Effect of the frequency of the mixing of coffee cherries put out for drying on the kinetics of drying and the relationship to ochratoxin A production.

The effect of the frequency of the mixing of coffee cherries put out for sun drying on the kinetics of the drying, fungal growth and kinetics of ochratoxin A production was evaluated. The results showed that the more coffee cherries were mixed, the quicker they dried. This rapidity of drying led to a reduction of fungal development. Indeed, coffee cherries mixed eight and ten times a day, dried quickly and were free inside of fungi. However, infection by fungi gives little indication of ochratoxin A production in coffee cherries. Indeed, although coffee cherries mixed twice a day were more contaminated by fungi, the analysis of ochratoxin A content showed they were free of this mycotoxin. The coffee cherries that were more contaminated by ochratoxin A were those mixed four times a day (containing 0.35-5.46 microg kg(-1) ochratoxin A). Ochratoxin A contamination was essentially due to the presence of Aspergillus species capable of producing ochratoxin A inside the coffee cherries.

Les cancers colo-rectaux a la clinique universitaire de chirurgie viscerale du C.N.H.U. de Cotonou: a propos de 10 cas observes en 7 ans

Pendant une periode de 7 ans du 1er janvier 1985 au 31 decembre 1991; 10 cas de cancer colo-rectal (siege colique: 6 cas; siege rectal: 4 cas) ont ete observes au Centre National Hospitalier et Universitaire (C.N.H.U.) de Cotonou. Cette pathologie a une frequence hospitaliere de 0;11 pour cent et represente 9;80 pour cent de tous les cancers et 10;63 pour cent des cancers du tube digestif. Elle s'observe a un age moyen de 51;2 ans avec une predominance masculine (sex-ratio = 1;5). Les donnees cliniques; paracliniques et therapeutiques rejoignent celles de la litterature africaine. Sur les 8 patients sur 10 qui ont accepte l'intervention; il y avait un deces post-operatoire; 3 patients perdus de vue; le recul est actuellement de 4 a 5 ans chez les 4 autres

Characteristics of juice from palmyrah palm (Borassus) fruit.

The ancestral palmyrah palm (Borassus aethiopum Mart.) produces in the V-Baoulé region of Côte d'Ivoire, sweet and fragrant fruits in large numbers. Most of these spoil in the bush when ripe. The present work was to develop an efficient process for the extraction of juice from these fruits using a pectinase (Pectinex Ultra SP-L) at different concentrations (0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 mg/kg), temperatures (25 degrees C, 35 degrees C and 45 degrees C), and for different times (30, 60, 90 and 120 min). Some physico-chemical characteristics of the juice were determined in order to evaluate the quality of the product. Treatment at 45 degrees C for 120 min at an enzyme concentration of 0.6 mg/kg was selected for highest juice yield (73.14%). The colour parameters L; a; b) fluctuated in intensity between batches of rehydrated material. Juice consistency was found to be stable at 45 degrees C at the enzyme concentrations used. There was a slight variation in pH among the different treatments. In general, the yield and quality of the juice obtained were affected by treatment temperature, enzyme concentration and maceration time.

Threat of number.

PIP: Population growth in Nigeria is particularly problematic because population is expected to increase dramatically from 115 million to 280 million in 25 years. At present there are 206 million in the entire West African sub-region. The population density issues within Nigeria and the region are also reasons for concern. About 50% of Nigeria's population is presently under 20 years old, and the likelihood of this proportion continuing for some time is very high. Population growth will mean increased demand for housing, food, health services, education, electricity, and water. The UN has issued warnings that population pressures strain scarce resources, the environment, and people's adjustment. A national population policy was established in order to improve the standard of living of Nigerians and to promote health and welfare among the population. The policy aims to lower population growth through voluntary family planning and through reductions in infant, child, and maternal mortality. In 1989 the Nigerian government in conjunction with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) committed about $100 million in a 5-year program to strengthen family planning: $33 million from Nigeria and $67 million from USAID. The federal Ministry of Health would maintain family health services with integrated primary health care and with promotion of the balance between resources and number of children. Other international efforts have contributed to family planning programs. For example, the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria focused on adult males and youth. Oral contraceptives and injectables have received criticism in Nigeria for having undesirable health consequences despite their popularity worldwide, the absence of significant side effects, and international and national support. Vasectomy is becoming more popular in Oyo state. Family planning has not been popular because of many misconceptions. Both Muslim and Catholic leaders have encouraged responsible parenthood, although Catholic leaders reject contraception.^ieng

Planners in dark tunnel.

PIP: Augustus Aikhomu, Nigeria's vice-president and a retired admiral, stated in 1991 that accurate population figures were necessary for social and economic planning and policy. Celestine Mezue, assistant director of Bendel state's population commission, stated that non-availability of reliable population statistics was responsible for the failures in national development planning. Two sectors (rural and transportation) have been greatly affected by the lack of data. Educational institutions have been particularly affected by overcrowding or rejection of students due to lack of space and facilities. Over 1 million children must compete for 1000 spaces in primary schools. Complaints at the local level have been directed to insufficient funding for teacher's salaries. About 255,000 students applied for university admission, and only 12% were admitted during 1989-90. Scholarships declined from 1859 awards in 1976 to none in 1984. Post-graduate scholarships declined from 2000 in 1976 to none in 1984. Planning for future health services has also been restricted by lack of accurate statistics. There was a gap between availability of low-income housing and the need for the burgeoning population. Population growth has been estimated at 2.0-3.3%; housing will need to be increased by 2.2-3.5 million more units by 2015. Population growth and congestion in cities has resulted in environmental pollution. The population policy in 1989 recommended 4.0 children per woman. In 1990 a demographic and health survey found fertility to be 6.0 children per woman. Improved data collection and the government support for family planning are needed to reduce population growth in Nigeria.^ieng