Effects of Cretaceous plume and convergence, and Early Tertiary tectonomagmatic quiescence on the central and southern Levant continental margin

<p>This study synthesizes geological and geophysical evidence concerning the structure and character of the central and southern Jurassic Levant continental margin during Cretaceous–Tertiary time. From the beginning of the Cretaceous and until Cenomanian time, the Levant margin was strongly affected by extensional tectonics, cyclical igneous activity and rifting coupled with thermal and vertical fluctuations. It is suggested here that during the Senonian–Maastrichtian convergence of Afro-Arabia and the Mesotethys, and the Tauride part of Eurasia, the Herodotus basin oceanic crust subducted along the Eratosthenes Arc, below the short-lived abandoned Levant back-arc basin. Such a plate configuration assumes regional shear zones, as follows: (1) between the Eratosthenes Arc from the south and the Kyrenia Arc from the north: the NW–SE Carmel–Azraq–Sirhan fault system; (2) between the Sinai and the African plates: the Suez fault system; (3) between the Mesotethys and the African plates: the northern Egypt–Sinai–Negev west–east transversal fault system. Distinct tectonomagmatic quiescence between Late Maastrichtian and Late Eocene time allowed thermal relaxation and subsidence of the Levant margin until the apparent achievement of local isostatic compensation and the consequent development of the longest transgression over the Afro-Arabian ramp. </p

Human participants research checklist.

PurposeTo evaluate the association of cardiorespiratory fitness with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in healthy adults.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we evaluated 17,990 asymptomatic self-referred adults free of diabetes or cardiovascular disease who were screened in a preventive healthcare setting. All subjects underwent measurement of IOP and completed a maximal exercise stress test according to the Bruce protocol. Fitness was categorized into age and sex-specific quintiles according to the treadmill time and dichotomized to low (lowest quintile) and non-low fitness groups. Elevated IOP was defined as ≥ 21 mmHg.ResultsMedian age was 45 (IQR 39–52) years and 12,073 (67%) were men. There were 3,351 (19%) subjects in the low fitness group. Median IOP was 14 mmHg (IQR 12–16) with elevated IOP documented in 188 (1%) subjects. Univariate binary logistic regression model demonstrated that compared with non-low fitness group, subjects in the low fitness group were 2.2 times more likely to have elevated IOP (95% CI 1.598–2.95, pConclusionsLow cardiorespiratory fitness is independently associated with increased IOP among apparently healthy adults.</div

Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression models, using the same variables for the prediction of elevated IOP.

Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression models, using the same variables for the prediction of elevated IOP.</p

Adjusted OR for elevated IOP by fitness.

Forest plots for the subgroup analysis of the association between elevated IOP and low CRF. It is demonstrated that the association is more pronounced in women (OR of 3.79) and in overweight (OR of 2.09). OR = odds ratio; IOP = intra ocular pressure; CRF = cardiorespiratory fitness.</p

Baseline clinical characteristics of the study population by cardiorespiratory fitness group.

Baseline clinical characteristics of the study population by cardiorespiratory fitness group.</p

Unadjusted OR of elevated IOP by fitness group.

The difference in OR between the first quintile and the rest of the quintiles can be seen clearly. This finding has led to the separation and definition of quintile 1 as the low CRF group and quintiles 2–5 as non-low CRF group. OR = odds ratio; IOP = intra ocular pressure; CRF = cardiorespiratory fitness.</p

Participants selection flow chart.

A participant flow chart describing the selection process for our study population. CVD = cardiovascular disease; IHD = ischemic heart disease; CVA = cerebrovascular accident; AF = atrial fibrillation.</p

Secondary end points at 30 days.

<p>Secondary end points at 30 days.</p

Patients' baseline characteristics prior to medical therapy following the index ACS.

<p>Patients' baseline characteristics prior to medical therapy following the index ACS.</p

Secondary end points at 30 days.

<p>Secondary end points at 30 days.</p