Library.nu the new gigapedia

Everybody must have loved the large collection of gigapedia previously on two websites as gigapedia.com and giggle.ws. Now for reasons unknown to the author, both of them have moved into a single website with extended features which is more interactive is http://library.nu/.
As was with gigapedia, this also features books of a wide variety, journals, articles, etc. This is comparatively easy to search with multiple guidelines given on the home page.
The website being in the development stage is adding new features to make it more interactive, boasting a collection of more than 4,20,000 entries. Everybody must have come across the collection of gigapedia and would definitely appreciate the same with http://library.nu/ .
Elaborate information previously unheard of along with the e-book is provided, so that the user is aware/sure of the edition and the book too he intends to look into. Now a further addition has been made, which along with the search gives details regarding the book quality, features, bookmarks, vector, scanned, searchable, cover, ISBN no. and pagination is given which gives the overall usefulness for the readers as such.
Reading material can be searched on the basis of ISBN no. (International standard book number), with each book being given along with the ISBN no. For eg: ISBN-10 / ASIN: 0300013973 and ISBN-13 / EAN: 9780300013979 for the book Group theory and three dimensional manifolds (Mathematical monography no. 4). The ISBN no. can be used to seach in site like amazon which helps in searching the book accurately.
Registration is compulsory to Members are encouraged to help the site by providing reading material with the benefit of points. The various levels are newbie, regular, and librarian. Points are given for good reports, new documents while reduced for bad documents.
Do visit the site to know more. Thanks for reading.

Dr Prakash H Muddegowda

SELF TESTING KITS

Self testing kits are kits used in the home to diagnose or monitor certain conditions. These kits are simple, safe, precise, validated, and acceptable to the general population and should outweigh physical and psychological harm. Information regarding the importance of investigation and its interpretation is usually supplied along with it.
These ranges of medical tests are available to the direct-to-the-public outside the referral system. These kits can be obtained in the nearest mart, medical store or online through internet on various sites.
Various tests belong to this group include commonly pregnancy test, diabetes test kit, cholesterol home test. Other uncommon tests include male and female fertility test, ovulation test, vaginal discharge test, menopause test, home drug testing kit, HIV self kit test, malaria test, Chlamydia self test, bladder infection test, allergy test, body fat test and amniotic fluid test etc.
The uncommon tests will slowly become common as the technologies improve with the testing becoming cheaper and easier to carry out. The opportunity driven economy will bring many more tests to the doorstep, thereby early diagnosis.
Risks associated with self test kits include incorrect interpretation leading to unnecessary change in treatment or lifestyle, thereby contradicting the purpose of the self testing kit.
Tests should be followed up with the treating physician whenever necessary with the source company being reliable, with proper storage facilities with limitations and interpretation being given in the pamphlet with it. At most importance is to know that no test is 100% accurate and needs to be followed up by other standard methods, whenever doubtful.
Now-a-days there are lots of things said about genetic self help kits, the issues being critical whether these should be available for marketing direct-to-the-public as the implications if improperly interpreted could prove disastrous.

Dr Prakash H Muddegowda & Dr Jyothi B Lingegowda

Urine analysis

Urine analysis:
Urine, an ultra filtrate of plasma is excreted through the kidneys forms an important part of the routine laboratory investigation for a wide range of diseases. It is produced as a secondary from of purification of blood to remove non-volatile waste products that cannot be removed through the respiratory system.
It starts from the method of sample collection. Different method, different timings and patient preparation (previous day’s diet) needs to be checked for the specific investigation ordered by the treating physician.
After the sample collection, Physical examination starts. This is supposed to be the most neglected aspect as it yields a very big data, if properly interpreted could led to a diagnosis sooner than later. It includes volume, color, odor, pH, foam and specific gravity
This is followed by chemical examination, in which various waste products or excess excreted products are assessed. Methods vary from lab to lab, with urine analyzers being used more frequently in advanced laboratories, and in smaller ones, dipstick being used. Specific investigations need to asked, or routinely protein and sugar are analyzed.
Next microscopic examination follows, which is also called as poor man’s renal biopsy. Normal optical microscope would serve the purpose, whereas in larger laboratories urine analyzers do the job. It includes looking for cells, casts, crystals and small stones too.
Culture of urine is done in suspicious cases of Urinary tract infection and count should be increased above a certain range to call it as infection.
Renal function tests are needed in renal specific disorders, to evaluate the level of destruction and the amount of function retained in the kidney. It helps to evaluate the follow-up of disease. Special tests and monitoring tests are done for renal calculi.
Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda.