Percorrer por autor "Geraldo, Rafaela"
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- Anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects of lentil phenolic compoundsPublication . Geraldo, Rafaela; Gouveia, Alexandra; Neves, Delminda; Freitas, Victor; Pinto, Elisabete; Vasconcelos, Marta W.
- Development of a bioluminescent reporter system to monitor neonatal Group B Streptococcal infectionPublication . Geraldo, Rafaela; Lorga, Inês; Ferreira, Paula; Oliveira, Liliana; Andrade, Elva Bonifácio
- Development of bioluminescent Group B streptococcal strains for longitudinal infection studiesPublication . Lorga, Inês; Geraldo, Rafaela; Soares, Joana; Oliveira, Liliana; Firon, Arnaud; Andrade, Elva BonifácioGroup B Streptococcus (GBS) remains the leading bacterial cause of invasive neonatal disease, resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality. New therapeutic approaches beyond antibacterial treatment to prevent neonatal disease outcomes are urgent. One significant limitation in studying GBS disease and progression is the lack of non-invasive technologies for longitudinal studies. Here, we develop and compare three bioluminescent GBS strains for in vivo pathogenic analysis. Bioluminescence is based on the luxABCDE operon on a replicative vector (luxGBS-CC17), and the red-shifted firefly luciferase on a replicative vector (fflucGBS-CC17) or integrated in the genome (glucGBS-CC17). We show that luxGBS-CC17 is suitable for in vitro analysis but does not produce a significant bioluminescent signal in infected pups. In contrast, the fflucGBS-CC17 results in a strong bioluminescent signal proportional to the organ colonisation level. However, the stability of the replicative vector depends on the route of infection, especially when pups acquire the bacteria from infected vaginal mucosa. Stable chromosomal integration of luciferase in glucGBS-CC17 leads to significant bioluminescence in both haematological and vertical infection models associated with high systemic colonisation. These strains will allow the preclinical evaluation of treatment efficacy against GBS invasive disease using whole-mouse bioluminescence imaging.
- Effects of dietary polyphenols on vasculogenic erectile dysfunction: a systematic review of pre-clinical studiesPublication . Geraldo, Rafaela; Castro, Catarina; Pinto, Elisabete; Vasconcelos, Marta W.; Neves, DelmindaErectile dysfunction (ED) is a medical condition characterized by the inability to achieve or maintain a satisfactory erection, primarily treated with oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors. Treatment effectiveness is diminished in severe vasculogenic ED, particularly in patients with diabetes mellitus, highlighting the need for exploring alternative/complementary interventions. Among them, dietary phenolic compounds are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This systematic review focuses on catechin (EGCG), quercetin, resveratrol, and curcumin and their influence on the pathophysiology of ED. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines (PROSPERO registration number CRD42023402016) searches across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science until October 2024 were conducted using relevant keywords. Inclusion criteria required original articles in English, while in silico studies, review articles, editorials, and original studies lacking essential polyphenol administration information were excluded. After an initial search that located 409, 445, and 285 publications in each database respectively, rigorous screening resulted in 26 publications comprising animal, ex vivo, and in vitro studies. Their quality was assessed using GRADE and SYRCLE ROB tools, revealing an overall “medium-high” or “high quality.” These polyphenols consistently demonstrated improvements in erectile function, encompassing behavioral, functional, molecular, and hormonal aspects. However, limitations were identified, such as the predominant reliance on animal models and in vitro trials, which may not precisely reflect human physiological responses. Further clinical investigations are needed to ascertain data translational potential, standardize dosages, and establish safe and effective prescription recommendations. Prioritizing clinical trials is essential for validating the widespread applicability and efficacy of polyphenols in managing ED.
- Nutritional value and environmental footprint of muffins made with green-lentil flourPublication . Geraldo, Rafaela; Santos, Carla S.; Styles, David; Sousa, Sérgio; Pinto, Elisabete; Neves, Delminda; Vasconcelos, Marta W.The growing interest in environmentally friendly and protein-rich food choices has prompted the food industry to explore alternative protein sources. Lentils have garnered attention due to their versatile culinary applications and the range of health benefits associated with their nutritional composition. Furthermore, lentils offer an environmentally sustainable solution as they require fewer resources than animal protein sources. In this study, a new muffin recipe was developed, using high-polyphenol green lentil flour as a partial substitute for oatmeal flour. The main goal was to compare the lentil-based muffin's nutritional attributes with a muffin made exclusively from oatmeal flour, and to evaluate their environmental impact, using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Research on incorporating lentil flour into muffins, particularly considering its environmental impact is limited, highlighting the importance of this study. Regarding the results, compared with the oatmeal muffin, the lentil-based muffin exhibited improved nutritional properties, including a reduction in fat, an increase in protein, and fibre, and the presence of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. The LCA revealed that the lentil-based muffin had a lower environmental impact across various categories than the oatmeal muffin. Overall, incorporating lentil flour into muffin recipes not only results in a gluten-free product but also enhances its overall nutritional profile and offers a sustainable alternative for environmentally conscious consumers. The study contributes to the expanding field of sustainable and nutritious food alternatives, providing valuable insights for both consumers and the food industry.
- Oat and lentil-based muffins as a functional food: enhance glycaemia control, anti-inflammatory effects, and intestinal epithelium integrityPublication . Geraldo, Rafaela; Machado, Manuela; Silva, Sara; Pinho, Simão; Gouveia, Alexandra; Neves, Delminda; Pinto, Elisabete; Pintado, Manuela; Vasconcelos, Marta W.The increased interest in functional foods has driven research into health-promoting properties. This study evaluated muffins made with 100 % oatmeal (OM) or a 50:50 lentil/oatmeal flour mix (LM) using the INFOGEST in vitro model. Analysis included starch composition, glycaemic response, cytotoxicity, and immunomodulatory effects in Caco-2 cells under basal and stimulated conditions. Digestion revealed limited hydrolysis in oral/gastric phases, with increase in intestinal phase. OM exhibited 8.9 % higher starch and greater hydrolysis. In contrast, LM presented 9.3 % lower estimated glycaemic index. Both muffins were non-toxic. Under stimulation, LM showed stronger anti-inflammatory effects, decreasing interleukin-6/8 mRNA and cytokine levels, while upregulating Transforming Growth Factor-β under basal conditions. LM enhanced barrier integrity, reduced Acetyl-Coenzyme A acetyltransferase 2 , and upregulated Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and Sirtuin 1 , indicating improved metabolic regulation. These findings highlight lentil/oatmeal muffins as functional options that may support glycaemic control and intestinal health, aiding strategies against diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- Synergistic effect of nickel and melatonin on drought tolerance in pea (pisum sativum)Publication . Spoloar, Bruna Oliveira Reinheimer; Silva, Marta Nunes da; Geraldo, Rafaela; Moro, Adriana Lima; Vasconcelos, MartaIntroduction: The intensification of drought events due to climate change threatens global food security. Pea (Pisum sativum) is a key legume for sustainable agriculture, as it fixes nitrogen, improves soil fertility, and has high nutritional value. However, it is highly sensitive to water stress. Nickel (Ni) is an essential micronutrient in nitrogen metabolism, while melatonin (MEL) regulates oxidative stress. As such, the aim of this work was to evaluate the isolated and combined effects of Ni and MEL on the physiological, biochemical, and productive responses of pea plants under drought stress. Results: The combined application of Ni and MEL in drought-stressed plants promoted: Increased aerial and root biomass (+27%) and nodule number (+27%), indicating greater nitrogen fixation efficiency. Improved protein content in roots, leaves, and seeds and higher number of pods per plant (+33%) and grain biomass (+21%). Reduced chlorophyll degradation (+15% SPAD), H?O? concentration (-45%) and lipid peroxidation (-38% MDA), suggesting lower oxidative stress. Conclusions: Ni and melatonin synergy improves pea nutrition, strengthens antioxidant capacity, and maintains cellular integrity, leading to higher productivity under drought stress. This approach may enhance legume resilience to climate change, promoting sustainable agriculture.
- Widening the perspectives for legume consumption: the case of bioactive non-nutrientsPublication . Geraldo, Rafaela; Santos, Carla S.; Pinto, Elisabete; Vasconcelos, Marta W.Legume grains have provided essential nutrients in human diets for centuries, being excellent sources of proteins, carbohydrates, fatty acids, and fibers. They also contain several non-nutrients that historically have been connotated as toxic but that in recent years have been shown to have interesting bioactive properties. The discussion on the role of bioactive non-nutrients is becoming more important due to increasing science-based evidence on their potential antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and anticarcinogenic properties. At a time when legume-based products consumption is being strongly promoted by national governments and health authorities, there is a need to clearly define the recommended levels of such non-nutrients in human diets. However, there is insufficient data determining the ideal amount of non-nutrients in legume grains, which will exert the most positive health benefits. This is aligned with insufficient studies that clearly demonstrate if the positive health effects are due to the presence of specific non-nutrients or a result of a dietary balance. In fact, rather than looking directly at the individual food components, most nutritional epidemiology studies relate disease risk with the food and dietary patterns. The purpose of this perspective paper is to explore different types of non-nutrients present in legume grains, discuss the current evidence on their health benefits, and provide awareness for the need for more studies to define a recommended amount of each compound to identify the best approaches, either to enhance or reduce their levels.