scholarly journals Paternity and kin structure among neighbouring groups in wild bonobos at Wamba

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 171006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shintaro Ishizuka ◽  
Yoshi Kawamoto ◽  
Tetsuya Sakamaki ◽  
Nahoko Tokuyama ◽  
Kazuya Toda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Reproductive Skew ◽  
Reproductive Competition ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Female Dispersal ◽  
Kin Structure ◽  
Male Philopatry

Although both bonobos and chimpanzees are male-philopatric species, outcomes of male–male reproductive competition seem to be more closely associated with mating success in chimpanzees. This suggests that the extent of male reproductive skew is lower in bonobos. In addition, between-group male–male reproductive competition is more lethal in chimpanzees. This suggests that between-group differentiation in male kinship is lower in bonobos. We analysed the paternity of 17 offspring in two bonobo groups and estimated the relatedness of individuals among three neighbouring groups by using DNA extracted from non-invasive samples at Wamba, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The alpha males sired at least nine of 17 offspring. This supports a previous finding that the male reproductive skew is higher in bonobos than that in chimpanzees. Average relatedness among males within groups was significantly higher than that among males across groups, whereas there was no significant difference among females between within and across groups. These results are consistent with male philopatry, highly skewed reproductive success of males and female dispersal. Higher average relatedness among males within groups suggest that the differences in hostility towards males of different groups between bonobos and chimpanzees may be explained by factors other than kinship.

scholarly journals The changing epidemiology of human monkeypox - a potential threat? A systematic review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eveline Bunge ◽  
Bernard Hoet ◽  
Liddy Chen ◽  
Florian Lienert ◽  
Heinz Weidenthaler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
West African ◽  
Smallpox Vaccination ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

Monkeypox, a zoonotic disease caused by an orthopoxvirus, results in a smallpox-like disease in humans. Since monkeypox in humans was initially diagnosed in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), it has spread to other regions of Africa (primarily West and Central), and cases outside Africa have emerged in recent years. We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed and grey literature on how monkeypox epidemiology has evolved, with particular emphasis on the number of confirmed, probable, and/or possible cases, age at presentation, mortality, and geographical spread. The review is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020208269). We identified 48 peer-reviewed articles and 18 grey literature sources for data extraction. The number of human monkeypox cases has been on the rise since the 1970s, with the most dramatic increases occurring in the DRC. The median age at presentation has increased from 4 (1970s) to 21 years (2010-2019). There was an overall case fatality rate of 8.7%, with a significant difference between clades - Central African 10.6% (95% CI: 8.4% - 13.3%) vs. West African 3.6% (95% CI: 1.7% - 6.8%). Since 2003, import- and travel-related spread outside of Africa has occasionally resulted in outbreaks. Interactions/activities with infected animals or individuals are risk behaviors associated with acquiring monkeypox. Our review shows an escalation of monkeypox cases, especially in the highly endemic DRC, a spread to other countries, and a growing median age from young children to young adults. These findings may be related to the cessation of smallpox vaccination, which provided some cross-protection against monkeypox, leading to increased human-to-human transmission. The appearance of outbreaks beyond Africa highlights the global relevance of the disease. Increased surveillance and detection of monkeypox cases are essential tools for understanding the continuously changing epidemiology of this resurging disease.

scholarly journals Post hoc study to investigate the potential causes of poor quality of cardiovascular medicines collected in sub-Saharan countries

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e039252
Author(s):  
Philippe-Henri Secretan ◽  
Marie Antignac ◽  
Najet Yagoubi ◽  
Mélisande Bernard ◽  
Marie Cécile Perier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Post Hoc Analysis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Lack Of Control ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Post Hoc

ObjectivesThe incidence of cardiovascular diseases is increasing and there is a growing need to provide access to quality cardio drugs in Africa. In the SEVEN study, we analysed 1530 cardiovascular drug samples randomly collected from 10 African countries. By that time, of the seven drugs products analysed, only those containing amlodipine and captopril had very low assay values with active substance contents that could be less than 75% of those expected. In this article we investigate complementary aspects of the amlodipine and captopril samples so to explain the previously observed low assays for these two drugs.DesignPost hoc analysis of the captopril and amlodipine drugs samples and their packages collected in the context of the SEVEN study.Setting10 countries were concerned: Benin, Burkina Faso, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Togo.ParticipantsLocal scientists and hospital practitioners collected the drug samples in the 10 African countries.Outcome measuresThe drug amount and the relative amounts of drug impurities, as well as the main compounds of the drugs packaging, were analysed.ResultsIdentification of the blister packaging of the samples led to separate both amlodipine and captopril drug samples in two groups. Mann Whitney’s bilateral test showed a significant difference (p<0.0001) between the median value of the captopril dosage when tablets are packaged in blisters providing higher protection to humidity (n=105) as opposed to the tablets packaged in blisters providing lower humidity protection (n=130).ConclusionBased on these results, particular attention should be paid to the materials and types of packaging used in order to minimise the lack of control over the exposures and drug circuits present in these different countries.

scholarly journals Practicability and effectiveness of the unassisted HIV self-testing compared to the directly assisted HIV self-testing in  the Democratic Republic of the Congo:  A Randomized Implementation Trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serge Tonen-Wolyec ◽  
Charles Kayembe Tshilumba ◽  
Salomon Batina-Agasa ◽  
Roland Marini Djang’eing’a ◽  
Marie-Pierre Hayette ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Linkage To Care ◽  
Correct Interpretation ◽  
Successful Performance ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Willingness To Buy ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Self Test ◽  
Additional Support

Abstract Background. HIV self-testing (HIVST) may be use free or assisted by health care workers. The aim of this trial was to assess the practicability and effectiveness of unassisted HIVST (UH) versus directly assisted HIVST (DAH) in field settings in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Methods. A non-inferiority evaluation using a blood-based HIV self-test was conducted in Kisangani, DRC. Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to UH or DAH. Practicability was defined as the successful performance and the correct interpretation of the result. The linkage to care and the willingness to buy self-test constituted the outcome for HIVST effectiveness. Results. The rate of successful performance of the test was same (93.2%) in UH and DAH. The rate of correct interpretation of the results was 86.9% in UH versus 93.2% in DAH yielding the difference of -6.3% (95% CI: -10.8 to 2.5). UH significantly decreased the rate of correct interpretation of results as compared to DAH (aRR: 0.60 [95% CI: 0.36 to 0.98]; P=0.019). None significant difference was found between two arms in evaluating the linkage to care. Willingness to buy HIV self-test was higher in UH as compared to DAH (92.3% versus 74.1%; aRR: 4.20 [95% CI: 2.42 to 7.32]; P<0.001). Conclusion. This study demonstrates that both UH and DAH show high level of practicability and effectiveness for HIVST. However, additional support tools will be need to improve the practicability of the test in UH. Taken together, UH as well as DAH should improve access to HIV testing in DRC. Trial registration: PACTR201904546865585. Registered 03 April 2019 - Retrospectively registered, https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=6032

scholarly journals Investigating the Potential of Radar Interferometry for Monitoring Rural Artisanal Cobalt Mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 9834
Author(s):  
Chloe Brown ◽  
Anna Daniels ◽  
Doreen S. Boyd ◽  
Andrew Sowter ◽  
Giles Foody ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Temporal Frequency ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
P Value ◽  
Mining Areas ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
The Impact

Greater awareness of the serious human rights abuses associated with the extraction and trade of cobalt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has applied increasing pressure for businesses to move towards more responsible and sustainable mineral sourcing. Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) activities in rural and remote locations may provide heightened opportunities to conceal the alleged human rights violations associated with mining, such as: hazardous working conditions, health impacts, child labour, child trafficking, and debt bondage. In this study, we investigate the feasibility of the Intermittent Small Baseline Subset (ISBAS) interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) method, teamed with high temporal frequency Sentinel-1 imagery, for monitoring ASM activity in rural locations of the “Copperbelt”, the DRC. The results show that the ISBAS descriptive variables (mean, standard deviation, minimum, and maximum) were significantly different (p-value = ≤ 0.05) between mining and non-mining areas. Additionally, a significant difference was found for the ISBAS descriptive variables mean, standard deviation, and minimum between the different mine types (industrial, surface, and tunnels). As expected, a high level of subsidence (i.e., negative ISBAS pixel value) was a clear indicator of mine activity. Trial activity thresholds were set for the descriptive variables mean (-2.43 mm/yr) and minimum (-5.36 mm/yr) to explore an ISBAS approach to active mine identification. The study concluded that the ISBAS method has great potential as a monitoring tool for ASM, with the ability to separate mining and non-mining areas based on surface motion values, and further distinguish the different mine types (industrial, surface, and tunnel). Ground data collection and further development of ISBAS analysis needs to be made to fully understand the value of an ISBAS-based ASM monitoring system. In particular, surrounding the impact of seasonality relative to longer-term trends in ASM activity.

scholarly journals Perceptions of Population on COVID-19 in Lisala City (Mongala Province) and Perspective of Valorising Alternative Therapy in Democratic Republic of the Congo

2021 ◽  
pp. 33-43
Author(s):  
C. M. Falanga ◽  
E. M. Lindomba ◽  
C. L. Inkoto ◽  
N. B. Basosila ◽  
C. A. Masengo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Alternative Therapy ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
P Value ◽  
Infected People ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

Aim: To assess the population's knowledge of COVID-19 in order to guide future scientific research on the alternative management of this pandemic by Traditional Pharmacopoeia. Place and Duration of Study: The study was undertaken in Lisala city (province of Mongala, Democratic Republic of the Congo), from 26 July to 10 August 2020. Methodology: The surveys consisted in drafting a questionnaire beforehand to apprehend the knowledge of COVID-19among the surrounding population. The interview was conducted in Lingala language using stratified proportional random sampling method. Results: A total of 200 people were interviewed in Lisala city. The majority were men (63.0% vs. 37.0%). The majority of the respondents were aged between 26-45 years (51.5%). The majority of the respondents were Ngombe people (43.5%), followed by Budja (21.5%), Mongo (13.0%) and Lokele (7.0%) respectively. The best source of information on the pandemic in Lisala city was the radio (72.5%), followed by the multisectoral committee for the response to COVID-19 (17.5%), television (9.0%) and newspapers (1.5%). In the event of contamination, the therapeutic approach recommended by the population is modern medicine (76.5%) as opposed to 23.5% of respondents who prefer to resort to traditional medicine. The majority of respondents prefer health products other than vaccines (71.0% vs. 20.0%). The results of the present survey showed statistically significant difference (at the probability threshold of 0.05: χ2≥9.345 and p-value≤0.05) and relationship (Cramer Pearson V value≥0.216) between educational status of the respondents and variables like knowledge on the disease consequences, knowledge on the COVID-19 agent; remarks concerning communication strategy; the risk of infection from living with a COVID-19 infected people; the fear to be infected; the existence of COVID-19 support structures and the knowledge on barrier.    Conclusion and Suggestions: The population's dependence on Traditional Medicine is postulated as one of the protective factors for the population of sub-Saharan Africa against COVID-19. It is therefore desirable to develop a phytochemicals library and its virtual screening in order to partially validate the anti-corona-viral properties of medicinal plants. Computational chemistry and structural biology will thus help to develop sustainable alternative medicine using molecular modelling and dynamics as strategy for predicting bioactivity, pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of natural products isolated from medicinal plants.

scholarly journals Reproductive competition between females in the matrilineal Mosuo of southwestern China

2013 ◽  
Vol 368 (1631) ◽  
pp. 20130081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Ji ◽  
Jia-Jia Wu ◽  
Qiao-Qiao He ◽  
Jing-Jing Xu ◽  
Ruth Mace ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Reproductive Skew ◽  
Southwestern China ◽  
Male Reproductive Success ◽  
Reproductive Competition ◽  
Reproductive Conflict ◽  
Shared Resource ◽  
Three Generations ◽  
Resident Female ◽  
Brothers And Sisters

The matrilineal Mosuo of southwestern China live in communal households where brothers and sisters of three generations live together (duolocal residence), and men visit their wives, who reside elsewhere, only at night in ‘visiting’ marriages. Here we show that these communally breeding sisters are in reproductive conflict, in the sense that they share the resources needed to reproduce. We analyse determinants of reproductive success in females and males, and show that co-resident female kin are in competition; the more female kin reside in the household, the more reproductive success is reduced. Male reproductive success, however, is not determined by the kin in his natal household; duolocal males are not in reproductive conflict with their siblings. Competition with female cousins can be worse than that between sisters. We also find that female work on the farm (which is the main communal resource) is not equal. We use a ‘tug-of-war’ model of reproductive skew generated by incomplete control, to model the patterns of effort put into competition between sisters and cousins. The model predicts that more dominant (older) sisters will put less effort into reproductive conflict than will less dominant (younger) sisters; but younger sisters will also have lower reproductive success because they are less efficient at gaining access to the shared resource. Both predictions are consistent with our data. Younger sisters work less in the fields than do older sisters, which may represent a form of conflict or may be because their average relatedness to the household is lower than that of their more fertile older sisters.

scholarly journals Floristic Inventory of Invasive Alien Aquatic Plants Found in Some Congolese Rivers, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Henri Kunzi Mbale ◽  
Michael Tshibangu Mukendi ◽  
Gédéon Ngiala Bongo ◽  
Anthony Batoba Kikufi ◽  
Félicien Luyeye Lukoki
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Pistia Stratiotes ◽  
Chemical Characteristics ◽  
Congo River ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

Aim: To identify invasive aquatic alien plant species found in the Pool Malebo and some rivers in Kinshasa city, their behavior as well as their socio-economic impacts. Study Design: The study used a combination of purposive sampling and simple random sampling in order to select different sites where samples were collected. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in different rivers (Pool Malebo system (Kinkole, Kingabwa), and N'sele, Funa and Lukaya rivers) of Kinshasa city in Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Pool Malebo is located along the Congo River. This was conducted between March and October 2013. Methodology: The collection was performed after a direct observation. The location of collection depended on sites, at Kingabwa and Kinkole, we collected invasive species in the middle of the Congo river and to achieve that, we used canoe. While at N’sele, Lukaya and Funa rivers, samples were collected at the edges. The collection took place in the morning between 7 and 11 am. Recorded species were classified either alien species or invasive alien species according to the status in the study region. The identification of collected species was carried out according to APG III. Seeing the way these species invade the environment and how they disturb the ecology of rivers, the physico-chemical characteristics of waters were measured between 7:00 and 11:00 am with the appropriate electronic probe for each parameter. For each parameter, the comparison between the sites was carried out using the ANOVA test with XLSTAT 2013 software. Results: Out of 151 specimens collected, 35 species have been identified of which 19 species as alien were identified and 4 proved to be invasive alien species, namely: Eichhornia crassipes, Echinochloa pyramidalis, Ludwigia peploides and Pistia stratiotes. These invasive species are used by farmers as livestock feed and also as green manure for different agricultural and farming activities, As to the physico-chemical characteristics, no significant differences were observed for the temperature and the turbidity in various sites while the pH and conductivity, there was a highly significant difference between different sites. The hydrology of these rivers is seriously disturbed due to the presence of these invasive alien species. These species constitute a serious threat in the erosion of aquatic biodiversity in the removal of native species in the formation of floating monospecific dense mats as observed. Conclusion: The invasion of alien species is a consequence of human activities and a concern, which affects all sectors of the society. It constitutes a true challenge for ecologists, economists, social scientists, agricultural engineers, environmentalists and other in order to develop and implement strong risk analysis frameworks and environmental impact assessments.

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