Wearable Acquisition of Objective Military Environmental Exposures: Clinical Considerations for Delivery of Veterans Affairs Exposure-Informed Care.

Wearables that characterize personal exposures are likely to play a critical role in the assessment of environmental health effects on military personnel and Veterans. The military operational environment has complex and often transient exposures that are extremely challenging to capture accurately through self-report, underscoring the need to measure environmental exposures more objectively at the individual level. In conjunction with area environmental monitoring, collecting wearable data as well as conducting clinical symptom assessments at the time of exposure, offers additional tools to estimate individual military exposure levels linked to risks of disease or injury.

Brief Manual for Multi-Modal Motion-Assisted Memory Desensitization and Reconsolidation Therapy for the Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

Multi-Modal Motion-Assisted Memory Desensitization and Reconsolidation (3MDR) is an innovative exposure-based immersive psychotherapeutic intervention for the treatment of post-traumatic conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other related trauma disorders. This manual reviews the theoretical foundations, protocol, and key therapeutic processes of 3MDR, emphasizing its applicability across clinical and research settings. Developed to overcome barriers to traditional trauma-focused psychotherapies, 3MDR combines immersive virtual reality (VR), motion-assisted engagement, and personalized trauma cues to facilitate memory processing and emotional reconsolidation.

Linguistic Analysis of Patients' Labels During 3MDR Psychotherapy.

Background: This study explores the role of linguistic labels expressed by patients during Motion-assisted Multi-modal Memory Desensitisation and Reconsolidation (3MDR) therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Labels represent a patient's key emotional, cognitive, and physical reactions to images associated with traumatic experiences. By analyzing labels, the goal is to provide insights into their progress throughout the therapeutic process.

Motion-Assisted, Multi-Modal Memory Desensitization and Reconsolidation Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Women with a History of Sexual Trauma.

Background: Women military service members (SMs) are more likely to have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to sexual assault, highlighting a need for the development and validation of therapies. A new exposure-based therapy called motion-assisted, multi-modal memory desensitization and reconsolidation (3MDR) uses participant-chosen music and images and an eye movement (EM) task in a virtual environment. Motion-assisted, multi-modal memory desensitization and reconsolidation has shown effectiveness in treating treatment-resistant male veterans; thus, this paper focuses expressly on the utility of 3MDR in female study participants, who were 50% of the full study population.

Creating the conditions for meaningful and effective PPIE in community-based public health research: learning from a UK-wide lived experience panel.

Background: Research has been criticised for its extractive nature, often neglecting to reciprocate benefits to the communities involved. Addressing this, Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) has emerged as a crucial approach, engaging community members as research partners rather than subjects of research. However, it is important that PPIE is carried out in a meaningful way to avoid tokenism and extraction from communities.

Accurate PROTAC-targeted degradation prediction with DegradeMaster.

Motivation: Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are heterobifunctional molecules that can degrade "undruggable" protein of interest by recruiting E3 ligases and hijacking the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Some efforts have been made to develop deep learning-based approaches to predict the degradation ability of a given PROTAC. However, existing deep learning methods either simplify proteins and PROTACs as 2D graphs by disregarding crucial 3D spatial information or exclusively rely on limited labels for supervised learning without considering the abundant information from unlabeled data.

Determining the feasibility and acceptability of a randomized telehealth pilot study for veterans with chronic multisymptom illness.

Background: The shift toward a patient-centered and whole health care model offers a promising approach for the management of symptoms among veterans with chronic multisymptom illness (CMI). A behavioral intervention aimed at reducing cognitive control dysregulation which is a component of impairments common among veterans with CMI may be helpful. Therefore, a pilot study was conducted to explore the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of a telehealth mental and physical (MAP) training intervention among veterans with CMI.

Acoustic neuromodulation with or without micro-voltage tACS reduces post-concussive symptoms.

Objective: Persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS) are common and disruptive, particularly in military service members (SM), yet there are no approved therapies targeting underlying physiological processes. This study was designed to compare acoustic neuromodulation using Cereset Research™ Standard Operating Procedures (CR-SOP), with Cereset Research Cranial Electrical Stimulation (CR-CES), on PPCS.

Methods: SM, veterans, or dependents with PPCS (Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory [NSI] Score ≥23) were randomized to receive 10 sessions of engineered tones linked to brainwaves (CR-SOP) or 5 sessions of CR-CES, which adds intermittent low voltage transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to CR-SOP.

An Objective Assessment of Neuromotor Control Using a Smartphone App After Repeated Subconcussive Blast Exposure.

Subconcussive blast exposure has been shown to alter neurological functioning. However, the extent to which neurological dysfunction persists after blast exposure is unknown. This longitudinal study examined the potential short- and long-term effects of repeated subconcussive blast exposure on neuromotor performance from heavy weapons training in military personnel.

Sequence differences between BAX and BAK core domains manifest as differences in their interactions with lipids.

The B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) family members, BCL2-associated protein X (BAX) and BCL2 homologous antagonist killer (BAK), are required for programmed cell death via the mitochondrial pathway. When cells are stressed, damaged or redundant, the balance of power between the BCL2 family of proteins shifts towards BAX and BAK, allowing their transition from an inactive, monomeric state to a membrane-active oligomeric form that releases cytochrome c from the mitochondrial intermembrane space. That oligomeric state has an essential intermediate, a symmetric homodimer of BAX or BAK.

Randomized, controlled clinical trial of acoustic stimulation to reduce postconcussive symptoms.

Objective: Effective interventions are needed to address postconcussive symptoms. We report the results of randomized, sham-controlled trial of Cereset Research™ Standard Operating Procedures (CR-SOP), a noninvasive, closed-loop, allostatic, acoustic stimulation neurotechnology previously shown to improve insomnia.

Methods: Military service members, veterans, or their spouses with persistent symptoms (Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory [NSI] Score ≥23) after mTBI 3 months to 10 years ago, were randomized to receive 10 sessions of engineered tones linked to brainwaves (LB, intervention), or random engineered tones not linked to brainwaves (NL, sham control).

Structural mapping of PEAK pseudokinase interactions identifies 14-3-3 as a molecular switch for PEAK3 signaling.

PEAK pseudokinases regulate cell migration, invasion and proliferation by recruiting key signaling proteins to the cytoskeleton. Despite lacking catalytic activity, alteration in their expression level is associated with several aggressive cancers. Here, we elucidate the molecular details of key PEAK signaling interactions with the adapter proteins CrkII and Grb2 and the scaffold protein 14-3-3.

Perceptions of Health and Wellbeing Among Employees in a Work Integration Social Enterprise in Sweden.

Background: Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) constitute an important vehicle for providing employment opportunities for disadvantaged groups.

Objective: The goal of this qualitative case study is to explore perceptions of health and wellbeing among employees working in a WISE located in the Gävleborg region, in east central Sweden.

Methods: Data were gathered using 16 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with the social enterprise employees.

Beliefs and Perceived Barriers Regarding Psychedelic-assisted Therapy in a Pilot Study of Service Members and Veterans With a History of Traumatic Brain Injury.

Introduction: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are common in service members and veterans, and the response to currently available treatments is often modest at best. Recent studies suggest potential benefit with psychedelic-assisted therapies (PATs), particularly 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted therapy for PTSD and psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression. This study examined beliefs and perceived barriers regarding PAT among service members and veterans to inform the delivery of these treatments if they are approved by the FDA.

Cytokine Profiles Differentiate Symptomatic from Asymptomatic PTSD in Service Members and Veterans with Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are commonly observed comorbid occurrences among military service members and veterans (SMVs). In this cross-sectional study, SMVs with a history of TBI were stratified into symptomatic and asymptomatic PTSD groups based on posttraumatic stress checklist-civilian (PCL-C) total scores. Blood-based biomarkers were assessed, and significant differential markers were associated with scores from multiple neurobehavioral self-report assessments.

Methodology of the INVestigating traIning assoCiated blasT pAthology (INVICTA) study.

Background: Subconcussive blast exposure during military training has been the subject of both anecdotal concerns and reports in the medical literature, but prior studies have often been small and have used inconsistent methods.

Methods: This paper presents the methodology employed in INVestigating traIning assoCiated blasT pAthology (INVICTA) to assess a wide range of aspects of brain function, including immediate and delayed recall, gait and balance, audiologic and oculomotor function, cerebral blood flow, brain electrical activity and neuroimaging and blood biomarkers.

Results: A number of the methods employed in INVICTA are relatively easy to reproducibly utilize, and can be completed efficiently, while other measures require greater technical expertise, take longer to complete, or may have logistical challenges.

A selective and orally bioavailable VHL-recruiting PROTAC achieves SMARCA2 degradation in vivo.

Targeted protein degradation offers an alternative modality to classical inhibition and holds the promise of addressing previously undruggable targets to provide novel therapeutic options for patients. Heterobifunctional molecules co-recruit a target protein and an E3 ligase, resulting in ubiquitylation and proteosome-dependent degradation of the target. In the clinic, the oral route of administration is the option of choice but has only been achieved so far by CRBN- recruiting bifunctional degrader molecules.

Enhancing exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a randomized clinical trial of virtual reality and imaginal exposure with a cognitive enhancer.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a significant public health issue. Yet, there are limited treatment options and no data to suggest which treatment will work for whom. We tested the efficacy of virtual reality exposure (VRE) or prolonged imaginal exposure (PE), augmented with D-cycloserine (DCS) for combat-related PTSD.

The Redesign and Validation of Multimodal Motion-Assisted Memory Desensitization and Reconsolidation Hardware and Software: Mixed Methods, Modified Delphi-Based Validation Study.

Background: In recent years, the delivery of evidence-based therapies targeting posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been the focus of the Departments of Defense in countries such as Canada, the Netherlands, and the United States. More than 66% of military members continue to experience symptoms of PTSD that significantly impact their daily functioning and quality of life after completing evidence-based treatments. Innovative, engaging, and effective treatments for PTSD are needed.

Production and purification of the PEAK pseudokinases for structural and functional studies.

The PEAK family of pseudokinases, which comprises PEAK1, PEAK2 and PEAK3, are newly identified scaffolds that dynamically assemble oncogenic signaling pathways known to contribute to the development of several aggressive cancers. A striking feature of this unique family of pseudokinase scaffolds is their large multi-domain structure, which allows them to achieve protein complex assemblies through their structural plasticity and functional versatility. Recent structural advances have begun to reveal the critical regulatory elements that control their function.

Distinct PEAK3 interactors and outputs expand the signaling potential of the PEAK pseudokinase family.

The pseudokinase scaffolds PEAK1 and PEAK2 are implicated in cancer cell migration and metastasis. We characterized the regulation and role of the third family member PEAK3 in cell signaling. Similar to PEAK1 and PEAK2, PEAK3 formed both homotypic and heterotypic complexes.

Combat-Related Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report of Virtual Reality Graded Exposure Therapy With Physiological Monitoring in a U.S. Navy Officer and a U.S. Army Officer.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) seek to enhance the efficacy of treatments for warriors with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) secondary to their combat deployments to Iraq and/or Afghanistan.