No abstract

While certain cases showed a discrepancy in fucosylated haptoglobin concentrations between the lectin-antibody ELISA and conventional lectin blotting, this novel type of lectin-antibody ELISA might be useful for a tumor marker for PC.

Golgi phosphoprotein 2 (GP73) is a type II Golgi protein, which was found on examination of the fucosylated proteome as a potential tumor marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The serum levels of both total and fucosylated GP73 were increased in the sera of patients with HCC. Fucosylation is one of the most important oligosaccharide modifications involved in cancer and is catalyzed by α1,6-fucosyltransferase (Fut8). In the present study, we investigated the effect of Fut8 overexpression on GP73 production in the human hepatoma cell line Hep3B. The Fut8 expression vector was transfected into Hep3B cells and the expression of GP73 was investigated by Western blotting and real-time PCR. Overexpression of Fut8 dramatically enhanced the expression of GP73 at the transcriptional level. Surprisingly, this effect was not dependent on cellular fucosylation. Overexpression of a mutant Fut8, which was unable to be localized to the Golgi, did not induce GP73 production, suggesting that the localization of Fut8 in the Golgi apparatus was important for the increase in GP73 expression. This is the first demonstration of GP73 regulation through overexpression of a glycosyltransferase, which may lead to Golgi stress.

Abstract. The level of immunoglobulin G (IgG) lacking the terminal galactose, referred to as agalactosyl IgG, was found to be increased in chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly in Crohn's disease, which is suggested to have a genetic component. This oligosaccharide modification of IgG is mainly regulated by the expression of glyco-genes; however, the association between genetic factors and changes in the IgG glycosylation has not been fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to assess the role of genetics in this process by comparing the serum agalactosyl IgG levels between members of monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs who underwent medical check-ups at the same time. The serum agalactosyl IgG level was assayed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Hematological and biochemical markers, including γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (γGTP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and white blood cell (WBC) count, were also measured. Although the serum γGTP levels (and, to a lesser extent, ALT and WBC levels) exhibited a correlation within monozygotic twin pairs, agalactosyl IgG levels were not found to be correlated between members of either type of twin pairs. Thus, the role of genetic factors in determining serum agalactosyl IgG levels may be less significant compared to the effect of environmental factors or the onset of inflammatory disease.

Good adherence to medication is critical for successfully treating psychiatric disorders. Tailor-made pharmaceutical formulations can provide a suitable dosage form to meet the specific needs of individual patients who exhibit poor adherence to industrially manufactured products. Herein, we prepared aripiprazole (ARP) gummies (ARP-Gs) using a commercially available ARP formulation. We aimed to clarify the palatability of ARP-Gs by performing a gustatory sensation test in healthy volunteers. We performed two types of organoleptic masking of ARP-Gs, cocoa-and fruit-flavoured gummies (6.0 mg of ARP/3.5 g of gummy), and conducted two different gustatory sensation tests for each ARP-G. Ten young, healthy volunteers (mean standard deviation, 23.7 1.2 years) were enrolled in each trial. The overall palatability of ARP-Gs was evaluated using the 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed between VAS scores of total ARP-G palatability and acceptability assessed using a 5-point rating scale. Among cocoa-flavoured ARP-Gs, those combining aspartame, cocoa powder, and banana flavour (ABC-ARP-G) exhibited the highest VAS scores for total palatability. Similarly, the VAS scores of grapefruit-flavoured ARP-Gs (GF-ARP-G) showed the highest values considering all fruit-flavoured ARP-Gs. The VAS scores for ABC-ARP-G and GF-ARP-G greatly exceeded the cut-off values of acceptability calculated using the ROC curve. We developed two types of ARP-Gs with organoleptic masking as tailor-made pharmaceutical formulations. ABC-ARP-Gs and GF-ARP-Gs could be acceptable in patients. ARP-Gs could be an alternative to currently available pharmaceutical formulations to enhance their adherence and meet the specific needs of individual patients.