Decrease in Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase associated with maturation of sheep reticulocytes.

Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase of immature and mature sheep red blood cells of both the high-K+ and low-K+ genotype and of immature cells matured in vitro was detected using polyclonal antiserum to purified sheep kidney Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. This antiserum detects both alpha (alpha 1)- and alpha + (alpha 2 and/or alpha 3)-isoforms of the catalytic subunit as well as the beta-subunit of brain and kidney Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. After sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting, a single major immunologically reactive component corresponding to the alpha-subunit was detected in membranes of immature and mature cells from sheep of both genotypes.

Characteristics of membrane transport losses during reticulocyte maturation.

The decline in activity of distinct membrane transport systems was followed during in vitro maturation of sheep reticulocytes, namely the sodium pump (measured as specific ouabain binding sites), Na+-glycine cotransport, and the nucleoside transporter (measured as specific nitrobenzylthioinosine binding sites). Certain features of this maturation-associated decline in membrane transport are clarified. Thus, the apparent retardation of loss by metabolic (ATP) depletion, reported previously for the sodium pump and Na+-glycine cotransport, is applicable also to the decline in nucleoside transport.

Factors affecting transport changes associated with reticulocyte maturation.

Maturation and aging of the mammalian red blood cell is characterized by the loss in many cytoplasmic and membrane functions including ion and solute transport. We have used long-term in vitro incubation of sheep reticulocytes to examine the nature of several membrane transport changes. Three distinct transport systems have been studied, namely the Na,K-pump measured as specific [3H]ouabain binding sites, Na+/glycine cotransport and the nucleoside transporter measured as specific [3H]nitrobenzylthioinosine binding.

Serum esterase activity during the surgical therapy of bronchogenic carcinoma.

Serum esterase activity was estimated in 148 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma and in 19 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis before operation, 1 week and 3 weeks after operation. We failed to prove significant differences between the patients with malignant and nonmalignant lung diseases. We failed also to prove significant differences between the mean esterase activity findings regarding to the extent of surgery.

Discrimination analysis as a tool for classifying the value of biochemical and immunological tests in lung cancer.

The data obtained with routine biochemical, immunological and haematological tests in healthy blood donors and in patients with lung cancer were subjected to discrimination analysis with the aim to select the minimum possible combination of methods with the highest probability of distinguishing between the two groups. Transformation of lymphocytes (TR.LY) after PHA stimulation, formation of E-rosettes (E-ROS), and blood glycoproteins (GP) were shown to permit the most complete differentiation between the group of patients and the blood donors.

Evaluation of biochemical and immunological parameters in patients with lung cancer by discrimination analysis.

Data obtained by biochemical and immunological tests in a group of healthy blood donors and a group of patients with lung cancer were subjected to discrimination analysis in order to find the minimum possible combination of methods which permit reliable differentiation of the two groups., It was revealed that the lymphocyte transformation after stimulation with PHA, the formation of E rosettes and the plasma level of glycoproteins permit complete differentiation between the group of patients and healthy controls. Based on the above three tests discrimination rules can be defined.