Bio-instructive materials on-demand - combinatorial chemistry of peptoids, foldamers, and beyond

Combinatorial chemistry allows for the rapid synthesis of large compound libraries for high throughput screenings in biology, medicinal chemistry, or materials science. Especially compounds from a highly modular design are interesting for the proper investigation of structure-to-activity relationships. Permutations of building blocks result in many similar but unique compounds. The influence of certain structural features on the entire structure can then be monitored and serve as a starting point for the rational design of potent molecules for various applications. Peptoids, a highly diverse class of bioinspired oligomers, suit perfectly for combinatorial chemistry. Their straightforward synthesis on a solid support using repetitive reaction steps ensures easy handling and high throughput. Applying this modular approach, peptoids are readily accessible, and their interchangeable side-chains allow for various structures. Thus, peptoids can easily be tuned in their solubility, their spatial structure, and, consequently, their applicability in various fields of research. Since their discovery, peptoids have been applied as antimicrobial agents, artificial membranes, molecular transporters, and much more. Studying their three-dimensional structure, various foldamers with fascinating, unique properties were discovered. This non-comprehensive review will state the most interesting discoveries made over the past years and arouse curiosity about what may come.

Intriguing Heteroleptic ZnII bis(dipyrrinato) Emitters in the Far-Red Region With Large Pseudo-Stokes Shift for Bioimaging

Novel heteroleptic ZnII bis(dipyrrinato) complexes were prepared as intriguing emitters. With our tailor-made design, we achieved far-red emissive complexes with a photoluminescence quantum yield up to 45% in dimethylsulfoxide and 70% in toluene. This means that heteroleptic ZnII bis(dipyrrinato) complexes retain very intense emission also in polar solvents, in contrast to their homoleptic counterparts, which we prepared for comparing the photophysical properties. It is evident from the absorption and excitation spectra that heteroleptic complexes present the characteristic features of both ligands: the plain dipyrrin (Lp) and the π-extended dipyrrin (Lπ). On the contrary, the emission comes exclusively from the π-extended dipyrrin Lπ, suggesting an interligand nonradiative transition that causes a large pseudo-Stokes shift (up to 4,600 cm-1). The large pseudo-Stokes shifts and the emissive spectral region of these novel heteroleptic ZnII bis(dipyrrinato) complexes are of great interest for bioimaging applications. Thus, their high biocompatibiliy with four different cell lines make them appealing as new fluorophores for cell imaging.

The "jaguar's eye" as a new beauty trend? Age-related effects in judging the attractiveness of the oblique eye axis

BACKGROUND

The eye area plays an important role in the assessment of a person. Although plastic surgery in this area is quite common, only a few studies have evaluated the features that create an attractive eye. This study aimed to determine whether a preference exists for a certain eye axis.

METHODS

The stimulus material comprised portrait images of seven women. Two versions of each face were generated that differed only in the position of the eye axis (normal vs rotated). The eye axis was rotated by raising the lateral canthus of the eye about 5 degrees . A total of 250 experimental subjects ranging in age from 15 to 84 years stated their preferential position of the eye axis (horizontal vs oblique).

RESULTS

Clear evidence showed that age has an impact on the type of eye axis preferred. Young subjects (age, B 19 years) regarded the oblique type of eye axis as more attractive, whereas older subjects (age, C50 years) preferred the eyes more horizontal (p \ 0.001), independently of the interviewees' gender.

CONCLUSION

Because young people judge eye attractiveness differently than older people and because beauty trends are normally determined by young people, a future ideal of beauty could be characterized by eyes with a gently oblique eye axis.

Functional Donor-Site Morbidity Following (Osteo-) Fasciocutaneous Parascapular Flap Transfer

PROBLEM

The parascapular flap is extremely versatile in the armamentarium of the plastic surgeon. However, little is known about the donor-site morbidity. Our purpose was to investigate limitations and problems arising at the donor site of parascapular flaps.

METHODS

Twenty patients with free parascapular flaps were followed up over a period of 3 years. Donor-site morbidity was evaluated using standardized evaluation forms. Constant score was calculated to judge shoulder function, SF-36 score was used to evaluate patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

All flaps survived in our series. In 2 patients, delayed wound healing was recorded at the donor site. In 3 patients, shoulder function was limited. In 1 patient, the brachial plexus was affected, and another had preexisting rotator cuff disease. Scar dimensions varied considerably; however, cosmetic aspects of the donor site were not a complaint.

DISCUSSION

This is the first report evaluating donor-site morbidity of parascapular flaps. Limitations in shoulder function are low if correct operative technique with refixation of the musculature is maintained. In general, patients did not have any complaints about the cosmetic appearance of the donor site.

[Reduction of the amputation rate in bone and soft tissue sarcoma by interdisciplinary cooperation]

On the basis of three patients with bone and soft tissue sarcoma,we would like to illustrate the necessity of a well working inter-disciplinary cooperation of radiologists, internal oncologists, radiation therapists, orthopaedic surgeons and plastic surgeons. Functional extremity preservation in sarcoma patients can be achieved by a good interdisciplinary management without im-pairing the total prognosis of the patients. Patients with sarcoma should be treated in centres in which all specialised divisions are experienced and well trained in the treatment of tumour patients. Only then can a promising approach be achieved.