was explored by Western blotting, confocal microscope analysis, molecular docking, and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA). A B16F10 allograft mouse model was constructed to determine the anti‐melanoma effects of IATL in vivo. The results showed that IATL exerted anti‐melanoma effects in vitro and in vivo. IATL induced cytoprotective autophagy in melanoma cells by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. Moreover, IATL inhibited STAT3 activation both in melanoma cells and allograft tumors not only by binding to the SH2 domain of STAT3 but also by suppressing the activity of its upstream kinase Src. These findings demonstrate that IATL exerts anti‐melanoma effects via inhibiting the STAT3 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways, and provides a pharmacological basis for developing IATL as a novel phytotherapeutic agent for treating melanoma clinically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging pollutants, nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs), and halogenated PAHs (HPAHs), in atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in four cities (Taiyuan, Yangquan, Changzhi, and Jincheng) during the non-heating and heating periods of Shanxi province, China, in 2020, were monitored to investigate their pollution characteristics and potential health risk. The exposure levels of PM2.5-bound ∑16PAHs, ∑13NPAHs, ∑6ClPAHs, and ∑7BrPAHs during the heating period ascended compared to the non-heating period. 2N-Nap, 1N-Nap, 2N-Fle, and 9N-Phe were primary monomers in NPAHs with higher concentrations, while higher levels of 2Br-Fle, 2Cl-Ant, and 9Cl-Phe were in HPAHs. Toxic equivalency quotients (TEQs), incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR), and loss of life expectancy (LLE) results suggested that PM2.5-bound PAHs during the heating periods posed a potential carcinogenic risk. The ILCR and loss of life expectancy (LLE) values of PM2.5-bound PAHs showed a similar decreasing trend with an order: adults (age 30–70) > toddler >adults (age 18–30) > teenagers > children >baby. The TEQ and ILCR values of ∑13NPAHs and ∑13HPAHs in PM2.5 were far below the safety threshold, indicating no obvious cancer risks. The pollution of PM2.5-bound PAHs, NPAHs, and HPAHs and potential health risks in Yangquan and Changzhi was more serious compared to Taiyuan and Jincheng. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]