Epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection among the healthy population in Iran and countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region:A systematic review of prevalence and risk factors

AIM: To investigate the epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection among the healthy asymptomatic population in Iran and countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Response of hydrological drought to meteorological drought in the eastern Mediterranean Basin of Turkey

The hydrographic eastern Mediterranean Basin of Turkey is a drought sensitive area.The basin is an important agricultural area and it is necessary to determine the extent of extreme regional climatic changes as they occur in this basin.Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to show the correlation between standardized precipitation index(SPI)and standardized streamflow index(SSI)values on different time scales.Data from five meteorological stations and seven stream gauging stations in four sub-basins of the eastern Mediterranean Basin were analyzed over the period from 1967 to 2017.The correlation between SSI and SPI indicated that in response to meteorological drought,hydrological drought experiences a one-year delay then occurs in the following year.This is more evident at all stations from the mid-1990 s.The main factor causing hydrological drought is prolonged low precipitation or the presence of a particularly dry year.Results showed that over a long period(12 months),hydrological drought is longer and more severe in the upper part than the lower part of the sub-basins.According to SPI-12 values,an uninterrupted drought period is observed from 2002–2003 to 2008–2009.Results indicated that among the drought events,moderate drought is the most common on all timescales in all sub-basins during the past 51 years.Long-term dry periods with moderate and severe droughts are observed for up to 10 years or more since the late 1990 s,especially in the upper part of the sub-basins.As precipitation increases in late autumn and early winter,the stream flow also increases and thus the highest and most positive correlation values(0.26–0.54)are found in January.Correlation values(ranging between–0.11 and–0.01)are weaker and negative in summer and autumn due to low rainfall.This is more evident at all stations in September.The relation between hydrological and meteorological droughts is more evident,with the correlation values above 0.50 on longer timescales(12-and 24-months).The results presented in this study allow an understanding of the characteristics of drought events and are instructive for overcoming drought.This will facilitate the development of strategies for the appropriate management of water resources in the eastern Mediterranean Basin,which has a high agricultural potential.

Occult hepatitis C virus infection in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean countries:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND The presence of hepatitis C virus(HCV)RNA in liver tissue or peripheral blood mononuclear cells with no identified virus genome in the serum has been reported worldwide among patients with either normal or elevated serum liver enzymes.The characterization of occult HCV infection(OCI)epidemiology in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean(M and E)countries,a region with the highest incidence and prevalence rates of HCV infection in the world,would be effective for more appropriate control of the infection.AIM To estimate the pooled prevalence of OCI in M and E countries using a systematic review and meta-analysis.METHODS A systematic literature search was performed using international,regional and local electronic databases.Some conference proceedings and references from bibliographies were also reviewed manually.The search was carried out during May and June 2020.Original observational surveys were considered if they assessed the prevalence of OCI among the population of M and E countries by examination of HCV nucleic acid in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in at least 30 cases selected by random or non-random sampling methods.The meta-analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-analysis software based on heterogeneity assessed by Cochran’s Q test and I-square statistics.Data were considered statistically significant at a P value<0.05.RESULTS A total of 116 non-duplicated citations were found in electronic sources and grey literature.A total of 51 non-overlapping original surveys were appraised,of which 37 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis.Data were available from 5 of 26 countries including Egypt,Iran,Pakistan,Saudi Arabia,and Turkey.The overall prevalence rate of OCI was estimated at 10.04%(95%CI:7.66%-13.05%).The lowest OCI rate was observed among healthy subjects(4.79%,95%CI:2.86%-7.93%).The higher rates were estimated for patients suffering from chronic liver diseases(12.04%,95%CI:5.87%-23.10%),and multi-transfused patients(8.71%,95%CI:6.05%-12.39%).Subgroup analysis indicated that the OCI rates were probably not associated with the studied subpopulations,country,year of study,the detection method of HCV RNA,sample size,patients’HCV serostatus,and sex(all P>0.05).Meta-regression analyses showed no significant time trends in OCI rates among different groups.CONCLUSION This review estimated high rates of OCI prevalence in M and E countries,especially among multi-transfused patients as well as patients with chronic liver diseases.

Build-ups and hydrocarbon accumulation of the isolated carbonate platforms in the eastern Mediterranean

Based on regional geology,2D seismic and ocean drilling data,the formation of the Eratosthenes Seamount(ESM)and its surrounding isolated platforms,types of organic reefs and hydrocarbon accumulation conditions in the eastern Mediterranean were analyzed through fine tectonic interpretation and seismic facies study,and the future exploration targets were pointed out.The formation and evolution of the ESM and its peripheral isolated platforms are highly related to the open and close of the Neotethyan ocean.The precursors of the ESM and its peripheral isolated platforms are both horst-type fault blocks formed in the Middle Triassic-Early Jurassic intracontinental rift stage.The ESM and its peripheral isolated platforms underwent continued and inherited carbonate build-ups during the Middle Jurassic intercontinental rift stage,the Late Jurassic-Late Cretaceous Turonian passive drift stage,and Late Cretaceous Senonian-Miocene subduction stage,as well as medium-slight inversion transformation beginning in the Late Miocene Messinian caused by the closure of the Neotethyan ocean.Three types of isolated platforms formed controlled by variant paleo-tectonic settings:the first type is composed of a single patch-like reef controlled by a small-scale and narrow horst-type fault block,the second type consists of a single atoll controlled by a middle-scale and wide horst-type fault block,and the third type is comprised of multiple reef-beach complexes controlled by a large-scale and broad paleo-high.The first two types universally developed in the highs of the alternate sag-uplift structural zones on the south and west of Eratosthenes,and the third type only developed in the ESM.As a result of fluctuation of sea level,two sequences of reef build-ups,i.e.the Middle Jurassic Bajocian-Upper Cretaceous Turonian and the Miocene,developed in the ESM as well as the highs in the alternate sag-uplift structural zones on the south and west of Eratosthenes.Drillings have confirmed that the first two types of isolated platforms with a single patch-like reef and a single circle-like reef have good conditions for natural gas accumulations.The isolated platform of reef-beach complexes in the ESM also has accumulation potentials of natural gas and is worth prospecting.

Population Structure and Sexual Maturity of the Pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus （Osteichthyes, Tetraodontidae） in the Lebanese and Syrian Marine Waters （Eastern Mediterranean）

The pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus is an invasive Lessepsian species of Indo-Pacific origin that has established an increasing population over the past decade in the Levantine basin of the Mediterranean. Besides its toxicity due to the accumulation of tetrodotoxin in its body, it is causing damage to fishing gears and fishermen＇s catches. This study aims to provide data on the population structure and sexual maturity of this species in the eastern basin of the Mediterranean. A total of 214 individuals were collected in the coastal marine waters of Lebanon and Syria, between January 2012 and June 2013 by means of different types of nets and lines, on soft bottoms, at depths ranging from 10 m to 170 m. The TL （total length） of the samples varies between 10.8 cm and 71 cm. The most common size classes, represented by 125 individuals, are the ones between 30 cm and 50 cm TL, with a bulge at 40 cm, represented by 44 individuals. The average TL is 43.99 cm （standard deviation： SD = 17.65） for both males and females. The TW （total weight） of the specimens ranges between 14 g and 4,603 g with an average value of 1,458.52 g （SD = 1,329.49）. The sex ratio （M/F） is 1：1.35 with a total number of 87 males, 118 females and nine unidentified individuals. The weight-length relationship （TW = aTLb） shows a negative allometric growth with b = 2.9481 and R2 = 0.9806. The condition factor （K） is close to one for all samples. The average value of the GSI （gonadosomatic index） shows a substantial increase from winter to spring. The spawning takes place between April and June.

Distribution and Relative Abundance of the Tursiops truncatus in Lebanese Marine Waters （Eastern Mediterranean）

Data related to the presence of cetaceans and especially the bottlenose dolphin （Tursiops truncatus） in Lebanese marine waters （eastern Mediterranean） are almost non-existent. This article aims to delimit, for the first time, the areas of distribution and the relative abundance of T. truncatus along the Lebanese coasts in order to develop a strategy for the conservation of this species. Nine campaigns at sea, each lasting between 1 to 3 days, were conducted aboard the vessel ＂CANA＂ between September 2009 and August 2012 in Lebanese marine waters. A total of 1576 km in prospecting effort was covered along the Lebanese coast （220 km）. Dolphins were mainly sighted in the central region of Lebanon （120 km） and 32 sightings and 91 individuals were recorded. The size of the groups were ranged from a minimum of one individual and a maximum of 7 individuals. Relative abundance of T. truncatus for the whole studied region is 0.06 individuals＇km1 in prospecting effort while it is 0.11 individuals·km^-1 in Beirut area that offers habitats sought by this species. The bathymetric distribution of this species is spread over a wide range from a depth of 35 m to 1300 m. More than half of the individuals have been observed in areas where bathymetry ranges between 300 m and 600 m depths.

Law on Hydrocarbon Extraction in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

The Eastern part of the Mediterranean,surrounded mostly by Greece,Turkey,Cyprus,Israel,Syria,Lebanon and Jordan,has recently come into the limelight of the global energy map.The discovery of hydrocarbons and gas in the Eastern Mediterranean holds the potential of being a game changer in the whole region and beyond.Oil was first discovered in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in the 1960s,however the absence of technology allowing exploration and exploitation in such sea depths allowed only a small circle of companies to actually focus on the area.When technological development made exploitation a more visible scenario,research still remained on hold as estimated supplies were considered minimal,therefore not worth establishing a costly drilling infrastructure.In 2010 it was discovered that the Leviathan gas field was much larger than previously believed.This coincided with the discovery of the Zohr Field in 2015,a large natural gas field off the coast of Israel,developments which set the Mediterranean Sea in the global market’s interest.

Contribution to the Economic Analysis of Hydrocarbon Exploitation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

The present paper is a contribution to the economic analysis of the exploitation of depleted natural resources and in particular hydrocarbons in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region.The methodological tools used are both the marginal economic analysis,the application of the Hotelling rule and the multi-criteria choice of exploitation of a natural resource with sensitivity analysis of the first and second optimal solution.The choice of natural resource used to be based on a single criterion,cost.Today,the multi-criteria method is followed,according to which many criteria are taken into account at the same time.The return on investment from the exploitation of a mineral resource in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region is obtained through multi-criteria selection and sensitivity analysis of the prevailing solution.

Tectonic-Geophysical Mapping of Israel and the Eastern Mediterranean: Implications for Hydrocarbon Prospecting

The eastern Mediterranean is a tectonically complex region evolving in the long term located in the midst of the progressive Afro-Eurasian collision. Despite years of investigation, its geological-geophysical structure is not completely known. At the same time, the recent discovery of large gas deposits has attracted the attention of many researchers to this region. For instance, the latest U. S. Geological Survey estimates using conventional assessment methodology suggest that there are on the order of 1.7 billion barrels of recoverable oil and more than 4 trillion m3 of recoverable gas in the Levant Basin [1]. This highlights the need for analysis of the paleogeographical conditions that can yield deep paleotectonic criteria for oil and gas discovery in this region. For this purpose, isopach maps of the Middle-Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous were generated from detailed examinations of numerous well sections and the most significant outcroppings in the eastern Mediterranean. The maps confirm an earlier model of continental accretion [2]. In particular, abrupt changes in the trend and thickness of the Early Mesozoic formations coincide with the terrane boundaries. These compiled isopach maps also pinpoint significant distinctions between the Arabian and Sinai plates on the one hand and the Syrian arc on the other. A new tectonic map of the eastern Mediterranean is presented that first of all integrates geophysical satellite-derived gravity and airborne magnetic fields, as well as tectonic-structural, paleogeographical and facial analyses. The results have clear implications for hydrocarbon prospecting in this region.

Modeling the Contemporary Stress Field and Deformation Pattern of Eastern Mediterranean

The contemporary stress field in the earth＇s crust is important and provides insights into mechanisms that drive plate motions. In this study, elastic plane stress finite element modeling incorporating realistic rock parameters was used to calculate the stress field, displacement field, and defor- mation of the plate interactions in the eastern Mediterranean. Modeled stress data for the African- Arabian-Anatolian plate interactions with fixed European platform correlate well with observed contemporary stress indicator from the world stress map （WSM） and focal mechanism of earthquakes; while displacement field agrees qualitatively well with GPS vectors and sense of motion indicated by focal mechanisms for large crustal earthquakes （Ms〉6） and plate motion models. Modeling result shows the direction of maximum horizontal compressive stress （σHmax） toward the direction of absolute motion of these plates. Large perturbations in σHmax orientations are shown to occur in and around tectonic boundaries between those plates. It is observed that, although the African plate acts mostly as indenter, which transmits the collisional motion from the Arabian plate to the Anatolian plate, in the current situation, the far-field stress, probably from the subduction in Aegean Arc, is needed to satisfy the contemporary stress field in Anatolia.

Calcareous nannoplankton dating of the Late Quaternary deposits in Greece and the eastern Mediterranean: Case studies from terrestrial and marine sites

The distribution and abundance of Emiliania huxleyi（E. huxleyi） assemblages in the marine sediments of the Aravonitsa Plateau, Greece, and from the eastern Mediterranean are used（1） to evaluate the calcareous nannoplankton NN21 a and NN21 b biozones and the NN21a/NN21 b boundary, and（2） to analyze the palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic conditions prevailing in this interval. The sediment succession displays varied E. huxleyi assemblages and these are interpreted as reflecting climatic variability during marine isotope stages MIS 1-8.

日本对东地中海地区外交:表现、原因、挑战及走向

鉴于东地中海地区地缘战略位置非常重要,日本近年来不失时机强化对东地中海地区的外交。日本的东地中海地区外交,着重聚焦于推动解决该地区热点难点问题、海洋合作、能源合作、难民救助与非传统安全等领域问题。在继续巩固深化与东地中海地区重要国家关系的同时,日本近年来也逐步拓展对突尼斯、利比亚与叙利亚等影响力较小国家的外交。日本不断加强对东地中海地区外交,可以从谋求地缘战略利益与彰显全球影响力等多方面来分析与解读。日本的东地中海地区外交,由于受限于各种因素的制约,今后将会面临着一些挑战与问题。

忒拜称霸与东地中海国际体系的变迁

在古代希腊历史上,忒拜①这个城邦地位相当重要。远在希腊神话和史诗之中,忒拜就享有盛名,被称为“七门之城”,著名的“俄狄浦斯王”等故事就以它为背景。此后直至古典时代,忒拜也一直举足轻重。在本文研究的公元前4世纪,在伯罗奔尼撒战争后雅典陷入衰落的大背景下,忒拜在战争中重创了斯巴达,并摧毁了其复兴的基础,一度主导了希腊世界秩序,史称“忒拜称霸”。忒拜称霸之时,正介于伯罗奔尼撒战争结束和马其顿王国成为希腊世界霸主(前404~前338年)之间,是希腊古典时代晚期和古希腊城邦外交史上一个历史转折期。在这一时期中,希波战争后一度极盛的希腊世界逐渐走向衰落,希腊城邦由独立自主沦为被外族统治.

东地中海孤立碳酸盐台地沉积建造与油气成藏

基于区域地质、二维地震及大洋钻探等数据,通过构造精细解释及地震相研究,分析了东地中海埃拉托色尼海山(ESM)及其周缘孤立台地形成、生物礁体类型及油气成藏条件等,指出了未来勘探方向。研究表明,东地中海ESM等系列孤立碳酸盐台地形成演化与新特提斯洋的开合休戚相关,早期为从非洲-阿拉伯板块上裂解出来的垒式断块,形成于中三叠世—早侏罗世陆内裂谷阶段,经过中侏罗世陆间裂谷阶段、晚中侏罗世—晚白垩世土伦期漂移阶段和晚白垩世森诺期—中新世俯冲消减阶段继承性碳酸盐岩沉积建造,晚中新世梅西期以来受新特提斯洋关闭影响发生中—轻度反转改造。受不同古构造背景控制形成3类孤立台地,一是小规模狭窄垒式断块所控制的单个点礁型孤立台地,二是中等规模宽缓垒式断块所控制的单个环礁型孤立台地,三是大规模宽缓古隆起控制形成的多个礁滩复合体型孤立台地。前两类在埃南和埃西凸起上普遍发育,第3类只分布于ESM海山之上。纵向上,受海平面升降影响,ESM古隆起、埃南和埃西凸起上均发育了中侏罗统巴柔阶—上白垩统土伦阶和中新统两套礁体建造。单个点礁型孤立台地和单个环礁型孤立台地已被钻井证实具有优越的天然气成藏条件,ESM海山隆起带上多个礁滩复合体型孤立台地同样值得探索。

东地中海深水油气富集条件与勘探方向

东地中海油气资源丰富、勘探程度低,是近年全球深水油气勘探热点地区之一。东地中海深水油气富集条件研究对该地区油气勘探选区选带具有指导意义。基于国际油气商业数据库和地质地球物理资料,应用石油地质综合研究方法,对东地中海构造沉积演化、油气地质条件、储盖组合及成藏特征进行分析,进而探讨深水油气富集条件及未来勘探方向。研究结果表明,东地中海发育中新统生物礁灰岩+盐岩、中新统浊积砂岩+盐岩主力储盖组合及白垩系浊积砂岩+泥页岩、侏罗系生物礁灰岩+泥灰岩推测储盖组合。厚层渐新统—中新统海相烃源岩、优质中新统盆底扇浊积砂岩和生物礁灰岩储层、区域性盐岩盖层及构造反转期发育的大型构造圈闭控制了东地中海深水油气富集。未来应重点关注黎凡特盆地深水区中新统浊积砂岩领域和埃拉托色尼台地周缘中新统生物礁灰岩领域,深入探索希罗多德盆地深水区中新统浊积砂岩领域和黎凡特盆地中生界深层领域。

东地中海地区天然气开发现状与前景

东地中海地区包括8个具备成油条件的重要盆地,由于在黎凡特盆地和尼罗河三角洲盆地中发现了许多海上气田,这两个盆地日益成为该地区的核心。过去几年,这两个盆地中发现的主要气田几乎全部位于以色列和埃及两国水域内,塞浦路斯境内也有一定规模的气田被发现。这三国水域内天然气田的勘探开发,对改变该地区能源供应格局有潜在的重大意义。东地中海地区国家间关系错综复杂,但是近年来该地区内天然气开发并未引起地区武装冲突,总体形势朝着"搁置争议,共同开发"的局面演化。东地中海地区的天然气勘探、开发乃至运输与出口等环节,吸引了包括寻找进口天然气新目标气源地的欧盟国家、密切关注并积极介入该地区天然气资源开发进程的美国、逐渐介入东地中海盆地天然气开发过程的俄罗斯等大国的关注。这些国家对该地区的关注和介入,对该地区天然气资源的开发进程有着深远的影响。

公元前1600年—前1200年古代东地中海世界的联盟和联姻

公元前1600年-前1200年是古代东地中海世界的青铜时代晚期。这一时期的东地中海世界主要有埃及、赫梯、米坦尼、巴比伦和亚述等五个主要的国家,以及叙利亚巴勒斯坦地区的诸多小邦。这些国家之间密集的联盟和联姻是东地中海世界外交活动的主要方式和途径。在东地中海世界建立起了保护和兄弟的外交模式。保护模式适用于强国和弱国以及大国和小国之间;而兄弟模式则适用于两个地位平等的国家之间。为了稳固彼此之间的外交关系,东地中海世界各国制定了彼此都必须遵循的外交惯例。外交惯例规范了国家间的引渡和信使制度,从而为东地中海世界外交活动的顺利进行提供了保障。

5-7世纪基督一性论宗教争端与东地中海世界的社会冲突

基督一性论是5世纪40年代基督教会内部出现的异端派别,主张基督只有神性一性而非神人两性。该信仰主要盛行于东地中海世界的埃及以及叙利亚、巴勒斯坦和小亚细亚部分地区,并在该地区引发了近200年的激烈争论与冲突。该思想的产生与当地蕴含的多种矛盾密切相关,然而当时的统治者拜占廷帝国皇帝的宗教政策总体看来不但没有缓和,反而进一步激化了该地区的社会矛盾,产生了严重的后果。

“蓝色家园”战略与土耳其的东地中海政策

东地中海争端主要表现为土耳其与周边国家及欧洲大国的纷争和对立。“蓝色家园”理论促使土耳其在政治、外交和军事层面强势推进海上划界主张,深刻影响了其东地中海政策与周边外交,目前成为新时期土耳其海上地缘战略的理论来源。土耳其的东地中海政策既导因于争夺油气资源和地缘政治利益,又反映出其对这一地区历史与现状的深层不满,体现了其塑造大国地位的诉求和外交政策模式的变化,加剧了与周边国家间的矛盾与冲突。然而,受到国际法、地区国际关系和大国压力等多重因素的显著制约,土耳其很难实现基于“蓝色家园”战略设想的东地中海政策目标。

阿玛纳时代的东地中海世界政治生态

自古以来,东地中海周边的各个种族、民族、国家和地区之间都因地中海而保持着不同方式和不同程度的交往,东地中海也因这种交往日益成为一个区域性的世界——东地中海世界,而其源头则可追溯到约公元前1600至前1200年的阿玛纳时代。在阿玛纳时代的东地中海世界,埃及、巴比伦、亚述、米坦尼、赫梯五大国之间合纵连横,互相制衡,使阿玛纳时代成为东地中海世界政治、经济、军事体系调整过程中两个动荡时期之间的一个相对稳定的时期。而正是这种动态的均势,客观上促进了东地中海世界各国、各地区间物质交往和精神交往的增多,为东地中海世界多元一体的国际政治生态的构建创造了条件。