ABSTRACT Dementia is a global public health issue, with 57.5 million people living with at least one type of dementia in 2019 worldwide, and projected to rise to 152 million by 2050. Objective: We assessed the cognitive function in diabetic patients aged 60 or older in Bukavu city, in the eastern Republic of the Congo (DRC). Methods: This case-control study involved 123 patients with established diabetes mellitus (DM) and 123 controls over 60-year-olds also with high rates of illiteracy. Cognitive function was assessed using the Swahili version of the Community Screening Instrument for Dementia (CSI-D). Results: Foremost, our study revealed language-related differences between Swahili spoken in other eastern African countries such as Tanzania and Kenya, where the Swahili CSI-D is readily applied, compared to the Swahili spoken in Bukavu (DRC). Our results also showed that cognitive impairment was present in 18.7% of the total 246 participants. Remarkably, the prevalence rate of cognitive impairment was higher in the non-diabetic group (12.2 versus 25.2%; p=0.009). Participants aged 80 or older were more likely to present with cognitive impairment compared to those aged less than 80 (adjusted odds ratio — aOR=70.27; 95% confidence interval — 95%CI 3.94–125.15; p=0.004). We also found that patients living with DM for more than 20 years were three times more likely to be impaired compared to those who were recently diagnosed with DM (aOR=3.63; 95%CI 1.70–18.81; p=0.026). Conclusion: This study revealed that cognitive impairment was relatively high in Bukavu city. It emphasizes the lack of effective tools to assess cognitive function. This requires, therefore, that research be adapted to the intellect and cultural experiences of the patients. issue 575 57 5 57. 201 worldwide 15 2050 Objective 6 city DRC. DRC . (DRC) Methods casecontrol case control 12 (DM 60yearolds yearolds year olds illiteracy CSID. CSID CSI D (CSI-D) Results Foremost languagerelated language related Kenya applied 187 18 7 18.7 24 participants Remarkably nondiabetic non 12.2 122 2 (12. 25.2% 252 25 p=0.009. p0009 p p=0.009 0 009 p=0.009) 8 adjusted aOR=70.27 aOR7027 aOR 70 27 95 95CI CI 3.94–125.15 39412515 3 94 125 p=0.004. p0004 p=0.004 004 p=0.004) aOR=3.63 aOR363 63 (aOR=3.63 1.70–18.81 1701881 1 81 p=0.026. p0026 p=0.026 026 p=0.026) Conclusion requires therefore 205 (DRC (CSI-D 18. 12. (12 25.2 p000 p=0.00 00 aOR=70.2 aOR702 9 3.94–125.1 3941251 aOR=3.6 aOR36 (aOR=3.6 1.70–18.8 170188 p002 p=0.02 02 (1 25. p00 p=0.0 aOR=70. aOR70 3.94–125. 394125 aOR=3. aOR3 (aOR=3. 1.70–18. 17018 ( p0 p=0. aOR=70 aOR7 3.94–125 39412 aOR=3 (aOR=3 1.70–18 1701 p=0 aOR=7 3.94–12 3941 aOR= (aOR= 1.70–1 170 p= 3.94–1 394 (aOR 1.70– 17 3.94– 39 1.70 3.94 1.7 3.9 1. 3.

RESUMO A demência é uma questão de saúde pública global, afetando 57,5 milhões de pessoas com pelo menos um tipo de demência em 2019 em todo o mundo, com uma previsão de aumento para 152 milhões até 2050. Objetivo: Avaliou-se a função cognitiva em pacientes diabéticos com 60 anos ou mais na cidade de Bukavu, no leste da República Democrática do Congo (RDC). Métodos: Este estudo de caso-controle incluiu 123 pacientes com diabetes mellitus (DM) estabelecido e 123 controles com mais de 60 anos, com altas taxas de analfabetismo. A função cognitiva foi avaliada utilizando a versão swahili do Instrumento de Triagem Comunitária para Demência (Community Screening Instrument for Dementia — CSI-D). Resultados: O presente estudo revelou diferenças relacionadas à linguagem entre o swahili falado em outros países do leste da África, como Tanzânia e Quênia, onde o CSI-D swahili é prontamente aplicado, em comparação com o swahili falado em Bukavu (RDC). Observou-se também deficiência cognitiva em 18,7% dos 246 participantes. Notadamente, a taxa de prevalência de deficiência cognitiva foi maior no grupo não diabético (12,2 versus 25,2%; p=0,009). Participantes com 80 anos ou mais tiveram maior probabilidade de apresentar deficiência cognitiva em comparação com aqueles com menos de 80 anos (odds ratios ajustados — aOR=70,27; intervalo de confiança de 95% — IC95% 3,94–125,15; p=0,004). Também observou-se que pacientes vivendo com DM por mais de 20 anos tinham três vezes mais chances de serem afetados em comparação com aqueles que foram recentemente diagnosticados com DM (aOR=3,63; IC95% 1,70–18,81; p=0,026). Conclusão: Este estudo revelou que a deficiência cognitiva era relativamente alta na cidade de Bukavu. Enfatizou-se a falta de ferramentas eficazes para avaliar a função cognitiva, o que requer, portanto, que a pesquisa seja adaptada ao intelecto e às experiências culturais dos pacientes. global 575 57 5 57, 201 mundo 15 2050 Objetivo Avaliouse Avaliou se 6 RDC. RDC . (RDC) Métodos casocontrole caso controle 12 (DM analfabetismo Community CSID. CSID CSI D CSI-D) Resultados África Quênia aplicado Observouse Observou 187 18 7 18,7 24 participantes Notadamente 12,2 122 2 (12, 25,2% 252 25 p=0,009. p0009 p p=0,009 0 009 p=0,009) 8 odds aOR=70,27 aOR7027 aOR 70 27 95 IC95 IC 3,94–125,15 39412515 3 94 125 p=0,004. p0004 p=0,004 004 p=0,004) observouse observou aOR=3,63 aOR363 63 (aOR=3,63 1,70–18,81 1701881 1 81 p=0,026. p0026 p=0,026 026 p=0,026) Conclusão Enfatizouse Enfatizou requer portanto 205 (RDC 18, 12, (12 25,2 p000 p=0,00 00 aOR=70,2 aOR702 9 IC9 3,94–125,1 3941251 aOR=3,6 aOR36 (aOR=3,6 1,70–18,8 170188 p002 p=0,02 02 (1 25, p00 p=0,0 aOR=70, aOR70 3,94–125, 394125 aOR=3, aOR3 (aOR=3, 1,70–18, 17018 ( p0 p=0, aOR=70 aOR7 3,94–125 39412 aOR=3 (aOR=3 1,70–18 1701 p=0 aOR=7 3,94–12 3941 aOR= (aOR= 1,70–1 170 p= 3,94–1 394 (aOR 1,70– 17 3,94– 39 1,70 3,94 1,7 3,9 1, 3,

Abstract: The article analyzes the trajectory of Antônio de Oli veira Cadornega, author of História Geral das Guerras Angolanas (1680). We examine aspects of the work linked to the author’s concerns - the wars involving the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the kingdoms of Congo and Angola - highlighting his Lusocentric position. The 1972 printed edition is used, as well as the bibliography about the work and its author. We seek connections between the writing of the text and the Portuguese political crisis in the seventeenth century, including the inquisitorial one, as well as between the history of its editions and the Portuguese context in the 20th century. The focus of our reflection, however, is that Cadornega was a New Christian, through his mother, and may have practiced Crypto-Judaism, whether in his youth in Vila Viçosa, or in Africa, like the group of Portuguese New Christians studied by Horta and Mark in Senegambia, in The Forgotten Diaspora (2011). Abstract 1680. 1680 . (1680) authors s Dutch position 197 used century one th reflection however Christian mother CryptoJudaism, CryptoJudaism Crypto Judaism, Judaism Crypto-Judaism Viçosa Africa Senegambia 2011. 2011 (2011) 168 (1680 19 201 (2011 16 (168 1 20 (201 (16 2 (20 (1 (2 (

Resumo: O artigo analisa a trajetória de Antônio de Oliveira Cadornega, autor de História geral das guerras angolanas (1680). Examinamos aspectos da obra ligados às preocupações do autor - as guerras envolvendo os portugueses, os holandeses, o reino do Congo e o de Angola - destacando a sua posição lusocêntrica. Para tanto, utilizamos a edição impressa de 1972 e a bibliografia sobre a obra e seu autor. Buscamos as conexões entre a escrita do texto e a crise política portuguesa no século XVII, inclusive a inquisitorial, bem como entre a história de suas edições e o contexto português no século XX. O foco de nossa reflexão reside, porém, na condição de cristão-novo do autor, por linha materna, e na possibilidade de ter praticado o criptojudaísmo, seja na juventude, em Vila Viçosa, seja na África, assim como o grupo de cristãos-novos portugueses estudado por Horta e Mark na Senegâmbia, em The Fortgotten Diáspora (2011). Resumo Cadornega 1680. 1680 . (1680) holandeses lusocêntrica tanto 197 XVII inquisitorial XX reside porém cristãonovo cristão novo materna criptojudaísmo juventude Viçosa África cristãosnovos cristãos novos Senegâmbia 2011. 2011 (2011) 168 (1680 19 201 (2011 16 (168 1 20 (201 (16 2 (20 (1 (2 (

Amyloid fibrils are characteristic of several disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD), with no cure or preventive therapy. Diminishing amyloid deposits using aromatic compounds is an interesting approach toward AD treatment. The present study examined the anti-fibrillogenic effects of silibinin and trans-chalcone in vitro, in vivo, and in silico on insulin amyloids. In vitro incubation of insulin at 37°C for 24 h induced amyloid formation. Addition of trans-chalcone and silibinin to insulin led to reduced amounts of fibrils as shown by thioflavin S fluorescence and Congo red absorption spectroscopy, with a better effect observed for silibinin. In vivo bilateral injection of fibrils formed by incubation of insulin in the presence or absence of silibinin and trans-chalcone or insulin fibrils plus the compounds in rats' hippocampus was performed to obtain AD characteristics. Passive avoidance (PA) test showed that treatment with both compounds efficiently increased latency compared with the model group. Histological investigation of the hippocampus in the cornu ammonis (CA1) and dentate gyrus (DG) regions of the rat's brain stained with hematoxylin-eosin and thioflavin S showed an inhibitory effect on amyloid aggregation and markedly reduced amyloid plaques. In silico, a docking experiment on native and fibrillar forms of insulin provided an insight onto the possible binding site of the compounds. In conclusion, these small aromatic compounds are suggested to have a protective effect on AD. Alzheimers Alzheimer s AD, , (AD) therapy antifibrillogenic anti fibrillogenic transchalcone trans chalcone amyloids 37C C 37 2 formation spectroscopy rats characteristics PA (PA group CA1 CA (CA1 DG (DG rat hematoxylineosin hematoxylin eosin plaques conclusion (AD 3 (CA

Amyloidoses are a group of disorders in which soluble proteins aggregate and deposit extracellularly in tissues as insoluble fibrils, causing organ dysfunction. Clinical management depends on the subtype of the protein deposited and the affected organs. Systemic amyloidosis may stem from anomalous proteins, such as immunoglobulin light chains or serum amyloid proteins in chronic inflammation or may arise from hereditary disorders. Hereditary amyloidosis consists of a group of rare conditions that do not respond to chemotherapy, hence the identification of the amyloid subtype is essential for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. The kidney is the organ most frequently involved in systemic amyloidosis. Renal amyloidosis is characterized by acellular pathologic Congo red-positive deposition of amyloid fibrils in glomeruli, vessels, and/or interstitium. This disease manifests with heavy proteinuria, nephrotic syndrome, and progression to end-stage kidney failure. In some situations, it is not possible to identify the amyloid subtype using immunodetection methods, so the diagnosis remains indeterminate. In cases where hereditary amyloidosis is suspected or cannot be excluded, genetic testing should be considered. Of note, laser microdissection/mass spectrometry is currently the gold standard for accurate diagnosis of amyloidosis, especially in inconclusive cases. This article reviews the clinical manifestations and the current diagnostic landscape of renal amyloidosis.

This paper explores the socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives and livelihoods of Congolese female asylum seekers and refugees living in Cape Town. It is framed around the assumption that this group of women exist at the intersection of multiple forms of vulnerability by virtue of their migrant status, gender, race, and social class. The study adopted a qualitative approach to data collection and analysis. One-on-one in-depth interviews were conducted with seven female asylum seekers and refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo, using a semi-structured interview guide. Drawing on a feminist intersectional framework, the findings revealed that containment measures imposed by the South African government to curb the spread of COVID-19 significantly increased asylum-seeking and refugee women's care roles in homes, while rendering paid work more precarious. We argue that resilience strategies adopted by these women during the pandemic varied, depending on their demographic and socio-economic status, educational level, nature of employment or entrepreneurial activity and their residency status in South Africa. The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified existing inequalities experienced by female Congolese asylum seekers and refugees and created new ones, with long-term implications for their lives and livelihoods.

BACKGROUND: In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), healthcare services are still focused on disease control and mortality reduction in specific groups. The need to broaden the scope from biomedical criteria to bio-psychosocial (BPS) dimensions has been increasingly recognizedAIM: The objective of this study was to identify the barriers and facilitators to providing healthcare at the health centre (HC) level to enable BPS careSETTINGS: This qualitative study was conducted in six HCs (two urban and four rural) in South-Kivu (eastern DRC) which were selected based on their accessibility and their level of primary healthcare organizationMETHODS: Seven focus group discussions (FGDs) involving 29 healthcare workers were organized. A data synthesis matrix was created based on the Rainbow Model framework. We identified themes related to plausible barriers and facilitators for BPS approachRESULTS: Our study reports barriers common to a majority of HCs: misunderstanding of BPS care by healthcare workers, home visits mainly used for disease control, solidarity initiatives not locally promoted, new resources and financial incentives expected, accountability summed up in specific indicators reporting. Availability of care teams and accessibility to patient information were reported as facilitators to changeCONCLUSION: This analysis highlighted major barriers that condition providers' mindset and healthcare provision at the primary care level in South-Kivu. Accessibility to the information regarding BPS status of individuals within the community, leadership of HC authorities, dynamics of HC teams and local social support initiatives should be considered in order to develop an effective BPS approach in this region

ABSTRACT Introduction: Waldenström's macroglobulinemia is a hematological neoplasm belonging to the group of monoclonal gammopathies, which includes systemic symptoms and those related to an increase in M paraprotein. Objective: To describe a case of cardiac amyloidosis associated with macroglobulinemia. Clinical case: Male patient who was admitted for asthenia, dysphonia, and who, during his evolution, developed progressive dyspnea, heart failure and pleural effusion. Additionally, echocardiography showed myocardial granular pattern, while pleural biopsy was positive for Congo red staining. Subsequently, he received treatment with bortezomib, dexamethasone and rituximab, with favorable evolution. Conclusions: In this disease, early diagnosis is an important advantage for survival. Therefore, its management is palliative of cardiac manifestations. The present case shows a diagnostic challenge, in which the less frequent etiologies of heart failure must be taken into account.

RESUMEN Introducción: La macroglobulinemia de Waldenström constituye una neoplasia hematológica del grupo de las gammapatías monoclonales, que incluye síntomas sistémicos y relacionados al incremento de la paraproteína M. Objetivo: Describir un caso de amiloidosis cardiaca asociada a macroglobulinemia. Caso clínico: Paciente masculino que fue admitido por astenia, disfonía, y durante su evolución desarrolló disnea progresiva, insuficiencia cardiaca y efusión pleural. Adicionalmente, la ecocardiografía mostró patrón granular miocárdico, y la biopsia pleural resultó positiva para la tinción rojo congo. Posteriormente, recibió tratamiento con bortezomib, dexametasona y rituximab con evolución favorable. Conclusiones: En esta enfermedad el diagnóstico temprano es una ventaja importante para la supervivencia. Es por esa razón, que su manejo es paliativo de las manifestaciones cardiacas. El presente caso pone en manifiesto un reto diagnóstico, en el cual se deben tomar en cuenta las etiologías menos frecuentes de insuficiencia cardiaca.

Resumo Apesar do potencial apresentado pela tecnologia de propagação mediada para a aquicultura e conservação de peixes Neotropicais, o pobre entendimento do sistema imune do hospedeiro pode resultar na rejeição e destruição do material do doador. Com isso, se fazem necessários o estudo e o desenvolvimento de métodos para análise tanto dos efeitos de drogas imunossupressoras quanto para a avaliação da imunocompatibilidade entre doadores e receptores. Logo, o presente estudo teve como objetivo aperfeiçoar um método para analisar a fagocitose in vivo em Astyanax altiparanae usando Saccharomyces cerevisiae marcado e avaliar seu perfil hematológico resultante da indução inflamatória. Para isso, S. cerevisiae foram marcados com vermelho Congo e injetados na cavidade celomática dos A. altiparanae na concentração de 2,5 x 106 células.mL-1. Peixes injetados com PBS e peixes não injetados foram mantidos como controle. Sangue foi colhido e a capacidade fagocítica e o índice fagocítico foram determinados após 1, 2, 3 e 6 horas após à injeção (hpi). A injeção de levedura estimulou a fagocitose com sucesso, com o melhor resultado atingido após 2 hpi. Ainda, foi observada uma alta rastreabilidade das leveduras fagocitadas e não fagocitadas sob microscopia óptica devido à marcação com vermelho Congo. O perfil hematológico foi similar ao observado usualmente em infecções recém-induzidas, indicando migração de linfócitos ao sítio inflamatório e aumento no número de fagócitos circulantes devido à resposta natural ao estímulo inflamatório. Como conclusão, nosso método foi eficiente para analisar a fagocitose in vivo em A. altiparanae e será uma ferramenta importante para a avaliação de eficácia de drogas imunossopressoras para esta espécie. Em adição, estes resultados podem contribuir para futuros estudos em imunocompetência em peixes, tanto em âmbito laboratorial quanto a campo.

Abstract Although the potential of surrogate propagation technology for aquaculture and conservation of Neotropical fish, the poor understanding of the host immune system may results in rejection and destruction of the donor material. Thus, it is necessary to study and to develop methods to evaluate the effects of immunosuppressive drugs employment and to evaluate the immunocompatibility between donor and receptor. Thus, the present study aimed to optimize a methodology to assess in vivo phagocytosis in Astyanax altiparanae using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and to evaluate their hematological response resultant from the inflammatory induction. To this, S. cerevisiae were labeled with Congo red and injected in the coelomic cavity of A. altiparanae at the concentration of 2.5 x 106 cells mL-1. A PBS solution and a non-injected group were kept as control. Fish blood was sampled and the phagocytic capacity and index were determined at 1, 2, 3 and 6 h post-injection (hpi). The yeast injection successfully stimulated phagocytosis, with the best result for phagocytosis assessment after 2 hpi. Moreover, it was achieved a high traceability of phagocytized and non-phagocytized yeast under optic microscopy analysis due to the Congo red labeling. The hematological profile was similar to usually observed in early infections, indicating lymphocyte migration to inflammatory site and increase in number of circulating phagocytes due to natural response to inflammatory stimulus. In conclusion, our method was efficient to assess in vivo phagocytosis in A. altiparanae and will be an important tool to evaluate the efficacy of immunosuppressive drugs in this species. Additionally, these results may serve as support for further studies in fish immunocompetence, both in laboratory and in field conditions.

In recent times, there is a resurgence of aggressive consciousness by citizens of most African countries, firmly fashioned and sustained through social media. Social media in this way effectively play roles of mobilizing and (re)constructing national identities and solidarities in ways that citizens regularly enter into violent confrontations with foreign nationals, often stereotyped as threats to the prosperity of citizens. In some African countries, executive orders have been given by heads of government that saw the vicious expulsion of millions of foreign nationals. With the advent of distance-and-time-shrinking information and communication technologies, social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and WhatsApp are relied upon in rousing support for national interests and in-group solidarity. Through a systematic review of national immigration policies and content analysis of Facebook newsfeeds in selected countries of East/Central, West and Southern Africa (Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Somalia, Ghana, Uganda, and South Africa), this paper examines how social media strengthen in-group solidarities with the attendant consequences of loss of lives, properties, and inter-state diplomatic relations in post-colonial Africa. The paper concludes that while encouraging freedom of expression within the continent, social media also bolster freedom to hate as both citizens and foreign nationals become more distrustful of one another, thereby exacerbating competition, rivalry and xenophobia. As citizens exercise their right to voice their opinions, they also actively dehumanize foreign nationals. The paper recommends that kin and friendship networks should become the sphere within which interventions for anti-xenophobia campaigns occur in post-colonial Africa, as these hold the social capital to bridge the divide between citizens and foreign nationals in attempts to achieve peaceful co-existence.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a party to the Rome Statute. Unable to deal with past serious violations of human rights the country decided formally to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court. Based on article 54(3)(c) of the Rome Statute a judicial cooperation agreement was signed between the DRC and the ICC in 2004. As a result six cases have been prosecuted. The research relied on legislation, literature and empirical fieldwork as its sources of information. To collect data, 29 key informants were interviewed and three focus group discussions were held. After a data analysis the following results were found. Thirteen key informants and participants in the focus group appreciated the iCC's jurisdiction over international crimes and its complementarity to the Congolese judicial system as it brought some relief in the fight against impunity considering the lack of political will on the part of the government to prosecute alleged perpetrators. Eleven key informants and participants in the focus group revealed that the ICC was selective as it prosecuted some perpetrators and freed others (mostly the leaders). Six key informants and participants in the focus group noted that the achievements of the ICC were below the expectations of the population due to the prolonged nature of the proceedings. Six key informants regretted the fact that the ICC does not have retroactive jurisdiction for crimes committed in the DRC before the entry into force of the Rome Statute. Therefore, the study recommends that the ICC should avoid selective justice in prosecuting persons bearing the greatest responsibility. The ICC must also make an effort to prevent further delays in proceedings and avoid long trials in order to meet Congolese expectations and, therefore, restore its credibility and avoid frustration on the part of victims.

Lament is little understood or practised in most contemporary church communities. However, in today's world of increasing trauma, this means of grace is much needed. In this article, after providing a biblical basis for lament, focus is given to practical applications of lament in various communities. The studies included refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi living in Cape Town, 'discipleship groups' in two townships of Cape Town and an AIDS-support group near Pietermaritzburg. The empirical studies use biblical literature (mainly psalms of lament) either to provide a voice for those who battle to express their pain or to provide a model for sufferers to compose their own laments. Results show that biblical lament can help the individual find healing (social, physiological and spiritual), promote a more socially aware community and help church members gain a better understanding of the nature of the Christian life and the character of God. Consequently, it is highly recommended that those who seek to help trauma-sufferers consider the importance of lament in their ministries. As they then put the theory into practice, those who for so long have felt isolated or misunderstood in the Church will find solace and find healing for their pain. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS: This study challenges current practices in the Church and provides practical applications of the notion of lament, which over the last 20 years has gained much traction in practical theology and biblical studies. Proven empirical studies show how lament can help individuals and the community to find healing.

The Kamoa-Kakula copper project-a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines, Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd, and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo-has been independently ranked as the world's largest undeveloped high-grade copper discovery by international mining consultant Wood Mackenzie. It is a very large, near-surface stratiform copper deposit with adjacent prospective exploration areas within the Central African Copperbelt, approximately 25 km west of the town of Kolwezi and about 270 km west of the provincial capital of Lubumbashi. A phased development approach is currently envisaged. The first phase of the project involves the development of a 6 Mt/a underground mine and surface processing complex (dual stream concentrator) at the Kakula deposit, a discovery announced in early 2016. The second phase involves an integrated 12 Mt/a two-stage development, beginning with initial production from the Kakula mine, to be followed by a subsequent, separate underground mining operation at the nearby Kansoko mine, along with the construction of a smelter.

ABSTRACT: The Rio Pardo salient, the large antitaxial curve described by the Araçuaí fold-and-thrust belt along the southeastern edge of the São Francisco craton, is one of the most prominent and one of the least studied features of the Brasiliano Araçuaí-West Congo orogenic system (AWCO). In addition to the Archean/Paleoproterozoic basement, the salient is comprised of metasedimentary rocks mainly from the Neoproterozoic Macaúbas Group and the Salinas Formation. Its western limb occupies a portion of the Espinhaço ridge, where the NS-trending structures of the Araçuaí belt progressively curve NE and E, thereby defining the hinge zone along the Serra Geral on the Minas-Bahia boundary. The eastern limb is NW-trending and marked by a major shear zone. In models postulated to generate the AWCO through the closure of the Neoproterozoic Macaúbas basin, this large curve plays a critical kinematic role. Yet, in spite of this, its development is still not fully understood. How did this curve originate? Which factors controlled its generation? Our field study performed in the northern Araçuaí orogen characterized the kinematic picture of the salient, and led to a model that addresses these questions. The results we obtained indicate that the Rio Pardo salient developed in response to four deformation phases. The contractional D1 and D2 phases are coaxial and responsible for a craton-directed tectonic transport along the salient’s outer arc, which is coupled with an overall southward motion of the inner arc, thereby giving rise to a rather complex kinematic picture. Furthermore, structures of the D1/D2 phases define a zigzag pattern with alternating NE- and NW-trending segments along the salient’s leading edge. Along the NE-trending segments, the metasedimentary rocks are thrust northwestwards on top of the craton basement, while along the NW-trending segments, the supracrustal rocks are displaced along dextral to reverse-dextral transpressional shear zones located on the basement/cover contact. Structures of the D3 phase, which are well developed in the hinge zone, record a final WSW-ENE contraction, which was responsible for rotation of the preexistent fabric elements around NNW-trending axes and the enhancement of the salient curvature. The D4 phase is extensional and is recorded by two large-scale structures, the Chapada Acauã and Tingui normal shear zones, as well as by the normal-sinistral reactivation of the Itapebi strike-slip shear zone that marks the salient eastern limb. We interpret the initiation of the Rio Pardo salient during the collisional 565-575 Ma D1/D2 phases essentially as a primary arc that is mainly controlled by the geometry of the Macaúbas precursor basin. The thickened internal portion of the Rio Pardo salient was affected by extensional tectonism at c. 530 Ma, and is recorded by the D4 deformation phase, which is currently ascribed to the extensional collapse of the Araçuaí-West Congo orogen.

Resumen Leucaena leucocephala L., es una Fabaceae con potencial agroforestal multipropósito en Asia y África, mientras que en Mesoamérica, de donde es originaria, es tratada por lo general como maleza para corte de leña y carbón. Su estudio establece que son excelentes productoras de biomasa en épocas de sequía y como toda leguminosa entra en simbiosis con sus huéspedes rizobios para fijar nitrógeno en el suelo. Con el objetivo de identificar y caracterizar la presencia de bacterias endofitas al interior de los nódulos de L. leucocephala se emplearon técnicas de cultivo en medio Levadura, Manitol, Agar Rojo Congo (LMRC), pruebas de tinción Gram, catalasa, velocidad de crecimiento, morfología de las colonias, producción de ácido y crecimiento en cloruro de sodio de los aislados; complementadas con técnicas de microscopía electrónica de barrido (SEM). Se evidenció la presencia de bacterias en el interior de sus raíces noduladas y en cultivo in vitro, colectadas en los campus de prácticas de la Universidad Estatal Península de Santa Elena (provincia de Santa Elena, Ecuador). Todas las bacterias presentaron características fenotípicas y bioquímicas asignadas al grupo de los rizobios en su interacción con una leguminosa silvestre poco estudiada y aprovechada en la zona.

Abstract Leucaena leucocephala L., is a Fabaceae with multipurpose agroforestry potential in Asia and Africa, while in Mesoamerica, where it originates, it is usually treated as a weed for cutting firewood and charcoal. Their study establishes that they are excellent producers of biomass in times of drought and how all legumes enter into symbiosis with their rhizobial hosts to fix nitrogen in the soil. In order to identify and characterize the presence of endophytic bacteria within L. leucocephala nodules, yeast, Mannitol, Congo Red Agar (LMRC) culture techniques, Gram stain tests, catalase, growth rate were used. colony morphology, acid production and growth in sodium chloride of isolates; complemented with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The presence of bacteria inside the nodular roots and in vitro culture was evidenced, collected in the practice campuses of the Península de Santa Elena State University (Santa Elena province, Ecuador). All the bacteria presented phenotypic and biochemical characteristics assigned to the group of rhizobia in their interaction with a wild legume little studied and exploited in the area.

BACKGROUND: Person-centred, re-engineered primary health care (PHC) is a national and global priority. Faith-based health care is a significant provider of PHC in sub-Saharan Africa, but there is limited published data on the reasons for patient choice of faith-based health care, particularly in South Africa. AIM: The primary objective was to determine and explore the reasons for patient choice of a faith-based primary care clinic over their local public sector primary care clinic, and secondarily to determine to what extent these reasons were influenced by demography. SETTING: The study was conducted at Jubilee Health Centre (JHC), a faith-based primary care clinic attached to Jubilee Community Church in Cape Town, South Africa. METHODS: Focus groups, using the nominal group technique, were conducted with JHC patients and used to generate ranked reasons for attending the clinic. These were collated into the top 15 reasons and incorporated into a quantitative questionnaire which was administered to adult patients attending JHC. RESULTS: A total of 164 patients were surveyed (a response rate of 92.4%) of which 68.3% were female and 57.9% from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Of patients surveyed, 98.2% chose to attend JHC because 'the staff treat me with respect', 96.3% because 'the staff are friendly' and 96.3% because 'the staff take time to listen to me'. The reason 'it is a Christian clinic' was chosen by 70.1% of patients. 'The staff speak my home language' was given as a reason by 61.1% of DRC patients and 37.1% of South African patients. 'The clinic is close to me' was chosen by 66.6% of Muslims and 40.8% of Christians. CONCLUSION: Patients chose to attend JHC (a faith-based primary care clinic) because of the quality of care received. They emphasised the staff-patient relationship and patient-centredness rather than the clinic's religious practices (prayer with patients). These findings may be important in informing efforts to improve public sector primary care.