Bioindicator aquatic insects at risk from climate change in a biodiversity hotspot.

Climate change can affect biological assemblages by shifting their species' geographic range and changing species richness. Aquatic insects represent more than half of the freshwater animal species but have been neglected mainly in climate change assessments, particularly in tropical ecosystems. Among the aquatic insect taxa, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) are well-known bioindicators of environmental changes and encompass an essential metric for rivers and streams' biomonitoring. Here, we use ecological niche models to project the impact of climate change on the distribution range and richness of EPT in the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot. We found EPT to be at high risk from future climate change, with Plecoptera as the order of greatest concern. We projected range contraction of ca. 90 % of the analyzed EPT genera, resulting in a reduction in the richness of EPT genera under future climatic conditions. We projected >50 % contraction in the distribution of 50 % of Plecoptera, ≈14 % of Trichoptera, and ≈7 % of Ephemeroptera genera. The remaining climatically suitable regions in the Atlantic Forest are concentrated in the high-altitude areas, which may act as climate refuges for EPT biodiversity in the future. The projected changes in EPT's distribution range and richness may impact biomonitoring programs conducted in tropical ecosystems. Restricting EPT's geographic distribution may undermine its potential as a bioindicator and influence the composition of EPT assemblages at reference sites, which may lead to shifting baseline conditions. We reinforce the importance of considering future climatic conditions when planning long-term biomonitoring and priority areas for conservation.

Cerebral filariasis infection with Litomosoides in Molossus barnesi (Chiroptera: Molossidae) in the Brazilian eastern Amazon, with comments on Molossinema wimsatti Georgi, Georgi, Jiang and Fronguillo, 1987.

During bacterial and viral pathogen investigation of 30 specimens of bats captured in periurban forest areas in the city of Belém, Pará, Brazil, a case of cerebral filariasis was observed. In the course of histopathological examination, adult filariae were found in pseudocystic cavities brain of Molossus barnesi (Molossidae) and classified morphologically as Litomosoides by the shape of the spicules-left spicule with a handle longer than the blade; right spicule curved, with a sclerotized heel supporting a dorsal notch; the area rugosa constituted by a ventral band of small longitudinal crests; tail rounded in males; long esophagus with a slightly glandular distal portion; and a muscular bent vagina. All the specimens lack a stoma (buccal capsule). We compared our filarioids with the description of specimens of Molossinema wimsatti. Morphological characteristics of M. wimsatti resemble the genus Litomosoides. Thus, we believe that M. wimsatti is a synonym of L. molossi Esslinger, 1973, and filarioid specimens from material reported by Lichtenfels et al. (Trans Am Micros Soc 100:216-219, 1981) and from de Souto et al. (J. Helminthol 1195:e65, 2021) most probably correspond to Litomosoides. We suggest that the reduction of the buccal capsule may be attributable to the ectopic location. No evidence of tissue responses by the host was observed. This is the first record of Litomosoides infecting brain tissue of Molossus barnesi from Brazil, representing a record of a new host species. More specimens of bats should be examined in order to find filarioids in the brain and verify its taxonomic position using molecular techniques.

Hyperinfection by Strongyloides in captive callitrichids with progressive weight loss syndrome.

We report three cases of disseminated hyperinfection by Strongyloides in primates Callithrix jacchus and Callithrix penicillata in captivity and with progressive weight loss syndrome. Histopathological examination revealed severe lesions in lungs, liver, and intestines with the presence of Strongyloides larvae and in a generalized manner, including other organs such as the pancreas and heart.

Development and validation of an HPLC/MS/MS method for determining the thiazolidinone PG15 in rat plasma.

A rapid, sensitive, and simple HPLC/MS/MS method was developed and validated for the determination of (5Z,E)-3-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-5-(1H-indol-3-ylmethylene)-thiazolidine-2, 4-dione (PG15) in rat plasma using chlortalidone as an internal standard (IS). Analyses were performed using a C18 column and isocratic elution with acetonitrile-water (90 + 10, v/v) containing 10 mM ammonium hydroxide (pH 8.0) as the mobile phase pumped at 0.3 mL/min. Detection was performed by MS with negative ion mode electrospray ionization. Rat plasma samples were prepared by deproteinizing with acetonitrile. Detected fragments were 395.1 > 171.9 for PG15 and 337.3 > 189.9 for the IS. Calibration curves were linear from 10 to 1000 ng/mL, with the determination coefficient > 0.99. The intraday and interday precisions were less than 12.2 and 11.3%, respectively. The applicability of the HPLC/MS/MS method for pharmacokinetic studies was tested using plasma samples obtained after oral administration of PG15 to rats, and it provided the necessary sensitivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, and specificity.