Low Molecular Weight Molecules Research Articles

Proteolytic Homeostasis in the Tissue of the Spleen and the Heart of Rats Injected with the Venom of Vipera berus berus and Vipera berus nikolskii

Species of the subfamily Viperinae, known to be Old World vipers, Vipera berus berus and Vipera berus nikolskii, are highly distributed in Europe and show their venomous effect, leading to proteolysis, thrombocytopenia, neurotoxicity, and haemorrhage state in susceptible organism. A shift in the protein balance underlies the envenoming in the targeted organs and in the whole organism. Thus, a study of the influence of the V. berus berus and V. berus nikolskii venoms on the protein systems of the spleen and the heart was conducted in order to single out the impact of toxins on the metabolic pathways in the targeted organs. The study included an investigation of the amount of total proteins, and their redistribution and connection with toxicity. The results prove the assumption of proteolytic activation and the emergence of the toxicity state, showing a decrease in the level of proteins, changes in protein composition, redistribution of enzymatic profiles, and an increased level of low molecular weight molecules.

Abstract 3429: Beyond cereblon IMIDs - biophysics-based discovery of novel molecular glue chemotypes

Abstract Molecular glue degraders are compact, low molecular weight molecules that can efficiently induce specific and potent degradation of a target protein. This class of degraders function by inducing interactions between a target of interest and a ubiquitin-ligase, either by stabilization of weak pre-existing interactions, or by generation of entirely novel interactions. These molecules offer significant opportunity beyond heterobifunctional degraders such as PROTACs, not least in terms of improved molecular properties. However, beyond the IMID molecular glues, typified by thalidomide, pomalidomide and lenalidomide, novel molecular glue chemotypes remain scarce. To address this need, we have developed biophysics-based molecular glue screening platform, exploiting our internal, high quality fragment library and proximity-based screening platforms to rapidly identify promising new molecular glues for further optimization. A potential advantage of utilizing cell-free biophysical systems is the opportunity to select both the target and the desired ligase, opening up for development of degraders that capitalize upon differential expression of ligases in different tissues. As proof of concept, we have applied this platform to find new molecular glues to degrade CK1α. This Ser/Thr kinase has been found to be over-expressed in metastatic colorectal cancer, and this over-expression correlates with poor overall survival. The kinase has also been implicated as an oncogenic driver in tumors such as B-Cell lymphomas and non-Hodgkin lymphomas, suggesting a potential therapeutic application for novel CK1α molecular glues. Utilizing known IMID-derived molecular glues between CK1α and CRBN as benchmark controls, we identified several non-IMID derived chemotypes as tentative stabilizers of the CRBN/CK1α interaction. Further studies on these novel candidate degrader templates are now underway. Citation Format: Yujia Zhang, Jessica Bates, Benoit Gourdet, Louise Birch, Philip Addis, Roland Hjerpe, Allan M. Jordan. Beyond cereblon IMIDs - biophysics-based discovery of novel molecular glue chemotypes [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 3429.

Abstract 4151: Anti-CEACAM5 immune stimulant TLR7/8 agonist antibody drug conjugate is a potent myeloid cell activator for the treatment of CEACAM5-expressing tumors

Abstract Toll Like Receptor 7 and 8 (TLR7/8) agonists are a promising approach to treat tumors by harnessing the innate immune system to trigger anti-tumor innate and adaptive immunity. One of the main obstacles to the use of this class of low molecular weight molecules in cancer treatment is the toxicity associated with systemic immune activation after intravenous administration. We developed a novel immune stimulant ADC by conjugating the anti-CEACAM5 (carcinoembryonic antigen related cell adhesion molecule 5) tusamitamab antibody with a resiquimod (R848) TLR7/8 agonist payload. This tumor-targeted compound administered systemically and locally active, is expected to eradicate CEACAM5-positive (+) tumors by recruiting and activating immune cells in tumor microenvironment to promote anti-tumor immune response. Tusamitamab R848 ADC, evaluated in vitro, binds to CEACAM5+ tumor cells via its Fab moiety, and to myeloid cells via its Fc part at nanomolar (nM) concentrations. TLR7/8 pathway activation was evaluated on myeloid THP1 reporter cells. The conjugate elicits a potent and FcyR-dependent activity at low nM concentration. In co-culture of human blood cells and human CEACAM5+ gastric cancer cells, it was shown to induce phagocytosis activity, associated with increased activation/maturation of both monocytes and dendritic cells. Tusamitamab R848 ADC evaluated in vivo in CEACAM5+ pancreatic human tumor model, HPAFII, leads to robust antitumor activity with complete regressions (CR) after single administration at 5 mg/kg. In a pharmacodynamic study using lung tumor patient-derived xenograft mouse model, this ADC triggers murine cytokine inductions, innate immune cell enrollment at tumor site, and tumor necrosis in a dose-dependent manner. Based on preclinical in vitro and in vivo data, the tusamitamab R848 ADC is an innovative ADC approach with the potential to eradicate CEACAM5+ tumors in patients. Citation Format: Stephanie Decary, Lydia Blot, Charlotte Lahoute, Sandrine Benoist, Anne Caron, Francesca Graziano, Marc Trombe, Loreley Calvet, Alexandra Ferrier, Marc Frederic, Sukhvinder Sidhu, Marie-Priscille Brun, Marielle Chiron. Anti-CEACAM5 immune stimulant TLR7/8 agonist antibody drug conjugate is a potent myeloid cell activator for the treatment of CEACAM5-expressing tumors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 4151.

Anti-cancer Potential of Pleurotus Mushroom: Detailed Insight on the Potential Bioactive Molecules, In vitro-In vivo Studies, and Formulation

Abstract: Early mushrooms were categorized under functional food/ nutritional food. However, later on, an increasing number of scientific studies strongly support their role in disease prevention and suppression or remission of a diseased state. Mycotherapy of cancer, a new promising field, can deal with anti-cancerogenic agents derived from mushrooms. Rich in nutritive value, undemanding cultivation conditions, and with an army of health-promoting bioactive molecules, collectively makes Pleurotus mushroom ideal for a researcher to investigate the anticancer potential. The present review is a literature survey on electronic search by two database search engines: Science direct and Pub med on anticancer potential of Pleurotus species until 2021. This data profiling will fast track information regarding the in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity of different types of Pleurotus species, along with identifying the bioactivemolecules responsible for anticancer potential with their underlying mechanism of action. Resultant findings from the electronic search revealed that till 2021, nearly 13 species of Pleurotus mushroom have been studied as anticancer potential. The biomarkers responsible for activity are mostly higher molecular weight molecules, comprising polysaccharides, polypeptides, proteins, lectins, and enzymes. The lower molecular weight molecules like terpenoids, sterols, and phenolic compounds are less explored and untapped. The main underlying mechanism for the anticancer activity of Pleurotus mushrooms is the induction of the mitochondria intrinsic pathway. For anticancer, Pleurotus mushrooms are widely formulated as metal nanoparticles. Altogether, with this detailed insight may impart the researcher a path to be addressed, thus driving mass attention to identify novel,effective, and safer anticancer potential biomarker.

Development of a root exudate collection protocol for metabolomics analysis using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Large amounts of root exudates are released by plant roots into the soil. Due to their importance in regulating the rhizosphere properties, it is necessary to unravel the precise composition and function of exudates at the root-soil interface. However, obtaining root exudates without inducing artefacts is a difficult task. To analyse the low molecular weight molecules secreted by pea roots, a protocol of root exudate collection was developed to perform a metabolomics analysis using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). To date a few NMR studies are dedicated to root exudates. Plant culture, exudates collection and sample preparation methods had thus to be adapted to the NMR approach. Here, pea seedlings were hydroponically grown. The obtained NMR fingerprints show that osmotic stress increases the quantity of the exudates but not their diversity. We therefore selected a protocol reducing the harvest time and using an ionic solvent and applied it to the analysis of faba bean exudates. NMR analysis of the metabolic profiles allowed to discriminate between pea and faba bean according to their exudate composition. This protocol is therefore very promising for studying the composition of root exudates from different plant species as well as their evolution in response to different environmental conditions or pathophysiological events.

Development of artificial neural network models to predict the PAMPA effective permeability of new, orally administered drugs active against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2

Responding to the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, the scientific community intensified efforts to provide drugs effective against the virus. To strengthen these efforts, the “COVID Moonshot” project has been accepting public suggestions for computationally triaged, synthesized, and tested molecules. The project aimed to identify molecules of low molecular weight with activity against the virus, for oral treatment. The ability of a drug to cross the intestinal cell membranes and enter circulation decisively influences its bioavailability, and hence the need to optimize permeability in the early stages of drug discovery. In our present work, as a contribution to the ongoing scientific efforts, we employed artificial neural network algorithms to develop QSAR tools for modelling the PAMPA effective permeability (passive diffusion) of orally administered drugs. We identified a set of 61 features most relevant in explaining drug cell permeability and used them to develop a stacked regression ensemble model, subsequently used to predict the permeability of molecules included in datasets made available through the COVID Moonshot project. Our model was shown to be robust and may provide a promising framework for predicting the potential permeability of molecules not yet synthesized, thus guiding the process of drug design.

A Rapid Screening Method for the Detection of Additives in Electronics and Plastic Consumer Products Using AP-MALDI-qTOF-MS.

A novel method was developed and optimized for the fast-screening analysis of additives in electronics and plastic consumer products using atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (AP-MALDI) coupled with a high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight (qTOF) mass spectrometer (MS). To simplify sample preparation and increase sample throughput, an innovative 48 well graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) doped AP-MALDI target plate was developed. The GNP incorporated in the target plate fulfilled the role of the MALDI matrix and, therefore, sample extracts could be directly transferred to the AP-MALDI 48 well target plate and analyzed without a subsequent matrix addition. The homogeneously dispersed and immobilized GNP target plates also provided increased signal intensity and reproducibility. Furthermore, analytical standards of various plastic additives and plastic products with known concentrations of additives were studied to assess the AP-MALDI ionization mechanisms and method capability. The analysis time was 15 s per measurement using an automated sequence. The GNP-doped target plates exhibited high desorption/ionization of low molecular weight molecules (<1000 Da) and can be used in both positive and negative ionization modes. The AP-MALDI-qTOF-MS method was applied to screen for additives in various electronics and plastic consumer products. Suspect screening was performed using a database containing 1366 compounds. A total of 56 additives including antioxidants, flame retardants, plasticizers, UV-stabilizers, and UV-filters were identified (confidence level 4). Identification of certain plastic additives in plastic children's toys may indicate that they are recycled from waste electronic and electronic equipment (WEEE).

A dialysis medium refreshment cell culture set-up for an osteoblast-osteoclast coculture.

Culture medium exchange leads to loss of valuable auto- and paracrine factors produced by the cells. However, frequent renewal of culture medium is necessary for nutrient supply and to prevent waste product accumulation. Thus it remains the gold standard in cell culture applications. The use of dialysis as a medium refreshment method could provide a solution as low molecular weight molecules such as nutrients and waste products could easily be exchanged, while high molecular weight components such as growth factors, used in cell interactions, could be maintained in the cell culture compartment. This study investigates a dialysis culture approach for an in vitro bone remodeling model. In this model, both the differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) into osteoblasts and monocytes (MCs) into osteoclasts is studied. A custom-made simple dialysis culture system with a commercially available cellulose dialysis insert was developed. The data reported here revealed increased osteoblastic and osteoclastic activity in the dialysis groups compared to the standard nondialysis groups, mainly shown by significantly higher alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity, respectively. This simple culture system has the potential to create a more efficient microenvironment allowing for cell interactions via secreted factors in mono- and cocultures and could be applied for many other tissues.

From research cohorts to the patient- a role for "omics" in diagnostics and laboratory medicine?

Human pathologies are complex and might benefit from a more holistic diagnostic approach than currently practiced. Omics is a concept in biological research that aims to comprehensively characterize and quantify large numbers of biological molecules in complex samples, e.g., proteins (proteomics), low molecular weight molecules (metabolomics), glycans (glycomics) or amphiphilic molecules (lipidomics). Over the past decades, respective unbiased discovery approaches have been intensively applied toinvestigate functional physiological and pathophysiological relationships in various research study cohorts. In the context of clinical diagnostics, omics approaches seem to have potential in two main areas: (i)biomarker discovery i.e. identification of individual marker analytes for subsequent translation into diagnostics (as classical target analyses with conventional laboratory techniques), and (ii) the readout ofcomplex, higher-dimensional signatures of diagnostic samples, in particular by means of spectrometric techniques in combination with biomathematical approaches of patternrecognition and artificial intelligence for diagnostic classification. Resulting diagnostic methods could potentially represent a disruptive paradigm shift away from current one-dimensional (i.e.,single analyte marker based) laboratory diagnostics. The underlying hypothesis of omics approaches for diagnostics is that complex, multigenic pathologies can be more accurately diagnosed via the readout of "omics-type signatures" than with the current one-dimensional single marker diagnostic procedures. While this is indeed promising, one must realize that the clinical translation of high-dimensional analytical procedures into routine diagnostics brings completely new challenges with respect to long-term reproducibility and analytical standardization, data management, and quality assurance. In this article, the conceivable opportunities and challenges of omics-based laboratory diagnostics are discussed.

Design, characterization and applications of nanocolloidal hydrogels.

Nanocolloidal gels (NCGs) are an emerging class of soft matter, in which nanoparticles act as building blocks of the colloidal network. Chemical or physical crosslinking enables NCG synthesis and assembly from a broad range of nanoparticles, polymers, and low-molecular weight molecules. The synergistic properties of NCGs are governed by nanoparticle composition, dimensions and shape, the mechanism of nanoparticle bonding, and the NCG architecture, as well as the nature of molecular crosslinkers. Nanocolloidal gels find applications in soft robotics, bioengineering, optically active coatings and sensors, optoelectronic devices, and absorbents. This review summarizes currently scattered aspects of NCG formation, properties, characterization, and applications. We describe the diversity of NCG building blocks, discuss the mechanisms of NCG formation, review characterization techniques, outline NCG fabrication and processing methods, and highlight most common NCG applications. The review is concluded with the discussion of perspectives in the design and development of NCGs.

Electrochemical oxidation of lignin for the simultaneous production of bioadhesive precursors and value-added chemicals

Electrochemical oxidation of lignin has been widely regarded as a clean and reliable alternative to obtain value-added products from lignin, such as vanillin or guaiacol. This work aims to go one step beyond the production of low molecular weight molecules and explore the possibility of using lignin residues from electrochemical treatments in the context of biorefinery. To this end, a two-way valorization of lignin by electrochemical oxidation is proposed, in order to obtain a liquid phase enriched in low molecular weight organic oligomers and a solid phase of modified lignin to be used as bioadhesive precursor. Hydroxylation of lignin by electrochemical oxidation using boron-doped diamond (BDD) anodes was observed according to the FTIR and MALDI-TOF results, concluding that an applied current density of 10 mA cm−2 leads to promising modifications for the formulation of bioadhesives. Furthermore, NIPU bioadhesives with electrochemically modified lignin were successfully prepared and tested for use in particleboard panels, showing satisfactory mechanical properties, and thus paving the way for more environmentally friendly lignin modification procedures for the wood industry.

Flavonoids: A Potent substance in Anti-ulcer and Hepatoprotective Agents

Ever since herbs were used from the ancient ages to treat various diseases in one or the other form of drugs for the betterment of mankind. Due to this usage slowly the verge cam e to a decline or over exploitation which resulted in decrease of production of natural resources. Looking in to the benefits the flora and fauna were rehabilitees in form of tissue culture, co preservation, plantation etc. for the availability in its natural form. Nature is the best chemist, which helps in combatting the aliments and provides the outcomes of it. It is impossible to find any plant, which has no medical use.&#x0D; Ulcer and liver diseases are at an alarming rate in the developing countries. A number of drugs, which are in the existing medications for peptic ulcer and hepatic diseases, shows a comeback region due to its adverse effects, and drug interactions. Drugs, which consists from the flora, has its importance in the treatment and shows a higher rate of acceptance. Flavonoids are the naturally occurring, low molecular weight molecules seen mostly distributed in the vegetable kingdom and holds an utmost thurst in declining the generation of reactive oxygen species. Secondary compounds like apigenin, sylimarin, genesis, quercetin, kaempherol and catechins has a significance role in these diseases.

Metal-assisted laser desorption ionization imaging mass spectrometry for biological and forensic applications

Traditionally, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) requires the homogenous deposition of an organic matrix prior to analysis. However, organic matrices often generate high background noise in the low mass range (below ∼800 Da) that often prevents the detection and identification of lower molecular weight compounds, especially if these are present in low abundance. Laser desorption ionization (LDI) allows for selective ionization of targeted species with very low background in the low mass range. In this article, the advantages and disadvantages of both solvent free and wet deposition of metals as LDI matrices developed in our laboratory are presented and discussed in the context of IMS analyses. Through several original examples, we highlight the power of silver and gold-based metal-assisted LDI to analyze selected low molecular weight molecules from tissue sections by IMS, including intact cholesterol, triacylglycerols, fatty acids, and phospholipids, as well as numerous other endogenous substances embedded within fingermarks.

Assessment of endogenous intoxication based on the study of medium and low molecular weight substances in patients with myocardial infarction against a background of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Introduction. Frequent comorbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and myocardial infarction is due to the commonality of a number of etiopathogenetic links and the development of endogenous intoxication syndrome. The convincing markers of endogenous intoxication syndrome are medium and low molecular weight molecules including medium and low molecular weight substances and oligopeptides.Aim. To study the levels of medium and low molecular weight substances in patients with myocardial infarction against the background of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Materials and methods. 225 patients with myocardial infarction were examined. In 195 patients the infarction developed against the background of COPD, in 130 patients – without COPD. The comparison group consisted of 110 somatically healthy individuals. Substances of medium and low molecular weight (MLMWS) and oligopeptides (OP) were determined by direct spectrometry (according to M.Y. Malakhova, 1995) in plasma, erythrocytes and urine. Endogenous intoxication indices and intoxication coefficient were calculated on the basis of these indices. Statistical processing of the data was performed using SPSS 26.0 software package.Results. In blood plasma and erythrocytes, the levels of average molecules in both studied groups were statistically significantly higher compared to controls. The highest levels were detected in comorbid patients. In the group of patients with myocardial infarction without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 60% of the examined patients had phase I endogenous intoxication. Phase III intoxication prevailed among comorbid patients with myocardial infarction against chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – 62,6%.Conclusions. Molecules of average mass have proven to be informative indices of endogenous intoxication syndrome in patients with myocardial infarction accompanied by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This opens the prospect of using these indices in the development of assessment scales and the creation of prognostic algorithms in patients with cardiorespiratory comorbidity.

Influence of Carbon Dioxide on the Glass Transition of Styrenic and Vinyl Pyridine Polymers: Comparison of Calorimetric, Creep, and Rheological Experiments

The glass transition of amorphous polymers determines the mobility of polymer chains and the time scale of relaxation processes. The glass transition temperature is reduced by the presence of low molecular weight molecules, e.g., dissolved gases or organic solvents. The quantitative knowledge of reduction of the glass transition temperature caused by the addition of carbon dioxide in a polymer melt is highly relevant for foam extrusion. However, measurement of the reduction of glass transition temperature caused by gas loading has to be performed under elevated pressure which implies high experimental efforts. In this work, we discuss and compare three methods for determination of the influence of carbon dioxide on thermal properties of amorphous polymers, i.e., calorimetric measurements, creep tests, and rheological experiments. The advantages and disadvantages of these methods are elucidated. Furthermore, the influence of molecular structure of the styrenic and vinylpyridine polymers on the glass transition temperature is discussed. Polystyrene generally shows the highest reduction of glass transition temperature. Poly(2-vinylpyridine) and poly(4-vinylpyridine) show a slightly less pronounced behaviour in comparison to polystyrene because of the lower polarity of polystyrene. Poly(α-methyl styrene) is associated with a different dependence of glass transition temperature on gas loading in calorimetric and rheological experiments.

Influence of Crosslinking Extent on Free Volumes of Silicone Rubber and Water Diffusion after Corona Discharge.

Silicone rubber is widely used as an insulating material. In this article, silicone rubber samples were prepared by varying the content of crosslinker (2,5-bis(tert-butyl-peroxy)-2,5-dimethylhexane, DBPMH), and the free volume holes in the samples were investigated by means of positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) measurement. The surface chemical structure, surface micromorphology and water diffusion of the samples after corona discharge treatment were studied by FTIR, SEM and EIS measurements, respectively. As the crosslinker weight ratio increased from 0.2 wt.% to 1.5 wt.%, the mean free volume hole size first decreased and then remained unchanged. However, the concentration of free volume holes did not vary as the crosslinker weight ratio increased. SEM morphologies show that surface cracks were produced on samples having high crosslinking levels after corona treatment. The water diffusion coefficient of samples after corona treatment increased from 3.13 × 10−10 cm2 s−1 to 17.68 × 10−10 cm2 s−1 in the initial immersion period, as the crosslinker weight ratio increased from 0.2 wt.% to 3.0 wt.%. The results indicated that deterioration of samples with high crosslinking levels were more serious and water repellency more easily lost. The corona resistance ability of low crosslinking level silicone rubber stems from internal low molecular weight molecules.

Fast Protocols for Characterizing Antibody-Peptide Binding.

Microarray assay formats gained popularity in the 1990s, first implemented in DNA-based arrays but later adopted for use with proteins, namely antibodies, peptides, low molecular weight (LMW) molecules, such as lipids, and even tissues. In nucleic acid-based affinity assays and arrays, but not in protein or peptide arrays, the specificity and affinity of complementary strand interactions can be deduced from or adjusted through modifications to the nucleotide sequence. Arrays of LMW molecules are characterized by largely uniform but low binding affinities. Multiplexed protein-based affinity assays, such as microarrays, might present an additional challenge due to heterogeneity of antigen properties and of their binding affinities. The use of peptides instead of proteins reduces physical heterogeneity of these reagents through either the widened peptide selection options or rational sequence engineering. However, rational engineering of binding affinities remains an unmet need, and peptide-binding affinities to the respective antipeptide antibodies could vary by orders of magnitude. Hence, multiplexing of such assays by using a microarray format and data analysis and interpretation requires some knowledge of their binding affinities. Low-throughput binding assays to characterize such peptide-antipeptide antibodies interactions are widely available, but scaling-up of traditional protein- and peptide-binding assays might present practical challenges. Here, we describe fast label-free practical approach especially suitable for estimating peptide-binding affinities. The method in question relies on commercially available biolayer interferometry-based equipment with a protocol which can be easily scaled-up, subject to user needs and equipment availability.

Mechanical recyclability of biodegradable polymers used for food packaging: case study of polyhydroxybutyrate-co-valerate (PHBV) plastic

For the purpose of mechanical recycling for food contact applications, decontamination of polyhydroxybutyrate-co-valerate (PHBV) plastic was performed under different temperatures and time conditions. As expected, increasing the decontamination temperature and duration increased the decontamination efficiency, but also the degradation of the polymer. The combination 160 °C/6 h was selected as the optimal conditions that maximize contaminants removal while minimizing polymer degradation. Then the safety of the recycled PHBV under these conditions was assessed, in accordance with EFSA regulation based on bottle-to-bottle PET recycling. Decontamination of low molecular weight molecules such as toluene, chlorobenzene, and methyl salicylate was nearly complete with residual concentrations below the modeled concentrations allowed in the polymer when the adult scenario is considered. However, the higher molecular weight and lower volatility molecules exhibited acceptable decontamination efficiencies, but their residual concentrations in the polymer exceeded the maximum concentrations of no concern. The presence of these molecules allows the use of nearly 21% recycled PHBV in the new materials to meet safety criteria. It is important to keep in mind that this work, never done before, is a preliminary work on mechanical recycling of PHBV, mainly based on extrapolation of PET conditions and regulations. Much more research needs to be done to improve the decontamination process, the barrier properties of PHBV or to think about a short recycling line for PHBV.

Tropaeline O‐oxalic acid‐benzalkonium chloride photogalvanic cells for solar energy conversion and storage

AbstractThe photogalvanic (PG) cells involve a change in the electrode potential by photochemical processes along with the diffusion of ionic species through the bulk electrolyte. The PG cells have used so far the complex H‐shaped cell design, heavy sensitizer molecules with low diffusivity, and low photo‐stability. All these factors are not conducive to the fabrication of cheap cells with good electrical output. To address all these concerns, the tropaeline‐O dye photosensitizer (a low molecular weight molecule with higher diffusion and higher photo‐stability) has been exploited with diffusion‐friendly low cost and a simple transparent cylindrical glass tube. The optimum values of the cell's electrical parameters are: potential 998 mV, current 3200 µA, and power 829.5 µW, and it is quite similar at all illumination window sizes.

Self‐assembled supramolecular organogels of perylene diimide derivatives

AbstractSupramolecular gels of low molecular weight molecules have created enthusiasm among researchers for their tremendous applications as sensors and in the field of biomedical applications and electro‐optics for decades. Among them, gels derived from perylene diimide derivatives in organic non‐polar solvents are rarely reported. This review has gathered all information about these organogels and summarized them based on the substituents and the self‐assembly mechanism in various organic solvents. It has been found that perylene diimide derivatized molecules undergo hydrogen or non‐hydrogen bonding directed π–π stacking to build up three‐dimensional fibrous network structures, which later proved as gels by various characterization techniques.