bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Copper–Gold Skarn Mineralization at the Karavansalija Ore Zone, Rogozna Mountain, Southwestern Serbia
Authors: Budinov Zhivko D. , Yonezu Kotaro , Tindell Thomas , Gabo‐Ratio Jillian Aira , Milutinovic Stanoje , Boyce Adrian J. , Watanabe Koichiro 
Published: September 2015

AbstractKaravansalija ore zone is situated in the Serbian part of the Serbo‐Macedonian magmatic and metallogenic belt. The Cu–Au mineralization is hosted mainly by garnet–pyroxene–epidote skarns and shifts to lesser presence towards the nearby quartz–epidotized rocks and the overlying volcanic tuffs. Within the epidosites the sulfide mineralogy is represented by disseminated cobalt‐nickel sulfides from the gersdorfite‐krutovite mineral series and cobaltite, and pyrite–marcasite–chalcopyrite–base metal aggregates. The skarn sulfide mineralization is characterized by chalcopyrite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, bismuth‐phases (bismuthinite and cosalite), arsenopyrite, gersdorffite, and sphalerite. The sulfides can be observed in several types of massive aggregates, depending on the predominant sulfide phases: pyrrhotite‐chalcopyrite aggregates with lesser amount of arsenopyrite and traces of sphalerite, arsenopyrite–bismuthinite–cosalite aggregates with subordinate sphalerite and sphalerite veins with bismuthinite, pyrite and arsenopyrite. In the overlying volcanoclastics, the studied sulfide mineralization is represented mainly by arsenopyrite aggregates with subordinate amounts of pyrite and chalcopyrite. Gold is present rarely as visible aggregate of native gold and also as invisible element included in arsenopyrite. The fluid inclusion microthermometry data suggest homogenization temperature in the range of roughly 150–400°C. Salinities vary in the ranges of 0.5–8.5 wt% NaCl eq for two‐phase low density fluid inclusions and 15–41 wt% NaCl eq for two‐phase high‐salinity and three‐phase high‐salinity fluid inclusions. The broad range of salinity values and the different types of fluid inclusions co‐existing in the same crystals suggest that at least two fluids with different salinities contributed to the formation of the Cu–Au mineralization. Geothermometry, based on EPMA data of arsenopyrite co‐existing with pyrite and pyrrhotite, suggests a temperature range of 240–360°C for the formation of the arsenopyrite, which overlaps well with the data for the formation temperature obtained through fluid inclusion microthermometry. The sulfur isotope data on arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, pyrite and marcasite from the different sulfide assemblages (ranging from 0.4‰ to +3.9‰ δ34SCDT with average of 2.29 δ34SCDT and standard deviation of 1.34 δ34SCDT) indicates a magmatic source of sulfur for all of the investigated phases. The narrow range of the data points to a common source for all of the investigated sulfides, regardless of the host rock and the paragenesis. The sulfur isotope data shows good overlap with that from nearby base‐metal deposits; therefore the Cu–Au mineralization and the emblematic base‐metal sulfide mineralization from this metallogenic belt likely share same fluid source.
Integration of ASTER and landsat TM remote sensing data for chromite prospecting and lithological mapping in Neyriz ophiolite zone, south Iran
Authors: Eslami Alireza , Ghaderi Majid , Rajendran Sankaran , Pour Amin Beiranvand , Hashim Mazlan 
Published: September 2015

AbstractChromite deposits in Iran are located in the ophiolite complexes, which have mostly podiform types and irregular in their settings. Exploration for podiform chromite deposits associated with ophiolite complexes has been a challenge for the prospectors due to tectonic disturbance and their distribution patterns. Most of Iranian ophiolitic zones are located in mountainous and inaccessible regions. Remote sensing approach could be applicable tool for choromite prospecting in Iranian ophiolitic zones with intensely rugged topography, where systematic sampling and conventional geological mapping are limited. In this study, Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) satellite data were used for chromite prospecting and lithological mapping in the Neyriz ophiolitic zone in the south of Iran. Image transformation techniques, namely decorrelation stretch, band ratio and principal component analysis (PCA) were applied to Landsat TM and ASTER data sets for lithological mapping at regional scale. The RGB decorrelated image of Landsat TM spectral bands 7, 5, and 4, and the principal components PC1, PC2 and PC3 image of ASTER SWIR spectral bands efficiently showed the occurrence of major lithological units in the study area at regional scale. The band ratios of 5/3, 5/1, 7/5 applied on ASTER VNIR‐SWIR bands were very useful for discriminating most of rock units in the study area and delineation of the transition zone and mantle harzburgite in the Neyriz ophiolitic complex. Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) technique was implemented to ASTER VNIR‐SWIR spectral bands for detecting minerals of rock units and especially delineation of the transition zone and mantle harzburgite as potential zones with high chromite mineralization in the Neyriz ophiolitic complex. The integration of information extracted from the image processing algorithms used in this study mapped most of lithological units of the Neyriz ophiolitic complex and identified potential areas of high chromite mineralization (transition zone and mantle harzburgite) for chromite prospecting targets in the future. Furthermore, image processing results were verified by comprehensive fieldwork and laboratory analysis in the study area. Accordingly, result of this investigation indicate that the integration of information extracted from the image processing algorithms using Landsat TM and ASTER data sets could be broadly applicable tool for chromite prospecting and lithological mapping in mountainous and inaccessible regions such Iranian ophiolitic zones.
A Multistep Methodology for Building a Stochastic Model of Gold Grades in the Disseminated and Complex Deposit of Casas Novas in Alentejo, Southern Portugal
Authors: Vieira Matias Filipa , Almeida Jose Antonio , Chichorro Martim 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThis paper proposes a multistep approach for creating a 3D stochastic model of gold grades in a complex disseminated auriferous deposit located in the Alentejo region, southern Portugal. The approach involves the following steps: (i) the creation of a 3D low‐resolution vector object model of two geological domains that better discriminate gold grades; (ii) the definition of three intervals for gold grades (low, intermediate, and high values); (iii) the estimation of the probability of each grid block belonging to each interval constrained by the geological domains; (iv) the calculation of local conditional cumulative distribution functions (CCDFs) of gold grades, for each block, taking into account the geological domains and the borehole data; and finally (v) the simulation of images of gold grades. The results demonstrate the usefulness and accuracy of the proposed procedure, as they are in compliance with the conceptual model, the distribution laws are conditioned by the geological domains, and the transition of grades between domains is continuous.
Amber‐bearing Bed in a Shallow Marine Setting, an Example from the Lower Cretaceous Miyako Group, Northeastern Japan
Authors: Fujino Shigehiro 
Published: September 2015

AbstractA previously unknown amber‐bearing bed in the Lower Cretaceous Miyako Group, northeastern Japan, was deposited within a sequence that contains abundant marine macrofossils and wave‐generated sedimentary structures that suggest deposition in an open shallow marine environment. How the amber was transported from its terrestrial origin to the marine environment is unclear, but sedimentary gravity flow is a strong candidate. Our observations suggest that the occurrence of amber clasts in sediments deposited in open and closed shallow marine environments is not uncommon. Thus, in addition to terrestrial sediments, sediments of marine origin have potential as targets for amber exploration.
Insulin‐like growth factor I in cats: validation of an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and determination of biologic variation
Authors: Strage Emma M. , Theodorsson Elvar , Ström Holst Bodil , Lilliehöök Inger , Lewitt Moira S. 
Published: September 2015

BackgroundInsulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) measurements are used in veterinary medicine for diagnosing growth hormone disorders. IGF‐I assays are subject to interference by IGF‐binding proteins (IGFBP) which may not be efficiently removed by standard extraction methods. Adding excess IGF‐II during analysis may improve accuracy.ObjectivesThe purpose of the study was to validate a commercial human IGF‐I ELISA which uses excess IGF‐II for feline samples and to evaluate biologic variation.MethodsPrecision was determined by calculating the coefficient of variation (CV). Accuracy was determined by recovery after removal of IGFBP, addition of IGF‐I, and linear dilution after the addition of IGFBP. Biologic variation was determined by repeated sampling in 7 cats.ResultsThere was interference by IGFBP in the high measuring range, resulting in falsely low IGF‐I concentrations. This was overcome by the addition of high concentrations of IGF‐II. Untreated serum had a measured/expected ratio of 98–115% compared to serum where IGFBP had been removed. Recovery after the addition of IGF‐I was 83–112%. Inter‐ and intra‐assay CVs ranged from 2.4% to 5.0% which is within the minimum acceptance criteria based on biologic variation. The reference interval of IGF‐I was wide (90–1207 ng/mL) and there was a significant association between body weight and ln IGF‐I (P < .000001).ConclusionsThis human ELISA is suitable for feline samples, but interfering IGFBP can cause falsely low concentrations. It is recommended to dilute samples such that IGF‐I is < 28 ng/mL on the standard curve to grant for sufficient IGF‐II for binding of interferent IGFBP.
Cell Wall Recycling-Linked Coregulation of AmpC and PenB β-Lactamases through
ampD
Mutations in Burkholderia cenocepacia
Authors: Hwang Junghyun , Kim Heenam Stanley 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

In many Gram-negative pathogens, mutations in the key cell wall-recycling enzyme AmpD (N-acetyl-anhydromuramyl-
l
-alanine amidase) affect the activity of the regulator AmpR, which leads to the expression of AmpC β-lactamase, conferring resistance to expanded-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotics.
Burkholderia cepacia
complex (Bcc) species also have these Amp homologs; however, the regulatory circuitry and the nature of causal
ampD
mutations remain to be explored. A total of 92
ampD
mutants were obtained, representing four types of mutations: single nucleotide substitution (causing an amino acid substitution or antitermination of the enzyme), duplication, deletion, and IS element insertion. Duplication, which can go through reversion, was the most frequent type. Intriguingly, mutations in
ampD
led to the induction of two β-lactamases, AmpC and PenB. Coregulation of AmpC and PenB in
B. cenocepacia
, and likely also in many Bcc species with the same gene organization, poses a serious threat to human health. This resistance mechanism is of evolutionary optimization in that
ampD
is highly prone to mutations allowing rapid response to antibiotic challenge, and many of the mutations are reversible in order to resume cell wall recycling when the antibiotic challenge is relieved.
Genome Expression Profiling-Based Identification and Administration Efficacy of Host-Directed Antimicrobial Drugs against Respiratory Infection by Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae
Authors: Euba Begoña , Moleres Javier , Segura Víctor , Viadas Cristina , Morey Pau , Moranta David , Leiva José , de-Torres Juan Pablo , Bengoechea José Antonio , Garmendia Junkal 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

Therapies that are safe, effective, and not vulnerable to developing resistance are highly desirable to counteract bacterial infections. Host-directed therapeutics is an antimicrobial approach alternative to conventional antibiotics based on perturbing host pathways subverted by pathogens during their life cycle by using host-directed drugs. In this study, we identified and evaluated the efficacy of a panel of host-directed drugs against respiratory infection by nontypeable
Haemophilus influenzae
(NTHi). NTHi is an opportunistic pathogen that is an important cause of exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We screened for host genes differentially expressed upon infection by the clinical isolate NTHi375 by analyzing cell whole-genome expression profiling and identified a repertoire of host target candidates that were pharmacologically modulated. Based on the proposed relationship between NTHi intracellular location and persistence, we hypothesized that drugs perturbing host pathways used by NTHi to enter epithelial cells could have antimicrobial potential against NTHi infection. Interfering drugs were tested for their effects on bacterial and cellular viability, on NTHi-epithelial cell interplay, and on mouse pulmonary infection. Glucocorticoids and statins lacked
in vitro
and/or
in vivo
efficacy. Conversely, the sirtuin-1 activator resveratrol showed a bactericidal effect against NTHi, and the PDE4 inhibitor rolipram showed therapeutic efficacy by lowering NTHi375 counts intracellularly and in the lungs of infected mice. PDE4 inhibition is currently prescribed in COPD, and resveratrol is an attractive geroprotector for COPD treatment. Together, these results expand our knowledge of NTHi-triggered host subversion and frame the antimicrobial potential of rolipram and resveratrol against NTHi respiratory infection.
Cefepime Therapy for Monomicrobial Enterobacter cloacae Bacteremia: Unfavorable Outcomes in Patients Infected by Cefepime-Susceptible Dose-Dependent Isolates
Authors: Lee Nan-Yao , Lee Ching-Chi , Li Chia-Wen , Li Ming-Chi , Chen Po-Lin , Chang Chia-Ming , Ko Wen-Chien 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

A new category of cefepime susceptibility, susceptible dose dependent (SDD), for
Enterobacteriaceae
, has been suggested to maximize its clinical use. However, clinical evidence supporting such a therapeutic strategy is limited. A retrospective study of 305 adults with monomicrobial
Enterobacter cloacae
bacteremia at a medical center from 2008 to 2012 was conducted. The patients definitively treated with
in vitro
active cefepime (cases) were compared with those treated with a carbapenem (controls) to assess therapeutic effectiveness. The 30-day crude mortality rate is the primary endpoint, and clinical prognostic factors are assessed. Of 144 patients receiving definitive cefepime or carbapenem therapy, there were no significant differences in terms of age, sex, comorbidity, source of bacteremia, disease severity, or 30-day mortality (26.4% versus 22.2%;
P
= 0.7) among those treated with cefepime (
n
= 72) or a carbapenem (
n
= 72). In the multivariate analysis, the presence of critical illness, rapidly fatal underlying disease, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers, and cefepime-SDD (cefepime MIC, 4 to 8 μg/ml) isolates was independently associated with 30-day mortality. Moreover, those infected by cefepime-SDD isolates with definitive cefepime therapy had a higher mortality rate than those treated with a carbapenem (5/7 [71.4%], versus 2/11 [18.2%];
P
= 0.045). Cefepime is one of the therapeutic alternatives for cefepime-susceptible
E. cloacae
bacteremia but is inefficient for cases of cefepime-SDD
E. cloacae
bacteremia compared with carbapenem therapy.
Evaluation of the Rapidec Carba NP Test Kit for Detection of Carbapenemase-Producing Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Garg Atul , Garg Jaya , Upadhyay G. C. , Agarwal Anurag , Bhattacharjee Amitabha 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT
Recently, bioMérieux, France, introduced the Rapidec Carba NP test kit for rapid detection of carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacteria. This kit was evaluated in this study, and we report sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 92.6%, 96.2%, 95.83%, and 92.6%, respectively. The test was easy to perform and interpret and relatively inexpensive ($5/Rs 300 per test) and provides a practical solution for early detection of carbapenemase-producing, multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.
Chlamydial Plasmid-Encoded Virulence Factor Pgp3 Neutralizes the Antichlamydial Activity of Human Cathelicidin LL-37
Authors: Hou Shuping , Dong Xiaohua , Yang Zhangsheng , Li Zhongyu , Liu Quanzhong , Zhong Guangming 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACTChlamydia trachomatisinfection in the lower genital tract can ascend to and cause pathologies in the upper genital tract, potentially leading to severe complications, such as tubal infertility. However, chlamydial organisms depleted of plasmid or deficient in the plasmid-encoded Pgp3 are attenuated in ascending infection and no longer are able to induce the upper genital tract pathologies, indicating a significant role of Pgp3 in chlamydial pathogenesis. We now report thatC. trachomatisPgp3 can neutralize the antichlamydial activity of human cathelicidin LL-37, a host antimicrobial peptide secreted by both genital tract epithelial cells and infiltrating neutrophils. Pgp3 bound to and formed stable complexes with LL-37. We further showed that the middle region of Pgp3 (Pgp3m) was responsible for both the binding to and neutralization of LL-37, suggesting that Pgp3m can be targeted for attenuating chlamydial pathogenicity or developed for blocking LL-37-involved non-genital-tract pathologies, such as rosacea and psoriasis. Thus, the current study has provided significant information for both understanding the mechanisms of chlamydial pathogenesis and developing novel therapeutic agents.
Important Contribution of the Novel Locus
comEB
to Extracellular DNA-Dependent Staphylococcus lugdunensis Biofilm Formation
Authors: Rajendran Nithya Babu , Eikmeier Julian , Becker Karsten , Hussain Muzaffar , Peters Georg , Heilmann Christine 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

The coagulase-negative species
Staphylococcus lugdunensis
is an emerging cause of serious and potentially life-threatening infections, such as infective endocarditis. The pathogenesis of these infections is characterized by the ability of
S. lugdunensis
to form biofilms on either biotic or abiotic surfaces. To elucidate the genetic basis of biofilm formation in
S. lugdunensis
, we performed transposon (Tn
917
) mutagenesis. One mutant had a significantly reduced biofilm-forming capacity and carried a Tn
917
insertion within the competence gene
comEB
. Site-directed mutagenesis and subsequent complementation with a functional copy of
comEB
verified the importance of
comEB
in biofilm formation. In several bacterial species, natural competence stimulates DNA release via lysis-dependent or -independent mechanisms. Extracellular DNA (eDNA) has been demonstrated to be an important structural component of many bacterial biofilms. Therefore, we quantified the eDNA in the biofilms and found diminished eDNA amounts in the
comEB
mutant biofilm. High-resolution images and three-dimensional data obtained via confocal laser scanning microscopy (CSLM) visualized the impact of the
comEB
mutation on biofilm integrity. The
comEB
mutant did not show reduced expression of autolysin genes, decreased autolytic activities, or increased cell viability, suggesting a cell lysis-independent mechanism of DNA release. Furthermore, reduced amounts of eDNA in the
comEB
mutant biofilms did not result from elevated levels or activity of the
S. lugdunensis
thermonuclease NucI. In conclusion, we defined here, for the first time, a role for the competence gene
comEB
in staphylococcal biofilm formation. Our findings indicate that
comEB
stimulates biofilm formation via a lysis-independent mechanism of DNA release.
The Majority of 9,729 Group A Streptococcus Strains Causing Disease Secrete SpeB Cysteine Protease: Pathogenesis Implications
Authors: Olsen Randall J. , Raghuram Anjali , Cantu Concepcion , Hartman Meredith H. , Jimenez Francisco E. , Lee Susan , Ngo Ashley , Rice Kelsey A. , Saddington Deborah , Spillman Hannaka , Valson Chandni , Flores Anthony R. , Beres Stephen B. , Long S. Wesley , Nasser Waleed , Musser James M. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT
Group A streptococcus (GAS), the causative agent of pharyngitis and necrotizing fasciitis, secretes the potent cysteine protease SpeB. Several lines of evidence suggest that SpeB is an important virulence factor. SpeB is expressed in human infections, protects mice from lethal challenge when used as a vaccine, and contributes significantly to tissue destruction and dissemination in animal models. However, recent descriptions of mutations in genes implicated in SpeB production have led to the idea that GAS may be under selective pressure to decrease secreted SpeB protease activity during infection. Thus, two divergent hypotheses have been proposed. One postulates that SpeB is a key contributor to pathogenesis; the other, that GAS is under selection to decrease SpeB during infection. In order to distinguish between these alternative hypotheses, we performed casein hydrolysis assays to measure the SpeB protease activity secreted by 6,775 GAS strains recovered from infected humans. The results demonstrated that 84.3% of the strains have a wild-type SpeB protease phenotype. The availability of whole-genome sequence data allowed us to determine the relative frequencies of mutations in genes implicated in SpeB production. The most abundantly mutated genes were direct transcription regulators. We also sequenced the genomes of 2,954 GAS isolates recovered from nonhuman primates with experimental necrotizing fasciitis. No mutations that would result in a SpeB-deficient phenotype were identified. Taken together, these data unambiguously demonstrate that the great majority of GAS strains recovered from infected humans secrete wild-type levels of SpeB protease activity. Our data confirm the important role of SpeB in GAS pathogenesis and help end a long-standing controversy.
Differential Influence of Nutrient-Starved Mycobacterium tuberculosis on Adaptive Immunity Results in Progressive Tuberculosis Disease and Pathology
Authors: Dietrich Jes , Roy Sugata , Rosenkrands Ida , Lindenstrøm Thomas , Filskov Jonathan , Rasmussen Erik Michael , Cassidy Joseph , Andersen Peter 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

When infected with
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, most individuals will remain clinically healthy but latently infected. Latent infection has been proposed to partially involve
M. tuberculosis
in a nonreplicating stage, which therefore represents an
M. tuberculosis
phenotype that the immune system most likely will encounter during latency. It is therefore relevant to examine how this particular nonreplicating form of
M. tuberculosis
interacts with the host immune system. To study this, we first induced a state of nonreplication through prolonged nutrient starvation of
M. tuberculosis
in vitro
. This resulted in nonreplicating persistence even after prolonged culture in phosphate-buffered saline. Infection with either exponentially growing
M. tuberculosis
or nutrient-starved
M. tuberculosis
resulted in similar lung CFU levels in the first phase of the infection. However, between week 3 and 6 postinfection, there was a very pronounced increase in bacterial levels and associated lung pathology in nutrient-starved-
M. tuberculosis
-infected mice. This was associated with a shift from CD4 T cells that coexpressed gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) or IFN-γ, TNF-α, and interleukin-2 to T cells that only expressed IFN-γ. Thus, nonreplicating
M. tuberculosis
induced through nutrient starvation promotes a bacterial form that is genetically identical to exponentially growing
M. tuberculosis
yet characterized by a differential impact on the immune system that may be involved in undermining host antimycobacterial immunity and facilitate increased pathology and transmission.