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Biomedical subjects

M Carruthers

Publications and source records attributed to M Carruthers.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

Coronary risk factor reduction through biofeedback-aided relaxation and meditation.

The effects of behaviour modification through education and biofeedback-aided relaxation and meditation on the levels of blood pressure, pulse rate, smoking habits as well as serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids were studied in 18 normotensive, 18 smoking, and 22 hypertensive patients with 18 normotensive controls.The results showed significant reduction in blood pressure, in all the treated groups; highly significant reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked by smokers; and reduction in some of the lipids in all the treated groups, but particularly in the hypertensive group. The therapy appears to be feasible and suitable for wider application. This approach is economical, acceptable to patients, and should be explored further.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Observations on electrocardiogram and plasma catecholamines during dental procedures: the forgotten vagus.

Emotional stress is conventionally considered to be associated with tachycardia and enhanced sympathetic activity. The electrocardiogram and plasma catecholamine and lipid concentrations were observed in 21 young healthy women undergoing dental procedures. Ten of these received premedication with the beta-blocking agent oxprenolol and 11 with a placebo, administered on a double-blind randomised basis. Mild tachycardia occurred in the placebo group a few minutes before and a few minutes after dentistry, but there was a reduction in heart rate immediately before and during the procedure. The pattern was similar in the group who received oxprenolol, though the heart rates at each stage were lower. Plasma adrenaline concentrations were much higher in the samples taken during the procedure than in those taken shortly before and after it. Plasma noradrenaline and lipid concentrations remained unchanged. A decrease in heart rate in the face of intense emotional arousal and an increased plasma adrenaline concentration suggest that the expectation or experience of pain may be associated with parasympathetic dominance despite greatly enhanced sympathetic activity.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Man in transit: Biochemical and physiological changes during intercontinental flights.

Fifteen members of the passengers and crew of a plane flying from Buenos Aires to London have been studied, before, during, and after the 20-hour flight. Even allowing for circadian variation, there were clear rises in the urinary excretion of noradrenaline in the first part of the flight, and of both noradrenaline and adrenaline in the 2 days afterwards.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1976

Modification of the noradrenaline related effects of smoking by beta-blockade.

Increases in plasma noradrenaline were found in a group of 12 subjects smoking cigarettes. The associated rises in pulse rate, blood pressure and plasma free fatty acids could be prevented by beta-blockade with oxprenolol. This inhibition of the peripheral effects of catecholamines did not affect subjective satisfaction, indicating that central effects or other rewards are more important reinforcers. It is suggested that noradrenaline release in the hypothalamus is the final common pathway to pleasure in many situations, including smoking.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1975

Letter: safe sport.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Coronary Disease↗
PubMed1973

Vagotonicity of violence: biochemical and cardiac responses to violent films and television programmes.

In a search for a reproducible means of evoking different types of emotional stress it was found that in spite of increased adrenaline secretion slowing of the heart occurred when watching violent television programmes. Further evidence of increased vagal tone was provided by the "sinus arrhythmia" effect, a widening of the gap between the maximum and minimum heart rates during the respiratory cycle in parts of the humour, violence, and suspense sections of the television programme.Groups of people taken to see two particularly violent films showed similar evidence suggesting vagal overactivity, together with increases in plasma free fatty acids and decreases in triglycerides. As these changes occurred even with beta-blockade it is suggested that they might be caused by non-sympathetically mediated changes in the levels of hormones, such as growth hormone, producing lipolysis.The ability to assess objectively an individual's reaction to viewing violence might make it possible to judge the likely social impact of violent films and television programmes.

Blood Glucose↗