Transporte de massa em polímeros intrinsecamente condutores: importância, técnicas e modelos teóricos

In this work we discuss the aspects related to the phenomenon of mass transport in thin electroactive polymer films. Such phenomenon must be considered because the properties and consequent applications of these materials largely depend on the movement of charge carriers, i.e. ions, electrons or holes. The most recent majority of the techniques, methods and theoretical models used in this type of study are gathered and discussed, providing an easy and critical way for choosing the methodology for an investigation.

Constituintes químicos das raízes de Pyrostegia Venusta e considerações sobre a sua importância medicinal

This paper describes the chemical constituents isolated from roots of Pyrostegia venusta. From ethanol extract of the roots allantoin, beta-sitosterol, 3b-O-beta-D-glupyranosylsitosterol and hesperedin were isolated. The structures of these natural products were identified on the basis of spectral data, including 2D NMR of the peracetyl derivative of hesperidin.

Peróxido de hidrogênio: importância e determinação

A brief discussion about the hydrogen peroxide importance and its determination is presented. It was emphasized some consideration of the H2O2 as reagent (separated or combined), uses and methods of analysis (techniques, detection limits, linear response intervals, sensor specifications). Moreover, it was presented several applications, such as in environmental, pharmaceutical, medicine and food samples.

Determinação da 2,5-hexanodiona em amostras de urina submetidas à hidrólise ácida: importância da coluna cromatográfica e do pH do meio

Acidic hydrolysis of samples is frequent in urinary 2,5-hexanodione determination. This hydrolysis should be performed under proper conditions, in order to avoid interference, such as the presence of 2,5-dimethylfurane and 2-acetylfurane. The results of the present work, as well as data from the literature, show that the use of non-polar or slightly polar chromatographic columns of 30 m length is an essential condition for 2,5-HD determination in an acid hydrolysed urine sample. In the same way the pH should be kept between 0.3 and 0.5. The mean concentrations of 2,5-HD in samples submitted to hydrolysis (0.50 ± 0.28 mg/g of creatinine) was about 3 times higher than those found in the samples without acid hydrolysis (0.19 ± 0.3 mg/g of creatinine).

A importância da análise de especiação do chumbo em plasma para a avaliação dos riscos à saúde

Lead absorption is influenced by the species that are formed and the physicochemical characteristics of lead, among others. Lead plasma concentration is < 5% of total blood lead and represents the biologically active fraction able to cross the cell membranes. Health risks mainly depend on a specific metal and its species. Speciation analysis is the analytical activity of identifying and determining different metal species. Chromatographic methods are very useful in the identification of species and the techniques most used to determine metals in biological fluids are ICP OES/MS and AAS. Lead speciation analysis in blood plasma is fundamental for understanding and evaluating the interaction mechanisms between that analyte and its biological targets.

Tiossemicarbazonas: métodos de obtenção, aplicações sintéticas e importância biológica

Thiosemicarbazones are a class of compounds known by their chemical and biological properties, such as antitumor, antibacterial, antiviral and antiprotozoal activity. Their ability to form chelates with metals has great importance in their biological activities. Their synthesis is very simple, versatile and clean, usually giving high yields. They are largely employed as intermediates, in the synthesis of others compounds. This article is a survey of some of these characteristics showing their great importance to organic and medicinal chemistry.

A importância do observatório de atividades industriais vis-à-vis tendências em ciência, tecnologia e inovação

Given that innovation is fundamental for competitiveness, and that it is intrinsically linked to knowledge, it has become essential to foster effective interaction between the Brazilian productive sector and universities and R&D centers. This interface should be created by means of the model used in developed countries: Observatory of Industrial Activities and Trends in Science, Technology and Innovation. The present work describes its main functions, using examples of activities undertaken by the Chemical Industry Information System of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro related to production systems of primary and high-tech industries, examining the diffusion of knowledge to decision-makers.

A importância da Química Analítica Qualitativa nos cursos de Química das instituições de ensino superior brasileiras

The results of a survey of institutions offering undergraduate studies, with the objective of evaluating the importance of Qualitative Analytical Chemistry for Chemistry courses in Brazil, are presented and discussed. Judging by the data, the content of the course of Qualitative Analytical Chemistry is considered by the Brazilian institutions offering undergraduate studies to be a body of knowledge essential for the formation of the chemist. This aspect is deemed valid for both baccalaureate and teaching license studies.

Gênero Calophyllum: importância química e farmacológica

The Calophyllum genus (Clusiaceae) is composed of about 200 species, with a pantropical distribution. Some species are medicinal and are used against several diseases, including gastric ulcers, infectious pathologies, painful, inflammatory processes and as molluscicidal. A search in the literature regarding the chemical and biological aspects of these plants indicates cytotoxic activity against several cell lines, inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, antisecretory and cytoprotective properties, antinociceptive, molluscicidal and antimicrobial effects, among others, related particularly to the presence of coumarins, xanthones, flavonoids, and triterpenes.

Importância do metabolismo no planejamento de fármacos

It is widely recognized that pharmacokinetic optimization needs to be addressed early in drug discovery to reduce the high failure rate in bringing drugs to market. Poor absorption, too short duration of action due to high elimination rate, or the presence of active metabolites are examples of properties that can potentially lead to unsuccessful clinical programmes. Here I describe a brief overview of advantages and molecular strategies for improving metabolic and pharmacokinetic properties applied to the discovery of fluconazol, beta-blockers, ritonavir and ezetimibe and to the development of the prodrugs enalapril and bambuterol.

A importância das revistas Química Nova e Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society no crescimento da área de química no Brasil

Quimica Nova and the Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society are two examples of successful initiatives taken by the Brazilian Chemical Society (SBQ - Sociedade Brasileira de Química), and may serve as models for the scientific societies of developing countries. Pillars of the SBQ, these two periodicals are undeniable demonstrations that idealism, utopia and dignity are the essential ingredients for transforming dreams into reality. Few believed that the Brazilian chemical community would one day have, as it does today, two scientific research periodicals indexed in the principal international data banks.

Métodos de obtenção, reatividade e importância biológica de 4-tiazolidinonas

Molecules containing the 4-thiazolidinone ring are known to possess a wide range of biological properties including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities among others. These compounds can be synthesized by cyclization reactions involving alpha-haloacetic acid or alpha-mercaptoacetic acid and employed in several chemoselective reactions. Comprehensive reviews have been written on 4-thiazolidinones in 1961 by Brown and in 1980 by Singh et al. In the recent literature, some new synthesis methods for 4-thiazolidinone derivatives and several reactions have been reported. These advances warrant to review the chemical and biological properties of compounds with this important heterocycle employed in synthetic organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Glutationa e enzimas relacionadas: papel biológico e importância em processos patológicos

Glutathione (GSH) and related enzymes are pivotal for the normal functioning of several important biological processes. In this review we discuss the biosynthesis and the catalytic cycles of glutathione as well as the major GSH-related enzymes. We also present how glutathione and enzymes are involved in cancer and the chromatographic and non-chromatographic methods used to analyze glutathione and/or its derivatives.

Derivados oleananos e ursanos e sua importância na descoberta de novos fármacos com atividade antitumoral, anti-inflamatória e antioxidante

Oleanolic and ursolic acids are triterpenes that exist abundantly in the plant kingdom. They show antitumor activity and their cytotoxic activity was already evaluated against a broad range of cell lines. The inhibition of enzymes involved in the metabolism of DNA and the induction of apoptosis are known events that have been related to the antitumour activity of these triterpenes. The antiinflamatory and antioxidant activities also seem to play an important role in their antitumour activity. In this review, it is presented an overview of the importance of the potential antitumour, antiinflamatory and antioxidant activities of these triterpenoid derivatives. Also, we propose a structural-activity relationship to triterpenes containing oleanane or ursane skeleton and their cytotoxic activity.