Search Results (11)

Background: Surf and hike therapies have demonstrated effectiveness as adjunct interventions for service members with major depressive disorder (MDD). This study explores gender differences in intervention outcomes following a pragmatic, randomized controlled trial of Surf and Hike Therapy for service members with MDD (N = 96; men, n = 46; women, n = 50). Methods: Clinician-administered and self-report measures (depression, anxiety, positive affect, negative affect, resilience, and pain) were completed at preprogram, postprogram, and 3-month follow-up; brief measures (depression/anxiety and positive affect) were completed before and after each session. Results: Multilevel modeling results showed that anxiety decreased from pre- to postprogram and significantly differed by gender (B = −2.26, p = 0.029), with women reporting greater reductions. The remaining outcomes from pre- to postprogram demonstrated significant improvements that did not differ by gender (ps = 0.218–0.733). There were no gender differences through follow-up (ps = 0.119–0.780). However, within sessions, women reported greater improvements in depression/anxiety (B = −0.93, p = 0.005) and positive affect (B = 3.73, p = 0.001). The change in positive affect scores within sessions was greater for women in Hike Therapy compared to men (p = 0.016). Conclusions: Overall, results demonstrate that both genders benefit from adjunctive Surf and Hike Therapies, but women exhibit a better response in terms of longer-term anxiety and immediate psychological outcomes. Full article

Endothelial and epithelial cells are morphologically different and play a critical role in host defense during Candida albicans infection. Both cells respond to C. albicans infection by activating various signaling pathways and gene expression patterns. Their interactions with these pathogens can have beneficial and detrimental effects, and a better understanding of these interactions can help guide the development of new therapies for C. albicans infection. To identify the differences and similarities between human endothelial and oral epithelial cell transcriptomics during C. albicans infection, we performed consensus WGCNA on 32 RNA-seq samples by relating the consensus modules to endothelial-specific modules and analyzing the genes connected. This analysis resulted in the identification of 14 distinct modules. We demonstrated that the magenta module correlates significantly with C. albicans infection in each dataset. In addition, we found that the blue and cyan modules in the two datasets had opposite correlation coefficients with a C. albicans infection. However, the correlation coefficients and p-values between the two datasets were slightly different. Functional analyses of the hub of genes from endothelial cells elucidated the enrichment in TNF, AGE-RAGE, MAPK, and NF-κB signaling. On the other hand, glycolysis, pyruvate metabolism, amino acid, fructose, mannose, and vitamin B6 metabolism were enriched in epithelial cells. However, mitophagy, necroptosis, apoptotic processes, and hypoxia were enriched in both endothelial and epithelial cells. Protein–protein interaction analysis using STRING and CytoHubba revealed STAT3, SNRPE, BIRC2, and NFKB2 as endothelial hub genes, while RRS1, SURF6, HK2, and LDHA genes were identified in epithelial cells. Understanding these similarities and differences may provide new insights into the pathogenesis of C. albicans infections and the development of new therapeutic targets and interventional strategies. Full article

Approximately 11% of genetic human diseases are caused by nonsense mutations that introduce a premature termination codon (PTC) into the coding sequence. The PTC results in the production of a potentially harmful shortened polypeptide and activation of a nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) pathway. The NMD pathway reduces the burden of unproductive protein synthesis by lowering the level of PTC mRNA. There is an endogenous rescue mechanism that produces a full-length protein from a PTC mRNA. Nonsense suppression therapies aim to increase readthrough, suppress NMD, or are a combination of both strategies. Therefore, treatment with translational readthrough-inducing drugs (TRIDs) and NMD inhibitors may increase the effectiveness of PTC suppression. Here we discuss the mechanism of PTC readthrough and the development of novel approaches to PTC suppression. We also discuss the toxicity and bioavailability of therapeutics used to stimulate PTC readthrough. Full article

Surf therapy is increasingly used as a health intervention, but evidence of its mental health benefits remains unclear. This longitudinal mixed-method study assessed the usability and acceptability of a novel online data collection tool and process to measure the impact of a surf programme on acute and chronic mental wellbeing. Fifteen women attending a 6-week surf programme in the UK were asked to complete a tool consisting of video recordings, word association and the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being scale (SWEMWBS). Usability and acceptability were assessed through focus groups and quantitative data. The data generated in the focus groups, video recordings and word association were analysed via reflexive thematic analysis, and SWEMWBS presented descriptively. Participants perceived the tool as easy to use due to the completion time and its functionalities, and useful for self-reflection. Facilitating conditions such as timing and location, areas for improvement such as increased privacy, accessibility, incentivisation, and factors impacting data generated were further identified. Data collected covered both acute and chronic mental wellbeing and showed a positive relationship between surf and mental wellbeing. Further research is needed to confirm these findings in diverse populations, identify potential moderators, and confirm the validity of this tool and process. Full article

Dominant psychological models of wellbeing neglect the role that nature connection and other key factors, such as positive health behaviours and behaviour change, play in determining wellbeing. The present mixed-methods evaluation explores the impact of ”Surf-Ability”, an adapted surf therapy intervention delivered in collaboration with a UK neurorehabilitation service, on individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) as part of an effort to design interventions based on advances in wellbeing science. Following five surf-therapy sessions, within-subjects analysis (n= 15) revealed significant improvements on the Warwick–Edinburgh mental wellbeing scale (t (15) = −2.164, p = 0.048), as well as in anxiety and happiness as measured via a brief visual analogue. No significant changes occurred in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) or resting heart rate variability (HRV). A ripple effects mapping (REM) session at 6–10 months follow-up (n = 6) revealed that the physical and psychological experience of a nature-based challenge initiated a mindset shift in participants, which ultimately led to them adopting wellbeing-promoting long-term behaviour changes. These changes occurred at the scale of (1) individual wellbeing—increased mindfulness and physical activity; (2) collective wellbeing—improved relationships, community participation and contribution to organisations; and (3) planetary wellbeing—connection to nature. These findings align with the GENIAL theoretical framework, which defines wellbeing from a biopsychosocial ecological perspective across multiple levels of scale. The findings support the need for healthcare providers—including neurorehabilitation services—to enhance interventions for patients by incorporating novel factors that improve wellbeing, such as nature-connection. Full article

The combined method of treating malignant neoplasms using photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy is undoubtedly a promising and highly effective treatment method. The development and establishment of photodynamic cancer therapy is closely related to the creation of sensitizers based on porphyrins. The present study is devoted to the investigation of the spectroscopic, aggregation, and solubilization properties of the supramolecular system based on 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TSPP) and lanthanum-containing surfactant (LaSurf) in an aqueous medium. The latter is a complex of lanthanum nitrate and two cationic amphiphilic molecules of 4-aza-1-hexadecylazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bromide. The mixed TSPP–LaSurf complexes can spontaneously assemble into various nanostructures capable of binding the anticancer drug cisplatin. Morphological behavior, stability, and ability to drug binding of nanostructures can be tailored by varying the molar ratio and the concentration of components. The guest binding is shown to be additional factor controlling structural rearrangements and properties of the supramolecular TSPP–LaSurf complexes. Full article

Worldwide, there is growing recognition of the wellbeing benefits of accessing and engaging with healthy blue spaces, especially seas, coasts, and beaches. However, vast gender inequalities persist that impact women’s and girls’ ability to safely access these spaces for recreational benefit. This is even more pronounced in the context of emerging surf cultures in regions such as Southeast Asia. Using a qualitative and reflective approach, this paper explored how safe spaces for female surfers are created, using case studies from two female-focused surfing programs in Sri Lanka. To facilitate a safe space, the multi-layered challenges that female surfers face were analysed. The common mediators that enable females to participate in surfing were then investigated and identified, including: seeing surfing as an option, supportive families and communities, the group factor, free lessons, an all-female environment, culturally appropriate surf apparel, and a safe and playful methodology. This study highlights pathways for how unsafe spaces of exclusion and fear may be transformed into safe spaces of inclusion, healing, and empowerment. These findings have implications for how safe spaces may be facilitated for other organisations, as well as the sustainability of female access to surfing, beyond the life of surfing programs. Full article

Surf therapy is an increasingly popular method of mental health intervention. Although previous research documents the benefits of surf therapy for mental health, it is unclear how to navigate the organization structure of said program. This research project is a case study, where the case is an organization of our choice, in which we selected several respondents for each position. The primary study objective was to identify the principles of the surf therapy structure and describe its personnel make-up. The aim was to identify the processes in the organization, to establish their interconnectedness and outline the positives and negatives of their functioning. The respondent sample (n = 11) was composed of participants of a surf therapy program held in Great Britain, including staff (coordinator, surf instructor), volunteers, and clients. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four main thematic clusters were identified (organization of surf therapy, surf therapy staff, surf session, and situations that may arise in surf therapy), as well as several other categories based on participants’ experiences. The information obtained provides a new, as yet unexplored view of surf therapy, and can be used particularly in the development of new surf therapy programs. Full article

Young people in post-conflict and post-epidemic contexts such as Sierra Leone face a range of mental health challenges as part of their daily life. An innovative approach to Sport for Development that could offer support to youth mental health is surf therapy. This research used an uncontrolled mixed methods approach to explore surf therapy pilots run by five youth-focused and community development organizations around Freetown. Four sites provided useable pre/post data using the Stirling Children’s Well-Being Scale (n = 58, average age = 12.9). Three sites were associated with significant (p < 0.017) large effects (r = 0.65–0.84) on participant well-being. One site was associated with a non-significant (p < 0.380) small negative effect (r = −0.22). A synthesis of qualitative data within the five evaluations triangulated with quantitative findings and provided important context in terms of challenges to service delivery. This included low attendance as a plausible mediator for why one site saw very different results than other sites. Combined, these processes highlight the need for future research exploring possible dose-response relationships in surf therapy. This study also provides a foundation for more rigorous research in the future. These promising findings support continued and optimized delivery of surf therapy in Sierra Leone to support youth mental health. Full article

Surf therapy is increasingly being used as an intervention to address various health problems, including psychological symptoms. Although recent research supports the positive impact of surf therapy on psychological outcomes, it is unclear whether these outcomes differ between men and women. This study compared changes in depression/anxiety (Patient Health Questionnaire-4), positive affect (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule), and pain (Numerical Pain Rating Scale) between U.S. service men and women (N = 74) during six weekly surf therapy sessions. Overall, participants reported decreased depression/anxiety (p < 0.001) and increased positive affect (p < 0.001), but no change in pain rating following each session (p = 0.141). Significant gender differences were found in the magnitude of changes in depression/anxiety (B = −1.01, p = 0.008) and positive affect (B = 4.53, p < 0.001) during surf sessions, despite no differences in pre-session scores on either outcome. Women showed greater improvements in depression/anxiety and positive affect compared with men—an important finding, given that surfing and military environments are often socially dominated by men. Future research is needed to replicate these findings in other samples, extend this research to other underrepresented populations, and identify barriers and facilitators of the sustainable implementation of surf therapy across populations. Full article

Mental health issues in young people are a priority for health and social care. Surf therapy is an innovative intervention that may help address this health burden globally. While increasing evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of surf therapy, there has been limited exploration as to how it achieves its outcomes. Such theoretical exploration is important for service optimisation, monitoring and proliferation. This research aimed to adopt, for the first time, a rigorous grounded theory approach to explore underlying programme theory within the Wave Project surf therapy intervention. Participants (n = 22, 14 males and 8 females; mean age = 14 years, SD = 3.5, range 8–23) were interviewed about their intervention experiences. Data were analysed through constant comparative analysis and memo writing. Two core categories reflected mediators by which surf therapy may achieve its outcomes: “Self-Selected Pacing and Progression While Surfing” and “Creation of Emotional and Physical Safe Space at Beach”. Three antecedent (linking known inputs to core categories) and three consequent categories (linking core categories to associated outputs) were also identified. These demonstrate theorised pathways from known inputs to associated outcomes within the intervention. These important findings provide plausible evidence on how to optimise the Wave Project’s delivery in tackling mental health burden. Full article