1.Research Development Using REDCap Software
Klauss Kleydmann Sabino GARCIA ; Amanda Amaral ABRAHÃO
Healthcare Informatics Research 2021;27(4):341-349
Objectives:
High-quality clinical research is dependent on adequate design, methodology, and data collection. The utilization of electronic data capture (EDC) systems is recommended to optimize research data through proper management. This paper’s objective is to present the procedures of REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture), which supports research development, and to promote the utilization of this software among the scientific community.
Methods:
REDCap’s web application version 10.4.1 released on 2021 (Vanderbilt University) is an EDC system suitable for clinical research development. This paper describes how to join the REDCap consortium and presents how to develop survey instruments and use them to collect and analyze data.
Results:
Since REDCap is a web application that stimulates knowledge-sharing among the scientific community, its development is not finished and it is constantly receiving updates to improve the system. REDCap’s tools provide access control, audit trails, and data security to the research team.
Conclusions
REDCap is a web application that can facilitate clinical research development, mainly in health fields, and reduce the costs of conducting research. Its tools allow researchers to make the best use of EDC components, such as data storage.
2.Unilateral Punctate Keratitis Secondary to Wallenberg Syndrome.
Pino CIDAD ; Ana BOTO ; Almudena DEL HIERRO ; Maria CAPOTE ; Susana NOVAL ; Amanda GARCIA ; Susana SANTIAGO
Korean Journal of Ophthalmology 2014;28(3):278-283
We studied three patients who developed left unilateral punctate keratitis after suffering left-sided Wallenberg Syndrome. A complex evolution occurred in two of them. In all cases, neurophysiological studies showed damage in the trigeminal sensory component at the bulbar level. Corneal involvement secondary to Wallenberg syndrome is a rare cause of unilateral superficial punctate keratitis. The loss of corneal sensitivity caused by trigeminal neuropathy leads to epithelial erosions that are frequently unobserved by the patient, resulting in a high risk of corneal-ulcer development with the possibility of superinfection. Neurophysiological studies can help to locate the anatomical level of damage at the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve, confirming the suspected etiology of stroke, and demonstrating that prior vascular involvement coincides with the location of trigeminal nerve damage. In some of these patients, oculofacial pain is a distinctive feature.
Aged
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Cornea/*pathology
;
Diagnosis, Differential
;
Female
;
Humans
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Keratitis/diagnosis/*etiology
;
Lateral Medullary Syndrome/*complications
;
Middle Aged
3.Physicochemical properties of a calcium aluminate cement containing nanoparticles of zinc oxide
Amanda Freitas da ROSA ; Thuany Schmitz AMARAL ; Maria Eduarda Paz DOTTO ; Taynara Santos GOULART ; Hebert Luís ROSSETTO ; Eduardo Antunes BORTOLUZZI ; Cleonice da Silveira TEIXEIRA ; Lucas da Fonseca Roberti GARCIA
Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics 2023;48(1):e3-
Objectives:
This study evaluated the effect of different nanoparticulated zinc oxide (nanoZnO) and conventional-ZnO ratios on the physicochemical properties of calcium aluminate cement (CAC).
Materials and Methods:
The conventional-ZnO and nano-ZnO were added to the cement powder in the following proportions: G1 (20% conventional-ZnO), G2 (15% conventionalZnO + 5% nano-ZnO), G3 (12% conventional-ZnO + 3% nano-ZnO) and G4 (10% conventional-ZnO + 5% nano-ZnO). The radiopacity (Rad ), setting time (Set ), dimensional change (Dc ), solubility (Sol ), compressive strength (Cst ), and pH were evaluated. The nanoZnO and CAC containing conventional-ZnO were also assessed using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.Radiopacity data were analyzed by the 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni tests (p < 0.05). The data of the other properties were analyzed by the ANOVA, Tukey, and Fisher tests (p < 0.05).
Results:
The nano-ZnO and CAC containing conventional-ZnO powders presented particles with few impurities and nanometric and micrometric sizes, respectively. G1 had the highest R ad mean value (p < 0.05). When compared to G1, groups containing nano-ZnO had a significant reduction in the S et (p < 0.05) and lower values of D c at 24 hours (p < 0.05). The C st was higher for G4, with a significant difference for the other groups (p < 0.05). The S ol did not present significant differences among groups (p > 0.05).
Conclusions
The addition of nano-ZnO to CAC improved its dimensional change, setting time, and compressive strength, which may be promising for the clinical performance of this cement.