La Digitalis. Una planta ligada al arte / Digitalis. A plant linked to art

Resumen La Digitalis purpúrea ha sido utilizada por sus propiedades terapéuticas desde la antigüedad hasta nuestros días. Su difundido uso, tanto como la diversidad de indicaciones que tuvo, permitió que también se conociese desde antaño los riesgos a la salud para quien recibiese una dosis excesiva. La toxicología actual conoce y maneja perfectamente la intoxicación digitálica, sin embargo, muchas historias relacionadas con su uso son poco conocidas. Se presentan algunas de estas historias, muchas de ellas relacionadas con el mundo del arte.

Abstract Digitalis purpurea has been used because of its therapeutic properties since ancient times up to our days. Its wide- spread use as well as the variety of indications that it covered allowed to know the risks for health in case of overdose. Present toxicology is aware and knows perfectly well how to treat digitalic poisoning. However, many stories about digitalis are little known. Here, we show you some of them, specially the ones related with arts.

La digital: su historia y su rol actual / Digital: their history and their current role

Si bien las hojas de digital purpúrea (Digitalis purpurea) se empleaban desde el año 500 D.C., fue el Dr. WilliamWhitering, de Inglaterra, quien investigó sus propiedades y en 1785 escribió un libro que ingresó entre los clásicos de la historia de la medicina: An account of the foxglove and some of its medical uses, with practical remarks on dropsy and other diseases. Esta revisión repasa la historia de la digital, su mecanismo de acción, y los trabajos más recientes que revaloran los efectos de esta medicación, recomendada actualmente a menores dosis de digoxina que las clásicamente aceptadas, capaz de reducir las hospitalizaciones y mejorar la sobrevida, en especial en pacientes con grados avanzados de insuficiencia cardíaca y medicados con inhibidores de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina, beta-bloqueantes, antagonistas de la aldosterona y diuréticos. Quizás aún falta precisar su valor definitivo, pero es indudable que la digital marcó una etapa definitiva en los dominios de la Cardiología y que, junto a la amapola, la quina y la belladona, constituye el grupo de las cuatro principales plantas que han llevado alivio a las enfermedades del hombre

Although the leaves of Digitalis purpurea had been used since 500 D.C., it was the English physician William Withering who studied its properties. In 1785 he wrote the book called “An account of the foxglove and some of its medical uses: with practical remarks on dropsy and other diseases” which became one of the classics in the history of medicine. This article reviews the history of digitalis, its mechanism of action, and recent studies which underline the importance of this medication. Digitalis is presently prescribed at lower doses than tradionally indicated; it is effective in reducing hospital stays, and improving survival, especially in patients with advanced stages of heart failure and receiving inhibitors of the angiotensin converting enzyme, beta-blockers, aldosterone antagonists, and diuretics.Even though its definitive value is yet to be determined, it is certain that digitalis has a role to play in the domains ofCardiology and belongs to the group of the four principal plants that have brought relief to human diseases, along with the poppy, Peruvian bark, and belladona

Isolated Right Ventricular Noncompaction Accompanied by Right Ventricular Failure / 대한내과학회지

Noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium is a rare congenital cardiomyopathy caused by arrest of normal endomyocardial embryogenesis. Isolated right ventricular noncompaction (IRNC) is an even rarer form of this disease. We report herein on a 68 year-old male diagnosed with IRNC who presented with right-sided heart failure, without involvement of the left ventricle. Diagnosis was achieved with the aid of echocardiography and ventriculography. Medical treatment including prescription of diuretics, a calcium channel blocker, and digitalis, improved both the symptoms and right ventricular function.

Reliability of measurements on virtual models obtained from scanning of impressions and conventional plaster models

Aim: To evaluate the reliability of linear measurements in virtual models by comparing measurements performed on virtual models obtained from alginate impression scans, plaster model and measurements performed on conventional plaster model. Methods: The sample comprised 26 randomly selected patients to have impressions of their upper and lower jaws taken using alginate and their bite registration using a wax bite. The virtual models were obtained by scanning the alginate impression and the plaster model in a laser surface scanner (R700; 3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark), and the measurements were performed using the Ortho Analyser (3Shape) proprietary software. The linear measurements of the size of the teeth mesial to distal, arch perimeter, intercanine distance and intermolar distance in the upper and lower arches were performed on plaster models, digital impressions and digital models, by three observers and repeated after 15 days on 8 models for intra-observer evaluations. Data were tabulated and analyzed statistically. Intra-class correlation to check the agreement of intra and inter-observers and ANOVA test were used to analyze the differences between measurements of digital models from impression and digital models from plaster. Results: The results showed a statistically significant difference (pd"0.05) for the posterior teeth, anterior teeth, upper arch perimeter and lower inter-canine distance, comparing the digital models with plaster models, but these differences are considered clinically non-significant. Conclusions: Digital models were proven be reliable and clinically acceptable for measuring tooth width, perimeter arches, intercanine and intermolar distances.

Estimulación de cardenólidos en brotes de Digitalis purpurea L. cultivados in vitro mediante elicitores / Stimulation of cardenolides production in Digitalis purpurea L. shoot cultures by elicitors addition

Digitalis purpurea L. es una de las principales fuentes de cardenólidos tales como digoxina y digitoxina. Estos fármacos son ampliamente usados en la disfunción cardíaca y para regular las arritmias del corazón. El presente trabajo se realizó con el objetivo de estudiar el efecto de tres elicitores en el cultivo de brotes de Digitalis purpurea var. Roter Berggold para incrementar la producción in vitro de cardenólidos. La elicitación es una estrategia para incrementar la producción de biomasa y metabolitos secundarios en el cultivo in vitro. Los elicitores evaluados fueron ChitoPlant (0,001; 0,01; 0,1 g.L-1); SilioPlant (0,01; 0,1; 1,0 g.L-1) y Jasmonato de metilo (60, 80 y 100 µM), descritos por primera vez para el incremento de cardenólidos. Se demostró que la elicitación es una estrategia viable para el incremento de cardenólidos en brotes de D. purpurea. El ChitoPlant®, redujo la altura sin afectación en el resto de las variables morfológicas evaluadas. Además indujo un incremento significativo en el contenido de cardenólidos. El SilioPlant® (0,01 g.L-1) no provocó afectaciones en la biomasa e incrementó significativamente la síntesis de cardenólidos en los brotes en 3,6 y 6,9 veces el contenido de digoxina y digitoxina respectivamente. La elicitación con el jasmonato de metilo provocó una reducción de la biomasa. Los contenidos de digoxina y digitoxina se incrementaron ligera y significativamente con 80 y 100 µM de jasmonato de metilo respectivamente. El mejor resultado integral se obtuvo con 0,01 g.L-1 de SilioPlant, el cual indujo la mayor producción neta de cardenólidos por frasco de cultivo (4,72 µg digoxina y 88,27 µg digitoxina).

Digitalis purpurea L. is one of the main sources of cardenolides such as digitoxin and digoxin. These drugs are widely used to strengthen cardiac diffusion and to regulate heart rhythm. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of three elicitors on shoots of Digitalis purpurea var. Roter Berggold in semisolid media in order to increase cardenolides biosynthesis. Elicitation is a strategy to increase biomass and secondary metabolites production on in vitro cultures. The elicitors evaluated were ChitoPlant (0,001; 0,01; 0,1 g.L-1); SilioPlant (0,01; 0,1; 1,0 g.L-1) and Methyl jasmonate (60, 80, 100 µM), which are reported here to induce cardenolide production for first time. Elicitation resulted an effective strategy to increase cardenolide production on D. purpurea shoot cultures. ChitoPlant induced a decrease in shoots length, but had no effect on the rest of morphological parameters evaluated. As well, ChitoPlant increased cardenolide content. SilioPlant (0,01 g.L-1) did not affect biomass production and at the same time, increased in 3,6-fold and 6,9-fold digoxin and digitoxin content respectively. Elicitation with Methyl jasmonate resulted in decreased biomass production. Digoxin and digitoxin content was slight and significantly increased by Methyl jasmonate 80 and 100 µM respectively. The best integral result was reached with 0,01 g.L-1 of SilioPlant, which induced the highest net yields per culture flask (4,72 µg of digoxin and 88,27 µg of digitoxin).

Cohort Study of Risk Factors for Breast Cancer in Post Menopausal Women / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: The present study assessed more than 800 potential risk factors to identify new predictors of breast cancer and compare the independence and relative importance of established risk factors. METHODS: Data were collected by the Women's Health Initiative and included 147,202 women ages 50 to 79 who were enrolled from 1993 to 1998 and followed for 8 years. Analyses performed in 2011 and 2012 used the Cox proportional hazard regression to test the association between more than 800 baseline risk factors and incident breast cancer. RESULTS: Baseline factors independently associated with subsequent breast cancer at the p<0.001 level (in decreasing order of statistical significance) were breast aspiration, family history, age, weight, history of breast biopsies, estrogen and progestin use, fewer live births, greater age at menopause, history of thyroid cancer, breast tenderness, digitalis use, alcohol intake, white race, not restless, no vaginal dryness, relative with prostate cancer, colon polyps, smoking, no breast augmentation, and no osteoporosis. Risk factors previously reported that were not independently associated with breast cancer in the present study included socioeconomic status, months of breast feeding, age at first birth, adiposity measures, adult weight gain, timing of initiation of hormone therapy, and several dietary, psychological, and exercise variables. Family history was not found to alter the risk associated with other factors. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that some risk factors not commonly studied may be important for breast cancer and some frequently cited risk factors may be relatively unimportant or secondary.

A QSAR study on a series of simplified digitalis-like compounds acting on Na+,K+-ATPase

Among the cardiotonics (agents against congestive heart failure), the most important group is of the digitalis cardiac glycosides, but since these compounds suffer from a low therapeutic index, attention has been paid to investigating safer cardiotonic agents through the inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase, the mechanism by which the digitalis cardiac glycosides elicit their action. Recently, a series of perhydroindenes were studied for their Na+,K+-ATPase inhibition activity. We report here a QSAR study on them to investigate the physicochemical and structural properties of the molecules that govern their activity in order to rationalize the structural modification to have more potent drugs. A multiple regression analysis reveals a significant correlation between the Na+,K+-ATPase inhibition activity of the compounds and Kier’s first order valence molecular connectivity index of their R5-substituents and some indicator parameters, suggesting that the R5-substituents of the compounds containing atoms with low valence and high saturation and the R1-substituents having =N−O− moiety will be conducive to the activity.

Avaliação do escoamento e radiopacidade de dois cimentos endodônticos / Evaluation of flow and radiopacity of two root canal sealers

Introdução: O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar as propriedades do escoamento e radiopacidade de dois cimentos endodônticos, Endofill e EZ-Fill de acordo com a especificação número 57 da ADA. Método: Para análise do escoamento foram feitas 20 amostras divididas em GRUPO 1 (Endofill) e GRUPO 2 (EZ-Fill). Para tal 0,5 ml do cimento era depositado no centro de uma placa de vidro de 10 X 10 cm. Decorridos 3 minutos, outra placa de vidro e um peso de chumbo, totalizando 120 g, foram colocados sobre o material. Após 10 min o peso foi removido e a média do diâmetro maior e menor dos discos obtidos foi determinada por um paquímetro. Para a análise da radiopacidade 10 anéis metálicos foram utilizados: 5 do Grupo 3 (EZ-Fill) e 5 do Grupo 4 (Endofill) foram preenchidos com os cimentos. Os corpos de prova foram radiografados com uma escala de alumínio com 10 degraus uniformes. Para a obtenção das radiografias foi utilizado um aparelho de raio X Dabi Atlante a uma distância foco objeto de 400 mm e tempo de exposição 0,1 seg. As radiografias foram digitalizadas, armazenadas em um microcomputador e analisadas através de um software específico. Os dados foram submetidos ao teste t de Student a 5% apresentando diferença significante (p<0,0001). Resultados: Os resultados encontrados demonstraram escoamento superior a 25 mm em ambos os cimentos dos grupos 1 e 2 e radiopacidade superior a 3 mm de alumínio dos grupos 3 e 4, cumprindo-se a especificação número 57 da ADA. Conclusão: O cimento Endofill apresentou escoamento superior, enquanto o cimento EZ-Fill apresentou maior radiopacidade

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the flow properties and radiopacity of two root canal sealers filling, the Endofill (Grossman of cement) and EZ-Fill according to ADA specification number 57 for filling materials). Methods: 20 samples were divided into two groups: Group 1 (Endofill), Group 2 (EZ-Fill).Each group was composed of 10 samples. For the analysis of flow 0.5 ml of material was loaded into a disposable syringe and deposited in the center of a placar glass 10 cm X 10 cm. 180 seconds after the start of operation, another plate of glass and a weight of lead were placed over the material, totaling 120 g. 10 minutes after the beginning of the mixture the weight was removed and the average diameter of the largest and smallest of the disc obtained was determined by a caliper. For the analysis of radiopacity, 10 metal rings, 5 of Group 3 (EZ-Fill) and 5 of Group 4 (Endofill) containing holes of 2 mm in height and 10 mm in diameter were filled with cement. The samples were radiographed together with a ranger of 99% aluminum (alloy 1100) with 10 uniform steps (1 mm to 10 mm thick). To obtain the radiographs an X-ray apparatus Dabi Atlante (70 kvp, 8 mA) was used to a focus object distance of 400 mm and exposure time 0.1 seconds. The radiographs were digitized using a Kodak scanner ? LS 85 Film Digitizer, USA, stored in a microcomputer and analyzed by a specific software for reading images (Image J). The data were submitted to the Student t test at 5% showing a significant difference (p < 0.0001). Results: The results obtained were: flow higher than 25 mm in both cements of Group 1 (Endofill 54.69 mm) and Group 2 (EZ-Fill 42.41 mm) and radiopacity of Group 3 (EZ-Fill) equivalent to 10 mm of aluminum and Group 4 (Endofill) equivalent to 7 mm aluminum. It was concluded that the cement Endofill showed a higher flow than the cement EZ-Fill and the EZ-Fill cement presented a higher radiopacity of the cement Endofill

Digitalis (Cardiac Glycoside) Poisoning after Foxglove Ingestion: Case Report

Digoxin, also known as digitalis, is a purified cardiac glycoside extracted from the foxglove plant, Digitalis purpurea. Digoxin-mediated cardiac glycoside toxicity due to accidental plant ingestion can occur. Presently, a 69-year-old woman visited our emergency department with epigastric pain, nausea and vomiting after ingestion of a plant. Physical examination and initial laboratory blood test results were within normal limits. An electrocardiogram (ECG) showed sinus bradycardia with first degree AV block and diffuse ST-segment depressions in a "scooping" pattern. The plant was identified as D. purpurea, and the patient's serum digoxin level was 2.89 ng/mL. The patient was treated conservatively in the absence of any life-threatening event. Recovery was uneventful.

Atrial standstill treated with implantation of permanent pacemaker / 대한내과학회지

Persistent atrial standstill is an extremely rare arrhythmia that was first described by Chavez et al. Electrocardiographically, atrial standstill is characterized by bradycardia, the absence of a P wave, and a junctional narrow complex escape rhythm. Atrial standstill is usually classified into two types. The transient type is observed in drug intoxication, such as with digitalis or quinidine, and hyperkalemia. The persistent type is uncommon, often accompanied by syncopal attacks or brain embolism. We report a case of persistent atrial standstill in an 83-year-old man who was treated with implantation of a permanent pacemaker.

Antimicrobial activity of endemic Digitalis lamarckii Ivan from Turkey.

Antimicrobial activity of the methanolic extracts of leaves and flowers of D. lamarckii Ivan, (Scophulariaceae), an endemic plant species of Turkey, was tested on ten bacterial and four yeast strains. Effective antibacterial activity was observed in four bacterial strains. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was calculated by use of liquid culture tests and in all the four effective bacterial strains, the MIC was found to be > or = 199.5 mg/ml. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of B. subtilis, S. aureus, and L. monocytogenes was calculated to be > or = 199.5 mg/ml, and MBC value for Shigella was calculated as > or = 399 mg/ml.

Digitalis-like Toxic Symptoms Occurring after Accidental Nerium indicum Poisoning

Although Nerium indicum poisoning is a globally rare occurrence, Nerium oleander poisoning is known to occur frequently in the Mediterranean regions. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of accidental Nerium indicum poisoning in Korea. Its poisoning symptoms and signs are similar to that of digitalis poisoning, because of the presence of cardiac glycosides in Nerium indicum. A 16-year-old boy was admitted to the emergency department four hours prior to the accidental ingestion of Nerium indicum petals. The patient complained of nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. His initial vital signs were stable; laboratory blood test results were within normal levels, except for the blood digoxin level (1.5 ng/dL). An electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis showed normal sinus rhythm, progressive PR prolongation and second-degree Morbiz type I AV block. Conservative treatments including activated charcoal administration were conducted, because toxic symptoms and signs were not severe. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit for close observation. His ECG was converted to normal rhythm after 1 day and the toxic symptoms and signs were completely resolved after 4 days.

Accelerated idioventricular rhythm associated with desflurane anesthesia :A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Accelerated idioventricular rhythm is defined as a ventricular rhythm of 60-100 beats per minute or a ventricular tachycardia that does nor exceed 120 beats per minutes. Although, it rarely converts to a fatal arrhythmia like ventricular fibrillation, it needs to be differentiated from AIVR, which is from another origin. AIVR may occur due to ischemic heart disease (ST elevated myocardial infarction), cardiomyopathy, rheumatic fever and digitalis intoxication. We report here on a case of AIVR that was related to desflurane administration.

Toad Venom Poisoning Resembling Digitalis Intoxication and Hyperkalemia: A Case Report

Toad toxin has digitalis-like cardioactive effects that include bradycardia, varying degrees of atrioventricular block, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death. We report here on a 54-year-old man who had varying degrees of atrioventricular block and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia two hours after he ate a bowl of toad soup.

Monitorización electrónica de la frecuencia cardíaca fetal: conversión del registro en papel a formato digital / Electronic monitorization of fetal heart rate: conversion of the paper redord into a digital format

Presentar la conversión del registro en papel de la monitorización de la frecuencia cardíaca fetal electrónico. Unidad de Perinatología, Puerto Cabello, Departamento Clínico Integral de la Costa y Departamento de Matemáticas, Facultad de Ciencias y Tecnología, Universidad de Carabobo. El papel de registros es escaneado y el gráfico obtenido es guardado como formato de imagen sin compresión, se procesa usando el programa de Enguage Digitizer, el cual, es desarrollodo bajo licencia GNU (uso libre). Al fianl, la imagen es convertida en formato CVS, formato de datos para Microsoft Excel. Los datos numéricos pueden ser restaurados cuando se necesiten, para graficar, elaborar una base de datos para uso clínico e investigativo, de calidad similar a la original. Se presenta una metodología utilizando la tecnología informática para guardar información tanto en forma numérica como es gráfico de los registros de la monitarización elctrónica de la frecuencia cardíaca fetal

[Bidirectional tachycardia: aetiology, mechanism and treatment-a case report]

Unusual tachyarrhythmia is characterized by a beat-to-beat alternation of the axis of the QRS complexes, the bidirectional tachycardia have multiple mechanisms and aetiologies. We report the observation of a 75-year-old man having a hypertensive dilated cardiomyopathy with chronic atrial fibrillation and treated by diuretics, digitalis and platelets antiaggregants. He presented with a global congestive cardiac failure. The electrocardiogram revealed a bidirectional tachycardia with a regular alternation of the QRS axis within the frontal plane. Laboratory results showed especially a hypokaliemia at 2.1 mEq/1. Digitalics withdrawal and kaliemia correction allowed the resolution of the tachycardia. The patient was treated with diuretics, Amiodarone and platelets antiaggregants. No further episodes of bidirectional tachycardia were observed

Management of Chronic Heart Failure in Congenital Heart Disease

The medical treatment of heart failure has evolved over the past 40 years, from the use of diuretics and digitalis in the 1960s to the use of inotropic agents and vasodilators in the 1970s. However, while vasodilators and inotropic drugs immediately improved symptoms, hemodynamics and functional status, in the long term they either did not affect or worsen the natural history of heart failure. In the late 1980s and 1990s heart failure has evolved into a more complex and interactive pathophysiologic disorder. As the importance of neurohormonal changes in the pathogenesis of worsening heart failure is elucidated, newer medications aimed at counteracting such changes are becoming more important in the medical therapy of heart failure. For example, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors improve function and survival in adults with heart failure, and they probably do the same in children with systemic ventricular dysfunction. Beta-blockers has also been established as an effective therapy for adults with heart failure with beneficial effects on survival and ventricular function. While data for the pediatric population are limited, early studies suggest that beta-blockers may work well in children with heart failure. This review will address the current thinking and therapeutic modalities used today in the treatment of heart failure syndrome.

Generacion de un modelo digital del terreno con la utilizacion de tres herramientas (ILWIS,DIGEM, MICRODEM) / sss

Solo mediante la utilizacion del programa ILWIS es que pudimos estratificar el paisaje, ya que esto nos permite realizar operaciones entre mapas, dominios, tablas de una o dos dimenciones y un sin fin de operaciones mas. En las otras dos herramientas DIGEM y el MICRODEM, trabajan apartir de DEMs y mapas (Microdem) ya realizados y es por esto que estos dos programa tienen una gran cantidad de extenciones compatibles. Podemos concluir que el programa ILWIS es el de mas amplia adaptacion a las caracteristicas de nuestro medio principlamente por su gran amplitud con el usuario ya que atraves de un scripst, uno puede adecuar las funciones a sus objetivos. Siendo la unica desventaja de este programa el grado de capacitacion que se necesita para menejarlo...