Ore-forming Сonditions of the Blagodat Gold Deposit in the Riphean Metamorphic Rocks of the Yenisey Ridge According to Geochemical and Isotopic Data

Neodymium and strontium isotopic composition and rare earth elements (REE) distribution pattern have been determined in whole rocks and minerals were separated from host metamorphic rocks and disseminated sulfide ores of the Blagodat gold deposit. Isotopic data are given to construct few isochrones that could be reflected an age of main stages of metamorphic and metasomatic alteration in rocks varieties during a successive accumulation of gold in structural traps. The significant temporal range in the forming of the studied rocks can be interpreted as an evidence of multi-stage tectonic destruction accompanying with trust-folding processes, shear deformations and development of local fracture zones that had place from the Late Riphean to Middle Paleozoic time. According to isotopic data basic ore-forming processes were realized in the relatively narrow interval from 690 to 750 Ma that correspond to a beginning of continental rifting on the western margin of Siberian craton. Chemistry and trace element distribution are closed for host and auriferous schists and mainly showed differences in the composition initial sedimentary units. The middle negative value εNd (from -14 to -16) and very high positive value εSr (from +570 to +725) are mostly corresponded to that of upper continental crust matter. The role of synchronic granite intrusions in the studied area can be only estimated due to a generation of thermal energy and crustal fluids

Ore-forming Сonditions of the Blagodat Gold Deposit in the Riphean Metamorphic Rocks of the Yenisey Ridge According to Geochemical and Isotopic Data

Neodymium and strontium isotopic composition and rare earth elements (REE) distribution pattern have been determined in whole rocks and minerals were separated from host metamorphic rocks and disseminated sulfide ores of the Blagodat gold deposit. Isotopic data are given to construct few isochrones that could be reflected an age of main stages of metamorphic and metasomatic alteration in rocks varieties during a successive accumulation of gold in structural traps. The significant temporal range in the forming of the studied rocks can be interpreted as an evidence of multi-stage tectonic destruction accompanying with trust-folding processes, shear deformations and development of local fracture zones that had place from the Late Riphean to Middle Paleozoic time. According to isotopic data basic ore-forming processes were realized in the relatively narrow interval from 690 to 750 Ma that correspond to a beginning of continental rifting on the western margin of Siberian craton. Chemistry and trace element distribution are closed for host and auriferous schists and mainly showed differences in the composition initial sedimentary units. The middle negative value εNd (from -14 to -16) and very high positive value εSr (from +570 to +725) are mostly corresponded to that of upper continental crust matter. The role of synchronic granite intrusions in the studied area can be only estimated due to a generation of thermal energy and crustal fluids

A Comparison of the Sensititre MycoTB Plate, the Bactec MGIT 960, and a Microarray-Based Molecular Assay for the Detection of Drug Resistance in Clinical <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> Isolates in Moscow, Russia

<div><p>Background</p><p>The goal of this study was to compare the consistency of three assays for the determination of the drug resistance of <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> (MTB) strains with various resistance profiles isolated from the Moscow region.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A total of 144 MTB clinical isolates with a strong bias toward drug resistance were examined using Bactec MGIT 960, Sensititre MycoTB, and a microarray-based molecular assay TB-TEST to detect substitutions in the <i>rpoB</i>, <i>katG</i>, <i>inhA</i>, <i>ahpC</i>, <i>gyrA</i>, <i>gyrB</i>, <i>rrs</i>, <i>eis</i>, and <i>embB</i> genes that are associated with resistance to rifampin, isoniazid, fluoroquinolones, second-line injectable drugs and ethambutol.</p><p>Results</p><p>The average correlation for the identification of resistant and susceptible isolates using the three methods was approximately 94%. An association of mutations detected with variable resistance levels was shown. We propose a change in the breakpoint minimal inhibitory concentration for kanamycin to less than 5 μg/ml in the Sensititre MycoTB system. A pairwise comparison of the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of two different drugs revealed an increased correlation in the first-line drug group and a partial correlation in the second-line drug group, reflecting the history of the preferential simultaneous use of drugs from these groups. An increased correlation with the MICs was also observed for drugs sharing common resistance mechanisms.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>The quantitative measures of phenotypic drug resistance produced by the Sensititre MycoTB and the timely detection of mutations using the TB-TEST assay provide guidance for clinicians for the choice of the appropriate drug regimen.</p></div

MIC distributions of the clinical isolates characterized using the MGIT and TB-TEST assays.

<p>Resistant and susceptible isolates based on the MGIT results are indicated by the red and green lines, respectively. The light-red and light-green bars represent the numbers of resistant and susceptible isolates with mutations detected by the TB-TEST. The MGIT was not performed for rifabutin (RFB); therefore, only the distributions of all isolates and the isolates with mutations are shown.</p

MICs based on the comparison of the MycoTB plate and MGIT 960 results.

<p>MICs based on the comparison of the MycoTB plate and MGIT 960 results.</p

Patterns of HIV-1 drug resistance among HIV-infected patients receiving first-line antiretroviral therapy in Novosibirsk Region, Russia

ABSTRACT: Objectives: Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs have played a vital role in controlling the HIV-1 epidemic; however, some challenges remain. ARV drugs vary in their ability to control HIV infection, displaying differences in treatment-limiting factors and genetic barriers to resistance. The current report assesses the prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance mutations (DRMs) among patients who failed first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) and evaluates the genetic barrier of different regimens. Methods: The study cohort (n = 271) included HIV-infected individuals who visited the Novosibirsk, Russia, HIV/AIDS clinic in 2018–2022. All patients received first-line ART prior to virological failure. Sociodemographic and HIV-related data were collected from medical records and self-reported questionnaires. HIV-1 pol gene sequences were generated, and the presence of HIV-1 DRM was assessed. The genetic barrier to resistance was assessed by combining treatment regimen and adherence data. Results: Nonoptimal ART adherence was identified in 48.3% of patients and correlated with male sex, PWID, unemployment, and rural area residence. Most of the patients with high-level adherence were identified among those who were on TDF+3TC+DTG. HIV-1 DRMs were identified in 54.6% of the patients. The analysis of HIV-1 DRM, ART regimen, and adherence data classified TDF+3TC+DTG and TDF+3TC+LPV/r as treatment regimens with a high genetic barrier, whereas EFV-containing ART was classified as a regimen with a low genetic barrier. Conclusions: The current study delivers results on the efficacy of HIV-1 ART and treatment adherence in real-world practice settings. This report suggests that ART regimens with a high genetic barrier to resistance combined with improved treatment adherence may reduce the transmission of HIV-1 resistant variants

New Generation of Compositional Aquivion&reg;-Type Membranes with Nanodiamonds for Hydrogen Fuel Cells: Design and Performance

Compositional proton-conducting membranes based on perfluorinated Aquivion&reg;-type copolymers modified by detonation nanodiamonds (DND) with positively charged surfaces were prepared to improve the performance of hydrogen fuel cells. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments demonstrated the fine structure in such membranes filled with DND (0&ndash;5 wt.%), where the conducting channels typical for Aquivion&reg; membranes are mostly preserved while DND particles (4&ndash;5 nm in size) decorated the polymer domains on a submicron scale, according to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) data. With the increase in DND content (0, 0.5, and 2.6 wt.%) the thermogravimetric analysis, potentiometry, potentiodynamic, and potentiotatic curves showed a stabilizing effect of the DNDs on the operational characteristics of the membranes. Membrane&ndash;electrode assemblies (MEA), working in the O2/H2 system with the membranes of different compositions, demonstrated improved functional properties of the modified membranes, such as larger operational stability, lower proton resistance, and higher current densities at elevated temperatures in the extended temperature range (22&ndash;120 &deg;C) compared to pure membranes without additives