Quality of the results section of original dental articles published in national Farsi and international English journals

Objective: Lack of scientific writing skills is one major problem encountered for publication of research results of Iranian scientists in accredited journals. As the result, many research projects or dissertation findings remain unpublished. This study aimed to assess the quality of writing of the "results" section of some original articles published in Iranian Farsi and international English journals

Methods: This analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted on 64 dental articles published in 3 international English and 3 Iranian Farsi journals. Selection of journals was non-random but articles were selected randomly based on specific criteria. A checklist containing 32 criteria regarding general statistics, context of the results, statistical tests, tables, charts and graphs was prepared. Obtained data were analyzed by SPSS 10 using Fisher's exact and chi square tests

Results: Farsi articles met 64.1% and English articles met 65.8% of the checklist criteria. No significant difference was found in the quality of the results section of Farsi and English papers [p>0.05]

Conclusion: Most papers did not provide adequate details in the results section to help readers better comprehend the subject

Effect of vitamin C on salivary total antioxidant capacity in smokers

This study was designed to elucidate the effect of ascorbic acid on salivary total antioxidant capacity in smokers. In this single blind crossover clinical trial, the whole unstimulated saliva of 30 smokers, who were randomly divided into two groups, was collected. In the first phase after the saliva collection, one group of patients took 500 mg of vitamin C powder, for 3 weeks. Then, saliva of all patients was collected. After a one-week wash-out period, vitamin C was given to the other group. The collection of saliva was done after 3 weeks. Total antioxidant capacity was measured. Statistic evaluation was performed by Repeated Measured ANOVA, Independent sample t-test and Covariate test. The mean of total antioxidant capacity with and without using vitamin C was 0.511 +/- 0.155 [U/mL] and 0.555 +/- 0.171 [U/mL], respectively. This variability was not significant [p = 0.605]. Oxidative stress from cigarette smoke was not decreased significantly with using vitamin C

[Evaluation of the effect of brushing with pumice on pit and fissure sealant retention]

Pit and fissure sealant, is considered as a safe and effective method to prevent dental caries especially at the occlusal surface of permanent posterior teeth. There are several reporting controversies on the use and absence of tooth prepare before sealant application, and its effect on sealant retention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of brushing with pumice on pit and fissure sealant retention, in an invivo situation. A clinical trial was performed on a group of 31children with the Total of 100 permanent teeth. Teeth were divided randomly into two groups of case and control, .In each person similar sealant material was applied on teeth. In the case group, brushing step with pumice was omitted before etching the enamel. Sealant retention was then evaluated after a 6 month period using chi - square test. Retention between two groups, were not statistically significant using chi - square test. There was 77% of success observed in the case group compare to 72% in control group. Therefore, the failure rate estimates 23% in case and 28% in control group. Brushing with pumice did not have a great effect on clinical sealant retention [after 6 month], and removing this step seams not interfering with the sealant retention