Doenças infecciosas parasitárias consideradas negligenciadas representam um grande problema de saúde pública em muitos países e regiões. Os fármacos disponíveis na terapêutica são, em geral, tóxicos e de eficácia discutível. Portanto, a descoberta e o planejamento de novos quimioterápicos são extremamente necessários. Neste contexto, os pró-fármacos dendriméricos podem ser úteis. Porém, é necessário esforço adicional para viabilizar os custos, simplificar as estratégias de síntese e investigar os comportamentos de liberação. Ademais, é importante a melhoria dos métodos analíticos, dos métodos de purificação e identificação dos produtos de síntese, para a determinação das propriedades físico-químicas e atividade biológica, visando à efetiva aplicação desta tecnologia. Face ao exposto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a identidade, pureza e liberação de dois potenciais pró-fármacos dendriméricos, baseados em 3- hidroxiflavona, planejados para serem ativos em doença de Chagas e leishmaniose. O primeiro, estruturalmente, contendo inositol como núcleo e ramos constituídos por éster da 3- hidroxiflavona com ácido málico e o segundo, estruturalmente contendo o dendrímero PAMAM-G0 (poliamidoamina de geração inicial) como transportador e ácido succínico como espaçante. Desenvolveram-se métodos adequados à determinação da 3-hidroxiflavona por HPLC-UV (Cromatografia líquida de alto desempenho, com detecção no ultravioleta) e MEKC (Cromatografia eletrocinética micelar). Comparando-se esses métodos, o método por HPLC foi mais sensível, preciso e exato na quantificação da 3-hidroflavona, enquanto o método por eletroforese capilar foi mais rápido e de menor custo. O éster da 3-hidroxiflavona com o ácido málico mostrou-se instável em soluções orgânicas, aquosas em diferentes pH e nas condições reacionais de diversas estratégias de síntese avaliadas, o que impediu a obtenção do dendrímero baseado em inositol como núcleo conforme proposto. Já o dendrímero PAMAM-G0 funcionalizado com 3-hidroxiflavona foi sintetizado, purificado e caracterizado com sucesso. Não se observou liberação da 3-hidroxiflavona a partir desse dendrímero em solução gástrica simulada (pH 1,2) e a mesma foi lenta em soluções tampão com pH entre 5,0 e 8,5, a 37,0 ºC. Ensaios de atividade biológica do PAMAM-G0-SUC-3-OH-FLAV em amastigotas de Trypanosoma cruzi, cepas Y(Curitiba) e Y(SS), comparativamente ao benznidazol e ao nifurtimox, mostraram atividade moderada e baixa seletividade. / Infectious parasitoses considered neglected diseases represent a great health problem for many countries and areas. Drugs available in the therapeutics are, generally, toxics and do not have good efficacy. So, the discovery and design of new chemotherapeutic agents are extremely needed. In this context, dendrimeric prodrugs may be useful. However, additional effort is required to make the costs accessible, to simplify the synthetic strategies and to investigate the behavior of cleavage. The improvement of analytical methods, purification methods and identification of synthetic products, in order to determine the physicochemical properties and bioactivity aiming to effectively implement this technology, is also required. Based on foregoing considerations, the objective of this work was to study the identity, purity and drug release of two potential dendrimeric prodrugs, based on 3-hydroxyflavone, designed to be active in leishmaniasis and Chagas disease. The first structurally contains myo-inositol as the core and branches consisting of esters from 3-hydroxyflavone with malic acid. The second structurally contains PAMAM-G0 dendrimer (initial generation polyamidoamine) as carrier and succinic acid as spacer. Suitable analytical methods for determining 3-hydroxyflavone by HPLC-UV (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) and MEKC (Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography) have been developed. Comparing these methods, HPLC method showed more sensitivity, precision and accuracy in the quantification of 3-hydroxyflavone, while the capillary electrophoresis method was faster and less expensive. The ester of 3-hydroxyflavone with malic acid showed to be unstable in organic and aqueous solutions, at different pH and at reaction conditions of synthetic strategies evaluated, which prevented the obtaining of dendrimer based on mio-isositol as core. Notwithstanding, PAMAM-G0 dendrimer funcionalized with 3- hydroxyflavone was synthesized, purified and characterized successfully. There were no 3- hydroxyflavone releases from this dendrimer in simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2) and a slow release was observed in buffer solutions with pH between 5.0 and 8.5, at 37.0 ºC. Submitted to biological assays in amastigotes of two strains of T. cruzi, Y(Curitiba) and Y(SS), compared to benznidazole e nifurtimox, PAMAM-G0-SUCC-3-OH-FLAV showed moderated activity and low selectivity index.

Itraconazole is a triazole antifungical agent with a broad spectrum of activity belonging to the class of azole, indicated in the treatment of different types of mycotic infections systemic and local. Its mechanism of action is based on the ability to inhibition of synthesis of ergosterol which is a component of vital importance to the cell membrane of the fungi. This drug has only official methodology for raw material, described in British and European Pharmacopeia. In this paper, following the main guidelines for validation, were developed and validated quantitative analytical methods that can be applied both for the raw materials as the finished product containing itraconazole capsules through a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with detection in the ultraviolet (254 nm, C8 reversed-phase column, mobile phase acetonitrile : water (65:35), the temperature of 25 °C) and microbiological assay by agar diffusion, with planning 3x3, employing Candida Albicans ATCC 10231 as microorganism testing in the culture medium antibiotic N° 19 in the region of the ultraviolet spectrophotometry (256 nm, with final solutions in 0.1 mol l-1 hydrochloric acid). All methods showed appropriate linearity, precision, accuracy, robustness and specificity. / O itraconazol é um antifúngico triazólico de amplo espectro de ação pertencente à classe dos azóis, indicado no tratamento de diferentes tipos de infecções micóticas sistêmicas e superficiais. Seu mecanismo de ação baseia-se na capacidade de inibição da síntese do ergosterol que é um componente de vital importância para a membrana das células dos fungos. Este fármaco possui metodologia descrita, somente, para matéria-prima, que se encontram oficializadas nas Farmacopéias Britânica e Européia. Neste trabalho foram desenvolvidos e validados, em conformidade com guias nacionais e internacionais, métodos analíticos quantitativos que podem ser empregados tanto para matéria-prima quanto para forma farmacêutica de cápsulas contendo itraconazol. Utilizaram-se as metodologias: cromatografia a líquido de alta eficiência (CLAE) com detecção na região do ultravioleta (UV) em 254 nm, coluna de fase reversa C8, fase móvel acetonitrila : água (65:35), na temperatura de 25 °C; Ensaio microbiológico por difusão em ágar com planejamento 3x3, empregando Cândida Albicans ATCC 10231 como microrganismo teste em meio de cultura antibiótico n°19 e Espectrofotometria na região do ultravioleta, no comprimento de onda de 256 nm , com soluções finais em ácido clorídrico 0,1 mol.l-1 . Todos os métodos apresentaram linearidade, precisão, exatidão, robustez e especificidade adequados.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Subsistence farmers may contribute significantly to food production, food security, and employment in South Africa. However poor storage practices and contamination with mycotoxins, particularly fumonisins and aflatoxins impacts adversely on production, food safety and food security. Mycotoxins are toxic natural food-borne compounds which frequently contaminate agricultural produce worldwide. They are hazardous to humans and animals and result in significant production losses for farmers. This study focused on former Bantustans in Northern South Africa, namely Vhembe District Municipality (Limpopo) and Gert Sibande District Municipality (Mpumalanga). The aim was to assess mycological and mycotoxin contamination of crops grown by subsistence farmers. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to randomly thirty-nine households. Data on demographics, storage practices and production during period of 2011 and 2012 cropping seasons were collected. One hundred and fifteen (115) crop samples (maize, beans and peanuts) were collected for analysis. Standard mycological methods and validated mycotoxin analysis methods (HPLC and LC- MS/MS) were used. It was found that maize was the staple food in both provinces, with a significant difference (p = 0.0184) in its production between the two districts; Vhembe produced 0.6 tonnes compared to 2.4 tonnes in Gert Sibande. The majority of the farmers for storage used traditional open wooden cribs (15/20) and steel tanks (5/20) while VDM farmers used sealed store houses 5/19 and 15/19 used polystyrene sacks. Aflatoxin occurrence was low with <1% of GSDM samples contaminated compared to 11% of VDM samples. No significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed in the aflatoxin contamination in VDM samples between the year 2011 and 2012. Samples from VDM households had higher Aspergillus fungal infection (maximum incidence 69%) compared to GSDM (27%) over both seasons. The most frequently isolated Fusarium species in VDM samples was F. verticillioides (92%; 93%), and F. subglutinans (97%; 80%) in GSDM samples over seasons 2011 and 2012, respectively. Highest levels of fumonisins (FB1+ FB2) ranged between 1010 μg/kg and 12168 μg/kg with less than 30% extremely contaminated above the regulated limit in 91% of samples from Limpopo over both seasons (2011 and 2012). Fumonisin levels between the two seasons in VDM showed no significant difference (p>0.05). Only three (less than 5%) from 68% GSDM contaminated maize samples were above the FB1 and FB2 limit. In 2011, there were two highly contaminated maize samples (1762 μg/kg and 4598 μg/kg) with the other samples less than 600 μg/kg, whereas in season two (2012) all samples were below 200 μg/kg, except one highly contaminated sample (26115 μg/kg). None of the beans and peanuts from Mpumalanga was contaminated with mycotoxins above the recommended limit, but from Limpopo 1/5 peanuts was found contaminated with aflatoxin G1 (41 μg/kg). Natural occurrence and contamination of both fumonisin and aflatoxin in stored home-grown maize from VDM was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher than GSDM over both seasons. In general, Limpopo farmers’ experience lower harvests and greater mycotoxin contamination of agricultural produce. This may be attributed in part to poor storage practices and environmental and climatic conditions in that agro-ecological zone.

No description available.

The diploma thesis is dealing with monitoring of arsenic in foodstuffs. The aim of this thesis is the determination of arsenic in samples of fish and rice and the study of forms, in which arsenic occurs, using speciation analysis. Arsenic is known as a toxic element, but its measure of toxicity depends on the chemical form it occurs in. Arsenic is present in the environment naturally or it gets in the environment by human activities. Complete characterization of arsenic compounds is necessary to understand intake, accumulation, transport, detoxification and activation of this element in the natural environment and living systems. The field of arsenic speciation analysis has grown rapidly in recent years, because determination of the total element content is not sufficient in the case of arsenic. Speciation method was done using separation by high performance liquid chromatography and detection by atomic fluorescence spectrometry with hydride generation. Extractable arsenic was present in the form of nontoxic arsenobetaine in all analysed samples of fish. In samples of rice there was confirmed the presence of toxic inorganic species of arsenic, esspecially As (III), but their concentration was at low level.

The aim of the theses was determination of selenium species in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae cultivated in medium with added inorganic form of selenium (Sodium Selenite). Concentrations of Sodium Selenite in cultivation medium were 0,1; 1; 10 and 100 mg.l-1. Cultivation was undertaken in fermenting tub for period of 72 hours. Cultivated yeasts were extracted by use of enzymes and subsequently the species of selenium in particular parts of yeasts were determined. In order to determine selenium species, the method of high-performance liquid chromatography in combination with atomic fluorescent spectrometer and technique of hydride generation was used. Having analysed different fractions of the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae it was ascertained that during cultivation the sorption of selenium occurred in form of Se4+ in cell membranes while in cytoplasm no inorganic forms of selenium were found. Furthermore, it was stated that yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae are able to metabolically change inorganic forms of selenium to organic forms (selenomethionine), while these forms are present in cytoplasm and they are likely to be bound to proteinic structures of cell membranes. An increase of concentration of Se4+ in cell membranes could be observed as a result of increasing concentration of Sodium Selenite in cultivation medium. In proteinic structures the concentration of organic selenium forms increased only to concentration 10 mg.l-1 of Sodium Selenite in cultivation medium.

Red Lustrous Wheelmade Ware (RLWm ware) transport and storage vessels have been excavated from Late Bronze Age (LBA) sites across the eastern Mediterranean. These distinctive vessels were traded for the valuable commodity they contained so far unidentified. Seventy-three sherds (61 RLWm ware, 12 in local fabrics) and two visible residues were analysed for organic residues using standard lipid extraction techniques. Seven residues from a previous study were re-examined. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identified four materials ¿ beeswax, bitumen, fat/oil and resin. Beeswax, found only in vessels from Hittite sites in Turkey, was probably used as a post-firing treatment. Fat/oil, present in some sherds from every site, represents the contents of the vessels and showed many of the characteristics of degraded plant oil. Two examples contained a plant sterol and three yielded ricinoleic acid, a biomarker for castor oil. Gas-chromatography compound-specific isotope ratio mass spectrometry of selected residues excluded dairy products, ruminant animal fats and fish oils as source materials for the fats/oils, while comparison with a small database of modern oils created during this study does not exclude plant oils. Selected samples analysed by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry did not reveal wine residues. Data on the elemental composition of the fabric collected during another study was re-analysed and compared with data from a further published study, confirming the remarkable consistency of RLWm ware fabric. Volume calculations were also attempted to give an estimate of the capacity of the main vessel forms. / Arts and Humanities Research Council / Extensive folders of data and appendices which accompany this thesis are not presently available online.

Nitroaromatic compounds are mutagenic and carcinogenic substances present in environment. Most of nitroaromatic compounds are potent mutagens in bacterial and mammalian systems. They are also carcinogens causing development of tumors, primarily in the liver, lung and mammary glands. 3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA, 3-nitro-7H-benz [de] anthracene-7-one) is one of the polycyclic aromatic nitro compounds possesing high toxic effects. 3-NBA is an environmental pollutant present in diesel exhaust and was also detected in soil and in rain water. 2-Nitrobenzanthrone (2-NBA, 2-nitro-7H-benz [de] anthracene-7-one) is an isomer 3-NBA, which also occurs as a pollutant in air. Although the 2-NBA is a weakly toxic substance, its high abundance in air could exhibit a high health risk to humans. This thesis investigates the metabolism of 3-NBA and its isomeric derivate, isomer 2 NBA, under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. To study the metabolism of these compounds, microsomal systems isolated from the liver of rats pretreated with Sudanem I, -naphthoflavone, phenobarbital, ethanol and pregnenolon 16-carbonitrile (PCN), the inducers of cytochromes P450 1A, 2B, 2E1 and 3A, were used. We also used mouse models, a control mouse line (wild type WT) and mice with deleted gene of NADPH:CYP reductase in the liver, thus absenting...

Para um composto químico exercer seu efeito bioativo é necessário que ele atravesse várias barreiras biológicas até alcançar seu sitio de ação. Propriedades farmacocinéticas insatisfatórias (como absorção, distribuição, metabolismo e excreção) são reconhecidamente as principais causas na descontinuidade de pesquisas na busca por novos fármacos. Neste trabalho, modelos biofísicos foram utilizados para o estudo de absorção de uma série de flavonóides naturais com atividade tripanossomicida. O coeficiente cromatográfico de partição, kw, foi determinado através da cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência em fase reversa, RP-HPLC, utilizando-se de colunas cromatográficas empacotadas com constituintes básicos da membrana biológica (fosfatidilcolina e colesterol). Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que nas colunas compostas por fosfatidilcolina a retenção de flavonóides hidroxilados é determinada por interações secundárias, além da partição, e no caso da coluna de colesterol, a partição é o principal mecanismo que rege a retenção. Uma série de descritores físico-químicos foi gerada pelos campos moleculares de interações (MIFs) entre os flavonóides naturais e algumas sondas químicas virtuais, utilizando o programa GRID. Os descritores físico-químicos gerados foram correlacionados com os log kw por análise dos mínimos múltiplos parciais (PLS), utilizando o programa VolSurf, com a finalidade de gerar um modelo quantitativo entre estrutura e propriedade (QSPR) para esta classe de compostos. O modelo produzido por este estudo, ao utilizar os dados de partição em colesterol, log kwCol, apresentou elevada consistência interna, com bom poder de correlação (R2 = 0, 97) e predição (Q2 = 0,86) para a partição destas moléculas / In order to a chemical compound exert its bioactive effect it is necessary that it crosses some biological barriers until reaching its site of action. Unfavorable pharmacokinetics properties (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) are admittedly one of the main causes in the discontinuity of research in the search for new drugs. In this work, biophysics models were used for the study of absorption of a series of natural flavonoids with trypanocide activity. The chromatographic retention indices (log kw) were determined on immobilized artificial membranes columns (IAM.PC.DD, IAM.PC.DD2, Cholesteryl 10-Undecetonoato) obtained by the extrapolation method. The results demonstrated that in the composed columns for fosfatidilcolina the retention of hydroxil flavonoids is determined by secondary interactions, beyond the partition. In the case of the retention for the cholesterol column, the partition is the main mechanism that drives the retention. A series of physico-chemical descriptors were generated by the molecular interaction fields (MIF) between the flavonoids and some virtual chemical probes, using the program GRID. The descriptors were correlated with log kw by the partial least squares regression (PLS), using the VolSurf program, with the purpose to generate a quantitative model between the structure and the retention (QSRR) for this compounds class. The model produced for this study, when using the data of partition in cholesterol, log kwCol, presented high internal consistency, with good correlation power (R2 = 0, 97) and prediction (Q2 = 0,86) for the partition of these molecules

A ocorrência de fármacos residuais no meio ambiente pode levar a efeitos adversos, tanto em organismos aquáticos como em terrestres. Os fármacos, tanto humanos como de uso veterinário, são absorvidos pelo organismo e estão sujeitos a reações metabólicas e, uma quantidade significativa dessas substâncias, tanto a original como seus metabólitos, são excretadas. Por não serem facilmente biodegradáveis, terem propriedades farmacológicas danosas quando administrados indevidamente, através de água contaminada, é crescente a preocupação com o destino destes fármacos residuais, principalmente com relação à avaliação de risco ambiental. A ocorrência destes resíduos, principalmente em águas superficiais e sistemas de abastecimento, vem sendo objeto de estudos em diversos países, principalmente na Europa. Por isso, a detecção, a eliminação e a investigação do destino destes compostos estrógenos em ecossistemas aquáticos têm tido prioridade na química ambiental. Estes produtos são encontrados nos corpos d\'água em baixas concentrações, de \'mü\'g L-1 a \'eta\'g L-1 e, mesmo assim, podem afetar os organismos por meio da bioacumulação. Estudos toxicológicos relacionados a efeitos crônicos em organismos expostos, são escassos. O objetivo do projeto foi adaptar e validar a metodologia analítica, e monitorar a presença de resíduos de hormônios nas águas dos Rios Corumbataí e Piracicaba e amostras de água de abastecimento da cidade de Piracicaba, SP, Brasil. Foram coletadas amostras de água bruta dos Rios Piracicaba e Corumbataí e água de abastecimento residencial da cidade de Piracicaba, SP, no período de novembro de 2007 a abril de 2009. Dentre os hormônios estudados estão o 17\'alfa\'-etinilestradiol (17\'alfa\'-EE2), 17\'beta\'-estradiol (17\'beta\'-E2) e estriol (E3). O método foi baseado na extração em fase sólida (SPE) e cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (HPLC-DAD) / The occurrence of drug residues in the environment may lead to adverse effects, both on land and aquatic organisms. The drugs, for human and veterinary use, are absorbed by the organism and are subjected to metabolic reactions and a significant amount of these substances, both the original and its metabolites are excreted. By being not easily biodegradable and by having harmful pharmacological properties when administered through contaminated water, there is a growing concern about the fate of these residual drugs, especially in respect to the assessment of environmental risks. The occurrence of these residues, especially in surface Waters and water supplies has been the subject of studies in several countries, mainly in Europe. Therefore, detection, investigation and disposal of the fate of these estrogens compounds in aquatic ecosystems have a high priority in the field of environmental chemistry. These products are found in water bodies in low concentrations, from \'mü\'g L-1 a \'eta\'g L-1 and can still affect the organisms due to bioaccumulation. Toxicological studies related to chronic effects in the exposed organisms are scarce. The goals of this project was to adapt and validate the analytical methodology, and monitor the presence of hormone residues in the Waters of the Corumbataí and Piracicaba rivers and samples of water supply from the city of Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. We collected samples of raw water from the rivers of Piracicaba and Corumbataí and residential water supply from the city of Piracicaba in the period November 2007 to April 2009. Among the hormones studied are the 17\'alfa\'-ethinylestradiol (17\'alfa\'-EE2), 17\'beta\'-estradiol (17\'beta\'-E2) and estriol (E3). The method is based on solid phase extraction (SPE) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD)