The pyrethroids are a class of natural and synthetic pesticides which were associated with an epidemic of gynecomastia in Haitian men in 1981. In the present study we tested several pyrethroids for their ability to interact with androgen binding sites in dispersed, intact human genital skin fibroblasts and in human plasma to sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). All the pyrethroids tested inhibi...

The toxicity of pesticides used in agriculture towards non-targeted organisms and especially pollinators has recently drawn the attention from a broad scientific community. Increased honeybee mortality observed worldwide certainly contributes to this interest. The potential role of several neurotoxic insecticides in triggering or potentiating honeybee mortality was considered, in particular phe...

Colony collapse disorder (CCD) has caused much concern among beekeepers nationwide. While the specific causes are still unknown, many believe that honey bees have reached a tipping point wherein the colony can no longer protect itself from multiple stresses. One possible stressor is exposure to pesticides used within the hive as well as those used on plants that bees visit for nectar and pollen...

From use of electronic summaries of workers' compensation cases and employment records, nursery workers have previously been identified as a group at high risk for occupational skin disease. This prior research has not identified either the specific skin conditions involved or the plants and agricultural chemicals responsible. This report describes 441 suspected cases of skin disease among nurs...

A short overview is given of new developments in the chemo-enzymatic synthesis of amino acids. Amino acid resolution procedures based on stereoselective enzymatic hydrolysis of amino acid amides have been developed. Two enzymes, an aminopeptidase from Pseudomonas putida and an amidase from Hycobacterium neoaurum have been purified to homogeneity. In addition, methods for the stereoselective syn...

The organophosphate insecticide coumaphos has recently received emergency approval in the United States for control of fluvalinate-resistant Varroa destructor and the small hive beetle, Aethina tumida Murray. We investigated the transfer of coumaphos from wax into syrup and honey, using adsorption of coumaphos from diluted syrup or honey onto a solid-phase extraction cartridge, elution, and sub...