Effects of mindfulness meditation training offered in-person and via a virtual world on self-compassion: A study with U.S. military active duty and veterans.

Background: Mindfulness-based, in-person programs are effective at reducing stress and enhancing resilience in military and civilian samples, yet few studies have examined or compared training offered via real-time, interactive social media. Such a program would have a wider-reach and could include those unable to attend in-person. There is also interest in resolving ambiguity about the effects of mindfulness training on individual difference variables, such as self-compassion.

Anti-human immunodeficiency virus-1 activity of MoMo30 protein isolated from the traditional African medicinal plant Momordica balsamina.

Background: Plants are used in traditional healing practices of many cultures worldwide. Momordica balsamina is a plant commonly used by traditional African healers as a part of a treatment for HIV/AIDS. It is typically given as a tea to patients with HIV/AIDS.

Scientific Hero: Dr. James E. K. Hildreth.

Note from the editor: This column was originally published in 2013. Currently, Dr. Hildreth serves as president and CEO of Meharry Medical College, leading the technological, academic, and clinical transformation of the nation's largest private historically Black academic health sciences center.

In-Person and Virtual World Mindfulness Training: Trust, Satisfaction, and Learning.

Virtual worlds (VWs) present a viable, low-cost delivery mechanism for telehealth services. Although preliminary reports support the effectiveness of VWs in terms of health metrics, few studies have examined the perceived benefits and learning potential for military service members and veterans. Trust is integral to any interaction and may be even more important, and problematic to establish, during virtual interactions than in-person (IP) communications.

Effects of Neurocognitive Temporal Training on Weapon Firing Performance.

While marksmanship is a critical skill for military personnel, some service members experience difficulty in attaining and maintaining marksmanship qualifications. Temporal training may improve marksmanship performance, since rhythm and timing are critical for coordinated movement. In this study, we examined the effect of neurocognitive temporal training (NTT) on military personnel's marksmanship performance.

The Effect of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) on Cognitive Performance in a Sample of Active Duty U.S. Military Service Members.

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is considered a signature injury from the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since the year 2000, over 370,000 U.S.

The investigation of four technologies to assist in detecting mild to moderate traumatic brain injury of U.S. Military service members.

Background: A standard, reliable, objective measure is needed for identifying individuals with mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine balance using an AMTI OR6-7 force platform (FP), neurocognition and mood using the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metric4 (ANAM4), blood flow comparisons using a Brain Acoustic Monitor (BAM), and voice using Voice Analysis software (VA) for screening service members for a mild to moderate TBI.

Methods: Active duty and retired service member volunteers (n = 88, 35 with a diagnosis of mild to moderate TBI and 53 who never had a TBI) completed an informed consent document, and evaluations using the four technologies.

A pilot study investigating preferred background sounds during mindfulness meditation: What would you like to hear?

Background: Music and meditation have affirmative effects on the parasympathetic nervous system.

Objective: To investigate individual preferences for background sounds during meditation, using a series of paired, forced-choice comparisons.

Method: Interventions included music with a distinct melody (one sample) and without a distinct melody (MWDM) (three samples), nature sounds with embedded alpha brainwave pulses (one sample), alpha brainwave pulses alone (one sample), and silence.

Self-Reported Sleep, Anxiety, and Cognitive Performance in a Sample of U.S. Military Active Duty and Veterans.

Unhealthy sleep can interfere with U.S. military service members affective and cognitive functioning, and increase accident and injury risks.

Impact of In-Person and Virtual World Mindfulness Training on Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder.

Mindfulness meditation training has been shown to reduce stress and improve short-term memory for military personnel. However, no studies have investigated the effects of in-person and virtual world (VW) mindfulness training on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms. In this study, U.

Evaluation of Quantra Hologic Volumetric Computerized Breast Density Software in Comparison With Manual Interpretation in a Diverse Population.

Objective: Increased mammographic breast density is a well-established risk factor for breast cancer development, regardless of age or ethnic background. The current gold standard for categorizing breast density consists of a radiologist estimation of percent density according to the American College of Radiology (ACR) Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) criteria. This study compares paired qualitative interpretations of breast density on digital mammograms with quantitative measurement of density using Hologic's Food and Drug Administration-approved R2 Quantra volumetric breast density assessment tool.

Personal resilience and coping Part II: Identifying resilience and coping among U.S. military service members and veterans with implications for work.

Background: U.S. military personnel face challenging situations including frequent deployments, family separations, and exposure to war.

Personal resilience and coping with implications for work. Part I: A review.

Background: Interest in resilience has increased in recent years. The U.S.

Epithelial ovarian cancer: An overview.

Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecological cancer and the leading cause of death in the United States. In this article we review the diagnosis and current management of epithelial ovarian cancer which accounts for over 95 percent of the ovarian malignancies. We will present various theories about the potential origin of ovarian malignancies.

Preferential effect of akt2-dependent signaling on the cellular viability of ovarian cancer cells in response to EGF.

Objective: Overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is associated with the malignant phenotype in many cancers including ovarian cancer, which leads to increased cell proliferation and survival. In spite of emerging EGFR inhibitors as a potentially useful agent, they are largely ineffective in patients with advanced or recurrent ovarian cancers. Since Akt as a key downstream factor of EGFR is highly activated in some high grade serous ovarian tumors, the augmented Akt activation may attribute to irregular EGFR-mediated signaling observed in ovarian cancer.

Scientific hero: Dr. James E. K. Hildreth.

Research and administrative contributions influence scientific advances aimed at eliminating health disparities.

Aspirin Blocks EGF-stimulated Cell Viability in a COX-1 Dependent Manner in Ovarian Cancer Cells.

Objective: Although aspirin has been associated with a reduction of the risk of cancer when used as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, its use to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer is controversial. Ovarian cancer cells usually express high levels of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX)-1. Because aspirin is a rather selective inhibitor of COX-1, the ability of aspirin to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer may be dependent on the level of COX-1 expression in those cells.

The relationship between symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder and oppositional defiant disorder with soldier performance during training.

Objective: During interviews with Health Care Specialist military cadre, instructors voiced concern that symptoms associated with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (SoADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (SoODD) were interfering with soldiers' ability to complete training. The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between SoADHD and SoODD with soldiers' grade point average (GPA), Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) scores, and musculoskeletal injuries during Health Care Specialist (HCS) Advanced Individual Training (AIT).

Method: Participants included 122 soldiers attending HCS training.

Warnings for children.

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to provide information to the reader on warnings and the use of warnings with children, to prevent accidental injuries.

Methods: A literature review was used to present research findings related to child warnings.

Results: This paper provides a basic introduction to accidental injuries, susceptibility of children, warnings, the effectiveness of warnings, and guidelines for designing effective warnings.