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Since October 2019, chinch bugs have been detected in large sunken dead patches of St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) lawns in different locations of Lisbon and Setubal districts, in Portugal. Based on morphological and molecular studies, using mitochondrial Cytochrome C Oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, the collected insects were identified as Blissus insularis (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Blissidae). This is the first record of this noxious chinch bug species in Europe and in the Palaearctic region.

São João de Deus foi um homem que viveu entre os dois países da Península Ibérica. Montemor-o-Novo, cidade portuguesa, é considerada a terra onde nasceu, mas foi em Granada, urbe espanhola, que desenvolveu a sua obra assistencial.É um dos santos com maior variedade iconográfica em Portugal e no mundo. A sua iconografia foi enriquecida pelos vários acontecimentos da sua vida, mas principalmente pela celebração da beatificação (21 de setembro de 1630) e canonização (16 de outubro de 1690). Através do reconhecimento e veneração deste santo, conceberam-se várias simbologias e atributos que facilitam a sua identificação. Um dos atributos mais conhecidos é a romã encimada por cruz, que simboliza um dos famosos milagres descritos nas biografias de São João de Deus.Em Montemor-o-Novo encontra-se algum património ligado a esta figura santificada, destacando-se a igreja e o antigo Convento de São João de Deus, o Hospital do Espírito Santo e Santo André e a igreja do Hospital de São João de Deus. O primeiro é o núcleo mais antigo existente em Portugal com iconografia de São João de Deus e o segundo foi o antigo hospital de Montemor-o-Novo, onde os Irmãos Hospitaleiros exerceram funções durante cerca de cento e cinquenta e sete anos. Irão ser esses dois núcleos mais antigos que serão estudados na presente dissertação.O edifício do antigo Convento de São João de Deus de Montemor-o-Novo conserva, ainda, a estrutura original de uma enfermaria. Esse local tem várias peças de arte sacra que foram alvo de inventariação por parte da Fundação Eugénio de Almeida. A presente dissertação teve como objetivo complementar essa catalogação, de forma a entender a proveniência das peças. Sobre o Hospital do Espírito Santo e Santo André pouco se sabe, encontrando-se atualmente em estado avançado de ruína.Além destes dois núcleos principais associados ao património vivencial de São João de Deus em Montemor-o-Novo existem também alguns bens dispersos associados a esta temática. Foram maioritariamente encontrados no núcleo museológico do Convento de São Domingos.Tendo em atenção a variedade do património identificado no presente estudo, propõe-se a valorização destes bens que deverão ser alvo de um projeto de conservação e restauro e posteriormente, de uma exposição aberta ao público. A proposta de três percursos pedestres pela cidade de Montemor-o-Novo, indicam que o património associado a São João de Deus continua a ser desenvolvido nesta cidade.Com a presente investigação entende-se o valor histórico-artístico e espiritual deste património que afirma a identidade de Montemor-o-Novo.

The presence of the psyllid Calophya schini infesting the Peruvian pepper tree, Schinus molle, was detected in several localities in the region of Lisbon, in Portugal. This is the first record of this jumping plant-louse in Europe and the Palaearctic region.

Hercinothrips dimidiatus Hood (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) was detected in several localities in the region of Lisbon, in Portugal, infesting Aloe arborescens Miller (Asphodelaceae) and causing considerable damage. This is the first record of this thrips in Europe and in the Palaearctic region.

AimsCholangiocarcinoma (CC) is a rare tumour arising from the biliary tract epithelium. The aim of this study was to perform a genomic characterisation of CC tumours and to implement a model to differentiate extrahepatic (ECC) and intrahepatic (ICC) cholangiocarcinoma.MethodsDNA extracted from tumour samples of 23 patients with CC, namely 10 patients with ECC and 13 patients with ICC, was analysed by array comparative genomic hybridisation. A support vector machine algorithm for classification was applied to the genomic data to distinguish between ICC and ECC. A survival analysis comparing both groups of patients was also performed.ResultsWith these whole genome results, we observed several common alterations between tumour samples of the same CC anatomical type, namely gain of Xp and loss of 3p, 11q11, 14q, 16q, Yp and Yq in ICC tumours, and gain of 16p25.3 and loss of 3q26.1, 6p25.3–22.3, 12p13.31, 17p, 18q and Yp in ECC tumours. Gain of 2q37.3 was observed in the samples of both tumour subtypes, ICC and ECC. The developed genomic model comprised four chromosomal regions that seem to enable the distinction between ICC and ECC, with an accuracy of 71.43% (95% CI 43% to 100%). Survival analysis revealed that in our cohort, patients with ECC survived on average 8 months less than patients with ICC.ConclusionsThis genomic characterisation and the introduction of genomic models to clinical practice could be important for patient management and for the development of targeted therapies. The power of this genomic model should be evaluated in other CC populations.

Background/Objectives: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represent major primary liver cancers, affecting one of the most vital organs in the human body. T regulatory (Treg) cells play an important role in liver cancers through the immunosuppression of antitumor immune responses. The current study focuses on the characterization of circulating natural killer (NK) cells and T cell subsets, including Treg cells, in CCA and HCC patients, before and after surgical tumor resection, in order to understand the effect of tumor resection on the homeostasis of peripheral blood NK cells and T cells. Methods: Whole blood assays were performed to monitor immune alterations and the functional competence of circulating lymphocytes in a group of ten healthy individuals, eight CCA patients, and twenty HCC patients, before and one month after the surgical procedure, using flow cytometry, cell sorting, and qRT-PCR. Results: Before tumor resection, both HCC and CCA patients display increased percentages of CD8+ Treg cells and decreased frequencies of circulating CD4+ Treg cells. Notwithstanding, no functional impairment was detected on circulating CD4+ Treg cells, neither in CCA nor in HCC patients. Interestingly, the frequency of peripheral CD4+ Treg cells increased from 0.55% ± 0.49 and 0.71% ± 0.54 (in CCA and HCC, respectively) at T0 to 0.99% ± 0.91 and 1.17% ± 0.33 (in CCA and HCC, respectively) at T1, following tumor resection. Conclusions: Our results suggest mechanisms of immune modulation induced by tumor resection.

Reversine is a purine derivative that has been investigated with regard to its biological effects, such as its anticancer properties and, mostly, its ability to induce the dedifferentiation of adult cells, increasing their plasticity. The obtained dedifferentiated cells have a high potential for use in regenerative procedures, such as regenerative dentistry (RD). Instead of replacing the lost or damaged oral tissues with synthetic materials, RD uses stem cells combined with matrices and an appropriate microenvironment to achieve tissue regeneration. However, the currently available stem cell sources present limitations, thus restricting the potential of RD. Based on this problem, new sources of stem cells are fundamental. This work aims to characterize mouse gingival fibroblasts (GFs) after dedifferentiation with reversine. Different administration protocols were tested, and the cells obtained were evaluated regarding their cell metabolism, protein and DNA contents, cell cycle changes, morphology, cell death, genotoxicity, and acquisition of stem cell characteristics. Additionally, their teratoma potential was evaluated after in vivo transplantation. Reversine caused toxicity at higher concentrations, with decreased cell metabolic activity and protein content. The cells obtained displayed polyploidy, a cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, and showed an enlarged size. Additionally, apoptosis and genotoxicity were found at higher reversine concentrations. A subpopulation of the GFs possessed stem properties, as supported by the increased expression of CD90, CD105, and TERT, the existence of a CD106+ population, and their trilineage differentiation capacity. The dedifferentiated cells did not induce teratoma formation. The extensive characterization performed shows that significant functional, morphological, and genetic changes occur during the dedifferentiation process. The dedifferentiated cells have some stem-like characteristics, which are of interest for RD.

The majority of 11q deletion cases described may be included in the “distal 11q deletion syndrome”, or Jacobsen syndrome. This is a rare but clinically recognizable condition with an incidence of 1/ 100,000 births. The most common clinical features are psychomotor delay, characteristic facial dysmorphism and malformations of the heart, kidney, genitalia, central nervous system and skeleton. Patients usually have visible deletions of chromosomal bands 11q23, 11q24, and/or 11q25. Approximately 85% of the cases are de novo deletions, and only a few prenatal cases have been reported. We report the clinical case of a 30-year-old pregnant woman who was referred to our laboratory with a positive first trimester prenatal screening for Down syndrome. The cytogenetic analysis revealed a terminal deletion on the distal 11q chromosome. Fluorescence in situ hybridization using a whole-chromosome painting probe and subtelomeric probes confirmed the terminal deletion and excluded other material involvement. Parental karyotypes were normal. Second trimester ultrasound revealed clinodactyly and a cardiac defect described as a subvalvular and intraventricular communication. The couple opted for medical termination of pregnancy. The postmortem examination of the 22-week fetus showed facial dysmorphism, cardiac defects and uterus bicornis. There are few reports of prenatally diagnosed 11q−,and there seems to be a phenotypic variability. Some cases had a positive prenatal screening for Down syndrome and/or abnormal prenatal ultrasound with olygohydramnios, nuchal thickening, heart malformations and kidney anomalies. Other reports mention no structural fetal abnormalities. The present case, similar to others, had a positive first trimester screening. The fetus presented abnormal fingers, cardiac defects and malformations of genital tract, identified at the second trimester, which is consistent with the del11q− phenotype. This case reinforces the phenotypic variability associated with partial monosomy of distal 11q in the fetus and the difficulty of establishing genotype–phenotype correlations.