ABSTRACT
Drug-induced kidney disease constitutes an important cause of acute renal failure and chronic kidney disease in present day clinical practice. Different classes of drugs, by virtue of immunological mechanisms or direct toxicity initiate certain stereotyped renal responses. For most patients suffering from drug-induced nephropathy common risk factors which precipitate the adverse effects include: old age, volume -depleted state, pre-existing renal dysfunction and coexisting use of other nephrotoxins. Although it is impossible to present all the drugs causing renal disease, a few prototype drugs are mentioned. In a case of undiagnosed renal disease a possibility of drug-induced renal failure should be kept as the prompt removal of the drug and supportive management can reverse the renal dysfunction to a large extent.
Subject(s)
Humans , Kidney/drug effects , Kidney Diseases/chemically inducedABSTRACT
This paper describes the need for the development of software for computer interpretation of Pulmonary Function Tests based on equations derived from Indian populations, and the development strategies adopted. The decision flowcharts are given. The present limitations and areas of ongoing refinement of the program are discussed.
Subject(s)
Adult , Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted/instrumentation , Female , Forced Expiratory Flow Rates , Humans , Peak Expiratory Flow Rate , Residual Volume , Respiratory Function Tests/instrumentation , Software , SpirometryABSTRACT
Blood lactate assays are now widely used as measures of oxygen debt, especially in the areas of assessment of anaerobic power; assessment of fatigue; VO2(max) end-point determination, and rationalisation of work-rest cycles. A need exists for a method which will meet the following criteria: simplicity--single, small samples; rapidity, and feasibility with easily available instrument and chemicals. In order to develop such a method, the standard Barker and Summerson method was modified so as to use 0.02 ml of blood sample, and the following tests were carried out on 25 subjects at rest, and various levels of work: paired comparisons on analysis by macro and micro methods on the same sample of blood; paired comparisons on venous and capillary (fingertip) samples. In both cases, the paired values showed high correlation (0.99) and highly significant differences of means (P = 0.01 and 0.001, respectively). The regression equations obtained were also highly significant (P = 0.001). The combined equation was Y = 0.9655 X -0.4366; samples taken 2,4,5,6 and 10 mins after work showed that peak occurred in the 4th min sampling (2 vs 4 and 4 vs 6 min means significantly different at P = 0.05, and analysis of variance significant at (P = 0.001). It may be concluded that drawing, fingertip sample 4 mins after the end of work, analysing by the micro method, and using the regression equation will give the true peak blood lactate level, and satisfy the systems criteria defined.