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AGRICULTURE productivity is severely hampered by salinity stress in many parts of the world, including the Ararat Plain in Armenia. The need for food security is growing worldwide, and new strategies are essential to meet this challenge. In the context of the Ararat Plain, this paper examines the potential utility and promising role of biogenic nanoparticles (NPs) and biochar in reducing salinity stress, boosting crop resilience, and guaranteeing sustainable food production. This paper involves the mechanisms underlying salinity stress, as well as the properties and synthesis of biogenic nanoparticles and biochar, and their applications in increasing plant salinity tolerance. The potential application of biogenic nanoparticles and biochar to mitigate the adverse effects of salinity on crops, soil, and water resources has been recently illustrated by several case studies and research findings. Additionally, we go over the safety issues, environmental implications, and potential applications of biogenic nanoparticles and biochar in sustainable agriculture on the Ararat Plain and elsewhere. This paper advances our knowledge of innovative strategies for addressing salinity stress and improving food security in areas with comparable problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article was dedicated to a study on brief overview of noise pollution in Ijevan Town of Armenia. The noise generated by the traffic flow on the section of the Noyemberyan-Yerevan highway adjacent to the Ijevan subtropical arboretum was calculated and measured. The equivalent noise level from the traffic flow at a distance of 7.5 m from the centre of the nearest traffic lane was estimated at 70.7-72.3 dB, and the average measured noise level was 73-75 dB. The average measured noise level of the Ijevan Subtropical Arboretum near the Aghstev river was 50 dB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the nature of the mutual influence of monetary and fiscal policy on one of the key problems of the macroeconomic equilibrium of the economy of the Republic of Armenia and the accuracy of forecasting in the context of the application of policies targeting inflation is investigated. The problem of coordination between the two main macroeconomic pillars of economic policy is studied in the context of behavioral and institutional interactions between the Government and the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia, which implies mutual adaptation and flexibility of reactions within certain rules of the game. Within the framework of the methodology developed in the article, the mutual influence of monetary and fiscal policy is studied using Markov transition models, taking the ratio of tax revenues to GDP and the interest rate on loans issued in the national currency in the Republic of Armenia as a basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Armenia is characterized by a high diversity of cultivated (Vitis vinifera L. subsp. Vinifera) and wild (Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris) grapes. The country has played a leading role in the centuries-lasting history of grapevine cultivation in the Near East. Varying climatic conditions and the existence of wild grapes lead to the formation and promotion of viticulture and winemaking, as evidenced by nearly 450 autochthonous varieties. Hundreds of unique indigenous cultivars are still preserved in old vineyards and abandoned gardens, though most of them are threatened by extinction. Wild grapes, thriving along riverbanks, climbing the rocks and embracing the trees can be found in Vayots Dzor, Tavush, Syunik provinces and in Artsakh. With the main goal to estimate the phylogenetic relationships among Armenian wild grapes and indigenous cultivars, and evaluating the possible contribution of wild grapes to the genetic makeup of indigenous cultivars, we analyzed 79 unique cultivars and 111 putative wild plants, collected from different viticulture regions, with 24 nSSR markers. The genetic diversity analysis conducted for wild grapes and indigenous cultivars unfolded the allelic richness of wild and cultivated gene pools and surprisingly for us revealed the absence of significant differences for all genetic parameters between the two subspecies. Moreover, the results registered for the number of different alleles (Na), effective number of alleles (Ne), and Shannon’s information index (I) have shown comparatively high values for wild grapes, while the observed negative value of Fixation index (F) for indigenous cultivars mirrored an abundance of heterozygote genotypes presuming random mating. The neighbour-joining (NJ) cluster analysis indicated a clear separation between the two subspecies vinifera and sylvestris and formed two main clusters. Applied non-hierarchical horizontal clustering using Structure software assigned the 190 genotypes into two clusters. The delta K criterion (ΔK) suggested K = 2 as the optimal uppermost hierarchical level of structure. Obtained results were comparable with the NJ cluster analysis and confirmed the divergence of sylvestris from vinifera, indicating a clear separation between the two subspecies. Meanwhile, results highlighted the role of gene flow between wild grapes and cultivars through observed overlaps and admixed ancestry values. Grapevine genetic resources of Armenia can contribute to overcoming biotic and abiotic stresses and better adaptation to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on research conducted with a range of actors in Armenia during the aftermath of the 2020 war over Nagorno Karabakh, we examine the potential and limits of local agency peacebuilding. In examining how agency is manifested and constrained in situations of conflict, we draw on social and political theories of agency and power to consider the dialogic interplay between actors, structures and ideas. By adopting the framework of discursive institutionalism, we analyze the importance of ideas in shaping politics and policy. We argue that in the field of peacebuilding in Armenia, the agency of local civil society actors is on the one hand affected by the liberal peacebuilding paradigm advanced by international actors and on the other hand, by hegemonic State and societal discourses about the conflict. Together, these have engendered forms of disciplinary power that have led to self-censorship and reticence among civil society actors, limiting their agency in peacebuilding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article studies the behavioral models of parties in democratic change in terms of building coalitions and concluding "pacts" within the framework of their own value system. The party coalitions established as a consequence of Armenia's presidential and legislative elections over the past 20 years are analyzed. Since 2003, and to this day, coalitions in Armenia have assumed only the consolidation of political personalities pursuing power and the formation of coalitions with "minimal gain". The ineffectiveness of the political coalition is due to the formal nature of thematic and doctrinal discussions as a result of the absence of genuine communication between the ruling elite. The method is supported by evidence that the inefficiency of coalitions established in Armenia during the democratic transition period suggests that coalitions are one of the causes of political growth crises only in terms of maintaining their own interest-based system. With this method, the authors demonstrate the persistence of Armenia's political development crises in the context of democracy transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contribution of UCP1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to susceptibility for cardiometabolic pathologies (CMP) and their involvement in specific risk factors for these conditions varies across populations. We tested whether UCP1 SNPs A-3826G, A-1766G, Ala64Thr and A-112C are associated with common CMP and their risk factors across Armenia, Greece, Poland, Russia and United Kingdom. This case-control study included genotyping of these SNPs, from 2,283 Caucasians. Results were extended via systematic review and meta-analysis. In Armenia, GA genotype and A allele of Ala64Thr displayed ~2-fold higher risk for CMP compared to GG genotype and G allele, respectively (p<0.05). In Greece, A allele of Ala64Thr decreased risk of CMP by 39%. Healthy individuals with A-3826G GG genotype and carriers of mutant allele of A-112C and Ala64Thr had higher body mass index compared to those carrying other alleles. In healthy Polish, higher waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was observed in heterozygotes A-3826G compared to AA homozygotes. Heterozygosity of A-112C and Ala64Thr SNPs was related to lower WHR in CMP individuals compared to wild type homozygotes (p<0.05). Meta-analysis showed no statistically significant odds-ratios across our SNPs (p>0.05). Concluding, the studied SNPs could be associated with the most common CMP and their risk factors in some populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the authors have investigated the issues of complementarity of political and civic cultures in the Republic of Armenia and the importance of participation in their effective development. It has been stated that in the conditions of a democratic transition, participatory democracy can be false or marginal in nature, due to which it can be perceived as irresponsible freedom, but the reality is different. The manipulative and philosophical bases of participation were also studied. It has been substantiated the approach that in the absence of a consolidation, the new democratic space formed due to the active participation of the masses does not solve the problem of political stability, but on the contrary, deepens the crises of political development. It emphasizes that the effectiveness of the process of overcoming crises in the conditions of democratic transition of the Republic of Armenia requires scientific-analytical management based on the principles of consolidation, the professionalism of the strategic elites; especially after the "Velvet Revolution". The relationship between democracy and demarchy were also studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The water quality of the Hrazdan River was first assessed by the Geoecological Evolving Organisation Index and the Armenian Water Quality Index, as well as water quality Armenian standards developed -- in accordance with the European Union Water Framework Directive. It was shown that from the source to mouth of Hrazdan river there was an increase in the value of the Geoecological Evolving Organisation Index and the Armenian index of water quality and the Armenian index, which indicated a decrease in the water quality of rivers from the 1st to the 3rd pollution class. It was shown that river pollution caused by high content of nitrogen and metals in the water. The values of Geoecological Evolving Organisation Index and the Armenian Water Quality Index were increased downstream the city of Yerevan, which indicated a decrease in water quality due to pollution of water in the Hrazdan River by domestic wastewater discharge. It was established that the Armenian Water Guality Index has a linear correlation with the Geoecological Evolving Organisation index, Water Contamination Index and Specific Combinatory Water Cuality Index, as well as has, an reverse relation with the Canadian Water Quality Index. In 2013-2019, the water quality of the Hrazdan River was assessed by water quality Armenian standards (developed in accordance with EU WFD) based on the background concentrations of the hydrochemical parameters in the river, as well. It was shown that the water quality was decreased from the 'good' quality (class 2) and 'moderate' quality (3rd class) to the 'poor' quality (5 rd class) downstream from source to mouth of the Hrazdan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In recent years, scientists have increasingly focused on the microbial diversity of high-altitude hot springs to explore the biotechnological applications of extremophiles. In this regard, a total of 107 thermophilic bacilli were isolated from 9 high-altitude mineralized geothermal springs (of temperatures ranging from 27.5 to 70 °C) located within the territory of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. The isolated bacilli were phylogenetically profiled and studied for their potential to produce extracellular hydrolytic enzymes (protease, amylase, and lipase). The identification of isolates based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed their relationship to members of more than 22 distinct species, of 8 different genera, namely Aeribacillus, Anoxybacillus, Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Geobacillus, Parageobacillus, Paenibacillus and Ureibacillus. Bacillus licheniformis, Parageobacillus toebii and Anoxybacillus flavithermus were found to be the most abundant species in the springs that were studied. Some of the isolated bacilli shared less than 91–97% sequence identity with their closest match in GenBank, indicating that Armenian geothermal springs harbor novel bacilli, at least at the species level. 71% of the isolates actively produced at least one or more extracellular proteases, amylases, or lipases. In total, 22 strains (28.6%) were efficient producers of all three types of thermostable enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite the reported cases of whooping cough in Armenia, there has been no formal evaluation of "who these cases are and their load on hospital wards". In a tertiary reference hospital, we determined the trend in hospitalized pertussis cases stratified by vaccination status and risk factors associated with apnea and hospital stay. Methodology: Retrospective cohort study of children (< 18 years) with confirmed pertussis hospitalized at the Republican Infectious Diseases Hospital between 2014 and 2018. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify risk factors. Results: The majority (62%) of 116 children (44% female, mean age 21 months) were from regions outside the capital city of Yerevan. Standardized pertussis admissions increased by almost fivefold, from 2.2/1,000 in 2014 to 10.6/1,000 in 2018. The cumulative average percentage (2014-2018) of children not vaccinated against pertussis was 33%, while 29% were completely vaccinated. Twenty-five children (21%) had apnea, two of whom died. Younger age (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.04; P = 0.05), not having been vaccinated (OR = 3.57; P = 0.01) and having comorbidities (OR = 4.1; P = 0.09) were associated with apnea. After adjusting for age, the longer hospital stay (>8 days) was significantly associated with non-vaccination (OR = 5.0, P = 0.002). Conclusions: There is a progressive increase in rate of hospital admissions for pertussis meriting closer vigilance on a national scale. Unvaccinated children of younger age are predisposed to apnea and longer hospitalization and would benefit from early referral to specialized infectious units. This may improve clinical outcomes and reduce hospital burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Armenia is characterized by high diversity of cultivated (Vitis vinifera L. subsp. Vinifera) and wild (Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris) grapes. The country has played a leading role in the centuries-lasting history of grapevine cultivation in Southern Caucasus. Varying climatic conditions and the existence of wild grapes lead to the formation and promotion of viticulture and winemaking, as evidenced by nearly 450 autochthonous varieties. Hundreds of unique indigenous cultivars are still preserved in old vineyards and abandoned gardens, though most of them are threatened by extinction. Wild grapes, thriving along riverbanks, climbing the rocks and embracing the trees can be found in Vayots Dzor, Tavush, Syuniq regions and in Artsakh. With the main goal to estimate the phylogenetic relationships among Armenian wild grapes and indigenous cultivars, and to estimate the possible contribution of wild grapes to the genetic makeup of indigenous cultivars, we analyzed 79 unique cultivars and 111 putative wild plants, collected from different viticultural regions, with 25 nSSR markers. The genetic diversity analysis conducted for wild grapes and indigenous cultivars unfolded the allelic richness of wild and cultivated gene pools and surprisingly for us revealed the absence of significant differences for all genetic parameters between the two subspecies. Moreover, the results registered for the number of different alleles (Na), effective number of alleles (Ne), Shannon's information index (I) have shown comparatively high values for wild grapes, while the observed negative value of Fixation index (F) for indigenous cultivars mirrored an abundance of heterozygote genotypes presuming random mating. The neighbour-joining (NJ) cluster analysis indicated clear separation between the two subspecies vinifera and sylvestris and formed two main clusters. Applied nonhierarchical horizontal clustering using Structure software assigned the 190 genotypes into two clusters. The delta K criterion (?K) suggested K = 2 as the optimal uppermost hierarchical level of structure. Obtained results were absolutely comparable with the NJ cluster analysis and confirmed the divergence of sylvestris from vinifera, indicating a clear separation between two subspecies. Meanwhile, results highlighted the role of gene flow between wild grapes and cultivars through observed overlaps and admixed ancestry values. Grapevine genetic resources of Armenia can contribute overcoming biotic and abiotic stresses and better adaptation to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth response, heavy metal bioaccumulation ability and the expression of the copA, nikA and czcD genes in the presence of different concentrations of a combination of Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) metals of Bacillus subtilis AG4 isolated from the Sotk Gold Mine (Armenia) have been studied. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) metals were 3.5 mM, 4.5 mM, 1 mM and 0.5 mM respectively. The concentrations of metal ions in the medium up to 16 µM Cu(II), 17 µM Ni(II), 10 µM Cd(II) and 15 µM Zn(II) were found not to affect bacterial growth. It was shown that B. subtilis AG4 accumulated Cu(II) and Zn(II) to 6.8 and 3.0 mg/g wet weight of biomass, respectively. The nikA and copA genes (but not czcD) were identified by PCR amplification using specific primer sets. The highest expression of the nikA and copA genes was observed at 16 µM Cu(II), 17 µM Ni(II), 10 µM Cd(II) and 15 µM Zn(II) by using RT-qPCR. The expression of the nikA and copA was inhibited at higher metal ion concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The archeology and ethnology of Armenia suggest that this region has acted as a crossroads for human migrations from Europe and the Middle East since at least the Neolithic. Near continual foreign influx has, in turn, led to the supposition that the gene pools of geographically separated Armenian populations may have diverged as differing historical influences potentially left distinct genetic traces in the various regions of the Armenian plateau. In this study, we seek to address whether any evidence for such genetic regional partitioning in Armenians exists by analyzing, for the first time, 15 autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci in 404 Armenians from four geographically well-characterized collections (Ararat Valley, Gardman, Sasun, and Lake Van) that represent distinct communities from across Historical Armenia. In addition, to determine whether genetic differences among these four Armenian populations are the result of differential affinities to populations of known historical influence in Armenia, we utilize 27 biogeographically targeted reference populations for phylogenetic and admixture analyses. From these examinations, we find that while close genetic affiliations exist between the two easternmost Armenian groups analyzed, Ararat Valley and Gardman, the remaining two populations display substantial distinctions. In particular, Sasun is distinguished by evidence for genetic contributions from Turkey, while a stronger Balkan component is detected in Lake Van, potentially suggestive of remnant genetic influences from ancient Greek and Phrygian populations in this region. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The knowledge of genetic diversity and relatedness among grapevine varieties is important for recognizing gene pools. One of the major goals of the present large-scale study was to evaluate the level and relationships of existing genetic diversity across Armenia, aiming to identify genotypes that could provide genetic insights into the Armenian grapevine germplasm structure. A combination of nuclear microsatellite markers and ampelography proved useful to determine the identity of collected samples recovered from old vineyards and home gardens. Synonyms, homonyms, alternative spellings, and misnomers were clarified. First-degree genetic relationships between autochthonous varieties were partly uncovered. Missing parents might still exist in old vineyards but were not sampled yet or might have disappeared over time. The continuation of prospections to fill that gap is planned. The high number of new bred varieties included in the study reflects the enormous breeding activity in Armenia. The high number of alleles, high level of observed and effective heterozygosity, and presence of female APT3-allele 366, which is absent in western European cultivars, illustrate the huge diversity of the Armenian germplasm. Presumably, these findings are related to recurrent introgression of Vitis sylvestris into the cultivated compartment during domestication events. So far, the present study is the first most representative and comprehensive analysis of Armenian grape germplasm. Armenia is an important country of origin of cultivated Vitis vinifera subsp. vinifera and wild Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris and has played a key role in the long history of grape cultivation in the Southern Caucasus. The existence of immense grapevine biodiversity in a small territory is strongly linked with unique relief and diverse climate conditions assembled with millennium-lasting cultural and historical context. In the present in-depth study using 25 nSSR markers, 492 samples collected in old vineyards, home gardens, and private collections were genotyped. For verification of cultivar identity, the symbiotic approach combining genotypic and phenotypic characterization for each genotype was carried out. The study provided 221 unique varieties, including 5 mutants, from which 66 were widely grown, neglected or minor autochthonous grapevine varieties, 49 turned out to be new bred cultivars created within the national breeding programs mainly during Soviet Era and 34 were non-Armenian varieties with different countries of origin. No references and corresponding genetic profiles existed for 67 genotypes. Parentage analysis was performed inferring 62 trios with 53 out of them having not been previously reported and 185 half-kinships. Instability of grapevine cultivars was detected, showing allelic variants, with three and in rare cases four alleles at one loci. Obtained results have great importance and revealed that Armenia conserved an extensive grape genetic diversity despite geographical isolation and low material exchange. This gene pool richness represents a huge reservoir of under-explored genetic diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microbial diversity of high-altitude geothermal springs has been recently assessed to explore their biotechnological potential. However, little is known regarding the microbiota of similar ecosystems located on the Armenian Highland. This review summarizes the known information on the microbiota of nine high-altitude mineralized geothermal springs (temperature range 25.8–70 °C and pH range 6.0–7.5) in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. All these geothermal springs are at altitudes ranging from 960–2090 m above sea level and are located on the Alpide (Alpine–Himalayan) orogenic belt, a seismically active region. A mixed-cation mixed-anion composition, with total mineralization of 0.5 mg/L, has been identified for these thermal springs. The taxonomic diversity of hot spring microbiomes has been examined using culture-independent approaches, including denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), 16S rRNA gene library construction, 454 pyrosequencing, and Illumina HiSeq. The bacterial phyla Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, and Firmicutes are the predominant life forms in the studied springs. Archaea mainly include the phyla Euryarchaeota, Crenarchaeota, and Thaumarchaeota, and comprise less than 1% of the prokaryotic community. Comparison of microbial diversity in springs from Karvachar with that described for other terrestrial hot springs revealed that Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Deinococcus–Thermus are the common bacterial groups in terrestrial hot springs. Contemporaneously, specific bacterial and archaeal taxa were observed in different springs. Evaluation of the carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen metabolism in these hot spring communities has revealed diversity in terms of metabolic activity. Temperature seems to be an important factor in shaping the microbial communities of these springs. Overall, the diversity and richness of the microbiota are negatively affected by increasing temperature. Other abiotic factors, including pH, mineralization, and geological history, also impact the structure and function of the microbial community. More than 130 bacterial and archaeal strains (Bacillus, Geobacillus, Parageobacillus, Anoxybacillus, Paenibacillus, Brevibacillus Aeribacillus, Ureibacillus, Thermoactinomyces, Sporosarcina, Thermus, Rhodobacter, Thiospirillum, Thiocapsa, Rhodopseudomonas, Methylocaldum, Desulfomicrobium, Desulfovibrio, Treponema, Arcobacter, Nitropspira, and Methanoculleus) have been reported, some of which may be representative of novel species (sharing 91–97% sequence identity with their closest matches in GenBank) and producers of thermozymes and biomolecules with potential biotechnological applications. Whole-genome shotgun sequencing of T. scotoductus K1, as well as of the potentially new Treponema sp. J25 and Anoxybacillus sp. K1, were performed. Most of the phyla identified by 16S rRNA were also identified using metagenomic approaches. Detailed characterization of thermophilic isolates indicate the potential of the studied springs as a source of biotechnologically valuable microbes and biomolecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article serves to describe the medical education system of Armenia, a country located in the cross-section of Europe and Asia. Similar to other countries in the region, its medical education system is structured into undergraduate (6 years), postgraduate (1–4 years), and continuing education components. Its largest medical university, Yerevan State Medical University (YSMU), is the predominant institute for medical education and has enrollment of not only Armenian citizens, but also international students from India, Iran, Russia, and other countries. According to publication metrics, research activity at YSMU is increasing. Finally, the unique relationship between the country and its global diaspora has facilitated collaborative efforts in not only medical education, but also the delivery of care and capacity building. Significant challenges remain for each stage of medical education, such as the lack of standardized licensing or board examinations and oversight of the number of resident physicians per specialty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of the heavy metal contamination and acidity on the bacterial community was studied in samples collected from the Akhtala copper mine tailing using molecular approaches. The bacterial community structure analysis by PCR-DGGE fingerprinting revealed an abundance of Firmicutes, Acidobacteria, and Proteobacteria in different layers of the Akhtala tailing. 454 pyrotag sequence analyses revealed that a significant part of the sequences originated from Proteobacteria (49%) and Bacteroidetes (43%). Bacterial taxa are distributed also in phyla Saccharibacteria (2%), Verrucomicrobia (1.5%), Gammatimonadetes (1%), and some minor additional bacterial groups. The main primary producers in the Akhtala tailing appear to be obligate autotrophic Thiobacillus and Sulfuritalea species. Representatives of Lutibacter and Lysobacter genera are the most abundant acid-tolerant heterotrophs in the studied tailing. The presence of a large number of yet-uncultivated species emphasizes the importance of the future exploration of the tailing as an important source of novel bacteria.

Background: Among the huge diversity of thermophilic bacteria mainly bacilli have been reported as active thermostable lipase producers. Geothermal springs serve as the main source for isolation of thermostable lipase producing bacilli. Thermostable lipolytic enzymes, functioning in the harsh conditions, have promising applications in processing of organic chemicals, detergent formulation, synthesis of biosurfactants, pharmaceutical processing etc., Results: In order to study the distribution of lipase-producing thermophilic bacilli and their specific lipase protein primary structures, three lipase producers from different genera were isolated from mesothermal (27.5-70 °C) springs distributed on the territory of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Based on phenotypic characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing the isolates were identified as Geobacillus sp., Bacillus licheniformis and Anoxibacillus flavithermus strains. The lipase genes of isolates were sequenced by using initially designed primer sets. Multiple alignments generated from primary structures of the lipase proteins and annotated lipase protein sequences, conserved regions analysis and amino acid composition have illustrated the similarity (98-99%) of the lipases with true lipases (family I) and GDSL esterase family (family II). A conserved sequence block that determines the thermostability has been identified in the multiple alignments of the lipase proteins., Conclusions: The results are spreading light on the lipase producing bacilli distribution in geothermal springs in Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Newly isolated bacilli strains could be prospective source for thermostable lipases and their genes.

The Hamshenis are an isolated geographic group of Armenians with a strong ethnic identity who, until the early decades of the twentieth century, inhabited the Pontus area on the southern coast of the Black Sea. Scholars hold alternative views on their origin, proposing Eastern Armenia, Western Armenia, and Central Asia, respectively, as their most likely homeland. To ascertain whether genetic data from the nonrecombining portion of the Y chromosome are supportive of any of these suggestions, we screened 82 Armenian males of Hamsheni descent for 12 biallelic and 6 microsatellite Y-chromosomal markers. These data were compared with the corresponding data set from the representative populations of the three candidate regions. Genetic difference between the Hamshenis and other groups is significant and backs up the hypothesis of the Armenian origin of the Hamshenis, indicating central historical Armenia as a homeland of the ancestral population. This inference is further strengthened by the results of admixture analysis, which does not support the Central-Asian hypothesis of the Hamshenis' origin. Genetic diversity values and patterns of genetic distances suggest a high degree of genetic isolation of the Hamshenis consistent with their retention of a distinct and ancient dialect of the Armenian language.

We evaluated the risk of cancer among 1897 men and 417 women exposed to chloroprene (2-chloro-1,3-butadiene, CP) at a production plant in Yerevan, Armenia, between 1940 and 1988. The cohort was followed up for cancer incidence for the years 1979-1990 and for cancer mortality for 1979-1988. In the cohort, incidence and mortality from all cancers were below expectation, but increased incidence (standardized incidence ratio 3.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.47-7.27), and mortality (standardized mortality ratio 3.39, 95% CI 1.09-10.5) from liver cancer were noticed. A dose-response relationship was suggested between liver cancer and indices of CP exposure, such as duration of employment, duration of high CP exposure and cumulative exposure to CP. The risk of other neoplasms was not increased.