Cyclodextrin-Based Contrast Agents for Medical Imaging

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are naturally occurring cyclic oligosaccharides consisting of multiple glucose subunits. CDs are widely used in host–guest chemistry and biochemistry due to their structural advantages, biocompatibility, and ability to form inclusion complexes. Recently, CDs have become of high interest in the field of medical imaging as a potential scaffold for the development of a large variety of the contrast agents suitable for magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound imaging, photoacoustic imaging, positron emission tomography, single photon emission computed tomography, and computed tomography. The aim of this review is to summarize and highlight the achievements in the field of cyclodextrin-based contrast agents for medical imaging

Cyclodextrin Chemistry and Toxicology

This is a reprint of the Special Issue "Cyclodextrin Chemistry and Toxicology”. This is a collection of eleven articles and three reviews that was published in Molecules that provides an overview of the applications of cyclodextrins, implements the information regarding the use of cyclodextrins and their inclusion complexes, considering both experimental and theorists approaches and using various scientific and technological tools

Natural Polymers and Biopolymers II

BioPolymers could be either natural polymers – polymer naturally occurring in Nature, such as cellulose or starch…, or biobased polymers that are artificially synthesized from natural resources. Since the late 1990s, the polymer industry has faced two serious problems: global warming and anticipation of limitation to the access to fossil resources. One solution consists in the use of sustainable resources instead of fossil-based resources. Hence, biomass feedstocks are a promising resource and biopolymers are one of the most dynamic polymer area. Additionally, biodegradability is a special functionality conferred to a material, bio-based or not. Very recently, facing the awareness of the volumes of plastic wastes, biodegradable polymers are gaining increasing attention from the market and industrial community. This special issue of Molecules deals with the current scientific and industrial challenges of Natural and Biobased Polymers, through the access of new biobased monomers, improved thermo-mechanical properties, and by substitution of harmful substances. This themed issue can be considered as collection of highlights within the field of Natural Polymers and Biobased Polymers which clearly demonstrate the increased interest in this field. We hope that this will inspire researchers to further develop this area and thus contribute to futures more sustainable society.