Alexandra Bernardo

Prof. Alexandra Bernardo

IUEM- Cooperativa de Ensino Superior CRL, Lisbon, Portugal. CiiEM (Research Centre of Egas Moniz)
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

32Years (1995-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 October 2000 in European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry
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Journal Article
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FPFernando Pina
Fernando Pina
Alexandra BernardoAlexandra Bernardo
Alexandra Bernardo
EMENRIQUE VICTOR Monsonís
ENRIQUE VICTOR Monsonís

1 January 1999 in Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 2
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MAM. Teresa Albelda
M. Teresa Albelda
Alexandra BernardoAlexandra Bernardo
Alexandra Bernardo
EGEnrique Garcia-España
Enrique Garcia-España
MGM. Luz Godino-Salido
M. Luz Godino-Salido
SLSantiago V. Luis
Santiago V. Luis
CSConxa Soriano
Conxa Soriano
The interaction of the open-chain polyamine N-(3-aminopropyl)-N′-[3-(anthrylmethyl)aminopropyl]ethane-1,2-diamine (L) with the relevant anionic forms of adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP), adenosine 5′-diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP) is described. Unambiguous criteria for defining thermodynamic selectivity based on the use of effective stability constants are presented. The interaction of L and several other topologically similar polyammonium receptors with ATP has been shown to occur through electrostatic and π-stacking intermolecular forces. The π-stacking binding mode is modulated by the protonation degree of ATP as indicated by fluorescence emission titrations. Evidence for the use of these receptors as ATP luminescent chemosensors is advanced.

5 July 2022 in Nutrients
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Maria Leonor Tavares SilvaMaria Leonor Tavares Silva
Maria Leonor Tavares Silva
Alexandra BernardoAlexandra Bernardo
Alexandra Bernardo
JSJaipaul Singh
Jaipaul Singh
MMMaria Fernanda de Mesquita
Maria Fernanda de Mesquita
The scientific evidence that cinnamon may exert beneficial effects on type 2 diabetes mellitus due to the biological activity of its bioactive compounds has been increasing in recent years. This review provides an overview of the effects of cinnamon on clinical parameters of diabetes and summarizes the molecular mechanisms of action of cinnamon on glucose and lipid metabolism. Search criteria include an electronic search using PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane Library databases. English literature references from 2000 up to 2022 were included. Following title and abstract review, full articles that met the inclusion criteria were included. The results from the available evidence revealed that cinnamon improved glycemic and lipidemic indicators. Clinical trials clarified that cinnamon also possesses an anti-inflammatory effect, which may act beneficially in diabetes. Based on in vitro and in vivo studies, cinnamon seems to elicit the regulation of glucose metabolism in tissues by insulin-mimetic effect and enzyme activity improvement. Furthermore, cinnamon seems to decrease cholesterol and fatty acid absorption in the gut. The current literature search showed a considerable number of studies on diabetic subjects. Some limitations in comparing published data should be highlighted, including variability in doses, extracts and species of cinnamon, administration forms, and antidiabetic therapy.

28 May 2019 in Annals of Medicine
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ASAna Rita Silva
Ana Rita Silva
Alexandra BernardoAlexandra Bernardo
Alexandra Bernardo
JCJoão Costa
João Costa
ACAlexandra Cardoso
Alexandra Cardoso
PSPaula Santos
Paula Santos
PPPatrícia Padrão
Patrícia Padrão
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic non-degenerative disease, whose nutritional therapy seems controversial. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the knowledge about the effect of dietary interventions on patient-reported outcomes (PRO) and inflammation in patients with FM. Six electronic databases - PubMed, BioMed Central, Cochrane library, EMBASE, LILACS and ISI - were searched for clinical trials, in which a dietary intervention in patients with FM diagnosed was conducted. Quality of evidence assessment was measured in accordance with GRADE methodology. Seven clinical trials - 3 randomized controlled trials, 1 unrandomized clinical trial and 3 uncontrolled clinical trials were identified. Dietary approaches included gluten-free diet (n = 1), raw vegetarian diet (n = 2), low Fermentable oligo-, di- and monossacharides, alcohols and polyols (FODMAPs) diet (n = 1), hypocaloric diet (n = 2) and monosodium glutamate- and aspartame-free diet interventions (n = 1). The major PRO were pain and functional repercussion, with 5 out of 7 studies reporting an improvement. The progress in secondary outcomes was reported for fatigue (2/5 studies), sleep quality (2/3 studies), depression and anxiety (3/6 studies), quality of life (4/5 studies), gastrointestinal symptoms (1/2 studies) and inflammatory biomarkers (1/1 study). However, according to Cochrane Risk of Bias, these studies had poor statistical quality. Well-designed studies should be performed to investigate the dietary interventions effect on FM. Key messages Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic non-degenerative disease, whose nutritional therapy seems controversial but promising. Pain and functional repercussion in FM patients seem to improve with a hypocaloric diet, a raw vegetarian diet or a low FODMAPs diet, as much as quality of life, quality of sleep, anxiety and depression and inflammatory biomarkers. Existing studies in this subject are scarce and low quality, which does not allow conclusions to be drawn.


1 May 2023 in Nutrients
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Maria Leonor Tavares SilvaMaria Leonor Tavares Silva
Maria Leonor Tavares Silva
KRKeyla Rita
Keyla Rita
Alexandra BernardoAlexandra Bernardo
Alexandra Bernardo
MMMaria Fernanda de Mesquita
Maria Fernanda de Mesquita
Ana Maria Aço Monteiro PintãoAna Maria Aço Monteiro Pintão
Ana Maria Aço Monteiro Pintão
MMMargarida Moncada
Margarida Moncada
Adansonia digitata L. fruit, also known as baobab, has been used traditionally throughout the world for its medicinal properties. Ethnopharmacological uses of various plant parts have been reported for hydration, antipyretic, antiparasitic, antitussive, and sudorific properties and also in the treatment of diarrhea and dysentery in many African countries. Several studies have revealed that in addition to these applications, baobab has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial activities. The health benefits of baobab have been attributed to its bioactive compounds, namely phenols, flavonoids, proanthocyanins, tannins, catechins, and carotenoids. Baobab fruit is also an important source of vitamin C and micronutrients, including zinc, potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium, and protein, which may reduce nutritional deficiencies. Despite scientific studies revealing that this fruit has a wide diversity of bioactive compounds with beneficial effects on health, there is a gap in the review of information about their mechanisms of action and critical analysis of clinical trials exploring, in particular, their effect on glycemia regulation. This work aims to present a current overview of the bioactive compounds, biological activities, and effects of A. digitata fruit on blood glucose, highlighting their potential mechanisms of action and effects on glycemia regulation, evaluated in recent animal and human trials.