Endemism among Lord Howe Island Thysanoptera, with new species of Baenothrips (Phlaeothripidae) and Scirtothrips (Thripidae).

The Thysanoptera diversity of Lord Howe Island comprises 39 known species, of which 13 are considered likely to be endemic to this tiny remnant of an ancient submarine volcano. Three new species are described in Baenothrips, a small but widespread genus of wingless, fungus-feeding species in the Old World tropics. Two new species of Scirtothrips are described that are members of a species-group breeding on the youngest fronds of tree ferns.

Australian wildfires cause the largest stratospheric warming since Pinatubo and extends the lifetime of the Antarctic ozone hole.

Global mean lower stratosphere temperatures rose abruptly in January 2020 reaching values not experienced since the early 1990s. Anomalously high lower stratospheric temperatures were recorded for 4 months at highly statistically significant levels. Here, we use a combination of satellite and surface-based remote sensing observations to derive a time-series of stratospheric biomass burning aerosol optical depths originating from intense SouthEastern Australian wildfires and use these aerosol optical depths in a state-of-the-art climate model. We show that the S.E. Australian wildfires are the cause of this lower stratospheric warming. We also investigate the radiatively-driven dynamical response to the observed stratospheric ozone perturbation and find a significant strengthening of the springtime Antarctic polar vortex suggesting that biomass burning aerosols play a significant role in the observed anomalous longevity of the ozone hole in 2020.

Convoluted maxillary stylets among Australian Thysanoptera Phlaeothripinae associated mainly with Casuarinaceae trees.

The diversity is reviewed of Phlaeothripinae in Australia with unusually long or convoluted maxillary stylets. This comprises a total of 28 species in eight genera, including Enigmathrips carnarvoni gen et sp.n., Adrothrips latrarei sp.n., A. lihongae sp.n., A. madiae sp.n., A mitcheli sp.n., A. vernoni sp.n., and A. westoni sp.n., also Heligmothrips exallus sp.n., H. macropus sp.n., H. narrabri sp.n. and H. xanthoskelus sp.n., and Iotatubothrips daguilari sp.n. Among Phlaeothripinae, such exceptionally long feeding stylets are known only from Australia and have evolved independently within the unrelated genera Adrothrips and Heligmothrips in association with the green branchlets of Casuarinaceae species. A few species appear to have diverged in their feeding habits and have adapted to fungal-hyphal feeding on the trunks of trees.

First records of Trichoptera from Timor-Leste, including seven newly described species.

Several collections of adults of the caddisfly order Trichoptera were studied from Timor-Leste, the nation-state comprising the eastern region of the island of Timor. The specimens represent ten families: Hydrobiosidae (2 species), Glossosomatidae (1 species), Hydroptilidae (3 species), Philopotamidae (5 species), Hydropsychidae (3 species), Polycentropodidae (1 species), Psychomyiidae (3 species), Xiphocentronidae (1 species), Lepidostomatidae (1 species), Leptoceridae (3 species). Among the 24 species listed, 16 were identified as established Southeast Asian species. Among these are two very widespread species, one extending further east to New Guinea, northern Australia, and New Caledonia and another that was described from Fiji. An additional seven species are newly described here: Ulmerochorema hatubuilico sp. nov., Hydroptila bellisi sp. nov. and H. aileuensis sp. nov., Chimarra lawaliu sp. nov., C. multidentata sp. nov., C. sameana sp. nov. and C. timorensis sp. nov. Hitherto, the genus Ulmerochorema Mosely was believed to be an Australian endemic. A xiphocentronid specimen could be identified to genus Drepanocentron only.

Hydroptilidae (Trichoptera) of Angola, a new genus, seven new species, and five new records.

A collection of microcaddisflies from sites on the Cuito, Cuanavale, Cuembo, Cuando, Cubango, and Lungue Bungo Rivers in Angola has yielded seven new species and led to new records for a further five species. The new species include Hydroptila cuembica sp. nov., Hydroptila moxica sp. nov., Oxyethira palisada sp. nov., Orthotrichia ferreirae sp. nov., Or. meyi sp. nov., and Or. mlamboi sp. nov., and another species for which we erect a new genus, Aenigmatrichia asymmetrica gen. et sp. nov. The new records are for Catoxyethira kunenica Mey de Moor 2019, Hydroptila brigittae Gibon 1987b, Hydroptila cruciata Ulmer 1912, Hydroptila maoae Gibon, Guenda, Coulibaly 1994, Oxyethira sechellensis Malicky 1993, and a larva identified as that of a species of Tricholeiochiton. Beyond the known Angolan microcaddisfly fauna we resolve several taxonomic problems: We refer to Orthotrichia a species described by Jacquemart in Hydroptila, to become Orthotrichia trifurcata (Jacquemart 1962), comb. nov., with Orthotrichia hydroptiloides Wells Andersen 1995 (from Tanzania) as a junior synonym; and we recognise Orthotrichia kivuensis Jacquemart 1956 (from Bukana, on Lake Kivu) as a junior synonym of Or. sanya Mosely 1948a from the Orange and Fish rivers. A list is given of the 16 microcaddisfly species now known from Angola: Representation is probably typical of sand and silt-based streams and pools, with the exception of Catoxyethira and Orthotrichia.

Host-shifts at family level in the Australian Acacia-thrips lineage (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripinae) with two new species.

The Australian Acacia-thrips lineage comprises at least 250 species in 30 genera of Phlaeothripinae, all of them known only from Acacia species in Australia. Two new species from two of these genera are described here as the first recorded instances of host-shifting within this diverse thrips lineage, with the host shifts being between unrelated angiosperm orders, from Fabales to Proteales and Myrtales. Brakothrips eucalypti sp. n. is described from the branches of a species of Eucalyptus, and Katothrips banksiae sp. n. is described forming substantial colonies within lepidopterous leaf mines on a species of Banksia. Previously these thrips genera were known only from Acacia species, and comprised seven described species of Brakothrips and 35 described species of Katothrips.

Two new monobasic thrips genera for a gall-inducing species and its kleptoparasite (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripinae).

Drypetothrips korykis gen. et sp.n. is described as inducing leaf-margin galls on a small tree in Australia, Drypetes deplanchei [Putranjivaceae]. This thrips is similar in appearance to the smaller species of the genus Kladothrips that induce galls on Acacia species. The galls are invaded by a phytophagous kleptoparasitic thrips, Pharothrips hynnis gen. et sp.n., females of which have a forked plough-like structure protruding ventrally on the frons that is unique amongst Thysanoptera.

Australian Diplectroninae reviewed (Insecta: Trichoptera), with description of 21 new species, most referred to a new genus.

The history of studies on Australian caddisflies in the hydropsychid subfamily Diplectroninae is outlined against a broader background of uncertainties in the delineation of the worldwide type genus, Diplectrona Westwood. For the Australian fauna, keys are given to genera of Diplectroninae that occur in Australia and to adult males of species in Diplectrona (including a newly synonymised genus, Diemeniluma Neboiss), Austropsyche Banks, and Arcyphysa gen. nov. Of the 32 diplectronine species recognised, six are referred to each of Diplectrona and Austropsyche, among them one and four newly described species, respectively; and four established species are transferred from Diplectrona to Arcyphysa gen. nov., to join 16 newly described species. Diplectrona cognata Banks is synonymised with D. spinata Banks and Diplectrona bispinosa Jacquemart with Austropsyche victoriana Banks. Diagnoses and descriptions are accompanied by line drawings illustrating most of the diagnostic features of the genera and of most species, supplemented by photographic images. Australian species of Diplectrona are found from south-eastern Queensland to Tasmania, but neither Austropsyche nor Arcyphysa is known from Tasmania. Austropsyche extends from the Grampians in south-western Victoria to south-eastern Queensland, and the majority of species of Arcyphysa are recorded from north-eastern mainland Australia.

New and newly recorded micro-caddisfly species (Insecta: Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) from Australia's north, including islands of Torres Strait.

From the north of Australia's Northern Territory, far northeastern Queensland and Torres Strait Islands, six new species of microcaddisfly are described: Hydroptila roperi sp. nov., Hellyethira khukri sp. nov., Oxyethira (Trichoglene) bamaga sp. nov., Oxyethira (Dampfitrichia) torresiana sp. nov., Orthotrichia pethericki sp. nov., and Orthotrichia becca sp. nov. Oxyethira torresiana is recorded from the northwest of York Peninsula and Badu Island in the Torres Strait as well as from Papua New Guinea. Northern Australian records are given for Orthotrichia veikaba Wells and Orthotrichia ensiformis Wells, previously known only from Papua New Guinea. Northern Australian distributions are extended eastwards for  Tricholeiochiton jabirella Wells and westwards for Oxyethira (Trichoglene) triangulata Wells, until now recorded only from the Northern Territory and northeastern Australia, respectively. Brief notes are given on collecting methods and sites.

Review of New Caledonian species of Oxyethira Eaton, with description of 17 new species, and new records for Hydroptila Dalman and Hellyethira Neboiss (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae).

New Caledonian representation of the cosmopolitan genus Oxyethira Eaton is reviewed, with the description of new species bringing to 26 the total for the genus on the island. The species are referred to three subgenera: Trichoglene Neboiss (11 species), Pacificotrichia Kelley (13 species) and Dampfitrichia Ulmer (one species) and one species is unplaced to subgenus. A key is provided to Oxyethira species of New Caledonia. In addition, new records are given for two otherwise Australian species, Hydroptila losida Mosely and Hellyethira malleoforma Wells. Points marked on a series of small maps of New Caledonia indicate the site or sites at which the species were collected. This final paper in a series of generic revisions brings the hydroptilid fauna of the island of New Caledonia to 60 species, distributed in six genera.

Endemics and adventives: Thysanoptera (Insecta) biodiversity of Norfolk, a tiny Pacific Island.

The thrips fauna of Norfolk Island is a curious mix of endemics and adventives, with notable absences that include one major trophic group. A brief introduction is provided to the history of human settlement and its ecological impact on this tiny land mass in the western Pacific Ocean. The Thysanoptera fauna comprises about 20% endemic and almost 50% widespread invasive species, and shows limited faunal relationships to the nearest territories, Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand. This fauna, comprising 66 species, includes among named species 29 Terebrantia and 33 Tubulifera, with four Tubulifera remaining undescribed. At least 12 species are endemics, of which 10 are mycophagous, and up to 10 further species are possibly native to the island. As with the thrips fauna of most Pacific islands, many species are widespread invasives. However, most of the common thrips of eastern Australia have not been found on Norfolk Island, and the complete absence of leaf-feeding Phlaeothripinae is notable. The following new taxa are described: in the Phlaeothripidae, Buffettithrips rauti gen. et sp. n. and Priesneria akestra sp. n.; and in the Thripidae, Scirtothrips araucariae sp. n. and Thrips merae sp. n.

Review of the New Caledonian species of Acritoptila Wells, 1982 (Trichoptera, Insecta), with descriptions of 3 new species.

We review the New Caledonian representatives of the Australasian endemic hydroptiline genus Acritoptila, based on examination of a considerable collection of material in the Swedish Museum of Natural History and of types of previously established species. A key for identification of males is given and includes 3 species newly described here: A. parallela sp. n., A. forficata sp. n. and A. macrospina sp. n. For all New Caledonian species, male genitalia are illustrated, and for 5 associated females, distinctive features are illustrated and described.

The New Caledonian genus Caledonotrichia Sykora (Trichoptera, Insecta) reviewed, with descriptions of 6 new species.

The New Caledonian endemic hydroptilid genus Caledonotrichia Sykora (Trichoptera) is reviewed and 6 new species are described: Caledonotrichia bifida, Caledonotrichia capensis, Caledonotrichia minuta, Caledonotrichia ouinnica, Caledonotrichia sykorai and Caledonotrichia vexilla. Together with the established species for which revised diagnoses are given, these raise to 11 the number of species known in this genus. The new species, females of 3 species, and several unusual larval cases are examined and described for further insight into relationships of this enigmatic genus. A key to species is provided.

Effect of spironolactone, potassium canrenoate and their common metabolite canrenone on serum digoxin measurement by digoxin III, a new digoxin immunoassay.

Spironolactone and potassium canrenoate (aldosterone antagonist diuretics) are often used with digoxin in clinical practice. It has been well documented in the literature that spironolactone, potassium canrenoate, and their common metabolite canrenone cross-react with several digoxin immunoassays at concentrations expected after therapeutic usage of these drugs and falsely elevate or lower serum digoxin concentrations. Recently, Abbott Laboratories marketed a new Digoxin III immunoassay for application on the AxSYM analyzer. We studied the potential interference of these compounds with this new digoxin assay. The Tina-quant assay was used as the reference method because spironolactone, potassium canrenoate, and canrenone do not interfere with serum digoxin measurement using this assay. Aliquots of drug-free serum were supplemented with therapeutic and above therapeutic concentrations of spironolactone, canrenone, and potassium canrenoate, and apparent digoxin concentrations were measured using the Digoxin III assay and Tina-quant assay. Significant apparent digoxin concentrations were observed when the Digoxin III digoxin assay was used, but no apparent digoxin levels was observed using the Tina-quant assay. When serum pools prepared from patients receiving digoxin were further supplemented with these compounds in concentrations expected in sera of patients receiving these medications, falsely elevated digoxin levels were observed using Digoxin III assay, but no statistically significant change was observed using the Tina-quant assay. We conclude that spironolactone, potassium canrenoate, and their common metabolite canrenone interfere with the serum digoxin measurements using the new Digoxin III assay.

Effect of Asian ginseng, Siberian ginseng, and Indian ayurvedic medicine Ashwagandha on serum digoxin measurement by Digoxin III, a new digoxin immunoassay.

Asian ginseng, Siberian ginseng, and Indian Ayurvedic medicine Ashwagandha demonstrated modest interference with serum digoxin measurements by the fluorescent polarization immunoassay (FPIA). Recently, Abbott Laboratories marketed a new digoxin immunoassay, Digoxin III for application on the AxSYM analyzer. We studied potential interference of these herbal supplements on serum digoxin measurement by Digoxin III assay in vitro and compared our results with the values obtained by Tina-quant assay. Aliquots of drug-free serum pool were supplemented with various amounts of Asian ginseng, Siberian ginseng, or Ashwagandha approximating expected concentrations after recommended doses and overdoses of these herbal supplements in serum. Then digoxin concentrations were measured by the Digoxin III and Tina-quant (Roche Diagnostics) assay. We also supplemented aliquots of a digoxin pool prepared from patients receiving digoxin with various amounts of these herbal supplements and then measured digoxin concentrations again using both digoxin immunoassays. We observed modest apparent digoxin concentrations when aliquots of drug-free serum pool were supplemented with all three herbal supplements using Digoxin III assay (apparent digoxin in the range of 0.31-0.57 ng/ml), but no apparent digoxin concentration (except with the highest concentration of Ashwagandha supplement for both brands) was observed using the Tina-quant assay. When aliquots of digoxin pool were further supplemented with these herbal supplements, digoxin concentrations were falsely elevated when measured by the new Digoxin III assay. For example, we observed 48.2% (1.63 ng/ml digoxin) increase in digoxin concentration when an aliquot of Digoxin pool 1 (1.10 ng/ml digoxin) was supplemented with 50 microl of Asian ginseng extract (Brand 2). Measuring free digoxin does not eliminate the modest interferences of these herbal supplements in serum digoxin measurement by the Digoxin III assay.

The effect of yogurt on acetaminophen absorption by activated charcoal and burnt toast.

Although acetaminophen overdose can be treated with N-acetylcysteine, activated charcoal is useful in preventing absorption of acetaminophen from the gut. Mixing activated charcoal with yogurt may make the dose more palatable. We investigated effects of yogurt on absorption of acetaminophen by burnt toast or activated charcoal in intestinal fluid using an in vitro model. The aliquots of phosphate buffer saline (PBS) were supplemented with high concentrations of acetaminophen after adjusting the pH to 7.2 (to mimic intestinal fluid). Then specimens were treated with various dosages (15 mg/mL, 25 mg/mL, or 50 mg/mL) of activated charcoal or burnt toast. A small amount of fluid was withdrawn at 0, 5, 10, 20, and 30 min and acetaminophen concentrations were measured by the fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA). We also treated other aliquots of PBS buffer containing acetaminophen with activated charcoal and yogurt or burnt toast and yogurt. Then small aliquots were withdrawn at specific time intervals to determine concentrations of acetaminophen. Activated charcoal was very effective in removing acetaminophen from intestinal fluids and the presence of yogurt insignificantly affected such absorptions. In contrast, burnt toast had a modest effect on removing acetaminophen from fluids but yogurt significantly increased the capability of burnt toast to absorb acetaminophen. However, the activated charcoal/yogurt combination is more effective than the burnt toast/yogurt combination for absorbing acetaminophen.

Effect of Indian Ayurvedic medicine Ashwagandha on measurement of serum digoxin and 11 commonly monitored drugs using immunoassays: study of protein binding and interaction with Digibind.

CONTEXT: Ashwagandha, a popular Ayurvedic medicine, is now available in the United States. Alkaloids found in this herb have structural similarity with digoxin. OBJECTIVE: To study potential interference of Ashwagandha with serum digoxin measurement by immunoassays. Potential interference was also investigated with immunoassays for 11 other commonly monitored drugs. In addition, interaction of components of Ashwagandha with the Fab fragment of antidigoxin antibody (Digibind) was investigated. DESIGN: Two different brands of liquid extract and 1 dry powdered form of Ashwagandha were used for this investigation. Aliquots of drug-free serum were supplemented with various concentrations of Ashwagandha and apparent digoxin concentrations were measured by 3 digoxin immunoassays. Mice were fed with Ashwagandha and apparent digoxin concentrations were measured 1 and 3 hours after feeding. Potential interference of Ashwagandha with immunoassays of 11 other drugs was also investigated. Interaction of components of Ashwagandha with Digibind was studied in vitro. RESULTS: Significant apparent digoxin concentrations were observed both in vitro and in vivo using the fluorescence polarization immunoassay of digoxin, whereas the Beckman and the microparticle enzyme immunoassay digoxin assay demonstrated minimal interference. Immunoassays of 11 other drugs tested were unaffected. When Ashwagandha extract was added to a serum pool containing digoxin, falsely elevated digoxin value was observed with fluorescence polarization immunoassay, but values were falsely lowered when measured by the microparticle enzyme immunoassay. Digibind neutralized digoxin-like immunoreactive components of Ashwagandha in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Components of Ashwagandha interfered with serum digoxin measurements using immunoassays. Digibind neutralized free digoxin-like immunoreactive components of Ashwagandha.

Drug-herb interaction: effect of St John's wort on bioavailability and metabolism of procainamide in mice.

CONTEXT: St John's wort induces the activity of the cytochrome P450 enzyme system causing treatment failure because of increased metabolism of many drugs. Procainamide is metabolized by a different pathway to N-acetyl procainamide. OBJECTIVE: To study St John's wort-procainamide interaction using a mouse (Swiss Webster) model. DESIGN: One group of mice (group A, 4 mice in each group) was fed St John's wort each day for 2 weeks (last dose 1 day before administration of procainamide); another group (group B) received the same dose of St John's wort for 1 week. The third group (group C) received only a single dose 1 hour before administration of procainamide, and the control group (group D) received no St John's wort. All groups later received a single oral dose of procainamide. Blood was drawn 1, 4, and 24 hours after administration of procainamide and concentrations in serum of procainamide as well as N-acetyl procainamide were measured using immunoassays. RESULTS: The procainamide concentrations 1 hour after administration was highest in group C (mean, 11.59 microg/mL) followed by group A (9.92 microg/mL), whereas group B (7.44 microg/mL) and control group D (7.36 microg/mL) showed comparable values. The concentration in group C was significantly greater than the control group D (P = .03, 2-tailed independent t test). N-Acetyl procainamide concentrations and estimated half-life of procainamide among groups were comparable. In a separate experiment when mice were fed purified hypericin, the active component of St John's wort, a significant increase in bioavailability (53%) of procainamide was observed compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: St John's wort has an acute effect to increase bioavailability of procainamide but has no effect on its metabolism.

False-positive serum tricyclic antidepressant concentrations using fluorescence polarization immunoassay due to the presence of hydroxyzine and cetirizine.

A recent report indicates that hydroxyzine and its active metabolite cetirizine interfere with the PENTINA carbamazepine assay. The potential interference of hydroxyzine and cetirizine with the fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) and CEDIA assay of carbamazepine as well as with the fluorescence polarization immunoassay of tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) was studied. Aliquots of drug-free serum pools were supplemented with various concentrations of hydroxyzine and cetirizine representing therapeutic, mild to moderate toxic as well as very toxic concentrations. Then apparent carbamazepine and TCA concentrations were measured by immunoassays. Although no interference of hydroxyzine and cetirizine was observed with carbamazepine assays (FPIA and CEDIA), significant apparent TCA concentrations were observed when aliquots of drug-free serum were supplemented with hydroxyzine or cetirizine. Mathematical formula was devised to predict hydroxyzine and/or cetirizine concentration in serum based on observed apparent TCA levels. Hydroxyzine and cetirizine also falsely increased total TCA values when aliquots of serum pool prepared from patients receiving TCA were further supplemented with these drugs. In conclusion, hydroxyzine and cetirizine do not interfere with the FPIA and CEDIA carbamazepine assays but interfere with the measurement of total TCA using the FPIA.

False-positive serum tricyclic antidepressant concentrations using fluorescence polarization immunoassay due to the presence of hydroxyzine and cetirizine.

A recent report indicates that hydroxyzine and its active metabolite cetirizine interfere with the PENTINA carbamazepine assay. The potential interference of hydroxyzine and cetirizine with the fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) and CEDIA assay of carbamazepine as well as with the fluorescence polarization immunoassay of tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) was studied. Aliquots of drug-free serum pools were supplemented with various concentrations of hydroxyzine and cetirizine representing therapeutic, mild to moderate toxic as well as very toxic concentrations. Then apparent carbamazepine and TCA concentrations were measured by immunoassays. Although no interference of hydroxyzine and cetirizine was observed with carbamazepine assays (FPIA and CEDIA), significant apparent TCA concentrations were observed when aliquots of drug-free serum were supplemented with hydroxyzine or cetirizine. Mathematical formula was devised to predict hydroxyzine and/or cetirizine concentration in serum based on observed apparent TCA levels. Hydroxyzine and cetirizine also falsely increased total TCA values when aliquots of serum pool prepared from patients receiving TCA were further supplemented with these drugs. In conclusion, hydroxyzine and cetirizine do not interfere with the FPIA and CEDIA carbamazepine assays but interfere with the measurement of total TCA using the FPIA.