Inorganic arsenic in rice and rice products in New Zealand and Australia.

A total of 200 rice and rice products from New Zealand and Australia were purchased from retail outlets during 2017 for inorganic arsenic analysis by ICP-MS. The survey of foods placed a particular emphasis on products marketed specifically for infants and young. A total of 159 samples (80%) gave positive results for inorganic arsenic, with a mean concentration of 0.

Probabilistic approaches to interpreting two-person DNA mixtures from post-coital specimens.

Biological samples submitted for sexual assault investigation typically involve mixtures of DNA from the victim and the assailant/s. Providing a statistical weight to such evidence may be mathematically complex and may be affected by subjective judgment of a human analyst. Software tools have been developed to address these issues.

Host Specificity and Sensitivity of Established and Novel Sewage-Associated Marker Genes in Human and Nonhuman Fecal Samples.

Microbial source tracking (MST) methods measure fecal contamination levels and identify possible sources using quantitative PCR (qPCR) that targets host-associated fecal microorganisms. To date, most established MST assays for human sources, especially bacterial markers, have shown some nonhuman host cross-reactions. Recently developed assays, such as the crAssphage CPQ_056, Lachno3, and BacV6-21, have more limited information on host sensitivity and host specificity for human or sewage sources, particularly in countries other than the United States.

The identification and quantification of synthetic cannabinoids seized in New Zealand in 2017.

There has been an explosion of new psychoactive substances (NPS) over the past decade, with synthetic cannabinoids comprising one of the more extensive and chemically diverse groups. Synthetic cannabinoids, like other NPS, are continually evolving with slight alterations in chemical structure, which can lead to unintended and harmful effects for the user. Furthermore, the clandestine preparation of plant material containing one or more synthetic cannabinoid can result in an unevenly distributed product, which poses an additional risk to the user of increased doses.

Antarctic Penguins as Reservoirs of Diversity for Avian Avulaviruses.

Wild birds harbor a huge diversity of avian avulaviruses (formerly avian paramyxoviruses). Antarctic penguin species have been screened for avian avulaviruses since the 1980s and, as such, are known hosts of these viruses. In this study, we screened three penguin species from the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula for avian avulaviruses.

Evaluation of pepper mild mottle virus as an indicator of human faecal pollution in shellfish and growing waters.

Bivalve molluscan shellfish grown in areas impacted by human faecal pollution are at risk of being contaminated with multiple enteric viruses. To minimise the public health risks associated with shellfish consumption, determining the presence of faecal contamination in shellfish and their growing waters is crucial. In this study, we evaluated the use of pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) as an indicator of human faecal contamination in oysters, mussels, cockles and shellfish growing waters in New Zealand.

Response of a Pioneering Species ( J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) to Heterogeneity in a Low-Fertility Soil.

Root foraging may increase plant nutrient acquisition at the cost of reducing the total volume of soil explored, thereby reducing the chance of the roots encountering additional patches. Patches in soil seldom contain just one nutrient: the patch may also have distinct textural, hydrological, and toxicological characteristics. We sought to determine the characteristics of root foraging by a pioneering species, , using pot trials and rhizobox experiments with patches of biosolids.

Comparative decay of sewage-associated marker genes in beach water and sediment in a subtropical region.

There is a growing move towards using the quantitative polymerase chain (qPCR)-based sewage-associated marker genes to assess surface water quality. However, a lack of understanding about the persistence of many sewage-associated markers creates uncertainty for those tasked with investigating microbial water quality. In this study, we investigated the decay of two qPCR FIB [E.

Preliminary evaluation of BioFire FilmArray Gastrointestinal Panel for the detection of noroviruses and other enteric viruses from wastewater and shellfish.

The BioFire FilmArray Gastrointestinal Panel was evaluated for the rapid detection of adenovirus, astrovirus, norovirus, rotavirus and sapovirus from influent and effluent wastewater and shellfish. The multiplex BioFire FilmArray Gastrointestinal Panel compared well to singleplex qPCR/RT-qPCR methods for the detection of adenovirus, astrovirus, rotavirus and sapovirus from influent and effluent wastewater samples. However, the BioFire FilmArray Gastrointestinal Panel showed poor performance for the detection of norovirus, significantly underestimating its presence in wastewater and shellfish samples when compared with the singleplex norovirus GI and GII RT-qPCR assays.

An automated approach to the classification of impact spatter and cast-off bloodstain patterns.

In the forensic discipline of bloodstain pattern analysis, it has been suggested that there is a blurred boundary between characterising the features of a bloodstain pattern and determining the mechanism(s) that led to its deposition. This study proposes that bloodstain pattern classification can become a distinct and logical process by implementing an automated approach. To do this, an automated bloodstain pattern recognition system was developed to enable the distinction of two types of spatter bloodstain patterns.

Fecal source tracking methods to elucidate critical sources of pathogens and contaminant microbial transport through New Zealand agricultural watersheds - A review.

In New Zealand, there is substantial potential for microbial contaminants from agricultural fecal sources to be transported into waterways. The flow and transport pathways for fecal contaminants vary at a range of scales and is dependent on chemical, physical and biological attributes of pathways, soils, microorganisms and landscape characteristics. Understanding contaminant transport pathways from catchment to stream can aid water management strategies.

Towards robust and repeatable sampling methods in eDNA-based studies.

DNA-based techniques are increasingly used for measuring the biodiversity (species presence, identity, abundance and community composition) of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. While there are numerous reviews of molecular methods and bioinformatic steps, there has been little consideration of the methods used to collect samples upon which these later steps are based. This represents a critical knowledge gap, as methodologically sound field sampling is the foundation for subsequent analyses.

Novel messenger RNAs for body fluid identification.

In forensic investigations, the identification of the cellular or body fluid source of biological evidence can provide crucial probative information for the court. Messenger RNA (mRNA) profiling has become a valuable tool for body fluid and cell type identification due to its high sensitivity and compatibility with DNA analysis. However, using a single marker to determine the somatic origin of a sample can lead to misinterpretation as a result of cross-reactions.

Infectious helminth ova in wastewater and sludge: A review on public health issues and current quantification practices.

Raw and partially treated wastewater has been widely used to maintain the global water demand. Presence of viable helminth ova and larvae in the wastewater raised significant public health concern especially when used for agriculture and aquaculture. Depending on the prevalence of helminth infections in communities, up to 1.

Acceptability of electronic cigarettes as an option to replace tobacco smoking for alcoholics admitted to hospital for detoxification.

Aim: A feasibility/acceptability trial was undertaken at Ward 5, Kenepuru Hospital, Porirua, to ascertain whether electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) were a useful option to replace or reduce smoking in the detoxification ward.

Methods: Two groups of patients were studied. Tobacco use and dependency data were collected for each.

Effect of the Shellfish Proteinase K Digestion Method on Norovirus Capsid Integrity.

Norovirus outbreaks are associated with the consumption of contaminated shellfish, and so efficient methods to recover and detect infectious norovirus in shellfish are important. The Proteinase K digestion method used to recover norovirus from shellfish, as described in the ISO 15216, would be a good candidate but its impact on the virus capsid integrity and thus infectivity was never examined. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the Proteinase K digestion method, and of the heat treatment component of the method alone, on norovirus (genogroups I and II) and MS2 bacteriophage capsid integrity.

Prevalence of hepatitis E virus antibodies and infection in New Zealand blood donors.

Aim: Blood transfusion is one route of transmission of hepatitis E virus (HEV). The aim of this study was to assess both the prevalence of HEV antibodies and HEV infection in New Zealand blood donors.

Method: To determine HEV seroprevalence, donor plasma samples (n=1,013) were tested for HEV antibodies using two commercially available ELISA kits, the Wantai HEV IgG ELISA and the MP Diagnostics HEV ELISA 4.

An Online Survey of New Zealand Vapers.

Using electronic cigarettes (vaping) is controversial, but is increasingly widespread. This paper reports the results of an electronic survey of vapers in New Zealand, a country where the sale and supply of e-liquids containing nicotine is illegal, although vapers can legally access e-liquids from overseas. An on-line survey was conducted, using vaper and smoking cessation networks for recruitment, with follow up surveys conducted 1 and 2 months after the initial survey.

An eye tracking study of bloodstain pattern analysts during pattern classification.

Bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) is the forensic discipline concerned with the classification and interpretation of bloodstains and bloodstain patterns at the crime scene. At present, it is unclear exactly which stain or pattern properties and their associated values are most relevant to analysts when classifying a bloodstain pattern. Eye tracking technology has been widely used to investigate human perception and cognition.

Complete Genome Sequence of ATCC 33237 and Draft Genome Sequences for an Additional Eight Well-Characterized Strains.

We report the complete genome sequence of the type strain ATCC 33237 and the draft genome sequences of eight additional well-characterized strains. has been shown to be a genetically heterogeneous species, and these nine genomes provide valuable information regarding the diversity within this taxon.

An image-processing methodology for extracting bloodstain pattern features.

There is a growing trend in forensic science to develop methods to make forensic pattern comparison tasks more objective. This has generally involved the application of suitable image-processing methods to provide numerical data for identification or comparison. This paper outlines a unique image-processing methodology that can be utilised by analysts to generate reliable pattern data that will assist them in forming objective conclusions about a pattern.