Ácidos siálicos: da compreensão do seu envolvimento em processos biológicos ao desenvolvimento de fármacos contra o agente etiológico da gripe

Sialic acids are nine-carbon carbohydrates that occur widely in nature and occupy the terminal portions of some glycoproteins and glycolipids of cell membranes. These carbohydrates are closely involved in cell-cell interactions and in processes such as microbial infection, inflammation, etc. Studies on the participation of sialic acids in biological processes have provided comprehension about their role in the infection by the influenza virus, the causal agent of flu. In this article, we present an overview of the importance of sialic acids in the influenza virus infection and how the knowledge of their involvement in this process has allowed the development of selective and efficient drugs against the virus.

Aerossóis atmosféricos: perspectiva histórica, fontes, processos químicos de formação e composição orgânica

This work starts with a historical perspective of the social and scientific progress related to the understanding of the atmospheric aerosol. Its origin, physical, chemical and optical characteristics, as well as its environmental behaviour are described, retracing the evolution of the concepts related to this subject over the last centuries. The main sources that contribute to atmospheric particulate matter and the modern understanding of its formation processes and constitution, focusing on the chemical pathways leading to it and on its organic components are presented. This discussion is complemented with recent evaluations of the quantities emitted by primary, secondary, biogenic and anthropogenic sources and the effects due to accumulation or dispersion of aerosols, justifying the chemical and environmental interest they engender.

A questão da inovação em fármacos no Brasil: proposta de criação do programa nacional de fármacos (Pronfar)

Medicines are essential instruments to the preservation, maintenance and promotion of Health. The access to the medicine represents an important factor of social inclusion, depending on the availability of the pharmaceutical - active principle contained in the medicine that in 85% of the cases has a synthetic origin. In this scenario the importance of knowing how to make pharmaceuticals and medicines plays a significant role for the viability of the autonomous Health politics necessary for the demands of the major Nations. In this context, this work describes concisely the main aspects involved in the interdisciplinary drug discovery process, identifying the possible gorges for the successful development of innovative drugs in Brazil.

Espectrometria de massas com ionização por "electrospray": processos químicos envolvidos na formação de íons de substâncias orgânicas de baixo peso molecular

An overview of the current literature on the chemical processes involved in the ion formation from low molecular weight organic compounds by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry is given.

Síntese e emprego do ciclometalado [Pd(dmba)(N3)(PPh3)] em processos catalíticos envolvendo a n-carbonilação redutiva de nitroarenos a carbamatos e na síntese de derivados da uréia

This work deals with the use of the cyclometallated compound [Pd(dmba)(N3)(PPh3)] in homogeneous catalytic processes comprising the reductive N-carbonylation of nitrobenzene and p-nitrotoluene to ethyl-phenylcarbamate and ethyl-4-methylphenylcarbamate, respectively. The cyclopalladated compound was also employed in the synthesis of urea derivatives by reacting p-nitrotoluene and m-nitrotoluene, respectively, with p-toluidine and and m-chloroaniline.

A criação do curso de engenharia química na escola nacional de química da universidade do Brasil

The goal of this work was to establish the origins of the chemical engineering course at the National School of Chemistry of the University of Brazil (at present, the School of Chemistry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro). There was a previous Industrial Chemistry course at the Higher School of Agriculture and Veterinary, established in 1920, following the French model. This course was the basis of the creation of the National School of Chemistry in 1933. During the 1940s, teachers and students claimed for a new course in true connection with the needs of the country and to reach full valorization of their job. The structure of the new Chemical Engineering course was approved in 1946 and the first class begun in 1952. This course was of great importance during the Brazilian industrial development during the 1950s and 1960s.

Química Analítica de Processos

Process Analytical Chemistry (PAC) is an important and growing area in analytical chemistry, that has received little attention in academic centers devoted to the gathering of knowledge and to optimization of chemical processes. PAC is an area devoted to optimization and knowledge acquisition of chemical processes, to reducing costs and wastes and to making an important contribution to sustainable development. The main aim of this review is to present to the Brazilian community the development and state of the art of PAC, discussing concepts, analytical techniques currently employed in the industry and some applications.

Estresse oxidativo, lesões no genoma e processos de sinalização no controle do ciclo celular

The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may be both beneficial to cells, performing functions in intracellular signaling and detrimental, modifying cellular biomolecules. ROS can cause DNA damage, such as base damage and strand breaks. Organisms respond to chromosome insults by activation of a complex and hierarchical DNA-damage response pathway. The extent of DNA damages determines cell fate: cell cycle arrest and DNA repair or cell death. The ATM is a central protein in the response to DNA double-strand breaks by acting as a transducer protein. Collected evidences suggest that ATM is also involved in the response to oxidative DNA damage.

Fundamentos e aplicações ambientais dos processos fenton e foto-fenton

Wastewater and soil treatment processes based on Fenton's reagent have gained great attention in recent years due to its high oxidation power. This review describes the fundaments of the Fenton and photo-Fenton processes and discusses the main aspects related to the degradation of organic contaminants in water such as the complexation of iron, the use of solar light as the source of irradiation and the most important reactor types used. An overview of the main applications of the process to a variety of industrial wastewater and soil remediations is presented.

Reator de membrana enzimático e fluidos supercríticos: associação de processos

The aim of this work is to present the new applications of membrane technology in fat and oil processing, with emphasis on development and applications of the enzymatic membrane reactor and its association with extraction and purification technology by supercritical fluids (SCF). Combining the extraction by SCFs and the separation by membranes allows the integration of extractions reactions with selective separation by membranes through filtration of the supercritical mixture (SCF + extracted solutes). This association provides important energy savings regarding the SCF recompression costs.