Frequency of Lewis group substances in patients with cancer of stomach.

Authors examined the frequency of Lewis group substances in red blood cells (RBC) and saliva of 293 patients with cancer of stomach, and of 760 healthy volunteers. Lewis (a-b-) substances on RBC surfaces were significantly more frequent in patients with cancer of stomach compared to normal controls. Most patients with cancer of stomach who had Lewis (a-b-) type red blood cells had Lewis-a and Lewis-b substances in their saliva. The deficiency of Lea substance and the loss or weakening of Leb antigen on RBCs may be a prognostic and diagnostic indicator in patients with cancer of stomach.

Frequency of non-secretor types among stomach cancer patients.

The secretor type and the ABO blood group characteristics were studied in 293 patients suffering from cancer of the stomach. The results were compared with the corresponding data of 760 healthy persons. The frequency of non-secretors was found to be 8.8% lower among the stomach cancer patients, and the incidence of A blood group substance 10% higher than in normal ones.

Study of nucleic acid metabolism in two astronauts.

During the last years data have evidenced that alteration in nucleic acid metabolism, expecially increased urinary excretion of modified nucleosides reflects physiological changes in living organism. In relation with the Soyuz-36-Salyut-6-Soyuz-35 mission in 1980 urinary nucleoside excretion of two astronauts /B.F., V.K./ were traced. Individual daily urine samples were collected for 4 days before starting and 6 days after landing and were analysed with improved analytical procedures /affinity chromatography, high Performance liquid chromatography/. Levels of 1-methylinosine, 1-methylguanosine and N,2,2-dimethylguanosine in urine were determined. Thus recorded changes differ considerably at two astronauts. One of the /V.K./ excreted nucleosides normally, another /B.F./ showed increase to 200-400 % levels excretion of above nucleosides on the second day after landing. The peak values disappeared on the 3-6 days after. To interpret this phenomenon extreme factors of space-flight /weightlessness, stress, radiations, etc./ have to be taken into consideration. However, we attach importance to training of astronauts. During the last decade data have evidenced that alterations in the metabolism of nucleic acids especial increased urinary excretion of modified nucleosides reflects physiological and in some cases pathological changes in living organism. In relation with the Soyuz-36-Salyut-6-Soyuz 35 mission urinary excretion of certain modified nucleosides of two astronauts /B.F. and V.K./ were measured. The aim of the measurements was: how the metabolism of transfer ribonucleic acids /tRNAs/ referring to cosmic flight, how it is reflected in urinary excretions of modified nucleosides. For these purposes we studied the excretion of methylguanosine, dimethylguanosine and methylinosine. These nucleosides are the normal minor components of tRNA.