Biomedical subjects

K P Watts

Publications and source records attributed to K P Watts.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1982

Chlorpromazine distribution in hamsters and mice bearing transplantable melanoma.

Chlorpromazine (CPZ) distribution was measured in tissues of Syrian golden hamsters bearing Greene melanoma and in BALB/c mice bearing Harding-Passey melanoma. Distribution was evaluated as a function of time (0.5 to 14 days) and as a function of single and multiple doses (up to five) of from 5 to 50 mg CPZ per kg body weight. Routes of administration (i.p., i.v., p.o.) were compared. The physiological behavior of CPZ is of interest as it is used extensively as a tranquilizing drug (Thorazine). Further, since CPZ binds to the pigment melanin, the possibility exists of using CPZ to transport diagnostic or therapeutic agents to melanoma. It was found that, at 2 days postinjection, tumor/tissue concentration ratios exceeded 10 for metabolizing organs, such as liver and 100 for "back-ground" tissues, such as blood and muscle. Absolute concentrations of CPZ in tumor exceeding 100 microgram CPZ per g tumor were obtained with both single and multiple doses. This selective high concentration in tumor would make CPZ an ideal vehicle for the transport of boron to tumor for use in neutron capture therapy via the 10B(n, alpha)7Li reaction.

Animals↗

PubMed1981

Melanin content of hamster tissues, human tissues, and various melanomas.

Melanin content (percentage by weight) was determined in both pigmented and nonpigmented tissues of Syrian golden hamsters bearing Greene melanoma. Melanin content was also measured in various other melanoma models (B-16 in C57 mice, Harding-Passey in BALB/c mice, and KHDD in C3H mice) and in nine human melanomas, as well as in selected normal tissues. The purpose was to evaluate the possible efficacy of chlorpromazine, which is known to bind to melanin, as a vehicle for boron transport in neutron capture therapy. Successful therapy would depend upon selective uptake and absolute concentration of borated compounds in tumors; these parameters will in turn depend upon melanin concentration in melanomas and nonpigmented "background" tissues. Hamster whole eyes, hamster melanomas, and other well-pigmented animal melanomas were found to contain 0.3 to 0.8% melanin by weight, whereas human melanomas varied from 0.1 to 0.9% (average, 0.35%). Other tissues, with the exception of skin, were lower in content by a factor of greater than or equal to 30. Melanin pigment was extracted from tissues, and the melanin content was determined spectrophotometrically. Measurements were found to be sensitive to the presence of other proteins. Previous procedures for isolating and quantifying melanin often neglected the importance of removing proteins and other interfering nonmelanic substances.

Animals↗

PubMed1977

An investigation into disordered adolescents by means of the Brook Reaction Test.

Three groups of psychologically disordered male adolescents were matched with controls for age and intelligence, on a one-to-one basis. Group a (n = 83) comprised delinquents, this designation being determined by a history of at least one court conviction. All of these were in borstals or approved schools. Group b (n = 65) were delinquent-and-disturbed: these too had had at least one court conviction and, in addition, they were having psychiatric treatment. Members of group b were also in institutions: these included psychiatric hospitals and prisons, as well as borstals and approved schools. Group c (n = 41) consisted of 'disturbed-only' youths: they had had no convictions but were receiving psychiatric treatment. Each group covered a very wide range of intelligence. All the subjects took the Brook Reaction Test, the aim of the inquiry being to ascertain whether this test differentiates (scored blind) between the experimental groups and their controls. Significant differentiation was found on the following Brook indices: (1) Number of points gained on questionable responses; (2) type of questionable response given; (3) sexual responses; (4) pattern of interests. In all six groups richness of interests proved to be associated with high intelligence.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1976