The (Poly)Pharmacology of Cannabidiol in Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Molecular Mechanisms and Targets

Cannabidiol (CBD), the major nonpsychoactive Cannabis constituent, has been proposed for the treatment of a wide panel of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, including anxiety, schizophrenia, epilepsy and drug addiction due to the ability of its versatile scaffold to interact with diverse molecular targets that are not restricted to the endocannabinoid system. Albeit the molecular mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic effects of CBD have yet to be fully elucidated, many efforts have been devoted in the last decades to shed light on its complex pharmacological profile. In particular, an ever-increasing number of molecular targets linked to those disorders have been identified for this phytocannabinoid, along with the modulatory effects of CBD on their cascade signaling. In this view, here we will try to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the molecular basis underlying the therapeutic effects of CBD involved in the treatment of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.     

Influence of pressure and dwell time on pressure-assisted sintering of calcium cobaltite

Calcium cobaltite Ca₃Co₄O₉, abbreviated Co349, is a promising thermoelectric material for high-temperature applications in air. Its anisotropic properties can be assigned to polycrystalline parts by texturing. Tape casting and pressure-assisted sintering (PAS) are a possible future way for a cost-effective mass-production of thermoelectric generators. This study examines the influence of pressure and dwell time during PAS at 900°C of tape-cast Co349 on texture and thermoelectric properties. Tape casting aligns lentoid Co349. PAS results in a textured Co349 microstructure with the thermoelectrically favorable ab-direction perpendicular to the pressing direction. By pressure variation during sintering, the microstructure of Co349 can be tailored either toward a maximum figure of merit as required for energy harvesting or toward a maximum power factor as required for energy harvesting. Moderate pressure of 2.5 MPa results in 25% porosity and a textured microstructure with a figure of merit of 0.13 at 700°C, two times higher than the dry-pressed, pressureless-sintered reference. A pressure of 7.5 MPa leads to 94% density and a high power factor of 326 µW/mK² at 800°C, which is 11 times higher than the dry-pressed reference (30 MPa) from the same powder.     

B Cells with a Senescent-Associated Secretory Phenotype Accumulate in the Adipose Tissue of Individuals with Obesity

Senescent cells accumulate in the adipose tissue (AT) of individuals with obesity and secrete multiple factors that constitute the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). This paper aimed at the identification of B cells with a SASP phenotype in the AT, as compared to the peripheral blood, of individuals with obesity. Our results show increased expression of SASP markers in AT versus blood B cells, a phenotype associated with a hyper-metabolic profile necessary to support the increased immune activation of AT-derived B cells as compared to blood-derived B cells. This hyper-metabolic profile is needed for the secretion of the pro-inflammatory mediators (cytokines, chemokines, micro-RNAs) that fuel local and systemic inflammation.     

Evaluation of atmospheric galvanic aluminum corrosion in electrical transmission towers at different sites in the Valparaíso region,Chile. Wire-on-Bolt Test (CLIMAT)

This study evaluates environmental aggressiveness and atmospheric galvanic corrosivity categories in Chile (Classification of Industrial and Marine ATmospheres test) by installing bolts in electrical transmission towers in the Valparaiso region across four exposure sites: Playa Ancha, San Sebastián, Las Vegas, and San Felipe. Classifications of marine corrosion index (MCI), industrial corrosion index (ICI), and atmospheric corrosion index (ACI) used different galvanic couples: aluminum/steel for MCI, aluminum/copper for ICI, and aluminum/polyethylene for ACI. Corrosion indices varied by season (summer, autumn, winter, and spring), for which couples were exchanged every 3 months. Intraseason variation depended mainly on the meteorochemical variables of the zone, the Cl⁻/SO₂ ratio, and the presence of general and pitting corrosion in the aluminum. The results indicate that, regardless of environmental condition, the aluminum in Al/steel (MCI) and Al/copper (ICI) couples presented a higher corrosion rate than when not forming a galvanic couple (ACI). Moreover, under higher environmental chloride, these differences increase. The Playa Ancha station presented the highest ACI.