Infrared spectroscopy of an endohedral water in fullerene.

An infrared absorption spectroscopy study of the endohedral water molecule in a solid mixture of H2O@C60 and C60 was carried out at liquid helium temperature. From the evolution of the spectra during the ortho-para conversion process, the spectral lines were identified as para-H2O and ortho-H2O transitions. Eight vibrational transitions with rotational side peaks were observed in the mid-infrared: ω1, ω2, ω3, 2ω1, 2ω2, ω1 + ω3, ω2 + ω3, and 2ω2 + ω3. The vibrational frequencies ω2 and 2ω2 are lower by 1.6% and the rest by 2.4%, as compared to those of free H2O. A model consisting of a rovibrational Hamiltonian with the dipole and quadrupole moments of H2O interacting with the crystal field was used to fit the infrared absorption spectra. The electric quadrupole interaction with the crystal field lifts the degeneracy of the rotational levels. The finite amplitudes of the pure v1 and v2 vibrational transitions are consistent with the interaction of the water molecule dipole moment with a lattice-induced electric field. The permanent dipole moment of encapsulated H2O is found to be 0.50 ± 0.05 D as determined from the far-infrared rotational line intensities. The translational mode of the quantized center-of-mass motion of H2O in the molecular cage of C60 was observed at 110 cm-1 (13.6 meV).

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes in HIV/AIDS patients: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to systematically review current studies reporting on clinical outcomes in people living with HIV (PLHIV) infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). METHODS: We conducted a systematic review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Global Health, SCOPUS, Medline and EMBASE using pertinent key words and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms relating to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and HIV. A narrative synthesis was undertaken. Articles are summarized in relevant sections. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-five articles were identified after duplicates had been removed. After screening, eight studies were analysed, totalling 70 HIV-infected patients (57 without AIDS and 13 with AIDS). Three themes were identified: (1) controlled HIV infection does not appear to result in poorer COVID-19 outcomes, (2) more data are needed to determine COVID-19 outcomes in patients with AIDS and (3) HIV-infected patients presenting with COVID-19 symptoms should be investigated for superinfections. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that PLHIV with well-controlled disease are not at risk of poorer COVID-19 disease outcomes than the general population. It is not clear whether those with poorly controlled HIV disease and AIDS have poorer outcomes. Superimposed bacterial pneumonia may be a risk factor for more severe COVID-19 but further research is urgently needed to elucidate whether PLHIV are more at risk than the general population.

Localized lichen myxoedematosus (papular mucinosis) associated with morbid obesity: report of two cases.

Cutaneous diseases are often found in obese patients but, to our knowledge, mucinous disorders have not been previously reported in association with obesity. Two cases of localized lichen myxoedematosus (papular mucinosis) in two women with morbid obesity are described. Both patients underwent a low-calorie diet for a 1-year period in one case, and for 4 months in the other one, as the only treatment. There was complete resolution of cutaneous lesions at the same time that an important weight loss was observed. Nevertheless, although spontaneous regression is not frequent, it could not be disregarded in either of these two cases.

The role of psychological factors in palmoplantar pustulosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to find out whether emotional stress is related to palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Our 21 patients with palmoplantar pustulosis and 21 age- and sex-matched controls were studied with the help of a psychological interview and two psychological tests: Eysenk's Personality Questionnaire for Adults (EPQ-A) and Inventory of Situations and Response of Anxiety (ISRA). RESULTS: Anxiety, ranging from moderate to severe was higher in PPP patients than in controls (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings seem to indicate that stress may be related to exacerbation of the palmoplantar pustulosis.

Queratosis seborreicas irritadas simétricas en paciente con trasplante renal / Simetric irritated seborrhoeic keratoses in a renal transplant recipient

La queratosis seborreica es uno de los tumores epidérmicos benignos más frecuentes encontrados en la práctica clínica. Su transformación maligna es excepcional. Presentamos el caso de la aparición inusual de dos queratosis seborreicas irritadas simétricas en los brazos de un trasplantado renal (AU)

Cutaneous primary paracoccidioidomycosis.

Paracoccidioidomycosis is a common fungal infection in Latin America. Few cases have been described in non-endemic countries and their diagnosis without the correct suspicion, bearing in mind that the latency period might be up to 60 years, may not be easy. We report the case of a 59-year-old man who worked as a taxi driver for 25 years in Venezuela. Cutaneous paracoccidioidomycosis was diagnosed one year after he returned to Spain. No internal signs or symptoms of the disease were found and cell-mediated immunity showed no depression. Our case suggested us to consider direct cutaneous infection, although respiratory tract is believed to be the most frequent portal of entry for this infection.