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With nearly half of the world’s population being at risk of infection, dengue virus represents a major global health issue. The use of dengue antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) represents an alternative to PCR methods for the diagnosis of acute infections since they display excellent sensitivities and specificities and can be performed outside the laboratory. The high genetic diversity of the dengue virus genome represents a challenge for vaccine development, and the progressive expansion of this virus into previously nonendemic regions justifies the implementation of a genomic surveillance program. In this proof-of-concept study, we show the feasibility of sequencing dengue virus genomes directly from positive Ag-RDT (Standard Q Dengue Duo Test assay, n = 7) cassettes stored up to 31 days at room temperature after testing. For 5 of the 7 samples, a high number of reads were obtained allowing phylogenetic analyses to be carried out to determine not only the serotypes (dengue 1, 2, 3 and 4 were detected) but also the genotypes. Furthermore, in one sample, our unbiased metagenomic next-generation sequencing approach made it possible to detect epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus sequences, an arthropod-transmitted virus in ruminants. To conclude, as such an approach requires no cold storage or freezing of samples, dengue Ag-RDTs represent a very pragmatic and robust alternative for the genomic surveillance of dengue virus.

Hepatitis A is an acute infection of the liver, which is mostly asymptomatic in children and increases the severity with age. Although in most patients the infection resolves completely, in a few of them it may follow a prolonged or relapsed course or even a fulminant form. The reason for these different outcomes is unknown, but it is generally accepted that host factors such as the immunological status, age and the occurrence of underlaying hepatic diseases are the main determinants of the severity. However, it cannot be ruled out that some virus traits may also contribute to the severe clinical outcomes. In this review, we will analyze which genetic determinants of the virus may determine virulence, in the context of a paradigmatic virus in terms of its genomic, molecular, replicative, and evolutionary features.

The available cell-adapted hepatitis A virus (HAV) strains show a very slow replication phenotype hampering the affordable production of antigen. A fast-growing strain characterized by the occurrence of mutations in the internal ribosome entry site (IRES), combined with changes in the codon composition has been selected in our laboratory. A characterization of the IRES activity of this fast-growing strain (HM175-HP; HP) vs. its parental strain (HM175; L0) was assessed in two cell substrates used in vaccine production (MRC-5 and Vero cells) compared with the FRhK-4 cell line in which its selection was performed. The HP-derived IRES was significantly more active than the L0-derived IRES in all cells tested and both IRES were more active in the FRhK-4 cells. The translation efficiency of the HP-derived IRES was also much higher than the L0-derived IRES, particularly, in genes with a HP codon usage background. These results correlated with a higher virus production in a shorter time for the HP strain compared to the L0 strain in any of the three cell lines tested, and of both strains in the FRhK-4 cells compared to Vero and MRC-5 cells. The addition of wortmannin resulted in the increase of infectious viruses and antigen in the supernatant of FRhK-4 infected cells, independently of the strain. Finally, the replication of both strains in a clone of FRhK-4 cells adapted to grow with synthetic sera was optimal and again the HP strain showed higher yields.

En el marco de tres proyectos sucesivos de investigación llevados a cabo por la Universidad de Vigo se descubrió, excavó y documentó el castillo roquero de San Salvador de Todea, cercano a la villa de Allariz. Se trata de un yacimiento articulado en dos plataformas, que cuenta con dos tumbas antropomorfas en la inferior y la fortificación propiamente dicha en la superior. San Salvador de Todea presenta las características propias de los castillos roqueros. Se emplaza en un punto elevado, muy escarpado y bien defendido naturalmente, con una función principal de control de territorio y de las vías de comunicación, en este caso, entre el interior ourensano y Portugal. El castillo se construye aprovechando los afloramientos graníticos para apoyar vigas y muros, tanto en la muralla, como en la torre y otras estancias habitacionales y defensivas. En este artículo presentamos los resultados de un proyecto multidisciplinar, que ha conseguido fechar la fortaleza pleno medieval entre los siglos XI/XII y el XV, así como varias ocupaciones previas. ABSTRACT The University of Vigo project in San Salvador’s hill unveil a forgotten medieval rock castle unknown until 2016. The project, developed from 2016 to 2019 between the University of Vigo and the Diputación de Ourense, allow us to understand the situation, dating, distribution and function of the fortress. San Salvador de Todea is located near the also medieval town of Allariz (Ourense), and we found archaeological remains in two platforms, with two tombs in the lower one and the fortification itself in the upper one. San Salvador de Todea presents the characteristics of rock castles. It is located on a high point, very steep and naturally well defended, with a main function of controlling the territory and the communication routes, in this case, between the interior of Ourense and Portugal. The castle is built taking advantage of the granite outcrops to support beams and walls. It would have two zones: one, with the tower, one open yard and another room with roof, and the other, with a big yard and room for storage, manufacturing, etc. The walls have elevated positions to control and defend the castle. This is a multidisciplinary project; the combination of field archaeology, radiocarbon dating, material culture studies and written sources was crucial to found the medieval name of the castle, as well as the land under its rule and its main function. Middle Age is a conflictive time in the southern Ourense because of the confrontations with the Portuguese, who tried to conquer this region. San Salvador could be one of the several castles and towers build in XI-XII centuries to fight the Portuguese expansion and control the communication routes.

El artículo recoge la historia del Museo de Palencia desde sus orígenes en las actuaciones de la Comisión Provincial de Monumentos con respecto a los fondos procedentes de los monasterios desamortizados hasta llegar a su instalación definitiva en su actual sede de la Casa del Cordón, reflejando las distintas incidencias sobre la formación de sus colecciones y la búsqueda de un edificio definitivo para Museo.

This paper identifies the Galician monasteries with real estate in the Kingdom of Portugal between the 12th and 15th centuries and analyses and characterizes such property. The policy of Portuguese monarchs regarding such property is also analysed while paying particular attention to political relations between Portuguese and Spanish kings. The ecclesiastical relations between Galician monasteries and the neighbouring kingdom are also subject of study: basically, the existing data at the archbishop's see of Braga –metropolitan see up to the Western Schism – and the pontifical authorization granted to Galician abbots to intervene in Portuguese affairs. Finally, a brief reference is made to the cultural and spiritual role of Galician monasteries in the neighbouring kingdom.

Se editan los tres pergaminos medievales que forman parte del archivo familiar correspondiente al pazo de Casasoá (Santiago de Zorelle, Maceda, Ourense). La publicación de esta documentación inédita se aprovecha para elaborar la historia medieval de un señorío de pequeñas dimensiones que, nacido en la edad media, logrará pervivir hasta la edad contemporánea. [gl] Edítanse os tres pergameos medievais que forman parte do arquivo familiar correspondente ao pazo de Casasoá (Santiago de Zorelle, Maceda, Ourense). A publicación desta documentación inédita aprovéitase para elaborar a historia medieval dun señorío de pequenas dimensións que, nacido na Idade media, logrará sobrevivir ata a Idade Contemporánea.