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ICP-AES was used to determine the elemental composition of solutions in different conservation steps for understanding the impact of cleaning agents on ceramics from Huaguangjiao I shipwreck. The results showed that high content in solution of Al, Fe, Mg ions, which can be indexes to reflect the damage in conservation of ceramics. According to these indexes, we discovered that agents of strong cleaning ability bring more damage to ceramic samples. Meanwhile, the state of preservation of the ceramics was closely related to the damage in conservation. Ceramics in an excellent state of preservation endure less damage than that in bad state. We also found that each cleaning agent cause certain degree of damage on porcelains, even neutral reagent, like deionized water. Moreover, moderate cleaning reagent, when using a long time, bring the same degree of damage as the strong acid. Therefore, in actual protection procedure, for conservation ceramics safe and effective, damage of each cleaning agents and cumulative damage should be considered.

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence and type of high astigmatism among children aged 3 to 6 years in Guangxi, a relatively undeveloped province in western China, and to examine the correlation between astigmatism and visual acuity., Methods: Children aged 3 to 6 years in Nanning, the capital of Guangxi Province, participated in a population-based survey using a cluster random sampling technique. Eye examinations included autorefraction, visual acuity measurements, and assessments of the external eye, anterior segment, media, and fundus. Data for the right eyes were analyzed., Results: Among the 2304 children examined, the overall prevalence of high astigmatism (≥1.25 diopters by noncycloplegic SureSight autorefraction) was 12.7% (95% confidence interval, 11.3 to 14.0%). The age-specific prevalences of high astigmatism in 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old children were 13.8, 13.2, 12.9, and 8.1%, respectively. The prevalence of high astigmatism did not vary with age or gender (p > 0.05). The majority of cases of high astigmatism were with-the-rule astigmatism (82.9%), followed by against-the-rule (12.6%) and oblique (4.5%) astigmatism. A linear correlation was found between astigmatism magnitude and visual acuity (logMAR acuity = 0.068 + 0.055 × astigmatism) in all participants. Multiple linear regression analysis further showed that the correlation of astigmatism with visual acuity was magnitude dependent (β = 0.240). When with-the-rule astigmatism was used as a reference group, against-the-rule astigmatism (β = 0.137) and oblique astigmatism (β = 0.154) were closely correlated with visual acuity., Conclusions: High astigmatism was moderately prevalent among children aged 3 to 6 years in Guangxi Province. With-the-rule astigmatism was the dominant form of astigmatism. Magnitude- and orientation-dependent correlations of astigmatism with visual acuity were confirmed.

Two homochiral coordination polymers based on a chiral reduced Schiff base ligand, namely poly[(μ5-4-{[(NR,1S)-(1-carboxylato-2-phenylethyl)amino]methyl}benzoato)zinc(II)], [Zn(C17H15NO4)]n, (1), and poly[(μ5-4-{[(NR,1S)-(1-carboxylato-2-phenylethyl)amino]methyl}benzoato)cobalt(II)], [Co(C17H15NO4)]n, (2), have been obtained by hydrothermal methods and studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analyses, powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, IR spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. Compounds (1) and (2) are isostructural and crystallize in the P2(1)2(1)2(1) space group. Both display a three-dimensional network structure with a one-dimensional channel, with the benzyl group of the ligand directed towards the channel. An investigation of photoluminescence properties shows that compound (1) displays a strong emission in the purple region.

The low survival rate of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) is mainly due to the drug resistance of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic agents. It has been reported that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is an essential factor involved in the epigenetic mechanisms of drug resistance, which provides a novel potential target for improving the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic agents. In this study, we first demonstrate that a novel bFGF antagonist, peptide P7, previously isolated by phage display technology, reversed bFGF-induced resistance to irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11), and counteracted the anti-apoptotic effects of bFGF on CPT-11-treated HT-29 cells. Further experiments indicated that the inhibition of Akt activation, the suppression of bFGF internalization, the increase in the Bax to Bcl-2 ratio and the downregulation of cytokeratin 8 (CK8) by P7 may contribute to the counteracting of the anti-apoptotic effects of bFGF, and further reversal of bFGF-induced resistance to CPT-11. Our results suggest that peptide P7 may have therapeutic potential in CRC as a sensitizer to chemotherapeutic agents by targeting bFGF.

Previous studies have demonstrated that fibroblast growth factor 8b (FGF8b) is up-regulated in a large proportion of prostate cancer patients and that it plays a key role in prostate carcinogenesis. In this study, we designed and synthesized a gN helix domain derived short peptide (termed 8b-13) based on the analysis of the FGF8b-FGFR structure. The synthetic peptides inhibited the proliferation of prostate cancer cell lines, including PC-3 and DU-145 cells. Further investigations indicated that 8b-13 arrested the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase, reduced the activation of the Erk1/2, P38, and Akt cascades, and down-regulated the expression of G1/S-specific cyclinD1. The suppression of DNA synthesis and the G1 to S phase transition due to the expression of proteins related to proliferation and cell cycle progression may contribute to the inhibitory effect of 8b-13 peptides on cellular proliferation. Our results not only suggest that 8b-13 exerts an antitumor effect in prostate cancer but also confirm the essential role of the gN helix domain in mediating the activity of FGF8b., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Fibroblast growth factor 8b (FGF8b) is the major isoform of FGF8 expressed in prostate cancer and it correlates with the stage and grade of the disease. FGF8b has been considered as a potential target for prostate cancer therapy. Here we isolated 12 specific FGF8b-binding phage clones by screening a phage display heptapeptide library with FGF8b. The peptide (HSQAAVP, named as P12) corresponding to one of these clones showed high homology to the immunoglobulin-like (Ig-like) domain II(D2) of high-affinity FGF8b receptor (FGFR3c), contained 3 identical amino acids (AVP) to the authentic FGFR3 D2 sequence aa 163-169 (LLAVPAA) directly participating in ligand binding, carried the same charges as its corresponding motif (aa163-169) in FGFR3c, suggesting that P12 may have a greater potential to interrupt FGF8b binding to its receptors than other identified heptapeptides do. Functional analysis indicated that synthetic P12 peptides mediate significant inhibition of FGF8b-induced cell proliferation, arrest cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase via suppression of Cyclin D1 and PCNA, and blockade of the activations of Erk1/2 and Akt cascades in both prostate cancer cells and vascular endothelial cells. The results demonstrated that the P12 peptide acting as an FGF8b antagonist may have therapeutic potential in prostate cancer., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Acquired resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is one of the important reasons for failure in 5-FU-based chemotherapy. The upregulation of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) in tumours was reported as an important factor for acquired 5-FU resistance. The aim of this study is to examine whether intra-hepatic DPD was involved in acquired 5-FU resistance., Methods: HT-29 human colorectal xenograft tumours were established in nude mice. After long-term exposure to 5-FU, some of the tumour became "resistant" and the others remained "sensitive" to 5-FU. DPD expression levels in the livers and tumours of "resistant", "sensitive" or untreated mice were examined, and pharmacokinetics of 5-FU in rats' plasma were investigated. Gimeracil, a DPD inhibitor, was checked whether it could reverse the reduced bioavailability of 5-FU., Results: DPD expression was upregulated obviously in tumours of "resistant" mice as reported previously. Importantly, DPD expression was also upregulated significantly in livers of "resistant" mice, compared with those of "sensitive" or untreated mice. Furthermore, the upregulation of DPD expression in livers led to accelerated metabolism of 5-FU. Gimeracil was found to reverse the reduced serum 5-FU concentration. The cultured tumour cells from 5-FU treated mice showed relative sensitivity to higher concentration of 5-FU, even the "resistant" tumour cells., Conclusion: Our study suggested that the upregulation of DPD in liver may be involved in acquired resistance to 5-FU, and DPD inhibitors or increasing 5-FU dosage may have potential application in overcoming 5-FU acquired resistance., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The liver is the organ to which colorectal carcinomas (CRCs) most commonly metastasize, and surgical resection has been established as the most effective and potentially curative treatment for CRC with liver metastasis (LM). Therefore, surveillance of LM is vital for improvement of prognosis of CRC patients. In this study, we aimed to explore the potential value of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and marker enzymes in indicating LM with CRC., Methods: Three groups of eligible patients with metastatic cancers were retrospectively included: CRC patients with LM (CRC-LM) or without LM (CRC- NLM), and non-CRC patients with LM (NCRC-LM). All metastatic lesions were identified by CT or MRI. Data on characteristics of the patients, the primary site, the locations of metastasis, CA 19-9, CEA, and biochemical parameters were collected for analysis., Results: A total of 493 patients were retrospectively included. More alcohol consumption was found in CRC-LM than CRC-NLM. Some biochemical enzymes were found to be significantly higher in groups with LM than without (CRC-LM or NCRC-LM v.s CRC-NLM). Both CEA and CA 19-9 were much higher in CRC-LM than CRC-NLM or NCRC-LM. For CRC patients, CA 19-9, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, CEA and alcohol consumption were identified as independent factors associated with LM., Conclusion: Our analysis suggested the CA 19-9 might be a potential valuable indicator for LM of CRC in the clinic.

Background: Preexisting type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affects the prognosis and mortality of patients with some cancers. Insulin like growth factor (IGF) and insulin receptor (IR) signaling axes play important roles in both cancer and diabetes development. We aimed to explore the expression characteristics of proteins in IGF/IR axis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases with preexisting T2DM., Methods: Fifty-five NSCLC patients with preexisting T2DM were retrospectively included and matched by 55 NSCLC without diabetes at a 1:1 ratio. The expression of proteins in IGF/IR axis was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Clinicopathological data were collected to analyze their relationship with the protein expression., Results: Both IGF 1 receptor (IGF-1R) and insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS-2) showed higher expression in the NSCLC with T2DM group, compared with those without T2DM. The high expression of IGF-1R and IRS-2 were found to be negatively associated with lymph node metastases and T staging in the T2DM group, respectively, and IRS-2 expression was also found more in the subgroup whose T2DM duration was more than 4 years. No difference was detected in the expression of IRS-1, IGF-1, IGF-2, IGFBP3, IR and mTOR between groups with or without T2DM., Conclusion: Our study found higher expression of IGF-1R and IRS-2 proteins in NSCLC patients with preexisting T2DM, and that there was an association with early stage NSCLC, which suggested that IGF signaling may play an important early event in development of NSCLC associated with diabetes.

Purpose: Chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) is one of the most important causes of anemia in cancer patients. This study was conducted to describe the prevalence and characteristics of CIA in solid cancer patients in the Chinese population, and to explore the relationship of white blood cell (WBC) or platelet decrease with CIA., Methods: Data on age, gender, tumor diagnosis, anti-cancer treatment and blood cell analyses were available from 220 untreated non-anemic cancer patients who received at least 2 cycles of chemotherapy, and the data were analyzed to assess their relationship with CIA or its severity., Results: 139 patients (63.2%) presented anemia, most being Grade 1 or 2. Esophageal and lung cancers were associated with a high prevalence. G3/4 leucopenia and decrease of platelets were identified as independent risk factors for the occurrence of CIA. Moreover, G3/4 leucopenia, decrease of platelet and G3/4 thrombocytopenia were found to be also associated with the severity of CIA. Cisplatin-containing regimens were a main potential factor in causing CIA, although significant association was only found on univariate analysis., Conclusion: Anemia or decrease in hemoglobin are common in Chinese cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Cisplatin-containing regimens might be an important factor influencing the occurrence of CIA. Our analysis firstly described some risk factors, such as decrease of platelets or WBCs, severity of leucopenia or thrombocytopenia, associated with the occurrence and severity of CIA.

Titania nanotubes (TNTs) were synthesized by hydrothermal treatment of rutile-phase TiO2 nanoparticals in NaOH solution at 110 degrees C for 24 hours. After drying in aceton for 36 h, the TNTs were under vacuum drying for 24 h at room temperature. The Pt-inserted titania nanotubes (Pt/TNTs) were obtained by filling H2 PtCl6 ethanol solution into the TNTs after vacuum drying. The characterizations of the as-synthesized samples were confirmed by TEM, XRD, and UV-Vis. The photocatalytic activity of the Pt/TNTs was investigated by photo-induced decomposition of methyl orange(MO)under the main 365 nm UV-light. In order to comparison, the photocatalytic activity of both the rutile-phase TiO2 nanoparticles and pure TNTs were also investigated at the same time under the same experimental conditions. The TEM images show that the TNTs are hollow, a few hundred nanometers long, and the inner/outer diameter is about 6/10 nm. The crystal structure of TNTs is H2Ti2O5 x H2O with a little Na. Both the shape and the crystalline of the TNTs are not changed after the modification. The oval or round Pt0 nanoparticals, about 3 nm in diameter, are found only in the nanotubes. Pt/TNTs exhibit enhanced absorption at the visible range in the UV-Vis spectra and its start absorption band edge(lambda0 approximately 457 nm)is obviously redshifted compared to the rutile-phase TiO2 nanoparticals and pure TNTs. The Pt nanoparticles are found to significantly enhance the photocatalytic activity of TNTs. Pt/TNTs are demonstrated to be highly efficient for the UV-light induced photocatalytic decomposition of MO compared to both the rutile-phase TiO2 nanoparticals and pure TNTs. After irradiation for 60 min, the photocatalysis decomposition rate of MO in rutile-phase TiO2 nanoparticals, TNTs and Pt/TNTs are 46.8%, 57.2% and 84.6% respectively.

Objective: To detect the changing profiles of three factors in nasal fluid before and after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), including platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and hyaluronic acid (HA), to investigate the predictive factor of healing quality after sinus surgery., Methods: Nasal secretions were obtained from 22 patients with nasal polyp before ESS and at 1, 4, 8, 12 weeks after ESS compared to 22 controls. Nasal fluid was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for PDGF, TNF-alpha and HA. The healing quality was evaluated at 1, 4, 8, 12 weeks postoperatively for every one. Finally, we performed a multiple logistic regression model to assess whether the healing quality was associated with age, gender, body mass, preoperative stage, and concentrations of PDGF, TNF-alpha, HA before ESS., Results: 1. Each factor before surgery showed different level when compared to controls, PDGF was constant, TNF-alpha was high (P = 0.034), and HA was low (P = 0.003). Comparing patients at 1 week after surgery with control subjects, a significant increase in the concentrations of PDGF, TNF-alpha, HA in nasal secretions could be demonstrated (compared to controls, P = 0.000, 0.020, 0.038, respectively). After that, decreasing amounts of these factors were found, reaching normal conditions at 12 weeks for PDGF (compared to controls, P = 0.087), 8 weeks for TNF-alpha (compared to controls, P =0.104), 4 weeks for HA (compared to controls, P = 0.304). There was another peak for TNF-alpha at 12 weeks (compared to controls, P = 0.002). 2. The percentage of good healing at 1, 4, 8, 12 week postoperatively was 0, 4.5%, 36.4%, 81.8%, respectively. The healing quality after ESS was significantly and independently correlated to the age of patient and preoperative PDGF concentrations in nasal secretions. The younger, the better healing. The lower PDGF concentration, the better healing., Conclusions: During the wound healing of nasal mucosa, the levels of PDGF, TNF-alpha, HA were different at each postoperative stage. Age and PDGF concentrations preoperatively were suitable factors to predict the healing quality after ESS.