NO3- and total reduced N concentrations of shoot and root were si

NO3- and total reduced N concentrations of shoot and root were significantly higher in all plants under elevated RZ [CO2] than under ambient RZ [CO2] of 360 ppm at

both temperature regimes. At each RZ [CO2], NO3- and total reduced N concentration of shoots were greater at 28 degrees C/22 degrees C than at 36 degrees C/30 degrees C. At all RZ [CO2], roots of plants at 36 degrees C/30 degrees C had significantly higher NO3- and total reduced N concentrations than at 28 degrees C/22 degrees C. Since increased RZ [CO2] caused partial stomatal closure, maximal A and maximal g(s) were negatively correlated, with a unique AZD5153 molecular weight relationship for each air temperature. However, GSK923295 order across all RZ [CO2] and temperature treatments, there was a close correlation between maximal A and total shoot reduced N concentration of plants under different RZ [CO2], indicating that increased A under elevated RZ [CO2] could partially be due to the higher shoot total reduced N.”
“Background: High values of resting heart rate were found to be correlated with adverse outcomes in various patient groups. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a reliable technique in determining autonomic nervous system function. Our aim was to evaluate

whether a 10-second resting heart rate obtained from a resting electrocardiogram (ECG), could be used as a reliable evaluation of short-term HRV.

Methods: Seventy-nine healthy volunteers were included in the study. All participants underwent a 10-second ECG, and 5-minute HRV measurement under strict criteria.

Results: A significantly negative correlation was found between

resting heart rate and 5-minutemax-RR, check details min-RR, standard deviation of normal RR intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences of RR intervals (RMSSD), HRV triangular index, number of intervals differing by 50 milliseconds from the preceding interval (NN50), pNN50, standard deviation of the points perpendicular to the line of identity (SD1), standard deviation along the line of identity (SD2), and high frequency spectral component (HF). A significant positive correlation was found between resting heart rate and a 5-minute low frequency spectral component (LF) and LF/HF ratio. Specifically, max-RR and min-RR were found to have the best correlation with resting heart rate.

Conclusions: Resting heart rate obtained from a 10-second ECG can be used for crude estimation of all HRV results in healthy individuals who do not take medications, with variable efficacy depending on the measured parameter. Resting heart rate was especially efficient in predicting max-RR and min-RR. Further research should focus on assessing the reliability of a resting heart rate for HRV evaluation, in patients with autonomic dysfunction and high-risk cardiac patients.

Her electroencephalography

Her electroencephalography selleck chemical (EEG) recordings showed notable continuous sharp or sharp-slow discharges during sleep. Brain magnetic resonance images revealed no structural anomalies. Magnetoencephalographic analysis showed broadly distributed epileptic foci around the sylvian fissure, including a secondary source, explaining the specific prolonged neurological dysfunction.

Antiepileptic drugs could control her seizures; however, they did not improve the other neurological symptoms or epileptiform discharge on EEG. Administration of low-dose prednisolone over a long period was effective for improving the neurological impairments of this patient.”
“Background: The adhesion of Plasmodium falciparum parasitized red blood check details cell (PRBC) to human endothelial cells (EC) induces inflammatory processes, coagulation cascades, oxidative stress and apoptosis. These pathological processes are suspected to be responsible for the blood-brain-barrier and other organs’ endothelial dysfunctions observed in fatal cases of malaria. Atorvastatin, a drug that belongs to the lowering cholesterol molecule

family of statins, has been shown to ameliorate endothelial functions and is widely used in patients with cardiovascular disorders.

Methods: The effect of this compound on PRBC induced endothelial impairments was assessed using endothelial co-culture models.

Results: Atorvastatin pre-treatment of EC was found to reduce the expression of adhesion molecules and P. falciparum cytoadherence, to protect cells against PRBC-induced apoptosis and to enhance endothelial monolayer integrity during co-incubation with parasites.

Conclusions: These results might suggest a potential interest use of atorvastatin as a protective treatment to interfere with the pathophysiological cascades leading to severe malaria.”
“Background: Although the incidence of gastric cancer is declining, it remains the most common cancer in Korea. There have been

discrepancies in epidemiologic studies regarding a causal relation between highly salted food and the risk of gastric cancer.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess Ro 61-8048 inhibitor the effect of salt preference on the incidence of gastric cancer in Korean adults through a population-based, prospective cohort study.

Design: Participants were Korean government employees, school faculty members, and their unemployed dependents, aged 30-80 y, who underwent health examinations between 1996 and 1997. In 2003, information on the gastric cancer incidence in these participants was obtained during the 6-7-y follow-up period. The final data analysis included 2,248,129 study subjects. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI of the HR were estimated by using the Cox proportional hazards regression model.


“Purpose: To evaluate three-dimensional (3D) velocity-enco


“Purpose: To evaluate three-dimensional (3D) velocity-encoded (VE) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, as compared with two-dimensional (2D) VE MR imaging, for assessment of pulmonary valve (PV) and tricuspid valve (TV) flow, with planimetry as the reference standard, and to evaluate diastolic function in patients with a corrected tetralogy of Fallot (TOF).

Materials and Methods: Local institutional review board approval was obtained, and patients or their

parents gave informed consent. Twenty-five patients with a corrected TOF (12 male, 13 female; mean age, 13.1 years +/- 2.7 [standard deviation]; age range, 8-18 years) and 19 control subjects (12 male, seven female; mean age, 14.1 years +/- 2.4; age range, 8-18 years) underwent planimetric MR imaging, 2D VE MR imaging, and 3D VE MR imaging for TV and PV flow evaluation. For evaluation of diastolic function, PV and TV flow were summated. Data were analyzed by using linear regression analysis, paired Selleck Autophagy inhibitor and unpaired t testing, and Bland-Altman plots.

Results: Strong correlations between the 2D VE MR and 3D VE MR measurements of PV flow (for forward flow: r = 0.87, P < www.selleckchem.com/products/sbi-0206965.html .01; for backward fl ow: r = 0.97, P < .01) were observed. With PV effective fl ow as a reference, 3D TV effective fl ow measurements were more accurate

than 2D TV effective fl ow measurements: In patients, the mean 2D TV effective fl ow versus 2D PV effective fl ow difference was 17.6 mL +/- 11 (P < .001), and the mean 3D TV effective fl ow versus 3D PV effective fl ow difference was – 1.2 mL +/- 4.7 (P = .22). Diastolic functional impairment in patients could be detected at 3D VE MR imaging diastolic assessment.

Conclusion: Three-dimensional VE MR imaging is accurate for PV fl ow assessment and is more accurate than 2D VE MR imaging for TV fl ow evaluation. Assessment

of diastolic function with 3D VE MR imaging can facilitate ongoing research of diastolic dysfunction in patients with a corrected TOF.”
“The electronic and crystallographic structures, as well as the magnetic properties, of Eu-x(transition metal)(y) (transition metals: Mn, Cr) thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy were studied. Relative changes of the Eu/Mn and Eu/Cr ratios derived from the XPS lines, as well as ��-catenin signaling x-ray reflectivity, indicate mixing of the Eu/Mn and Eu/Cr layers. Valency transitions from Eu2+ to Eu3+ were observed in both systems for most studied stoichiometries. A transition to a magnetically ordered phase was observed at 15 K, 40 K, and 62 K for selected films in the Eu-Mn system, and at 50 K for the film with a Eu/Cr ratio of 0.5. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3559528]“
“Purpose: To determine the ability of different types of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) to stimulate fibroblast proliferation in monolayer cell culture.

Materials and Methods: The National Health Service West Glasgow Ethics Committee granted approval for this study.

The His-bundle potential was recorded at the coronary sinus (CS)

The His-bundle potential was recorded at the coronary sinus (CS) ostium. Fractionated atrial potentials and an A:V electrogram ratio 1:3 were recorded at the anterior septum of the tricuspid

annulus approximately 2 cm from CS ostium. Radiofrequency catheter ablation at the anterior septum of the tricuspid annulus effectively eliminated AVNRT. (PACE 2012; 35:e17e19)”
“Study Design. Retrospective analysis, survey.

Objective. To describe a cohort of individuals with achondroplasia undergoing thoracolumbar laminectomy and to examine if shorter time to surgery was related to improvement in long-term functional outcome.

Summary of Background MK1775 Data. Data on the long-term benefits of laminectomy are mixed for such patients. Earlier intervention may be associated with greater likelihood of long-term benefit, SRT2104 but quantified data are lacking.

Methods. We retrospectively studied 49 patients with achondroplasia who underwent primary laminectomy for spinal stenosis. Patients completed a questionnaire to assess symptoms, walking distance, and independence (per Modified Rankin Scale), before surgery and currently. Responses were analyzed for the likelihood of improved walking distance or Rankin level.

Results. Our patients had the following mean values: age, 37.7 +/-

10.6 years; body mass index, 31.8 +/- 5.5; symptom duration, 74.0 +/- 100.1 months; preoperative symptom severity score, 2.7 +/- 1.0 points; mean changes in blocks walked, +0.39 Selleckchem KPT-8602 +/- 2.0; and Rankin level, +0.08 +/- 1.47. Patients with a time-to-surgery interval of <6 months were 7.13 times (95% confidence interval [CI],

1.39-36.66) more likely to experience improvement in walking distance and 4.00 times (95% CI, 1.05-15.21) more likely to experience Rankin level improvement than patients whose interval was >6 months. Intervals of up to 12 and 24 months were associated with increased likelihoods of 4.95 (95% CI, 1.41-17.41) and 3.43 (95% CI, 1.05-11.22), respectively, of improved walking distance compared with those with longer time-tosurgery intervals, but those Rankin level improvements were not statistically significant.

Conclusion. Time from symptom onset to surgery in patients with achondroplasia is an important predictor of long-term functional outcome. For sustained long-term postsurgical improvement, the window of opportunity might be relatively narrow. Patients with achondroplasia should seek medical advice for spinal stenotic symptoms as soon as possible.”
“Circulation is an important delivery method for both natural and synthetic molecules, but microenvironment interactions, regulated by endothelial cells and critical to the molecule’s fate, are difficult to interpret using traditional approaches.

The differential probe has an exciting coil with two Hall-sensors

The differential probe has an exciting coil with two Hall-sensors.

A stainless steel test sample with electrical discharge machining (EDM) notches under different depths of 1-5 mm was made and the sample was laminated by plastic insulation having uniform thickness to simulate the pipelines in nuclear power plants (NPPs). The driving coil in the probe is excited by a rectangular current pulse and the resultant response, which is the difference of the two Hall-sensors, has been detected as the PEC probe signal. The discriminating time domain features of selleck chemicals the detected pulse such as peak value and time to zero are used to interpret the experimental results with the defects in the test sample. A feature extraction technique such as spectral power density has been devised to infer the PEC response. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3540409]“
“The important role

of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in protective immunity in mycosis is well established, except for its participation in fungal granulomas. Herein, we employ immunohistochemical reactions to describe the in situ localization of IFN-gamma Nepicastat mw in granulomas of susceptible (B10.A) and resistant (A/J) mice to infection with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb). After infection with the highly virulent Pb18, IFN-gamma-positive lymphomononuclear cells were localized mainly at the periphery of granulomas in both mouse strains. The numbers of positive cells found in compact granulomas of A/J mice increased significantly from 15 to 120 days postinfection. At this time, significantly more positive cells were detected in the compact granulomas of resistant mice than in the loose, multifocal lesions of the susceptible ones. In infection with the slightly

virulent Pb265, the same pattern of IFN-gamma localization was found as in Pb18 infection, but there was decreased staining at 120 days due to the presence of only residual lesions in both mouse strains. The marked IFN-gamma staining observed in the granulomas CA4P Cytoskeletal Signaling inhibitor of resistant mice at the later stage of Pb infection confirms its importance in fungal dissemination control, and suggests a contribution to the development of paracoccidioidal granuloma.”
“Mammalian gene expression patterns, and their variability across populations of cells, are regulated by factors specific to each gene in concert with its surrounding cellular and genomic environment. Lentiviruses such as HIV integrate their genomes into semi-random genomic locations in the cells they infect, and the resulting viral gene expression provides a natural system to dissect the contributions of genomic environment to transcriptional regulation. Previously, we showed that expression heterogeneity and its modulation by specific host factors at HIV integration sites are key determinants of infected-cell fate and a possible source of latent infections.

However, failure of the active-fixation mechanism was more freque

However, failure of the active-fixation mechanism was more frequent among leads implanted <1 year before versus >1 year before (OR 6.8, 95% CI 1.1-42.7, P = 0.043). In 38% of patients with failure of the active-fixation mechanism, a previous lead reposition had been attempted before lead removal Cilengitide chemical structure due to significant pacing threshold rise.

Conclusions: In our series, the active-fixation mechanism failed in up to 22.5% of explanted leads. This may have important clinical implications during active-fixation lead removal and reposition. (PACE 2011; 34:1217-1224)”
“Cryptococcus neoformans is an environmental yeast that is a leading cause of fatal mycosis in AIDS

patients and a major cause of meningoencephalitis and CNS-related mortality around the globe. Although C. neoformans infection is mostly a manifestation of immune deficiency, up to 25% of cases reported in the USA occur in patients without recognizable immune defects, indicating that C. neoformans can develop mechanisms

that allow it to evade immune defenses and persist in noncompromised hosts. This article discusses mechanisms and routes of infection and the most important elements of host response as well as the mechanisms that promote cryptococcal survival within the host. Metabolic adaptation to physiological host conditions and the mechanisms limiting immune recognition, interfering with phagocytosis and extending intracellular survival of C. neoformans are highlighted. We describe the mechanisms by which C. neoformans can alter adaptive host responses, especially cell-mediated immunity, Salubrinal manufacturer Ruboxistaurin molecular weight which is required for clearance of this microbe. We also review cryptococcal strategies of survival in the CNS and briefly discuss adaptations developing in response to medical treatment.”
“FePd-alloy epitaxial films were prepared on MgO substrates of (100) (B1), (110)(B1), and (111)(B1) orientations at a temperature of 600 degrees C by ultrahigh vacuum rf magnetron sputtering. The structural and the magnetic properties vary depending on the substrate orientation. L1(0)-FePd(001)

films are obtained on MgO(100)(B1) substrates, whereas L1(0)-FePd(101) films with the c-axis canted from the perpendicular direction are epitaxially grown on MgO(111)(B1) substrates with six variants. FePd epitaxial films consisting of L1(0)(100) and L1(0)(112) crystals are formed on MgO(110)(B1) substrates. A higher long range ordering parameter is obtained on the order of FePd/MgO(100)(B1)>(110)(B1)>(111)(B1). The films grown on MgO(100)(B1) substrates show perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, whereas the films grown on MgO(110)(B1) and MgO(111)(B1) substrates are easily magnetized in in-plane directions. The magnetization properties reflect the magnetocrystalline anisotropies of bulk L1(0)-FePd crystal. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.

In this study, we recruited controls (n = 29), patients with stab

In this study, we recruited controls (n = 29), patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP, n = 30), patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP, n = 56), and patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI, n = 50). The severity and extent of coronary artery lesions was evaluated by Gensini score, following coronary angiograms. The percentage of circulating mDC and pDC precursors was determined by fluorescence-activated

cell sorting (FACS). Plasma levels of MCP-1 and MMP-9, which correlate with atherosclerosis and DC migration, were also measured. The percentage of circulating mDC precursors was reduced in patients with AMI and UAP compared with control and SAP patients, respectively (p < 0.01 for AMI vs. SAP and Control, p < 0.05 for UAP Belnacasan Selleckchem BI-D1870 vs. SAP and Control). The percentage of circulating pDC precursors was not significant changed. The levels of plasma MMP-9 and MCP-1 and Genisi score were all increased in patients with AMI and UAP, compared to control and SAP patients, respectively (p < 0.01 for AMI vs. SAP and control, p < 0.05 for UAP vs. SAP and control). Overall, the percentage of circulating mDC precursors was negatively correlated with MCP-1 (p < 0.001), MMP-9 (p < 0.001) and Genisi scores (p <

0.001). Genisi scores were positively correlated with the levels of MCP-1 (p < 0.001) and MMP-9 (p < 0.001). Our study suggested that the percentage of circulating mDC precursors is negatively correlated with the severity and extent of coronary artery lesions in patients with coronary heart disease.”
“Background: Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) exerts action on both germline and somatic compartment in both ovary and testis although FSH receptors (FSHR) are localized only on the somatic cells namely granulosa cells of growing follicles and Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules. High levels of FSH in females are associated with poor ovarian reserve, ovarian

hyper stimulation syndrome etc. and at the same time FSH acts as a survival factor during in vitro organotypic culture of ovarian cortical strips. Thus a further understanding of FSH learn more action on the ovary is essential. We have earlier reported presence of pluripotent very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs express Oct-4A in addition to other pluripotent markers) and their immediate descendants ‘progenitors’ ovarian germ stem cells (OGSCs express Oct-4B in addition to other germ cell markers) in ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) in various mammalian species including mice, rabbit, monkey, sheep and human. Present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) on adult mice ovaries with a focus on VSELs, OGSCs, postnatal oogenesis and primordial follicle assembly.

Neurourol Urodynam 32: 242249, 2013 (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals

Neurourol. Urodynam. 32: 242249, 2013. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.”
“Aims To evaluate urodynamic parameters in myelomeningocele patients with native bladders and after augmentation, continence rates and check the longevity of these parameters after lower urinary tract (LUT) reconstruction. Methods A retrospective review of adult myelomeningocele patients with UDS. Results 118 adult patients with NGB secondary to myelomeningocele were identified.

58/118 (49.1%) had UDS performed in our clinic: 18/58 (31%) after prior reconstruction (Augment group) and 40/58 (69%) during click here annual urologic follow up (NoSx group). Urodyanmic findings after augmentation included: Pdet@MCC 31.1

(195)cmH2O, MCC 495.9ml, NDO in 3/18 (16.7%), mean DLPP 54.0 (4860)cmH2O and mean ALPP 39.6 (20110)cmH2O in 5/18 with an incompetent sphincter. Patients in NoSx group had the following findings: Pdet@MCC of 39.6 (160)cmH2O, MCC 407.5ml, 18/40 (45%) had NDO, mean DLPP of 48.1 (1595)cmH2O and mean ALPP=51 (1778)cmH2O BI-2536 in 10/40 with incompetent sphincter. In the NoSx group, 19/40 (47.5%) had normal bladder compliance. Mean time from the surgery to UDS was 10.4 years. Continent patients in the NoSx group had a significantly higher MCC than incontinent patients in the same group (475 vs. 352ml, P=0.029). 8/17 (47.1%) continent patients in NoSx group had normal UDS. Conclusions Most patients after augmentation maintain low bladder pressures for more than 10 years. Close long-term follow up should be maintained, especially in those patients

that have not had prior augmentation. Urinary incontinence may be secondary to poor sphincteric function in patients with and without prior augmentation. Moreover, we should continue PR-171 chemical structure to follow patients after reconstruction as elevated detrusor pressures can still be seen. Strict follow up after LUT reconstruction still continues to be important. Neurourol. Urodynam. 32: 250253, 2013. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.”
“Background: Quality of life is an umbrella concept that refers to all aspects of a person’s life, including health status and well-being. While health status measure focuses on the impact of the disease on physical functioning, well-being represents the self-representation of the emotional states related to the disease itself. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychological well-being and its determining factors in a real-life chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) population and to evaluate if patients with a different well-being differ in illness perception, health status and alexithymia.

In the literature several works are available showing the chemica

In the literature several works are available showing the chemical and physical effect of pentosan addition but it is still matter of discussion of their effect on the mechanical properties of dough. Therefore, the main objective is to further study this point, evaluating the effect of pentosans on the rheological properties of dough, using fundamental measurements and theological modelling. Small amplitude oscillations at different temperatures were performed to evaluate material

properties and stress relaxation tests, either within or out of the linear range, were used to investigate the effect of large deformations on material structure. Results showed that the effect of the addition is variable, depending on the amount, type of pentosans and deformation amplitude. The obtained https://www.selleckchem.com/products/bb-94.html results, together with rheological modelling, allow either to design dough having controlled properties during critical manufacturing steps (e.g. leavening or baking) or to reduce mechanical properties variability as effect of natural variation in flour characteristics. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All

rights reserved.”
“Background: Both neurotrophins and chemorepellents H 89 are involved in the elongation and sprouting of itch-associated C-fibers in the skin. Nerve growth factor (NGF) and semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) are representatives of these two types of axon-guidance factors, respectively.

Objective: We investigated the effects of calcium concentration and histamine on the expression of NGF and Sema3A in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) and normal human fibroblasts (NHFb).

Methods: NHEK and NHFb were cultured under different calcium concentrations (0.15-0.9 mM) with or without histamine, and the expression of mRNA for NGF and SEMA3A was assessed by real-time PCR analysis. An immunohistochemical study was performed for Sema3A using normal skin and skin cancer specimens.

Results: In NHEK, SEMA3A expression

was elevated by high calcium concentration and reduced by low calcium condition, while NGF expression was not dependent on calcium. Their expressions were unchanged by calcium in NHFb. Immunohistochemically, keratinocytes in the prickle selleck compound layer of normal epidermis and squamous cell carcinoma cells were positive for Sema3A, sparing basal cells and suprabasal cells. The addition of histamine to NHEK at 10 mu g/ml enhanced SEMA3A expression but depressed NGF expression. In NHFb, however, histamine decreased both NGF and SEMA3A levels.

Conclusions: Sema3A inhibits C-fiber elongation/sprouting in the upper layers of the epidermis, where calcium concentration is high, thereby determining the nerve endings. Histamine reduces Sema3A production by fibroblasts, allowing C-fibers to elongate in the dermis. In contrast, the histamine-augmented keratinocyte production of Sema3A might suppress C-fiber elongation and exaggerated pruritus. (C) 2010 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology.

Treatment was usual nonoperative care or surgical discectomy Out

Treatment was usual nonoperative care or surgical discectomy. Outcomes included pain, functional impairment, satisfaction and work/disability status at Fludarabine order 6 weeks, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months.

Results. Combining randomized and observational cohorts, 113 patients with workers’ compensation and 811 patients without were followed for 2 years. There were significant improvements in pain, function, and satisfaction

with both surgical and nonoperative treatment in both groups. In the nonworkers’ compensation group, there was a clinically and statistically significant advantage for surgery at 3 months that remained significant at 2 years. However, in the workers’ compensation group, the benefit of surgery diminished with time; at 2 years no significant advantage was seen for surgery in any outcome (treatment difference for SF-36 bodily pain [-5.9; 95% CI: -16.7-4.9] and physical function [5.0; 95% CI: -4.9-15]). Surgical treatment was not associated with better work or disability outcomes in either group.

Conclusion. Patients with a lumbar IDH improved substantially with both surgical and nonoperative treatment. However, there was no LY411575 added benefit associated with surgical treatment for patients with workers’ compensation at 2 years while those in the nonworkers’ compensation group had significantly greater improvement with surgical

treatment.”
“Studies on redox supercapacitors. using electronically conducting polymers NVP-LDE225 manufacturer are of great importance for hybrid power sources and pulse power applications. In this study, electrochemical properties of a chitosan-based biodegradable polymer gel electrolyte (PGE) and a p/p polypyrrole supercapacitor fabricated using this electrolyte have been investigated. The variation

of conductivity and dielectric properties of the electrolyte film with temperature has also been measured. The PGE film chosen for the stud exhibited a specific conductivity of 5.5 x 10(-3) S cm The electric modulus of the electrolyte film exhibits a long tail feature indicative of good capacitance. The fabricated supercapacitor showed a fairly good specific capacitance of 120 F g(-1) and a time constant of 1 s. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 114: 2445-2454, 2009″
“BACKGROUND: Superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant acting against superoxide (oxygen radical, O-2(center dot-)), it is released in inflammatory pathways and causes connective tissue breakdown. Increased SOD activity in inflamed gingiva may indicate increased O-2(center dot-) radical generation by neutrophils and other inflammatory cells at the diseased site. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) on SOD levels in gingival tissues of chronic periodontitis patients.

METHODS: Forty subjects: 20 periodontally healthy (Control) and 20 chronic periodontitis (Test); age range 24-55 years were recruited.