Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and perfluorinated alkyl substances in blood serum of New Zealand adults, 2011-2013.

A national survey was conducted in 2011-2013 to assess serum concentrations of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) in adult New Zealanders. Participants were randomly selected from the 2010 Electoral Roll within 64 demographic strata according to 4 age groups, 4 geographic regions, 2 ethnic groups (Maori/non-Maori) and sex. Eligible participants (n = 734; response rate of contacted individuals = 37%) donated up to 30 mL of blood, after which serum was pooled (49 pools for BFRs, 63 pools for PFASs) according to demographic strata. BFRs were analysed by GC-HRMS and PFASs by LC-MS/MS. Associations between serum BFRs and PFASs and demographic variables (age, region, ethnicity, sex) were assessed using regression analysis. The weighted geometric mean (GM) serum concentrations of BDE47, BDE99, BDE100, and BDE153 were 2.0, 0.66, 0.43, and 1.2 ng/g lipid, respectively. The weighted geometric mean (GM) serum concentrations of PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, and PFNA were 3.4, 2.4, 1.0, and 0.66 ng/mL, respectively. The majority of BFRs showed higher serum concentrations in younger age groups. Conversely, the four PFASs showed higher serum concentrations in older age groups. Concentrations of BFRs and PFASs were generally lower in females compared to males. In New Zealand, both age and sex are important determinants of BFR and PFAS serum concentrations.

Chlorinated persistent organic pollutants in serum of New Zealand adults, 2011-2013.

A national survey was conducted in 2011-2013 to assess serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in adult New Zealanders. Participants were randomly selected from the 2010 Electoral Roll within 64 demographic strata according to 4 age groups, 4 regions, 2 ethnic groups (Maori/non-Maori) and gender. Eligible subjects (n=734) donated up to 30ml of blood, after which serum was pooled (n=49) according to demographic strata prior to analysis by GC-HRMS. Associations between demographic variables (age, region, ethnicity, gender) and serum POPs were assessed using linear regression. The weighted geometric mean (GM) of PCDD/Fs was 5.3pg/g lipid toxic equivalents using the WHO 2005 toxic equivalence factors (TEQ05), which increased by age (3.2, 4.4, 4.8, and 8.1pg/g lipid for the 19-24, 25-34, 35-49, and 50-64year age groups, respectively). The weighted GM of dioxin-like PCBs was 1.4pg TEQ05/g lipid which also increased by age (0.82, 0.86, 1.4, and 2.3pg/g lipid for the same age groups, respectively). Of the detected OCPs, the highest concentration was observed for p,p'-DDE (weighted GM, 220ng/g lipid) followed by hexachlorobenzene (HCB; 7.3ng/g lipid), beta-HCH (7.0ng/g lipid), and dieldrin (4.7ng/g lipid). For most Cl-POPs, concentrations were lowest in the youngest age group, and were similar for men and women and Maori and non-Maori. Serum Cl-POPs were, on average, 50% lower than those measured 15years earlier in 1997. This survey provides evidence of declining serum concentrations of chlorinated POPs in the New Zealand adult population. Age was the most important determinant of POPs concentrations. Body burdens of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in New Zealand are relatively low by international comparison, while for OCPs they are similar or lower compared to those reported for other developed countries.

Baseline hydrocarbon levels in New Zealand coastal and marine avifauna.

The external effects of oil on wildlife can be obvious and acute. Internal effects are more difficult to detect and can occur without any external signs. To quantify internal effects from oil ingestion by wildlife during an oil spill, baseline levels of ubiquitous hydrocarbon fractions, like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), need to be established. With these baseline values the extent of impact from exposure during a spill can be determined. This research represents the first investigation of baseline levels for 22 PAHs in New Zealand coastal and marine avian wildlife. Eighty-five liver samples were tested from 18 species. PAHs were identified in 98% of livers sampled with concentrations ranging from 0 to 1341.6 ng/g lipid wt or on wet wt basis, 0 to 29.5 ng/g. Overall, concentrations were low relative to other globally reported avian values. PAH concentration variability was linked with species foraging habitat and migratory patterns.

PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in Hector's (Cephalorhynchus hectori hectori) and Maui's (Cephalorhynchus hectori maui) dolphins.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine (OC) pesticide levels were determined in blubber samples collected from stranded and incidentally by-caught Hector's (Cephalorhynchus hectori hectori) and Maui's (Cephalorhynchus hectori maui) dolphins from New Zealand waters between 1997 and 2009. PCBs (45 congeners) and a range of OC pesticides including dieldrin, hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), along with its metabolites DDE and DDD were determined. OC pesticides dieldrin, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD and p,p'-DDT were present at the highest concentrations. Sum DDT concentrations ranged from 93.7 to 8210 (Mean=1358, S.D=1974) and 252.4 to 57,390 (Mean=12,389, S.D=18,161)microg/kg wet weight in females and males, respectively. Similarly, Sigma45CB concentrations ranged from 45.5 to 981.3 (Mean=333.2, S.D=265.8) and 60.5 to 5574 (Mean=1833, S.D=1659)microg/kg wet weight in females and males, respectively. The transfer of SigmaDDTs and summed PCBs (both as SigmaICES7CBs and Sigma45CBs) between a pregnant female and her unborn fetus was calculated at 5.7% and 4.3%, respectively. As the fetus was close to term, this likely represents the degree of placental transfer. Concentrations of OC pesticides determined in the present study are higher than those previously reported for Hector's dolphins. Sum DDT and DDE/SigmaDDT levels calculated reveal New Zealand's legacy of DDT usage, particularly off the east coast of the South Island.

Hospitals, geriatric medicine, and the long-term care of elderly people 1946-1976.

This article investigates the development and interaction of the views of medical professionals and health officials on elderly care between 1946 and the early 1970s. It examines how the cultural and political context in which new ideas on the treatment of elderly people emerged in the early post-war period affected policy development in this area. The article argues that, in combination, the political and financial imperatives of health officials and the cultural prejudices of many in the medical profession created a situation in which progressive ideas about geriatric medicine and home care were used, not to improve the overall standard of care for elderly people, but to restrict their access to long-term medical and nursing care. The most important development in this respect, it will be argued, were efforts made by government from the mid-1950s to restrict the amount of provision for older people in hospitals, through the introduction of a geriatric bed norm. What lay at the heart of this question, the article concludes, was the reluctance of policy-makers to confront directly issues relating to the continuing care of old people with complex health problems. The reasons for this reluctance will be examined.

Amino terminal sequence of the major component of human lymphoblastoid interferon.

Homogeneous human lymphoblastoid interferon with an apparent molecular size of 18,500 daltons was characterized by its amino acid composition. Analysis of the amino terminal sequence by Edman degradation indicates that the sequence is unique.

Purification and partial characterization of human lymphoblast interferon.

One component of human lymphoblastoid interferon obtained from Namalwa cultures induced by Newcastle disease virus has been purified to a specific activity of 2.5 x 10(8) interferon units per mg of protein (protein content based on amino acid analysis). A single polypeptide species with an apparent molecular weight of 18,500 comigrating with the antiviral activity was observed by sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Preliminary amino-terminal sequencing results support the conclusion that the interferon species is essentially homogeneous.

Production of human lymphoblastoid interferon by Namalwa cells cultured in serum-free media.

The human lymphoblastoid cell line, Namalwa, can be cultured in serum-free media to cell densities of 3 to 4 x 10(6) cells per ml. These cultures produce up to 10 000 units of interferon per ml when induced with Newcastle disease virus, strain B1. Maximum accumulation of interferon was obtained at approx. 13 h post-induction.

Large-scale production and concentration of human lymphoid interferon.

A stable and predictable production system is described for pilot plant quantities (milligram) of human lymphoid interferon, using suspension culture of an African Burkitt's lymphoma derived cell line Namalva with induction by Newcastle disease virus, B-1 strain. Cell cultures were grown in impeller-driven 50-liter fermentors with dilution of the postinduction culture using serum-free medium. High levels of dissolved oxygen were necessary for optimum cell growth. A total of 4,207 liters of interferon culture was produced in a series of 116 fermentor runs. An average yield of 3.5 log(10) international units of interferon per ml was realized before processing. Trichloroacetic acid was used to precipitate the interferon. An average of 3.35 log(10) international units of interferon per ml was recovered in the final nonpurified product.

Production of human lymphoblastoid interferon by Namalva cells.

Optimum conditions for growth and interferon production by a human lymphoblastoid cell line, Namalva, have been studied. Adaptation to large-scale production is possible utilizing either Sendai virus or Newcastle disease virus. Priming of cultures before induction is unnecessary. The interferon produced has properties similar to human leukocyte interferon. The production of lymphoblastoid interferon per cell is increased two- to fourfold after dilution with serum-free medium of a saturation-density culture of Namalva induced with Newcastle disease virus. Maximum interferon yields were obtained 27 h after the addition of virus, using cultures diluted to 4 X 10(5) to 9 X 10(5) cells per ml. The presence of glutamine in the dilution medium was required for maximum interferon production. Newcastle disease virus appeared to inhibit the rates of RNA and protein synthesis more effectively in the diluted cultures.

Human lymphoblastoid interferon. Large scale production and partial purification.

Human lymphoblastoid interferon was produced on an 800-liter scale (2.6 X 10(9) units) by induction of Namalva cells with Newcastle disease virus, strain B1. The interferon was partially purified by anti-leukocyte interferon affinity chromatography, sulfopropyl Sephadex ion exchange chromatography, isoelectric focusing, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Recovery of interferon after gel electrophoresis varied from 11 to 33% based on the original crude material, with about 35,000-fold purification. The gel electrophoresis resolved the antiviral activity into two components with apparent molecular weights of 18,000 and 22,000; treatment with glycosidases resulted in all the activity being associated with the lower molecular weight species. Interferon activity could be completely (85 to 113%) recovered from the gels by elution into a buffer containing sodium dodecyl sulfate. The presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate did not appear to affect the assay of interferon. The protein could also be completely (75 to 106%) eluted from gels stained with coomassie blue, again with no loss in activity.