Recent progress in material science has led to the development of new drug delivery systems that go beyond the conventional approaches and offer greater accuracy and convenience in the application of therapeutic agents. This review discusses the evolutionary role of nanocarriers, hydrogels, and bioresponsive polymers that offer enhanced drug release, target accuracy, and bioavailability. Oncology, chronic disease management, and vaccine delivery are some of the applications explored in this paper to show how these materials improve the therapeutic results, counteract multidrug resistance, and allow for sustained and localized treatments. The review also discusses the translational barriers of bringing advanced materials into the clinical setting, which include issues of biocompatibility, scalability, and regulatory approval. Methods to overcome these challenges include surface modifications to reduce immunogenicity, scalable production methods such as microfluidics, and the harmonization of regulatory systems. In addition, the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is opening new frontiers in material science and personalized medicine. These technologies allow for predictive modeling and real-time adjustments to optimize drug delivery to the needs of individual patients. The use of advanced materials can also be applied to rare and underserved diseases; thus, new strategies in gene therapy, orphan drugs development, and global vaccine distribution may offer new hopes for millions of patients.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a rapidly growing global health threat that undermines the effectiveness of first-line treatments for serious infectious diseases. During the Eighth Regional Conference of the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), held in Amman, Jordan, from September 15–18, 2024, this critical issue took center stage under the theme “Advancing Public Health Preparedness and Response.” A dedicated roundtable discussion on AMR explored the challenges of implementing effective AMR surveillance, the widespread misuse of antibiotics, and the urgent need for a One Health approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental health. Speakers emphasized that political commitment, sustainable funding, and cross-sector collaboration are essential to curbing AMR, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), where factors such as high antimicrobial consumption, conflict, weak health systems, and poor access to regulated antibiotics exacerbate the problem. The discussion also highlighted the critical roles of laboratories and infection prevention and control (IPC) programs in healthcare settings, both of which are central to AMR surveillance and stewardship. Global efforts, including the WHO’s Global Action Plan on AMR and the AMR Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform, were recognized as vital frameworks for fostering international cooperation and guiding regional responses. The roundtable concluded with a call for strengthened governance, enhanced laboratory capacities, improved surveillance systems, scaling up IPC programs and enhanced public awareness campaigns to confront the rising threat of AMR in the EMR.

Countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR) face interconnected risks at the human, animal, and environmental interface. This Perspective synthesizes lessons from a roundtable convened during the EMPHNET 8th Biennial Regional Conference (Amman, 15–18 September 2024) to identify near-term actions to operationalize One Health. The two-hour session featured five presentations, a panel, and open discussion with 68 participants from human, animal, and environmental health, food safety, life sciences, and social sciences. Rapporteur notes and slides were independently reviewed by two authors and consolidated into cross-cutting themes. Five priorities emerged: workforce development and mentorship; governance and multisectoral coordination; surveillance, data integration, and joint risk assessment; financing and sustainability; and climate and environmental determinants. Participants emphasized Competencies for One Health Field Epidemiology (COHFE)-aligned competency pathways, institutionalized coordination with defined roles, interoperable surveillance products using shared case definitions, early joint risk assessments with explicit triggers, and sustained cross-sector rapid response capacity. They called for embedding One Health tasks in national budgets, aligning external support to government plans, and integrating health within climate policies and investments. Egypt case illustrated national organization of governance, surveillance, and financing. The roundtable offers a practice-oriented entry point for EMR decision makers to operationalize One Health in the near term.

After the publication of the review article

Hantavirus infection is uncommon in many settings but can cause severe pulmonary or renal disease. Nursing students require disease-specific preparedness f

Understanding the duration of the humoral immune response after coronavirus disease 2019 infection is critical for assessing vaccination strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the persistence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in patients from Northern Jordan 1 year after infection. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at King Abdullah University Hospital in Irbid, Jordan, from January to March 2021. Participants who were infected with the early SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating in Jordan (B.1, B.1.1, and B.1.1.312) prior to the emergence of the Alpha variant and unvaccinated were tested for antibodies against recombinant spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins using the quantitative Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S and the qualitative Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 assays, respectively (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences, and chi-square tests were applied to identify associations. Among 122 participants (62 males, 60 females), more than 50% of the patients retained detectable antibodies 1 year postinfection. Spike protein antibodies showed a more consistent long-term presence compared to nucleocapsid antibodies. Blood group O individuals showed the lowest seropositivity rates ( P = .06). Other variables, including age, gender, comorbidities, smoking status, and symptom severity, did not show a significant correlation with antibody persistence. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies persist in more than 50% of patients for at least 1 year postinfection, particularly against the spike protein. These findings support the potential for long-term immune protection and may inform vaccination policies, particularly in resource-limited settings.