Pyrene-functionalized Foldamer: Structural Impact and Recognition Properties supported by Donor-Acceptor Interactions

An electroactive and luminescent foldamer based on an oligopyridine biscarboxamide skeleton was synthesized and characterised. Its conformation in the solid state proved to be strongly affected by the peripheral pyrene units. The latter also endow the target derivative with recognition abilities toward electron-withdrawing molecules, which allow tuning of the spectroscopic properties of the foldamer

Supramolecular chemistry of helical foldamers at the solid-liquid interface: self-assembled monolayers and anion recognition

The synthesis of a redox-active helical foldamer and its immobilization onto a gold electrode are described. These large molecular architectures are grafted in a reproducible manner and provide foldamer-based self-assembled monolayers displaying recognition properties

A GLP1 receptor agonist diabetes drug ameliorates neurodegeneration in a mouse model of infantile neurometabolic disease

Infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy (INAD) is a rare paediatric neurodegenerative condition caused by mutations in the PLA2G6 gene, which is also the causative gene for PARK14-linked young adult-onset dystonia parkinsonism. INAD patients usually die within their first decade of life, and there are currently no effective treatments available. GLP1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists are licensed for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus but have also demonstrated neuroprotective properties in a clinical trial for Parkinson's disease. Therefore, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of a new recently licensed GLP-1R agonist diabetes drug in a mouse model of INAD. Systemically administered high-dose semaglutide delivered weekly to juvenile INAD mice improved locomotor function and extended the lifespan. An investigation into the mechanisms underlying these therapeutic effects revealed that semaglutide significantly increased levels of key neuroprotective molecules while decreasing those involved in pro-neurodegenerative pathways. The expression of mediators in both the apoptotic and necroptotic pathways were also significantly reduced in semaglutide treated mice. A reduction of neuronal loss and neuroinflammation was observed. Finally, there was no obvious inflammatory response in wild-type mice associated with the repeated high doses of semaglutide used in this study

Supramolecular Control over the Structural Organization of a Second-Order NLO-active Organogelator

A study of the structural parameters which govern the supramolecular organization of an organogelator built from the Disperse Red moiety is proposed. In particular, the key balance between intermolecular H-bonding and/or π–π interactions is addressed by comparing the effect of a secondary amide vs. an ester linker within the molecular structure. Solution 1H-NMR studies show the superiority of the former interaction in promoting the nanostructuring process, allowing it to reach a gel state in toluene. The nanostructures obtained from both the amide and the ester derivatives were also studied in the solid state. In particular, the use of second-harmonic generation microscopy demonstrates that an anisotropic organization of the material can even be observed in the case of the ester derivative, which demonstrates the efficiency of the tris(alkoxy)benzene unit in directing the self-assembly process, independently of additional H-bond interactions