Antifungal activity of rhodium, iridium, and ruthenium tripodal phosphine complexes.

Twenty-eight rhodium, iridium or ruthenium complexes were evaluated for their in vitro antifungal activities against Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. Fourteen compounds showed an antifungal activity against C. albicans and C. tropicalis with a range of the minimum inhibitor concentrations (MICs) between 16 and 250 micrograms/mL.

Antibacterial activity of rhodium, iridium, and ruthenium tripodal phosphine complexes.

Twenty-eight rhodium, iridium, or ruthenium complexes were evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Pseudomonaa aeruginosa ATCC 27853. Ten compounds showed an antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 with a range of the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) between 16 and 125 micrograms/ml. None of the compounds exhibited antimicrobial activity against the gram-negative strains E. coli ATCC 25922 or Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 29213 with a concentration range between 4 and 500 micrograms/ml.

[Sero-epidemiology of congenital syphilis in Kinshasa, Zaire]. / Séro-épidémiologie de la syphilis congénitale à Kinshasa, Zaïre.

Between March 1 and May 31, 1988, 314 mother-baby couples have been tested for syphilis at confinement in two large hospitals of Kinshasa (Hôpital Mama Yemo and Clinique de Ngaliema). The study used in first instance the Veneral Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test. When positive, the results were verified quantitatively with the Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination (TPHA) reaction. The prevalence levels obtained were low: 0.9% in the newborns and 1.6% in the mothers. In spite of the relative rarity of the disease, clinical examination of all newborns should remain a permanent concern for the clinician, especially for the pediatrician, in order to make sure that the diagnosis be made as soon as possible and treatment started without undue delay. The authors insist on the necessity to adopt, in Kinshasa, measures for veneral disease control aiming at reducing the prevalence of congenital syphilis.

[A new approach to urinary continence disorders in women: urodynamic ultrasonic examination by the vaginal route]. / Une nouvelle approche des troubles de continence chez la femme: l'échographie urodynamique par voie vaginale.

The vesicourethral junction, the urethra cannot be seen when using the abdominal approach because of the interposition of the pubic symphysis. The ultrasonic vaginal approach makes it possible. 53 patients were ultrasonically observed during an urodynamic exploration. The simultaneous utilization of both methods has permit to observe the mechanisms of normal or pathological voiding. When initiating a voluntary micturition, an area (called "prepubic muscle") located in front of the pubic symphysis between the clitoris and the urethral meatus, exert a traction on the periurethral sphincteric area. This sphincteric area, which is well shown by ultrasound, contracts longitudinally (causing shortening of the urethra and opening of the bladder neck) and causes a drop in urethral closure pressure. The increase in the distance between the inferior part of the pubic symphysis and the anterior vaginal wall comes about because of slackening of the elevator ani muscles. This slackening occurs at different times before the bladder contracts. The urethra opens; the complete course of this organ is well defined. Things return to their previous state when voiding finishes. In the case of stress incontinence, the lack of transmission of pressure urodynamically found when the woman is coughing can be seen as a sliding mechanism within the space of Retzius and at the urethro-vesical junction behind the symphysis pubis. The degree of sliding depends on the strength of the cough. In all cases of pure stress incontinence without there being low urethral closure pressure, a maximum stress caused by coughing will produce more than 5 MM sliding before the urethra opens. If the urinary incontinence is due to low urethral closure pressure, the urethra opens without sliding of the urethro-vesical junction whenever the abdominal pressure increases. Urethral instability resembles voluntary voiding but without any voluntary command. "Prepubic" contractions, longitudinal contractions in the sphincteric area and slackening of the levator ani muscles, alone or in association, explain why urethral closure pressure drops. Sometimes this drop is followed by an increase in bladder pressure.