The nuclear and mitochondrial genome assemblies of Tetragonisca angustula (Apidae: Meliponini), a tiny yet remarkable pollinator in the Neotropics.

BACKGROUND: The field of bee genomics has considerably advanced in recent years, however, the most diverse group of honey producers on the planet, the stingless bees, are still largely neglected. In fact, only eleven of the ~ 600 described stingless bee species have been sequenced, and only three using a long-read (LR) sequencing technology. Here, we sequenced the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of the most common, widespread and broadly reared stingless bee in Brazil and other neotropical countries-Tetragonisca angustula (popularly known in Brazil as jataí). RESULTS: A total of 48.01 Gb of DNA data were generated, including 2.31 Gb of Pacific Bioscience HiFi reads and 45.70 Gb of Illumina short reads (SRs). Our preferred assembly comprised 683 contigs encompassing 284.49 Mb, 62.84 Mb of which (22.09%) corresponded to 445,793 repetitive elements. N50, L50 and complete BUSCOs reached 1.02 Mb, 91 contigs and 97.1%, respectively. We predicted that the genome of T. angustula comprises 17,459 protein-coding genes and 4,108 non-coding RNAs. The mitogenome consisted of 17,410 bp, and all 37 genes were found to be on the positive strand, an unusual feature among bees. A phylogenomic analysis of 26 hymenopteran species revealed that six odorant receptor orthogroups of T. angustula were found to be experiencing rapid evolution, four of them undergoing significant contractions. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we provided the first nuclear and mitochondrial genome assemblies for the ecologically and economically important T. angustula, the fourth stingless bee species to be sequenced with LR technology thus far. We demonstrated that even relatively small amounts of LR data in combination with sufficient SR data can yield high-quality genome assemblies for bees.

In Silico Detection of Integrons and Their Relationship with Resistance Phenotype of Salmonella Isolates from a Brazilian Pork Production Chain.

The pork production chain is an important reservoir of antimicrobial resistant bacteria. This study identified and characterized integrons in Salmonella isolates from a Brazilian pork production chain and associate them with their antibiotic resistance pattern. A total of 41 whole-genome sequencing data of nontyphoidal Salmonella were analyzed using PlasmidSPAdes and IntegronFinder software. Nine isolates (21.9%) had some integrons identified (complete and/or incomplete). Six complete class 1 integrons were found, with streptomycin resistance genes (aadA1, aadA2) alone or downstream of a trimethoprim resistance gene (dfrA1, dfrA12), and some also containing resistance genes for sulfonamides (sul1, sul3) and chloramphenicol (cmlA1). Class 2 integron was detected in only one isolate, containing dfrA1-sat2-aadA1 gene cassettes. Five isolates harbored CALINs-clusters attC but lacking integrases-with antimicrobial resistance genes typically found in integron structures. In all, integrons were observed among four serotypes: Derby, Bredeney, Panama, and monophasic var. Typhimurium I 4,[5],12:i:-. The association of integrons with antibiotic resistance phenotype showed that these elements were predominantly identified in multidrug resistance isolates, and six of the seven gentamicin-resistant isolates had integrons. So, surveillance of integrons in Salmonella should be performed to identify the potential for the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes among bacteria.

Decoding bee cleptoparasitism through comparative transcriptomics of Coelioxoides waltheriae and its host Tetrapedia diversipes.

Cleptoparasitism, also known as brood parasitism, is a widespread strategy among bee species in which the parasite lays eggs into the nests of the host species. Even though this behavior has significant ecological implications for the dynamics of several species, little is known about the molecular pathways associated with cleptoparasitism. To shed some light on this issue, we used gene expression data to perform a comparative analysis between two solitary neotropical bees: Coelioxoides waltheriae, an obligate parasite, and their specific host Tetrapedia diversipes. We found that ortholog genes involved in signal transduction, sensory perception, learning, and memory formation were differentially expressed between the cleptoparasite and the host. We hypothesize that these genes and their associated molecular pathways are engaged in cleptoparasitism-related processes and, hence, are appealing subjects for further investigation into functional and evolutionary aspects of cleptoparasitism in bees.

Insights from Melipona bicolor hybrid genome assembly: a stingless bee genome with chromosome-level scaffold.

BACKGROUND: The highly eusocial stingless bees are crucial pollinators of native and agricultural ecosystems. Nevertheless, genomic studies within this bee tribe remain scarce. We present the genome assembly of the stingless bee Melipona bicolor. This bee is a remarkable exception to the typical single-queen colony structure, since in this species, multiple queens may coexist and share reproductive duties, resulting in genetically diverse colonies with weak kinship connections. As the only known genuinely polygynous bee, M. bicolor's genome provides a valuable resource for investigating sociality beyond kin selection. RESULTS: The genome was assembled employing a hybrid approach combining short and long reads, resulting in 241 contigs spanning 259 Mb (N50 of 6.2 Mb and 97.5% complete BUSCOs). Comparative analyses shed light on some evolutionary aspects of stingless bee genomics, including multiple chromosomal rearrangements in Melipona. Additionally, we explored the evolution of venom genes in M. bicolor and other stingless bees, revealing that, apart from two genes, the conserved repertoire of venom components remains under purifying selection in this clade. CONCLUSION: This study advances our understanding of stingless bee genomics, contributing to the conservation efforts of these vital pollinators and offering insights into the evolutionary mechanisms driving their unique adaptations.

Association between sociodemographic and clinical features, health behaviors, and health literacy of patients with prostate cancer and prostate cancer prognostic stage.

Patient characteristics may influence access and acceptance of Prostate Specific Antigen test, and therefore, the timing of prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis. A group of 361 patients from a cohort (n = 451) diagnosed with PCa in 2018-2020 at the Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto was evaluated before treatment, using a structured interview, the Medical Term Recognition Test, and the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire QLQ-PR25. PCa prognostic stages (I, II, III, IV) were attributed according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer eighth edition. Multinomial logistic regression was used to compute the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (OR [95% CI]), considering PCa stage II, the most frequent, as reference. Older age (OR = 4.21 [2.24-7.93]), living outside the Porto Metropolitan Area while having low income (OR = 6.25 [1.53-25.62]), and erectile dysfunction (OR = 2.22 [0.99-4.99]) were associated with stage III, while urination during the night (OR = 3.02 [1.42-6.41]) was associated with stage IV. Urine leakage was less frequent in stage III (OR = 0.23 [0.08-0.68]), and living with a partner (OR = 0.41 [0.19-0.88]) and family history of cancer (OR = 0.25 [0.07-0.86]) in stage IV. Health literacy was not associated with PCa stage but lower education was less frequent in stage I (OR = 0.27 [0.11-0.69]). Patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics should be considered as targets to improve PCa early detection and prognosis.

DNA methylation extends lifespan in the bumblebee Bombus terrestris.

Epigenetic alterations are a primary hallmark of ageing. In mammals, age-related epigenetic changes alter gene expression profiles, disrupt cellular homeostasis and physiological functions and, therefore, promote ageing. It remains unclear whether ageing is also driven by epigenetic mechanisms in invertebrates. Here, we used a pharmacological hypomethylating agent (RG108) to evaluate the effects of DNA methylation (DNAme) on lifespan in an insect-the bumblebee Bombus terrestris. RG108 extended mean lifespan by 43% and induced the differential methylation of genes involved in hallmarks of ageing, including DNA damage repair and chromatin organization. Furthermore, the longevity gene sirt1 was overexpressed following the treatment. Functional experiments demonstrated that SIRT1 protein activity was positively associated with lifespan. Overall, our study indicates that epigenetic mechanisms are conserved regulators of lifespan in both vertebrates and invertebrates and provides new insights into how DNAme is involved in the ageing process in insects.

Cancer-Related Neuropathic Pain, Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Cognitive Decline in a 5-Year Prospective Study of Patients with Breast Cancer-NEON-BC.

This study aims to estimate the prevalence and to identify the determinants of cancer-related neuropathic pain (CRNP), chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) and cognitive decline among patients with breast cancer over five years after diagnosis. Women with an incident breast cancer (n = 462) and proposed for surgery were recruited at the Portuguese Institute of Oncology-Porto in 2012 and underwent systematic neurological examinations and evaluations with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) before treatment and after one, three, and five years. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the determinants of CRNP and CIPN, and multivariate linear regression for the variation in MoCA scores. Prevalence of CRNP and CIPN decreased from the first to the fifth year after diagnosis (CRNP: from 21.1% to 16.2%, p = 0.018; CIPN: from 22.0% to 16.0% among those undergoing chemotherapy, p = 0.007). Cognitive impairment was observed in at least one assessment in 17.7% of the women. Statistically significant associations were observed between: cancer stage III and both CRNP and CIPN; triple negative breast cancer, chemotherapy, axillary node dissection, older age, higher education, and being single and CRNP; taxanes and fruit and vegetable consumption and CIPN. Anxiety, depression and poor sleep quality at baseline were associated with decreases in MoCA values from pre- to post-treatment and with CRNP. Follow-up protocols should consider the persistence of CRNP, CIPN, and cognitive impairment for several years following diagnosis.

A dual role for adeno-associated virus in human health.

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) differs from most other viruses, as it requires the simultaneous presence of a helper virus for an active infection. Up to 80% of the human population is seropositive for AAV antibodies. AAV has been known to be a non-pathogenic virus and an inhibitor of carcinogenesis caused by coinfecting viruses. However, the recent reports associating AAV infection with hepatocellular carcinoma development and the mysterious cases of acute severe hepatitis in children have challenged the idea that AAV is a harmless virus. Herein, we explore the usefulness of AAV in gene therapy and the importance of AAV as a protector or perpetrator in human carcinogenesis, ultimately reflecting on the dual role of AAV in human health.

Facing lethal temperatures: Heat-shock response in desert and temperate ants.

Global climate changes may cause profound effects on species adaptation, particularly in ectotherms for whom even moderate warmer temperatures can lead to disproportionate heat failure. Still, several organisms evolved to endure high desert temperatures. Here, we describe the thermal tolerance survival and the transcriptomic heat stress response of three genera of desert (Cataglyphis, Melophorus, and Ocymyrmex) and two of temperate ants (Formica and Myrmica) and explore convergent and specific adaptations. We found heat stress led to either a reactive or a constitutive response in desert ants: Cataglyphis holgerseni and Melophorus bagoti differentially regulated very few transcripts in response to heat (0.12% and 0.14%, respectively), while Cataglyphis bombycina and Ocymyrmex robustior responded with greater expression alterations (respectively affecting 0.6% and 1.53% of their transcriptomes). These two responsive mechanisms-reactive and constitutive-were related to individual thermal tolerance survival and convergently evolved in distinct desert ant genera. Moreover, in comparison with desert species, the two temperate ants differentially expressed thousands of transcripts more in response to heat stress (affecting 8% and 12.71% of F. fusca and Myr. sabuleti transcriptomes). In summary, we show that heat adaptation in thermophilic ants involved changes in the expression response. Overall, desert ants show reduced transcriptional alterations even when under high thermal stress, and their expression response may be either constitutive or reactive to temperature increase.

Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Young Adults (18-25 Years) in Mozambique.

The life course development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and the undergoing epidemiological transition in Mozambique highlight the importance of monitoring the cardiovascular risk profile in young adults. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the prevalence of CVD risk factors in a population aged 18-25 years living in Mozambique. A total of 776 young adults from a nationally representative sample were evaluated in 2014/2015 following the World Health Organization's STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk factor surveillance. Current smoking was the most prevalent among rural men (10.8%, 95%CI: 6.3-17.8), and drinking was most prevalent among urban men (38.6%, 95%CI: 29.3-48.8). The proportion of young adults not engaging in at least 75 min of vigorous physical activity per week ranged between 14.5% in rural men and 61.6% in urban women. The prevalence of being overweight/obese and hypertension were highest among urban women (21.6%, 95%CI: 14.7-30.6) and urban men (25.2%, 95%CI: 15.9-37.6), respectively. Education >8 years (vs. none) was independently associated with lower odds of being a current smoker, and increased monthly household income was associated with increased odds of low levels of physical activity. This study shows that important CVD risk factors are already common in the young adult population of Mozambique.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Trigonisca nataliae (Hymenoptera, Apidae) assemblage reveals heteroplasmy in the control region.

The evolution of mitochondrial genomes in the stingless bees is surprisingly dynamic, making them a model system to understand mitogenome structure, function, and evolution. Out of the seven mitogenomes available in this group, five exhibit atypical characteristics, including extreme rearrangements, rapid evolution and complete mitogenome duplication. To further explore the mitogenome diversity in these bees, we utilized isolated mtDNA and Illumina sequencing to assemble the complete mitogenome of Trigonisca nataliae, a species found in Northern Brazil. The mitogenome of T. nataliae was highly conserved in gene content and structure when compared to Melipona species but diverged in the control region (CR). Using PCR amplification, cloning and Sanger sequencing, six different CR haplotypes, varying in size and content, were recovery. These findings indicate that heteroplasmy, where different mitochondrial haplotypes coexist within individuals, occurs in T. nataliae. Consequently, we argue that heteroplasmy might indeed be a common phenomenon in bees that could be associated with variations in mitogenome size and challenges encountered during the assembly process.

Long-term neurological complications in COVID-19 survivors: study protocol of a prospective cohort study (NeurodegCoV-19).

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests an association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and worse performance on cognitive tests, and a higher risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia up to 6 and 12 months after infection, respectively. Longer follow-ups with comparison groups are needed to clarify the potentially increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases in COVID-19 survivors, namely those infected before mass vaccination. METHODS: A prospective study started in July 2022 with four cohorts of 150 individuals each, defined according to SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalisation status between March 2020 and February 2021: cohort 1-hospitalised due to SARS-CoV-2 infection; cohort 2-hospitalised, COVID-19-free; cohort 3-infected, not hospitalised; cohort 4-not infected, not hospitalised. Cohort 2 will be matched to cohort 1 according to age, sex, level of hospitalisation care and length of stay; cohort 4 will be age-matched and sex-matched to cohort 3. Baseline, 1-year and 2-year follow-up evaluations will include: cognitive performance assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and neuropsychological tests; the assessment of prodromal markers of PD with Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behaviour Disorder single-question Screen and self-reported olfactory and gustative alterations; screening of PD with the 9-item PD screening questionnaire; gait evaluation with Timed Up&Go test. Suspected cases of cognitive impairment and PD will undergo a clinical evaluation by a neurologist. Frequency measures of neurological complications, prodromal markers and diagnoses of dementia and PD, will be presented. The occurrence of cognitive decline-the difference between baseline and 1-year MoCA scores 1.5 SD below the mean of the distribution of the variation-will be compared between cohorts 1 and 2, and cohorts 3 and 4 with OR estimated using multivariate logistic regression. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study received ethics approval from the Ethics Committees of the health units Unidade Local de Saúde de Matosinhos and Centro Hospitalar de Entre Douro e Vouga, and informed consent is signed for participating. Results will be disseminated among the scientific community and the public.

Hepatitis B Virus Genotype D: An Overview of Molecular Epidemiology, Evolutionary History, and Clinical Characteristics.

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype D (HBV/D) is the most extensively distributed genotype worldwide with distinct molecular and epidemiological features. This report provides an up-to-date review on the history of HBV/D subgenotyping and misclassifications, along with large-scale analysis of over 1000 HBV/D complete genome sequences, with the aim of gaining a thorough understanding of the global prevalence and geographic distribution of HBV/D subgenotypes. We have additionally explored recent paleogenomic findings, which facilitated the detection of HBV/D genomes dating back to the late Iron Age and provided new perspectives on the origins of modern HBV/D strains. Finally, reports on distinct disease outcomes and responses to antiviral therapy among HBV/D subgenotypes are discussed, further highlighting the complexity of this genotype and the importance of HBV subgenotyping in the management and treatment of hepatitis B.

Migraine Attacks Triggered by Ingestion of Watermelon.

INTRODUCTION: Ingesting some foods can trigger headache attacks in migraine patients. Diet-sourced citrulline activates the l-arginine-nitric oxide pathway, acting on the pathophysiology of migraine. METHODS: The study was a clinical trial, interventional, controlled, and with group comparison. The sample was non-random, composed of 38 volunteers with migraine and 38 without headache (control). Both groups ingested a portion of watermelon to determine the onset of headache attacks. Before and after ingesting watermelon, they underwent blood collections to determine serum nitrite levels. RESULTS: There were 38 volunteers diagnosed with migraine without aura and 38 controls, whose mean age was, respectively, 22.4 ± 1.5 and 22.9 ± 3.1 years (p = 0.791). Headache was triggered by watermelon ingestion after 124.3 ± 20.5 min of ingestion in 23.7% (9/38) of the migraine volunteers and in none of the controls (p = 0.002). There was an increase in serum nitrite levels, both in migraine volunteers (23.4%) and in the control group (24.3%), after watermelon ingestion. This difference was significant (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: Watermelon ingestion triggered headache attacks in migraine patients and increased serum nitrite levels, attesting to a possible activation of the l-arginine-nitric oxide pathway.

Development and Validation of the Dystonia-Pain Classification System: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Dystonia is associated with disabling nonmotor symptoms like chronic pain (CP), which is prevalent in dystonia and significantly impacts the quality of life (QoL). There is no validated tool for assessing CP in dystonia, which substantially hampers pain management. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to develop a CP classification and scoring system for dystonia. METHODS: A multidisciplinary group was established to develop the Dystonia-Pain Classification System (Dystonia-PCS). The classification of CP as related or unrelated to dystonia was followed by the assessment of pain severity score, encompassing pain intensity, frequency, and impact on daily living. Then, consecutive patients with inherited/idiopathic dystonia of different spatial distribution were recruited in a cross-sectional multicenter validation study. Dystonia-PCS was compared to validated pain, mood, QoL, and dystonia scales (Brief Pain Inventory, Douleur Neuropathique-4 questionnaire, European QoL-5 Dimensions-3 Level Version, and Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale). RESULTS: CP was present in 81 of 123 recruited patients, being directly related to dystonia in 82.7%, aggravated by dystonia in 8.8%, and nonrelated to dystonia in 7.5%. Dystonia-PCS had excellent intra-rater (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient - ICC: 0.941) and inter-rater (ICC: 0.867) reliability. In addition, pain severity score correlated with European QoL-5 Dimensions-3 Level Version's pain subscore (r = 0.635, P < 0.001) and the Brief Pain Inventory's severity and interference scores (r = 0.553, P < 0.001 and r = 0.609, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Dystonia-PCS is a reliable tool to categorize and quantify CP impact in dystonia and will help improve clinical trial design and management of CP in patients affected by this disorder. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Pet ownership during the first 5 years after breast cancer diagnosis in the NEON-BC cohort.

BACKGROUND: Although human-animal interactions (HAI) have been associated with health benefits, they have not been extensively studied among cancer patients nor which factors may influence HAI during cancer survivorship. Therefore, this study aims to describe pet ownership in a breast cancer cohort within 5 years post-diagnosis and to identify associated factors. METHODS: Four hundred sixty-six patients from the NEON-BC cohort were evaluated. Four groups of pet ownership over the 5 years were defined: 'never had', 'stopped having', 'started having' and 'always had'. Multinomial logistic regression was used to quantify the association between the patient characteristics and the groups defined (reference: 'never had'). RESULTS: 51.7% of patients had pets at diagnosis, which increased to 58.4% at 5 years; dogs and cats were the most common. Women presenting depressive symptoms and poor quality of life were more likely to stop having pets. Older and unpartnered women were less likely to start having pets. Those retired, living outside Porto, having diabetes or having owned animals during adulthood were more likely to start having pets. Women with higher education and unpartnered were less likely to always have pets. Those living in larger households, with other adults or having animals throughout life, were more likely to always have pets. Obese women had lower odds of stopping having dogs/cats. Women submitted to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and longer chemotherapy treatments were more likely to stop having dogs/cats. CONCLUSIONS: Pet ownership changed over the 5 years and is influenced by sociodemographic, clinical and treatment characteristics, patient-reported outcomes and past pet ownership, reflecting the importance of HAI during cancer survivorship.

Rapid evolution, rearrangements and whole mitogenome duplication in the Australian stingless bees Tetragonula (Hymenoptera: Apidae): A steppingstone towards understanding mitochondrial function and evolution.

The extreme conservation of mitochondrial genomes in metazoans poses a significant challenge to understanding mitogenome evolution. However, the presence of variation in gene order or genome structure, found in a small number of taxa, can provide unique insights into this evolution. Previous work on two stingless bees in the genus Tetragonula (T. carbonaria and T. hockingsi) revealed highly divergent CO1 regions between them and when compared to the bees from the same tribe (Meliponini), indicating rapid evolution. Using mtDNA isolation and Illumina sequencing, we elucidated the mitogenomes of both species. In both species, there has been a duplication of the whole mitogenome to give a total genome size of 30,666 bp in T. carbonaria; and 30,662 bp in T. hockingsi. These duplicated genomes present a circular structure with two identical and mirrored copies of all 13 protein coding genes and 22 tRNAs, with the exception of a few tRNAs that are present as single copies. In addition, the mitogenomes are characterized by rearrangements of two block of genes. We believe that rapid evolution is present in the whole Indo-Malay/Australasian group of Meliponini but is extraordinarily elevated in T. carbonaria and T. hockingsi, probably due to founder effect, low effective population size and the mitogenome duplication. All these features - rapid evolution, rearrangements, and duplication - deviate significantly from the vast majority of the mitogenomes described so far, making the mitogenomes of Tetragonula unique opportunities to address fundamental questions of mitogenome function and evolution.

Adeno-associated virus infection and its impact in human health: an overview.

Discovered as a contaminant of adenovirus stocks in the 1960s, adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a mono-stranded DNA virus that depends on helper factors to replicate. Even though AAV is endemic in the human population (35-80%), it is remarkable that many issues concerning the natural infection by this virus remain unanswered. In this study, we reflect on the main basic aspects of AAV biology and provide an overview of the studies exploring the impact of AAV infection on human health, focusing on three major research areas including, (i) cervical and (ii) liver cancer, and (iii) reproductive system disorders. Conflicting results have been obtained into the association of AAV infection with the occurrence of adverse reproductive outcomes, such as placental complications, spontaneous abortion, and fertility disorders, or with a protective role in HPV-related cervical carcinogenesis. Noteworthy, recent reports have identified AAV insertional mutagenesis as a novel risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. This latest finding raises concern regarding the widespread usage of AAV vectors in liver-targeted gene therapy.

Acute Outcomes of Cigarette Smoke and Electronic Cigarette Aerosol Inhalation in a Murine Model.

Cigarette smoking throughout life causes serious health issues in the lungs. The electronic cigarette (E-Cig) use increased, since it was first introduced in the world. This research work compared the short-term exposure consequences to e-cigarette vapor and cigarette smoke in male mice. Forty-five C57BL/6 mice were randomized into control (C) in an ambient air exposition cigarette smoke (CS) and aerosol electronic cigarette (EC), both were exposed to 120 puffs, 3 times/day during five days. Then, in the experimental protocol, the euthanized mice had their tissues removed for analysis. Our study showed that CS and EC resulted in higher cell influx into the airways, and an increase in macrophage counts in CS (209.25 ± 7.41) and EC (220.32 ± 8.15) when compared to C (108.40 ± 4.49) (p < 0.0001). The CS (1.92 ± 0.23) displayed a higher pulmonary lipid peroxidation as opposed to C (0.93 ± 0.06) and EC (1.23 ± 0.17) (p < 0.05). The EC (282.30 ± 25.68) and CS (368.50 ± 38.05) promoted increased levels of interleukin 17 when compared to C (177.20 ± 10.49) (p < 0.05). The EC developed shifts in lung histoarchitecture, characterized by a higher volume density in the alveolar air space (60.21; 55.00-65.83) related to C (51.25; 18.75-68.75) and CS (50.26; 43.75-62.08) (p =0.002). The EC (185.6 ± 9.01) presented a higher respiratory rate related to CS (133.6 ± 10.2) (p < 0.002). Therefore, our findings demonstrated that the short-term exposure to e-cig promoted more acute inflammation comparing to cigarette smoke in the ventilatory parameters of the animals.

The use of adenoviral vectors in gene therapy and vaccine approaches.

Adenovirus was first identified in the 1950s and since then this pathogenic group of viruses has been explored and transformed into a genetic transfer vehicle. Modification or deletion of few genes are necessary to transform it into a conditionally or non-replicative vector, creating a versatile tool capable of transducing different tissues and inducing high levels of transgene expression. In the early years of vector development, the application in monogenic diseases faced several hurdles, including short-term gene expression and even a fatality. On the other hand, an adenoviral delivery strategy for treatment of cancer was the first approved gene therapy product. There is an increasing interest in expressing transgenes with therapeutic potential targeting the cancer hallmarks, inhibiting metastasis, inducing cancer cell death or modulating the immune system to attack the tumor cells. Replicative adenovirus as vaccines may be even older and date to a few years of its discovery, application of non-replicative adenovirus for vaccination against different microorganisms has been investigated, but only recently, it demonstrated its full potential being one of the leading vaccination tools for COVID-19. This is not a new vector nor a new technology, but the result of decades of careful and intense work in this field.