Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D Benton

Publications and source records attributed to D Benton.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Mild hypoglycaemia and questionnaire measures of aggression.

A glucose-tolerance test was given to a group of males who did not have a history involving aggressive behaviour or abnormal glucose metabolism. In these subjects a significant correlation was found between the tendency to become mildly hypoglycaemic and scores on the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory and the Rosenzweig Picture Frustration Study. A factor analysis of the data found that both scores on the aggression questionnaires and the measure of hypoglycaemia were similarly weighted. These results extent to normal subjects the finding that there is a relationship between hypoglycaemia and aggressiveness, a result previously found in psychiatric patients.

Adult↗

The influence of androstenol - a putative human pheromone - on mood throughout the menstrual cycle.

Each morning for a month female subjects placed either 5 alpha-androst-16-en-3 alpha-ol, a putative human pheromone, or a placebo on the upper lip. Each evening the subjects rated on five scales their moods during that day. In the middle of their monthly cycle those females exposed to androstenol rather than a control tended to rate their moods as submissive rather than aggressive. The compound did not significantly influence ratings of being happy/depressed; lethargic/lively; sexy/unsexy; irritable/good-tempered. The results are discussed in terms of the possible increased olfactory sensitivity of the human female to androstenol in the middle of her monthly cycle.

Adolescent↗

Glucose tolerance predicts performance on tests of memory and cognition.

The hypothesis that the ability to control blood glucose levels influence memory and other aspects of cognition was considered. Individual differences in the ability to control blood glucose were measured by giving a glucose tolerance test (GTT) to 46 young adult females. A factor analysis of a series of measures of glucose tolerance produced four dimensions. A week later, having eaten their normal breakfast, they took tests of memory, reaction times and vigilance. The speed with which blood glucose increased, having its lowest point in the GTT, was associated with memory measured a week later. While performing the tests those with higher levels of blood glucose on arrival in the laboratory had quicker reaction times when monitoring eight but not four, two or one lamps. The finding was interpreted as demonstrating that higher levels of blood glucose specially influence tasks placing higher demands on the brain.

Adult↗

The influence of breakfast and a snack on psychological functioning.

Although there are reports that breakfast influences both mood and memory, there has been no attempt to consider whether a subsequent snack is beneficial. One hundred and fifty young female adults either fasted or consumed breakfasts of either 10 or 50 g of carbohydrate (corn flakes). Half received a further 25 g of carbohydrate in the form of corn flakes after 1 1/2 h (snack). Predictably, those who ate breakfast, and/or a snack, reported feeling less hungry. The larger the caloric intake, the less subjects reported hunger. Those who consumed a snack reported a better mood. Eating a larger breakfast was associated with poorer mood later in the morning, an effect reversed by eating a snack. Memory for the word lists was not influenced by eating breakfast, however, 20 but not 60 min after a midmorning snack, more words were recalled. Those who had eaten breakfast, as opposed to fasting, did, however, spend longer trying to recall the words. This finding was interpreted as evidence that eating breakfast was associated with better motivation. On a number of occasions, better memory was associated with lower blood glucose levels. These findings support previous observations that better glucose tolerance was associated with better memory.

Adult↗

Immunological changes in young and old adults during brief laboratory stress.

Few data are available on the response of the human immune system to acute psychological stressors under controlled laboratory conditions. Young female subjects (21-41 years) showed increases in natural killer (NK) cell activity, and in the numbers of circulating CD8 suppressor/cytotoxic T cells, and natural killer lymphocytes following a brief (12 minute) stressful mental arithmetic examination. Older female subjects (65-85 years) failed to show the stress-related increase in NK activity. The psychological stress did lead to increases in the numbers of circulating CD8 suppressor/cytotoxic T cells and NK lymphocytes in old subjects to a similar degree as that seen in the young group. No changes in the numbers of helper/inducer T cells (CD4), total T cells (CD3), or B cells (CD20) were found following the stressor for either group. Cardiovascular, catecholamine, and subjective stress responses were similar for the two age groups. These results demonstrate that brief psychological stress is associated with some rapid immune cell changes, including release of CD8 suppressor/cytotoxic T cells and NK cells into circulation, and in young subjects, increases in NK activity. The absence of an NK activity increase in the older subjects indicates that NK cell mobilization and cell lysis induced by NK cells may be differentially affected by stress. The results also suggest the possibility of an age-related deficit in the up-regulation of NK activity under some environmental demands.

Adult↗

Do low cholesterol levels slow mental processing?

The plasma cholesterol levels of 279 students were measured and related to decision and movement times in choice reaction time tasks with one, two, four, and eight lamps. In female subjects, low plasma cholesterol levels were associated with slower movement times and, when responding to one or two lamps, slower decision times. In male subjects, there was a nonlinear relationship between cholesterol level and decision times. Because these data are correlational in nature, it is not possible to assume a causal relationship between cholesterol levels and speed of mental processing. The literature, however, supports the suggestion that further work should consider the possibility of a causal relationship.

Adolescent↗

Networking.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Career Mobility↗

Networking.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Career Mobility↗

Devolving knowledge.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Clinical Competence↗

Seize the moment.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Government↗

Quality, research and ritual in nursing.

The purchaser/provider system has brought the dynamic association between quality, volume and cost into clear focus. Any consideration of this tri-partite relationship is incomplete, however, unless the additional dimensions of research and ritual are also included. This article analyses how the monitoring systems now in place offer nurses a unique opportunity to drive for the replacement of ritualised practice by research-based practice.

Clinical Nursing Research↗