Cell viability and hemocompatibility evaluation of a starch-based hydrogel loaded with hydroxyapatite or calcium carbonate for maxillofacial bone regeneration.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the cell viability and hemocompatibility of starch-based hydrogels for maxillofacial bone regeneration. Seven starch-based hydrogels were prepared: three loaded with 0.5, 1 and 2% calcium carbonate (Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA); three loaded with 2, 3 and 4% hydroxyapatite (Sigma Aldrich); and one not loaded as a control. A 10 M NaOH was then added to induce hydrogel formation. Human osteoblasts were cultured on each hydrogel for 72 h. An MTS assay (Cell Titer96; PROMEGA, Madison, WI, USA) was used to assess cell viability. Hemocompatibility testing was conducted with normal human blood in the following conditions: 100 mg of each hydrogel in contact with 900 µL of whole blood for 15 min at 37 °C under lateral stirring. Higher percentages of cell viability were observed in starch-based hydrogels loaded with hydroxyapatite as compared with the control. The hemolysis test showed a hemolysis level lower than 2%. Activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time were unchanged, while platelet counting showed a slight decrease when compared with controls.

Analgesic efficacy and safety of single-dose tramadol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in operations on the third molars: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate published randomised, double-blind, clinical trials to compare the analgesic efficacy and safety of tramadol with that of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) in operations on the third molars. We identified eligible reports from searches of PubMed, MedLine, the Cochrane Library, Oxford Pain Relief database, Imbiomed, and Google Scholar. The full text of studies that met our minimum requirements were evaluated using inclusion and exclusion criteria with the Oxford Quality Scale. Those with a Score ≥ 3 in this scale were included and their data were extracted and analysed. Absolute increase in risk, the number needed to harm, odds ratio and 95% CI were calculated using Risk Reduction Calculator software. Each meta-analysis was made with the help of the Mantel-Haenszel random effects model, estimates of risk (odds ratio (OR)) and 95% CI were calculated using the Review Manager 5.2. from the Cochrane Library. A significant risk was assumed when the lower limit of the 95%CI was greater than 1. Probabilities of less than 0.05 were accepted as significant. The results showed that tramadol had less analgesic efficacy and an increased risk of adverse effects compared with NSAID. In conclusion, a single dose of tramadol was not as effective or as safe as NSAID for the relief of pain after operations on the third molars.