The anatomical variations of paranasal sinuses may be related to the formation of antrochoanal polyp by computed tomography imaging study.

Background: There is little investigation into the connection between anatomic variations and the development of antrochoanal polyp (ACP), and the etiology of ACP remains unclear. The study aims to explore the relationship among anatomic variations, maxillary sinus volume, nasal meatus-related parameters, and the occurrence of ACP. Methods: There were 127 patients included in this retrospective cross-sectional study with unilateral ACPs hospitalized at Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital between February 2010 and February 2020. Evaluation indicators included anatomic variations, maxillary sinus volume, and nasal meatus-related parameters in 45 children and 82 adults, which were evaluated twice by 3DSlicer software. Parameters were assessed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, followed by paired t-test and Chi-squared test for multiple comparisons. Results: Significant differences were found in the accessory maxillary ostium (AMO) and maxillary sinus retention cyst between two sides (both P<0.001). Maxillary sinus volume and sex had an association of statistical significance on adults' ACP side (P=0.026) and non-antrochoanal polyp (non-ACP) side (P=0.032). The affected side's maxillary sinus volume was significantly larger than the healthy side (P<0.001). The length from the maxillary sinus orifice to the plane of the most lateral margin of the middle turbinate of the ACP side was larger than the non-ACP side in children (P=0.044). Males' length from the maxillary sinus orifice to the plane of the most lateral margin of the middle turbinate of the ACP side was considerably greater than the healthy side (P<0.001). The length from the maxillary sinus orifice to the plane of the most lateral margin of the middle turbinate (P=0.014) and the length from the inferior turbinate to the nasal septum (P=0.013) on the non-ACP side was higher than the affected side in adults. Males' length from the inferior turbinate to the nasal septum was higher on the healthy side than the affected side (P<0.001). Males had a greater maximum length from the maxillary sinus lateral wall to the nasal septum (P=0.024) and the length from the inferior turbinate to the nasal septum (P=0.003) on the non-ACP side than females. Males had a larger maximum length from the maxillary sinus lateral wall to the nasal septum on the ACP side than females (P=0.011). Conclusions: In our study, the occurrence of the AMO, the maxillary sinus's expanded size, and the stenosis of the associated channels around the ostiomeatal complex and common meatus are regarded as probably connected to the formation of ACPs. In addition, the anatomic variations that involve the ostiomeatal complex and may lead to a change in maxillary sinus pressure and nasal ventilation are important factors in the formation of ACPs.

Potential Application of Self-Assembled Peptides and Proteins in Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer.

Ongoing research is gradually broadening the idea of cancer treatment, with attention being focused on nanoparticles to improve the stability, therapeutic efficacy, targeting, and other important metrics of conventional drugs and traditional drug delivery methods. Studies have demonstrated that drug delivery carriers based on biomaterials (e.g., protein nanoparticles and lipids) and inorganic materials (e.g., metal nanoparticles) have potential anticancer effects. Among these carriers, self-assembled proteins and peptides, which are highly biocompatible and easy to standardize and produce, are strong candidates for the preparation of anticancer drugs. Breast cancer (BC) and cervical cancer (CC) are two of the most common and deadly cancers in women. These cancers not only threaten lives globally but also put a heavy burden on the healthcare system. Despite advances in medical care, the incidence of these two cancers, particularly CC, which is almost entirely preventable, continues to rise, and the mortality rate remains steady. Therefore, there is still a need for in-depth research on these two cancers to develop more targeted, efficacious, and safe therapies. This paper reviews the types of self-assembling proteins and peptides (e.g., ferritin, albumin, and virus-like particles) and natural products (e.g., soy and paclitaxel) commonly used in the treatment of BC and CC and describes the types of drugs that can be delivered using self-assembling proteins and peptides as carriers (e.g., siRNAs, DNA, plasmids, and mRNAs). The mechanisms (including self-assembly) by which the natural products act on CC and BC are discussed. The mechanism of action of natural products on CC and BC and the mechanism of action of self-assembled proteins and peptides have many similarities (e.g., NF-KB and Wnt). Thus, natural products using self-assembled proteins and peptides as carriers show potential for the treatment of BC and CC.

Histone Modification of Colorectal Cancer by Natural Products.

Natural products play important roles in the pathogenesis of many human malignancies, including colorectal cancer, and can act as a gene regulator in many cancers. They regulate malignant cell growth through many cellular signal pathways, including Rac family small GTPase 1 (RAC1)/PI3K/AKT (α-serine/threonine-protein kinase), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Wnt/ß-catenin pathway, transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), Janus kinase and signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), the Notch pathway, Hippo pathway, and Hedgehog pathway. In this review, we describe the epigenetic roles of several natural products, e.g., platycodin D (PD), ginsenoside Rd, tretinoin, Rutin, curcumin, clove extract, betulinic acid, resveratrol, and curcumin, in colorectal cancer, including their impact on colorectal cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration, and anti-chemotherapeutic resistance. The aim is to illustrate the epigenetic mechanisms of action of natural products in cancer prevention and treatment, and to provide (1) a theoretical basis for the study of the role of epigenetics in influencing colorectal cancer; (2) new directions for studying the occurrence, development, and prognosis of colorectal cancer; and (3) new targets for treating and preventing colorectal cancer.

Natural Products Treat Colorectal Cancer by Regulating miRNA.

Diseases are evolving as living standards continue to improve. Cancer is the main cause of death and a major public health problem that seriously threatens human life. Colorectal cancer is one of the top ten most common malignant tumors in China, ranking second after gastric cancer among gastrointestinal malignant tumors, and its incidence rate is increasing dramatically each year due to changes in the dietary habits and lifestyle of the world's population. Although conventional therapies, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, have profoundly impacted the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), drug resistance and toxicity remain substantial challenges. Natural products, such as dietary therapeutic agents, are considered the safest alternative for treating CRC. In addition, there is substantial evidence that natural products can induce apoptosis, inhibit cell cycle arrest, and reduce the invasion and migration of colon cancer cells by targeting and regulating the expression and function of miRNAs. Here, we summarize the recent research findings on the miRNA-regulation-based antitumor mechanisms of various active ingredients in natural products, highlighting how natural products target miRNA regulation in colon cancer prevention and treatment. The application of natural drug delivery systems and predictive disease biomarkers in cancer prevention and treatment is also discussed. Such approaches will contribute to the discovery of new regulatory mechanisms associated with disease pathways and provide a new theoretical basis for developing novel colon cancer drugs and compounds and identifying new therapeutic targets.