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Yount G, Taddeo S, Stumbrys T, Kriegsman M, Wahbeh H. Trends in waking salivary alpha-amylase levels following healing lucid dreams. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1347499. [PMID: 38298517 PMCID: PMC10828844 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1347499] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) is considered a marker of autonomic nervous system activity in stress research, and atypical waking sAA responses have been reported for traumatized individuals. Lucid dreams, characterized by a dreamer's awareness of their dream state while remaining asleep, have shown promising preliminary evidence of their potential to enhance mental health. This study's objective was to evaluate sAA in relation to healing lucid dreams. Methods Participants experiencing PTSD symptoms attended a six-day workshop delivered via live video designed to teach techniques for transforming trauma through dreamwork and dream lucidity. Participants (n = 20) collected saliva samples each morning, immediately upon awakening (Time 1) and 30 min afterward (Time 2). sAA levels were determined by enzymatic assay, and the waking sAA slope was calculated as the difference of Time 2 minus Time 1. Participants completed dream reports each morning, with a dream classified as a 'healing lucid dream' when they reported attaining lucidity and remembered their intention to manifest a healing experience within the dreamscape. Results Of eight participants experiencing healing lucid dreams, four were able to provide usable saliva samples. Statistical tests on these four participants were not significant because of low power. However, nonsignificant positive associations were observed between experiencing more healing lucid dreams and increased waking sAA slope. Conclusion The results did not reveal a consistent effect of healing lucid dreams on waking sAA slope. Identifying meaningful patterns in this relationship will require larger samples and more stringent control over saliva collection procedures in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garret Yount
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, Novato, CA, United States
| | - Sitara Taddeo
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, Novato, CA, United States
| | - Tadas Stumbrys
- Institute of Psychology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | - Helané Wahbeh
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, Novato, CA, United States
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Wahbeh H, Yount G, Vieten C, Radin D, Delorme A. Exploring Personal Development Workshops' Effect on Well-Being and Interconnectedness. J Integr Complement Med 2022; 28:87-95. [PMID: 35085021 DOI: 10.1089/jicm.2021.0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Personal development workshops are increasingly popular. This study evaluated the relationships between the measures of well-being, interconnectedness, and extended perception in various workshops and explored which kinds of workshops and individual characteristics predicted changes in these outcomes. Materials and Methods: In a prospective, uncontrolled, within-participant design study, adult participants completed questionnaires and online tasks before and after personal development workshops. Three analyses were conducted: (1) examining the relationships between measures by using only pre-workshop measures using Spearman correlations; (2) exploring change scores pre- to post-workshop and workshop using Wilcoxon signed-rank test; (3) assessing workshop format and content, and individual characteristics as predictors of those change scores multivariate nonparametric regression. The following outcomes were collected: Well-being-Arizona Integrative Outcomes Scale, positive and negative affect, Dispositional Positive Emotions Scale-Compassion subscale, Sleep Quality Scale, Numeric Pain Rating Scale; Interconnectedness-Cloninger Self-Transcendence Scale, Inclusion of Nature in Self and Inclusion of the Other in Self; and Extended perception tasks-Intuition Jar, Quick Remote Viewing, Psychokinesis Bubble, and Time Estimation. The following potential predictor variables were collected: demographic, mental health, psychiatric and meditation history, Single General Self-Rated Health Question, Brief Five-Factor Inventory-10, and the Noetic Experience and Belief Scale. Workshop leaders also selected which format and content characteristics applied to their workshop. Results: Interconnectedness measures were significantly and positively correlated with well-being (ρ: 0.27 to 0.33), positive affect (ρ: 0.20 to 0.27), and compassion (ρ: 0.21 to 0.32), and they were negatively correlated with sleep disturbance (ρ: -0.13 to -0.16) and pain (ρ: -0.11 to -0.16). Extended perception task performance was not correlated with interconnectedness or well-being. General personal development workshops improved subjective interconnectedness, well-being, positive emotion, and compassion, and they reduced sleep disturbances, negative emotion, and pain (all p's < 0.00005). The lecture (p = 0.03), small groups (p = 0.001), pairs (p = 0.01), and discussion (p = 0.03) workshop formats were significant predictors of well-being outcomes. The workshop content categories of meditation (p = 0.0002) and technology tools (p = 0.01) were also predictive of well-being outcomes, with meditation being the most consistent predictor of positive well-being changes. Conscientiousness was the only significant individual characteristic predictor (p = 0.002), although it was associated with increases in some well-being measures and decreases in others. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence for the positive relationship between the subjective sense of interconnectedness and multiple well-being measures and the beneficial effects of some personal development workshops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helané Wahbeh
- Department of Research, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA, USA
| | - Garret Yount
- Department of Research, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA, USA
| | - Cassandra Vieten
- Department of Research, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA, USA
| | - Dean Radin
- Department of Research, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA, USA
| | - Arnaud Delorme
- Department of Research, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA, USA
- Institute of Neural Computation, SCCN, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Wahbeh H, Radin D, Yount G, Woodley Of Menie MA, Sarraf MA, Karpuj MV. Genetics of psychic ability - A pilot case-control exome sequencing study. Explore (NY) 2021; 18:264-271. [PMID: 33712359 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2021.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION It is commonly believed that psychic ability, like many mental and physical traits, runs in families. This suggests the presence of a genetic component. If such a component were found, it would constitute a biological marker of psychic ability and inform environmental or pharmacologic means of enhancing or suppressing this ability. METHODS A case-control study design was used to evaluate differences between psychic cases and non-psychic controls. Over 3,000 candidates globally were screened through two online surveys to locate people who claimed they and other family members were psychic. Measures of relevance to the claimed abilities (e.g., absorption, empathy, schizotypy) were collected and based on those responses, individuals with indications of psychotic or delusional tendencies were excluded from further consideration. Eligible candidates were then interviewed and completed additional screening tests. Thirteen individuals were selected as the final "psychic cases," and ten age-, sex-, and ethnicity-matched individuals with no claims of psychic ability were selected as controls. DNA from the saliva of these 23 participants was subjected to whole-exome sequencing. Two independent bioinformatics analyses were blindly applied to the sequenced data, one focusing exclusively on protein-coding sequences and another that also included some adjacent noncoding sequences. RESULTS Sequencing data were obtained for all samples, except for one in the control group that did not pass the quality controls and was not included in further analyses. After unblinding the datasets, none of the protein-coding sequences (i.e., exons) showed any variation that discriminated between cases and controls. However, a difference was observed in the intron (i.e., non-protein-coding region) adjacent to an exon in the TNRC18 gene (Trinucleotide Repeat-Containing Gene 18 Protein) on chromosome 7. This variation, an alteration of GG to GA, was found in 7 of 9 controls and was absent from all psychic cases. DISCUSSION The most conservative interpretation of these results is that they result from random population sampling. However, when the results are considered in relation to other lines of evidence, the results are more provocative. Further research is justified to replicate and extend these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helané Wahbeh
- Research Department, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA, USA.
| | - Dean Radin
- Research Department, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA, USA
| | - Garret Yount
- Research Department, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Marcela V Karpuj
- Biotechnology Engineering Department, ORT Braude College, Karmiel 21982, Israel
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Yount G, Delorme A, Radin D, Carpenter L, Rachlin K, Anastasia J, Pierson M, Steele S, Mandell H, Chagnon A, Wahbeh H. Energy Medicine treatments for hand and wrist pain: A pilot study. Explore (NY) 2020; 17:11-21. [PMID: 33162335 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2020.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The term "energy medicine" describes healing modalities that manipulate or channel purported subtle energies associated with the body. The objectives of this pilot study were to determine the feasibility of studying energy medicine for people with carpal tunnel pain and gathering relevant preliminary data. METHODS Following a prospective, within-participant design, participants were recruited to experience a 30 min treatment from one of 17 energy medicine practitioners. Of 374 adults experiencing carpal tunnel pain who were screened for the study, 190 received an energy medicine treatment. Practitioners delivered treatments at close distance, some with and some without light, stationary touch. Outcome measures were collected before, during, and immediately after the treatment, and three weeks later. The primary outcome measure was self-reported pain. Secondary subjective measures included credibility regarding energy medicine and expectancy regarding the efficacy of treatments, pain interference, sleep quality, well-being, mood, and sense of personal transformation. Physiological measures included median nerve conduction velocity, heart rate variability, heart rate synchrony (between the participant and practitioner), and expression levels of neuroinflammation-related genes. RESULTS On average, self-reported current pain scores decreased 2.0 points post-session and 1.3 points at three weeks compared to baseline values using a 0-10 point scale with 10 denoting worst pain (F(2, 565) = 3.82 p <0.000005). This effect was not influenced by the participants' level of expectancy or credibility regarding the energy medicine modality. Well-being, negative emotion, and sleep quality scores significantly improved at the follow-up visit. Multiple heart rate variability measures significantly changed reflecting increased parasympathetic activity which may indicate decreased stress. No other secondary outcome showed significant change. DISCUSSION Studying the administration of energy medicine to people with carpal tunnel pain is feasible, although requiring a documented carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis proved to be prohibitive for recruitment. Our finding of preliminary evidence for positive effects in pain and pain-related outcomes after a single session of energy medicine warrants further controlled investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garret Yount
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, 101 San Antonio Rd., Petaluma, CA 94952, United States.
| | - Arnaud Delorme
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, 101 San Antonio Rd., Petaluma, CA 94952, United States; University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Dean Radin
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, 101 San Antonio Rd., Petaluma, CA 94952, United States
| | - Loren Carpenter
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, 101 San Antonio Rd., Petaluma, CA 94952, United States
| | - Kenneth Rachlin
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, 101 San Antonio Rd., Petaluma, CA 94952, United States
| | - Joyce Anastasia
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, 101 San Antonio Rd., Petaluma, CA 94952, United States
| | - Meredith Pierson
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, 101 San Antonio Rd., Petaluma, CA 94952, United States
| | - Sue Steele
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, 101 San Antonio Rd., Petaluma, CA 94952, United States
| | - Heather Mandell
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, 101 San Antonio Rd., Petaluma, CA 94952, United States
| | - Aimee Chagnon
- Sonoma Pain Management Clinic, 357 Perkins St, Sonoma, CA 95476, United States
| | - Helané Wahbeh
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, 101 San Antonio Rd., Petaluma, CA 94952, United States
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Wahbeh H, Niebauer E, Delorme A, Carpenter L, Radin D, Yount G. A case study of extended human capacity perception during Energy Medicine treatments using mixed methods analysis. Explore (NY) 2020; 17:70-78. [PMID: 33132081 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2020.10.006] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Some "energy medicine" modalities, such as Reiki, continue to show evidence for efficacy, but the underlying mechanisms of action are still uncertain. To help illuminate possible mechanisms, this exploratory mixed-method study using qualitative and quantitative analyses investigated: 1) How do energy medicine sessions function from the perspective of a seer, i.e., an individual trained in techniques to enable perception of purported subtle energies, and 2) Do any of these observations correlate with changes in participants' subjective pain? METHOD One seer reported observations during 30-minute energy medicine sessions delivered by 17 practitioners to participants experiencing chronic hand or wrist pain. Data were coded using an inductive approach, followed by thematic and descriptive analyses. Content analysis was used to assign whether each code was mentioned by the seer for each participant, generating 119 binary variables, one for each code. The relationship between these binary variables and change in participant pain scores after the energy medicine session and three weeks later were explored using linear regression models. RESULTS The qualitative thematic analysis identified six major themes from the seer's notes: "Experience of the Practitioner," "Experience of the Participant," "Space and Other Beings" (referring to the qualities of the physical space the energy medicine session occurred in and ostensible non-physical beings present during session), "Participant-Practitioner Relationship," "Healing Process," and "Attributes of Energy." The energy medicine methods used varied for each participant, according to the practitioners' perceptions of each individual's needs. The linear regression models yielded significant associations between changes in pain scores and various codes, including energy color, practitioner touch and the presence of ostensible non-physical beings supporting the session, although their significance did not persist after correction for multiple comparisons. DISCUSSION Future studies investigating the mechanisms of energy medicine may benefit from including perceptions by seers in their outcome measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helané Wahbeh
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, 101 San Antonio Rd., Petaluma, CA, 94952, United States of America.
| | - Erica Niebauer
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, 101 San Antonio Rd., Petaluma, CA, 94952, United States of America
| | - Arnaud Delorme
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, 101 San Antonio Rd., Petaluma, CA, 94952, United States of America; University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92093, United States of America
| | - Loren Carpenter
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, 101 San Antonio Rd., Petaluma, CA, 94952, United States of America
| | - Dean Radin
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, 101 San Antonio Rd., Petaluma, CA, 94952, United States of America
| | - Garret Yount
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, 101 San Antonio Rd., Petaluma, CA, 94952, United States of America
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Radin D, Yount G, Delorme A, Carpenter L, Wahbeh H. Spectroscopic analysis of water treated by and in proximity to Energy Medicine practitioners: An exploratory study. Explore (NY) 2020; 17:27-31. [PMID: 33109499 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2020.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Previously reported experiments suggest that healing intention focused toward water, or merely taking place in the vicinity of water, affects the hydrogen-oxygen (HO) covalent bonds. This claim was explored in the context of a clinical energy medicine pilot study involving 17 practitioners and 190 participants. In a "direct" test, samples of water were directly treated by the practitioners; in an "indirect" test, aliquots attached to lanyards were worn by practitioners and participants as they were engaged in healing sessions. Samples of laboratory-grade distilled water and Fiji brand water were used in the tests, and the water was analyzed using an Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer equipped with a liquid nitrogen-cooled detector. The comparison of interest was the ensemble average spectrum recorded during pre- vs. post-intentional healing periods in the primary infrared absorption portion of the water spectrum. The analyses indicated that distilled water directly treated by the practitioners resulted in a change in the HO bond at the wavenumber 3200 cm-1 (p < 0.03, two-tailed). No effect was observed with the Fiji water. The distilled water in aliquots worn by practitioners also resulted in a significant change at the same wavenumber (p = 0.0004, two-tailed). No effects were observed in Fiji water aliquots worn by practitioners or participants, or in distilled water worn by participants. This study contributes to previously reported observations suggesting that the structure of water reacts in an anomalous way to healing intentions. Such effects appear to involve some form of energetic influence, but that is not yet well established. Nor is it certain that the observed effect can only be due to intention; it is conceivable, for example, that an unidentified environmental factor may have been responsible for the observed comparisons. However, given similar results observed in several experiments so far, including the present study, further research seems warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean Radin
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, California, USA.
| | - Garret Yount
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, California, USA
| | - Arnaud Delorme
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, California, USA; University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | | | - Helané Wahbeh
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, California, USA
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Wahbeh H, Radin D, Yount G, Delorme A, Carpenter L. Effects of the local and geocosmic environment on the efficacy of Energy Medicine treatments: An exploratory study. Explore (NY) 2020; 17:40-44. [PMID: 33008779 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2020.09.002] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Outcomes of medical treatments tend to be highly variable. Some of the underlying variance is due to well-known factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, and effects of local weather. There are also less obvious influences including variations in solar wind, the Earth's geomagnetic field, and the interplanetary magnetic field. This study explored possible effects of these local and solar/geomagnetic variables on the outcomes of energy medicine treatments. The context was a pilot clinical trial involving 17 energy medicine practitioners who treated a total of 190 participants presenting with hand and wrist pain. METHODS Eighteen environmental variables were correlated against changes in subjective pain and against changes in objective measures of nerve conduction velocity. RESULTS The results showed that local barometric pressure, interplanetary magnetic field, lunar illumination, proton fluence, electron fluence, and solar radio flux showed statistically significant relationships with these health outcomes (at p < 0.05 or better) before correction for multiple comparison corrections. The variable of barometric pressure had a robust correlation with nerve conduction velocity, surviving adjustment for false discovery rate among the 18 variables at p < 0.05. DISCUSSION This study lends support for future research into local weather, and potentially also to fluctuations in the solar/geomagnetic environment environmental measures as potential sources of variation in energy medicine sessions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helané Wahbeh
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, 101 San Antonio Rd., Petaluma, CA, United States.
| | - Dean Radin
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, 101 San Antonio Rd., Petaluma, CA, United States
| | - Garret Yount
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, 101 San Antonio Rd., Petaluma, CA, United States
| | - Arnaud Delorme
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, 101 San Antonio Rd., Petaluma, CA, United States; University of California, San Diego, United States
| | - Loren Carpenter
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, 101 San Antonio Rd., Petaluma, CA, United States
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Abstract
Background: Belief in the paranormal is widespread worldwide. Recent surveys suggest that subjective experiences of the paranormal are common. A concise instrument that adequately evaluates beliefs as distinct from experiences does not currently exist. To address this gap, we created the Noetic Experiences and Beliefs Scale (NEBS) which evaluates belief and experience as separate constructs. Methods: The NEBS is a 20-item survey with 10 belief and 10 experience items rated on a visual analog scale from 0-100. In an observational study, the survey was administered to 361 general population adults in the United States and a subsample of 96 one month later. Validity, reliability and internal consistency were evaluated. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to confirm the latent variables of belief and experience. The survey was then administered to a sample of 646 IONS Discovery Lab participants to evaluate divergent validity and confirm belief and experience as latent variables of the model in a different population. Results: The NEBS demonstrated convergent validity, reliability and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha Belief 0.90; Experience 0.93) and test-retest reliability (Belief: r = 0.83 ; Experience: r = 0.77). A confirmatory factor analysis model with belief and experience as latent variables demonstrated a good fit. The factor model was confirmed as having a good fit and divergent validity was established in the sample of 646 IONS Discovery Lab participants. Conclusions: The NEBS is a short, valid, and reliable instrument for evaluating paranormal belief and experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helané Wahbeh
- Research, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA, 94928, USA.,Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Garret Yount
- Research, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA, 94928, USA
| | - Cassandra Vieten
- Research, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA, 94928, USA
| | - Dean Radin
- Research, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA, 94928, USA
| | - Arnaud Delorme
- Research, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA, 94928, USA.,Swartz Center for Computational Neuroscience, Institute for Neural Computation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0961, USA
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Yount G, Church D, Rachlin K, Blickheuser K, Cardonna I. Do Noncoding RNAs Mediate the Efficacy of Energy Psychology? Glob Adv Health Med 2019; 8:2164956119832500. [PMID: 30828482 PMCID: PMC6390214 DOI: 10.1177/2164956119832500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are over 100 published studies of a therapy called Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). This popular form of energy psychology combines elements of established methods like cognitive therapy with acupressure. Our group reported the first evidence of its mechanisms of action at the molecular level, showing that it can influence levels of the stress hormone cortisol. OBJECTIVES Given recent advances in molecular genomics that have identified noncoding ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules as important regulators of gene expression, the aim of this study is to explore the possibility that microRNAs play a role in mediating the effects of EFT. METHODS We measured microRNA levels in stored blood samples from our previous study in which veterans were randomized into an EFT group receiving EFT and treatment as usual throughout a 10-week intervention period, and a control group receiving only treatment as usual during the intervention period and then receiving EFT. A broad panel of 800 microRNAs was probed using a multiplexed, direct hybridization, and detection system. RESULTS All of the microRNA targets were expressed at low levels and most were below thresholds established by negative control probes. Baseline variability was determined using samples collected from the control group at the start and end of the intervention period, and used to filter out targets that were too noisy under control conditions to be able to distinguish a response to treatment. Analysis of the remaining viable targets found a general trend of reduced expression following EFT, compared to expression levels in samples from the control group during the intervention period. The most notable decreases in expression levels were found for 2 microRNAs: let-7b and let-7c, although no significance was found after adjusting for multiple comparisons. CONCLUSIONS These preliminary data support the feasibility of measuring microRNA expression level changes that correlate with effective EFT therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garret Yount
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, California
| | - Dawson Church
- National Institute for Integrative Healthcare, Fulton,
California
| | | | - Katharina Blickheuser
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, California
- National Institute for Integrative Healthcare, Fulton,
California
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Yount G, Soroceanu L, Wang HJ, Singer E, Yount R, Luu T, Yang LX. Selective Toxicity of a Highly Potent Camptothecin Analogue: A Pilot Study with Glioblastoma Multiforme Cells. Anticancer Res 2016; 36:5845-5848. [PMID: 27793907 DOI: 10.21873/anticanres.11169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM We developed a novel camptothecin analogue, CPT417, that yields reduced toxicity compared to other analogues used in chemotherapeutic regimens. In this pilot study, we assessed the activity of CPT417 against glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells and glioma stem cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS The human U251 GBM cell line and normal human astrocytes were cultured in parallel for clonogenic survival analysis following exposure to increasing concentrations of CPT417. Cell viability of a glioma stem cell line was assessed 5 days after exposure to a range of CPT417 concentrations. RESULTS CPT417 completely inhibited clonogenic survival of GBM cells at 10 nM, whereas this concentration only inhibited astrocytes by approximately 50%. Cell viability analysis of glioma stem cell cultures yielded a half-maximal response at 15 nM. CONCLUSION CPT417 acts selectively against GBM cells at concentrations that are at least an order of magnitude below reported values for related alkylating agents in clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garret Yount
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, U.S.A
| | - Liliana Soroceanu
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, U.S.A
| | - Hui-Juan Wang
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, U.S.A
| | - Eric Singer
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, U.S.A
| | - Romi Yount
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, U.S.A
| | - Tran Luu
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, U.S.A
| | - Li-Xi Yang
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, U.S.A.
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Church D, Yount G, Rachlin K, Fox L, Nelms J. Epigenetic Effects of PTSD Remediation in Veterans Using Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. Am J Health Promot 2016; 32:112-122. [PMID: 27520015 DOI: 10.1177/0890117116661154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the feasibility of measuring changes in gene expression associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment using emotional freedom techniques (EFT). DESIGN Participants were randomized into an EFT group receiving EFT and treatment as usual (TAU) throughout a 10-week intervention period and a group receiving only TAU during the intervention period and then receiving EFT. SETTING A community clinic and a research institute in California. PARTICIPANTS Sixteen veterans with clinical levels of PTSD symptoms. INTERVENTION Ten hour-long sessions of EFT. MEASURES Messenger RNA levels for a focused panel of 93 genes related to PTSD. The Symptom Assessment 45 questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Insomnia Severity Scale, SF-12v2 for physical impairments, and Rivermead Postconcussion Symptoms Questionnaire. ANALYSIS Pre-, posttreatment, and follow-up mean scores on questionnaires were assessed using repeated measures 1-way analysis of variance. A Student t test and post hoc analyses were performed on gene expression data. RESULTS Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms declined significantly in the EFT group (-53%, P < .0001). Participants maintained their gains on follow-up. Significant differential expression of 6 genes was found ( P < .05) when comparing the expression levels before and after the intervention period in participants receiving EFT. CONCLUSION Study results identify candidate gene expression correlates of successful PTSD treatment, providing guidelines for the design of further studies aimed at exploring the epigenetic effects of EFT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawson Church
- 1 National Institute for Integrative Healthcare, Fulton, CA, USA
| | - Garret Yount
- 2 Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA, USA
| | - Kenneth Rachlin
- 3 California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Louis Fox
- 4 School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Jerrod Nelms
- 5 Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, USA
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Siegel J, Iida H, Rachlin K, Yount G. Expressive Arts Therapy with Hospitalized Children: A Pilot Study of Co-Creating Healing Sock Creatures©. J Pediatr Nurs 2016; 31:92-8. [PMID: 26382965 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2015.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2015] [Revised: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A novel form of expressive arts therapy was developed in a pediatric unit and received enthusiastic support from hospital staff and family members because of their impressions that the children were calmer following therapy, as well as throughout the remainder of the hospital stay. A pilot study was conducted to assess the feasibility of quantifying such impressions by measuring changes in the children's mood by self-report. Twenty-five children (mean age 8.34 years, SD 3.77) were recruited for the study, coming from diverse social-economic backgrounds, ethnicities, and an array of medical diagnoses. The results document improvements in mood for children following therapy sessions, compared to children in a wait-list control group. Additionally, a meta-analysis examining external influences and changes in salivary cortisol levels measured before and after therapy sessions illustrates the importance of considering aspects of the clinical setting when assessing the effectiveness of this and other expressive arts therapies for reducing stress during hospitalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Siegel
- California Pacific Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, San Francisco, CA.
| | - Haruka Iida
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA
| | - Kenneth Rachlin
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA
| | - Garret Yount
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA
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13
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Gronowicz G, Bengston W, Yount G. Challenges for Preclinical Investigations of Human Biofield Modalities. Glob Adv Health Med 2015; 4:52-7. [PMID: 26665042 PMCID: PMC4654781 DOI: 10.7453/gahmj.2015.013.suppl] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Preclinical models for studying the effects of the human biofield have great potential to advance our understanding of human biofield modalities, which include external qigong, Johrei, Reiki, therapeutic touch, healing touch, polarity therapy, pranic healing, and other practices. A short history of Western biofield studies using preclinical models is presented and demonstrates numerous and consistent examples of human biofields significantly affecting biological systems both in vitro and in vivo. Methodological issues arising from these studies and practical solutions in experimental design are presented. Important questions still left unanswered with preclinical models include variable reproducibility, dosing, intentionality of the practitioner, best preclinical systems, and mechanisms. Input from the biofield practitioners in the experimental design is critical to improving experimental outcomes; however, the development of standard criteria for uniformity of practice and for inclusion of multiple practitioners is needed. Research in human biofield studies involving preclinical models promises a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of biofield therapies and will be important in guiding clinical protocols and integrating treatments with conventional medical therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Gronowicz
- Department of Surgery, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington (Dr Gronowicz)
| | - William Bengston
- Department of Sociology, St Joseph's College, Patchogue, New York (Dr Bengston)
| | - Garret Yount
- Research Institute, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, California, and Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, California (Dr Yount)
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14
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Cobbs C, Khan S, Matlaf L, McAllister S, Zider A, Yount G, Rahlin K, Harkins L, Bezrookove V, Singer E, Soroceanu L. HCMV glycoprotein B is expressed in primary glioblastomas and enhances growth and invasiveness via PDGFR-alpha activation. Oncotarget 2015; 5:1091-100. [PMID: 24658280 PMCID: PMC4011586 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Our laboratory first demonstrated that human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is associated with the most deadly form of primary brain tumor, glioblastoma (GBM). We showed that HCMV glycoprotein B (gB) mediates viral cellular entry via the receptor tyrosine kinase PDGFR-alpha (PDGFRα), resulting in activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway, a critical signaling axis gliomagenesis. Here, we investigated the effects of gB overexpression on glioma progression. We demonstrate that gB is endogenously expressed in primary GBM samples and show that ectopic gB expression in glioma cells induced sustained phosphorylation of PDGFRα, Akt, and Src. Recombinant gB protein and the whole virus enhanced invasion of primary glioblastoma cells into Matrigel and rat brain slices, and this effect was specifically inhibited by neutralizing antibodies to either gB or PDGFRα. Importantly, neutralizing antibodies to gB significantly inhibited the invasiveness of patient-derived HCMV-positive glioblastoma cells, suggesting that functional inhibition of this viral protein could hinder glioblastoma progression. gB overexpression promoted in vivo glioma growth and enhanced phosphor-Akt levels and tumor cell dispersal relative to controls. Taken together, our results demonstrate that HCMV gB promotes key hallmarks of glioblastoma and suggest that targeting gB may have therapeutic benefits for patients with HCMV -positive gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Cobbs
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA
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15
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Yount G, Rachlin K, Siegel J. Expressive arts therapy for hospitalized children: a pilot study measuring cortisol levels. Pediatr Rep 2013; 5:28-30. [PMID: 23904962 PMCID: PMC3718231 DOI: 10.4081/pr.2013.e7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2013] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This pilot study aimed at assessing the feasibility of capturing physiological evidence of reduced stress for hospitalized children following expressive arts therapy. Twenty-five patients were offered a novel form of expressive arts therapy, termed Healing Sock Creatures, during their stay in the hospital. Saliva samples were collected at two times in the afternoon for the purpose of measuring salivary cortisol levels. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups, a treatment group or a wait-list control group. A trend of decreased cortisol levels was apparent following therapy in the treatment group and concurrent steroid treatment, which is common in intensive care units, does not appear to interfere with the ability to measure decreased cortisol levels following therapy. Our results support the design of a formal study to assess physiological biomarkers of stress in hospital settings. To our knowledge, this is the first in-patient study assessing a biomarker of stress following expressive arts therapy for children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garret Yount
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute , San Francisco, CA
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16
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Abstract
The development of nontoxic agents that can selectively enhance the cytotoxicity of chemotherapy is an important aim in oncology. This study evaluates the ability of infrasound exposure to sensitize glioblastoma cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. The infrasound was delivered using a device designed to replicate the unique infrasound emissions measured during external Qigong treatments. Human glioblastoma cell lines harboring wild-type p53 (U87) or mutant p53 (U251, SF210, and SF188) were treated in culture with cisplatin, infrasound emissions, or the combination of the 2 agents. Induction of apoptosis was quantified after 24 hours by flow cytometry following annexin V/propidium iodide staining. Infrasound emissions alone, delivered at moderate levels (~10 mPa) with dynamic frequency content (7-13 Hz), did not induce apoptosis, yet combining infrasound with cisplatin augmented the induction of apoptosis by cisplatin in all the 4 cell lines ( P < .05). Increased cellular uptake of the fluorophore calcein associated with infrasound exposure was quantified by fluorescence microscopy as well as flow cytometry, demonstrating increased cell membrane permeability. The 4 cell lines differed in the degree to which infrasound exposure increased calcein uptake, and these differences were predictive of the extent to which infrasound enhanced cisplatin-induced apoptosis. When exposed to specific frequencies, membrane permeabilization also appeared to be differentially responsive for each cell line, suggesting the potential for selective targeting of tissue types using isolated infrasonic frequencies. Additionally, the pressure amplitudes used in this study were several orders of magnitude less than those used in similar studies involving ultrasound and shock waves. The results of this study provide support for using infrasound to enhance the chemotherapeutic effects of cisplatin in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Rachlin
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Dan H. Moore
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Garret Yount
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Yount G, Patil S, Dave U, Alves-dos-Santos L, Gon K, Arauz R, Rachlin K. Evaluation of biofield treatment dose and distance in a model of cancer cell death. J Altern Complement Med 2012; 19:124-7. [PMID: 22732075 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2011.0950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study assessed the potential influence of biofield treatment on cultured human cancer cells and whether such influence was affected by varying the duration of the treatment (dose) or the distance between the biofield practitioner and the target cells. DESIGN Biofield treatment dosage was assessed from a short distance (0.25 meters) in three independent experiments involving 1, 2, or 5 treatments, along with another set of three independent and comparable mock experiments. Biofield treatment distance was assessed at 0.25, 25, and ∼ 2000 meters involving two treatments in three independent experiments along with another set of three mock experiments. INTERVENTION Biofield treatments were delivered by a highly acclaimed biofield practitioner with the intention of diminishing growth of the cells or inducing cancer-cell death. OUTCOME MEASURE Cell viability was quantified 20 hours after treatments, using a spectrophotometric assay for live-cell counting. The dependent measure for each experiment was the log ratio of the cell viability values of treated samples (biofield or mock) over the values of untreated control samples. RESULTS A trend of decreasing cell viability with increasing biofield dose was evident in the first set of experiments assessing dose-response; however, no such effect was evident in the second set of experiments evaluating biofield treatment distance. Mock experiments yielded relatively stable viability ratios in both sets of experiments. Linear regression analysis and hypothesis testing of the data taken as a whole did not yield statistical significance at p<0.05. CONCLUSIONS These results represent the first indication of a biofield treatment dose-response in a controlled laboratory setting. The data are inconclusive because of the inability of reproduce the cellular response in a replicate experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garret Yount
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA.
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18
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Vad NM, Yount G, Moore D, Weidanz J, Moridani MY. Biochemical mechanism of acetaminophen (APAP) induced toxicity in melanoma cell lines. J Pharm Sci 2009; 98:1409-25. [PMID: 18759348 DOI: 10.1002/jps.21505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we investigated the biochemical mechanism of acetaminophen (APAP) induced toxicity in SK-MEL-28 melanoma cells using tyrosinase enzyme as a molecular cancer therapeutic target. Our results showed that APAP was metabolized 87% by tyrosinase at 2 h incubation. AA and NADH, quinone reducing agents, were significantly depleted during APAP oxidation by tyrosinase. The IC(50) (48 h) of APAP towards SK-MEL-28, MeWo, SK-MEL-5, B16-F0, and B16-F10 melanoma cells was 100 microM whereas it showed no significant toxicity towards BJ, Saos-2, SW-620, and PC-3 nonmelanoma cells, demonstrating selective toxicity towards melanoma cells. Dicoumarol, a diaphorase inhibitor, and 1-bromoheptane, a GSH depleting agent, enhanced APAP toxicity towards SK-MEL-28 cells. AA and GSH were effective in preventing APAP induced melanoma cell toxicity. Trifluoperazine and cyclosporin A, inhibitors of permeability transition pore in mitochondria, significantly prevented APAP melanoma cell toxicity. APAP caused time and dose-dependent decline in intracellular GSH content in SK-MEL-28, which preceded cell toxicity. APAP led to ROS formation in SK-MEL-28 cells which was exacerbated by dicoumarol and 1-bromoheptane whereas cyslosporin A and trifluoperazine prevented it. Our investigation suggests that APAP is a tyrosinase substrate, and that intracellular GSH depletion, ROS formation and induced mitochondrial toxicity contributed towards APAP's selective toxicity in SK-MEL-28 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil M Vad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 1300 S Coulter Drive, Amarillo, Texas 79106, USA
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19
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Mager J, Moore D, Bendl D, Wong B, Rachlin K, Yount G. Evaluating biofield treatments in a cell culture model of oxidative stress. Explore (NY) 2007; 3:386-90. [PMID: 17681259 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2007.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2006] [Accepted: 04/09/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test whether healing treatments by biofield practitioners can protect normal human brain cells against cell death induced by oxidative stress. DESIGN Cultured human brain cells were exposed to increasing concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and cell death was quantified by computerized time-lapse microscopy. Biofield treatments were delivered to cells from a short distance in 24 independent experiments. Six highly experienced biofield practitioners each participated, all with exceptional reputations within their respective communities (4 independent experiments each). An equal number of control experiments involving no healing intervention were conducted to provide a measure of intrinsic variability of the experimental system. Experiments were conducted with blinding applied to each of the scientists and randomized sample assignment. INTERVENTION Healing treatments were delivered to cells from a short distance by a single practitioner, before and after exposure to hydrogen peroxide, for a total of 30 minutes. OUTCOME MEASURE Cell death was quantified over a 4-hour period following experimental treatments. RESULTS We found no significant difference in cell death rates between treatment and control groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Mager
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA
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20
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Yount G, Yang Y, Wong B, Wang HJ, Yang LX. A novel camptothecin analog with enhanced antitumor activity. Anticancer Res 2007; 27:3173-3178. [PMID: 17970058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of camptothecin (CPT) derivatives is limited by severe toxicity associated with the instability of their chemical structure. We have developed a stable CPT derivative (CPT417) and have investigated its biological activity in comparison to the currently used CPT analogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS The anticancer effects of CPT417 were assessed in vitro, with glioblastoma and colon cancer cell lines, and in vivo with mice bearing mammary adenocarcinoma tumors implanted subcutaneously in the flank. Cytotoxicity was assessed using vital dye exclusion, timelapse microscopy and colony formation. RESULTS CPT417 and topotecan inhibited glioblastoma cell growth at comparable levels and both compounds inhibited clonogenicity of colon cancer cells more effectively than irinotecan. CPT417 showed a much greater inhibition of mammary tumor growth compared to topotecan, both by intraperitoneal and oral administration. CONCLUSION CPT417 shows dramatically reduced toxicity and an enhanced antitumor activity compared to topotecan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garret Yount
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA
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21
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Hall Z, Luu T, Moore D, Yount G. Radiation response of cultured human cells is unaffected by Johrei. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2007; 4:191-4. [PMID: 17549235 PMCID: PMC1876615 DOI: 10.1093/ecam/nel078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2006] [Accepted: 09/25/2006] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Johrei has been credited with healing thousands from radiation wounds after the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs in 1945. This alternative medical therapy is becoming increasingly popular in the United States, as are other Energy Medicine modalities that purport to influence a universal healing energy. Human brain cells were cultured and exposed to increasing doses of ionizing radiation. Experienced Johrei practitioners directed healing intentionality toward the cells for 30 min from a distance of 20 cm and the fate of the cells was observed by computerized time-lapse microscopy. Cell death and cell divisions were tallied every 30 min before, during and after Johrei treatment for a total of 22.5 h. An equal number of control experiments were conducted in which cells were irradiated but did not receive Johrei treatment. Samples were assigned to treatment conditions randomly and data analysis was conducted in a blinded fashion. Radiation exposure decreased the rate of cell division (cell cycle arrest) in a dose-dependent manner. Division rates were estimated for each 30 min and averaged over 8 independent experiments (4 control and 4 with Johrei treatment) for each of 4 doses of X-rays (0, 2, 4 and 8 Gy). Because few cell deaths were observed, pooled data from the entire observation period were used to estimate death rates. Analysis of variance did not reveal any significant differences on division rate or death rate between treatment groups. Only radiation dose was statistically significant. We found no indication that the radiation response of cultured cells is affected by Johrei treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zach Hall
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute San Francisco, CA 94107, USA
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Rossi E, Rossi K, Yount G, Cozzolino M, Iannotti S. The Bioinformatics of Integrative Medical Insights: Proposals for an International Psycho-Social and Cultural Bioinformatics Project. Integr Med�Insights 2006. [DOI: 10.1177/117863370600100002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
We propose the formation of an International Psycho-Social and Cultural Bioinformatics Project (IPCBP) to explore the research foundations of Integrative Medical Insights (IMI) on all levels from the molecular-genomic to the psychological, cultural, social, and spiritual. Just as The Human Genome Project identified the molecular foundations of modern medicine with the new technology of sequencing DNA during the past decade, the IPCBP would extend and integrate this neuroscience knowledge base with the technology of gene expression via DNA/proteomic microarray research and brain imaging in development, stress, healing, rehabilitation, and the psychotherapeutic facilitation of existentional wellness. We anticipate that the IPCBP will require a unique international collaboration of, academic institutions, researchers, and clinical practioners for the creation of a new neuroscience of mind-body communication, brain plasticity, memory, learning, and creative processing during optimal experiential states of art, beauty, and truth. We illustrate this emerging integration of bioinformatics with medicine with a videotape of the classical 4-stage creative process in a neuroscience approach to psychotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Garret Yount
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute in San Francisco, California, U.S.A
| | - Mauro Cozzolino
- The University of Salerno where he is a researcher and teacher of Psychological Research Methodology and member of the European Science Foundation Managment Committee (ESF/COST)
| | - Salvador Iannotti
- The Istituto Mente-Corpo (The Mind-Body Institute), San Lorenzo Maggiore, Italy
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23
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Yount G, Taft RJ, Luu T, Rachlin K, Moore D, Zhang W. Independent motile microplast formation correlates with glioma cell invasiveness. J Neurooncol 2006; 81:113-21. [PMID: 16850105 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-006-9211-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2006] [Accepted: 06/08/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Diffuse brain invasion contributes to the poor prognosis for patients with gliomas. Analyzing glioma cell migration in vitro, we have demonstrated the spontaneous shedding of anucleate cell fragments that separate from glioma cell bodies and maintain viability from hours to days. Unlike previously described cell fragments that are released from cells as diffusible vectors, glioma cell fragments are independently motile. We used computerized time-lapse microscopy to characterize the formation of these independent motile microplasts (IMMPs) in human cell cultures derived from the most highly invasive glial tumor, glioblastoma. IMMPs were larger than previously described cell fragments, ranging in size from approximately 2% to nearly half of the area of their parent cells. Complex cell-like behaviors-including establishment of polarity, extension of lamellipodia and filopodia, and change in direction of movement-remained intact in IMMPs. The average direction and velocity of the IMMPs were indistinguishable from those of their parent cells. IMMPs formed at a significantly higher rate in glioma cell lines rendered more invasive by overexpression of invasion-related genes than in vector-transfected controls. The correlation with cell invasiveness indicates that IMMP formation may be related to the cell-invasive phenotype. Further investigation will determine whether IMMPs represent a novel addition to the growing list of viable cell fragments with biological relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garret Yount
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, 475 Brannan Street, Suite 220, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA.
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24
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McAllister SD, Chan C, Taft RJ, Luu T, Abood ME, Moore DH, Aldape K, Yount G. Cannabinoids selectively inhibit proliferation and induce death of cultured human glioblastoma multiforme cells. J Neurooncol 2005; 74:31-40. [PMID: 16078104 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-004-5950-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Normal tissue toxicity limits the efficacy of current treatment modalities for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). We evaluated the influence of cannabinoids on cell proliferation, death, and morphology of human GBM cell lines and in primary human glial cultures, the normal cells from which GBM tumors arise. The influence of a plant derived cannabinoid agonist, Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol Delta(9)-THC), and a potent synthetic cannabinoid agonist, WIN 55,212-2, were compared using time lapse microscopy. We discovered that Delta(9)-THC decreases cell proliferation and increases cell death of human GBM cells more rapidly than WIN 55,212-2. Delta(9)-THC was also more potent at inhibiting the proliferation of GBM cells compared to WIN 55,212-2. The effects of Delta(9)-THC and WIN 55,212-2 on the GBM cells were partially the result of cannabinoid receptor activation. The same concentration of Delta(9)-THC that significantly inhibits proliferation and increases death of human GBM cells has no significant impact on human primary glial cultures. Evidence of selective efficacy with WIN 55,212-2 was also observed but the selectivity was less profound, and the synthetic agonist produced a greater disruption of normal cell morphology compared to Delta(9)-THC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean D McAllister
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, 475 Brannan St., Suite 220, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA.
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25
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Taft R, Moore D, Yount G. Time-lapse analysis of potential cellular responsiveness to Johrei, a Japanese healing technique. Altern Ther Health Med 2005; 5:2. [PMID: 15667653 PMCID: PMC548282 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-5-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2004] [Accepted: 01/24/2005] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Johrei is an alternative healing practice which involves the channeling of a purported universal healing energy to influence the health of another person. Despite little evidence to support the efficacy of such practices the use of such treatments is on the rise. METHODS We assessed cultured human cancer cells for potential responsiveness to Johrei treatment from a short distance. Johrei treatment was delivered by practitioners who participated in teams of two, alternating every half hour for a total of four hours of treatment. The practitioners followed a defined set of mental procedures to minimize variability in mental states between experiments. An environmental chamber maintained optimal growth conditions for cells throughout the experiments. Computerized time-lapse microscopy allowed documentation of cancer cell proliferation and cell death before, during and after Johrei treatments. RESULTS Comparing eight control experiments with eight Johrei intervention experiments, we found no evidence of a reproducible cellular response to Johrei treatment. CONCLUSION Cell death and proliferation rates of cultured human cancer cells do not appear responsive to Johrei treatment from a short distance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Taft
- Research Institute, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, USA
| | - Dan Moore
- Research Institute, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
| | - Garret Yount
- Research Institute, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, USA
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26
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Yount G, Smith S, Avanozian V, West J, Moore D, Freinkel A. Biofield perception: a series of pilot studies with cultured human cells. J Altern Complement Med 2004; 10:463-7. [PMID: 15253850 DOI: 10.1089/1075553041323885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Energy medicine (EM) practitioners often claim to be able to perceive an energetic field associated with the body and to be able to use this skill to diagnose illness and guide treatment strategies. If a biofield associated with cells growing in culture is perceptible to EM practitioners, such an in vitro model would be a useful resource for investigating biofield perception that would provide some unique advantages over clinical models. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether EM practitioners can perceive the presence of cultured human cells without visual cues. DESIGN Three randomized double-blinded pilot studies were used to evaluate the ability of participants to distinguish a flask containing cancer cells growing in culture medium from a flask containing either culture medium or sterile water. Each study consisted of six independent experiments: three with EM practitioners and three with non-practitioners. The number of independent trials for each experiment was estimated by statistical power analyses of the design. Practitioners' feedback from the first two studies was used to revise the protocol for the subsequent studies, with the intent to eliminate potential problems in making this distinction. Labeled flasks ("cells" and "no-cells") were added to serve as references for comparison in the second study and the number of experimental trials was reduced in the third study. SUBJECTS Eight experienced EM practitioners and nine non-practitioners (laboratory personnel with no EM training). SETTING A basic science laboratory and office at an academic medical center. OUTCOME MEASURES In the first 2 studies, we determined the number of correct determinations in a series of 34 trials. In the third study, we determined the number of correct determinations in a series of 10 trials. RESULTS All participants performed at the level expected by chance. CONCLUSION While preliminary and inconclusive, these pilot studies found no evidence that EM practitioners can perceive a biofield associated with cancer cells growing in culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garret Yount
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.
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27
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore effects of healing intention and intentional space conditioning on the growth of cultured human brain cells and the distribution of truly random events. DESIGN The experiment took place inside an electromagnetically and acoustically shielded chamber over a period of 3 days. On each day randomly selected flasks of human astrocytes in culture were exposed to healing treatments; an equal number of unexposed flasks served as controls. Intentional healing and space-conditioning mediations were repeatedly held inside the chamber over the course of the experiment to see if this activity would cumulatively enhance the efficacy of healing treatments. To monitor the environments for negentropic effects possibly associated with the healing intention, three truly random number generators were operated continuously throughout the duration of the experiment. OUTCOME MEASURES For cell cultures, the outcome measure was the difference in mean colonies formed under healing intention versus control conditions, and the change in these differences over the 3-day experiment. For the random number generators, the outcome measure was the variance in the distribution of random numbers generated, compared to chance expectation. RESULTS There was no overall difference in growth between treated and control cells. A treatment by day interaction indicated that treated cells grew more than control cells as the experiment progressed (p=0.02). The three random number generators deviated from chance expectation on the morning of the third day of the experiment (combined peak association with p=0.00009). CONCLUSIONS Results were consistent with the postulate that healing intention, applied repeatedly in a given location, may alter or condition that site so as to enhance the growth of treated cell cultures compared to untreated controls. Repeated intentions also appear to be associated with a general increase in negentropy or statistical order.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean Radin
- Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA 97952-9524, USA.
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Yount G, Qian Y, Moore D, Basila D, West J, Aldape K, Arvold N, Shalev N, Haas-Kogan D. Berberine sensitizes human glioma cells, but not normal glial cells, to ionizing radiation in vitro. J Exp Ther Oncol 2004; 4:137-43. [PMID: 15500008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
The identification of nontoxic agents that can enhance the efficacy of postoperative radiotherapy for patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains a challenge in oncology. We evaluated human GBM cell lines for their responsiveness to berberine, an alkaloid compound used commonly in Asia as an antibiotic. In experiments measuring clonogenic survival, treatment with a nontoxic dose of berberine rendered GBM cells more sensitive than vehicle-treated control cells to x-rays. Such radiosensitization was not observed in parallel experiments with primary human glial cultures. These data suggest that berberine could be integrated with postoperative radiotherapy to selectively promote residual GBM tumor cell death
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Affiliation(s)
- Garret Yount
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the response of cultured human tumor cells to infrasound in combination with conventional anticancer agents using an infrasound-emitting apparatus marketed as a therapeutic device. DESIGN Two pilot experiments measured proliferation of cultured brain tumor cells exposed to three treatment conditions: infrasound emission alone, infrasound in combination with the chemotherapy 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and infrasound in combination with ionizing radiation. Results from each experimental condition were compared to those from appropriate control conditions. OUTCOME MEASURE A standard colony-forming efficiency assay was used to assess tumor cell proliferation. RESULTS Tumor cell proliferation was not significantly altered by treatment with infrasound alone, nor did infrasound appear to influence cellular response to x-rays. There was a significant interaction between 5-FU and infrasound (P < 0.0001), however, evident in decreased colony formation. CONCLUSION Further research is warranted to assess potential synergism between infrasound and 5-FU against tumor cell proliferation, and to investigate the possible therapeutic use of infrasound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garret Yount
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.
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Yount G, Solfvin J, Moore D, Schlitz M, Reading M, Aldape K, Qian Y. In vitro test of external Qigong. BMC Complement Altern Med 2004; 4:5. [PMID: 15102336 PMCID: PMC387832 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-4-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2003] [Accepted: 03/15/2004] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background Practitioners of the alternative medical practice 'external Qigong' generally claim the ability to emit or direct "healing energy" to treat patients. We investigated the ability of experienced Qigong practitioners to enhance the healthy growth of cultured human cells in a series of studies, each following a rigorously designed protocol with randomization, blinding and controls for variability. Methods Qigong practitioners directed healing intentionality toward normal brain cell cultures in a basic science laboratory. Qigong treatments were delivered for 20 minutes from a minimum distance of 10 centimeters. Cell proliferation was measured by a standard colony-forming efficiency (CFE) assay and a CFE ratio (CFE for treated samples/CFE for sham samples) was the dependent measure for each experiment. Results During a pilot study (8 experiments), a trend of increased cell proliferation in Qigong-treated samples (CFE Qigong/sham ratios > 1.0) was observed (P = 0.162). In a formal study (28 experiments), a similar trend was observed, with Qigong-treated samples showing on average more colony formation than sham samples (P = 0.036). In a replication study (60 experiments), no significant difference between Qigong-treated samples and sham samples was observed (P = 0.465). Conclusion We observed an apparent increase in the proliferation of cultured cells following external Qigong treatment by practitioners under strictly controlled conditions, but we did not observe this effect in a replication study. These results suggest the need for more controlled and thorough investigation of external Qigong before scientific validation is claimed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garret Yount
- Research Institute, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco 94115, USA.
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Haas-Kogan DA, Kogan SS, Yount G, Hsu J, Haas M, Deen DF, Israel MA. p53 function influences the effect of fractionated radiotherapy on glioblastoma tumors. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1999; 43:399-403. [PMID: 10030268 DOI: 10.1016/s0360-3016(98)00393-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Glioblastoma multiforme brain tumors (GM) are treated with a spectrum of fractionation regimens based on the clinical and anatomical characteristics of the tumor but rarely based on the molecular characteristics of the individual neoplasm. This study tests the hypothesis that the response of cell lines derived from GM to fractionated radiotherapy depends on the function of wild-type p53 (wt p53), a tumor suppressor gene frequently mutated in GM tumors. METHODS & MATERIALS Isogenic derivatives of glioblastoma cells differing only in p53 function were prepared using a retroviral vector expressing a dominant negative mutant of p53 (mt p53). Radiation survival in vitro was quantitated using linear quadratic and repair-saturation mathematical models. Apoptosis was assayed by a terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-labeling technique and chromatin morphology. RESULTS We have previously reported the generation of isogenic GM cell lines differing only in p53 function. U87-175.4, lacking wt p53 function, had a significantly lower alpha/beta value than U87-LUX.8, expressing functional wt p53, leading us to hypothesize that fractionated irradiation would preferentially spare GM cells harboring mt p53 compared with those expressing functional, wt p53. Survival curves following either 2.0 Gy or 3.5 Gy/fraction demonstrated that lack of functional wt p53 was associated with resistance to fractionated irradiation. Radiation-induced apoptosis could not account for the observed differences in clonogenic survival. Rather, our data suggested that a deficit in the G1-checkpoint contributed to increased resistance to fractionated irradiation of cells expressing mutant p53. CONCLUSIONS The effect of fractionated radiotherapy in GM may depend on the function of the tumor suppressor gene p53. A potential clinical consequence of these findings is that hyperfractionation regimens may provide a therapeutic advantage specifically for tumors expressing wt p53 whereas a radiotherapy course of fewer, larger fractions may be appropriate for the treatment of tumors carrying p53 mutations. Further studies are needed to confirm our proposal that the p53 status of GM tumors can be used to guide our choice of fractionation schemes.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Haas-Kogan
- Brain Tumor Research Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0520, USA
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Haas-Kogan D, Shalev N, Wong M, Mills G, Yount G, Stokoe D. Protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) activity is elevated in glioblastoma cells due to mutation of the tumor suppressor PTEN/MMAC. Curr Biol 1998; 8:1195-8. [PMID: 9799739 DOI: 10.1016/s0960-9822(07)00493-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 361] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [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: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastomas are highly malignant tumors of the central nervous system that are resistant to radiation and chemotherapy [1]. We explored the role of the phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase signal transduction pathway in glioblastomas, as this pathway has been shown to inhibit apoptosis induced by cytokine withdrawal and the detachment of cells from the extracellular matrix [2]. Components of this pathway have been implicated in tumor development [3-6]. We show that glioblastoma cells, in contrast to primary human astrocytes, contain high endogenous protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) activity and high levels of PI 3,4,5-triphosphate (PI(3,4,5)P3) and PI(3,4)P2, the lipid products of PI 3-kinase. These glioblastoma cells express mutant forms of the putative 3' phospholipid phosphatase PTEN, also known as MMAC. Expression of wild-type PTEN derived from primary astrocytes, but not of mutant forms of PTEN, reduced the levels of 3' phosphoinositides and inhibited PKB/Akt activity. PTEN antagonized the activation of PKB/Akt by growth factors, by activated PI 3-kinase and by PI-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1), but did not antagonize the phospholipid-independent activation of PKB/Akt lacking the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. These results suggest a role for PTEN in regulating the activity of the PI 3-kinase pathway in malignant human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Haas-Kogan
- Department of Radiation Oncology University of California San Francisco, California, 94115, USA.
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Haas-Kogan DA, Yount G, Haas M, Levi D, Kogan SS, Hu L, Vidair C, Deen DF, Dewey WC, Israel MA. p53-dependent G1 arrest and p53-independent apoptosis influence the radiobiologic response of glioblastoma. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1996; 36:95-103. [PMID: 8823264 DOI: 10.1016/s0360-3016(96)00244-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Loss of the p53 tumor suppressor gene has been associated with tumor progression, disease relapse, poor response to antineoplastic therapy, and poor prognosis in many malignancies. We have investigated the contribution of p53-mediated radiation-induced apoptosis and G1 arrest to the well described radiation resistance of glioblastoma multiforme (GM) cells. METHODS AND MATERIALS Radiation survival in vitro was quantitated using linear quadratic and repair-saturation mathematical models. Isogenic derivatives of glioblastoma cells differing only in their p53 status were generated using a retroviral vector expressing a dominant negative mutant of p53. Radiation-induced apoptosis was assayed by Fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis, terminal deoxynucleotide transferase labeling technique, and chromatin morphology. Cells were synchronized in early G1 phase and mitotic and labeling indices were measured. RESULTS Radiation-induced apoptosis of GM cells was independent of functional wild-type p53 (wt p53). Decreased susceptibility to radiation-induced apoptosis was associated with lower alpha values characterizing the shoulder of the clonogenic radiation survival curve. Using isogenic GM cells differing only in their p53 activity, we found that a p53-mediated function, radiation-induced G1 arrest, could also influence the value of alpha and clonogenic radiation resistance. Inactivation of wt p53 function by a dominant negative mutant of p53 resulted in a significantly diminished alpha value with no alteration in cellular susceptibility to radiation-induced apoptosis. The clonal derivative U87-LUX.8 expressing a functional wt p53 had an alpha (Gy-1) value of 0.609, whereas the isogenic clonal derivative U87-175.4 lacking wt p53 function had an alpha (Gy-1) value of 0.175. CONCLUSION We conclude that two distinct cellular responses to radiation, p53-independent apoptosis and p53-dependent G1-arrest, influence radiobiological parameters that characterize the radiation response of glioblastoma cells. Further understanding of the molecular basis of GM radiation resistance will lead to improvement in existing therapeutic modalities and to the development of novel treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Haas-Kogan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0520, USA
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Haas-Kogan D, Kogan S, Yount G, Hsu J, Dewey W, Phillips T, Israel M. 6 The effect of fractionated radiotherapy in glioblastoma depends on P53 function. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1996. [DOI: 10.1016/s0360-3016(97)85346-1] [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: 10/18/2022]
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