Ornamental plants on sale to the public are a significant source of pesticide residues with implications for the health of pollinating insects

Garden centres frequently market nectar- and pollen-rich ornamental plants as “pollinator-friendly”, however these plants are often treated with pesticides during their production. There is little information on the nature of pesticide residues present at the point of purchase and whether these plants may actually pose a threat to, rather than benefit, the health of pollinating insects. Using mass spectrometry analyses, this study screened leaves from 29 different ‘bee-friendly’ plants for 8 insecticides and 16 fungicides commonly used in ornamental production. Only two plants (a Narcissus and a Salvia variety) did not contain any pesticide and 23 plants contained more than one pesticide, with some species containing mixtures of 7 (Ageratum houstonianum) and 10 (Erica carnea) different agrochemicals. Neonicotinoid insecticides were detected in more than 70% of the analysed plants, and chlorpyrifos and pyrethroid insecticides were found in 10% and 7% of plants respectively. Boscalid, spiroxamine and DMI-fungicides were detected in 40% of plants. Pollen samples collected from 18 different plants contained a total of 13 different pesticides. Systemic compounds were detected in pollen samples at similar concentrations to those in leaves. However, some contact (chlorpyrifos) and localised penetrant pesticides (iprodione, pyroclastrobin and prochloraz) were also detected in pollen, likely arising from direct contamination during spraying. The neonicotinoids thiamethoxam, clothianidin and imidacloprid and the organophosphate chlorpyrifos were present in pollen at concentrations between 6.9 and 81 ng/g and at levels that overlap with those known to cause harm to bees. The net effect on pollinators of buying plants that are a rich source of forage for them but simultaneously risk exposing them to a cocktail of pesticides is not clear. Gardeners who wish to gain the benefits without the risks should seek uncontaminated plants by growing their own from seed, plant-swapping or by buying plants from an organic nursery

Detection of Pesticides in Active and Depopulated Beehives in Uruguay

The influence of insecticides commonly used for agricultural purposes on beehive depopulation in Uruguay was investigated. Honeycombs, bees, honey and propolis from depopulated hives were analyzed for pesticide residues, whereas from active beehives only honey and propolis were evaluated. A total of 37 samples were analyzed, representing 14,800 beehives. In depopulated beehives only imidacloprid and fipronil were detected and in active beehives endosulfan, coumaphos, cypermethrin, ethion and chlorpyrifos were found. Coumaphos was present in the highest concentrations, around 1,000 μg/kg, in all the propolis samples from active beehives. Regarding depopulated beehives, the mean levels of imidacloprid found in honeycomb (377 μg/kg, Standard Deviation: 118) and propolis (60 μg/kg, Standard Deviation: 57) are higher than those described to produce bee disorientation and fipronil levels detected in bees (150 and 170 μg/kg) are toxic per se. The other insecticides found can affect the global fitness of the bees causing weakness and a decrease in their overall productivity. These preliminary results suggest that bees exposed to pesticides or its residues can lead them in different ways to the beehive

Red wine and components flavonoids inhibit UGT2B17 in vitro

Background The metabolism and excretion of the anabolic steroid testosterone occurs by glucuronidation to the conjugate testosterone glucuronide which is then excreted in urine. Alterations in UGT glucuronidation enzyme activity could alter the rate of testosterone excretion and thus its bioavailability. The aim of this study is to investigate if red wine, a common dietary substance, has an inhibitory effect on UGT2B17. Methods Testosterone glucuronidation was assayed using human UGT2B17 supersomes with quantification of unglucuronidated testosterone over time using HPLC with DAD detection. The selected red wine was analysed using HPLC and the inhibitory effects of the wine and phenolic components were tested independently in a screening assay. Further analyses were conducted for the strongest inhibitors at physiologically relevant concentrations. Control experiments were conducted to determine the effects of the ethanol on UGT2B17. Results Over the concentration range of 2 to 8% the red wine sample inhibited the glucuronidation of testosterone by up to 70% over 2 hours. The ethanol content had no significant effect. Three red wine phenolics, identified by HLPC analyses, also inhibited the enzyme by varying amounts in the order of quercetin (72%), caffeic acid (22%) and gallic acid (9%); using a ratio of phenolic:testosterone of 1:2.5. In contrast p-coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid had no effect on the UGT2B17. The most active phenolic was selected for a detailed study at physiologically relevant concentrations, and quercetin maintained inhibitory activity of 20% at 2 M despite a ten-fold excess of testosterone. Conclusion This study reports that in an in vitro supersome-based assay, the key steroid-metabolising enzyme UGT2B17 is inhibited by a number of phenolic dietary substances and therefore may reduce the rate of testosterone glucuronidation in vivo. These results highlight the potential interactions of a number of common dietary compounds on testosterone metabolism. Considering the variety of foodstuffs that contain flavonoids, it is feasible that diet can elevate levels of circulating testosterone through reduction in urinary excretion. These results warrant further investigation and extension to a human trial to delineate the healt

Green Aspects of Techniques for the Determination of Currently Used Pesticides in Environmental Samples

Pesticides are among the most dangerous environmental pollutants because of their stability, mobility and long-term effects on living organisms. Their presence in the environment is a particular danger. It is therefore crucial to monitor pesticide residues using all available analytical methods. The analysis of environmental samples for the presence of pesticides is very difficult: the processes involved in sample preparation are labor-intensive and time-consuming. To date, it has been standard practice to use large quantities of organic solvents in the sample preparation process; but as these solvents are themselves hazardous, solvent-less and solvent-minimized techniques are becoming popular. The application of Green Chemistry principles to sample preparation is primarily leading to the miniaturization of procedures and the use of solvent-less techniques, and these are discussed in the paper

Optimizing Certificate German (ZD) Test Preparedness with Regard to Form of Task

Optimizing Certificate German (ZD) Test Preparation with Regard to Task Form Placement and progress tests are used to provide optimum instruction. Experience with test task forms at various times in various situations increase task related skills and reduce test anxiety – closed tasks exercising recognition; open tasks production. Very important are skills in comprehending test task instructions and carrying them out. As an alternative to the more stressful schoolroom work, E-tests and CD-ROM work facilitate and stimulate preparation so long as the desired goals are kept in the forefront.Optimizing Certificate German (ZD) Test Preparation with Regard to Task Form Placement and progress tests are used to provide optimum instruction. Experience with test task forms at various times in various situations increase task related skills and reduce test anxiety – closed tasks exercising recognition; open tasks production. Very important are skills in comprehending test task instructions and carrying them out. As an alternative to the more stressful schoolroom work, E-tests and CD-ROM work facilitate and stimulate preparation so long as the desired goals are kept in the forefront

Optimizing Certificate German (ZD) Test Preparedness with Regard to Form of Task

Optimizing Certificate German (ZD) Test Preparation with Regard to Task Form Placement and progress tests are used to provide optimum instruction. Experience with test task forms at various times in various situations increase task related skills and reduce test anxiety – closed tasks exercising recognition; open tasks production. Very important are skills in comprehending test task instructions and carrying them out. As an alternative to the more stressful schoolroom work, E-tests and CD-ROM work facilitate and stimulate preparation so long as the desired goals are kept in the forefront

C. G. Jung's Mandala and Buddhist Wheel of Life - Attempt to Interpret and Compare.

Jungowska psychologia analityczna nawiązuje do psychologii, filozofii, alchemii, religii. Dla tej pracy najważniejszy jest porównanie kontekst psychologiczny a także religijny, przy czym ten ostatni zawężony zostanie do wątków buddyjskich. Niniejsza praca to próba analizy teorii Junga – w szczególności archetypu mandali – oraz rozszerzenia spojrzenia o interpretację buddyjskiego symbolu Koła Życia z uwzględnieniem zarysu filozofii leżącej u jego podłoża. Pierwsza część, psychologiczna dotyczy teorii Junga: jej struktury, dynamiki i praktycznych zastosowań. Druga część obejmuje główne zagadnienia z buddyzmu i interpretację symbolu Koła Życia. Ostatnia część omawia podobieństwa i różnice pomiędzy buddyzmem a teorią Junga.Zamieszenie Koła Życia w książce Junga Mandala symbolika człowieka doskonałego może sugerować, że Koło Życia spełnia kryteria mandali według psychologii analitycznej. Celem pracy było przyjrzenie się, czy tak jest w istocie. Szczegółowa analiza wykazała, że istnieje więcej różnic niż podobieństw między mandalą według Junga a Kołem Życia.Jung’s analytical psychology draws on psychology, philosophy, alchemy and religion. This work is a comparison of psychological and religious contexts of Jung’s theory with a Buddhist paradigm. It is an attempt to analize Jungians archetype of mandala with the Buddhist symbol Wheel of Life in terms of their philosophical basis.First part concerns Jung's theory: it’s structure, dynamics and practical application. The second part covers main issues of buddhism and interpretation of symbolism of The Wheel of Life. The last part discusses similarities and differences between buddhism and Jung’s theory. Jung appended the Wheel of Life in his book ‘Mandalas’, which suggests that he considered it to be a mandala. The aim of this paper is to critically examine this statement. The results of this in - depth study showed more differences than similarities between the Wheel of Life and Jungian concept of mandala