Pseudo-Chilblains in a COVID-19 Patient

The aim of this case is to describe an example of cutaneous manifestations caused by COVID-19 infection, helping to better understand the disease and support an early clinical suspicion. This case addresses a 36-year-old patient with COVID-19 infection, symptomatic, with mild complaints. Seven days after the start of the clinic, she exhibited dermatological lesions in the acral areas bilaterally on her hands. The presence of erythematous-violet papules/vesicles was found in the dorsal extensor zones of the fingers, with local inflammatory signs, skin rash, flushing, edema, local burning sensation, itching and pain. Pseudo-chilblains were assumed as diagnostic hypotheses. She underwent symptomatic treatment, having achieved complete resolution at 10 days, with no subsequent sequelae.Attention should be paid to the fact that COVID-19 may present only with cutaneous manifestations, therefore these may serve as an indicator of the disease in suspected cases.

Influence of Local Burning on Difference Reflectance Indices Based on 400–700 nm Wavelengths in Leaves of Pea Seedlings

Local damage (e.g., burning) induces a variation potential (VP), which is an important electrical signal in higher plants. A VP propagates into undamaged parts of the plant and influences numerous physiological processes, including photosynthesis. Rapidly increasing plant tolerance to stressors is likely to be a result of the physiological changes. Thus, developing methods of revealing VP-induced physiological changes can be used for the remote sensing of plant systemic responses to local damage. Previously, we showed that burning-induced VP influenced a photochemical reflectance index in pea leaves, but the influence of the electrical signals on other reflectance indices was not investigated. In this study, we performed a complex analysis of the influence of VP induction by local burning on difference reflectance indices based on 400–700 nm wavelengths in leaves of pea seedlings. Heat maps of the significance of local burning-induced changes in the reflectance indices and their correlations with photosynthetic parameters were constructed. Large spectral regions with significant changes in these indices after VP induction were revealed. Most changes were strongly correlated to photosynthetic parameters. Some indices, which can be potentially effective for revealing local burning-induced photosynthetic changes, are separately shown. Our results show that difference reflectance indices based on 400–700 nm wavelengths can potentially be used for the remote sensing of plant systemic responses induced by local damages and subsequent propagation of VPs.

Red Ear Syndrome: um relato de caso sobre uma síndrome rara associada a cefaleia

Context: The Red Ear Syndrome” (RES) is a rare condition characterized by ear hyperemia associated with burning pain. This syndrome is classified into secondary and idiopathic forms, which pathophysiological mechanisms are still unclear. Idiopathic forms occur isolated or associated with primary headaches and secondary forms are associated to cervical disorders. The aim of this study is to report a case of RES related to migraine, the new published cases make this syndrome earn more attention and investigation. Case report: A 31-year-old woman presented with acute pain, edema and marked erythema, occasionally accompanied by hyperhidrosis and local burning. These episodes occurred spontaneously or were induced by triggers. During attacks, cooling was the only means of relief. The patient reported a clear association between RES and some migraine attacks. Extensive laboratory and radiological investigation showed no abnormalities. Conclusions: RES is mainly determined by sudden or induced attacks of burning pain and redness in the ear. Attacks can last from minutes to hours in conjunction with primary headaches. The uncertainty about the etiology of this syndrome is an obstacle to treatment.

Variation potential induces decreased PSI damage and increased PSII damage under high external temperatures in pea

Local burning of a leaf induces a unique electrical signal in plants: variation potential (VP), which can cause numerous functional responses, including changes in photosynthesis. The influences of VP on damage to photosynthetic machinery and thermal resistance of whole plant with heating were investigated in pea (Pisum sativum L.). Under high external temperature (53°C), VP induction was found to cause accelerated initial lowering of photosynthetic parameters, reduced transpiration rate, decreased PSI damage, and increased PSII damage. Increased PSI resistance was in good accordance with our previous data, but VP-induced stimulation of PSII damage under heating required further analysis. The magnitudes of leaf heating in experiments and controls were found to be different (~46−48°C after VP and ~44−45°C without it) under identical external temperatures and were connected with different transpiration rates under these conditions. Also PSII damage and the magnitude of leaf heating were strongly correlated. As a result, it was supposed that leaf temperature contributed to VP-induced stimulation of PSII damage with heating. Investigation of VP’s influence on pea growth after heating showed that the electrical signal decreased plant growth suppression after heating (i.e. VP-induced increases in PSII damage did not noticeably influence thermal resistance in the whole plant).