Rafael P. Vieira

Bio: Rafael P. Vieira is an academic researcher from Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. The author has contributed to research in topics: Semicarbazone & Chemistry. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 26 publications receiving 359 citations. Previous affiliations of Rafael P. Vieira include Simon Fraser University & Coordenadoria de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior.

Physical and physicochemical stability evaluation of cosmetic formulations containing soybean extract fermented by Bifidobacterium animalis

Abstract: Peel off facial masks, based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), are formulations that, after application and drying, form an occlusive film over the face. After removing, they provide cleanness, tensor and moisturizing effects, removing dead cells, residues and other materials deposited on the stratum corneous. The soybean extract fermented by Bifidobacterium animalis has sugars, amino acids, peptides, proteins and free isoflavonoids in high concentrations, when compared to the unfermented extract, providing benefits to the cosmetic formulations like anti-aging effect, moisture, tensor action and emollience. The cosmetic bases of peel off facial masks, added with 5.0% w/w of fermented soybean extract, were submitted to Preliminary and Accelerated Stability Studies. Eight (8) preparations were evaluated in several conditions of temperature (-10.0, 5.0, 22.0 and 45.0 oC) and time (maximum of 15 days), comparing the results with the initial condition (48 h after preparation). The variables observed were: organoleptic characteristics, pH and appearing viscosity value and film drying time. The preparation containing 17.0% w/w of PVA and 0.5% w/w of guar gum was selected between the eight preparations initially prepared, because it presented the best performance in the stability test, being recommended storage at low temperatures (5.0 oC).

Synthesis and evaluation of benzothiazole-triazole and benzothiadiazole-triazole scaffolds as potential molecular probes for amyloid-β aggregation

Abstract: Small-molecule ligands that bind to misfolded protein aggregates are essential tools for the study and detection of pathological hallmarks in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the present study, three compounds (one benzothiazole-triazole, L1, and two benzothiadiazole-triazoles, L2 and L3) were synthesized via a modular approach (azide–alkyne cycloaddition) and evaluated as potential ligands for amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregates. The binding to amyloid-like fibrils, generated from recombinant Aβ1–42, were studied and the binding specificity to amyloid deposits was evaluated in brain sections from transgenic mice with AD pathology. All three derivatives showed significant reduced emission in the presence of recombinant Aβ1–42 amyloid fibrils. In addition, the observed binding to Aβ deposits in tissue sections suggests that the benzothiazole-triazole and benzothiadiazole-triazole structures are promising molecular scaffolds that can be modified for binding to specific protein aggregates.

Ab initio calculation of vibrational absorption and circular dichroism spectra using density functional force fields

Abstract: : The unpolarized absorption and circular dichroism spectra of the fundamental vibrational transitions of the chiral molecule, 4-methyl-2-oxetanone, are calculated ab initio. Harmonic force fields are obtained using Density Functional Theory (DFT), MP2, and SCF methodologies and a 5S4P2D/3S2P (TZ2P) basis set. DFT calculations use the Local Spin Density Approximation (LSDA), BLYP, and Becke3LYP (B3LYP) density functionals. Mid-IR spectra predicted using LSDA, BLYP, and B3LYP force fields are of significantly different quality, the B3LYP force field yielding spectra in clearly superior, and overall excellent, agreement with experiment. The MP2 force field yields spectra in slightly worse agreement with experiment than the B3LYP force field. The SCF force field yields spectra in poor agreement with experiment.The basis set dependence of B3LYP force fields is also explored: the 6-31G* and TZ2P basis sets give very similar results while the 3-21G basis set yields spectra in substantially worse agreements with experiment. jg

Intramuscular desferrioxamine in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Abstract: Although epidemiological and biochemical evidence suggests that aluminium may be associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), there is no convincing proof of a causal link for aluminium in disease progression. We have completed a two year, single-blind study to investigate whether the progression of dementia could be slowed by the trivalent ion chelator, desferrioxamine. 48 patients with probable AD were randomly assigned to receive desferrioxamine (125 mg intramuscularly twice daily, 5 days per week, for 24 months), oral placebo (lecithin), or no treatment. No significant differences in baseline measures of intelligence, memory, or speech ability existed between groups. Activities of daily living were assessed and videorecorded at 6, 12, 18, and 24 month intervals. There were no differences in the rate of deterioration of patients receiving either placebo or no treatment. Desferrioxamine treatment led to significant reduction in the rate of decline of daily living skills as assessed by both group means (p = 0.03) and variances (p less than 0.04). The mean rate of decline was twice as rapid for the no-treatment group. Appetite (n = 4) and weight (n = 1) loss were the only reported side-effects. We conclude that sustained administration of desferrioxamine may slow the clinical progression of the dementia associated with AD.

Cyclodextrins in delivery systems: Applications.

Abstract: Cyclodextrins (CDs) are a family of cyclic oligosaccharides with a hydrophilic outer surface and a lipophilic central cavity. CD molecules are relatively large with a number of hydrogen donors and acceptors and, thus in general, they do not permeate lipophilic membranes. In the pharmaceutical industry, CDs have mainly been used as complexing agents to increase aqueous solubility of poorly soluble drugs and to increase their bioavailability and stability. CDs are used in pharmaceutical applications for numerous purposes, including improving the bioavailability of drugs. Current CD-based therapeutics is described and possible future applications are discussed. CD-containing polymers are reviewed and their use in drug delivery is presented. Of specific interest is the use of CD-containing polymers to provide unique capabilities for the delivery of nucleic acids. Studies in both humans and animals have shown that CDs can be used to improve drug delivery from almost any type of drug formulation. Currently, there are approximately 30 different pharmaceutical products worldwide containing drug/CD complexes in the market.

Development of Multifunctional Molecules as Potential Therapeutic Candidates for Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in the Last Decade

Abstract: Neurodegenerative diseases pose a substantial socioeconomic burden on society. Unfortunately, the aging world population and lack of effective cures foreshadow a negative outlook. Although a large amount of research has been dedicated to elucidating the pathologies of neurodegenerative diseases, their principal causes remain elusive. Metal ion dyshomeostasis, proteopathy, oxidative stress, and neurotransmitter deficiencies are pathological features shared across multiple neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, these factors are proposed to be interrelated upon disease progression. Thus, the development of multifunctional compounds capable of simultaneously interacting with several pathological components has been suggested as a solution to undertake the complex pathologies of neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we outline and discuss possible therapeutic targets in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and molecules, previously designed or discovered as pote...

Role of cyclodextrins in improving oral drug delivery

Abstract: The use of high-throughput screening and similar techniques in drug discovery has put a number of evolutionary pressures on drug candidates such that over time there is a tendency for them to increase in molecular weight, increase in log K(octanol/water) and decrease in water solubility. These trends provide an ever-increasing series of challenges for the drug formulator to generate effective, orally bioavailable dosage forms. An important tool in this regard is the use of cyclodextrins, especially chemically modified cyclodextrins. These starch derivatives interact via dynamic complex formation and other mechanisms in a way that camouflages undesirable physicochemical properties, including low aqueous solubility, poor dissolution rate and limited drug stability. Through these effects, cyclodextrins and their derivatives have become popular modalities for increasing oral bioavailability and absorption rate. These actions have positioned cyclodextrins as important enabling and functional excipients. This review aims to assess the use of cyclodextrins in oral and other administration routes in the context of the Biopharmaceutical Classification Systems (BCS), a US FDA-based characterization approach that bins drugs based on solubility and permeability features. Specifically, a framework based on Fickian theory as well as the Noyes-Whiney relationship is constructed to assess where cyclodextrins are likely to be useful and where their use is probably not justified. This working model is examined in the context of a number of published examples in which cyclodextrins have been applied to class I, II, III, and IV drugs and drug candidates.