Correction: Patch test results in paediatric patients with atopic dermatitis in Laos.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231455.].

Patch test results in paediatric patients with atopic dermatitis in Laos.

BACKGROUND: Dermatological services in Laos, South East Asia are limited mainly to the capital and patch testing is currently not available, so no data exists regarding the common cutaneous allergens in this population. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to document common allergens in paediatric patients with atopic dermatitis attending the allergy clinic in the capital, Vientiane. PATIENTS/MATERIALS/METHODS: Fifty paediatric patients with atopic dermatitis were patch tested using TRUE Test® panels 1 to 3 (35 allergens). Readings were taken at Days 2 and 4. RESULTS: Twenty-six positive patch tests were recorded on Day 4 in 15 children (30%). The most common allergens were: gold (18%), nickel (10%), formaldehyde (6%) and p-Phenylenediamine (6%). Other positive allergens were potassium dichromate (2%), cobalt dichloride (2%), Bronopol (2%), paraben mix (2%), fragrance mix 1 (2%) and neomycin (2%). The majority of the patients with positive reactions were female. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the first documented patch test results in the Lao population. It is hoped that these findings will help clinicians to advise the families of children with atopic dermatitis on common allergens to avoid and inform future work on contact dermatitis in this population.

Relaxant responses to calcium channel antagonists and potassium channel opener in human saphenous vein.

1.-- As shown in a parallel study the magnitude of depolarization induced in human saphenous vein by raising external potassium ([K(+)](e)) falls markedly below the theoretical values predicted by the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equations. This anomaly prompted us to re-examine the relaxant actions of L-type (nifedipine) and T-type (mibefradil) Ca(2+) channel antagonists, and relaxant and electrophysiological effects of the K(+) channel opener, pinacidil, on saphenous veins contracted by the elevation of [K(+)](e). 2.-- Nifedipine produced concentration-dependent relaxations in tissues contracted at various high [K(+)](e). In tissues contracted with 20 mm [K(+)](e), the pIC(50) for nifedipine was significantly (8.20 +/- 0.05; n = 6; mean +/- SEM; P < 0.05) greater than in tissues contracted with > or =40 mm [K(+)](e). 3.-- Tissues contracted with 20 mm [K(+)](e) also relaxed in response to mibefradil (pIC(50) = 6.1 +/- 0.14) and pinacidil (pIC(50) = 6.45 +/- 0.08), the latter being almost completely reversed (93.4 +/- 9.9%) by addition of glibenclamide (10 microm). 4.-- The resting E(m) of smooth muscle cells of saphenous vein was -77.0 +/- 0.7 mV (n = 52), and 20 mm [K(+)](e) produced a modest but significant depolarization to -73.0 +/- 0.7 mV (n = 52). Incubation with pinacidil plus 20 mm [K(+)](e) resulted in a significant hyperpolarization of the E(m) to -82 +/- 0.6 mV (n = 52). 5.-- N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester did not impede the relaxant responses of nifedipine, mibefradil or pinacidil. 6.-- In conclusion, the relaxant effects of nifedipine and pinacidil (i) occurred at an E(m) distinctly below the presumed threshold for the opening of the classic (Ca(V)1.3alpha(1)) L-type Ca(2+) channels, and (ii) did not depend on generation of nitric oxide.

Anomalous response to potassium in vascular smooth muscle cells of human saphenous vein.

1.--We have examined the relationship between the resting membrane potential (E(m)) and the concentration of the external ions, K(+), Cl(-) and Ca(2+), as well as the effects of K(+) on active force generation in human saphenous veins. 2.--As measured with sharp glass microelectrodes, the E(m) of vascular muscle cells was -76.0 +/- 7.0 mV (mean +/- SD; n = 328). Raising the concentration of external potassium ([K(+)](e)) from 4.2 to 20, 40, 80, 120 or 150 mm produced an incremental depolarization, revealing a maximal slope factor of 15 mV per 10-fold increase. 3.--Oubain (1.0 microm) did not have any effect on E(m) (-79.0 +/- 8.0 mV; n = 80). Replacement of external Cl(-) with propionate resulted in significant (P < 0.05) depolarization (E(m): -65.5 +/- 7.5 mV; n = 40). In Cl(-)-free buffer containing 80 mm K(+), E(m) depolarized to -52.0 +/- 6.7 mV (n = 45) compared with -64.7 +/- 6.5 mV (n = 55) (P < 0.05) measured in buffer containing 80 mm [K(+)](e) and Cl(-) 138.7 mm. Removal of Ca(2+) did not significantly modify the depolarizing response to K(+) 80 mm: E(m), -68.2 +/- 4.9 mV (n = 42) vs.-64.7 +/- 6.5 mV (n = 55) in the presence of Ca(2+). 4.--Despite their small size, changes in E(m) correlated closely with force generation in buffer containing high K(+), approximately 3.62 mN force being generated per mV of change in E(m). 5.--These data demonstrate that, in human saphenous smooth muscle cells, (i) the magnitude of depolarization induced by raising [K(+)](e) deviates considerably from the theoretical values predicted by the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equations, (ii) Cl(-) appears to contribute to the maintenance of E(m), and (iii) electromechanical coupling has a low threshold.

Reduction of leg wound infections following coronary artery bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To reduce the rate of infection at the saphenous vein harvest site after coronary artery bypass surgery, to identify predictors of infection and to determine the best method for leg wound closure. DESIGN: A randomized clinical trial was undertaken to determine the best technique for reducing the postoperative leg wound infection rate. Patients were allocated to one of four leg wound closure methods: staples, close immediately; staples, close after protamine administration; subcuticular sutures, close immediately; and subcuticular sutures, close after protamine. Risk factors evaluated were age, sex, diabetes, obesity, peripheral vascular disease, reoperation, time in surgery, wound length, wound depth, time that the wound was open, wound quality and harvest site. SETTING: The Walter C Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. PATIENTS: All consenting patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery involving saphenous vein harvesting were considered for the study. Exclusion criteria were insertion of a drain, insertion of an intra-aortic balloon pump in the index limb and inability to complete follow-up at the authors' centre. Eighty patients were initially enrolled, with 77 completing the study. INTERVENTIONS: Patients underwent standard saphenous vein harvesting followed by wound closure as indicated by the study group. MAIN RESULTS: The major infection rate was reduced from 13% to 3% (P = 0.02). Each closure method was equally effective, and wound depth was the only factor related to infection. CONCLUSIONS: Leg wound infections continue to be a major source of morbidity after coronary bypass surgery.

Tricuspid endocarditis following a Papanicolaou smear: case report.

Infective endocarditis is an uncommon complication of obstetrical and gynecological practice and has not been reported in the literature to be associated with Papanicolaou smears. The authors report a nonintravenous drug user who developed group B streptococcal endocarditis of the tricuspid valve following a routine Papanicolaou smear. She required surgical excision of the valve and replacement after failed antibiotic therapy.