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Nervonic acid, a 24-carbon fatty acid with only one double bond at the 9th carbon (C24:1n-9), is abundant in the human brain, liver, and kidney. It not only functions in free form but also serves as a critical component of sphingolipids which participate in many biological processes such as cell membrane formation, apoptosis, and neurotransmission. Recent studies show that nervonic acid supplementation is not only beneficial to human health but also can improve the many medical conditions such as neurological diseases, cancers, diabetes, obesity, and their complications. Nervonic acid and its sphingomyelins serve as a special material for myelination in infants and remyelination patients with multiple sclerosis. Besides, the administration of nervonic acid is reported to reduce motor disorder in mice with Parkinson's disease and limit weight gain. Perturbations of nervonic acid and its sphingolipids might lead to the pathogenesis of many diseases and understanding these mechanisms is critical for investigating potential therapeutic approaches for such diseases. However, available studies about this aspect are limited. In this review, relevant findings about functional mechanisms of nervonic acid have been comprehensively and systematically described, focusing on four interconnected functions: cellular structure, signaling, anti-inflammation, lipid mobilization, and their related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancement of malignant cell immunogenicity to relieve immunosuppression of lung cancer microenvironment is essential in lung cancer treatment. In previous study, we have demonstrated that dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a kind of phytopharmaceutical, is effective in inhibiting lung cancer cells and boosting their immunogenicity, while the initial target of DHA's intracellular action is poorly understood. The present in‐depth analysis aims to reveal the influence of DHA on the highly expressed TOM70 in the mitochondrial membrane of lung cancer. The affinity of DHA and TOM70 was analyzed by microscale thermophoresis (MST), pronase stability, and thermal stability. The functions and underlying mechanism were investigated using western blots, qRT‐PCR, flow cytometry, and rescue experiments. TOM70 inhibition resulted in mtDNA damage and translocation to the cytoplasm from mitochondria due to the disruption of mitochondrial homeostasis. Further ex and in vivo findings also showed that the cGAS/STING/NLRP3 signaling pathway was activated by mtDNA and thereby malignant cells underwent pyroptosis, leading to enhanced immunogenicity of lung cancer cells in the presence of DHA. Nevertheless, DHA‐induced mtDNA translocation and cGAS/STING/NLRP3 mobilization were synchronously attenuated when TOM70 was replenished. Finally, DHA was demonstrated to possess potent anti‐lung cancer efficacy in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, these data confirm that TOM70 is an important target for DHA to disturb mitochondria homeostasis, which further activates STING and arouses pyroptosis to strengthen immunogenicity against lung cancer thereupon. The present study provides vital clues for phytomedicine‐mediated anti‐tumor therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spark plasma sintering (SPS) tests were designed using the Taguchi method to create high‐performance composites consisting of 60 wt% TiB2, 30 wt% TiC, and 10 wt% Ti. The effects of SPS parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of TiB2‐TiC‐TiB composites were systematically investigated. Additionally, the evolution of phase and microstructure during the densification of the composites was analyzed in detail. It has been demonstrated that composites can achieve a high relative density of 99.8%, a hardness of 22.2 GPa, a strength of 739 MPa, and a fracture toughness of 7.07 MPa m1/2, as well as a dense structure and small grain size. These properties can be obtained by sintering at a temperature of 1500°C, a pressure of 50 MPa, and a holding time of 5 min. Sintering temperature is the primary factor that promotes the densification of the composite and influences its relative density, grain size, and morphology. Holding time and sintering pressure are relatively minor factors, but they play important roles at different stages of the sintering process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was to use a memory-free hydride generation atomic fluorometer to determine mercury content in feed. The joint developed atomic fluorescence spectrometer breaks through the problem of serious memory effect in determination of trace mercury by spectrometry, and established a method for determination of mercury in feed by atomic fluorescence spectrometry with water as carrier current without memory effect hydride. HNO3-H2O2 (1:1) was selected from the four mixed acids as the digestion system, and 2 mL 220 g/L sulfamic acid solution was selected to eliminate interference of nitrogen oxides. The established method had good linearity in concentration range of 0.2~1.0 µg/L, the correlation coefficient r=0.999 6, the detection limit (n=11) was 0.003 1 µg/L, the relative standard deviation (n=7) was 2.28%, and the recovery rate was between 93%~99%. The study indicates that the method has the advantages of high sensitivity, accuracy and efficiency, which can realize the rapid detection of mercury content in feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based upon the synopsis of failure analysis and fault tree analysis, this paper puts up the component framework of reinforced computer equipment and typical fault tree, carries out practical analysis and systematic application of failure analysis and fault tree analysis, and implements mechanism analysis, correction measures and probability evaluation. This will benefit capability improvement of reinforced computer equipment and related information system.