Combined alcohol and cannabinoid exposure leads to synergistic toxicity by affecting cerebellar Purkinje cells.

Combined use of cannabis and alcohol results in greater psychoactive toxicity than either substance alone, but the underlying central mechanisms behind this worsened outcome remain unclear. Here we show that the synergistic effect of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and ethanol on motor incoordination in mice is achieved by activating presynaptic type 1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1R) and potentiating extrasynaptic glycine receptors (GlyR) within cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs). The combination of ethanol and THC significantly reduces miniature excitatory postsynaptic current frequency in a CB1R-dependent manner, while increasing the extrasynaptic GlyR-mediated chronic chloride current, both leading to decreased PC activity. Ethanol enhances THC actions by boosting the blood-brain-barrier permeability of THC and enriching THC in the cell membrane. Di-desoxy-THC, a designed compound that specifically disrupts THC-GlyR interaction without affecting the basic functions of CB1R and GlyR, is able to restore PC function and motor coordination in mice. Our findings provide potential therapeutic strategies for overcoming the synergistic toxicity caused by combining cannabis and alcohol use.

A new organofunctional ethoxysilane self-assembly monolayer for promoting adhesion of rubber to aluminum.

Practical adhesion of rubber to aluminum is measured for various aluminum silanization treatments. In this study, 6-(3-triethoxysilylpropylamino)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dithiol (TES) was used as the coupling agent for preparing self-assembly monolayers (SAMs) on an aluminum surface. The structure and chemical composition of the SAMs were analyzed using Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The changes in the surface features of the aluminum surface due to TES treatment were investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The adhesive properties of the silanized aluminum surface and EPDM rubber have been evaluated by a T-peel strength test. The results suggested that the Si-O-Al bonding at aluminum TES interface existed and a TES self-assembly monolayer was formed on the aluminum surface. More than 6.0 KN/m adhesion strength is obtained when the aluminum is silanized with 2.5 mmol/dm(3) TES, cured at 160 degrees C and vulcanized with EPDM rubber at 160 degrees C for 30 min. It is suggested that the TES self-assembly monolayer is bound to aluminum through its ethoxysilyl functional group, and the thiol function group is strongly crosslinked to EPDM rubber, respectively.

Preparation of superhydrophobic polymeric film on aluminum plates by electrochemical polymerization.

6-(N-Allyl-1,1,2,2-tetrahydroperfluorododecyl)amino-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dithiol monosodium (ATP) was used to prepare polymeric thin films on pure aluminum plates to achieve a superhydrophobic surface. The electrochemical polymerization process of ATP on aluminum plates in NaNO(2) aqueous solution and the formation of poly(6-(N-allyl-1,1,2,2-tetrahydroperfluorododecyl)amino-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dithiol) (PATP) thin film were studied by means of optical ellipsometry and film weight. The chemical structure of the polymeric film is investigated using FT-IR spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Contact angle goniometry was applied to measure the contact angles with distilled water drops at ambient temperature. The experimental results indicate that the polymeric film formed on pure aluminum plates exhibits superhydrophobic properties with a distilled water contact angle of 153 degrees. The electrochemical polymerization process is time-saving, inexpensive, environmentally friendly and fairly convenient to carry out. It is expected that this technique will advance the production of superhydrophobic materials with new applications on a large scale. Moreover, this kind of polymeric thin film can be used as a dielectric material due to its insulating features.