Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Downing

Publications and source records attributed to J Downing.

62 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

The psychological and physiological effects of MDMA on normal volunteers.

The experimental subjects were older than the average general population, more educated and considerably experienced in drug use. They considered themselves to have benefited by their MDMA experience, with no evidence of harm. There were moderate, consistent biochemical, cardiovascular and neurobehavioral changes within normal limits that peaked between one and two hours following ingestion, returning to predrug levels within 24 hours. This experimental situation produced no observed or reported psychological or physiological damage, either during the 24-hour study period or during the three-month follow-up period. While the subjects are not typical of the general population, the findings support the general impression among knowledgeable professionals that MDMA is reasonably safe, produces positive mood changes in users, does not cause negative problems (if used sparingly and episodically) and is without evidence of abuse. Certainly, any drug that causes ataxia, elevates blood pressure and pulse is potentially unsafe. One can say little about safety when effects and side effects are studied for only 24 hours and then a blood cytology is obtained after three months. In this study, safety must exclude long-term toxicity. Not enough is known about MDMA's long-range effects other than information from random anecdotal evidence supplied by a few clinicians plus self-reports by unselected and unsupervised users. From the information presented here, one can only say that MDMA, at the doses tested, has remarkably consistent and predictable psychological effects that are transient and free of clinically apparent major toxicity. The experimental subjects believed that MDMA is both safe and beneficial, but there is insufficient evidence to accurately judge either the drug's potential harm or benefit.

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Changes in exercise capacity following cardiac rehabilitation in patients stratified according to age and gender. Results of the Massachusetts Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Multicenter Database.

BACKGROUND: Using information collected prospectively from a multicenter cardiac rehabilitation database, this study was designed to evaluate baseline exercise tolerance and subsequent change in functional capacity among consecutive patients enrolled in supervised cardiac rehabilitation stratified according to age and gender. In addition, the study evaluated change in functional capacity among those with the lowest initial exercise tolerance (<5 METS) and assessed patient factors that correlate to the highest relative improvements in functional capacity after training. METHODS: A total of 778 patients performed an initial exercise test upon entry into cardiac rehabilitation, during which peak heart rate, blood pressure, and estimated peak MET levels were derived, and ischemic responses were evaluated. After 10 +/- 2 weeks of supervised prescribed exercise, 500 patients who completed the program performed follow-up exercise testing. RESULTS: The subjects included 558 men (72%) and 220 women (28%) of whom 492 (63%) were <65 years, 241 (31%) were 65 to 75 years, and 45 (6%) were >75 years. At baseline, the peak initial MET level for men was 8.6 +/- 3.4 METS and for women was 6.0 +/- 2.6 METs. The peak initial MET level declined with age: age <65 = 8.9 +/- 3.4 METS; age 65 to 75 = 6.6 +/- 2.6 METS; and age >75 = 5.7 +/- 2.9 METS. When stratified according to age and gender, the baseline exercise tolerance for men significantly (P <.0001) declined with age and was higher than that of women <65 and 65 to 75 years of age. After training, the relative improvement in exercise tolerance for each age and/or gender subgroup was: age <65: men 36%, women 41%; age 65 to 75: men 36%, women 50%; and age >75: men 36%, women 32%. Among 163 patients with an initial peak MET level <5, exercise tolerance rose from 4.1 +/- 0.7 to 8.3 +/- 3.5 METS (P <.0001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the greatest change in exercise tolerance with training was associated with those compliant patients with initial peak METS <5. No significant net change in the occurrence of exercise-induced ischemia was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Among consecutive patients enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation, baseline exercise tolerance differs relative to age and gender, with male gender and younger age demonstrating the highest functional capacity. Exercise training yielded significant improvements in exercise tolerance among men and women of every age group including those older than 75 years, and particularly among those with an initial peak MET level <5. Thus, referral to cardiac rehabilitation programs should be advocated for both men and women, and should not be limited by age.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Radiotherapy nursing: understanding the nurse's role.

Radiotherapy nurses are integral members of the multidisciplinary team. In this article, the author describes the role and makes recommendations for its future development.

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of the preovulatory rise of follicle stimulating hormone and progesterone in normally ovulating women of reproductive age.

Sixteen normally ovulating women of reproductive age were evaluated to determine the extent of the preovulatory FSH and progesterone rise in association with the LH surge. Highly significant differences were demonstrated between the baseline and peak preovulatory levels of both FSH and progesterone (P less than .0005). These significant peak ovulatory differences of FSH and progesterone were associated with a 2.5-fold rise (mean difference of 9.06 mIU/mL) of FSH and a 3.0-fold rise (mean difference of 1.94 ng/mL) of progesterone. These small, yet very significant, preovulatory increments of FSH and progesterone are important in the ovulatory process and the formation of an adequate corpus luteum.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Palliative care.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Analgesics, Non-Narcotic↗