Lockdown diaries: COVID-19 pandemic stories from the DRC and Sierra Leone

The global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are diverse and far-reaching, exposing fault lines in long-standing socio-economic crises. In countries historically impacted by colonialism, conflict and previous epidemics, much has been revealed about how these legacies manifest in the present, as sense is made of rapid change. Our new series uses diaries from people living under lockdown during the pandemic in the DRC and Sierra Leone to present these experiences first-hand, putting into question the nature of the crisis or, indeed, crises

Journaux du confinement: histoires de la pandémie de COVID-19 en RDC et en Sierra Leone

Les effets de la pandémie de COVID-19 à travers le monde sont profonds et variés, exposant souvent les lignes faille de crises socio-économiques sous-jacentes. Dans les pays historiquement impactés par la colonisation, les conflits armés et les épidémies, les héritages de ces crises continuent de se manifester dans le présent. Notre nouvelle série s’appuie sur les journaux de bord de personnes ayant vécu les périodes de confinement en RDC et en Sierra Leone, afin de mettre en lumière ces expériences et de s’interroger sur la nature de la crise, ou, plutôt, des crises

Living between fear, hope and anxiety during COVID-19 in Kinshasa

Ange Kasongo is a journalist who worked throughout the government-imposed lockdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Kinshasa, the 14 million-person capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Well accustomed to the tumultuous life of the city, Ange recounts from her personal diary the anxiety and fear she, her friends, family and colleagues experienced since the virus first emerged in the DRC

Vivre la pandémie: entre effroi et anxiété, un petit coin d’espoir

Ange est journaliste en République démocratique du Congo (RDC), et auteure de deux ouvrages publiés aux Éditions du Net. Habituée de la vie tumultueuse de Kinshasa, sa capitale tentaculaire, et des sujets complexes et malaisés qu’elle documente et analyse sans répit, Ange nous livre le récit de son expérience de la pandémie du COVID-19 depuis l’apparition du virus en RDC

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Rungia congoensis, a traditional vegetable consumed by Yombe people from Kongo Central area (DR. Congo).

Rungia congoensis, a traditional vegetable from Kongo Central area (DR. Congo) was studied for establishing microscopic characters and characterised by chromatographic techniques and their in vitro biochemical activities against ROS production were evaluated in cellular models and on an enzyme, myeloperoxidase (MPO), involved in inflammation. Microscopically leaf can be characterised by non-glandular and glandular trichomes, sinuous anticlinal epidermal cells, diacytic stomata and helical vessels. Methanolic extract displayed high cellular antioxidant activity at the concentrations range of 0.1-10 mug mL(-1) and 1-20 mug mL(-1) using lucigenin on neutrophils and DCFH-DA on HL 60, respectively. This extract also showed, more efficient effects on extracellular and intracellular ROS production and MPO activity. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of R. congoensis were significantly higher, positively correlated with their phytochemical constituents such as flavonoids, iridoids and phenolic acids; and could justify their use as traditional vegetable and potent local nutraceutical resource

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of <i>Rungia congoensis</i>, a traditional vegetable consumed by <i>Yombe</i> people from Kongo Central area (DR. Congo)

<p><i>Rungia congoensis</i>, a traditional vegetable from Kongo Central area (DR. Congo) was studied for establishing microscopic characters and characterised by chromatographic techniques and their <i>in vitro</i> biochemical activities against ROS production were evaluated in cellular models and on an enzyme, myeloperoxidase (MPO), involved in inflammation. Microscopically leaf can be characterised by non-glandular and glandular trichomes, sinuous anticlinal epidermal cells, diacytic stomata and helical vessels. Methanolic extract displayed high cellular antioxidant activity at the concentrations range of 0.1–10 μg mL⁻¹ and 1–20 μg mL⁻¹ using lucigenin on neutrophils and DCFH-DA on HL 60, respectively. This extract also showed, more efficient effects on extracellular and intracellular ROS production and MPO activity. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of <i>R. congoensis</i> were significantly higher, positively correlated with their phytochemical constituents such as flavonoids, iridoids and phenolic acids; and could justify their use as traditional vegetable and potent local nutraceutical resource.</p