The relationship between upper mantle anisotropic structures beneath California, transpression, and absolute plate motions

We calculated SKS splitting parameters for the California Integrated Seismic Network. In southern California, we also estimated splitting in the upper 100 km using azimuthal anisotropy determined from surface waves. The inferred splitting from surface waves in the mantle lithosphere is small (on average < 0.2 s) compared with SKS splitting (1.5 s) and obtains a maximum value (0.5 s) in the transpressive region of the Big Bend, south of, and aligned with, the San Andreas Fault (SAF). In contrast, the SKS splitting is approximately E-W and is relatively uniform spatially either side of the Big Bend of the SAF. These differences suggest that most of the SKS splitting is generated much deeper (down to 300–400 km) than previously thought, probably in the asthenosphere. Fast directions align with absolute plate motions (APM) in northern and southeastern California but not in southwestern California. We interpret the parallelism with APM as indicating the SKS anisotropy is caused by cumulative drag of the asthenosphere by the overlying plates. The discrepancy in southwestern California arises from the diffuse boundary there compared to the north, where relative plate motion has concentrated near the SAF system. In southern California the relative motion originated offshore in the Borderlands and gradually transitioned onshore to the SAF system. This has given rise to smaller displacement across the SAF (160–180 km) compared with central and northern California (400–500 km). Thus, in southwestern California the inherited anisotropy, from prior North American APM, has not yet been overprinted by Pacific APM

Diabetes mellitus and impaired Glucose tolerance in patients with major Thalassemia in Booali Sina educational and treatment center in Sari in 1375-77

History and Objectives: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) are of known complications in patients with Thalassemia major. In order to diagnose asymptomatic cases and trial of oral hypoglycemic agents and adhering to dietary regimen, this study was carried out on the referrers to pediatric endocrinologic clinic of Booali Sina hospital. Materials and Methods: Thalassemic patients affected by diabetes mellitus were recognized and their characteristics were recorded. After description of the project and obtaining patient's consent, fasting blood glucose and oral glucose tolerance test were performed in the asymptomatic Thalassemic patients. The quality of response was compared with WHO protocol and American National Society of Diabetes. Descriptive statistics were used to show the findings and correlations were evaluated by means of correlation coefficient. Results: In 600 patients, 2.5 were affected by diabetes mellitus. 9 girls aged 21±7 years and 5 boys aged 17±5 years had diabetes mellitus. Age and diagnosis was 19±6 and 15±3 years in the girls and boys respectively. Standard 5-stage oral glucose tolerance test was performed (OGTT) in 70 patients. 2 cases of diabetes mellitus (One 21-year-old girl and one 18-year-old boy) and 11 patients with impaired glucose tolerance test (IGT) were detected. The IGT group consisted of 9 girls and 2 boys aged 19±3.6 years. Measuring fasting blood glucose alone has no diagnostic value for patients with IGT and diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: Asymptomatic patients with impaired glucose metabolism can be diagnosed by a two-stage OGTT and oral hypoglycemic agents can be used in the treatment of patients

Relationship between compliance and occurance of diabetes mellitus among Thalassemic patients

History and Objectives: Long term treatment of Thalassemic major is by regular blood transfusion and infusion of an Iron chelator. The treatment is cumbersome and expensive and compliance may be low. Diabetic mellitus is well known side of chronic or acute Iron toxicity. Relationship between compliance and emergence diabetes mellitus is investigated among patients referred to the Bou-Ali Sina hospital in 1997. Materials and Methods: A case control study was carried out. Control group consisted of Thalassemic patients with normal glucose tolerance test and case group was Thalassemic patients with diabetes mellitus. 2 groups were matched for age, sex, severity of Thalassemia (Age of diagnosis, age of transfusion and degree of dependence to the transfusion), social-economic class and infection to chronic hepatitis C. Results were obtained from patient’s record. Body mass index was calculated from height and weight. All patients were from Mazandaran province and have no record of diabetes mellitus in their first-degree relatives. Compliance was assessed by a suggested system and classified. On the basis of this system, compliance was classified as good, fair and poor and compared in the control and case group. Results were analyzed by Chi-square method and odds ratio for estimation relative risk was determined. Results: Two control and case groups were similar on the basis of the above-mentioned criteria. Classification of compliance for the last year was similar but results for the last five years indicated that 79% of non-diabetic patients had good or fair compliance (Score of 4 or better) whereas on 29% of diabetic patients had similar score. The differences were significant statistically (P<0.01) and the odds ratio shows that poor compliance to treatment increase risk of diabetic mellitus 3 fold. Conclusion: Lack of compliance or in availability of treatment, especially to the Iron chelation, increases the risk of diabetes mellitus among Thalassemic major patients. Therefore, patients should be encouraged to follow their treatment closely

Relation between chronic urticaria and thyroid autoimmunity

AbstractBackground and Purpose: chronic urticaria is a tormenter and does not have a known etiology. Association between chronic urticaria and thyroid auto-immunity has shown different results. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Levo-thyroxine on the chronic urticaria and association between chronic urticaria with thyroid auto-immunity.Materials and Methods: In a prospective case-control study, we compared the frequency of thyroid auto antibodies in 60 patients (all females, with exception of six males, ages 15 to 60 years) with chronic urticaria and compared with 60 mached age healthy volunteers. All cases with chronic urticaria and control group were normal CBC, antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factors, complement, stool exam, liver function test (LFT), kidney function and skin prick test, prior to being referred to us. We performed thyroid auto antibodies, thyroid hormones and IgE antibodies before treating all subjects. Half of them with positive anti-thyroid antibody (n=11), received Levo-thyroxine (100 μg) daily for 1 month and the remaining half (n=11) were control group.Results: The frequency of thyroid auto antibodies was significantly higher in patients with chronic urticaria than in healthy control (36.6% vs. 9%; p<0.01).() All patients were euthyroid, however, one was found to have increased anti-thyroid antibody levels with sub clinical hypothyroidism (TSH increased, low T4). Total serum IgE increased in ten cases of patients group (16.6%) compared with six control groups (10%). Nine patients (40%) had complete response, five patients (30%) had partial response and five patients (30%) did not show any response to treatment compared with control group, in which complete and partial resolution was 30% and others with no resolution.Conclusion: chronic urticaria may be associated with thyroid disorders (positive anti- thyroid antibodies) despite normal thyroid function test. For chronic urticaria despite increase serum IgE level with unknown origin, must be evaluated by a thyroid function test, along with anti -thyroid antibodies and treatment if necessary.Key words: Anti-thymoglobulin; Antiperoxidase; Chronic urticaria, Levo-thyroxineJ Mazand Univ Med Sci 2008; 18(63): 66-72 (Persian

The study of relationships between β-globin gene mutations in β-thalassaemia patients, in response to hydroxyurea treatment

AbstractBackground and Purpose: β-thalassaemia is the most frequent inherited disorder in the world, especially in Iran and Mazandaran Province. It is caused by mulation in β-globin gene on chromosome 11 with more than 150 different mulations causing β-thalassaemia, has been identified in the β-globin gene to date. Hydroxyurea, is one of the drugs used in Thalassemia patient’s treatment, however, it is not effective in all patients. The mechanisms of the hydroxyuea effect in not clear yet. This study compared different β-globin gene mutations in β-thalassaemia patients who were referred to the Thalassemia Research Center in Sari in two groups, good responder and non-responder, to the hydroxyurea.Materials and Methods: This was a case-control study, comparing two groups of 30 thalassaemic patients who received hydroxyurea. Two groups were included, 30 good responders to hydroxyurea treatment (control) and 30 who did not respond to the treatment (case). First, DNA was extracted from peripheral blood. Then, two different methods for mutation detection were used. In the Thalassaemia Research Center in Sari, mutations in 60 patients were identified using ARMS-PCR. Also the results were confirmed in Genetic laboratory of Amirkola, using two mutation detection methods, reverse-dot blot hybridization and ARMS-PCR.Results: In the group of good responder (control), the average patient’s age were 28/1 ± 7/78 years, and the average age at the onset of blood transfusion was reported to be 8/5 ± 8/56 year. In this group, the mean comparison of the hemoglobin level and red blood size (MCV) prior and after drug consumption were statistically significant. In the group of non-responder (case), the mean age was 21.3 ± 6.43, the mean age starting blood transfusions was 3.3 ± 3.75, and the mean of drug consumption was 2.3 ± 0.8 months. From the mutations identified, IVSII-1G>A was the most common type in both case and control group, while of 30 of control group, 22 individuals were homozygous, and 7 individuals were heterozygous for this mutation (frequency % 42.5). For the 30 case patients, 11 individuals were homozygous, while 11 were heterozygous (frequency % 27.5). Comparison between two groups, case and control group, were statistically significance (PA mutation in good responder patients to hydroxyurea as compared to the non responder group, is significant and similar to the previous findings. Key words: β-thalassaemia, Hydroxyurea, MutationJ Mazand Univ Med Sci 2008; 18(64): 1-10 (Persian

Study of awarencess towards and the Pattern of Milk Consumption in 7-12 year old Elementary School Students in the City of Sari and their Mothers (2005-2006

Background and purpose: Tody, most societies face significant decrease in consuming milk products in children and this process would cause problems in providing the calcium needed by children, particularly since the osteoporosis is definitely connected to a lack of receiving sufficient calcium in children and adolescence age. Therefore, the goal of this study is to study the knowledge and pattern of milk consumption in 7-12 year old children of Sari and their mothers.Materials and Methods: The research samples consisted 638 male and female student at 7-12 in elementary schools (urban and rural), chosen at random from 16 schools. Necessary data were obtained through separate and different questionnaires on the output of milk consumption and its products through direct interviews. The data of the study were analyzed using t-Test, ANOVA, Duncan follow up, Chi-square and correlation coefficient.Results: In this study, 44% of children and 37.7% of mothers consumed milk and 50.1% of children and 19.4% mothers sometimes consumed milk. 5.5% of children and 19.4% of mothers did not consume milk. Mostly, the reason for non-consuming milk among children and mothers was: not having access to milk (27.9% and 17.7%). The awareness towards the advantages of milk was desirable in 67% children and 48.7% of mothers. It was almost desirable in 21.1% children and 4.5% of mothers and undesirable in 1.4% of children and 1.1% of mothers. The amount of milk consumption for 62% of urban children and 49% of rural children was only one unit, and, in sum, the amount of milk consumption for 59% of boys and 55% of girls was less than the recommended figures. The mean average of criteria deviation in the amount of milk consumption for children showed a significant difference from their educational levels (p=0.001) and insignificant difference from their sex. In addition, the pattern of milk consumption of children had significant relationship with the sex, education level and education of father; however, it had significant relationship with the education level of mothers and the jobs of mother and father. Children's knowledge about the advantages of milk had a significant relationship with the education level of mothers, fathers and jobs of mothers (P<0.004); however, it had a insignificant relationship with their sex.Conclusion: In this study, the amount of milk consumption in half of the population subjects of the study was less than the standard recommended amount; therefore, to improve children's health status and prevent the destructive effects of osteoporosis in adulthood, there should be necessary actions to increase milk consumption among children