Herpesviruses are prevalent throughout the animal kingdom, and they have coexisted and coevolved along with their host species for millions of years. Herpesviruses carry a large (120-230 kb) double-stranded DNA genome surrounded by a protein capsid, a tegument layer consisting of viral and host proteins, and a lipid bilayer envelope with surface glycoproteins. A key characteristic of these viruses is their ability to enter a latent state following primary infection, allowing them to evade the host’s immune system and persist permanently. Herpesviruses can reactivate from their dormant state, usually during times of stress or when the host’s immune responses are impaired. While herpesviruses can cause complications with severe disease in immune-compromised people, most of the population experiences few ill effects from herpesvirus infections. Indeed, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) in particular has several features that make it an attractive tool for therapeutic gene delivery. Herpes simplex virus 1 targets and infects specific cell types, such as epithelial cells and neurons. The HSV-1 genome can also accommodate large insertions of up to 14 kb. The HSV-1-based vectors have already achieved success for the oncolytic treatment of melanoma. In addition to serving as a vehicle for therapeutic gene delivery and targeted cell lysis, comparative genomics of herpesviruses HSV-1 and 2 has revealed valuable information about the evolutionary history of both viruses and their hosts. This review focuses on the adaptability of HSV-1 as an instrument for gene delivery and an evolutionary marker. Overall, HSV-1 shows great promise as a tool for treating human disease and studying human migration patterns, disease outbreaks, and evolution.

RÉSUMÉLa population mondiale vieillit, et c’est aussi le cas au Canada. Ce phénomène exige une planification en matière de logement afin de soutenir la qualité de vie des personnes âgées. La présente étude est la première à examiner l’impact de l’habitation communautaire sur la qualité de vie des personnes âgées au Canada. Vingt-trois participants ont été impliqués dans cette étude à méthodologie mixte. Les personnes âgées ont évalué très positivement leur qualité de vie, particulièrement dans les domaines environnemental, physique et psychologique du Questionnaire sur la qualité de vie (WHOQOL_BREF) de l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé. La qualité de vie dans le domaine social a étonnamment été jugée faible, considérant les résultats obtenus lors des groupes de discussion. Quatre thèmes, à savoir « l’appartenance à une communauté », « la vie en communauté », « les changements liés au vieillissement » et « le vieillissement sur place » ont émergé des données qualitatives en vue d’expliquer les facteurs influençant la qualité de vie des personnes âgées. Cette recherche fournit de solides preuves en faveur de l’habitation communautaire, une solution innovatrice en matière de logement qui permet de préserver la qualité de vie des personnes âgées.

Due to the physiologic changes of aging, managing behavioral issues and antipsychotic use is associated with adverse reactions that are more complex in older adults than in younger adults. Therefore, appropriate prescribing and evaluating the need to continue antipsychotics are necessary to enhance optimum patient outcomes. This article discusses best practice recommendations for NPs in Canada to help ensure safe use of antipsychotic medications in the older adult population.