Sublingual epidermoid cyst: a case report

Of all the epidermoid cysts encountered throughout the body, only 7% occurs in the head and neck area, with the oral cavity accounting for only 1.6%. Intraorally this benign slow growing and painless entity is usually located in the submandibular, sublingual and submental region. They can cause symptoms of dysphagia and dyspnoea and have a malignant transformation potential. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice. Described here is a case of gigantic sublingual epidermoid cyst

Evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of finger millet polyphenols (Eleusine coracana)

Phenolic acids from finger millet (Eleusine coracana) milled fractions (whole flour, seed coat, 3%, 5% and 7%) were isolated and their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties were evaluated. Acidic methanol extracts from seed coat to whole flour were rich in polyphenol content and were found to be stable up to 48 h at pH 4, 7, and 9 as studied by ultraviolet spectroscopy. Diadzene, gallic, coumaric, syringic and vanillic acids were identified as major phenolic acids from the extracted phenolics. Diadzene content was highest in concentration in the 5% flour. The reducing power of seed coat extract was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of whole flour extract. Antioxidant activity (AA) as determined by the p-carotene-linoleic acid assay indicated that the AA was highest in seed coat extract (86%), whilst at the same concentration it was only 27% in the whole flour extract. The seed coat extract showed higher antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus and Aspergillus flavus compared to whole flour extract. From these observations, it can be inferred that the polyphenols are responsible for the microbial activity of the millet and the results indicate that potential exists to utilise finger millet seed coat as an alternative natural antioxidant and food preservative. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Optimization of sensitometric properties of blue and green light sensitive dental radiographic films employing an automatic processor

Background: Accurate film processing is of paramount importance in acquiring a good diagnostic radiograph. Radiographic films show variations in densities and contrast, with changes in processing conditions, and also film type, all of which are interdependent. Therefore, this research was conducted to recognize the effect of time and temperature variations of automatic processor on the sensitometric properties of blue and green light sensitive screen films. The study also aimed to note the effect on sensitometric properties when mismatch occurred when using between the screen and film belonging to different manufacturers. Materials and Methods: Sixty green light sensitive and 60 blue light sensitive spectrally matched screen film combinations were used in the study. However, the films and the intensifying screens employed belonged to different manufacturers. These films were exposed to five different exposure times and subsequently processed in an automatic processor, using two different protocols. Initially, at constant processing time of 2.5 min, five different processing temperatures were employed. Later, maintaining constant processing temperature of 35°C and five different processing times were engaged. Density, contrast and speed were calculated, using H and D curve. Results: Results revealed increasing density, contrast and speed values with increasing processing times and temperatures of both green and blue sensitive films. Conclusion: This investigation clearly establishes the possibility of obtaining optimal sensitometric properties, despite using intensifying screens and films of different manufacturers, if spectral match is ensured

Effect of processing on the microstructure of finger millet by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy

Finger millet is one of the important minor cereals, and carbohydrates form its major chemical constituent. Recently, the millet is processed to prepare hydrothermally treated (HM), decorticated (DM), expanded (EM) and popped (PM) products. The present research aims to study the changes in the microstructure of carbohydrates using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Processing the millet brought in significant changes in the carbohydrates. The native millet exhibited A-type pattern of X-ray diffraction with major peaks at 2θ values of 15.3, 17.86 and 23.15, whereas, all other products showed V-type pattern with single major peak at 2θ values ranging from 19.39 to 19.81. The corresponding lattice spacing and the number of unit cells in a particular direction of reflection also reduced revealing that crystallinity of starch has been decreased depending upon the processing conditions. Scanning electron microscopic studies also revealed that the orderly pattern of starch granules changed into a coherent mass due to hydrothermal treatment, while high temperature short time treatment rendered a honey-comb like structure to the product. However, the total carbohydrates and non-starch polysaccharide contents almost remained the same in all the products except for DM and EM, but the individual carbohydrate components changed significantly depending on the type of processing

Clinical audit in dentistry: From a concept to an initiation

Clinical audit is a quality improvement process that aims to improve patient care through a systematic review of care against explicit criteria. It is a cyclic and multidisciplinary process which involves a series of steps from planning the audit through measuring the performance to implementing and sustaining the change. Although audit contains some facets of research, it is essential to understand the difference between the two. Auditing can be done right from the record maintaining, diagnosis and treatment and postoperative evaluation and follow-up. The immense potential of clinical audit can be utilized only when open-mindedness and innovativeness are encouraged and evidence-based work culture is cultivated

A retrospective study of panoramic radiographs for zygomatic air cell defect in children

Background and Aim: The aim was to determine the prevalence of zygomatic air cell defect (ZACD) among children of Indian origin and also to determine the dominant form of ZACD. Materials and Methods: One thousand six hundred and eighty-eight routine panoramic radiographs of subjects between 7 and 18 years, processed between January 2006 and January 2009 were screened, recorded and analyzed for ZACD. Results: Of the 1688 panoramic radiographs examined, 768 were of males and 920 of females. The radiographs were divided into two groups, Group I comprising of subjects in the age 7-12 years and other Group II in the age range 13-18 years. ZACD was found in 50 subjects, accounting for prevalence of 2.96%. Other occurrences found were unilateral 38 cases, bilateral 12, unilocular 20 and multilocular 42 respectively. Conclusion: This study described the prevalence and characteristics of ZACD among selected Indian children. It is essential to know and determine this variant of normal anatomy and differentiate it from pathologies

Influence of seed mycoflora and harvesting conditions on milling, popping and malting qualities of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

Four cultivars of sorghum were artificially inoculated with Fusarium moniliforme conidia at flowering and bagged. These samples along with their untreated controls were harvested at physiological maturity and 2 weeks after physiological maturity. The grains obtained from both the treatments were studied for their milling, malting and popping characteristics. Grains harvested at physiological maturity stage possessed superior milling and malting characteristics whereas late-harvested grains exhibited better popping characteristics. Milling and popping reduced the seed mycoflora considerably