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Prescott SL, Logan AC, Bristow J, Rozzi R, Moodie R, Redvers N, Haahtela T, Warber S, Poland B, Hancock T, Berman B. Exiting the Anthropocene: Achieving personal and planetary health in the 21st century. Allergy 2022; 77:3498-3512. [PMID: 35748742 PMCID: PMC10083953 DOI: 10.1111/all.15419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Planetary health provides a perspective of ecological interdependence that connects the health and vitality of individuals, communities, and Earth's natural systems. It includes the social, political, and economic ecosystems that influence both individuals and whole societies. In an era of interconnected grand challenges threatening health of all systems at all scales, planetary health provides a framework for cross-sectoral collaboration and unified systems approaches to solutions. The field of allergy is at the forefront of these efforts. Allergic conditions are a sentinel measure of environmental impact on human health in early life-illuminating how ecological changes affect immune development and predispose to a wider range of inflammatory noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). This shows how adverse macroscale ecology in the Anthropocene penetrates to the molecular level of personal and microscale ecology, including the microbial systems at the foundations of all ecosystems. It provides the basis for more integrated efforts to address widespread environmental degradation and adverse effects of maladaptive urbanization, food systems, lifestyle behaviors, and socioeconomic disadvantage. Nature-based solutions and efforts to improve nature-relatedness are crucial for restoring symbiosis, balance, and mutualism in every sense, recognizing that both personal lifestyle choices and collective structural actions are needed in tandem. Ultimately, meaningful ecological approaches will depend on placing greater emphasis on psychological and cultural dimensions such as mindfulness, values, and moral wisdom to ensure a sustainable and resilient future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan L Prescott
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,ORIGINS Project, Telethon Kids Institute at Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Alan C Logan
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Ricardo Rozzi
- Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), University of Magallanes, Puerto Williams, Chile.,Philosophy and Religion, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Rob Moodie
- School of Population and Global Health (MSPGH), University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Nicole Redvers
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA
| | - Tari Haahtela
- Skin and Allergy Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sara Warber
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Blake Poland
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Trevor Hancock
- School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Brian Berman
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Family and Community Medicine, Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Prescott SL, Wegienka G, Kort R, Nelson DH, Gabrysch S, Hancock T, Kozyrskyj A, Lowry CA, Redvers N, Poland B, Robinson J, Moubarac JC, Warber S, Jansson J, Sinkkonen A, Penders J, Erdman S, Nanan R, van den Bosch M, Schneider K, Schroeck NJ, Sobko T, Harvie J, Kaplan GA, Moodie R, Lengnick L, Prilleltensky I, Celidwen Y, Berman SH, Logan AC, Berman B. Project Earthrise: Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Conference of inVIVO Planetary Health. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph182010654. [PMID: 34682400 PMCID: PMC8535547 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182010654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The “Earthrise” photograph, taken on the 1968 Apollo 8 mission, became one of the most significant images of the 20th Century. It triggered a profound shift in environmental awareness and the potential for human unity—inspiring the first Earth Day in 1970. Taking inspiration from these events 50 years later, we initiated Project Earthrise at our 2020 annual conference of inVIVO Planetary Health. This builds on the emergent concept of planetary health, which provides a shared narrative to integrate rich and diverse approaches from all aspects of society towards shared solutions to global challenges. The acute catastrophe of the COVID-19 pandemic has drawn greater attention to many other interconnected global health, environmental, social, spiritual, and economic problems that have been underappreciated or neglected for decades. This is accelerating opportunities for greater collaborative action, as many groups now focus on the necessity of a “Great Transition”. While ambitious integrative efforts have never been more important, it is imperative to apply these with mutualistic value systems as a compass, as we seek to make wiser choices. Project Earthrise is our contribution to this important process. This underscores the imperative for creative ecological solutions to challenges in all systems, on all scales with advancing global urbanization in the digital age—for personal, environmental, economic and societal health alike. At the same time, our agenda seeks to equally consider our social and spiritual ecology as it does natural ecology. Revisiting the inspiration of “Earthrise”, we welcome diverse perspectives from across all dimensions of the arts and the sciences, to explore novel solutions and new normative values. Building on academic rigor, we seek to place greater value on imagination, kindness and mutualism as we address our greatest challenges, for the health of people, places and planet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan L. Prescott
- NOVA Institute for Health of People, Places and Planet, 1407 Fleet Street, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- ORIGINS Project, Telethon Kids Institute at Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (S.W.); (G.A.K.); (S.H.B.); (A.C.L.); (B.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Ganesa Wegienka
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA;
| | - Remco Kort
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
- ARTIS_Micropia, Plantage Kerklaan 38-40, 1018 CZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Sabine Gabrysch
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Member of the Leibniz Association, 14412 Potsdam, Germany
- Institute of Public Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Trevor Hancock
- School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada;
| | - Anita Kozyrskyj
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Alberta, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada;
| | - Christopher A. Lowry
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA;
| | - Nicole Redvers
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA;
| | - Blake Poland
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada;
| | - Jake Robinson
- Department of Landscape, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK;
| | - Jean-Claude Moubarac
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada;
| | - Sara Warber
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (S.W.); (G.A.K.); (S.H.B.); (A.C.L.); (B.B.)
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Janet Jansson
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, DC 99352, USA;
| | - Aki Sinkkonen
- Natural Resources Institute Finland, Itäinen Pitkäkatu 4, 20520 Turku, Finland;
| | - John Penders
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School for Nutrition & Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM) and Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht UMC+ [University Medical Centre], 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - Susan Erdman
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA;
| | - Ralph Nanan
- Sydney Medical School–Nepean, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia;
| | - Matilda van den Bosch
- School of Population and Public Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada;
| | - Kirk Schneider
- Existential-Humanistic Institute, San Francisco, CA 94901, USA;
- Department of Humanistic and Clinical Psychology, Saybrook University, Pasadena, CA 91103, USA
- Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Nicholas J. Schroeck
- School of Law, University of Detroit Mercy, 651 East Jefferson Ave., Detroit, MI 48226, USA;
| | - Tanja Sobko
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Jamie Harvie
- Institute for a Sustainable Future, Duluth, MN 55802, USA;
| | - George A. Kaplan
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (S.W.); (G.A.K.); (S.H.B.); (A.C.L.); (B.B.)
- School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Rob Moodie
- School of Population and Global Health (MSPGH), University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | | | - Isaac Prilleltensky
- School of Education and Human Development, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA;
| | | | - Susan H. Berman
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (S.W.); (G.A.K.); (S.H.B.); (A.C.L.); (B.B.)
| | - Alan C. Logan
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (S.W.); (G.A.K.); (S.H.B.); (A.C.L.); (B.B.)
| | - Brian Berman
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (S.W.); (G.A.K.); (S.H.B.); (A.C.L.); (B.B.)
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Shanahan DF, Astell-Burt T, Barber EA, Brymer E, Cox DTC, Dean J, Depledge M, Fuller RA, Hartig T, Irvine KN, Jones A, Kikillus H, Lovell R, Mitchell R, Niemelä J, Nieuwenhuijsen M, Pretty J, Townsend M, van Heezik Y, Warber S, Gaston KJ. Nature-Based Interventions for Improving Health and Wellbeing: The Purpose, the People and the Outcomes. Sports (Basel) 2019; 7:E141. [PMID: 31185675 PMCID: PMC6628071 DOI: 10.3390/sports7060141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Engagement with nature is an important part of many people's lives, and the health and wellbeing benefits of nature-based activities are becoming increasingly recognised across disciplines from city planning to medicine. Despite this, urbanisation, challenges of modern life and environmental degradation are leading to a reduction in both the quantity and the quality of nature experiences. Nature-based health interventions (NBIs) can facilitate behavioural change through a somewhat structured promotion of nature-based experiences and, in doing so, promote improved physical, mental and social health and wellbeing. We conducted a Delphi expert elicitation process with 19 experts from seven countries (all named authors on this paper) to identify the different forms that such interventions take, the potential health outcomes and the target beneficiaries. In total, 27 NBIs were identified, aiming to prevent illness, promote wellbeing and treat specific physical, mental or social health and wellbeing conditions. These interventions were broadly categorized into those that change the environment in which people live, work, learn, recreate or heal (for example, the provision of gardens in hospitals or parks in cities) and those that change behaviour (for example, engaging people through organized programmes or other activities). We also noted the range of factors (such as socioeconomic variation) that will inevitably influence the extent to which these interventions succeed. We conclude with a call for research to identify the drivers influencing the effectiveness of NBIs in enhancing health and wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas Astell-Burt
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), School ofHealth and Society, University of Wollongong, 2522 Wollongong, Australia.
| | - Elizabeth A Barber
- School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4006 Queensland, Australia.
| | - Eric Brymer
- UK. Discipline of Psychology, Australian College of Applied Psychology, Brisbane, 4000 Queensland, Australia.
| | - Daniel T C Cox
- Environment & Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, UK.
| | - Julie Dean
- School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4006 Queensland, Australia.
| | - Michael Depledge
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK.
| | - Richard A Fuller
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072 Queensland, Australia.
| | - Terry Hartig
- Institute for Housing and Urban Research, Uppsala University, 75120 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Katherine N Irvine
- Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences, James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, UK.
| | - Andy Jones
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk NR15 1LT, UK.
| | - Heidy Kikillus
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, Victoria University of Wellington, 6012 Wellington, New Zealand.
| | - Rebecca Lovell
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro TR1 3HD, UK.
| | - Richard Mitchell
- Centre for Research on Environment, Society and Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.
| | - Jari Niemelä
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helinski, Finland.
| | - Mark Nieuwenhuijsen
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Jules Pretty
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ, UK.
| | - Mardie Townsend
- School of Health & Social Development, Deakin University, 3217 Geelong, Australia.
| | | | - Sara Warber
- Integrative Medicine, The University of Michigan, Michigan, MA 48710, USA.
| | - Kevin J Gaston
- Environment & Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, UK.
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Musial F, Mist S, Warber S, Kreitzer MJ, Ritenbaugh C, Kessler C. Why and How Should We Integrate Biomarkers into Complex Trials? A Discussion on Paradigms and Clinical Research Strategies. Complement Med Res 2019; 26:343-352. [PMID: 30974436 DOI: 10.1159/000498981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) encounters a variety of challenges, such as potentially synergistic, multimodal, and complex interventions which are often dependent on the relationship between practitioner and patient, on specific settings, and on patients' individual preferences, expectations, beliefs, and motivations. Moreover, patients seeking CAM care often suffer from chronic disease conditions, and multiple symptoms and/or pathologies. On the other hand, CAM interventions are often challenged as being solely dependent on subjective and nonspecific factors without biologically based mechanisms of action. If we agree that biomarkers as outcomes are important for the understanding of CAM interventions, a hypothesis- and strategy-driven process for the selection of the most appropriate biomarkers is needed. METHODS This paper presents the results of an expert panel on how to integrate biomarkers in whole system research of an interdisciplinary workshop on research methodology in CAM held in November 2012. RESULTS The following main CAM research challenges were identified: (a) finding appropriate biomarkers, which are able to picture the complex pathophysiological pathways and likewise complex interventions under study; (b) integrating these biomarkers into clinical trials in CAM; and (c) identifying the biomarkers specific to the particular CAM intervention being applied. CONCLUSION The paper provides a disease/condition/symptom- and intervention-driven strategy regarding how to identify the outcomes of interest and possible related biomarkers. The research approach presented here allows the selected biomarkers to be grounded in conventional physiology/pathophysiology as well as complementary and alternative concepts, including traditional systems of medicine. The goal is to provide researchers in the field with a framework on how to integrate biomarkers into complex trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frauke Musial
- National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM), Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway,
| | - Scott Mist
- School of Nursing, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Sara Warber
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Mary Jo Kreitzer
- Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Cheryl Ritenbaugh
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Christian Kessler
- Department of Internal and Complementary Medicine, Immanuel Hospital and Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité - University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany
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Rahtz E, Bonnell S, Goldingay S, Warber S, Dieppe P. Transformational Changes in Health Status: A Qualitative Exploration of Healing Moments. Explore (NY) 2017; 13:298-305. [PMID: 28756166 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2017.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Dramatic self-change is a familiar concept within religious experience and is recognized within psychotherapy and some fields of nursing. However, it has been given limited consideration in wider health research, including healing research. We sought to explore the phenomenon of "healing moments". METHODS Alternative medicine practitioners attending a continuing professional development course for healers within the UK's Holistic Health Show were shown a 10min video clip showing two of the authors discussing healing moments. Sixty-nine (69) of the practitioners then provided "short stories" outlining their own experiences of such moments. Both the video and the short stories were analyzed qualitatively using a thematic approach. We sought to evaluate holistic practitioners' perceptions of the concept of healing moments. RESULTS The concept of healing moments was widely accepted by the 69 participants. An overarching theme of transformational change described personal shifts that ranged from the sudden and quasimiraculous to transient but much-needed improvements in health and wellbeing. Three subordinate themes of connectivity, quiescence and control were identified. Connectivity described intense connections, experienced through touch, empathy and love, which could provide reciprocal benefits for healers as well as clients. Quiescence captured the quiet, calm atmosphere that pervaded many healing episodes. The contrasting aspects of control encompassed healers relinquishing control to channel healing, and clients seizing control to become empowered in their own healing process. CONCLUSION Healing moments are a recognized and distinct concept within healing, although they remain under-explored in the literature. Our findings suggest that such experiences are common among alternative medicine practitioners. The concepts we uncovered can inform future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmylou Rahtz
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter, UK.
| | - Sian Bonnell
- Manchester School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
| | | | - Sara Warber
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, USA
| | - Paul Dieppe
- Institute of Health Research, University of Exeter, UK
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Husk K, Blockley K, Lovell R, Bethel A, Bloomfield D, Warber S, Pearson M, Lang I, Byng R, Garside R. What approaches to social prescribing work, for whom, and in what circumstances? A protocol for a realist review. Syst Rev 2016; 5:93. [PMID: 27255362 PMCID: PMC4891904 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-016-0269-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 03/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of non-drug, non-health-service interventions has been proposed as a cost-effective alternative to help those with long-term conditions manage their illness and improve their health and well-being. Interventions typically involve accessing activities run by the third sector or community agencies and may also be described as non-medical referral, community referral or social prescribing. To be effective, patients need to be "transferred" from the primary care setting into the community and to maintain their participation in activities. However, it is not currently known how and why these approaches enable which people under what circumstances to reach community services that may benefit their health and well-being. METHODS Database searches and extensive searching of grey sources will be carried out in an attempt to find evidence associated with referral and retention in social prescribing. After initial scoping searches, two main phases of searching will be conducted: (a) will focus on the identification of programme theories to illustrate how approaches to social prescribing work for different people and in different contexts and (b) will consist of targeted searches to locate evidence to refine these candidate theories into configurations of the contexts in which populations and the main mechanisms outcomes are achieved. Inclusion criteria will initially be broad in order to develop a clear picture of the ways in which social prescriptions might operate but may iteratively become more focused in response to initially identified evidence, for example, in terms of the population group. An expert advisory group consisting of professionals working in a range of organisations involved in social prescribing will be convened to check the approaches in the review and provide real-life experience of social prescribing. Findings from the review will be disseminated to commissioners, published in a peer-reviewed journal and used to help refine an intervention model for an outdoor nature-based group intervention. DISCUSSION This realist review will explore why mechanisms of social prescribing work, for what groups of people and their impact on enrolment, attendance and adherence to programmes. The use of realist approaches to detail the social prescribing process is novel and will offer insights into effective transfer of patients. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42016039491.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerryn Husk
- NIHR CLAHRC South West Peninsula (PenCLAHRC), Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Plymouth University, Plymouth, England.
| | - Kelly Blockley
- NIHR CLAHRC South West Peninsula (PenCLAHRC), Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Plymouth University, Plymouth, England
| | - Rebecca Lovell
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, England
| | - Alison Bethel
- NIHR CLAHRC South West Peninsula (PenCLAHRC), University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, England
| | - Dan Bloomfield
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, England
| | - Sara Warber
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, England
- University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mark Pearson
- NIHR CLAHRC South West Peninsula (PenCLAHRC), University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, England
| | - Iain Lang
- NIHR CLAHRC South West Peninsula (PenCLAHRC), University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, England
| | - Richard Byng
- NIHR CLAHRC South West Peninsula (PenCLAHRC), Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Plymouth University, Plymouth, England
| | - Ruth Garside
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, England
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Palomino M, Taylor T, Göker A, Isaacs J, Warber S. The Online Dissemination of Nature-Health Concepts: Lessons from Sentiment Analysis of Social Media Relating to "Nature-Deficit Disorder". Int J Environ Res Public Health 2016; 13:E142. [PMID: 26797628 PMCID: PMC4730533 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13010142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Revised: 12/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Evidence continues to grow supporting the idea that restorative environments, green exercise, and nature-based activities positively impact human health. Nature-deficit disorder, a journalistic term proposed to describe the ill effects of people's alienation from nature, is not yet formally recognized as a medical diagnosis. However, over the past decade, the phrase has been enthusiastically taken up by some segments of the lay public. Social media, such as Twitter, with its opportunities to gather "big data" related to public opinions, offers a medium for exploring the discourse and dissemination around nature-deficit disorder and other nature-health concepts. In this paper, we report our experience of collecting more than 175,000 tweets, applying sentiment analysis to measure positive, neutral or negative feelings, and preliminarily mapping the impact on dissemination. Sentiment analysis is currently used to investigate the repercussions of events in social networks, scrutinize opinions about products and services, and understand various aspects of the communication in Web-based communities. Based on a comparison of nature-deficit-disorder "hashtags" and more generic nature hashtags, we make recommendations for the better dissemination of public health messages through changes to the framing of messages. We show the potential of Twitter to aid in better understanding the impact of the natural environment on human health and wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Palomino
- School of Computing and Digital Media, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland AB10 7GE, UK.
| | - Tim Taylor
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, UK.
| | - Ayse Göker
- School of Computing and Digital Media, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland AB10 7GE, UK.
| | - John Isaacs
- School of Computing and Digital Media, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland AB10 7GE, UK.
| | - Sara Warber
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, UK.
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1213, USA.
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Shumer G, Warber S, Motohara S, Yajima A, Plegue M, Bialko M, Iida T, Sano K, Amenomori M, Tsuda T, Fetters MD. Complementary and alternative medicine use by visitors to rural Japanese family medicine clinics: results from the international complementary and alternative medicine survey. BMC Complement Altern Med 2014; 14:360. [PMID: 25256591 PMCID: PMC4192731 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background There is growing interest in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) throughout the world, however previous research done in Japan has focused primarily on CAM use in major cities. The purpose of this study was to develop and distribute a Japanese version of the International Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (I-CAM-Q) to assess the use of CAM among people who visit rural Japanese family medicine clinics. Methods Using a Japanese version of the International Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (I-CAM-Q), a cross-sectional survey was conducted in three rural family medicine clinics. All patients and those accompanying patients who met inclusion criteria were eligible to participate. Data were entered into SPSS Statistics and analyzed for use by age, gender, and location. Results Of the 519 respondents who participated in the project, 415 participants reported CAM use in the past 12 months (80.0%). When prayer is excluded, the prevalence of CAM use drops to 77.3% in the past year, or 403 respondents. The most common forms of CAM used by respondents were pain relief pads (n = 170, 32.8%), herbal medicines/supplements (n = 167, 32.2%), and massage by self or family (n = 166, 32.0%). Female respondents, individuals with higher levels of education, and those with poorer overall health status were more likely to use CAM than respondents without these characteristics. Only 22.8% of CAM therapies used were reported to physicians by survey participants. Conclusions These data indicate that CAM use in rural Japan is common. The results are consistent with previous studies that show that Japanese individuals are more interested in forms of CAM such as pain relief pads and massage, than in mind-body forms of CAM like relaxation and meditation. Due to the high utilization of certain CAM practices, and given that most CAM users do not disclose their CAM use to their doctors, we conclude that physicians in rural Japan would benefit by asking about CAM use during patient interviews, and by familiarizing themselves with the potential benefits and risks of commonly used CAM modalities. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1472-6882-14-360) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Marselle M, Warber S, Irvine K. P04.54. Natural health service: enhancing wellbeing with group walks in green spaces. BMC Complement Altern Med 2012. [PMCID: PMC3373694 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-12-s1-p324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Warber S, Bialko M, Dehudy A, Irvine K. P04.85. Addressing nature deficit disorder: a quantitative survey study of multidimensional aspects of well-being among young adults at a wilderness camp. Altern Ther Health Med 2012. [PMCID: PMC3373848 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-12-s1-p355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Irvine K, Dallimer M, Warber S. P05.56. Prescribing nature: a content analysis of qualitative responses among park users by socio-demographics and patterns of use. BMC Complement Altern Med 2012. [PMCID: PMC3373864 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-12-s1-p416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Warber S, Marselle M, Dehudy A, Irvine K. P05.17. Addressing nature deficit disorder: a mixed methods study of social well-being among young adults attending a wilderness science camp. Altern Ther Health Med 2012. [PMCID: PMC3373778 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-12-s1-p377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Warber S. Biofield Energy Therapy: A Qualitative Study of the Clientele's Perspective. Explore (NY) 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2009.03.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Uhley VE, Seymour EM, Wunder J, Kaufman P, Kirakosyan A, Al‐Rawi S, Warber S. Pharmacokinetic study of the absorption and metabolism of Montmorency tart cherry anthocyanins in human subjects. FASEB J 2009. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.565.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Ellen Uhley
- Medical School Administration
- Michigan Integrative Medicine, Family MedicineUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI
| | - E Mitch Seymour
- Medical School Administration
- Michigan Integrative Medicine, Family MedicineUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI
| | - Jenna Wunder
- Michigan Integrative Medicine, Family MedicineUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI
| | - Peter Kaufman
- Michigan Integrative Medicine, Family MedicineUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI
| | - Ara Kirakosyan
- Michigan Integrative Medicine, Family MedicineUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI
| | - Sara Al‐Rawi
- Michigan Integrative Medicine, Family MedicineUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI
| | - Sara Warber
- Michigan Integrative Medicine, Family MedicineUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI
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Kirakosyan A, Kaufman PB, Chang SC, Warber S, Bolling S, Vardapetyan H. Regulation of isoflavone production in hydroponically grown Pueraria montana (kudzu) by cork pieces, XAD-4, and methyl jasmonate. Plant Cell Rep 2006; 25:1387-91. [PMID: 16841218 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-006-0198-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2006] [Revised: 05/30/2006] [Accepted: 06/09/2006] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
A mini-hydroponic growing system was employed for seedlings of kudzu vine (Pueraria montana) and contents of isoflavones (daidzein, genistein, daidzin, genistin, and puerarin) from shoot and root parts of seedlings were analyzed quantitatively. In addition, exogenous cork pieces, polymeric adsorbent, XAD-4, and universal elicitor, methyl jasmonate (MeJA), were used to regulate the production of these isoflavones. It was shown that cork pieces up-regulate the production of daidzein and genistein up to seven- and eight-fold greater than the levels obtained for control roots. In contrast, levels of glucosyl conjugates, daidzin and genistin, decrease up to five- and eight-fold, respectively. Cork treatment also induces the excretion of the root isoflavone constituents into the growth medium. Minimal levels of isoflavones are absorbed by the cork pieces. XAD-4 stimulates the production of glucosyl conjugates, daidzin and genistin, in root parts about 1.5-fold greater than that obtained in control roots. These are the highest amounts of daidzin and genistin that are observed (5.101 and 6.759 mg g(-1) dry weight, respectively). In contrast to these two adsorbents, MeJA increases the accumulation of isoflavones in shoot rather than in root parts of seedlings, about three- to four-fold over control levels, with the exception of genistein. These studies reveal new observations on the regulation of isoflavone production in hydroponically grown Pueraria montana plants by two adsorbents (cork pieces and XAD-4) and MeJA elicitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ara Kirakosyan
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0686, USA.
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Kirakosyan A, Kaufman P, Nelson RL, Kasperbauer MJ, Duke JA, Seymour E, Chang SC, Warber S, Bolling S. Isoflavone levels in five soybean (Glycine max) genotypes are altered by phytochrome-mediated light treatments. J Agric Food Chem 2006; 54:54-8. [PMID: 16390177 DOI: 10.1021/jf052458w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to determine whether concentrations of different isoflavones (puerarin, genistein, genistin, daidzein, and daidzin) in shoots and roots of five selected soybean genotypes would respond the same or differently to red (650 nm peak transmittance) and far-red (750 nm peak transmittance) light treatments given under controlled environments. Levels of isoflavones (mg g(-1) dry weight biomass) present in seeds, control roots, and shoots and 10 day light-treated seedlings (light, dark, red, and far-red wavelengths) of soybean (Glycine max) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis in comparison with known isoflavone standards. Seeds of the five soybean genotypes studied consistently stored most of their isoflavones as glucosyl conjugates (e.g., daidzin, genistin, and puerarin). For the five soybean genotypes, isoflavone levels were lower in the seeds as compared with roots plus shoots of control, time zero (first true leaf stage) seedlings. Following 10 days of the respective light treatments, we found that (i) isoflavone levels were enhanced in dark-grown plants over light-grown plants for three of the five genotypes (a new finding) and the reverse occurred for a single genotype (a typical response of legumes) and (ii) generally, far-red end of day (EOD) light treatment enhanced total isoflavone levels in roots plus shoots over red EOD light treatment. Results from the present study show that phytochrome does appear to play a role in regulating isoflavone levels in developing soybean seedlings and that this influence by red/far-red-mediated phytochrome reactions is strongly dependent on the genotypes selected for study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ara Kirakosyan
- University of Michigan Integrative Medicine Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104, USA
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McKee J, Warber S. The patient page. Symptom relief for menopause. South Med J 2005; 98:399. [PMID: 15813175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
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Kirakosyan A, Kaufman P, Warber S, Zick S, Aaronson K, Bolling S, Chul Chang S. Applied environmental stresses to enhance the levels of polyphenolics in leaves of hawthorn plants. Physiol Plant 2004; 121:182-186. [PMID: 15153184 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3054.2004.00332.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
In this investigation, two species of Crataegus (hawthorn) were chosen because their polyphenolic constituents have recently received greater attention for the treatment of patients with severe heart disease. One-year-old plants of hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata and C. monogyna) were subjected to water-deficit (continuous water deprivation), cold (4 degrees C), flooding (immersion of roots of plants in water) or herbivory (leaf removal) stress treatments (each of 10 days duration) in order to assess their effects on levels of polyphenolics, namely (-)-epicatechin, catechin, chlorogenic acid, vitexin, vitexin-2"-O-rhamnoside, acetylvitexin-2"-O-rhamnoside, hyperoside, quercetin, and rutin in the leaves. The working hypothesis followed is that one or more of these stress treatment will elicit increases in the levels of these polyphenolics. Cold stress causes increases in levels of vitexin-2"-O-rhamnoside, acetylvitexin-2"-O-rhamnoside, hyperoside, and quercetin in both Crataegus species. Water-deficit stress increased the productivity of chlorogenic acid, catechin, and (-)-epicatechin in both hawthorn species. Flooding and herbivory caused no net increases, and in some cases, decreases in levels of polyphenolics. These studies indicate that either water-deficit stress or cold stress treatments, or a combination of the two, can be used to enhance the levels of desired polyphenolics in the leaves of these two hawthorn species in a photobioreactor system. These results may have significance for hawthorn in adapting to water-deficit or cold stress and are important considerations for the use of hawthorn in the treatment of heart disease in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ara Kirakosyan
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1048, USA
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Kirakosyan A, Kaufman PB, Duke JA, Warber S, Bolling S. The production of L-dopa and isoflavones in seeds and seedlings of different cultivars of Vicia faba L. (fava bean). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004. [DOI: 10.2165/01197065-200401020-00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Kirakosyan A, Seymour E, Kaufman PB, Warber S, Bolling S, Chang SC. Antioxidant capacity of polyphenolic extracts from leaves of Crataegus laevigata and Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn) subjected to drought and cold stress. J Agric Food Chem 2003; 51:3973-3976. [PMID: 12822932 DOI: 10.1021/jf030096r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Crataegus laevigata and Crataegus monogyna (hawthorn) were subjected to drought and cold stress treatments, and polyphenolic extracts from control and stress-treated plants were assayed for antioxidant capacities using a modified version of the Total Antioxidant Status Assay (Randox, San Francisco, CA). In addition, these plants were analyzed for levels of flavanol-type substance [(-)-epicatechin] and flavonoid (vitexin 2' '-O-rhamnoside, acetylvitexin 2' '-O-rhamnoside, and hyperoside) constituents that are important metabolites in hawthorn herbal preparations used to treat patients with heart disease. Drought and cold stress treatments caused increases in levels of (-)-epicatechin and hyperoside in both Crataegus species. Such treatments also enhanced the antioxidant capacity of the extracts. The results from this study thus indicate that these kinds of stress treatments can enhance the levels of important secondary metabolites and their total antioxidant capacities in leaves of Crataegus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ara Kirakosyan
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1048, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Deogracia Cornelio
- University of Michigan Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research Center (UM-CAMRC), Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Lal A, Warber S, Kirakosyan A, Kaufman PB, Duke JA. Upregulation of isoflavonoids and soluble proteins in edible legumes by light and fungal elicitor treatments. J Altern Complement Med 2003; 9:371-8. [PMID: 12816625 DOI: 10.1089/107555303765551598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In this study, our working hypothesis was that continuous light and fungal elicitation treatment of legume seedlings would lead to enhanced levels of isoflavonoids and soluble proteins. RESULTS Based on short-term light and dark treatments, isoflavonoid (genistein, genistin, daidzein, and daidzin) and soluble protein concentrations were significantly upregulated in the "light" environment compared to the "dark" environment for all edible legume species (kudzu vine, soybean, garbanzo bean, fava bean, mung bean, adzuki bean) that were tested. Kudzu seedlings showed the highest levels of both isoflavonoids and soluble proteins after light-elicited upregulation compared to the other legumes analyzed. All legumes showed less up-regulation of isoflavonoid synthesis when treated with Phytophtora sojae fungal elicitor. Oligosaccharide fungal elicitor caused no such upregulation. CONCLUSIONS The findings in this study show that edible legume seedlings have enhanced levels of isoflavonoids and soluble proteins when they are grown in the light compared to the conventional practice of growing such seedlings in the dark. This will clearly result in significant improvement in their nutritive and medicinal value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Lal
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1048, USA
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Abstract
Changes in the relative arterial flow to hepatic tumors and adjacent normal liver, in response to varied doses of hepatic arterial epinephrine, were studied with single photon emission computed tomography. In 18 patients with known hepatic tumors, hepatic artery perfusion scans were obtained with the concurrent infusion of technetium-99m-labeled macroaggregated albumin and escalating doses of epinephrine (0-10 micrograms/min). Regions of interest were drawn around tumor and adjacent normal liver in three planes, and the average tumor-to-liver ratio (T:L) was calculated. In all 18 patients, there was a measurable baseline T:L perfusion advantage (range, 1.7-18.7; mean, 4.8). In 12 of 18 patients, this ratio increased with epinephrine (range, 1.1-53.6 times the baseline value; mean, 7.1). In six patients, no improvement in T:L could be demonstrated. In 14 patients the lung shunt index, a measurement of arteriovenous shunting, increased with escalating doses of epinephrine. This pilot study suggests that the infusion of epinephrine may improve the therapeutic index of certain regional therapies such as bolus drug infusions, hepatic arterial embolization, and radioactive microsphere therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Andrews
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor 48109-0030
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Abstract
A 22-micron glass microsphere called TheraSphere (Theragenics Corp., Atlanta, GA) has been developed in which yttrium 89 oxide is incorporated into the glass matrix and is activated by neutron bombardment to form the beta-emitting isotope yttrium 90 (Y 90) before using the spheres as radiotherapeutic vehicles. The injection of up to 12 times (on a liver weight basis) the anticipated human dose of nonradioactive TheraSphere into the hepatic arteries of dogs was well tolerated and produced clinically silent alterations within centrolobular areas. The hepatic arterial (HA) injection of radioactive TheraSphere also produced portal changes similar to those observed in humans after external beam therapy. While the extent of damage increased with the delivered dose, radiation exposures in excess of 30,000 cGy did not cause total hepatic necrosis and were compatible with survival. No microspheres distributed to the bone marrow and absolutely no myelosuppression was encountered in any animal. Proposed hepatic exposures to humans of 5000 to 10,000 cGy by means of these microspheres, therefore, would appear to be feasible and tolerable. Radiotherapeutic microsphere administration preceded by regional infusion of a radiosensitizing agent and/or immediately following the redistribution of blood flow toward intrahepatic tumor by vasoactive agents can potentially yield a synergistic, highly selective attack on tumors confined to the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Wollner
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor
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Abstract
A 22-micron glass microsphere called TheraSphere (Theragenics Corp., Atlanta, GA) has been developed in which yttrium 89 oxide is incorporated into the glass matrix and is activated by neutron bombardment to form the beta-emitting isotope yttrium 90 (Y 90) before using the spheres as radiotherapeutic vehicles. The injection of up to 12 times (on a liver weight basis) the anticipated human dose of nonradioactive TheraSphere into the hepatic arteries of dogs was well tolerated and produced clinically silent alterations within centrolobular areas. The hepatic arterial (HA) injection of radioactive TheraSphere also produced portal changes similar to those observed in humans after external beam therapy. While the extent of damage increased with the delivered dose, radiation exposures in excess of 30,000 cGy did not cause total hepatic necrosis and were compatible with survival. No microspheres distributed to the bone marrow and absolutely no myelosuppression was encountered in any animal. Proposed hepatic exposures to humans of 5000 to 10,000 cGy by means of these microspheres, therefore, would appear to be feasible and tolerable. Radiotherapeutic microsphere administration preceded by regional infusion of a radiosensitizing agent and/or immediately following the redistribution of blood flow toward intrahepatic tumor by vasoactive agents can potentially yield a synergistic, highly selective attack on tumors confined to the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Wollner
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor
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