Introduction: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and MOG-associated disease (MOGAD) are an increasingly recognized group of demyelinating disorders of the central nervous system. Previous studies suggest that prognosis is predicted by older age at onset, number of relapses, the severity of the first attack and autoantibody status. Objective: To study prognostic factors associated with disability progression and additional relapses in the 3-year follow-up of a national NMOSD/MOGAD cohort. Results: Out of 180 of the initial Portuguese cohort, data on 82 patients was available at the end of the follow-up period (2019-2022). Two patients died. Twenty (24.4%) patients had one or more attack in this period (25 attacks in total), mostly transverse myelitis (TM) (56.0%) or optic neuritis (32.0%). MOGAD was significantly associated with a monophasic disease course (p = 0.03), with milder attacks (p = 0.01), while AQP4 + NMOSD was associated with relapses (p = 0.03). The most common treatment modalities were azathioprine (38.8%) and rituximab (18.8%). AQP4 + NMOSD more frequently required chronic immunosuppressive treatment, particularly rituximab (p = 0.01). Eighteen (22.5%) had an EDSS ≥6 at the end of the follow-up. AQP4 + NMOSD (p < 0.01) and the occurrence of transverse myelitis (TM) during disease (p = 0.04) correlated with an EDSS≥6 at the end of the follow-up period. MOGAD was significantly associated with an EDSS<6 (p < 0.01), and MOG+ cases that reached an EDSS>6 were significantly older (64.0 ± 2.8 versus 31.0 ± 17.1, p = 0.017). A bivariate logistic regression model including the serostatus and TM attacks during disease history successfully predicted 72.2% of patients that progressed to an EDSS≥6. Conclusion: This study highlights that myelitis predict increased disability (EDSS≥6) in NMOSD/MOGAG and AQP4 positivity is associated with increased disability.

Leishmania infantum, a zoonotic vector-born parasite, is endemic in the Mediterranean region, presenting mostly as visceral (VL), but also as cutaneous (CL) and mucosal leishmaniasis (ML). This study aimed to describe the epidemiological and clinical aspects of the CL and ML cases diagnosed in mainland Portugal between 2010 and 2020. Collaboration was requested from every hospital of the Portuguese National Health System. Cases were screened through a search of diagnostic discharge codes or positive laboratory results for Leishmania infection. Simultaneously, a comprehensive literature search was performed. Descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing were performed using IBM (R) SPSS (R) Statistics. A total of 43 CL and 7 ML cases were identified, with a predominance of autochthonous cases (86%). In CL, immunosuppressed individuals constituted a significant proportion of patients (48%), and in this group, disseminated CL (22%) and simultaneous VL (54%) were common. In autochthonous cases, lesions, mostly papules/nodules (62%), were frequently observed on the head (48%). The approach to treatment was very heterogeneous. ML cases were all autochthonous, were diagnosed primarily in older immunosuppressed individuals, and were generally treated with liposomal amphotericin B. The findings suggest a need for enhanced surveillance and reporting, clinical awareness, and diagnostic capacity of these forms of leishmaniasis to mitigate underdiagnosis and improve patient outcomes. A holistic One Health approach is advocated to address the multifaceted challenges posed by leishmaniases in Portugal and beyond.

Leishmania infantum, a zoonotic vector-born parasite, is endemic in the Mediterranean region, presenting mostly as visceral (VL), but also as cutaneous (CL) and mucosal leishmaniasis (ML). This study aimed to describe the epidemiological and clinical aspects of the CL and ML cases diagnosed in mainland Portugal between 2010 and 2020. Collaboration was requested from every hospital of the Portuguese National Health System. Cases were screened through a search of diagnostic discharge codes or positive laboratory results for Leishmania infection. Simultaneously, a comprehensive literature search was performed. Descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing were performed using IBM® SPSS® Statistics. A total of 43 CL and 7 ML cases were identified, with a predominance of autochthonous cases (86%). In CL, immunosuppressed individuals constituted a significant proportion of patients (48%), and in this group, disseminated CL (22%) and simultaneous VL (54%) were common. In autochthonous cases, lesions, mostly papules/nodules (62%), were frequently observed on the head (48%). The approach to treatment was very heterogeneous. ML cases were all autochthonous, were diagnosed primarily in older immunosuppressed individuals, and were generally treated with liposomal amphotericin B. The findings suggest a need for enhanced surveillance and reporting, clinical awareness, and diagnostic capacity of these forms of leishmaniasis to mitigate underdiagnosis and improve patient outcomes. A holistic One Health approach is advocated to address the multifaceted challenges posed by leishmaniases in Portugal and beyond.

Católica Porto Law School of Portugal annually awards dozens of students a master's degree in law, in seven areas of specialization, as well as a master's degree in law and management. In order to give visibility to the result of the research, the Católica Porto Law School took the decision to publish the master's dissertations that obtained the highest classifications. Thus, the best master's dissertations whose exams have been completed until December 8 of the previous calendar year are published annually. This dissemination allows us to share quality research with the rest of the scientific community. In addition, it is an incentive for the qualification of the research of master's students in Law and in Law and Management. It is our conviction that this initiative contributes to a fruitful sharing of knowledge and that it allows the opening of a path of dialogue with the legal community and civil society. This issue includes thirty-one dissertations. They are presented in alphabetical order by author and cover areas as diverse as Criminal Law, International and European Law, Company and Business Law, Labour Law, Administrative Law, Tax Law, and Private Law.   The coordination of this project intends to publicly acknowledge the meticulous and dedicated work of Dr. Isabel Ferreira.

Católica Porto Law School of Portugal annually awards dozens of students a master's degree in law, in seven areas of specialization, as well as a master's degree in law and management. In order to give visibility to the result of the research, the Católica Porto Law School took the decision to publish the master's dissertations that obtained the highest classifications. Thus, the best master's dissertations whose exams have been completed until December 8 of the previous calendar year are published annually. This dissemination allows us to share quality research with the rest of the scientific community. In addition, it is an incentive for the qualification of the research of master's students in Law and in Law and Management. It is our conviction that this initiative contributes to a fruitful sharing of knowledge and that it allows the opening of a path of dialogue with the legal community and civil society. This issue includes thirty-one dissertations. They are presented in alphabetical order by author and cover areas as diverse as Criminal Law, International and European Law, Company and Business Law, Labour Law, Administrative Law, Tax Law, and Private Law.   The coordination of this project intends to publicly acknowledge the meticulous and dedicated work of Dr. Isabel Ferreira.

Católica Porto Law School of Portugal annually awards dozens of students a master's degree in law, in seven areas of specialization, as well as a master's degree in law and management. In order to give visibility to the result of the research, the Católica Porto Law School took the decision to publish the master's dissertations that obtained the highest classifications. Thus, the best master's dissertations whose exams have been completed until December 8 of the previous calendar year are published annually. This dissemination allows us to share quality research with the rest of the scientific community. In addition, it is an incentive for the qualification of the research of master's students in Law and in Law and Management. It is our conviction that this initiative contributes to a fruitful sharing of knowledge and that it allows the opening of a path of dialogue with the legal community and civil society. This issue includes thirty-one dissertations. They are presented in alphabetical order by author and cover areas as diverse as Criminal Law, International and European Law, Company and Business Law, Labour Law, Administrative Law, Tax Law, and Private Law.   The coordination of this project intends to publicly acknowledge the meticulous and dedicated work of Dr. Isabel Ferreira.

Católica Porto Law School of Portugal annually awards dozens of students a master's degree in law, in seven areas of specialization, as well as a master's degree in law and management. In order to give visibility to the result of the research, the Católica Porto Law School took the decision to publish the master's dissertations that obtained the highest classifications. Thus, the best master's dissertations whose exams have been completed until December 8 of the previous calendar year are published annually. This dissemination allows us to share quality research with the rest of the scientific community. In addition, it is an incentive for the qualification of the research of master's students in Law and in Law and Management. It is our conviction that this initiative contributes to a fruitful sharing of knowledge and that it allows the opening of a path of dialogue with the legal community and civil society. This issue includes thirty-one dissertations. They are presented in alphabetical order by author and cover areas as diverse as Criminal Law, International and European Law, Company and Business Law, Labour Law, Administrative Law, Tax Law, and Private Law.   The coordination of this project intends to publicly acknowledge the meticulous and dedicated work of Dr. Isabel Ferreira.

Católica Porto Law School of Portugal annually awards dozens of students a master's degree in law, in seven areas of specialization, as well as a master's degree in law and management. In order to give visibility to the result of the research, the Católica Porto Law School took the decision to publish the master's dissertations that obtained the highest classifications. Thus, the best master's dissertations whose exams have been completed until December 8 of the previous calendar year are published annually. This dissemination allows us to share quality research with the rest of the scientific community. In addition, it is an incentive for the qualification of the research of master's students in Law and in Law and Management. It is our conviction that this initiative contributes to a fruitful sharing of knowledge and that it allows the opening of a path of dialogue with the legal community and civil society. This issue includes thirty-one dissertations. They are presented in alphabetical order by author and cover areas as diverse as Criminal Law, International and European Law, Company and Business Law, Labour Law, Administrative Law, Tax Law, and Private Law.   The coordination of this project intends to publicly acknowledge the meticulous and dedicated work of Dr. Isabel Ferreira.

Católica Porto Law School of Portugal annually awards dozens of students a master's degree in law, in seven areas of specialization, as well as a master's degree in law and management. In order to give visibility to the result of the research, the Católica Porto Law School took the decision to publish the master's dissertations that obtained the highest classifications. Thus, the best master's dissertations whose exams have been completed until December 8 of the previous calendar year are published annually. This dissemination allows us to share quality research with the rest of the scientific community. In addition, it is an incentive for the qualification of the research of master's students in Law and in Law and Management. It is our conviction that this initiative contributes to a fruitful sharing of knowledge and that it allows the opening of a path of dialogue with the legal community and civil society. This issue includes thirty-one dissertations. They are presented in alphabetical order by author and cover areas as diverse as Criminal Law, International and European Law, Company and Business Law, Labour Law, Administrative Law, Tax Law, and Private Law.   The coordination of this project intends to publicly acknowledge the meticulous and dedicated work of Dr. Isabel Ferreira.

Católica Porto Law School of Portugal annually awards dozens of students a master's degree in law, in seven areas of specialization, as well as a master's degree in law and management. In order to give visibility to the result of the research, the Católica Porto Law School took the decision to publish the master's dissertations that obtained the highest classifications. Thus, the best master's dissertations whose exams have been completed until December 8 of the previous calendar year are published annually. This dissemination allows us to share quality research with the rest of the scientific community. In addition, it is an incentive for the qualification of the research of master's students in Law and in Law and Management. It is our conviction that this initiative contributes to a fruitful sharing of knowledge and that it allows the opening of a path of dialogue with the legal community and civil society. This issue includes thirty-one dissertations. They are presented in alphabetical order by author and cover areas as diverse as Criminal Law, International and European Law, Company and Business Law, Labour Law, Administrative Law, Tax Law, and Private Law.   The coordination of this project intends to publicly acknowledge the meticulous and dedicated work of Dr. Isabel Ferreira.