Materials science has seen a great deal of advancement and development. The discovery of new types of materials sparked the study of their properties followed by applications ranging from separation, catalysis, optoelectronics, sensing, drug delivery and biomedicine, and many other uses in different fields of science. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a relatively new type of materials with high surface areas and permanent porosity that show great promise for such applications. The current study aims at presenting the recent work achieved in COFs and MOFs for biomedical applications, and to examine some challenges and future directions which the field may take. The paper herein surveys their synthesis, and their use as Drug Delivery Systems (DDS), in non-drug delivery therapeutics and for biosensing and diagnostics.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) are caused by three distinct coronaviruses belonging to the same genus. COVID-19 and its two predecessors share many important features in their clinical presentations, and in their propensity for progression to severe disease which is marked by high rates of morbidity and mortality. However, comparison of the three viral illnesses also reveals a number of specific differences in clinical manifestations and complications, which suggest variability in the disease process. This narrative review delineates the pulmonary, cardiac, renal, gastrointestinal, hepatic, neurological and hematologic complications associated with these three respiratory coronaviruses. It further describes the mechanisms of immune hyperactivation—particularly cytokine release syndrome—implicated in the multi-organ system injury seen in severe cases of MERS, SARS and COVID-19.

Background: Residual risk of cardiovascular events and plaque progression remains despite reduction in low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. Factors contributing to residual risk remain unclear. The authors examined the role of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in coronary plaque regression and its predictors. Methods and Results: A total of 240 patients with stable coronary artery disease were randomized to eicosapentaenoic acid plus docosahexaenoic acid (3.36 g/d) or none for 30 months. Patients were stratified by regression or progression of coronary fatty plaque measured by coronary computed tomographic angiography. Cardiac events were ascertained. The mean±SD age was 63.0±7.7 years, mean low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level was <2.07 mmol/L, and median triglyceride level was <1.38 mmol/L. Regressors had a 14.9% reduction in triglycerides that correlated with fatty plaque regression ( r =0.135; P =0.036). Compared with regressors, progressors had higher cardiac events (5% vs 22.3%, respectively; P <0.001) and a 2.89‐fold increased risk of cardiac events (95% CI, 1.1–8.0; P =0.034). Baseline non–high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level <2.59 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) and systolic blood pressure <125 mm Hg were significant independent predictors of fatty plaque regression. Normotensive patients taking eicosapentaenoic acid plus docosahexaenoic acid had regression of noncalcified coronary plaque that correlated with triglyceride reduction ( r =0.35; P =0.034) and a significant decrease in neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio. In contrast, hypertensive patients had no change in noncalcified coronary plaque or neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio. Conclusions: Triglyceride reduction, systolic blood pressure <125 mm Hg, and non–high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol <2.59 mmol/L were associated with coronary plaque regression and reduced cardiac events. Normotensive patients had greater benefit than hypertensive patients potentially due to lower levels of inflammation. Future studies should examine the role of inflammation in plaque regression. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT01624727.

Objective: To identify and present the pathogens and sources of contamination linked to outbreaks within hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) units.Design: Systematic review.Setting: Inpatient HSCT units.Methods: The PubMed/Medline databases were systematically searched as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, employing the search terms “stem cell”, “bone marrow”, “transplant”, “transplantation”, “outbreak” and “pseudo-outbreak” from inception until July 31, 2024. Data on the type of event, pathogen involved, and source of contamination were extracted from eligible publications.Results: In total, 39 studies including 387 patients were included in this review. The overall mortality rate was 23%. Pathogens identified included adenovirus, RSV, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus spp., and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). P. aeruginosa outbreaks were associated with contaminated sanitary fixtures (P = .007) and water (P = .039), outbreaks caused by NTM were associated with water (P = .009), while Aspergillus spp. outbreaks were associated with construction (P < .001). An index case was identified in 36.8% of viral outbreaks (P = .016). Other sources included inadequate disinfection and transmission from visitors.Conclusions: Our study highlights several associations between pathogens involved in HSCT unit outbreaks and their respective sources. Establishing standardized guidelines for unit construction – particularly for ventilation and water safety – could further reduce the risk of pathogen transmission and enhance infection prevention in these high-risk settings.

Introduction: Although sarcoidosis rarely involves the pancreas, such involvement may mimic pancreatic cancer. We herein report a case of pancreatic sarcoidosis giving rise to a cancer-mimicking retention cyst, concomitant with a neuroendocrine adenoma. Presentation of case: A 47-year-old Caucasian male presented to follow-up for a benign-appearing cyst of the tail of the pancreas, detected incidentally on CT scan done for a urinary stone in 2017. He had been asymptomatic since his last presentation. The lesion was found to have increased in size from 1 cm to 3 cm in greater diameter. Yet, a CT angiography showed no evidence of invasion of surrounding organs, vessels, or lymph nodes. The patient had previous medical history of treated sarcoidosis, hypertension, recurrent nephrolithiasis, and gout. Due to the size increment a neoplastic cystic lesion was considered and distal pancreatectomy was performed. Pathologic examination revealed a retention cyst associated with chronic pancreatitis and the presence of non-caseating granulomas consistent with sarcoidosis. In addition, a neuroendocrine adenoma, and an adjacent focus of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia-1 and 2 were noted. Discussion: Such presentations may be asymptomatic, as in this case, and a multidisciplinary workup is often required. Care must be taken to rule out pancreatic cancer. A possible relationship between pancreatic sarcoidosis and pancreatic cancer merits further study. Conclusion: The diagnosis of pancreatic sarcoidosis is difficult, and conclusive diagnosis requires histopathologic assessment. Highlights: