iMed.ULisboa - Artigos em Revistas Internacionais
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- (1R,4S,5S)-5-((3-Hydroxypropyl)amino)-4-((1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)thio)cyclopent-2-en-1-olPublication . Fortunato, Milene; Siopa, Filipa; Afonso, CarlosUsing environmentally friendly conditions, the nucleophilic ring-opening reaction of 6-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-en-2-ol with 1-methyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiol provided a novel thiol-incorporated aminocyclopentitol, (1R,4S,5S)-5-((3-hydroxypropyl)amino)-4-((1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)thio)cyclopent-2-en-1-ol, in excellent yield (95%). The newly synthesized compound was analyzed and characterized via 1H, 13C-NMR, HSQC, and mass spectral data.
- Antimicrobial Ceramic Filters for Water Bio-DecontaminationPublication . Ferreira, Olga; Rijo, Patricia; Gomes, João; Santos, Ricardo; Monteiro, Sílvia; Guedes, Rita; Serralheiro, Maria Luísa; Gomes, Marisa; Gomes, Luciana C.; Mergulhão, Filipe J.; Silva, Elisabete R.Bio-contamination of water through biofouling, which involves the natural colonization of submerged surfaces by waterborne organisms, is a global socio-economic concern, allied to premature materials bio-corrosion and high human health risks. Most effective strategies release toxic and persistent disinfectant compounds into the aquatic medium, causing environmental problems and leading to more stringent legislation regarding their use. To minimize these side effects, a newly non-biocide-release coating strategy suitable for several polymeric matrices, namely polydimethylsiloxane and polyurethane (PU)-based coatings, was used to generate antimicrobial ceramic filters for water bio-decontamination. The best results, in terms of antimicrobial activity and biocide release, showed an expressed delay and a decrease of up to 66% in the population of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on ceramic filters coated with polyurethane (PU)-based coatings containing grafted Econea biocide, and no evidence of biocide release after being submerged for 45 days in water. Biocidal PU-based surfaces were also less prone to Enterococcus faecalis biofilm formation under flow conditions with an average reduction of 60% after 48 h compared to a pristine PU-based surface. Biocidal coated filters show to be a potential eco-friendly alternative for minimizing the environmental risks associated with biofouling formation in water-based industrial systems.
- Lack of harmonisation in the classification of renal impairment in European Summaries of Product CharacteristicsPublication . Salgado, Teresa M.; Arguello, Blanca; Martinez Martinez, Fernando; Benrimoj, Shalom I.; Fernandez-Llimos, Fernando
- Squaric acid: a valuable scaffold for developing antimalarials?Publication . Kumar, S. Praveen; Glória, Paulo M. C.; Gonçalves, Lídia M.; Gut, Jiri; Rosenthal, Philip J.; Moreira, Rui; Santos, Maria M. M.We describe here the synthesis of a library of thirty-eight squaric derivatives and the evaluation of activity against papain-, falcipain-2- and a chloroquine-resistant strain of P. falciparum. The most active compounds combine significant antiplasmodial activity with minimal cytotoxicity.
- Oxidative injury in V79 Chinese hamster cells: protectivePublication . Fernandes, Ana S.; Serejo, João; Gaspar, Jorge; Cabral, Fátima; Bettencourt, Ana F.; Rueff, José; Castro, Matilde; Costa, Judite; Oliveira, Nuno G.Oxidative cell injury could be induced by different reactive oxygen species (ROS) operating in multiple pathways. The present work is focused on three different models of oxidative stress: the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system (XXO), an extracellular superoxide anion generator; tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP), an analogue of lipid hydroperoxides; and doxorubicin (Dox), an anticancer drug. Superoxide and peroxyl radicals, among other ROS, could be effectively scavenged by MnTM-4-PyP, a polyfunctional catalytic antioxidant. In this report, we have addressed the role of MnTM-4-PyP on the protection against the cytotoxicity induced by the three aforementioned oxidants. The effect of MnTM-4-PyP (0.1–100 μM) was evaluated in V79 fibroblasts using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide reduction and the crystal violet assays, as well as the mitotic index. Also, the generation of intracellular ROS was studied by the fluorescent probe dihydroethidium. MnTM-4-PyP has shown significant protective effects against the cytotoxicity of XXO and TBHP, increasing the cell viability in approximately 40% and reducing the intracellular level of ROS. However, no considerable protection occurred against Dox. The three oxidants caused a mitotic index reduction that was not altered by MnTM-4-PyP. In summary, MnTM-4-PyP appears to be a promising agent for the protection against oxidative injury. However, it has shown differential responses, reinforcing the need to study different experimental models for the adequate evaluation of its potentialities as a catalytic antioxidant.
- Incorporation of tocopherol acetate-containing particles in acrylic bone cementPublication . Bettencourt, A.; Florindo, H. F.; Ferreira, I. F. S.; Matos, A.; Monteiro, J.; Neves, C.; Lopes, P.; Castro, M.; Almeida, A. J.Acrylic bone cement (BC) is used in orthopaedic surgery to anchor cemented prostheses to bone. Association of antioxidant molecules to BC may suppress reactive species injury which contributes to implant failure. Tocopherol acetate (ATA)-loaded polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) particles (ATA(PMMA)) were prepared by single emulsion solvent evaporation technique and were incorporated into BC. An encapsulation efficiency of 84% (w/w) was obtained and drug release studies showed distinct ATA release profiles and mechanisms before and after particle incorporation into BC. Experimental data, analysed using first-order, Higuchi and Korsmeyer-Peppas models revealed that ATA was released from particles by a Fickian diffusion mechanism while a non-Fickian transport was observed upon particle incorporation in BC. There were no changes in the mechanical properties of BC specimens containing ATA(PMMA) particles, in contrast to what was observed when ATA was loaded directly into BC. Overall, ATA(PMMA) particles are potential carriers for the incorporation of an antioxidant drug into BC.
- Stereocontrolled Generation of Benzo[a]- and Indolo[2,3-a]quinolizidines from (S)-Tryptophanol and (S)-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)alaninol-Derived LactamsPublication . Pérez, Maria; Arioli, Federica; Rigacci, Gianna; Santos, Maria M. M.; Gómez-Esqué, Arantxa; Escolano, Carmen; Florindo, Pedro; Ramos, Carlos; Bosch, Joan; Amat, MercedesThe stereochemical outcome of Pictet–Spengler cyclizations of (S)-tryptophanol and (S)-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)alaninol-derived lactams is discussed. When using HCl the respective trans-H-6/H-12b (or H-11b) indolo[2,3-a]- or benzo[a]quinolizidines are stereoselectively formed, whereas BF3·Et2O-promoted cyclizations lead to trans-H-6/H-11b benzo[a]quinolizidines but cis-H-6/H-12b indolo[2,3-a]quinolizidines. The intermediacy of an oxazolinium salt in the latter process is demonstrated.
- Antimycobacterial evaluation and preliminary phytochemical investigation of selected medicinal plants traditionally used in MozambiquePublication . Luo, Xuan; Pires, David; Aínsa, José; Gracia, Begoña; Mulhovo, Silva; Duarte, Aida; Anes, Elsa; Ferreira, Maria José UmbelinoEthnopharmacological relevance Several medicinal plants are traditionally used in Mozambique to treat tuberculosis and related symptoms. Aims of the study It was aimed to assess the in vitro antimycobacterial activity of crude extracts from fifteen medicinal plants and to reveal main classes of compounds which may account for the activity of extracts. Methods and materials The plant materials were sequentially extracted by n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and 70% ethanol. Decoction of each plant material was also prepared according to traditional use. Broth microdilution method was employed to screen extracts against two mycobacterial species: Mycobacterium smegmatis ATCC 607 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. The extracts with minimum inhibitory concentration(s) (MIC) below 125 μg/mL were considered active and further tested against different mycobacterial species and strains, namely Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra, Mycobacterium bovis BCG ATCC 35734, Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2 155, Mycobacterium avium DSM 44156 and DSM 44157. Cytotoxic effect was evaluated against human macrophages from the monocytic THP-1 cells. Main classes of compounds in these active extracts were proposed from their 1H NMR spectroscopic characterizations. Results n-Hexane extracts of Maerua edulis and Securidaca longepedunculata, ethyl acetate extract of Tabernaemontana elegans and dichloromethane extract of Zanthoxylum capense were found to possess considerable activity against Mycobacterium bovis BCG and Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra with MIC 15.6–62.5 μg/mL. Tabernaemontana elegans ethyl acetate extract displayed strong activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (MIC 15.6 μg/mL). Except for Tabernaemontana elegans ethyl acetate extract which presented potent cytotoxic effects in THP-1 cells (IC50 < 4 μg/mL), the other three plant extracts showed moderate to none toxicity. Based on 1H NMR spectroscopic analysis, major components in both Maerua edulis and Securidaca longepedunculata n-hexane extracts were linear chain unsaturated fatty acids. Zanthoxylum capense dichloromethane extract contained more complex constituents (mostly phenolic compounds). In the most potent extract, Tabernaemontana elegans ethyl acetate extract, the prominent compounds were identified as indole alkaloids. Conclusions The pronounced antimycobacterial activity of the medicinal plants Maerua edulis, Securidaca longepedunculata, Zanthoxylum capense, and Tabernaemontana elegans suggested that they might provide compounds which could be potential anti-TB drug leads.
- Screening of the inhibitory effect of xenobiotics on alcohol metabolism using S9 rat liver fractionsPublication . Dias, Catarina; Testa, Bernard; Soveral, Graça; Dias, Mário; Constantino, LuísThe purpose of this work was to develop and optimize a simple and suitable method to detect the potential inhibitory effect of drugs and medicines on alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity in order to evaluate the possible interactions between medicines and alcohol metabolism. Commonly used medicines that are often involved in court litigations related with driving under the influence of alcohol were selected. Alprazolam, flunitrazepam and tramadol were tested as drugs with no known effect on ADH activity. Cimetidine, reported previously as having inhibitory effect on ADH, and 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP), a well known ADH inhibitor, were tested as positive controls. Apart from 4-MP, tramadol was identified as having the higher inhibitory effect with an IC50 of 44.7 x 10-3 mM, followed by cimetidine (IC50 of 122.9 x 10-3 mM). Alprazolam and flunitrazepam also reduced liver ADH activity but to a smaller extent (inhibition of 11.8 ± 5.0% for alprazolam 1.0 mM and 34.5 ± 7.1% for flunitrazepam 0.04 mM). Apart from cimetidine, this is the first report describing the inhibitory effect of these drugs on ethanol metabolism. The results also show the suitability of the method to screen for inhibitory effect of drugs on ethanol metabolism helping to identify drugs for which further study is justified.
- Biodegradation of acrylic based resins: A reviewPublication . Bettencourt, A.; Neves, C. B.; Almeida, M. S. de; Pinheiro, L. M.; Oliveira, S. A.; Lopes, L. P.; Castro, M. F.Objectives. The development of different types of materials with application in dentistry is an area of intense growth and research, due to its importance in oral health. Among the different materials there are the acrylic based resins that have been extensively used either in restorations or in dentures. The objective of this manuscript was to review the acrylic based resins biodegradation phenomena. Specific attention was given to the causes and consequences of materials degradation under the oral environment. Data and sources. Information from scientific full papers, reviews or abstracts published from 1963 to datewere included in the review. Published materialwas searched in dental literature using general and specialist databases, like the PubMED database. Study selection. Published studies regarding the description of biodegradation mechanisms, in vitro and in vivo release experiments and cell based studies conducted on acrylic based resins or their components were evaluated. Studies related to the effect of biodegradation on the physical and mechanical properties of the materials were also analyzed. Conclusions. Different factors such as saliva characteristics, chewing or thermal and chemical dietary changes may be responsible for the biodegradation of acrylic based resins. Release of potential toxic compounds from the material and change on their physical and mechanical properties are the major consequences of biodegradation. Increasing concern arises from potential toxic effects of biodegradation products under clinical application thus justifying an intensive research in this area.