Coumarin Compounds in Medicinal Chemistry: Some Important Examples from the Last Years.

Coumarins are natural products characterized as 1,2 benzopyrones widely distributed in plants, as well as, in many species of fungi and bacteria. Nowadays, many synthetic procedures allow the discovery of coumarins with expanded chemical space. The ability to exert noncovalent interactions with many enzymes and receptors in live organisms lead the coumarins to exhibit a wide range of biological activities and applications. Then, this manuscript provides an overview of the use of coumarins compounds in medicinal chemistry in treating many diseases. Important examples of the last years have been selected concerning the activities of coumarins as anticoagulant, anticancer, antioxidant, antiviral, anti-diabetics, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-neurodegerative agents. Additionally, it also includes applications of coumarins as fluorescent sensors for biological systems. Thus, this work aims to contribute to the development of new rational research projects for the treatment and diagnosis of pathologies using coumarin derivatives.

Using Real-Time PCR as a tool for monitoring the authenticity of commercial coffees.

Coffee is one of the main food products commercialized in the world. Its considerable market value among food products makes it susceptible to adulteration, especially with cereals. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a method based on Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for detection of cereals in commercial ground roast and soluble coffees. After comparison with standard curves obtained by serial dilution of DNA extracted from barley, corn and rice, the method was sensitive and specific to quantify down to 0.6 pg, 14 pg and 16 pg of barley, corn and rice DNA, respectively. To verify the applicability of the method, 30 commercial samples obtained in different countries were evaluated and those classified as gourmets or superior did not present the tested cereals DNA. However, barley was detected in various traditional (cheaper) samples from South America. In addition, corn and rice were also detected in different samples. Real-Time PCR showed to be suitable for detection of food adulterants in commercial ground roast and soluble coffees.

Atualização em terapia de ressincronização cardíaca: benefícios em pacientes oligossintomáticos / Update on cardiac resynchronization therapy: benefits in mildly symptomatic patients

A insuficiência cardíaca constitui um grande problema de saúde pública mundial, em virtude de sua prevalência e das elevadas taxas de morbidade e mortalidade. No entanto, apesar dos avanços terapêuticos farmacológicos e não farmacológicos, as terapias disponíveis não atendem completamente às necessidades dos pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca e, por isso, estratégias adicionais estão sendo desenvolvidas. A terapia de ressincronização cardíaca consiste em uma nova modalidade terapêutica e vem se mostrando ótima opção para pacientes com dessincronização ventricular e sintomas de insuficiência cardíaca, apesar da terapia medicamentosa otimizada...

Atualização em terapia de ressincronização cardíaca: benefícios em pacientes oligossintomáticos / Update on cardiac resynchronization therapy: benefits in mildly symptomatic patients

A insuficiência cardíaca constitui um grande problema de saúde pública mundial, em virtude de sua prevalência e elevadas taxas de morbidade. No entanto, apesar dos avanços terapêuticos farmacológicos e não farmacológicos, as terapias disponíveis não atendem completamente às necessidades dos pacientes com falência cardíaca e, por isso, estratégias adicionais estão sendo desenvolvidas...