Revisiting epidemiology of leishmaniasis in central Asia: lessons learnt.

In this work we reviewed historical and recent data on Leishmania spp. infection combining data collected in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, China and Mongolia. We specifically focused on a complex of co-existing species (Leishmania major, Leishmania turanica and Leishmania gerbilli) sharing the same animal reservoirs and vectors. In addition, we analysed the presence of dsRNA viruses in these species and discussed future research directions to identify species-specific traits, which may determine susceptibility of different Leishmania spp. to viral infection.

A taxonomic review of the genus Euboeus Boieldieu, 1865 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Helopini) of the Caucasus, Iran and Turkmenistan.

A taxonomic review of the genus Euboeus from the Caucasus, Iran and Turkmenistan is given. All revised species belong to the subgenus Pelorinus Vauloger de Beaupr, 1900 and can be divided into two groups: the tenebricosus species-group and the huedepohli species-group. The first one consists of mainly forest low mountain species, while the second one includes high mountain, alpine or steppe taxa. Only one species, E. horasanicus (Medvedev, 1976), has mixed characters and unknown habitats. In total, 11 species of the genus are known from Iran, one species is distributed in Iran and Turkmenistan. Euboeus prometheus is hereby excluded from the fauna of Azerbaijan, the species occurs on Iranian part of Talysh Mts. Euboeus quadricollis (Mntris, 1832) is recorded from Iran for the first time. The following new species are described: Euboeus grimmi sp. nov. (Iran, Western Elburs), E. kasatkini sp. nov. (Iran, Central Elburs), E. krivokhatskyi sp. nov. (Iran, Western Elburs and Zagros), E. merkli sp. nov. (Iran, Central Elburs), E. arzanovi sp. nov. (Iran, Central Elburs), E. zubovi sp. nov. (Iran, Zagros, Kordestan Prov.), E. kalashiani sp. nov. (Armenia, Azerbaijan: Nakhchivan, North-Western Iran). The following new synonimies are established: Helops corrugosus Seidlitz, 1895 = Probaticus parthorum G. Medvedev, 1976, syn. nov.; Helops vicinus Allard, 1876 = Probaticus (Pelorinus) medvedevi Abdurakhmanov et Nabozhenko, 2011, syn. nov. The lectotype for Helops corrugosus is designated to fix the taxonomic status of that species. In addition, illustrated identification keys for males and females of Caucasian, Iranian and Turkmen Euboeus are provided.

Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Dendarus Dejean, 1821 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Blaptinae: Dendarini) from Iran, Turkmenistan and some adjacent territories.

The taxonomic review of the genus Dendarus Dejean, 1821 from Iran and Turkmenistan is given. In total, five species are distributed in Iran and four species in South Turkmenistan; three species occur in both countries. The new species D. matthewsi sp. n. is described from Iran and compared with D. simplex Seidlitz, 1893. One taxon is resurrected from a synonymy with D. transcaspicus: D. vagabundus sp. resurr. As a result, one Afghan subspecies of D. transcaspicus belongs to another species: D. vagabundus afghanicus Kaszab, 1973. The following new synonymy is proposed: Dendarus vagabundus vagabundus Reitter, 1904 = D. transcaspicus medvedevi Kaszab, 1973, syn. n. Lectotypes of Dendarus armeniacus Baudi di Selve, 1876 and D. leonhardi Schuster, 1940 are designated. The following erroneous interpretations of Iranian and Turkmenian species are indicated: D. vagabundus = D. armeniacus sensu G. Medvedev = D. transcaspicus sensu Kaszab; D. armeniacus = D. simplex sensu G. Medvedev. New distribution data are given: D. armeniacusN Iran (excluded from faunistic lists of Armenia, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey); D. crenulatus (Mntris, 1832)Turkey, Transcaucasia, the North Caucasus (Russia: Dagestan, Chechen Republic), N Iran, Turkmenistan (new record for the country); D. leonhardiNE Iran, S Turkmenistan; D. matthewsi Nabozhenko sp. n.W Iran (Zagros); D. transcaspicus Brancsik, 1899S Turkmenistan (Kopetdag); D. vagabundus vagabundus Reitter, 1904N Iran, S Turkmenistan (Kopetdag). Two species must be excluded from Iranian faunistic list: D. simplexTurkey, Syria, Iraq; D. extensus (Faldermann, 1837)Georgia, Armenia, W Azerbaijan, Turkey (new record for the country). Well-illustrated keys to males and females of Iranian and Turkmenian species of the genus are given.

Nutritional Characterization of Street Food in Urban Turkmenistan, Central Asia.

Objective: Describing the availability and nutritional composition of the most commonly available street foods in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Methods: One hundred sixty-one street food vending sites (six public markets) were assessed, through a collection of data on vending sites' characteristics and food availability, and samples of commonly available foods (21 homemade; 11 industrial), for chemical analysis. Results: Fruit, beverages, and food other than fruit were available in 6.8, 29.2, and 91.9% of all vending sites, respectively. Regarding the latter, 52.7% of the vending sites sold only homemade products (main dishes, snacks, cakes, biscuits and pastries, bread, ice-cream chocolate and confectionery, savory pastries and sandwiches), 37.2% only industrial (ice-cream, chocolate and confectionery, cakes, biscuits and pastries, snacks, bread and savory pastries) and 10.1% both. Homemade foods presented significantly higher total fat [homemade 11.6 g (range 6.6-19.4 g); industrial 6.2 g (range 4.0-8.6 g), p = 0.001], monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and trans-fat, and sodium and potassium content per serving. Industrial wafers presented the highest mean saturated (11.8 g/serving) and trans-fat (2.32 g/serving) content. Homemade hamburgers presented the highest mean sodium content (1889 mg/serving). Conclusions: Strategies to encourage the production and sales of healthier street foods, especially homemade, are needed to promote healthier urban food environments in urban Turkmenistan.

Potential of Landsat 8 OLI for mapping and monitoring of soil salinity in an arid region: A case study in Dushak, Turkmenistan.

Soil salinity is the most common land degradation agent that impairs soil functions, ecosystem services and negatively affects agricultural production in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Therefore, reliable methods are needed to estimate spatial distribution of soil salinity for the management, remediation, monitoring and utilization of saline soils. This study investigated the potential of Landsat 8 OLI satellite data and vegetation, soil salinity and moisture indices in estimating surface salinity of 1014.6 ha agricultural land located in Dushak, Turkmenistan. Linear regression model was developed between land measurements and remotely sensed indicators. A systematic regular grid-sampling method was used to collect 50 soil samples from 0-20 cm depth. Sixteen indices were extracted from Landsat-8 OLI satellite images. Simple and multivariate regression models were developed between the measured electrical conductivity values and the remotely sensed indicators. The highest correlation between remote sensing indicators and soil EC values in determining soil salinity was calculated in SAVI index (r = 0.54). The reliability indicated by R2 value (0.29) of regression model developed with the SAVI index was low. Therefore, new model was developed by selecting the indicators that can be included in the multiple regression model from the remote sensing indicators. A significant (r = 0.74) correlation was obtained between the multivariate regression model and soil EC values, and salinity was successfully mapped at a moderate level (R2: 0.55). The classification of the salinity map showed that 21.71% of the field was non-saline, 29.78% slightly saline, 31.40% moderately saline, 15.25% strongly saline and 1.44% very strongly. The results revealed that multivariate regression models with the help of Landsat 8 OLI satellite images and indices obtained from the images can be used for modeling and mapping soil salinity of small-scale lands.

Delineating reclamation zones for site-specific reclamation of saline-sodic soils in Dushak, Turkmenistan.

Soil salinization is the widespread problem seriously affecting the agricultural sustainability and causing income losses in arid regions. The major objective of the study was to quantify and map the spatial variability of soil salinity and sodicity. Determining salinity and sodicity variability in different soil layers was the second objective. Finally, proposing an approach for delineating different salinity and sodicity zones was the third objective. The study was carried out in 871.1 ha farmland in Southeast of Dushak town of Ahal Province, Turkmenistan. Soil properties, including electrical conductivity (EC), soil reaction (pH), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), calcium carbonate and particle size distribution (clay, silt and sand fractions) in 0-30, 30-60, 60-90 and 90-120 cm soil layers were recorded. The EC values in different soil layers indicated serious soil salinization problem in the study area. The mean EC values in 0-90 cm depth were high (8 dS m-1), classifying the soils as moderate to strongly saline. Spatial dependence calculated by the nugget to sill ratio indicated a strong spatial autocorrelation. The elevation was the primary factor affecting spatial variation of soil salinity in the study area. The reclamation of the field can be planned based on three distinct areas, i.e., high (≥12 dS m-1), moderate (12-8 dS m-1) and low (<8 dS m-1) EC values. The spatial trend analyses of SAR values revealed similar patterns for EC and pH; both of which gradually decreased from north to the south-west. The amount of water needed to leach down the salts from 60 cm of soil profile is between 56.4-150.0 ton ha-1 and the average leaching water was 89.8 tons ha-1. The application of leaching water based on the amount of average leaching water will result in higher or lower leaching water application to most locations and the efficiency of the reclamation efforts will be low. Similar results were recorded for sulfur, sulfuric acid and gypsum requirements to remediate sodicity. The results concluded that the best management strategy in planning land development and reclamation schemes for saline and sodic soils require accurate information about the spatial distribution of salinity and sodicity across the target area.

New Data on Comparative Cytogenetics of the Mouse-Like Hamsters (Calomyscus Thomas, 1905) from Iran and Turkmenistan.

The taxonomy of the genus Calomyscus remains controversial. According to the latest systematics the genus includes eight species with great karyotypic variation. Here, we studied karyotypes of 14 Calomyscus individuals from different regions of Iran and Turkmenistan using a new set of chromosome painting probes from a Calomyscus sp. male (2n = 46, XY; Shahr-e-Kord-Soreshjan-Cheshme Maiak Province). We showed the retention of large syntenic blocks in karyotypes of individuals with identical chromosome numbers. The only rearrangement (fusion 2/21) differentiated Calomyscus elburzensis, Calomyscus mystax mystax, and Calomyscus sp. from Isfahan Province with 2n = 44 from karyotypes of C. bailwardi, Calomyscus sp. from Shahr-e-Kord, Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari-Aloni, and Khuzestan-Izeh Provinces with 2n = 46. The individuals from Shahdad tunnel, Kerman Province with 2n = 51-52 demonstrated non-centric fissions of chromosomes 4, 5, and 6 of the 46-chromosomal form with the formation of separate small acrocentrics. A heteromorphic pair of chromosomes in a specimen with 2n = 51 resulted from a fusion of two autosomes. C-banding and chromomycin A3-DAPI staining after G-banding showed extensive heterochromatin variation between individuals.

Predicting range shifts of three endangered endemic plants of the Khorassan-Kopet Dagh floristic province under global change.

Endemic plants of the Khorassan-Kopet Dagh (KK) floristic province in northeastern Iran, southern Turkmenistan, and northwestern Afghanistan are often rare and range-restricted. Because of these ranges, plants in the KK are vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Species distribution modelling (SDM) can be used to assess the vulnerability of species under climate change. Here, we evaluated range size changes for three (critically) endangered endemic species that grow at various elevations (Nepeta binaloudensis, Phlomoides binaludensis, and Euphorbia ferdowsiana) using species distribution modelling. Using the HadGEM2-ES general circulation model and two Representative Concentration Pathways Scenarios (RCP 2.6 and RCP 8.5), we predicted potential current and future (2050 and 2070) suitable habitats for each species. The ensemble model of nine algorithms was used to perform this prediction. Our results indicate that while two of species investigated would benefit from range expansion in the future, P. binaludensis will experience range contraction. The range of E. ferdowsiana will remain limited to the Binalood mountains, but the other species will have suitable habitats in mountain ranges across the KK. Using management efforts (such as fencing) with a focus on providing elevational migration routes at local scales in the KK is necessary to conserve these species. Additionally, assisted migration among different mountains in the KK would be beneficial to conserve these plants. For E. ferdowsiana, genetic diversity storage employing seed banks and botanical garden preservation should be considered.

Widespread collapse, glimpses of revival: a scoping review of mental health policy and service development in Central Asia.

PURPOSE: We aimed to map evidence on the development of mental health care in Central Asia after 1991. METHOD: We conducted a scoping review complemented by an expert review. We searched five databases for peer-reviewed journal articles and conducted grey literature searching. The reference lists of included articles were screened for additional relevant publications. RESULTS: We included 53 articles (Kazakhstan: 13, Kyrgyzstan: 14, Tajikistan: 10, Uzbekistan: 9, Turkmenistan: 2, Multinational: 5). Only 9 were published in internationally recognised journals. In the 1990's mental health services collapsed following a sharp decline in funding, and historically popular folk services re-emerged as an alternative. Currently, modernised mental health policies exist but remain largely unimplemented due to lack of investment and low prioritisation by governments. Psychiatric treatment is still concentrated in hospitals, and community-based and psycho-social services are almost entirely unavailable. Stigma is reportedly high throughout the region, psychiatric myths are widespread, and societal awareness of human rights is low. With the exception of Kyrgyzstan, user involvement is virtually absent. After many years of stagnation, however, political interest in mental health is beginning to show, along with some promising service developments. CONCLUSIONS: There is a substantial knowledge gap in the region. Informed decision-making and collaboration with stakeholders is necessary to facilitate future reform implementation.

Description of Dysdera zonsteini n. sp. (Arachnida: Araneae: Dysderidae) from Turkmenistan.

A new species of Dysdera Latreille, 1804 is described from the South-Western Kopet Dagh, Turkmenistan, on the basis of both sexes. The species is compared to its closest congener Dysdera kronebergi Dunin, 1992, and tentatively assigned to the D. asiatica species-group.

'Burning Violin': The Medically Important Spider Genus Loxosceles (Araneae: Sicariidae) in Iran, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan, With Two New Species.

The taxonomic status of the medically important spider genus Loxosceles Heineken et Lowe, 1832 (Sicariidae) in Iran, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan is revised. Two species are described as new to science: Loxosceles coheni sp. n. (♂♀, southwestern Iran) and Loxosceles turanensis sp. n. (♂♀, southern Turkmenistan and eastern Iran). Additionally, Loxosceles alicea Gertsch, 1967 syn. n. (♀, Peru) is synonymized with Loxosceles rufescens (Dufour, 1820). The local distribution of all treated species is mapped (including several new records), and reported cases of loxoscelism from this region are briefly reviewed.

Climate change influences on the potential distribution of Dianthus polylepis Bien. ex Boiss. (Caryophyllaceae), an endemic species in the Irano-Turanian region.

Endemic and restricted-range species are considered to be particularly vulnerable to the effects of environmental change, which makes assessing likely climate change effects on geographic distributions of such species important to the development of integrated conservation strategies. Here, we determined distributional patterns for an endemic species of Dianthus (Dianthus polylepis) in the Irano-Turanian region using a maximum-entropy algorithm. In total, 70 occurrence points and 19 climatic variables were used to estimate the potential distributional area under current conditions and two future representative concentration pathway (RCP2.6 and RCP8.5) scenarios under seven general circulation models for 2050. Mean diurnal range, iso-thermality, minimum temperature of coldest quarter, and annual precipitation were major factors that appeared to structure the distribution of the species. Most current potential suitable areas were located in montane regions. Model transfers to future-climate scenarios displayed upward shifts in elevation and northward shifts geographically for the species. Our results can be used to define high-priority areas in the Irano-Turanian region for conservation management plans for this species and can offer a template for analyses of other endangered and threatened species in the region.

Beliefs Regarding Waterpipe Smoking Among Iranian Men of Turkmen Ethnicity: A qualitative study conducted in Golestan Province.

OBJECTIVES: Waterpipe or hookah smoking has grown considerably in popularity over the past two decades; however, consumers often have misconceptions regarding this practice. This study aimed to determine common beliefs related to waterpipe smoking among Turkmen in Iran. METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted between February and June 2018 in Golestan Province, Iran, utilising data from a previously published study. A total of 26 male Turkmen waterpipe smokers of different ages, occupations and education levels underwent in-depth semi-structured interviews. A content analysis of beliefs regarding waterpipe smoking was performed. RESULTS: Five categories of beliefs were extracted during the content analysis, including beliefs related to addiction, health-related beliefs, preferential beliefs for waterpipe versus cigarette smoking, beliefs related to the social function of waterpipe smoking and beliefs attributed to waterpipe smoking. Several misconceptions were identified, including the idea that waterpipe smoking was not addictive, prevented the use of other more dangerous drugs (i.e. cannabis and opium) and was not as harmful as cigarette smoking. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that Turkmen in Iran hold several misconceptions regarding the use of waterpipe smoking. Educational programmes are essential to correct such misconceptions and to control the prevalence of this habit in Iran.

Shimazuella alba sp. nov. isolated from desert soil and emended description of the genus Shimazuella Park et al. 2007.

A novel, Gram-stain-positive bacterium, designated KC615T, was isolated from desert soil which was collected from the Karakum Desert, Turkmenistan. Phylogenetic analysis based on an almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that isolate KC615T formed a monophyletic clade with Shimazuella kribbensis KCTC 9933T, sharing 98.2% similarity and polyphasic taxonomic studies confirmed the affiliation of the strain to the genus Shimazuella. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. Whole-cell hydrolysates contained ribose and glucose. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and hydroxy-phosphatidylethanolamine. The predominant menaquinones (> 10%) were MK-9(H4) and MK-10(H4). Major fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0, C20:0 and C18:0. The genomic DNA G + C content observed for strain KC615T was 38.5 mol%. Based on 16S rRNA gene similarity, DNA-DNA hybridization value, chemotaxonomic characteristics and differential physiological properties, strain KC615T is considered to represent a novel species within the genus Shimazuella, for which the name Shimazuella alba sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KC615T (= JCM 33532T = CGMCC 4.7616T).

Genome-based classification of three novel actinobacteria from the Karakum Desert: Jiangella asiatica sp. nov., Jiangella aurantiaca sp. nov. and Jiangella ureilytica sp. nov.

Three isolates, 5K138T, 8K307T and KC603T, with typical morphological characteristics of members of the genus Jiangella were obtained during a study searching for novel actinobacteria with biosynthetic potential from the Karakum Desert. A polyphasic approach was adopted to determine taxonomic affiliations of the strains. The strains showed chemotaxonomic properties consistent with their classification as representing members of the genus Jiangella such as ll-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall peptidoglycan, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol as major polar lipids as well as MK-9(H4) as a major menaquinone. Pairwise sequence comparisons of the 16S rRNA genes showed that the strains were closely related to Jiangella alba DSM 45237T, Jiangella rhizosphaerae NEAU-YY265T and Jiangella mangrovi 3SM4-07T with higher than 99 % sequence identities. However, a combination of phenotypic and phylogenetic approaches as well as genome-based comparative analyses confirmed the taxonomic positions of these strains as representing distinct species within the genus Jiangella. Therefore, strains 5K138T, 8K307T and KC603T should each be classified as representing a novel species within the genus Jiangella, for which the names Jiangella asiatica sp. nov., Jiangella aurantiaca sp. nov. and Jiangella ureilytica sp. nov. are proposed, respectively. The type strains of the proposed novel species are as follows: Jiangella asiatica 5K138T (=JCM 33518T=CGMCC 4.7672T), Jiangella aurantiaca 8K307T (=JCM 33519T=CGMCC 4.7621T) and Jiangella ureilytica KC603T (=JCM 33520T=CGMCC 4.7618T).

Streptomyces cahuitamycinicus sp. nov., isolated from desert soil and reclassification of Streptomyces galilaeus as a later heterotypic synonym of Streptomyces bobili.

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated 13K301T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from the Karakum Desert, Turkmenistan. The taxonomic position of strain 13K301T was revealed by using a polyphasic approach. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain 13K301T belongs to the genus Streptomyces and had highest sequence similarity to 'Streptomyces qaidamensis' S10T (99.2 %), Streptomyces flavovariabilis NRRL B-16367T (98.9 %) and Streptomyces phaeoluteigriseus DSM 41896T (98.8 %), but the strain formed a distinct clade in the phylogenetic tree. The DNA-DNA relatedness and average nucleotide identity values as well as evolutionary distances based on multilocus (atpD, gyrB, recA, rpoB and trpB) sequences between strain 13K301T and closely related type strains were significantly lower than the recommended threshold values. The cell wall contained ll-diaminopimelic acid and the whole-cell hydrolysates were glucose and ribose. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol were determined as the predominant polar lipids. The major menaquinones were identified as MK-9(H8) and MK-9(H6). On the basis of these genotypic and phenotypic data, it is proposed that strain 13K301T should be classified as representative of a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces cahuitamycinicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 13K301T (=DSM 106873T=KCTC 49110T). In addition, the whole genome-based comparisons as well as the multilocus sequence analysis revealed that the type strains of Streptomyces galilaeus and Streptomyces bobili belong to a single species. It is, therefore, proposed that S. galilaeus be recognised as a heterotypic synonym of S. bobili for which an emended description is given.

Micromonospora deserti sp. nov., isolated from the Karakum Desert.

An isolate, 13K206T, with typical morphological characteristics of the genus Micromonospora was obtained during a study searching for novel actinobacteria with biosynthetic potential from the Karakum Desert. A polyphasic approach was adopted to determine taxonomic affiliation of the strain. The strain showed chemotaxonomical properties consistent with its classification in the genus Micromonospora such as meso- and 3-OH-A2pm in the cell-wall peptidoglycan, xylose in whole-cell hydrolysate and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol as major polar lipids. The results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the strain was closely related to 'Micromonospora spongicola' S3-1T, Micromonospora nigra DSM 43818T and Micromonospora yasonensis DS3186T with sequence similarities of 98.6, 98.5 and 98.4 %, respectively. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity analyses in addition to gyrB gene analysis confirmed the assignment of the strain to a novel species within the genus Micromonospora for which the name Micromonospora deserti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 13K206T (=JCM 32583T=DSM 107532T). The DNA G+C content of the type strain is 72.4 mol%.