漫话“宁中”、“联中”和“湾中”

“宁中”、“联中”和“湾中”是一所中学的发展历程，它创立于1923年，校史悠久。现据我所知漫话如下。

Growth and Mortality of Small Yellow Croaker(Larimichthys polyactis) Inhabiting Haizhou Bay of China

Length frequency data of small yellow croaker （Larimichthys polyactis） were acquired from the survey vessel in May, July, September and December, 2011 in Haizhou Bay of China. In this study, 921 fish individuals were analyzed for the estimation of growth and mortality parameters. Between length and weight, the power coefficient b was 2.7321, 2.9703, 3.0418 and 2.7252 for the 4 surveying months, respectively. The estimated von Bertalanffy growth function parameters were 230mm （L∞） and 0.26yr-1 （K） as were calculated with ELEFAN method equipped in FiSAT computer package. With length-converted catch curve analysis, the total mortality rate （Z） and its 95% confidence interval were 2.16 （1.69-2.64） yr-1, 0.59 （0.15-1.04） yr-1, 1.16 （0.80-1.52） yrl and 0.96 （0.70-1.23） yr1 for the 4 surveying months, respectively, with the pooled data the value was 1.15 （0.81-1.48） yr1. The natural mor- tality rate （M） was 0.516 yr 1 as was calculated with Pauly＇s equation （the annual average sea water temperature was 11 ℃）. Therefore, fish mortality rate was 0.634 yrz. The yield-per-recruit analysis indicated that when tc was 1, Fmax, was 0.7 and F01 was 0.55. Cur- rently, the age at first capture is about 1 year and Fcurrent was 0.634. Therefore, Fcurrent was larger than F0.1 and less than Fmax. This indicates that current fish mortality is at a dangerously high level. With Gulland method, the biological reference point for fishery （Fopt） was estimated as 0.516 yr1, lower than current fish mortality. Accordingly, reducing catch in the region was strongly recom- mended.

Silicon limitation on primary production and its destiny in Jiaozhou Bay, China Ⅳ: Study on cross-bay transect from estuary to ocean

The authors analyzed the data collected in the Ecological Station Jiaozhou Bay from May 1991 to November 1994, including 12 seasonal investigations, to determine the characteristics, dynamic cycles and variation trends of the silicate in the bay. The results indicated that the rivers around Jiaozhou Bay provided abundant supply of silicate to the bay. The silicate concentration there depended on river flow variation. The horizontal variation of silicate concentration on the transect showed that the silicate concentration decreased with distance from shorelines. The vertical variation of it showed that silicate sank and deposited on the sea bottom by phytoplankton uptake and death, and zooplankton excretion. In this way, silicon would endlessly be transferred from terrestrial sources to the sea bottom. The silicon took up by phytoplankton and by other biogeochemical processes led to insufficient silicon supply for phytoplankton growth. In this paper, a 2D dynamic model of river flow versus silicate concentration was established by which silicate concentrations of 0.028–0.062 μmol/L in seawater was yielded by inputting certain seasonal unit river flows (m3/s), or in other words, the silicate supply rate; and when the unit river flow was set to zero, meaning no river input, the silicate concentrations were between 0.05 –0.69 μmol/L in the bay. In terms of the silicate supply rate, Jiaozhou Bay was divided into three parts. The division shows a given river flow could generate several different silicon levels in corresponding regions, so as to the silicon-limitation levels to the phytoplankton in these regions. Another dynamic model of river flow versus primary production was set up by which the phytoplankton primary production of 5.21–15.55(mgC/m2·d)/(m3/s) were obtained in our case at unit river flow values via silicate concentration or primary production conversion rate. Similarly, the values of primary production of 121.98–195.33 (mgC/m2·d) were achieved at zero unit river flow condition. A primary production conversion rate reflects the sensitivity to silicon depletion so as to different phytoplankton primary production and silicon requirements by different phytoplankton assemblages in different marine areas. In addition, the authors differentiated two equations (Eqs.1 and 2) in the models to obtain the river flow variation that determines the silicate concentration variation, and in turn, the variation of primary production. These results proved further that nutrient silicon is a limiting factor for phytoplankton growth.

Nutrients distribution and trophic status assessment in the northern Beibu Gulf, China

Using historical and 2010 field data, the distribution of nutrients in the northern Beibu Gulf of China is described. There was a decreasing trend in the concentration of nutrients from the north coast to offshore waters of the northern Beibu Gulf, reflecting the influence of inputs from land-based sources. High concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen （DIN） and phosphate （PO4-P） occurred mainly at Fangchenggang Bay, Qinzhou Bay, and Lianzhou Bay. Four different methods were used to assess eutrophication. The trophic status of the Beibu Gulf was characterized using the single factor, Eutrophication index （El）, Trophic index （TRIX） and Assessment of Estuarine Trophic Status （ASSETS） methods. Based on nutrient concentrations, 73.9% of DIN and 26.7% of PO4-P samples exceeded the fourth grade Seawater Quality Standard of China. Eutrophication index values varied widely, but higher levels of eutrophication were generally found in bays and estuaries. TRIX values ranged from 2.61 to 7.27, with an average of 4.98, indicating a mesotrophic and moderately productive system. A positive correlation between TRIX and harmful algal species richness and abundance was observed. The ASSETS model evaluates eutrophication status based on a Pressure-State-Response approach, including three main indices： influencing factors, overall eutrophic condition, and future outlook. The Beibu Gulf was graded as moderate using ASSETS. The single factor and Chinese nutrient index methods were considered inadequate for the assessment of trophic status. TRIX can be used as an indicator of trophic state and ASSETS showed good potential to assess eutrophication. The results of TRIX and ASSETS depend on threshold values. To establish these values, further research is required within the northern Beibu Gulf.

Clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of splenic abscess:A review of 67 cases in a single medical center of Taiwan

AIM： To analyze 67 cases of splenic abscess in a medica center of Taiwan during a period of 19 years. METHODS： From January 1986 to December 2004, a total of 67 patients with splenic abscess were enrolled for the retrospective study. The clinical characteristics, underlying diseases, organism spectra, therapeutic methods, APACHE Ⅱ scores, and mortality rates were analyzed. RESULTS： There were 41 males and 26 females with the mean age of 54.14-14.1 years. Multiple splenic abscesses （MSA） account for 28.4% and solitary splenic abscess in 71.6% of the patients. Twenty-six of sixtyseven patients （35.8%） had extrasplenic abscesses, with leading site of liver （34.6%）, Microbiological cultures were positive in 58 patients （86.6%）, with 71.8% in blood culture and 93.5% in abscess culture. Gram negative bacillus （GNB） infection predominated （55.2%）, with leading pathogen of Klebslella pneumoniae （22.4%）, followed by gram positive coccus （GPC） infection （31%）. Splenectomy was performed in 26 patients （38.8%）, percutaneous drainage or aspiration in 21 （31.3%）, and antibiotic therapy alone in 20 patients （29.9%）. Eventually, 12 of 67 patients expired （17.9 %）. By statistics, spleen infected with GNB was likely to develop multiple abscesses compared with infection with GPC （P=0.036）. Patients with GNB infection （P=0.009） and multiple abscesses （P=0.011） experienced a higher mortality rate than patients with GPC infection and solitary abscess. The mean APACHE Ⅱ score of 12 ex- pired patients （16.3±3.2） was significantly higher than that of the 55 survivals （7.2 ± 3.8） （P〈 0.001）. CONCLUSION： MSA, GNB infection, and high APACHE Ⅱ scores are poor prognostic factors. Early surgical intervention should be encouraged when these risk factors are present.

Relationship between environmental factors and plankton in the Bayuquan Port, Liaodong Bay,China：a five-year study

To understand the relationship between the plankton community and environmental factor and water quality in the Bayuquan Port of Liaodong Bay, China, and investigations were carried ou during six dif ferent periods(April 2009, April 2010, October 2011, April 2012, October 2012, and Apri 2013). This area was characterized by high levels of nutrient and suspended solids(SPS) during surve periods, and eutrophication led to the occurrence of red tides in April and October 2012 and April 2013 Our analyses revealed that the plankton communities of Bayuquan Port lacked stability and were af fecte seriously by external disturbance(e.g., oceanographic engineering and river runof f). Our data indicate tha oil, dissolved inorganic nitrogen(DIN), SPS, and chlorophyll a(Chl- a) were key factors that regulated th phytoplankton and zooplankton communities. The partial redundancy analysis(partial RDA) suggested tha oil and SPS were the most important environmental variables af fecting the phytoplankton community i April 2010 and 2012, whereas DIN concentration played a governing role in zooplankton dynamics. Oi and Chl-a concentrations af fected signifi cantly the zooplankton community in October 2012. Therefore, th plankton communities could refl ect both dynamic changes in coastal environmental factors and the ongoin eutrophication process caused by anthropogenic activities in this area.

A field study on the conversion ratio of phytoplankton biomass carbon to chlorophyll-a in Jiaozhou Bay,China

A one-year field study was conducted to determine the conversion ratio of phytoplankton biomass carbon （Phyto-C） to chlorophyll-a （Chl-a） in Jiaozhou Bay, China. We measured suspended particulate organic carbon （POC） and phytoplankton Chl-a samples collected in surface water monthly from March 2005 to February 2006. The temporal and spatial variations of Chl-a and POC concentrations were observed in the bay. Based on the field measurements, a linear regression model Ⅱwas used to generate the conversion ratio of Phyto-C to Chl-a. In most cases, a good linear correlation was found between the observed POC and Chl-a concentrations, and the calculated conversion ratios ranged from 26 to 250 with a mean value of 56 μg ·μl^-1. The conversion ratio in the fall was higher than that in the winter and spring months, and had the lowest values in the summer. The ratios also exhibited spatial variations, generally with low values in the near shore regions and relatively high values in offshore waters. Our study suggests that temperature was likely to be the main factor influencing the observed seasonal variations of conversion ratios while nutrient supply and light penetration played important roles in controlling the spatial variations.

Environmental capacity of chemical oxygen demand in the Bohai Sea: modeling and calculation

A three-dimensional advection-diffusion model coupled with the degradation process is established for describing the transport of chemical oxygen demand (COD). Comparison of the simulated distribution of COD at the surface in the Bohai Sea in August, 2001 with field observations, shows that the model simulates the dataset reasonably well. The Laizhou Bay, Bohai Bay, and Liaodong Bay were contaminated heavily near shore. Based on the optimal discharge flux method, the Environmental Capacity (EC) and allocated capacities of COD in the Bohai Sea are calculated. For seawater of Grades I to IV of the Chinese National Standard, the ECs of COD in the Bohai Sea were 77×104 t/a, 116×104 t/a, 154×104 t/a and 193×104 t/a, respectively. The Huanghe (Yellow) River pollutant discharge accounted for the largest percentage of COD at 14.3%, followed by that of from the Liugu River (11.5%), and other nine local rivers below 10%. The COD level in 2005 was worse than that of Grade II seawater and was beyond the environmental capacity. In average, 35% COD reduction is called to meet the standard of Grade I seawater.

Prevalence of HFE mutations and relation to serum (?)ron status in patients with chronic hepatitis C and patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Taiwan

AIM: To assess the prevalence of the two mutations, C282Y and H63D of HFE gene, in healthy subjects, patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), and patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Taiwan and to explore the contribution of the HFE mutation on serum iron stores in CHC and NAFLD groups.METHODS: We examined C282Y and H63D mutations of HFE gene in 125 healthy subjects, 29 patients with CHC,and 33 patients with NAFLD. The serum iron markers,including ferritin, iron, and total iron binding capacity (TIBC),were assessed in all patients.RESULTS: All of the healthy subjects and patients were free from C282Y mutation. The prevalence of H63D heterozygosity was 4/125 (3.20%) in healthy subjects, 2/29(6.90%) in CHC group, and 1/33 (3.03%) in NAFLD group.The healthy subjects showed no significant difference in the prevalence of H63D mutation as compared with the CHC or NAFLD group. Increased serum iron store was found in 34.48% of CHC patients and 36.36% of NAFLD patients.In three patients of H63D heterozygosity, only one CHC patient had increased serum iron store. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of HFE mutations between patients with increased serum iron store and those without in CHC or NAFLD group.CONCLUSION: The HFE mutations may not contribute to iron accumulation in the CHC or NAFLD group even when serum iron overload is observed in more than one-third of these patients in Taiwan.

Lewis blood genotypes of peptic ulcer and gastric cancer patients in Taiwan

AIM： The Lewis b （Le^b） antigen has been implicated as a possible binding site for attachment of Helicobacter pylori （H pylon） to gastric mucosa. However, studies both supporting and denying this association have been reported in the literature. Differences in secretor （Se） genotype have been suggested as a possible reason for previous discrepancies. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between Le and Se genotypes and Hpylori infection rates in people with peptic ulcer or gastric cancer. METHODS： Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 347 patients with endoscopic evidence of peptic ulcer disease （235 cases of duodenal ulcer, 62 of gastric ulcer, and 50 of combined duodenal ulcer/gastric ulcer） and 51 patients with gastric cancer on endoscopy. Peripheral blood specimens from 101 unrelated normal volunteers were used as controls. Lewis phenotype was determined using an antibody method, whereas Le and Se genotypes were determined by DNA amplification and restriction enzyme analysis. Gastric or duodenal biopsies taken from patients with endoscopic evidence of peptic ulcer or gastric cancer were cultured for Hpylotri Isolates were identified as Hpylori by morphology and production of urease and catalase. The Hpyloriinfection status was also evaluated by rapid urease test （CLO test）, and urea breath test （13^C-UBT）. Results of studies were analyzed by chi-square test （taken as significant）. RESULTS： Hpyloriwas isolated from 83.7% （303/347） of patients with peptic ulcer disease. Statistical analysis did not show any significant difference in Lewis phenotype or genotype between patients with and without Hpylori infection. No significant association was found between Lewis genotype and peptic ulcer or gastric cancer.CONCLUSION： Lewis blood genotype or phenotype may not play a role in the pathogenesis of Hpyloriinfection. However, bacterial strain differences and the presence of more than one attachment mechanism may limit the value of epidemiological studies in elucidating this matter.

An Analysis of the Characteristics of Monsoon Onset over the Bay of Bengal and the South China Sea in 2010

Based on NCEP/NCAR daily reanalysis and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission data, the back- ground atmospheric circulation and the characteristics of meteorological elements during the period of the Bay of Bengal monsoon （BOBM） and the South China Sea （SCS） monsoon （SCSM） in 2010 are studied. The impacts of the BOBM onset on the SCSM onset and the relationship between the two monsoons are also analyzed. The two main results are as follows： （l） The BOBM onset obvi- ously occurs earlier than the SCSM onset in 2010, which is a typical onset process of the Asian monsoon. During the BOBM＇s onset, northward jump, and eastward expansion, convective precipitation and southwest winds occurred over the SCS, which resulted in the onset of the SCSM. （2） The relationship among strong convection, heavy rainfall, and vertical circulation configuration is obtained during the monsoon onsets over the BOB and SCS, and it is concluded that the South Asian High plays an important role in this period.

Clinical correlation of gallstone disease in a Chinese population in Taiwan:Experience at Cheng Hsin General Hospital

AIM： TO explore the prevalence of gallstone disease （GSD） in Taiwan and condition-associated factors related to it. METHODS： We studied a total of 2386 healthy adults （1235 males and 1151 females） voluntarily admitted to Cheng Hsin General Hospital for a paid physical check-up between January 2002 and December 2002. Blood samples and ultrasound sonography results were collected. RESULTS： The overall prevalence of GSD among this study-population was 5.3%, including 1.7% （n=40） having a single stone, 2.3% （n = 55） having multiple stones, and 1.3% （n = 31） having cholecystectomy. The prevalence revealed a statistically significant increase with increasing age （P〈 0.0001）. Females exhibited a greater prevalence of multiple stones than did males （3.0% vs 1.7%, P= 0.04）. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, the following appeared to be significantly related to the prevalence of GSD： older age （40-49 years vs 〈40 years, OR= 1.63 [95% CI： 0.76-3.48], 50-59 years vs 〈40 years, OR=4.93 [95% CI： 2.43-9.99], 60-69 years vs 〈40 years, OR = 6.82 [95% CI： 3.19-14.60], ≥70 years vs 〈40 years, OR= 10.65 [95% CI： 4.78-23.73]）, higher BMI （≥27 kg/m^2 vs 〈24 kg/m^2, adjusted OR= 1.74 [95% CI： 1.04-2.88]）, and higher FPG （≥ 126 mg/dL vs 〈110 mg/dL, OR= 1.71, 95% CI： 1.01-2.96）. CONCLUSION： Older age （≥50 years）, obesity （BMI ≥ 27 kg/m^2）, and type 2 diabetes （FPG ≥126 mg/dL） are associated with the prevalence of GSD.

Meridional distribution of 226Ra in the west Pacific and the Southern Ocean surface waters

During the 134 （1996 1997） and the 19th （2002-2003） Chinese National Antarctica Research Expeditions, we collected 60 discrete surface seawater samples along the cruise from the Chanjiang River （Yangtze） estuary （30^.59%, 122^.26＇E） through Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, and the Eastern Indian Ocean to Prydz Bay, Antarctica （69^.10＇S, 74^.30＇E）, and analyzed them for the 226Ra specific activity. The 226Ra specific activity of the Chanjiang River estuary surface water （3.15 Bq/m3） was found to be the highest among all the surface samples because of the desorption of 226Ra from riverine particles. Between Chanjiang River estuary and 40^.S, 226Ra specific activity was found to be relatively uniform with a mean value of 1.07 Bq/m3 （n= 19, SD=0.14）, similar to that of the open ocean. From 40^.S to 65^.S, 226Ra specific activity increased intensively, then decreased moderately further southwards. Near the Antarctic shore, it increased again, to 2.31 Bq/m3. This distribution was controlled by a combination of deep water upwelling, Southern Ocean fronts, water mixing and the continental 226Ra import. In Prydz Bay and the adjacent sea area, the mean 226Ra activity value was 2.26 Bq/m3 （n=31, SD=0.28）, with a relatively higher value outside of the bay and low 226Ra activity value in the center of the bay. This was consistent with the topography and hydrological setting of the bay. In addition, we extended the study area northward to the Arctic, by combining the published Z26Ra dataset for surface water from the Bering Sea to the Japan Sea. We also discuss the 226Ra distribution of high latitude oceanic surface water and its mechanisms.

A community-based epidemiological study of elevated serum alanine aminotransferase levels in Kinmen, Taiwan

AIM: To explore any gender-related differences in prevalence of and condition-associated factors related to an elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level amongst residents of Kinmen, Taiwan. METHODS: A total of 11 898 of a potential 20 112 regional residents aged 30 years or more completed a related questionnaire that was carried out by the Yang-Ming Crusade between 1991 and 1994 inclusively, with blood samples being collected by public nurses. The overall questionnaire response rate was 59.3% (52.4% for males and 66.0% for females). RESULTS: The prevalence of an elevated serum ALT level for this sub-population was found to be 7.2%, the prevalence revealing a statistically significant decrease with increasing population age (P<0.0001). Males exhibited a greater prevalence of elevated serum ALT level than did females (9.4% vs 5.3%, P<0.0001). Using multiple logistic regression analysis, in addition to male gender, a younger age, greater waist circumference, presence of type-2 diabetes and hyperuricemia were the significant factors associated with an elevated serum ALT level for both males and females. Gender-related differences as regards associated factors were also revealed. For males, obesity was significantly related to an elevated serum ALT level (OR = 1.28, 95%CI: 1.00-1.66) but this was not so for females (OR = 1.09, 95%CI: 0.84-1.42). Hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 1.80, 95%CI: 1.36-2.39) and hyperuricemia (OR = 1.61, 95%CI: 1.03-2.52) were significantly related to elevated serum ALT levels only for females. CONCLUSION: Several gender-related differences were noted pertaining to the prevalence of and relationship between obesity, hypertriglyceridemia and hyperuricemia and elevated serum ALT level in the present study.

Quaternary glacio-erosional landforms in Laoshan Mountain and their constraints on the origin of Jiaozhou Bay, Qingdao, east of China

A field investigation on Quaternary glacial landforms in Laoshan Motmtain has discovered many glacial potholes, scouring grooves on top of granite ridges, and large boulders. These erosional landforms were formed by the meltwater from the overlying ice cap, suggesting that there was at least an ice cap covering Laoshan Mountain and the surrounding areas or even a continental ice sheet over the vast area of Shandong Province in the Late Pleistocene. The ice sheet was obstructed by the Laoshan Mountain, Dazhu Mountain and Xiaozhu Mountain in the coastal areas as it moved toward the Yellow Sea. The ice flows eroded the bedrock and carved the weak intersection of the fault systems in the NE and NW directions into a deep channel, which gradually formed a fjord in the area of the Jiaozhou Bay basin by 20.00 ka BE The seawater gradually invaded the fjord from the beginning of the Holocene （11.00 ka BP） and Jiaozhou Bay was eventually formed. Similar fjords are easily found along the east of China and they share a similar origin because of the Quaternary glaciation in the region.

Numerical modeling of hydrodynamic changes due to coastal reclamation projects in Xiamen Bay,China

Xiamen Bay in South China has experienced extensive coastal exploitation since the 1950s,resulting in some severe environmental problems.Local authorities now have completed or are implementing many environmental restoration projects.Evaluating the cumulative impact of exploitation and restoration activities on the environment is a complicated multi-disciplinary problem.However,hydrodynamic changes in the bay caused by such coastal projects can be characterized directly and definitively through numerical modeling.This paper assesses the cumulative effect of coastal projects on the hydrodynamic setting using a high-resolution numerical modeling method that makes use of tidal current speeds and the tidal prism as two hydrodynamic indices.Changes in tidal velocity and the characteristics of the tidal prism show that hydrodynamic conditions have declined from 1938 to 2007 in the full-tide area.The tidal current speed and tidal prism have decreased by 40% in the western part of the bay and 20% in the eastern part of the bay.Because of the linear relationship between tidal prism and area,the degraded hydrodynamic conditions are anticipated to be restored to 1972 levels following the completion of current and proposed restoration projects,i.e.33% and 15% decrease in the hydrodynamic conditions of 1938 for the western and eastern parts of the bay,respectively.The results indicate that hydrodynamic conditions can be restored to some extent with the implementation of a sustainable coastal development plan,although a full reversal of conditions is not possible.To fully assess the environmental changes in a region,more indices,e.g.,water quality and ecosystem parameters,should be considered in future evaluations.

Expression and prognostic role of molecular markers in 99 KIT-positive gastric stromal tumors in Taiwan Residents

AIM： TO elucidate the prognostic role and relationship of three molecular markers such as tumor suppressor gene p53, proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） and Ki-67 in gastric stromal tumor. METHODS： A total of 108 surgically resected gastric smooth muscle tumor specimens were collected from January 1987 to December 1999. Immunohistochemical studies were performed on the paraffin sections of 99 of 108 CDl17-positive tumors with antibodies of p53, PCNA, and Ki-67. Immunoreactivity of three molecular markers was recorded by labeling index （LI, %） and was analyzed for clinicopathologic and survival correlation. RESULTS： Of the 99 cases, immunostaining revealed that 52 patients （52.5%） had p53, and 37 patients （37.3%） had Ki-67 immunoreactivity （defined as 〉10% of LI）. All patients （100%） had PCNA immunoreactivity ranging from 12% to 93% of LI, divided into high or low by median. Statistics revealed that LI of three markers positively correlate to each other （P〈0.01） and to microscopic tumor mitotic counts （P〈0.001）. By combination, patients with ≥2 markers （positive or high） in tumors had early tumor recurrence （P〈0.001） and unfavorable outcome （P〈0.001）. Univariate analysis indicated that patients with tumor size 〉5 cm （P=0.003）, tumor mitosis 〉5/50 HPF （P〈0.001）, p53 immunoreactivity （P=0.001）, Ki-67 immunoreactivity （P=0.026）, high PCNA LI （P=0.015） and male gender （P=0.036） were six predictors for early disease recurrence. Subsequent multivariate analysis revealed that mitotic counts, tumor size, and p53 immunoreactivity were three independent prognostic factors for both disease free and overall survival of patients. By combination of three independent prognostic factors for grouping, we found higher tumor recurrence rate （P〈0.001） and shorter survival （P〈0.001） existed in groups with increasing factors. CONCLUSION： We first provide the prognostic value and linkage of three molecular markers in GISTs. The combination of three factors （p53, tumor size, and tumor mitosis） provides a more powerful prediction of prognosis than any single factor does.

A Cenozoic tectono-sedimentary model of the Tainan Basin, the South China Sea: evidence from a multi-channel seismic profile

The Tainan Basin is one of the set of Cenozoic extensional basins along northern margin of the South China Sea that experienced extension and subsequently thermal subsidence. The Tainan Basin is close to the Taiwan Arc-Trench System and straddles a transition zone between oceanic and continental crust. A new regional multi-channel seismic profile （973-01） across the region of NE South China Sea is introduced in this paper. In seismic stratigraphy and structural geology, a model of Cenozoic tectono-sedimentation of the Tainan Basin is established. The results show that three stages can be suggested in Tainan Basin; In Stage A （Oligocene （？）-Lower Miocene） the stratigraphy shows restricted rifting, indicating crustal extension. Terrestrial sedi- ments mostly filled the faulted sags of the North Depression on the continental shelf. Structural highs, including the Central Uplift, blocked material transportation to the South Depression in abyssal basin. In Stage B the Tainan Basin （Middle-Upper Miocene） exhibits a broad subsidence resulting from the post-rifting thermal cooling. The faulted-sags in North Depression had been filled up. Terrestrial materials were transported over the structural highs and deposited directly in the South Depression through sub- marine gullies or canyons. This sedimentation resulted in a crucial change in the slope to a modem shape. In Stage C （Latest Miocene-Recent） a phase change from extension to compression took place due to the orogeny caused by the overthrusting of the Luzon volcanic arc. Many inverse structures, such as thrusts, fault bend folds, and a regional unconformity were formed. Forland basin began developing.

Evaluation of urine ELISA test for detecting Helicobacter pylori infection in Taiwan: A prospective study

AIM： To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of a new ELISA （URINELISA） test for detecting Helicobacter pylori （H pylorl） antibody in the urine of Taiwan Residents population. METHODS： In this prospective study, 317 consecutive dyspeptic patients （171 men, 146 women; mean age, 51.0 years） were included. They underwent gastroendoscopy for evaluation. Invasive tests, including culture, histology, and rapid urease test （RUT）, and non-invasive ^13C-urea breath test were preformed. At the same time, urine specimens were collected for URINELISA. The status of H pylori infection was considered as positive when either culture was positive, or when two of the other, RUT, histology or 13C-UBT, were positive. RESULTS： The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of URINELISA are 91.7% （211/230）, 90.8% （79/87）, 96.3% （211/219）, and 80.6% （79/98） respectively. CONCLUSION： This URINELISA test is reliable, inexpensive and easy-to-use. The high diagnostic accuracy warrants the use of URINELISA as a first-line screening tool for diagnosis of Hpyloriinfection in untreated patients.

Changes in the small-jellyfish community in recent decades in Jiaozhou Bay, China

We used long term monitoring data to evaluate changes in abundance and species dominance of small-jellyfish (collected with zooplankton net whose bell diameter was less than 5 cm) between 1991 and 2009 in the Jiaozhou Bay, China. Zooplankton samples were vertically towed with conical plankton net from near-bottom to surface, identified microscopically, and mapped in time-space using Grapher 7.0 and Surfer 8.0. Results show that the abundance of small-jellyfish throughout the bay had been increasing during 2001-2009 on average of 15.2 ind./m 3 , almost 5 times higher than that between 1991 and 2000. The occurrence of peak abundance shifted from spring to summer after 2000, and two peaks appeared in spring and summer, respectively, after 2005. Both the abundance and the frequency of blooms of small-jellyfish increased after 2000 in the bay. In addition, the biodiversity of jellyfish has increased significantly in recent years with a change in dominant species. Several new dominant species appeared after 2000, including Rathkae octopunctata in winter, Phialidium hemisphaericum in spring, summer, and autumn, Phialucium carolinae in spring, and Pleurobrachia globosa in summer and autumn, while some previous dominant species throughout the 1990s (Eirene ceylonensis, Zanclea costata, Lovenella assimilis, and Muggiaea atlantica) were no longer dominant after 2000. The abundance of small-jellyfish was positively correlated with the density of dinoflagellates, and the abundance of zooplankton. We believe that the changes in smalljellyfish abundance and species composition were the result of eutrophication, aquaculture and coastal construction activities around the bay. Concurrently, seawater warming and salinity decrease in recent decades promoted the growth and reproduction of small-jellyfish in the bay.