Republic Of Zaire Research Articles

Hero and Chief. Epic Literature from the Banyanga, Zaire Republic

Hero and Chief. Epic Literature from the Banyanga, Zaire Republic

Autopsy analysis of disease frequency in Kinshasa, Republic of Zaire.

Between July 1973 and December 1974, 304 autopsies were done at Hopital Mama Yemo, Kinshasa, Republic of Zaire. The causes of death and sudden death were tabulated and analyzed. The frequency of various diseases and groups of diseases among all the individuals and a large subset of individuals who died traumatically are tabulated and discussed. The present report is the most quantitative, albeit only, current estimate of mortality and prevalence of diseases in Zaire.

Some Archives of Shaba Region, Republic of Zaire

It is impossible to write a comprehensive report on the condition of archives throughout the Republic of Zaire, for documents are not stored in national or centralized archives. For example, in Shaba Region (ex-Katanga Province), documents are kept in various bureaux at Lubumbashi. At subordinate territorial levels like the sous-region (ex-district) and zone (ex-territoire), documents are tucked away in cabinets, work rooms, and closets at their administrative centers. It is difficult to plan the time to be spent in archives in advance, for there seems to be no middle ground in their condition. Either they are in good order with documents neatly bundled in labeled file folders, or they are a complete shambles with most documents missing or stored in unclassified heaps on some shelves or on the floor. It is difficult to anticipate which archive will be in good order. There is no reason to assume that an archive in an urban center will be in better shape than an archive at an infrequently visited rural poste or vice versa. The only generalization that can be made is that an archive in Shaba Region which has been properly maintained will be a rich depository of documents. The Belgian colonial administration contained more European personnel than the administration of any other colonial power, and the paperwork produced by this bureaucracy was substantial. When the Belgians departed, they left a legacy of correspondence, reports, procès-verbaux, inquiries, etc., dating from as early as 1907, which can still be found in the little-used archives of Shaba.

PALATE PIGMENTATION IN ADULTS AND SUBADULTS OF SOME AFRICAN ESTRILDIDAE, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE PERSISTENCY OF JUVENILE MOUTH-MARKINGS

Summary Kunkel, P. & Kunkel, I. 1975. Palate pigmentation in adults and subadults of some African Estrididae, with special reference to the persistency of juvenile mouth-markings. 46:147-153. The colouration of the mouth interior of birds with adult plumage has been examined in ten species of estrildid finches occurring in eastern Zaire Republic. Three types have been found: in a Cryptospiza and a Nesocharis species as well as in Estrilda astrild adult bill interiors are pale, and the juvenile palate designs fade out slowly; in two Spermestes species, Estrilda nonnula and at least one Lagonosticta species, the bill interior is black or dark slate, and the juvenile spots and lines are merged into this pigmentation; only in Spermophaga the juvenile palate design is fully conserved in adults as it is, according to former papers, in Uraeginthus. It is attempted to correlate these patterns with systematic relationships and with types of social behaviour.

Nischentrennung beim gr�nkopfnektarvogel (Cyanomitra verticalis) und bronzenektarvogel (Nectarinia kilimensis) (Fam. Nectarinidae, Aves) im kivuhochland (Republik Zaire, Afrika)

Niche separation was studied in two sympatric sunbird species in the Kivu Highlands (Republic of Zaire, Africa). Cyanomitra verticalis and Nectarinia kilimensis occur together in many parts of East and Central Africa and live, at least in the study area, in the same habitat. Nectarinia kilimensis is somewhat bigger and heavier than Cyanomitra verticalis. Bill size and shape are almost identical; small differences cannot be attributed to ecological or other facts.The food of both species consists of two different components. One of them is nectar (rich in carbohydrates) which they suck on flowers of shrubs and trees, especially on Erythrina tomentosa. No niche separation could be detected in their way of visiting flowers: they visit the same trees, often at the same time.The other component (rich in protein) consists of arthropods which represent about 10%, maximally up to 30% of the food. Here both species differ in catching methods as well as in the systematic composition of the prey: Cyanomitra verticalis searches on trunks and branches and collects predominantly spiders and cicada larvae; Nectarinia kilimensis catches insects on the wing, especially ants, beetles and tipulids. Both species may be limited by their requirement of arthropods, for the following reasons: 1. arthropod food is essential for both species and cannot be replaced by nectar; 2. availability of arthropods is restricted because both species have only few stereotype behavioural mechanisms for catching arthropods. Furthermore, arthropods are an important food resource for many other animals. It is proposed that the populations of Cyanomitra verticalis and Nectarinia kilimensis are limited by the arthropod supply in such a way that, in comparison, nectar is available in abundance. Thus, there is no competition for nectar. On the other hand, competition for arthropods, though present, is reduced by different feeding behaviour. Therefore Cyanomitra verticalis and Nectarinia kilimensis can coexist in the studied area.

Parasitic protozoa of the blood of rodents: a revision of Plasmodium berghei.

Lowland populations of the Plasmodium berghei group are compared with strains from the highlands of Katanga, Republic of Zaire, and it is concluded that the former warrant separate specific status. It is proposed that Plasmodium berghei yoelii of the Central African Republic be raised to a species, P. yoelii, and the lowland subspecies from the CAR, Brazzaville and Nigeria be moved to this species as P. y. yoelii, P. y. killicki and P. y. nigeriensis. P. berghei from Katanga would then revert to a monotypic species.Differences between P. berghei and P. yoelii are in distribution, hosts, optimum temperatures of sporogony, sizes of mature oocysts and of sporozoites, rates of growth and minimum maturation times of tissue schizonts in the liver of the white rat, the forms of six enzymes and the DNA.Differences between three subspecies of P. yoelii are in distribution, the sizes of mature oocysts and of sporozoites, sizes of tissue schizonts in the liver of the white rat, the effect of tissue forms on the nuclei of infected parenchymal cells and the electrophoretic forms of the enzyme GDH.

Calostilbe striispora . [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria

Abstract A description is provided for Calostilbe striispora . Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: Erythrina glauca, E. poeppigiana, Musa spp., Theobroma cacao, Coffea spp., Cecropiapeltata, Hevea brasiliensis, Erythrina spp. DISEASE: Bark rot of swamp (Bocare) and mountain (Anauca) immortelles in Trinidad and Venezuela; bonnygate disease of banana in Jamaica. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ghana, Jamaica, Sierra Leone, Surinam, Trinidad, Venezuela, Zaire Republic (Congo). TRANSMISSION: Conidia presumably water dispersed; no experimental studies reported.

Interaction entre les hémoglobines Stanleyville II et S dans une famille du Zaïre. Etude de l'hybride Stanleyville II/S (α 278 lys β 26 val)

Summary Two generations of an African family with haemoglobin Stanleyville II, an α-chain abnormality, and haemoglobin S, a β-chain abnormality, are described. The propositus, aged of 7 years, presents a sickle-cell syndrome of moderate severity and a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency; he has two mutants of adult haemoglobin, both abnormal, which were demonstrated to be haemoglobin S and an α-chain variant of the latter, haemoglobin Stanleyville II/S or α Sta-II 2 β 8 2 ; in this variant lysine replaces the normal asparagine at the 78th (EF 7) residue of the α-chains. This patient is therefore heterozygous for the α Sta-II chains and homozygous for the β S chains. His father is a sickle-cell trait carrier; the mother and a brother have four adult haemoglobins: Hb-A, Hb-Stanleyville II, Hb-S and Hb-Stanleyville II/S and are therefore doubly heterozygous for the α Sta-II and β S abnormalities; another brother is heterozygous for haemoglobin Stanleyville II, whereas a sister is homozygous for haemoglobin S and has a clinically severe sickle-cell anaemia. This family belongs to the Ngbandi tribe, situated along the Ubangi river in the North of the Republic of Zaire and is of Sudanese ancestry, as seems to be the case for the four other families with haemoglobin Stanleyville II observed up to now. The pattern of inheritance of the α and β variants of haemoglobin in this family provides a further indication that the chromosomic loci ruling the structure of the α and β chains segregate independently and are not situated on the same chromosome. The levels of the α Sta-II chains of the propositus and of some members of this family are in agreement with the hypothesis of a linkage of some α variants of haemoglobin with α-thalassaemia; furthermore the linkage of the α Sta-II chains with α-thalassaemia provides an explanation of the moderate severity of the sickle cell anemia syndrome, as well as of the hypochromia of the propositus, since α-thalassemia depresses the synthesis of the normal α-chains and consequently the concentration of haemoglobin S in the red cells.

Melampsora lini . [Distribution map

Abstract A new distribution map is provided for Melampsora lini (Ehrenb.) Lév. Hosts: Flax (Linum usitatissimum) & other Linum spp. Information is given on the geographical distribution in AFRICA, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Madeira, Morocco, South Africa, Zaire Republic (Congo), ASIA, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, India, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Nepal, Pakistan, Turkey, USSR, AUSTRALASIA & OCEANIA, Australia, New Zealand, EUROPE, Austria, Belgium, Britain and Northern Ireland, Bulgaria, Crete, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, France (incl. Corsica), West Germany, Greece, Hungary, Irish Republic, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, USSR, Yugoslavia, NORTH AMERICA, Canada, USA (General, incl. Alaska), SOUTH AMERICA, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Uruguay.

Les travailleurs ruraux du Mayombe, ébauche d'une classe sociale?

ABSTRACTIn the Mayombe district as well as in other rural parts of the Zaire Republic, there exists a rural proletariat consisting of factory and plantation workers with a high degree of integration in the wage economy. A process of widening social differentiation can be observed between these workers and the surrounding village communities, by way of ambiguous solidarity behavior related to opposing interests, which they become increasingly conscious of. Can such a strata of rural workers be considered as an emerging social class? In order to answer this question one must analyse these workers in the larger nation-wide context. Here, the dominant feature is one of a very profound remoulding of the post-colonial national society with quite a few new strata and quasi-classes likely to emerge. In this context, rural worker-peasant relations are continuously moving between alliances and conflicts, the result of which, in the longer run, may well depend on the role and policy of the national unions in a situa...

Phoma insidiosa . [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria

Abstract A description is provided for Phoma insidiosa . Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: On Sorghum spp., Oryza sativa, Saccharum officinarum, Setaria, Triticum aestivum and Zea mays . DISEASE: A minor leaf spot of Sorghum and Setaria spp. and other Gramineae . The macroscopic symptoms are variable and not particularly distinctive. Leaf lesions have an irregular outline, sometimes beginning at the tip or edge, and are brown to grey with narrow redish-purple margins. The scattered pycnidia occur sometimes in clusters or lines, interveinally. Spotting and pycnidia form on grain and glumes. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Argentina, Australia (W.), Brazil, Canada, China, Cuba, Ethiopa, Hawaii, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Laos, Malawi, Malaysia (W.), Nepal, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, Rhodesia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, USA, USSR, Venezuela, Zaire Republic, Zambia. The fungus may be detected on introduced seed. TRANSMISSION: Probably carried on the seed; infection of the seed reduces both germination and subsequent growth. May remain viable on seed for 1 yr.

Rosellinia arcuata . [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria

Abstract A description is provided for Rosellinia arcuata . Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: Plurivorous; important on Camellia sinensis . DISEASE: Black root rot mainly of tropical and subtropical woody hosts; plurivorous but only of serious importance on tea ( Camellia sinensis ). The advancing edge of the mycelium is white, shading to black. On the root surface the black network of strands gives a woolly appearance and beneath the bark star-like fans of white mycelium spread out on the wood. On tea the fungus may spread up the stem fan a short distance; the bush often dies suddenly, the leaves remaining attached for some time. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Records of this fungus are apparently infrequent. It has been reported from Central African Republic, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia (Java, Sumatra), Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Zaire Republic. TRANSMISSION: As mycelium from surface organic litter and woody debris and possibly also through spores.

Rosellinia bunodes . [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria

Abstract A description is provided for Rosellinia bunodes . Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: On arrowroot, Artocarpus integer , avocado, banana, cacao, camphor, cassava, Centrosemapubescens, Cinchona, Citrus , coffee, Colocasia antiquorum, Crotalaria, Desmodium gyroides, Dryobalanops aromatica, Erythrina , ginger, Gliricidia, Grevillea robusta, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Holigarna longifolia, Indigofera, Inga laurina, Leucaena glauca, Litsea , pepper (black), Petiveria alliacea, Phyllanthus , rattan, rubber, Schleichera trijuga , tea, Tephrosia and yams. DISEASE: Black root rot, mainly of tropical and subtropical woody hosts; plurivorous but described mostly from cacao ( Theobroma cacao ), quinine ( Cinchona spp.), coffee ( Coffea spp.), rubber ( Hevea brasiliensis ) and tea ( Camellia sinensis ). Wilt and death of the whole plant or single branches may be the first signs of attack. At the collar the mycelial sheet is at first cream-white shading to purplish-black and may extend well above the soil surface in damp conditions. On the root surface the firm, black, branching strands are firmly applied and thicken into irregular knots. In the cortex the strands have a black periphery and white core; in the wood they appear thread-like and black or sometimes as dots in transverse section. In culture the mycelium is white, later buff with black strands. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Widespread in tropical America and also in Central African Republic, India (Nilgris, Maharashtra). Indonesia (Java, Sumatra), Malaysia (W.), Philippines. Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and Zaire Republic (CMI Map 358, ed. 2, 1970). Additional records not yet mapped are Honduras, Panama. TRANSMISSION: As mycelium from surface oreanic litter and woody debris.

Diaporthe phaseolorum . [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria

Abstract A description is provided for Diaporthe phaseolorum . Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: On Phaseolus, Phaseolus lunatus, Ipomoea, Glycine, Allium, Arachis, Capsicum, Hibiscus esculentus, Lupinus, Lespedeza, Strophostyles and Vigna . DISEASE: Stem canker, pod and stem blight of soyabean ( Glycine max ) and other legumes; dry rot of sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas ); and pod blight of Lima bean ( Phaseolus lunatus ). The most serious diseases are those on soyabean. Infected seedlings may be weak and stunted. In older plants lesions form on the petiole and stem, where they may become girdling cankers (characteristically red-brown in Diaporthe phaseolorum var. caulivora in the early stages). Infected seed is discoloured and reduced in size. In the field perithecia predominate in var. caulivora and pycnidia likewise in var. sojae . On Lima bean leaf lesions are up to 3 cm diam. with concentrically arranged pycnidia. Shot-holing may occur and infection of young pods leads to destruction of the seed. In sweet potato, tubers shrink and become mummified in storage; dry rot and necrosis of sprouts occur in the plant bed; pycnidia form on tubers and sprouts. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Probably widespread in the form frequently referred to as var. sojae . Reported from: Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Guyana, India, Israel, Japan, Korea, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, USA; var. batatisis is probably more widespread than has been reported (New Zealand, USA, Zaire Republic); var. phaseolorum has been reported from Cuba, Bermuda, South Africa, Tanzania, USA. The severest form of the disease (var. caulivora ) appears to be restricted to N. America (CMI Map 360, ed. 1, 1958). TRANSMISSION: Through seed, tubers, crop debris and probably soil (34: 425; 42: 352, 353, 425; 44, 2003). Viable in soyabean seed for 2 yr.

Human Streptocerciasis

Forty patients with streptocerciasis were studied. They lived in a small village near Mbandaka in the Republic of Zaire. Microfilariae of Dipetalonema streptocerca were present in the dermal collagen, and the features which distinguish these microfilariae are described and illustrated. The main clinical feature was a dermatitis characterized by pruritus, hypopigmented macules and papules. Microscopically there was incontinence of melanin, fibrosis of dermal papillae, dermal fibrosis, dilated dermal lymphatics, increased mucosaccharides around small dermal vessels and lymphocytes, and eosinophils around dermal appendages and vessels. Adult, gravid D. streptocerca were found for the first time in human tissue. They were in the dermis. Treatment with diethylcarbamazine aggravated the dermatitis and caused a reaction around the adult worms. The inguinal lymph nodes were fibrotic, had decreased germinal activity, marked histiocytic hyperplasia, dilated lymphatics, and were infiltrated by plasma cells and eosinophils. The finding of obstructive lymphadenitis suggests that streptocerciasis may be a factor in the pathogenesis of chronic lymphedema.