Solid deposits of amorphous hydrated silica are formed at specific intracellular and extracellular locations in many plant taxa, including all taxa in Triticeae. These deposits of silica are called phytoliths, literally meaning "plant-rocks." Many plants produce phytoliths with morphological characteristics that appear unique to a given taxon, a phenomenon giving them taxonomic significance. When plant tissue decomposes, any phytoliths formed are released into the surrounding environment thus becoming microfossils of the plants that produced them. Analysis of microfossil phytoliths can provide information to researchers in a wide variety of disciplines, including, archaeobotany, paleoecology, phytogeography and systematics. This paper reviews current methodologies and results of typologic and morphometric analysis of wheat and barley phytoliths.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects approximately 14.8 million adults in the United States, which is about 6.7 % of the US population. MDD impacts most activities of daily living, including oral hygiene practices and use of dental resources. This review article provides information related to underlying mechanisms of disease, diagnosis, and treatment so that dentists may best address patients' dental concerns in the context of underlying depression. Laboratory and psychological screening tools are also discussed in relation to specific practice recommendations for managing patients with MDD as well as identifying patients with underlying symptoms who may be at risk for MDD.

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