Meta-analysis of published studies was applied to analyze the effectiveness of fissure sealants in preventing dental caries. Studies were identified by a MEDLINE search, supplemented by a hand search of the references in the articles recovered. All articles were assessed on the basis of quality, and were combined with the Mantel-Haenszel method. The prevented fraction in the exposed population (PF) was estimated using pooled relative risk. Heterogeneity of the effect and publication bias were also analyzed. Twenty-four studies were included in the meta-analysis. The overall effectiveness of autopolymerized fissure sealants was 71.36% (95% confidence interval 69.69-72.94%). Effectiveness in preventing caries decreased with time, and increased when drinking water was fluoridated (82.69% vs 72.28%). Heterogeneity was significant in most cases, and was further studied with multiple linear regression analysis. It is concluded that autopolymerizing sealants should be used. More research is needed to compare the effectiveness of dental hygienists and dentists in applying sealants.

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Our results underline the influence of personality traits on the development of depressive symptoms independently of other individual characteristics and the occupational context.

ABSTRACT:When surface water is used to supply urban settlements, exhaustive studies of the composition of the source are necessary to ensure its potability, and to assess the possible environmental effects associated with contamination by pesticides. The present study centers on the pesticide content of the waters from a section of the Guadalquivir River and its affluents in southern Spain. At many of the sampling points analyzed, high concentrations of both organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides were detected.The presence of these toxic substances in dangerously high concentrations, as well as the linear tendency of the mean values for total pesticide concentration at sampling points, allows us to conclude that the agricultural character of this area has ultimately contributed to the contamination of the Guadalquivir River and its affluents, creating a sanitary and ecological hazard. In some cases the levels of contamination were found to consistently exceed the limits established by the European Union concerning water quality for human consumption.Because the substances analyzed are not eliminated through conventional water treatment methods, we conclude that the sampled section of the Guadalquivir River basin should not be currently used as a source of water for human consumption. Both pretreatment and advanced water treatment techniques would be required to reduce micropollutant concentrations to potable levels.