ABSTRACT
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is one of the main plants of high nutritional importance cultivated in Cameroon. However, its production is compromised by many constraints including the presence of insect pests, which are responsible for losses in the farms. The present study was carried out on the campus of the University of Yaoundé I. Its objective was to evaluate the insecticidal potential of Jatropha curcas seed extracts on the insect pests of okra. Two varieties of okra (Clemson and Hire) were used. Five treatments (T0: control, T +: Lamida gold 90EC insecticide, T-EAQ: treatment with the aqueous extract of J. curcas seeds, T-EAC: treatment with acetone extract of J. curcas seeds, T-E EAE: treatment with ethyl acetate extract of J. curcas seeds) were used in a completely randomized block design with three repetitions. Growth parameters, the number of insects, severity of phyllophages and fruit yield were evaluated. The results showed that a treatment and varietal effect was observed statistically significant on all growth parameters. The pests identified were: Aphis gossypii, Cheilomenes sp, Dydercus spp., Nisotra spp., Podagrica spp., Zonocerus variegatus. Aqueous and organic extracts of Jatropha curcas seeds were effective as Lamida gold insecticide against phyllophages in compared to the control. The best yield was obtained in T-EAQ treatment (9945.45), followed by T+ (8917.31), T-EAE (6712.9) and T-EAC (6149.9) compared to control T0 (4791.3). Variety V2, although having a susceptibility to insect attack, presented the highest yield (7158.9 kg/ha) compared to (6503.78kg/ha) for V1. Aqueous and organic extracts of J. curcas seeds appear to be a promising avenue in the integrated control of okra pests. Therefore, they can be valorized.

ABSTRACT
Aim: To investigate the cardiotoxic effect of aqueous extract of D. guineense stem bark in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Wistar rats (n = 35) weighing 160 to 180 g were randomly assigned to seven groups (5 rats per group). One group served as control, while rats in the remaining groups received varied doses of extract (200 - 5000 mg/kg body weight, bwt) for 28 days. Indices of cardiac function were measured. Results: Percentage increases in body weights of rats treated with aqueous extract of D. guineense stem bark were significantly reduced, relative to the control group (p < 0.05), but there were no significant differences in the relative heart weights among the groups (p > 0.05). Treatment with the extract did not elicit any significant differences in the activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) as well as cardiac malondialdehyde (MDA) level among the groups (p > 0.05). In all instances, the basal activities of the measured indices of cardiac function were not significantly different from the values after treatment (p > 0.05). Moreover, the extract did not significantly alter the normal architecture of rat heart. Conclusion: Aqueous extract of D. guineense stem bark is not toxic to the heart and could be included in herbal medicine for the treatment of diseases.

ABSTRACT
The issue of "illegal" artisanal gold mining is a concern for the state of Côte d'Ivoire. To resolve this phenomenon, measures ranging from awareness-raising to the creation of repression brigades have been taken. Despite these actions, the practice remains. This paper aims to analyse the factors that explain the persistence of 'illegal' artisanal mining in rural Côte d'Ivoire, based on a case study of the sub-prefecture of Hiré, an area where the practice of 'illegal' artisanal mining is developing asymmetrically to that of legal exploitation. The study is essentially qualitative. For data collection, interviews were conducted with different groups of actors who participate in the production system in artisanal mining. The results of the study show that the persistence of artisanal mining is the result of a social innovation that has emerged territorially by establishing itself while leading to a social transformation.