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Background Since the 90s' E.multilocularis infection in foxes is rising and central-eastern European countries had seen first Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) human cases. AE is considered to be a very rare disease in Europe with average incidences of 0.03-0.20/100,000 inhabitants/year. Because of a suitable orography, this study aims to confirm whether there are human AE cases in Armenia, identify areas at risk, and also estimate AE annual incidence. Methods Retrospective AE case finding was carried out at main 6 multi-profile medical centers equipped with the most innovative diagnostic means. The medical records of all patients with liver surgery admitted between January 2008 and June 2020 were reviewed. A specific form was developed in EpiInfo v. 7.2. Annual national incidence was estimated using population denominators provided by the National Institute of Statistics (the population of Armenia is estimated at 2 963 243 people). Results From September 2019 until June 2020, overall 11 AE cases have been identified. All patients were diagnosed at advanced stages, with subsequent poor prognosis and costly treatment. Confirmation was based on tissue biopsy results. Age ranged from 19-59 years with a median of 39yrs. E. multilocularis was detected in rural communities, mostly in the Gegharkunik region (6 cases, 55%). Annual average incidence of AE was 0.033 varying between 0.032 in 2008 and 0.1 in 2017. For comparison with Armenia, an annual incidence in France was 0.026/100,000 in 2008 (the population of France is estimated at 65 273 511 people). Conclusions All cases were not notified by the surveillance system and the real prevalence of AE in the country is unknown. This young age could indicate widespread of infection in animals. Therefore, the burden of AE disease is difficult to estimate. The surveillance system in Armenia can be improved by the development of national guidelines for the prospective registry, AE awareness campaigns. Key messages First-time identification of human AE in Armenia calls for implementation of surveillance with a case definition and registry of all cases. AE is an emerging, and so far silent threat in Armenia.

BACKGROUND The Republic of Armenia was 1 of the 2 earliest countries in the Newly Independent States to introduce rotavirus vaccine into its national immunization program to reduce the burden of rotavirus disease (documented to cause 38% of acute gastroenteritis hospitalizations [AGE] among children aged

Vavilovia formosa is a relict, endangered species from the highlands of the Caucasus and the Near East. Described in 1812, it has had an uncertain status and was finally recognized as a separate genus of tribe Fabeae (Fabaceae). Our informal international group was established in 2007 to revive the interest in this species as it had been seriously neglected for decades. Here, we provide an overview of the accumulated knowledge on V. formosa and present the results of the most recent multidisciplinary research. Three expeditions were made to two locations in Armenia in 2009, providing the material for anatomical, morphological, chemical and molecular analysis. Unlike previous attempts, ex situ conservation in Yerevan and in vitro propagation, important for potential interspecific hybridization, were successful. Molecular tools were used to clarify the taxonomic position of V. formosa, often considered the closest to the extinct ancestor of the whole tribe. The analysis of four informative regions of plastid and nuclear DNA showed that V. formosa belongs to the same clade as Lathyrus and Pisum, with a distinct status. Preservation and maintenance of V. formosa remains the only basis for further development of all other scientific aspects, especially breeding and uses in agronomy. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 172, 524–531.

According to recent estimates, the continental mid-crust contains 35–40 per cent amphibolites. Heating of the crust by an underlying mantle plume, for example beneath continental rifts, high plateaus, and areas of intraplate volcanic activity, releases water. Dehydration of amphibole-bearing rocks at depths of 20–40 km occurs mainly in the temperature range 650–700 °C, and this releases about 0.4 wt per cent of water. Seismic tomography studies of the crust in the Kirgyz Tien Shan Range, where the age of the tectonic activity is less than 30 Ma, revealed a low-velocity zone in the mid-crust. The velocity of P waves was 0.4 km s−1 lower than in normal crust. MT sounding data in the region show the existence of a low-resistivity layer with an average resistivity of about 25 Ω m at the depth of the low-velocity layer. The spatial correlation of the observed anomalous layers and calculated effect of fluid phase on seismic and electric parameters of rocks suggests the presence of aqueous fluids released by the heating of the mid-crust.