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Background: Obesity is a growing epidemic with non-surgical/non-pharmacological interventions having only nominal and transient effects on excess weight. Those persistent shortcomings are associated with minimal understandings of impacts of treatment-associated changes in psychological variables and their relationships. Women of lower incomes have high rates of obesity and might have increased difficulties accessing evidence-based programs. Methods: Women with obesity of lower- to lower-middle incomes participated in 6-month community-based treatments in the United States emphasizing either self-regulatory skills development (behavioral methods group: n = 63) or typical education in exercise and healthy dietary practices (education group: n = 48). Results: There were significant 6-month improvements in self-regulation, self-efficacy, mood, physical activity/exercise, dietary behaviors, and weight in both groups. All improvements were significantly greater in the behavioral group. Based on the incorporation of multiple behavioral theories, separate multiple regression models were fit for prediction of the weight-loss behavior changes. Stepwise entry of changes in self-regulation, self-efficacy, and mood each significantly contributed to the explained variance in physical activity/exercise change. Change in self-efficacy was most relevant in the prediction of change in dietary behaviors. Change in physical activity/exercise was significantly related to change in dietary behaviors; however, a regression analysis indicated that only physical activity/exercise change was a significant independent contributor to the overall accounted-for variance in lost weight. Conclusion: By incorporating key tenets of social cognitive theory, self-efficacy theory, self-regulation theory, coaction theory, and the mood-behavior model in an additive manner, suggestions and emphases for addressing psychological variables for improved weight-loss behaviors within scalable obesity treatments were advanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Because obesity has not responded well to instructing affected adults in healthier eating behaviors and increased physical activity/exercise, enhanced research on psychosocial determinants of those behavioral changes is needed. Intervention foci on self-regulation have been suggested, but targeted research is required. Method: Women with obesity participated in community-based treatments that were either self-regulation-focused (self-regulation emphasis group; n = 52) or typical instruction-based (education [treatment-as-usual] group; n = 54). Results: There were overall significant increases in exercise-related self-regulation, physical activity/exercise, exercise-related self-efficacy, and eating-related self-regulation that were each significantly more pronounced in the self-regulation emphasis group. Increase in exercise-related self-regulation over 3 months predicted eating-related self-regulation over 6 months; however, sequential entry of changes in physical activity and exercise-related self-efficacy significantly mediated that relationship. However, only the path from changes in exercise-related self-regulation to exercise self-efficacy to eating-related self-regulation was significant. In a revised model where change in exercise self-efficacy was the sole mediator, treatment group did not significantly moderate the exercise self-regulation to eating self-regulation change relationship, but full mediation of that relationship occurred. Conclusion: Findings indicated salience for perceived ability/self-efficacy for physical activity, over actual physical activity progress, and its role in the transfer of self-regulatory skills from an exercise to eating context. Increased eating self-regulation significantly predicted weight loss over 6, 12, and 24 months. In the self-regulation emphasis group that translated to meaningful weight loss/weight-loss maintenance of greater than 5% of initial weight. Findings contributed to an increased understanding of psychosocial-change processes within obesity treatment research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity in the United States has risen to 42 percent of its adult population and is similarly problematic in many other countries. Although the U.S. government has provided education on healthy eating and the need to exercise regularly, behavioral obesity treatments have largely failed to sustain reductions in weight. Self-regulation, and the incorporation of exercise for its psychological impacts on eating, has sometimes been targeted. While there has been sporadic investigation into the carry-over of exercise-related self-regulation to eating-related self-regulation, the present aim is to further inquiry in that area to inform future treatment content for improved effects. Women enrolled in community-based obesity treatments with either a self-regulation (n = 106) or education (n = 54) focus were assessed on changes in exercise- and eating-related self-regulation, negative mood, completed exercise, and weight. Improvements were significantly greater in the self-regulation-focused group. After controlling for initial change in eating-related self-regulation, change in that measure from Month 3 to 6 was significantly predicted by change in exercise-related self-regulation during the initial 3 treatment months. This suggested a carry-over effect. A stronger predictive relationship was associated with the self-regulation-focused treatment. In further analyses, paths from changes in exercise→negative mood→self-regulation of both exercise and eating were significant. Increase in eating-related self-regulation was significantly associated with weight loss over 6, 12, and 24 months. The self-regulation-focused group had stronger relationships, again. Findings suggested utility in targeting exercise-related self-regulation to impact later change in eating-related self-regulation, and the use of exercise-associated mood improvement to bolster participants' self-regulation capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although mechanisms are unclear, there is a robust association between exercise and mood improvements. However, beyond ~ 6 months of expected weight loss, weight-management behaviors such as exercise wane as weight gradually regains in most adults. The amount of exercise required to maintain mood improvement is unknown, as is the possible role of theory-based psychosocial changes associated with treatment such as in self-efficacy. Methods: Women who volunteered for a community-based cognitive-behavioral obesity treatment emphasizing exercise and building self-efficacy via self-regulating through lifestyle challenges/barriers, and were of the 86% who reduced their negative mood during its initial 6 months, were allocated into groups who either maintained their negative mood reduction (Sustain group, n = 43) or reverted toward initial levels of negative mood (Revert group, n = 73) during months 6–24. A binary stepwise logistic regression analysis assessed whether exercise amount and/or change in self-efficacy significantly classified Sustain vs. Revert group membership. Results: Change in exercise amount was not significantly associated with group membership. However, after additional entry of change in exercise self-efficacy, a significant association was found — successfully classifying 70% and 42% of the Revert and Sustain group participants, respectively. When self-efficacy change was entered as the sole independent variable, group membership was classified with 62% accuracy, overall (96% in the Revert group). Conclusions: Consistent with behavioral explanations of the exercise-mood change relationship, it was interpreted that self-efficacy, rather than exercise amount, was an important correlate of mood change beyond month 6. Suggestions for bolstering self-efficacy later in behavioral obesity treatments were provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An improved understanding of psychosocial factors and their dynamic changes and interrelations is required to increase comprehension of the effects of exercise on weight loss. Women (N = 99) participating in a theory-based, community-administered obesity program focused on self-regulation of weight-loss behaviors were assessed. Analyses of a theory- and causal chain-driven sequential multiple mediation model affirmed the hypothesized path from moderate exercise→decreased negative mood→increased self-regulation→increased self-efficacy→improved weight-loss behaviors→weight loss over 6 months. Alternate significant paths within the model reinforced an expected relationship between exercise-associated decrease in negative mood and increased self-regulation. Although completion/non-completion of the equivalent of 3 moderate bouts of exercise/week was significantly related to weight loss in bivariate analyses, it was no longer significant when the above mediators were sequentially entered. The mean observed loss of weight was -7.6%. Findings lent direction to more extensive and controlled research that could inform improvements in behavioral obesity treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outdoor Recreation (OR) provides the benefits of physical activity (PA) and traditional leisure placed in an outdoor environment. Motivation, self-efficacy, and autonomy can increase depending on the physical and social environment. This study explored the relationship between self-efficacy and autonomy on OR behaviors and identified barriers and supporters to OR during the COVID-19 pandemic. Survey information was collected from 995 U.S. adults (93.6% white, 64.0% female) regarding OR behaviors, changes in OR during COVID-19, and OR selfperceptions. Significant positive correlations existed between autonomy and self-efficacy (r = 0.138, p < 0.01), and self-efficacy and pre/post pandemic OR behaviors 2020 (r = 0.158, p < 0.01), (r = 0.129, p < 0.01) respectively. Qualitative data implied barriers and supporters to OR as: social, psychological health, and increased or changed OR/PA. Implications from this research are beneficial to OR and health professionals to promote overall physical and psychological wellbeing for OR participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultramarathon running consists of race distances beyond the traditional marathon with hundreds of events worldwide. Previous literature has examined motivation, mood, and cognitive processes of ultramarathon runners. However, little is known about the influence of self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation on resilience in this population. This study explored the psychological processes of a female ultramarathon runner completing a Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the 136.8-mile Backbone Trail in Santa Monica, California. Data collection included photo journaling, social media posts, event video footage, and a post-event semi-structured interview. Themes that emerged from these data included physical preparation, mental preparation, resilience, and social support. The runner utilized psychological skills including goal setting and self-talk. This case study revealed impactful insight regarding the psychological processes of a female ultramarathon runner completing the FKT on this trail. These findings present practical implications for professionals in sport and exercise psychology and coaches working with ultra-runners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outdoor education programs use experiential learning to positively impact intrinsic motivation and knowledge acquisition of program participants. However, few programs have done so with multi-age group populations. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of an outdoor education experiential learning program on participant self-perceptions and intrinsic motivation for learning. Fourteen adults completed a six-day outdoor experiential learning course at Yellowstone National Park in May 2019. The experiences of these individuals were documented through focus group interviews, researcher observations, and photographs taken by both the researchers and participants. Four themes emerged from all sources of data, including respect, spiritualism, sense of connection, and learning. Overall, participants indicated this program positively impacted their levels of intrinsic motivation and increased knowledge of the outdoor world. The findings of this research support the combination of outdoor education and experiential learning programs in novel environments in the field of outdoor recreation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the intellectual foundations of the Zakon bozhyi, an allegorical poem produced by the Brotherhood of Saints Cyril and Methodius in the mid-nineteenth century. The work is most often understood as a product of Romanticism. This article argues that it is rather a product of synergistic Enlightenment and Romantic thought. It focuses on the depiction of religion in the Zakon and demonstrates that depiction's origin in the Enlightenment. The article argues that work demonstrates a societal view of religion. Further, it demonstrates that the ecumenical stance of the Zakon is founded in the necessity for national and international stability, rather than in personal conviction. It emphasizes the importance of culturally specific forms of the Enlightenment, and shows how the Zakon is a product of a particularly East Slavic presentation of the movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Physical activity has numerous benefits for those with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (KOA) or knee replacement, yet many individuals engage in insufficient activity. The purpose of this study was to explore beliefs about sedentary behavior, barriers to standing, and program preferences for adults with symptomatic KOA or knee replacement. Methods: Forty‐two individuals ≥50 years with symptomatic KOA or knee replacement completed an online survey assessing current knee pain and function, sitting time, physical activity participation, beliefs about sedentary behavior, and preferences for a sedentary reduction program. Results: Participants indicated barriers to standing were pain, discomfort, or working on a computer. Most participants shared interest to participate in a program to reduce sitting time. Participants chose education, self‐monitoring, and activity tracking as most preferable components for an intervention design. Conclusion: Future interventions to reduce sedentary time may utilize these results to tailor programs for those with symptomatic KOA or knee replacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Art therapy in the Arabian Gulf is still nascent. This article discusses the impact of COVID-19 and the development of art therapy in the region and identifies both the challenges and advantages that this global pandemic brought to a small group of art therapists practicing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar. Our approach is rooted in relational cultural theory (RCT). For art therapists in a private practice in Dubai, the pandemic provided an opportunity to widen services and accessibility. In a hospital setting in Qatar, new regulations during the pandemic required adaptations that possibly contributed to stress and anxiety for the art therapist, patients, and health workers. Unexpected perceived changes included: highlighted stigma, increased openness, increased engagement, and change in perception of the art therapy service. For these art therapists, practicing in the Arabian Gulf, the global pandemic increased awareness of cultural competence and led to the development of online art therapy services. There is a dearth of art therapy research in the region. Future research on cultural competence and the efficacy of telehealth are recommended to develop a robust evidence base for the practice of art therapy in the Arabian Gulf. Art therapy is relatively new in the Arabian Gulf, with most art therapists completing their training in the West. During the global pandemic and the changes caused by COVID-19, art therapists had the opportunity to address critical issues in their practice. This article presents two different views from two culturally similar Middle Eastern countries into what happened during the global pandemic of 2020. The first view describes how the pandemic brought about the development of online art therapy within a private practice in Dubai, UAE. The second view describes multiple adaptations to the delivery of art therapy within a hospital setting in Qatar. In the private practice, developing online art therapy became an opportunity to increase access for people residing outside of Dubai, in other emirates, and beyond. Art therapists also noticed how online art therapy may impact privacy, as clients could complete their sessions from their own homes, and stigma concerning mental health. At the hospital setting in Qatar, COVID-19 brought a new way of working focused on safety. The art therapist in Qatar discusses how these changes impacted her work and some of the perceived unexpected gains that resulted, such as more collaboration with other professionals, more engagement from the patients, and a new openness around mental health as the families could communicate about a shared concern: COVID-19. In both cases, the pandemic brought development and opportunities for growth. The article's focus is to highlight the cultural differences of working in this region and to acknowledge the need for future research. Because the field is relatively new in the region, there is limited research; the art therapists have to rely on increased cultural awareness to adapt their practice to be helpful to service users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bariatric surgery is an effective obesity treatment; however, most individuals regain weight following surgery. Following a Lifestyle of Wellness (FLOW) is a psychological skills intervention with strategies designed to increase self-efficacy and promote living a healthy lifestyle including regular physical activity. Eleven participants completed FLOW. Results indicated participants enjoyed the program and intended to continue this lifestyle upon program completion. Interviews indicated FLOW was effective for improving self-perceptions, and exercise motivation. The most effective sessions were goal setting, future planning, and stress management. Suggestions for program improvement were provided. This information can be used to improve the FLOW program and for implementation into other settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to COVID-19 safety protocols, the vulnerable within our community had limited access to resources. Children of determination have encountered disruption to therapeutic services especially from March 2020 to November 2020. The pilot attempted to address question(s) of feasibility in maintaining services, preventing mental health and deterioration of symptoms and behaviour, and in increasing access to resources for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The research looked to question, if online services could substitute in-person services with this population, and to determine plausibility of online group art therapy services for children and their caregivers. The impact of COVID-19 on mental health is still unclear; early published reports indicate the onset of moderate to severe depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress, potentially having a prolonged psychological impact on some individuals (Qiu et al., 2020). Overall, there is a lack of literature on art therapy in the region, and more so for online intervention, specifically in support of ASD during the pandemic. ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs a person's ability to communicate, socialize, and respond to certain stimuli within environments. Parents, pediatricians, and nurseries typically identify concerns that prompt diagnosis, ideally by age 3; prevalence is higher in males than females (Elsabbagh et al., 2012). ASD is recognized by delayed language development, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, impacting imagination, and difficulty with social interaction (Rapin & Dunn, 1997). Overall, the Middle East has had relatively little published research on ASD etiology, although statistics indicate that ASD affects 1 in 146 births in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (Virolainen, 2020). Genetic linkage such as kinship and multiparity is culturally and regionally common. Epidemiological research into autism in the UAE is relatively new. The prevalence of autism likely remains underdetermined as many cases of autism potentially go undiagnosed within the community due to stigma and lack of awareness; mild cases can be unnoticed, and delayed diagnoses might result from a lack of focus or training in the area of early intervention (Salhia et al., 2014). It is, therefore, crucial that there is a continuation of support without disruption. Art Therapy is an integrative mental health profession that engages participants with the creative process, active art-making, and integrated psychological theory within the context of a therapeutic relationship (American Art Therapy Association, 2020). Art psychotherapists have a minimum of a master's degree in art psychotherapy with clinical practice and supervised experience before gaining professional registration, a rigorous process. Children with autism are generally referred to art therapy specifically in the West (Martin, 2009; Teeuw, 2011) to support coping with communication challenges, behaviour, and low self-esteem (Schweizer et al., 2014; Schweizer et al., 2017). Research demonstrates that children with autism are expected to benefit from a non-verbal treatment such as art therapy, through sensory exploration, looking at, and shaping art materials to facilitate expression (Malchiodi, 2003; Rubin, 2001; Schweizer et al., 2009). This pilot study explores if conducting art therapy online would be beneficial and fill the gap when in-person services are not possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To report novel developments in standard art therapy practices in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic circa 2020-22. Background: Art therapy services are a new phenomenon in the Middle East, with current practitioners having received their training primarily in the UK, US, and Australia. Religious therapies, such as prayers, rituals, talismans (against the evil eye) and Quranic recitation continue to be common approaches to mental illness in the Arabian Gulf. The visual arts have experienced a renaissance in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, with billions of U.S. dollars of government funds invested in art education, galleries, exhibitions, and museums (Louvre Abu Dhabi, Museum of Islamic Art, etc.). Qatar has a national strategy to become an art and cultural hub in the Middle East. Methodology: Self-reflective exercises, process art, and specialist discussions among 5 experts in the field currently practicing in the Gulf were conducted in 2020 to document and analyze new methodologies and perspectives implemented during COVID-19 lockdowns, primarily in the area of telehealth and telemedicine. A related study by the authors in 2020, "Best Practices in Art Therapy Telehealth Communication: Perspectives from the Middle East," provided additional analytical data. Qualitative data was organized into themes using standard Grounded Theory techniques. The practitioners framed their therapeutic work within the model of Relational Cultural Theory (RCT). Results and Discussion: The thematic findings were grouped under the headings: "Stigma," "Empowerment," "Confidentiality," "Therapeutic Relations," and "Art/Nonverbal Communication." The pandemic allowed practitioners to expand services geographically outside of the Gulf beyond traditional face-face meetings through the Zoom.com videoconferencing platform. Online sessions provided unexpected benefits in the areas of increased privacy and reduction of social stigma. Since telehealth laws in the Gulf are almost non-existent, practitioners collaborated with international partners to develop best practices and ethical guidelines adapted to the local cultural context. Results of the analysis revealed shifts in previously established boundaries and power dynamics (clients and therapists can turn video and microphone off, see each other's house, pets and other family members). The presence of family members at home sometimes impacted the privacy of the client, but in some situations allowed opportunities to meet extended family members, providing additional diagnostic clues into family dynamics. A reduced ability to communicate and understand nonverbal cues and body language (eye contact was different, lack of seeing the body) was cited as a drawback to virtual clinical encounters. The expert / novice skill level disparity of the therapist / client was diminished when co-creating digital artwork (ex. use of the Zoom whiteboard). The limitations on art materials that could be obtained during shop closures for some clients increased creativity and innovation in artmaking, but for others it decreased artmaking opportunities. Conclusion: All aspects of art therapy in the Arabian Gulf, and especially online services provision, are under-researched. Areas for further inquiry include: cultural adaptation of western models of care, local perceptions of the origins and treatment of mental health disorders, and awareness and acceptance of expressive arts psychotherapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in induction of apoptosis and regulation of key signaling molecules in cancer cells. Phytochemicals are potent source of anticancer drugs as wells as potential inducers of ROS. Neem ( Azadirachta indica) is a medicinal plant used for the treatment of various diseases. The main objective of this study is to investigate the anticancer effect of desacetyl nimbinene (DAN; an active ingredient of neem) against breast cancer. Normal and breast cancer cell lines were used for the study. The effect of DAN on cell proliferation, apoptosis, ROS generation, migration, and invasion was analyzed. Antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD)1 and SOD2 were overexpressed to test the effect of DAN-induced ROS generation on breast cancer growth. Key survival and apoptotic protein markers were analyzed to validate the anticancer effect of DAN. Our data demonstrated that DAN inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells by inducing ROS generation. Further investigations revealed that DAN treatment lead to the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential resulting in mitochondria-dependent apoptotic cell death. Increased phosphorylation of c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) and reduced phosphorylation of p38 were also observed in response to DAN treatment. Inhibition of ROS production by overexpressing antioxidant enzymes SOD1 and SOD2 reduced the DAN-induced cytotoxicity. Additionally, DAN significantly inhibited migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Overall, our data suggest that DAN exerts its anticancer effect on breast cancer by induction of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis mediated by ROS accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eukaryotic replication origins are defined by the ORC-dependent loading of the Mcm2-7 helicase complex onto chromatin in G1. Paradoxically, there is a vast excess of Mcm2-7 relative to ORC assembled onto chromatin in G1. These excess Mcm2-7 complexes exhibit little co-localization with ORC or replication foci and can function as dormant origins. We dissected the mechanisms regulating the assembly and distribution of the Mcm2-7 complex in the Drosophila genome. We found that in the absence of cyclin E/Cdk2 activity, there was a 10-fold decrease in chromatin-associated Mcm2-7 relative to the levels found at the G1/S transition. The minimal amounts of Mcm2-7 loaded in the absence of cyclin E/Cdk2 activity were strictly localized to ORC binding sites. In contrast, cyclin E/Cdk2 activity was required for maximal loading of Mcm2-7 and a dramatic genome-wide reorganization of the distribution of Mcm2-7 that is shaped by active transcription. Thus, increasing cyclin E/Cdk2 activity over the course of G1 is not only critical for Mcm2-7 loading, but also for the distribution of the Mcm2-7 helicase prior to S-phase entry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive departures from balanced gene dose in aneuploids are highly deleterious. However, we know very little about the relationship between gene copy number and expression in aneuploid cells. We determined copy number and transcript abundance (expression) genome-wide in Drosophila S2 cells by DNA-Seq and RNA-Seq. We found that S2 cells are aneuploid for .43 Mb of the genome, primarily in the range of one to five copies, and show a male genotype (∼ two X chromosomes and four sets of autosomes, or 2X;4A). Both X chromosomes and autosomes showed expression dosage compensation. X chromosome expression was elevated in a fixed-fold manner regardless of actual gene dose. In engineering terms, the system ''anticipates'' the perturbation caused by X dose, rather than responding to an error caused by the perturbation. This feed-forward regulation resulted in precise dosage compensation only when X dose was half of the autosome dose. Insufficient compensation occurred at lower X chromosome dose and excessive expression occurred at higher doses. RNAi knockdown of the Male Specific Lethal complex abolished feed-forward regulation. Both autosome and X chromosome genes show Male Specific Lethal-independent compensation that fits a first order dose-response curve. Our data indicate that expression dosage compensation dampens the effect of altered DNA copy number genome-wide. For the X chromosome, compensation includes fixed and dose-dependent components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: The purpose of this review paper is to provide an overview of the recent research using physical activity monitors in rheumatic populations including those with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and fibromyalgia.Recent Findings: Recent research demonstrates increased use of physical activity monitors in these populations, especially in those with osteoarthritis. Results from cross-sectional, longitudinal, and intervention studies highlight that physical activity levels are below recommended guidelines, yet evidence suggests benefits such as improving pain, fatigue, function, and overall well-being.Summary: While the use of physical activity monitors in rheumatic populations is increasing, more research is needed to better understand physical activity levels in these populations, the effects of activity on relevant clinical outcomes, and how monitors can be used to help more individuals reach physical activity guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]