Laboratory study of aberration calculation in underwater turbulence using Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor and Zernike polynomials.

This paper presents a laboratory study of the aberrations calculation in underwater turbulence using the Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor. The wavefront decomposition method and Zernike polynomials determine the aberration parameters. In our experimental setup, the turbulent phase screen generator is located in two locations: near the transmitter and therefore far from the receiver, and near the receiver and consequently far from the transmitter. Additionally, we investigate the impact of aperture diameter on turbulence-induced aberrations in the optical receiver system. However, it is essential to note that the coefficients of Zernike polynomials obtained using this method are subject to errors caused by receiver sensor noise and correlation between the polynomials. To address this, we first calculate the coefficients in different arrangements and then correct measurement errors arising from sensor noise and polynomial coefficient correlation.

Correction: Modelling Neanderthals' dispersal routes from Caucasus towards east.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281978.].

Mapping endemic freshwater fish richness to identify high-priority areas for conservation: An ecoregion approach.

Freshwater ecosystems are experiencing accelerating global biodiversity loss. Thus, knowing where these unique ecosystems' species richness reaches a peak can facilitate their conservation planning. By hosting more than 290 freshwater fishes, Iran is a major freshwater fish hotspot in the Middle East. Considering the accelerating rate of biodiversity loss, there is an urgent need to identify species-rich areas and understand the mechanisms driving biodiversity distribution. In this study, we gathered distribution records of all endemic freshwater fishes of Iran (85 species) to develop their richness map and determine the most critical drivers of their richness patterns from an ecoregion approach. We performed a generalized linear model (GLM) with quasi-Poisson distribution to identify contemporary and historical determinants of endemic freshwater fish richness. We also quantified endemic fish similarity among the 15 freshwater ecoregions of Iran. Results showed that endemic freshwater fish richness is highest in the Zagros Mountains while a moderate level of richness was observed between Zagros and Alborz Mountains. High, moderate, and low richness of endemic freshwater fish match with Upper Tigris & Euphrates, Namak, and Kavir & Lut Deserts ecoregions respectively. Kura - South Caspian Drainages and Caspian Highlands were the most similar ecoregions and Orumiyeh was the most unique ecoregion according to endemic fish presence. Precipitation and precipitation change velocity since the Last Glacial Maximum were the most important predictors of endemic freshwater fish richness. Areas identified to have the highest species richness have high priority for the conservation of freshwater fish in Iran, therefore, should be considered in future protected areas development.

Sustain-release lipid-liquid crystal formulations of pexiganan against Helicobacter pylori infection: in vitro evaluation in C57BL/6 mice.

INTRODUCTION: The Gram-negative bacterium Helicobacter pylori, H. pylori, is associated with significant digestive disorders. However, the effectiveness of bacterial eradication is declining due to drug resistance. A potent anti-H. pylori activity is shown by the natural antimicrobial peptide pexiganan. OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of pexiganan and its lipid-liquid crystals (LLCs) in inducing Helicobacter pylori in mice. METHODS: In this experimental study, H. pylori infection was first induced in C57BL/6 mice. Secondly, the antibacterial efficacy of pexiganan and its LLCs formulations was investigated to eliminate H. pylori infection. RESULTS: The H. pylori infection could not be completely eradicated by pexiganan peptide alone. However, incorporating pexiganan within the LLC formulation resulted in an increased elimination of H. pylori. Under the H&E strain, the pexiganan-LLCs formulation revealed minimal mucosal alterations and a lower amount of inflammatory cell infiltration in the stomach compared to the placebo. CONCLUSION: Clarithromycin was more effective than pexiganan at all tested concentrations. Furthermore, the pexiganan-loaded LLCs exhibited superior efficacy in curing H. pylori infection in a mouse model compared to pexiganan alone. This formulation can enhance H. pylori clearance while mitigating the adverse effects, typically associated with conventional drugs, leading to a viable alternative to current treatment options.

Tridepsides as potential bioactives: a review on their chemistry and the global distribution of their lichenic and non-lichenic natural sources.

Tridepsides, as fully oxidized polyketides, have been known to exist in lichens for more than a century. Recent studies have showed that these possible defensive lichenochemicals possess various biological activities. Also, a candidate biosynthetic gene cluster was recently reported for gyrophoric acid (GA), an important tridepside. The present study focused on biosynthesis, natural sources, biological activities, and bioanalytical methods of tridepside molecules. Our survey shows that, so far, lichenic tridepsides have been reported from 37 families, 111 genera, and 526 species of lichen. Because many of their species contain tridepsides, the families Parmeliaceae, Lobariaceae, and Peltigeraceae can be considered critical lichenic sources of tridepsides. Furthermore, several species of Hypotrachyna in Parmeliaceae family showed lichenic tridepsides, suggesting that this genus is a viable source of tridepsides. This research also explored tridepsides from non-lichenic sources, such as non-lichenized fungi, lichenicolous fungi, endophytes, parasites, and liverworts, which offer substantial potential as biotechnological sources to produce tridepsides, which are produced in small amounts in lichen thalli. Two lichenic tridepsides have also been detected in non-lichenic sources: GA and tenuiorin (TE). Additionally, no significant correlation was found between tridepside biosynthesis and geographical distribution patterns for several potentially tridepside-producing lichens. We further showed that GA is the most studied tridepside with various reported biological activities, including anticancer, wound healing, photoprotection, anti-aging, antioxidant, cardiovascular effect, DNA interaction, anti-diabetes, anti-Alzheimer's, anti-bacterial, and antifungal. Last but not least, this study provides an overview of some bioanalytical methods used to analyze tridepsides over the past few years.

Identifying high snakebite risk area under climate change for community education and antivenom distribution.

Snakebite is one of the largest risks from wildlife, however little is known about venomous snake distribution, spatial variation in snakebite risk, potential changes in snakebite risk pattern due to climate change, and vulnerable human population. As a consequence, management and prevention of snakebite is hampered by this lack of information. Here we used habitat suitability modeling for 10 medically important venomous snakes to identify high snakebite risk area under climate change in Iran. We identified areas with high snakebite risk in Iran and showed that snakebite risk will increase in some parts of the country. Our results also revealed that mountainous areas (Zagros, Alborz, Kopet-Dagh mountains) will experience highest changes in species composition. We underline that in order to improve snakebite management, areas which were identified with high snakebite risk in Iran need to be prioritized for the distribution of antivenom medication and awareness rising programs among vulnerable human population.

Disentangling the impacts of climate and land cover changes on habitat suitability of common pheasant Phasianus colchicus along elevational gradients in Iran.

Climate and land cover change are critical drivers of avian species range shift. Thus, predicting avian species' response to the land and climate changes and identifying their future suitable habitats can help their conservation planning. The common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) is a species of conservation concern in Iran and is included in the list of Iran's protected avian species. The species faces multiple threats such as habitat destruction, land cover change, and overhunting in the country. In this study, we model the potential impacts of future climate and land cover change on the habitat suitability of common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) along elevational gradients in Mazandaran province in Iran. We used shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP) scenarios and the 2015-2020 trend to generate possible future land cover projections for 2050. As for climate change projections, we used representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenarios. Next, we applied current and future climate and land cover projections to investigate how habitat suitability of common pheasant will change between 2020 and 2050 using species distribution modeling (SDM). Our results show that the species has 6000 km2 suitable habitat; however, between 900 and 1965 km2 of its habitat may be reduced by 2050. Furthermore, we found that the severity of the effects of climate and land cover change varies at different altitudes. At low altitudes, the impact of changing land structure is superior. Instead, climate change has a critical role in habitat loss at higher altitudes and imposes a limiting role on the potential range shifts. Overall, this study demonstrates the vital role of land cover and climate change in better understanding the potential alterations in avian distribution.

Modelling Neanderthals' dispersal routes from Caucasus towards east.

The study of the cultural materials associated with the Neanderthal physical remains from the sites in the Caucasus, Central Asia and Siberian Altai and adjacent areas documents two distinct techno-complexes of Micoquian and Mousterian. These findings potentially outline two dispersal routes for the Neanderthals out of Europe. Using data on topography and Palaeoclimate, we generated computer-based least-cost-path modelling for the Neanderthal dispersal routes from Caucasus towards the east. In this regard, two dispersal routes have been identified: A northern route from Greater Caucasus associated with Micoquian techno-complex towards Siberian Altai and a southern route from Lesser Caucasus associated with Mousterian towards Siberian Altai via the Southern Caspian Corridor. Based on archaeological, bio- and physio-geographical data, our model hypothesises that during climatic deterioration phases (e.g. MIS 4) the connection between Greater and Lesser Caucasus was limited. This issue perhaps resulted in the separate development and spread of two cultural groups of Micoquian and Mousterian with an input from two different population sources of Neanderthal influxes: eastern and southern Europe refugia for these two northern and southern dispersal routes respectively. Of these two, we focus on the southern dispersal route, for it comprises a 'rapid dispersal route' towards east. The significant location of the Southern Caspian corridor between high mountains of Alborz and the Caspian Sea, provided a special biogeographical zone and a refugium. This exceptional physio-geographic condition brings forward the Southern Caspian corridor as a potential place of admixture of different hominin species including Neanderthals and homo sapiens.

Effects of hydroxyapatite nanorods prepared through Elaeagnus Angustifolia extract on modulating immunomodulatory/dentin-pulp regeneration genes in DPSCs.

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are a new type of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) found in the oral cavity with immunomodulation and tissue regeneration capacities. This study determined the impacts of nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) prepared through Elaeagnus Angustifolia extract (EAE) to enhance the relative expression of immunomodulatory/dentin-pulp regeneration genes in DPSCs. To produce nHA and modified nHA via EAE (nHAEA), the sol-gel technique was used. The functional groups of nanoparticles (NPs), morphological, and optical features were determined using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) together with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The cell viability was then determined using the MTT method in the presence of various EAE, nHA, and nHAEA concentrations. Target gene expression was quantified using a real-time PCR procedure after treating DPSCs with an optimally non-toxic dose of EAE and NPs. The presence of the HA phase was reported with the XRD and FTIR results. According to the results of SEM and TEM, the rod-like NPs could be fabricated. nHAEAs were found to be characterized with low crystallite size, reduced diameter, lengthier, needle-like, and less agglomerated particles compared with nHA. The real-time PCR results demonstrated that nHAEA remarkably increased the expression of human leukocyte antigen-G5 (HLA-G5), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), and interleukin6 (IL6) genes compared to the nHA group. These findings suggest that nHAEAs might have the potential application in the stemness capability of DPSCs for the treatment of inflamed/damaged pulp.

Global habitat suitability modeling reveals insufficient habitat protection for mangrove crabs.

Mangrove crabs are important components of mangrove forests however their large scale habitat suitability and conservation received little attention. The Metopograpsus thukuhar/cannicci species complex is a mangrove dwelling species occurs in the Indo-Pacific mangrove forests. Since identifying the complex suitable habitat is critical for its conservation, we modeled global habitat suitability of the complex within marine biogeographic realms and estimated representation of the complex suitable habitats within marine protected areas. We found that the complex' largest and smallest suitable ranges are located in Central Indo-Pacific and Temperate Southern Africa realms, respectively. Only 12.5% of the complex suitable habitat is protected. The highest proportion of the complex' protected suitable habitat (22.9%) is located in Western Indo-Pacific realm while the lowest proportion of the complex' protected suitable habitat (1.38%) is located in Central Indo-Pacific realm. Suitable unprotected habitats of the complex identified in this study have high priority for conservation and should be included in marine protected areas to ensure species conservation. Our results show that species distribution models are practical tools to study marine species distribution across large spatial scales and help marine conservation planning.

Comparison of the Effect of Diode Laser Irradiation and Fluoride Varnish on Salivary Streptococcus mutans Bacterial Colonies Counts: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess antibacterial effects of diode laser irradiation and fluoride varnish on Streptococcus (S) mutans bacterial colonies counts in saliva. Materials and Methods: This was a randomized controlled clinical trial research, in which 36 healthy caries-free schoolchildren aged 7-10 years referred to Birjand University dental school were selected randomly. None of the subjects had used any fluoride products before sampling. They divided into three groups: Group A: Diode laser irradiation, Group B: Fluoride varnish (FV) + diode laser irradiation, and Group C: FV. From each child, the baseline unstimulated saliva samples were obtained, transferred to the mitis salivarius agar (MSA) culture media and assessed for S. mutans colonies counts. The follow-up unstimulated saliva samples were collected one day after the treatments. Then the number of colony-forming units per milliliter were counted and analyzed statistically using Wilcoxon, Mann Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests (p ≤ 0.05). Results: No adverse events were reported. Salivary count of S. mutans significantly decreased in all groups. The highest and lowest number of the colonies of S. mutans in treated groups was observed in group I and group II, respectively. S. mutans was not completely eliminated by any of the treatments. Conclusion: Considering the limitations of this study, antimicrobial efficacy of fluoride varnish + diode laser was higher than that of FV or diode laser alone. So this laser in combination with fluoride varnish may be useful in prevention of dental caries and antimicrobial treatment protocols. Clinical trial registry: IRCTID: IRCT 201,706 181,7756N20. How to cite this article: Darmiani S, Yousefi M, Rad MS. Comparison of the Effect of Diode Laser Irradiation and Fluoride Varnish on Salivary Streptococcus mutans Bacterial Colonies Counts: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(S-2):S239-S241.

High frequency of SCCmec type IV and multidrug-resistant SCCmec type I among hospital acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates in Birjand Imam Reza Hospital, Iran.

Background and Objectives: The ever-increasing of antibiotic resistance in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a major threat to public health worldwide. Molecular typing is used to determine the source of MRSA infections as well as to control and prevent the spread of these pathogens. The present study aimed to investigate the characteristics of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types and antibiotic resistance of community- acquired (CA-) and hospital acquired (HA-) MRSA isolates. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of 109 clinical S. aureus isolates were determined by the Kirby-Bauer disk-diffusion and microdilution broth methods. MRSA isolates were confirmed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the detection of the mecA gene. SCCmec typing was performed by a multiplex PCR assay among MRSA isolates. Results: The prevalence of MRSA isolates was 39.4%. Linezolid, vancomycin, and ceftaroline were the most effective agents against MRSA isolates. The incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and resistance to most antibiotics were significantly higher in MRSA than methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) isolates (P<0.05). SCCmec types I, III, and IV were identified in 27.9%, 23.3%, and 37.2% of MRSA isolates, respectively. SCCmec type I and IV were the most prevalent SCCmec types in HA-MRSA isolates (each was 32.4%). While SCCmec type IV (66.7%) was the most frequently SCCmec type associated with CA-MRSA isolates. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated a high rate of MDR among MRSA isolates. The high existence of SCCmec type IV was reported among the HA-MRSA isolates, which can indicate the spread of MRSA community isolates to hospital settings. Therefore, appropriate antibiotic stewardship plans and microbiological surveillance initiatives must be implemented in healthcare facilities to monitor and limit the spread of these resistant bugs.

Ecological niche modelling and climate change in two species groups of huntsman spider genus Eusparassus in the Western Palearctic.

The huntsman spiders' genus Eusparassus are apex arthropod predators in desert ecosystems of the Afrotropical and Palearctic ecoregions. The Eusparassus dufouri and E. walckenaeri clades are two distinct taxonomic, phylogenetic, and geographic units concerning morphology, molecular phylogeny, and spatial data; but little is known about their ecological niche. We applied the maximum-entropy approach and modelled ecologic niches of these two phylogenetically closely related clades. Ecological niches of the two clades were compared using identity and background tests and two different metrics, the Schooner's D and Warren's I. We also predicted the impacts of climate change on the distribution of the two clades. The results of the identity test showed that the ecological niches of the two clades were different in geographic space but were similar in environmental space. While results of the background test revealed that the ecological niches of the two clades were similar in geographic and environmental space. This indicated that "niche conservatism" had an important role over the evolutionary time of allopatric diversification. However, the normalized difference vegetation index vs. topographic heterogeneity had influenced the niches of the dufouri and walckenaeri clades, respectively. The analyses recovered that the two clades' climatically suitable habitats will increase under future climate (the year 2070). However, since the two clades are characterized by the narrow range of environmental optimum and the accordingly high limits of tolerance, they are vulnerable to climate change.

Antimicrobial Peptides as a Promising Therapeutic Strategy for Neisseria Infections.

Antibiotic resistance is already widespread in the world, and it has become a great health problem. Therefore, comprehensive efforts are needed to minimize the resistance. The exploration of alternative therapies may offer a more targeted approach with less susceptibility to resistance. Even though antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been introduced as emerging antibiotic sources, they are not widely discussed in the literature. Since Neisseria infections show resistance to different types of antibiotics, the purpose of this review was to discuss the currently investigated AMPs with anti-Neisseria properties. In the present review, we provide an overview of 24 AMPs with in vitro anti-Neisseria properties.

Modeling habitat suitability of bats to identify high priority areas for field monitoring and conservation.

Bats provide important ecosystem services but face severe threats due to land and climate changes. Although bats are an important component of mammal diversity in Iran, the ecology of many species remains virtually unstudied in the country. Here we applied the maximum entropy approach to model habitat suitability of bat species in Iran, identify the most important variables for their distribution, predict high priority areas for field monitoring and conservation, and estimate the coverage of the bat species' suitable habitats by the existing protected areas. We created a richness map for the twelve species to identify high priority areas for field monitoring and conservation. The results of species distribution modeling showed that Pipistrellus kuhlii (828,977.2 km2) and Miniopterus pallidus (646,581.9 km2) had the largest distribution ranges and Rhinopoma microphyllum (211,202.7 km2) and Rousettus aegyptiacus (218,278.6 km2) had the smallest distribution ranges in Iran. By averaging the importance of each ecological variable across the 12 species, we found that distance to forests (with a negative association) is the most important ecological driver of bat distribution in Iran. The Zagros Mountains were identified as a hotspot of bats based on the distribution of the 12 species. Our findings showed that small proportions of each species suitable habitats were covered by protected areas and protected suitable habitats varied from 3.2%for Pipistrellus kuhlii to15.9% for Tadarida teniotis. This study highlights the importance of forests for bat conservation showing that forest conservation is a high priority in the country. Areas which have the highest richness should be prioritized for field monitoring and conservation.

High prevalence of multidrug-resistant non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli harboring bla IMP-1 and bla VIM-1 metallo-beta-lactamase genes in Birjand, south-east Iran.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Non-fermentative Gram-negative Bacilli (NFGNB) is known as a major cause of healthcare-associated infections with high levels of antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibiotic resistance profiles and molecular characteristics of metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL)-producing NFGNB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, the antibiotic resistance profile of 122 clinical NFGNB isolates was determined by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion and microdilution broth methods. Bacterial isolates were investigated for the detection of MBLs production using the combination disk diffusion Test (CDDT). The existence of bla IMP, bla VIM, and bla NDM genes in all carbapenem-resistant isolates was determined employing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. RESULTS: High resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa was reported to cefotaxime and minocycline, whereas Acinetobacter baumannii isolates were highly resistant to all antibiotics except colistin. Multidrug resistance (MDR)-NFGNB (66% vs. 12.5%, P=0.0004) and extensively drug resistant (XDR)-NFGNB (55.7% vs. 12.5%, P=0.001) isolates were significantly more common in hospitalized patients than in outpatients. The production of MBL was seen in 40% of P. aeruginosa and 93.3% of A. baumannii isolates. It was found that 33.3% and 46.7% of carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates, and 13.3% and 28.9% of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii isolates were harboring bla IMP-1 and bla VIM-1 genes, respectively. The incidence of MDR (98.2% vs. 28.3%, P<0.001) and XDR (96.4% vs. 11.7%, P<0.001) in MBL-producing NFGNB isolates was significantly higher than non-MBL-producing isolates. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a higher rate of resistance among NFGNB isolates with an additional burden of MBL production within them, warranting a need for robust microbiological surveillance and accurate detection of MBL producers among the NFGNB.

Bionomics and phylo-molecular analysis of Leishmania species isolated from human lesions using ITS1 genes in north-east of Iran.

Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by Leishmania species. The identification of parasite species and the type of disease is beneficial for treatment and preventive modalities. Leishmania tropica and L. major have been reported as the main etiological agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Iran. The incidence of zoonotic CL has increased and different in distinct loci of Iran. Hence, we perused the Leishmania species and its genetic traits in the North East of Iran. The investigation was conducted on 200 positive smears prepared from patients' lesions suffering from CL referred to the health care centers of northeastern provinces in Iran from 2013 to 2019. The obtained positive microscopy samples were divided to score the ranges from + 1 to + 6, of them 40 smears exhibited low-parasitemia. Leishmania species analyzed using PCR-RFLP, genetic diversity indices evaluation, phylogenetic analysis, and sequencing comparison with other species in the GeneBank based on ITS1 gene. The isolated L. major strains were similar to other Iranian isolates in this region. Pairwise fixation index (FST) index was statistically significant in different L. major populations and showed the genetic differences in pairwise population of different geographical locations of Iran. The current study confirmed an old pattern endemicity of zoonotic CL in North-east of Iran. Therefore, in order to assess the hybrid formation, more epidemiological, ecological, and gene polymorphism studies are needed to understand the pathogenic role of Leishmania species in Iran.

Addressing the global snakebite crisis with geo-spatial analyses - Recent advances and future direction.

Venomous snakebite is a neglected tropical disease that annually leads to hundreds of thousands of deaths or long-term physical and mental ailments across the developing world. Insufficient data on spatial variation in snakebite risk, incidence, human vulnerability, and accessibility of medical treatment contribute substantially to ineffective on-ground management. There is an urgent need to collect data, fill knowledge gaps and address on-ground management problems. The use of novel, and transdisciplinary approaches that take advantage of recent advances in spatio-temporal models, 'big data', high performance computing, and fine-scale spatial information can add value to snakebite management by strategically improving our understanding and mitigation capacity of snakebite. We review the background and recent advances on the topic of snakebite related geospatial analyses and suggest avenues for priority research that will have practical on-ground applications for snakebite management and mitigation. These include streamlined, targeted data collection on snake distributions, snakebites, envenomings, venom composition, health infrastructure, and antivenom accessibility along with fine-scale models of spatio-temporal variation in snakebite risk and incidence, intraspecific venom variation, and environmental change modifying human exposure. These measures could improve and 'future-proof' antivenom production methods, antivenom distribution and stockpiling systems, and human-wildlife conflict management practices, while simultaneously feeding into research on venom evolution, snake taxonomy, ecology, biogeography, and conservation.

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of HTLV-1 and Co-infections of Blood-Borne Viruses in Birjand, Iran's Eastern Border.

BACKGROUND: Blood-borne viruses (BBVs) are one of the most important public health concerns. South Khorasan has a long border with Afghanistan and concern has risen there about blood-borne oncogenic viral infections. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and associated risk factors of human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) and co-infections of BBVs in Birjand, Iran's eastern border. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 3441 subjects were tested for sero-prevalence of HTLV-1 by ELISA. The data on demographic features, HTLV-1-related risk factors and other characteristics of the population were analyzed by Pearson chi-square and logistic regression tests. Finally, the co-infection of BBVs was evaluated in the study. RESULTS: The prevalence of HTLV-1 was 0.3% (95% CI: 0.12-0.48). Notably, the sero-prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis D virus (HDV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in our previous studies was reported at 0%, 0.2%, 1.2% and 1.6%, respectively. The results indicated that the occurrence of HTLV-1 infection was associated only with the history of hospitalization (odds ratio [OR]: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.07-0.97, with P = 0.04). The co-infection of HBV with HCV was the most common (2.35%), while a co-infection rate of 1.17% was found for both HBV/HTLV-1 and HBV/HDV. CONCLUSION: Although a higher prevalence of the viruses was expected, it was close to the overall Iranian population. With respect to close relationship with an HTLV-1 endemic area (Mashhad and Neyshabour), the prevalence is very low; however, more attention is needed. Our findings reinforce the importance of increasing knowledge about BBV-related health risk behaviors to prevent the emergence of new cases, especially in low-risk populations.

Reptile species richness associated to ecological and historical variables in Iran.

Spatial gradients of species richness can be shaped by the interplay between historical and ecological factors. They might interact in particularly complex ways in heterogeneous mountainous landscapes with strong climatic and geological contrasts. We mapped the distribution of 171 lizard species to investigate species richness patterns for all species (171), diurnal species (101), and nocturnal species (70) separately. We related species richness with the historical (past climate change, mountain uplifting) and ecological variables (climate, topography and vegetation). We found that assemblages in the Western Zagros Mountains, north eastern and north western parts of Central Iranian Plateau have the highest number of lizard species. Among the investigated variables, annual mean temperature explained the largest variance for all species (10%) and nocturnal species (31%). For diurnal species, temperature change velocity shows strongest explained variance in observed richness pattern (26%). Together, our results reveal that areas with annual temperature of 15-20 °C, which receive 400-600 mm precipitation and experienced moderate level of climate change since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) have highest number of species. Documented patterns of our study provide a baseline for understanding the potential effect of ongoing climate change on lizard diversity in Iran.