Detection and characterisation of the genes encoding glyoxalase I and II from Neisseria meningitidis.

Glyoxalase enzymes I and II are involved in a detoxification process consisting of conversion of reactive dicarbonyl compounds (e.g., methylglyoxal) to less reactive hydroxy acids.

Use of antibiotics in penetrating craniocerebral injuries. "Infection in Neurosurgery" Working Party of British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.

The Working Party was instituted to investigate the rationale of prophylactic and therapeutic antibiotic use in penetrating craniocerebral injuries (PCCI), and to make recommendations for current practice. A systematic review of papers on civilian and military PCCI over the past 25 and 50 years, respectively, was done via electronic databases and secondary sources, and data were evaluated. Guidelines on the removal of indriven bone or metal fragments only if further neural damage can be avoided were supported.

Identification and characterization of TspA, a major CD4(+) T-cell- and B-cell-stimulating Neisseria-specific antigen.

In search for novel T-cell immunogens involved in protection against invasive meningococcal disease, we screened fractionated proteins of Neisseria meningitidis (strain SD, B:15:P1.16) by using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and specific T-cell lines obtained from normal individuals and patients convalescing from N. meningitidis infection.

Ovine trophoblast interferon enhances MHC class I expression by sheep endometrial cells.

Type I interferons have a variety of important immunological functions, including effects on expression of class I molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Interferon-tau (IFN-tau) is an important anti-luteolytic factor produced by the trophoblast of ruminants. Ovine endometrial cells were cultured with recombinant ovine IFN-tau and stained with monoclonal antibodies specific for ovine MHC class I molecules.