Altay Region Research Articles

THE INFLUENCE OF HIGHLY TECHNOLOGICAL TREATMENT METHODS ON THE LEVEL OF PRIMARY DISABILITY IN THE ALTAY REGION POPULATION CAUSED BY MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND TRAUMA CONSEQUENCES

The analysis of dynamics and structure of primary disability of the Altay region population caused by diseases and consequences of lower extremities trauma was provided. The influence of highly technological treatment methods on the level of primary disability was assessed.

Tick-borne rickettsiosis in the Altay region of Russia

North Asian tick typhus (NATT) is a tick-borne zoonosis caused by Rickettsia sibirica subsp. sibirica (R. sibirica) in the Asiatic part of Russia [1,2]. In the Russian Far East, this disease was identified as early as 1932 [3]. Currently, active foci of this communicable disease are identified in 18 administrative territories of Siberia and the Russian Far East. More than 66 000 cases of NATT have been registered in Russia between 1936 and summer 2007. The Altay region of western Siberia (average morbidity 24.3–70.4 per 100 000 inhabitants per year) and the Altai Republic (54.2–97.3) exhibit the highest morbidity for NATT in Russia. The highest incidence was observed in 2001 in Altay when 1867 cases of NATT were registered, representing 54% of all NATT cases in Russia. Cases of NATT are registered between April and October–November, with a peak in May–June (67.4% of cases). Following a period of decrease in July and August, a second peak, though less intense than the first one, is registered in September. The morbidity of NATT is registered in all landscapegeographical areas of the Altaian region, but is distributed unevenly [4]. NATT is known to be transmitted to humans by Dermacentor nuttalli, D. silvarum, D. marginatus, D. reticulatus, Haemaphysalis concinna and Ixodes persulcatus. However, the diagnosis of NATT is mostly based on clinical and serological data, and no direct confirmation is available. As R. raoultii has also been detected in D. nuttalli ticks in the Altai Republic using PCR, we investigated whether some patients diagnosed serologically or by culture as having NATT could have another rickettsiosis. In addition, we searched for members of the Rickettsiales order in ticks collected in this area, and we characterised genetically 13 rickettsial strains cultivated from ticks.

Epidemiological Networks and Drug Resistance of HIV Type 1 in Krasnoyarsk Region, Russia

To study the molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 in Krasnoyarsk region, Russia, where HIV-1 has spread rapidly since 2000, we obtained pol sequences from individuals living in this region (n = 67) as well as in the geographically closely related Altay region (n = 13). In both regions, subtype A viruses specific for the former Soviet Union (IDU-A strains) were dominant (92.5%). Virus sequences clustered according to the geographic origin of the infected individuals rather than to their risk group, demonstrating the role of geographically defined epidemiological networks in the propagation of the HIV-1 epidemic in the region. Six viruses belonged to subtype B. Three of them were phylogenetically (and therefore epidemiologically) closely related to each other, demonstrating that even though IDU-A viruses dominate the epidemic, the spread of other virus strains does occur. Most viruses (75%) had an A62V mutation in reverse transcriptase, specific for HIV-1 strains in Russia. Remarkably, 26 of 47 (55%) patients under HAART with detectable virus loads did not have any known drug-resistant mutation, indicating the need to increase compliance to therapy.

Geological and Seismological Field Observations in the Epicentral Region of the 27 September 2003 Mw 7.2 Gorny Altay Earthquake (Russia)

Abstract The M w 7.2 Altay (Chuya) earthquake of 27 September 2003 that occurred in Gorny Altay (southern Siberia, Russia) is the first event of this magnitude to occur in the region in historical time. The 60 km long surface ruptures of the right-lateral event follow a preexisting but previously unmapped northwest–southeast fault trace along the northern slope of the North Chuya range. Additional secondary coseismic ruptures were also observed on adjacent faults. The earthquake triggered landslides, rock falls, and liquefaction, as well as destruction of houses and other construction in the Kurai and Chuya basins. The 2003 event induced several thousand aftershocks during the years after the mainshock that formed a cloud of epicenters aligned with the main coseismic rupture trace. The local earthquake tomography of the event source shows the correspondence between the fault trace at the surface and a long narrow low-velocity zone, penetrating vertically into the crust down to a depth of 15–17 km. If the three-dimensional (3D) geometry of the aftershock cloud approximates the ruptured fault plane at first order, then the fault is mainly vertical, or slightly southwest dipping, confirming the right-lateral-reverse kinematics of the fault, compatible with northeast–southwest shortening accommodated by a combination of right-lateral and thrust faults. Together with the average surface displacement observed in the field ( Δu 1–2 m), the surface of the fault plane determined by the aftershocks distribution (80×17 km) gives a magnitude M w ∼7.2, in good agreement with the Harvard determination. Natural exposures produced by the 2003 surface faulting, together with previous paleoseismic observations across the primary and secondary earthquake-induced features, have revealed the occurrence of several strong events (magnitudes about 7–8) during the last 5000 yr. The characteristics of the Altay event suggest that the Gorny Altay region, similar to Mongolia and Gobi, is characterized by large infrequent M 7–8 earthquakes along faults moving at rates of a few mm/yr or less.

The Challenge of Ecotourism Development in the Altay Region of Russia

The potential for ecologically sustainable tourism in the Altay region of Russia is examined, given the complexity of power relationships at many layers. Supranational organizations based in the West provide one set of expectations, rhetoric and definitions that do not always match internal Russian concepts of nature tourism. Centres of political and financial power in the European megacities of Russia, such as Moscow and St Petersburg, act as portals for Western-based development plans but may be challenged to serve local stakeholders or nature conservation goals in the distant, peripheral Altay. The authors argue that a Russian ethic of ecotourism needs to emerge, developing behavioural norms that target newly wealthy Russians who form the bulk of demand for tourism services in the Altay. Outsiders can best serve the process by pressing for transparency of transactions and support for local voices.

Late Paleozoic strike‐slip shear zones in eastern central Asia (NW China): New structural and geochronological data

New structural studies and 40Ar/39Ar dating in northwest China provide information about late Paleozoic strike‐slip motions subsequent to accretional events, which built eastern central Asia during the Paleozoic. Two principal areas were affected by these large transcurrent motions. First, in the Tianshan range, main east‐west ductile shear zones are dextral and coeval with an eastward decreasing greenschist retrograde metamorphism. Associated biotites give ages ranging from 290 Ma to 245 Ma. The earlier N110 shearing occurred in western Tianshan, while the last one, dextral in whole Tianshan, occurred 250–245 Myr ago. Second, in the Chinese Altay region several NW‐SE shear zones structured the area. The main motion is sinistral and occurred along the Erqishi zone at 280–290 Ma. It is followed by a complex succession of dextral and sinistral shearing episodes, leading to the northwestward structuring, dated at 245 Ma, of a metamorphic zone that was folded during a compressive event.

The results of microbiological methods of investigation of tuberculosis in Altay region

The qualitative and quantitative aspects of microbiological diagnosis of tuberculosis from 1996 to 2001 in Altay region are presented. In the process of realization of regional complex program «Fighting with tuberculosis» the positive dynamics of microscopy. The improvement of material technical basis of laboratory service, modern equipment, staff training helped in this process.

Geochemistry of late Paleozoic mafic igneous rocks from the Kuerti area, Xinjiang, northwest China: implications for backarc mantle evolution

The composition of Kuerti mafic rocks in the Altay Mountains in northwest China ranges from highly geochemically depleted, with very low La, Ta and Nb and high εNd(t) values, to slightly enriched, arc lava-like composition. They display flat to light rare earth element (REE)-depleted patterns and have variable depletions in high field-strength elements (HFSE). These mafic rocks were most probably derived from a variably depleted mantle source containing a subduction component beneath an ancient intra-oceanic backarc basin. Together with the slightly older arc volcanic rocks in the Altay region, the Kuerti mafic rocks display generally positive correlations of their key elemental ratios (e.g., Th/Nb, La/Yb and Th/Yb). These indicate that the more mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) component was contained in these magmas, the less arc component was present in their mantle source. Therefore, we propose a two-stage melting evolution model to interpret the compositional evolution of the Kuerti mafic rocks and associated arc volcanic rocks. First, arc basaltic melts were extracted from the hydrated arc mantle wedge beneath Kuerti, leaving behind a mantle source that is variably depleted in incompatible trace elements. Then, mafic rocks were erupted during seafloor spreading in the Kuerti backarc basin from the upwelling asthenospheric mantle. The variably depleted mantle source produced mafic rocks with composition ranging from arc lava-like to more geochemically depleted than MORB. The recognition of Kuerti mafic rocks as backarc basin basalts (BABB) is consistent with the proposed tectonic model that an active backarc basin–island arc system along the paleo-Asian ocean margin was formed in the Altay region during Devonian–Early Carboniferous. New data further indicate that the final orogenic event in the Altay Mountains, i.e. the collision of the north and south continental plates in the region, most probably took place in Late Carboniferous and Permian.

New chronological evidence for Yanshanian diagenetic mineralization in China’s Altay orogenic belt

Granitoids and related pegmatitic rare-metal deposits are widespread in China’s Altay region, they used to be considered as Hercynian rocks and mineral deposits. Reported here are the40Ar-39Ar ages of potassium-rich minerals (muscovite and microcline) in the Koktokay pegmatitic rare-metal orefield and whole-rock as well as quartz fluid-inclusion Rb-Sr isochron ages of granite and ores in the Shangkelan pegmatite rare-metal orefield. The ages indicate that there are Yanshanian Diagenetic Mineralization events happening in China’s Altay orogenic belt and that formation of the famous Koktokay No.3 pegmatitic rare-metal deposit endured about 30 Ma of magmatic crystallization differentiation.

Cesium-137 in the environment of the Altay Region (Russia).

The results of the extensive measurements ofCesium-137 (137Cs) in virgin soils, plants,forest litter and lake bottom sediments of AltayRegion in 1992–1995 are presented. Analyses of thevertical soil profiles indicate that 137Cs ispresent in the upper 5–20 cm of the soil. Crops andthe majority of wild plants show no signs ofcontamination with 137Cs even in areas where soilis contaminated. A regional map of 137Csconcentration is presented, which shows a highlyirregular pattern of radio-cesium deposition from thenuclear tests on the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Polygonbetween 1949 to 1962. This kind of lateraldistribution of 137Cs in Altay virgin topsoilscannot be accounted for only by the distance from thenuclear testing site, on the contrary, it seems to bepredominantly dependent on the weather conditions anda pattern of rainfall at the time of Semipalatinskexplosions. The article discusses the factors causingthe post-precipitation redistribution of 137Cs inthe soil column and demonstrates that forest litter,lichen and lake bottom sediments can be used assensitive indicators of the historical and currentradioactive contamination.

Massive Sulphide Deposits Related to the Volcano‐Passive Continental Margin in the Altay Region

AbstractThe Devonian volcano‐passive continental margin in southern Altay is a significant volcanogenic massive sulphide metallogenic belt. Acidic volcanism has been dominant on the inner side of the volcano‐passive continental margin, i.e., near the old land, resulting in a Pb‐Zn metallogenic sub‐belt, in which the ore deposits are hosted by sedimentary rocks in volcanic series, as represented by the large Koktal Pb‐Zn deposits. In the central part of the margin far away from the old land, bimodal volcanic formations are well developed, forming volcanics‐hosted Cu‐Zn metallogenic sub‐belts, e.g., the large‐scale Ashele Cu‐Zn deposit. The Qiaoxiahala sub‐belt on the outer side of the margin near the ocean ridge is located at the spreading central trough, where ophiolite suites are developed. This type of deposits is rich in gold and copper, similar to the Cyprus‐type Fe‐Cu‐Au metallogenic sub‐belt in metallogenic environment (represented by the Qiaoxiahala medium‐scale Fe‐Cu‐Au deposit). From the old land to the ocean, the mineralizing age becomes younger, i.e., from Early Devonian→Early and Middle Devonian→Middle Devonian, forming a complete metallogenic zoning series on the volcano‐passive continental margin. Comparative studies show that the massive sulphide deposits distributed on the volcano‐passive continental margin are different from those formed under a plate subduction regime and oceanic ridge environment; the former have their unique features and wide distributions, representing a new type of volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits—the Altay type.

Groundwater NMR in conductive water

A surface method of groundwater prospecting using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in the Earth’s magnetic field is under study. The technique is employed for hydrogeological surveys down to a depth of about 100 m. The advantage of this method is that an NMR signal can be observed only in the presence of groundwater. A circular wire loop with a diameter of 100 m is laid out on the ground to excite and receive the NMR signal. An oscillating current with a rectangular pulse‐shape is passed through the loop, with the carrier‐frequency being equal to the proton‐resonance frequency in the Earth’s field. The excitation pulse is followed by a nuclear induction emf caused by the free Larmor precession in the Earth’s field. Of practical importance is the effect of the electrical conductivity of the ground on a groundwater NMR survey. Finite‐ground conductivity can result in induced currents that can screen the NMR signal. The calculations of NMR signals are based on the transformation of Maxwell’s equations in terms of magnetic Hertz potentials through use of the reciprocity principle. Groundwater NMR is measured with an instrument designed at the Institute of Chemical Kinetics and Combustion, Russian Academy of Science, Novosibirsk. Experiments were conducted in the Altay region of Russia. Both NMR‐signal amplitude and phase, were measured and compared with the calculated results for horizontally stratified media. Borehole logs and vertical‐resistivity profiles were also used for evaluation of results. The conductivity is shown to affect both phase and amplitude of the NMR signal at resistivities of a few to a few tens of ohm‐m depending on the depth of the water‐saturated layers. There is good agreement between calculated and experimental data. It is also established that the measurements of only NMR amplitude and phase are not sufficient for determining groundwater salinity.

Geochemistry and tectonic significance of alkali granites along the Ulungur River, Xinjiang

In North Xinjiang there is an alkali granite belt extending in the NW-SE direction along the southern bank of the Ulungur River and running parallel to the suture zone, i.e., Aermantai-Zhaheba Ophiolitic Melange Zone, between the Junggar Plate and the Altay Orogenic Belt. Whole-rock Rb-Sr isochron ages of the Ulungur alkali granites are within the range of 292–309Ma, showing that they were genetically connected with the latest episode of Hercynian magmatism subsequent to the syncollision S-type and post-collision uplifting I-type granitoids in the Altay region. The alkali granites are mineralogically characterized by the occurrence of aegirine and arfvedsonite and chemically by high silicon and alkali, low calcium and magnesium and abundant high-field elements, being typical A-type granites. The alkali granites were formed in the final stage of the Hercynian calc-alkaline magmatic cycle in a very short period of time. They are in line with the post-orogenic A-type (PA-type) granites, implying that the tectonic regime was changed from compression to extension.

Relation of skarn to mineralization in gold deposits of northeastern Altay region

A Cambrian, pre-granite age for gold-copper mineralization is indicated in the northeastern Altay region, where the ores were metamorphically regenerated in contact halos of the granitic intrusions. -- AGI Staff.

Ordovician and Silurian corals from Gornyy Altay region

Tabulate corals, including new species of Cyrtophyllum (C. elegantum, C. altaicum, C. vulgaris), Propora (P. proheliolitoides), and Plasmoporella (P. altaica) aid in defining Upper Ordovician strata of Gornyy Altay region; in addition, new species of Heliolites (H. pachycanaliculoides), Favosites (F. karagemensis), Pachyfavosites (P. bazhenovae), Squameofavosites (S. karagemensis, S. altaicum), and Hexismia (H. asiatica) form part of a rich Late Silurian fauna within the same region.—T. E. Bolton