RESUMO
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is an important indicator of renal function. Many methods have been developed to determine GFR in clinical examinations. This study aims to correlate between radionuclide plasma sampling methods (single and double blood samples, in vitro methods) and in vivo Gate's method using 99mTc-diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (99mTc-DTPA) renography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 43 patients underwent this study, including 31 renal donors (Group 1) and 12 patients with obstructive uropathy (Group 2). All patients were administered with a range of 5-7 mCi of 99mTc-DTPA. Then, renography performed simultaneously after injection and GFR calculation followed by Gate's method. Blood samples were collected at 60- and 120-min postinjection, samples were counted by a thyroid uptake system, and GFR was calculated using a single plasma sample method (SPSM) and a double plasma sample method (DPSM). RESULTS: The mean GFRs calculated by Gate's method in Groups 1 and 2 were 85.8 ± 18.2 ml/min and 118.4 ± 13.9 ml/min, respectively. Meanwhile, using the in vitro blood sampling methods (DPSM and SPSM), the mean GFRs in Group 1 were 73.8 ± 15.4 ml/min and 56.4 ± 20.9 ml/min, respectively, and in Group 2 were 116.8 ± 12.9 ml/min and 106.3 ± 18.5 ml/min, respectively. There is a high correlation between Gate's method and DPSM in two groups (r = 0.86 and 0.72, respectively), and a moderate correlation was found between Gate's method and SPSM in both groups (r = 0.49 and r = 0.37, respectively). The two in vitro methods (DPSM and SPSM) revealed that moderate correlation in both groups (r = 0.74 and r = 0.67, respectively) was observed. CONCLUSION: Renography is a simple method but considered inaccurate for GFR determination. However, in vitro plasma sampling is rarely used in Vietnam. In this study, Gate's method correlated well with DPSM and tended to overestimate GFR. Further, the in vitro methods can be applied to correct the in vivo method as a confirmatory test in some cases.
RESUMO
This article explores why landscape is a crucial element in researching the relationship between environment and well-being. The main point we make is that human social agents are embedded in particular landscapes, and it is in landscapes that environmental changes are experienced, which can have implications for well-being. We draw from a variety of perspectives on landscape that understands a fundamental creative relation between humans and landscape and recent developments in neo-materialism theorising. Landscape is understood here as an assemblage of different forms of matter, animate and inanimate objects, as well as symbolic and cultural processes. A case study is also presented to indicate how landscape can be studied in relation to environment and change. Using the conceptual ideas laid out in the first section of the article, we analyse landscape, environment and well-being in Xuan Thuy National Park in North Vietnam. The area is part of a precarious coastal region where extreme weather events have impacted on the well-being of both humans and other matter. This article concludes with suggestions on the use of this landscape approach in researching environment and well-being.
