Synthesis and use of 6,6,6-trifluoro-L-fucose to block core-fucosylation in hybridoma cell lines.

Many monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) used in cancer immunotherapy mediate tumour cell lysis by recruiting natural killer (NK) cells; a phenomenon known as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Eliminating core-fucose from the N-glycans of a mAb enhances its capacity to induce ADCC. As such, inhibitors of fucosylation are highly desirable for the production of mAbs for research and therapeutic use.

Protein O-fucosylation in Plasmodium falciparum ensures efficient infection of mosquito and vertebrate hosts.

O-glycosylation of the Plasmodium sporozoite surface proteins CSP and TRAP was recently identified, but the role of this modification in the parasite life cycle and its relevance to vaccine design remain unclear. Here, we identify the Plasmodium protein O-fucosyltransferase (POFUT2) responsible for O-glycosylating CSP and TRAP. Genetic disruption of POFUT2 in Plasmodium falciparum results in ookinetes that are attenuated for colonizing the mosquito midgut, an essential step in malaria transmission.

Age-dependent differences in the attentional demands of obstacle negotiation.

Background: Although the attention directed to gait does increase as an impending obstacle nears, it remains unclear whether the allocation of attentional resources differs between the precrossing phase of obstacle negotiation and the crossing phase of this task. This study compared the attentional demands associated with steady-state walking and the precrossing and crossing phases of an obstacle-negotiation task between young and older adults.

Methods: Fifteen younger and 15 older adults participated in this study.

Obstacle negotiation kinematics: age-dependent effects of postural threat.

This study investigated whether obstacle negotiation kinematics among younger (YA) and older adults (OA) are influenced by postural threat. Obstacle negotiation kinematics among YA and OA were examined under four conditions of postural threat. Seventeen older and 15 YA negotiated a fixed virtual obstacle while walking at a self-determined velocity along a 7.

The allocation of attention during locomotion is altered by anxiety.

We tested the hypotheses that: (1) anxiety regarding the possibility of falling alters the attentional demands of gait; and (2) this alteration in the attentional requirements of gait occurs independently of gait pattern accommodations. Sixteen younger and 15 older adults participated in this study. Subjects walked at a self-determined velocity along a 7.