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Ma Z, Zuo T, Frey N, Rangrez AY. A systematic framework for understanding the microbiome in human health and disease: from basic principles to clinical translation. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:237. [PMID: 39307902 PMCID: PMC11418828 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01946-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The human microbiome is a complex and dynamic system that plays important roles in human health and disease. However, there remain limitations and theoretical gaps in our current understanding of the intricate relationship between microbes and humans. In this narrative review, we integrate the knowledge and insights from various fields, including anatomy, physiology, immunology, histology, genetics, and evolution, to propose a systematic framework. It introduces key concepts such as the 'innate and adaptive genomes', which enhance genetic and evolutionary comprehension of the human genome. The 'germ-free syndrome' challenges the traditional 'microbes as pathogens' view, advocating for the necessity of microbes for health. The 'slave tissue' concept underscores the symbiotic intricacies between human tissues and their microbial counterparts, highlighting the dynamic health implications of microbial interactions. 'Acquired microbial immunity' positions the microbiome as an adjunct to human immune systems, providing a rationale for probiotic therapies and prudent antibiotic use. The 'homeostatic reprogramming hypothesis' integrates the microbiome into the internal environment theory, potentially explaining the change in homeostatic indicators post-industrialization. The 'cell-microbe co-ecology model' elucidates the symbiotic regulation affecting cellular balance, while the 'meta-host model' broadens the host definition to include symbiotic microbes. The 'health-illness conversion model' encapsulates the innate and adaptive genomes' interplay and dysbiosis patterns. The aim here is to provide a more focused and coherent understanding of microbiome and highlight future research avenues that could lead to a more effective and efficient healthcare system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqi Ma
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Tao Zuo
- Key Laboratory of Human Microbiome and Chronic Diseases (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Norbert Frey
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Ashraf Yusuf Rangrez
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany.
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2
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Xu MD, Dong WJ, Long XZ, Yang XW, Han XY, Cui LY, Tong Q. Impact of wildfire ash on skin and gut microbiomes and survival of Rana dybowskii. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 474:134729. [PMID: 38805811 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Climate change and human activities escalate the frequency and intensity of wildfires, threatening amphibian habitats and survival; yet, research on these impacts remains limited. Wildfire ash alters water quality, introduces contaminants, and may disrupt microbial communities, impacting gut and skin microbiota; however, the effects on gut and skin microbiota remain unclear. Rana dybowskii were exposed to five concentrations (0 g L-1, 1.25 g L-1, 2.5 g L-1, 5 g L-1, and 10 g L-1) of aqueous extracts of wildfire ashes (AEAs) for 30 days to assess AEAs' metal content, survival, and microbiota diversity via Illumina sequencing. Our results showed that the major elements in ash were Ca > K > Mg > Al > Fe > Na > Mn, while in AEA they were K > Ca > Na > Mg > As > Al > Cu. A significant decrease in amphibian survival rates with increased AEA concentration was shown. The beta diversity analysis revealed distinct shifts in microbiota composition. Notably, bacterial genera associated with potential health risks showed increased abundance in skin microbiota, emphasising the potential for ash exposure to affect amphibian health. Functional prediction analyses revealed significant shifts in metabolic pathways related to health and disease, indicating that wildfire ash exposure may influence amphibian health through changes in microbial functions. This study highlights the urgent need for strategies to mitigate wildfire ash impacts on amphibians, as it significantly alters microbiota and affects their survival and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-da Xu
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, China
| | - Wen-Jing Dong
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, China
| | - Xin-Zhou Long
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, China
| | - Xue-Wen Yang
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, China
| | - Xiao-Yun Han
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, China
| | - Li-Yong Cui
- Jiamusi Branch of Heilongjiang Academy of Forestry Sciences, Jiamusi 154002, China
| | - Qing Tong
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, China; Jiamusi Branch of Heilongjiang Academy of Forestry Sciences, Jiamusi 154002, China.
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3
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Robinson JM, Wissel EF, Breed MF. Policy implications of the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Trends Microbiol 2024; 32:107-110. [PMID: 37953155 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
The microbiota-gut-brain axis facilitates communication between the gut microbiota and the brain. It has implications for health and environmental policy. Microbiota are linked to neurological and metabolic disorders, and our exposure to health-promoting microbiota depends on environmental quality. Microbiota-gut-brain axis interventions could inform policy initiatives to address systemic health issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake M Robinson
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia; The Aerobiome Innovation and Research Hub, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia.
| | - Emily F Wissel
- School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Martin F Breed
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia; The Aerobiome Innovation and Research Hub, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
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4
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Robinson JM, Hodgson R, Krauss SL, Liddicoat C, Malik AA, Martin BC, Mohr JJ, Moreno-Mateos D, Muñoz-Rojas M, Peddle SD, Breed MF. Opportunities and challenges for microbiomics in ecosystem restoration. Trends Ecol Evol 2023; 38:1189-1202. [PMID: 37648570 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Microbiomics is the science of characterizing microbial community structure, function, and dynamics. It has great potential to advance our understanding of plant-soil-microbe processes and interaction networks which can be applied to improve ecosystem restoration. However, microbiomics may be perceived as complex and the technology is not accessible to all. The opportunities of microbiomics in restoration ecology are considerable, but so are the practical challenges. Applying microbiomics in restoration must move beyond compositional assessments to incorporate tools to study the complexity of ecosystem recovery. Advances in metaomic tools provide unprecedented possibilities to aid restoration interventions. Moreover, complementary non-omic applications, such as microbial inoculants and biopriming, have the potential to improve restoration objectives by enhancing the establishment and health of vegetation communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake M Robinson
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia; The Aerobiome Innovation & Research Hub, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia.
| | - Riley Hodgson
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Siegfried L Krauss
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions, Fraser Avenue, Kings Park, WA 6005, Australia; Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia; Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Craig Liddicoat
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia; School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Ashish A Malik
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UU, UK
| | - Belinda C Martin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; Ooid Scientific, North Lake, WA 6162, Australia
| | - Jakki J Mohr
- College of Business, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - David Moreno-Mateos
- School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, South Parks Road. Oxford OX1 3QY, UK; Department of Landscape Architecture, Graduate School of Design, Harvard University, Quincy Street. Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Basque Center for Climate Change - BC3, Ikerbasque Foundation for Science. Edificio Sede 1, Parque Cientifico UPV, 04940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Miriam Muñoz-Rojas
- Departamento de Biologia Vegetal y Ecologia. Universidad de Sevilla, 41004 Sevilla, Spain; Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Shawn D Peddle
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Martin F Breed
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
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5
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Zuniga-Chaves I, Eggers S, Kates AE, Safdar N, Suen G, Malecki KMC. Neighborhood socioeconomic status is associated with low diversity gut microbiomes and multi-drug resistant microorganism colonization. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2023; 9:61. [PMID: 37640705 PMCID: PMC10462741 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-023-00430-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Social disparities continue to limit universal access to health care, directly impacting both lifespan and quality of life. Concomitantly, the gut microbiome has been associated with downstream health outcomes including the global rise in antibiotic resistance. However, limited evidence exists examining socioeconomic status (SES) associations with gut microbiome composition. To address this, we collected information on the community-level SES, gut microbiota, and other individual cofactors including colonization by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in an adult cohort from Wisconsin, USA. We found an association between SES and microbial composition that is mediated by food insecurity. Additionally, we observed a higher prevalence of MDROs isolated from individuals with low diversity microbiomes and low neighborhood SES. Our integrated population-based study considers how the interplay of several social and economic factors combine to influence gut microbial composition while providing a framework for developing future interventions to help mitigate the SES health gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Zuniga-Chaves
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Shoshannah Eggers
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Ashley E Kates
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Nasia Safdar
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Garret Suen
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Kristen M C Malecki
- Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Chicago Illinois, IL, Chicago, USA.
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6
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Manara S, Selma-Royo M, Huang KD, Asnicar F, Armanini F, Blanco-Miguez A, Cumbo F, Golzato D, Manghi P, Pinto F, Valles-Colomer M, Amoroso L, Corrias MV, Ponzoni M, Raffaetà R, Cabrera-Rubio R, Olcina M, Pasolli E, Collado MC, Segata N. Maternal and food microbial sources shape the infant microbiome of a rural Ethiopian population. Curr Biol 2023; 33:1939-1950.e4. [PMID: 37116481 PMCID: PMC10234599 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
The human microbiome seeding starts at birth, when pioneer microbes are acquired mainly from the mother. Mode of delivery, antibiotic prophylaxis, and feeding method have been studied as modulators of mother-to-infant microbiome transmission, but other key influencing factors like modern westernized lifestyles with high hygienization, high-calorie diets, and urban settings, compared with non-westernized lifestyles have not been investigated yet. In this study, we explored the mother-infant sharing of characterized and uncharacterized microbiome members via strain-resolved metagenomics in a cohort of Ethiopian mothers and infants, and we compared them with four other cohorts with different lifestyles. The westernized and non-westernized newborns' microbiomes composition overlapped during the first months of life more than later in life, likely reflecting similar initial breast-milk-based diets. Ethiopian and other non-westernized infants shared a smaller fraction of the microbiome with their mothers than did most westernized populations, despite showing a higher microbiome diversity, and uncharacterized species represented a substantial fraction of those shared in the Ethiopian cohort. Moreover, we identified uncharacterized species belonging to the Selenomonadaceae and Prevotellaceae families specifically present and shared only in the Ethiopian cohort, and we showed that a locally produced fermented food, injera, can contribute to the higher diversity observed in the Ethiopian infants' gut with bacteria that are not part of the human microbiome but are acquired through fermented food consumption. Taken together, these findings highlight the fact that lifestyle can impact the gut microbiome composition not only through differences in diet, drug consumption, and environmental factors but also through its effect on mother-infant strain-sharing patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Manara
- Department of Cellular Computational and Integrative Biology, Via Sommarive 9, Povo, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Marta Selma-Royo
- Department of Cellular Computational and Integrative Biology, Via Sommarive 9, Povo, Trento 38123, Italy; Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology- National Research Council (IATA-CSIC), C/ Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch, 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Kun D Huang
- Department of Cellular Computational and Integrative Biology, Via Sommarive 9, Povo, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Francesco Asnicar
- Department of Cellular Computational and Integrative Biology, Via Sommarive 9, Povo, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Federica Armanini
- Department of Cellular Computational and Integrative Biology, Via Sommarive 9, Povo, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Aitor Blanco-Miguez
- Department of Cellular Computational and Integrative Biology, Via Sommarive 9, Povo, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Fabio Cumbo
- Department of Cellular Computational and Integrative Biology, Via Sommarive 9, Povo, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Davide Golzato
- Department of Cellular Computational and Integrative Biology, Via Sommarive 9, Povo, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Paolo Manghi
- Department of Cellular Computational and Integrative Biology, Via Sommarive 9, Povo, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Federica Pinto
- Department of Cellular Computational and Integrative Biology, Via Sommarive 9, Povo, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Mireia Valles-Colomer
- Department of Cellular Computational and Integrative Biology, Via Sommarive 9, Povo, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Loredana Amoroso
- Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Valeria Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Roberta Raffaetà
- Ca' Foscari University Venice, Department of Philosophy and Cultural Heritage and NICHE, Malcanton Marcorà, Dorsoduro 3484/D, 30123 Venice, Italy
| | - Raul Cabrera-Rubio
- Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology- National Research Council (IATA-CSIC), C/ Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch, 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Mari Olcina
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitat de València, Av. Vicent Andrés Estellés s/n, Burjassot, Valencia 46100, Spain
| | - Edoardo Pasolli
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Naples, Italy.
| | - Maria Carmen Collado
- Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology- National Research Council (IATA-CSIC), C/ Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch, 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Nicola Segata
- Department of Cellular Computational and Integrative Biology, Via Sommarive 9, Povo, Trento 38123, Italy.
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7
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Warbrick I, Heke D, Breed M. Indigenous Knowledge and the Microbiome-Bridging the Disconnect between Colonized Places, Peoples, and the Unseen Influences That Shape Our Health and Well-Being. mSystems 2023; 8:e0087522. [PMID: 36695590 PMCID: PMC9948692 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00875-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Indigenous Peoples have a rich and long-standing connection with the environments that they descend from-a connection that has informed a deep and multifaceted understanding of the relationship between human well-being and the environment. Through cultural narratives and practices, much of this knowledge has endured despite the ongoing effects that colonization has had on many Indigenous peoples across the world. These narratives and practices, based on observation, experimentation, and practical application over many generations, have the potential to make compelling contributions to our understanding of the environmental microbiome and its relationship to health. Furthermore, the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives regarding the microbiome opens pathways to those who rarely engage with the field and its learnings. Within the scientific community, Indigenous perspectives have not always been acknowledged as valid contributions and are often seen as myth or lacking rigor. Thus, this paper aims to explore an Indigenous perspective of the microbiome as an unseen influence on health and well-being by framing the importance of the natural environment, Indigenous knowledge and leadership, and future research directions that can contribute to this domain. Although the Indigenous perspective in this article reflects the experiences, worldviews, and knowledge of two New Zealand Māori authors, it is hoped that the concepts discussed can relate to Indigenous peoples, and non-Indigenous advocates, globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Warbrick
- Taupua Waiora Centre for Māori Health Research–Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Deborah Heke
- Taupua Waiora Centre for Māori Health Research–Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Martin Breed
- College of Science and Engineering–Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
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8
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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: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [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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9
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Robinson JM, Mavoa S, Robinson K, Brindley P. Urban centre green metrics in Great Britain: A geospatial and socioecological study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276962. [PMID: 36417343 PMCID: PMC9683550 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Green infrastructure plays a vital role in urban ecosystems. This includes sustaining biodiversity and human health. Despite a large number of studies investigating greenspace disparities in suburban areas, no known studies have compared the green attributes (e.g., trees, greenness, and greenspaces) of urban centres. Consequently, there may be uncharacterised socioecological disparities between the cores of urban areas (e.g., city centres). This is important because people spend considerable time in urban centres due to employment, retail and leisure opportunities. Therefore, the availability of--and disparities in--green infrastructure in urban centres can affect many lives and potentially underscore a socio-ecological justice issue. To facilitate comparisons between urban centres in Great Britain, we analysed open data of urban centre boundaries with a central business district and population of ≥100,000 (n = 68). Given the various elements that contribute to 'greenness', we combine a range of different measurements (trees, greenness, and accessible greenspaces) into a single indicator. We applied the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) to estimate the mean greenness of urban centres and the wider urban area (using a 1 km buffer) and determined the proportion of publicly accessible greenspace within each urban centre with Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace data. Finally, we applied a land cover classification algorithm using i-Tree Canopy to estimate tree coverage. This is the first study to define and rank urban centres based on multiple green attributes. The results suggest important differences in the proportion of green attributes between urban centres. For instance, Exeter scored the highest with a mean NDVI of 0.15, a tree coverage of 11.67%, and an OS Greenspace coverage of 0.05%, and Glasgow the lowest with a mean NDVI of 0.02, a tree cover of 1.95% and an OS Greenspace coverage of 0.00%. We also demonstrated that population size negatively associated with greenness and tree coverage, but not greenspaces, and that green attributes negatively associated with deprivation. This is important because it suggests that health-promoting and biodiversity-supporting resources diminish as population and deprivation increase. Disparities in green infrastructure across the country, along with the population and deprivation-associated trends, are important in terms of socioecological and equity justice. This study provides a baseline and stimulus to help local authorities and urban planners create and monitor equitable greening interventions in urban/city centres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake M. Robinson
- Department of Landscape Architecture, Arts Tower, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- inVIVO Planetary Health, of the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), West New York, NJ, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JMR); (PB)
| | - Suzanne Mavoa
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Environmental Public Health Branch, Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kate Robinson
- Data Insight Team, Arts Tower, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Brindley
- Department of Landscape Architecture, Arts Tower, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (JMR); (PB)
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10
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Kutalek R, Lahlal M, Kaawa-Mafigiri D, Ryan-Coker M, Böll S, Parisi S, Cheah PY, Pritsch M. Putting global health high on the agenda of medical schools. Wien Med Wochenschr 2022; 173:131-137. [PMID: 36229742 PMCID: PMC9559117 DOI: 10.1007/s10354-022-00974-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
In this opinion paper, we reflect on global health and global health education as well as challenges that the coming generation are likely to face. As the field is rapidly changing, it is vital to critically reflect categories of “global south” and “global north” as geographical boundaries, and rather think in terms of inequalities that are present in all countries. Global perspectives on health are useful to analyze structural challenges faced in all health care systems and help understand the diversity of cultures and patients’ concepts of disease. We first discuss burning questions and important challenges in the field and how those challenges are tackled. Rather than going into detail on topical issues, we reflect on approaches and attitudes that we think are important in global health education and present opportunities and challenges for young scholars who are interested in working in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Kutalek
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Unit Medical Anthropology and Global Health, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Mina Lahlal
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Wilhelminenspital, Vienna, Austria
| | - David Kaawa-Mafigiri
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, School of Social Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Marcella Ryan-Coker
- Department of Surgery, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.,College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Simone Böll
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Unit Medical Anthropology and Global Health, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Dermatology, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sandra Parisi
- Department for General Practice, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Phaik Yeong Cheah
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Michael Pritsch
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
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11
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Choudoir MJ, Eggleston EM. Reciprocal Inclusion of Microbiomes and Environmental Justice Contributes Solutions to Global Environmental Health Challenges. mSystems 2022; 7:e0146221. [PMID: 35642845 PMCID: PMC9239259 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01462-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Generations of colonialism, industrialization, intensive agriculture, and anthropogenic climate change have radically altered global ecosystems and by extension, their environmental microbiomes. The environmental consequences of global change disproportionately burden racialized communities, those with lower socioeconomic status, and other systematically underserved populations. Environmental justice seeks to balance the relationships between environmental burden, beneficial ecosystem functions, and local communities. Given their direct links to human and ecosystem health, microbes are embedded within social and environmental justice. Considering scientific and technological advances is becoming an important step in developing actionable solutions to global equity challenges. Here we identify areas where inclusion of microbial knowledge and research can support planetary health goals. We offer guidelines for strengthening a reciprocal integration of environmental justice into environmental microbiology research. Microbes form intimate relationships with the environment and society, thus microbiologists have numerous and unique opportunities to incorporate equity into their research, teaching, and community engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mallory J. Choudoir
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
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12
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Höll D, Bossert LN. Introducing the microbiome: Interdisciplinary perspectives. ENDEAVOUR 2022; 46:100817. [PMID: 35667903 PMCID: PMC9412664 DOI: 10.1016/j.endeavour.2022.100817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Davina Höll
- Institute for Ethics and History of Medicine, Cluster of Excellence "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections" (CMFI), University of Tübingen.
| | - Leonie N Bossert
- International Center for Ethics in the Sciences and Humanities (IZEW), University of Tübingen
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