Publications by authors named "Marcella Ferreira Rodrigues"

Naphthenic acids (NAs) naturally occur in crude oil and its associated produced water, presenting significant challenges, such as corrosion, in refinery apparatus and ecotoxicity in aquatic habitats. This study delineates a multivariate method to quantify NAs in produced water via electrospray ionization coupled with high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry (ESI-Orbitrap MS). By employing liquid-liquid extraction, followed by direct infusion ESI(-)-Orbitrap MS, we characterized and quantified NAs employing a partial least-squares regression (PLS) model enhanced by the ordered predictor selection (OPS) algorithm.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In the pursuit of novel antioxidant therapies for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, three new arylpiperazine derivatives (LQFM181, LQFM276, and LQFM277) were synthesized through a molecular hybridization approach involving piribedil and butylated hydroxytoluene lead compounds. To evaluate the antioxidant and neuroprotective activities of the arylpiperazine derivatives, we employed an integrated approach using both in vitro (SH-SY5Y cells) and in vivo (neurotoxicity induced by 3-nitropropionic acid in Swiss mice) models. In the in vitro tests, LQFM181 showed the most promising antioxidant activity at the neuronal membrane and cytoplasmic levels, and significant neuroprotective activity against the neurotoxicity induced by 3-nitropropionic acid.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Severe manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and mortality have been associated with physiological alterations that provide insights into the pathogenesis of the disease. Moreover, factors that drive recovery from COVID-19 can be explored to identify correlates of protection. The cellular metabolism represents a potential target to improve survival upon severe disease, but the associations between the metabolism and the inflammatory response during COVID-19 are not well defined.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The current treatments available for anxiety and depression are only palliative. Full remission has remained elusive, characterizing unmet medical needs. In the scope of an academic drug discovery program, we describe here the design, synthesis, in vitro metabolism prediction and pharmacological characterization of a new piperazine compound, 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-((1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl)piperazine (LQFM005), and of its main putative metabolite, 4-(4-((4-(4-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl)methyl)- 1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenol (LQFM235).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A new approach using paper spray ionization mass spectrometry (PSI-MS) for the analysis of steroid hormones in wastewater samples has been demonstrated. Triangular papers containing paraffin barriers as microfluidic channels were used to direct the sample solution to the paper tip, preventing the sample from spreading over the corners of the paper. The method was used to analyze the hormones levonorgestrel and algestone acetophenide in industrial wastewaters.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The cashew gum (Anacardium occidentale L.) is used in traditional Brazilian medicine in the treatment of inflammatory conditions, asthma, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disturbances.

Aim Of The Study: In the present study, we aimed at forming a chemical characterization and investigation of the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous extract of cashew gum without the presence of polysaccharides in its composition (CGE).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Paper spray ionization (PSI) has some limitations such as low sensitivity and ionization suppression when complex samples are analyzed. The use of sample preparation devices directly coupled to MS can avoid these restrictions. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are materials widely used as adsorbent in sample preparation methods such as solid-phase extraction and solid-phase microextraction, and they can provide specifics cavities with affinity to a target molecule.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF