Effects of Cedrus atlantica extract on acute myeloid leukemia cell cycle distribution and apoptosis.

This study investigated the anti-leukemic effects of Cedrus atlantica extract (CAt extract) on cell cycle distribution and apoptosis in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. AML often occurs in older adults, accounting for 60% of the cases, and is likely to be resistant to chemotherapy due to multidrug resistance, resulting in early death during cancer treatment. With the increasing focus on prevention medicine, natural plant components are being used as a major source for the development of therapeutic drugs or functional foods to cure or alleviate the disease. Cedrus species are known to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and anticancer effects; however, the anticancer effects of CAt extract have not been elucidated. In this study, CAt extract demonstrated an inhibitory effect on human leukemia cells in a concentration-dependent manner; CAt extract induced G0/G1 phase arrest via restrained protein levels of p-Rb and cell cycle-related proteins. After CAt extract exposure, the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways were activated through caspase-8, -9, and -3 cleavage. Additionally, CAt extract suppressed VEGF, MMP-2, and MMP-9 expression. This study demonstrated that CAt extract treatment significantly reduced cell growth, cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase, and induction of apoptosis, leading to leukemia cell death.

Pogostemon cablin extract as an anticancer agent on human acute myeloid leukemia.

Pogostemon cablin has been indicated to treat many kinds of diseases and the progression of cancers, such as colorectal cancer. However, the effects of P. cablin extract (PPa extract) against acute myeloid leukemia have not been investigated. Thus, this study explored the anticancer potential of PPa extract and its mechanism in HL-60 cells. The MTT assay results showed that PPa extract significantly inhibited the proliferation of HL-60 cells in a dose-dependent manner and affected cell morphology, causing cell shrinkage and the formation of debris. PPa extract blocked cell cycle progression at the G0/G1 phase in a dose- and time-dependent manner and induced cell apoptosis, as shown by the observation of DNA fragments and apoptotic bodies. Furthermore, PPa extract caused the accumulation of a population of cells at G0/G1 phase via a reduction in p-Rb, increasing p21 expression, and downregulating cell cycle regulator protein expression. Then, PPa extract was found to activate the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways, leading to cell death. These data demonstrated that PPa extract exerted inhibitory activity and triggered cell apoptosis in HL-60 cells and that PPa extract might be a chemopreventive agent for cancer therapy.

Differential Family Experience of Palliative Sedation Therapy in Specialized Palliative or Critical Care Units.

CONTEXT: No study has examined the varying family experience of palliative sedation therapy (PST) for terminally ill patients in different settings. OBJECTIVES: To examine and compare family concerns about PST use and its effect on the grief suffered by terminally ill patients' families in palliative care units (PCUs) or intensive care units (ICUs). METHODS: A total of 154 family members of such patients were recruited in Taiwan, of whom 143 completed the study, with 81 from the PCU and 62 from the ICU. Data were collected on their concerns regarding PST during recruitment. Grief levels were assessed at three days and one month after the patient's death with the Texas Revised Inventory of Grief. RESULTS: Families' major concern about sedated patients in the PCU was that "there might be other ways to relieve symptoms" (90.2%), whereas families of ICU sedated patients gave the highest ratings to "feeling they still had something more to do" (93.55%), and "the patient's sleeping condition was not dignified" (93.55%). Family members recruited from the ICU tended to experience more grief than those from the PCU (P = 0.005 at Day 3 and < 0.001 at Month 1). PST use predicted higher levels of grief in family members recruited from the PCU (P < 0.001 at Day 3 and Month 1). CONCLUSION: Family experiences with the use of PST in terminally ill patients varied in different settings. Supportive care should address family concerns about PST use, and regular attention should be paid to the grief of individuals at higher risk.

Partial nephrectomy without renal ischemia using an electromagnetic thermal surgery system in a porcine model.

OBJECTIVE: To test the feasibility of partial nephrectomy using needle arrays under alternating current (AC) electromagnetic field without renal artery clamping. METHODS: We performed an experimental study for partial nephrectomy without renal artery clamping in a porcine model, comparing a new thermal surgery system consisting of an AC electromagnetic field generator and stainless steel needle arrays (using 10 pigs) vs an ultrasonic Harmonic Scalpel (on 8 pigs). Two cm of the upper pole of the kidneys were resected, and then the feasibility, operation time, blood loss, biochemical parameters, pathology, and complications were observed for 14 days. RESULTS: There was no difference by weight in the mean percentage of kidney removed between the 2 groups (8.1 ± 3.4% vs 12.7 ± 5.5%). The estimated blood loss for the partial nephrectomy with electromagnetic thermal surgery system was significantly less compared to the ultrasonic Harmonic Scalpel (53.0 ± 73.0 vs 188.8 ± 49.3 mL). Transection time was shorter with the electromagnetic thermal surgery system (10 vs 12 minutes). Bleeding from the cut surface after partial nephrectomy was noted in 2 pigs (electromagnetic surgery group) and 8 pigs (control group); all the bleeding was controlled with additional monopolar electrocoagulation and sutures. No urinoma was identified in either group when a second laparotomy was performed 2 weeks later. CONCLUSION: Our study of a partial nephrectomy in a porcine model demonstrates that the heat generated by the electromagnetic thermal surgery system is sufficient to coagulate renal parenchyma and to seal off the blood vessels without pedicle clamping.