Retrospective Analysis of Ponticulus Posticus in Indian Orthodontic Patients-A Lateral Cephalometric Study

Background

The lateral cephalogram is the most common diagnostic radiograph used in clinical orthodontics. Significant cervical spine pathology can be detected on the routine lateral cephalogram. The aim of this study is to sensitize clinicians for examining the cervical area of lateral cephalogram carefully and thus record anatomical variations.

Materials and Methods

The presence and types of ponticuli posticus were investigated on 650 lateral cephalograms which were randomly selected from archived records at AECS Maaruti College of Dental Sciences & Research Centre, Bangalore

Results

The prevalence rate of Ponticulus Posticus in our study was found to be 11.1%. Though there was slight female predominance of 11.7% as compared to 10.4% in males, difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Ponticulus posticus is a common anomaly in the Indian population. If any such anomaly is detected or suspected, it must be documented in the patient''s health record and specialist consultation must be sought. The lateral cephalogram must thus be considered as one of the baseline screening tool for detecting anomalies and pathology in the cervical spine region.     

Icicle sign: autoimmune pancreatitis

Abdominal Radiology -     

Dolichandroside A,a new α‐glucosidase inhibitor and DPPH free‐radical Scavenger from Dolichandrone falcata seem

A new phenylpropanoid glycoside, dolichandroside‐A, together with seven known compounds α‐lapachone, lapachol, aloesaponarin II, 8‐hydroxydehydroiso‐α‐lapachone, β‐sitosterol, 3,8‐dihydroxydehydroiso‐α‐lapachone and verbascoside were isolated from the active ethyl acetate soluble extract of heartwood of Dolichandrone falcata. All except for dolichandroside‐A are known compounds, but have been isolated for the first time from this plant. The structure of all these compounds was determined on the basis of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectral data. All the isolates were tested for α‐glucosidase inhibitory and DPPH radical scavenging activity. This is the first report identifying DPPH scavenging activity and α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity in D. falcata. Furthermore, along with a new compound, dolichandroside‐A, this study also assigns for the first time α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity to verbascoside and aloe saponarin‐II. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antiinflammatory, Analgesic and Antipyretic Activity of Certain Thiazolidinones

The thiazolidin-4-one derivatives and the corresponding spiro compounds were synthesized from sulphanilamide and were evaluated for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity in acute and sub acute models. Compounds were also evaluated for antipyretic and cyclooxygenase enzyme inhibitory activity. All the compounds showed significant antiinflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activity at 100 mg/kg in all the models. The compounds B1, B2, B5, B6, and B8 showed maximum inhibition of COX-2 activity without inhibiting the COX-1 activity. The nimesulide was used as standard drug for comparison. The substitution at R, R₁ and R₂ with the functional groups Cl, OCH₃, NO₂ and OH in the aromatic ring resulted in increased activity as compared to unsubstituted thiazolidin-4-ones. However the substitution at R₃ with spiro group did not improve the activity. The study suggests that COX-2 binding site may not be a rigid structure but might adopt to various related molecules.