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Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies in the world. microRNA-140-5p (miR-140) has been shown to be involved in cartilage development and osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis. Some contradictions still exist concerning the role of miR-140 in tumor progression and metastasis, and the underlying mechanism is uncertain. Methods Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the expressions of ADAMTS5 and IGFBP5 in CRC tissues. Human CRC cell lines HCT116 and RKO were transfected with miR-140 mimic, inhibitor, or small interfering RNA (siRNA) against ADAMTS5 or IGFBP5, respectively, using oligofectamine or lipofectamine 2000. Scratch-wound assay and transwell migration and invasion assays were used to evaluate the effects of miR-140 on the capabilities of migration and invasion. The levels of miR-140 and ADAMTS5 and IGFBP5 mRNA were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Western blot was performed to examine the expression of ADAMTS5 and IGFBP5 proteins. Results miR-140 was significantly reduced, whereas ADAMTS5 and IGFBP5 were upregulated, in the human CRC tissues compared to the corresponding normal colorectal mucosa. miR-140 downregulation and ADAMTS5 or IGFBP5 overexpression were associated with the advanced TNM stage and distant metastasis of CRC. There was a reverse correlation between miR-140 levels and ADAMTS5 and IGFBP5 expression in CRC tissues. ADAMTS5 and IGFBP5 were downregulated by miR-140 at both the protein and mRNA levels in the CRC cell lines. The gain-of- and loss-of-function studies showed that miR-140 inhibited CRC cell migratory and invasive capacities at least partially via downregulating the expression of ADAMTS5 and IGFBP5. Conclusions These findings suggest that miR-140 suppresses CRC progression and metastasis, possibly through downregulating ADAMTS5 and IGFBP5. miR-140 might be a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of CRC.

Blue and white Chinese porcelain specimens from Dehua and Zhangzhou kiln sites from the Ming dynasty (AD 1368–1644), and Jingdezhen kiln sites from the Yuan (AD 1280–1368) to Ming dynasties were collected. The chemical compositions of these valuable samples were determined using energy dispersive X-ray, fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry, a non-destructive method, and some Jingdezhen samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The EDXRF results were subjected to correspondence analysis. Differences in the composition of the specimen bodies were found for specimens from different production sites. The blue and white Jingdezhen imperial, porcelain from the Yuan to Ming dynasties can be divided into two periods based on differences in the chemical composztion and microstructure of the pigments. The reasons for these variations are discussed.

When North China was invaded in 1127, the emperor of the Song dynasty moved the capital to Lin'an (now called Hangzhou) in Zhejiang Province southeast of Shanghai. He established the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279 a.d.), known as a period of cultural flowering and stability in Chinese history. Several years later, official kilns were built by court officials to meet the need for the porcelains required for use at the Southern Song palace.

The chemical composition (body and glaze) of over thirty Yaozhou porcelain fragments are determined by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis. Statistical analysis of these results combined with data already published indicate that the full evolution process of Yaozhou porcelain can be divided into four stages. Each stage exhibits a characteristic composition determined by the raw materials and batch composition used to produce the porcelain bodies and glazes. Almost all of Yaozhou celadon and white ware glazes belong predominantly to the CaO-type glaze (or lime glaze), but the glazes of the Song Dynasty (A.D. 960–1280) and later periods have higher K2O content and less CaO than the earlier periods.

The chemical compositions and firing temperatures of seventy-four stamped pottery and proto-porcelain fragments which were excavated from Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Henan and Fujian were studied. Their chemical compositions, together with a database of more than 600 pottery and porcelain bodies and 100 protoporcelain and porcelain glazes previously investigated, were processed and evaluated by correspondence analysis. Their firing temperatures and those of more than 200 pottery and porcelain samples were compared as well. The results of this investigation yield a more objective and comprehensive view of the process of technological evolution of ancient Chinese pottery and porcelain than heretofore possible. The place of stamped pottery and proto-porcelain in the evolution process is better understood, and the differences between the patterns of continuity and change in the north and the south of China is further discussed in this paper.

Jingdezhen blue and white imperial porcelain specimens from the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties have been systematically analyzed using a nondestructive test method——energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis (EDXRF). The derived data of major and trace element compositions have been treated by correspondence analysis. The variation laws of the composition patterns for Jingdezhen blue and white imperial porcelain in different historical periods owing to the change in raw materials, recipe and technology have been discussed, and a time model related to variation of element composition has been preliminarily established, It would be helpful for scientific dating of Jingdezhen blue and white imperial porcelain, and even for the studies on the whole field of identification of ancient ceramics.

The crystallization behavior of some LiAlSiON system glasses under different conditions was studied. Experimental results show that the addition of nitrogen could decrease the crystallization tendency of glasses. In addition, the atmosphere, chemical composition and different sources of nitride could influence the crystallization of oxynitride glasses.

Recently, the glass scientists of many countries have showed great interest in oxynitride glasses. They have measured some properties in MAlSiON or MSiON system glasses (MMg, Ca, Y, La etc.) It was suggested that the nitrogen incorporated into the structure of glass produces a more highly cross-linked structure. In this paper, the effect on various properties was observed when different amounts of nitrides were introduced into R2OAl2O3SiO2(RLi, K) glasses. It is shown that some properties changed markedly as the nitride content increased.

Diffusion equations with the diffusion coefficient depending on concentration were solved by the finite difference method. Distributions of sodium oxide concentration and refractive index calculated for an ion-exchanged glass are compared with results measured by electron microprobe analysis and interference microscopy respectively. Even if the interdiffusion coefficients of the ions in the glass vary over long ion exchange times, the error between calculation and measurement can be made as small as possible by selecting an interdiffusion coefficient for a suitable ion exchange time to calculate the concentration distribution in the glass ion-exchanged for a different time.

The influence of P 2 O 5 on phase separation, structure and crystallization of CaOMgOAl 2 O 3 SiO 2 P 2 O 5 F glasses as well as their interrelationships were investigated by infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray spectroscopy obtained by energy-dispersive electron microanalysis (EDAX).

Phase separation and nucleation processes in MgOAl2O3SiO2TiO2 glass during heat treatment at a temperature in the range 580–800 ° C were investigated by means of differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and small-angle X-ray scattering. It was discovered that in the glass heat treated at a temperature lower than its glass transition temperature Tg, the phase separation proceeded and the largest value of the nucleation rate occurred; that the temperatures of maximum nucleation rate become lower with the extension of the heat-treatment time; and that the larger the radius of gyration of the lower viscosity phase (TiO2-rich) in the glass, the better the nucleation.

The past half century has seen the publication of a large number of studies dealing with liquid-phase separation in glass-forming systems. In contrast to the abundance of studies on thermodynamics, kinetics of liquid phase separation as well as its effect on crystallization and properties of glass, relatively few applications have been known directly utilizing this phenomenon. There is some experimental evidence that liquid-phase separation exerts an important influence both on the properties of glass ceramics and the striking properties of ruby glasses. It is possible to utilize knowledge available and more fully understand liquid-phase separation and its relation with crystallization for improving the properties of glass ceramics and developing new glass materials with promising properties. Thus, much work remains to be done. The objective of this paper is to emphasize the relationship between liquid-phase separation and the crystallization behavior of glass.

The influence of phase separation and crystallization on the internal friction of some oxide glasses is reviewed and discussed. In alkali-containing glasses, the internal friction peak caused by stress-induced diffusion of alkali ions decreases in magnitude and shifts to higher temperature slightly due to phase separation. And in alkali-free glasses phase separation only exerts a minor decrease upon the background of internal friction curves, whereas crystallization influences the internal friction of these glasses more strongly. Because of crystallization, in alkali-containing glasses alkali ions might diffuse in a residual glass phase and a crystal phase, respectively. This might cause corresponding internal friction peaks. And in alkali-free glasses, no evident internal friction peak is observed. However, the author found a high and wide internal friction peak at about 100°C in the crystallized MgO·Al2O3·SiO2·TiO2 and ZnO·Al2O3·SiO2·ZrO2 glasses. The peak occurring in the two glasses studied is probably connected with glass crystallization and crystallized crystals.