Improving the bioactivity and mechanical properties of poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogels through a supramolecular support network.

Most synthetic hydrogels are formed through radical polymerization to yield a homogenous covalent meshwork. In contrast, natural hydrogels form through mechanisms involving both covalent assembly and supramolecular interactions. In this communication, we expand the capabilities of covalent poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) networks through co-assembly of supramolecular peptide nanofibers.

Water, sanitation, handwashing, and nutritional interventions can reduce child antibiotic use: evidence from Bangladesh and Kenya.

Antibiotics can trigger antimicrobial resistance and microbiome alterations. Reducing pathogen exposure and undernutrition can reduce infections and antibiotic use. We assess effects of water, sanitation, handwashing (WSH) and nutrition interventions on caregiver-reported antibiotic use in Bangladesh and Kenya, longitudinally measured at three timepoints among birth cohorts (ages 3-28 months) in a cluster-randomized trial.

Drivers of stunting and wasting across serial cross-sectional household surveys of children under 2 years of age in Pakistan: potential contribution of ecological factors.

Background: The impact of direct and indirect drivers on linear growth and wasting in young children is of public health interest. While the contributions of poverty, maternal education, empowerment and birth weight to early childhood growth are well recognized, the contribution of environmental factors like heat, precipitation, agriculture outputs and food security in comparable datasets is less well established.

Objectives: To investigate the association of length-for-age z-score (LAZ) and weight-for-length z-score (WLZ) with various indicators among children under 2 years of age in Pakistan using representative household level nutrition surveys and ecological datasets.

Protein supplementation delivered alone or in combination with presumptive azithromycin treatment for enteric pathogens did not improve linear growth in Bangladeshi infants: results of a cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Background: Protein requirements established for healthy populations may be insufficient to support healthy growth in infants consuming largely cereal-based complementary foods and frequently exposed to enteric pathogens.

Objective: To assess independent and combined effects of protein supplementation and antibiotic treatment on linear growth of infants from 6-12 months of age.

Design: We conducted a 2 x 4 factorial cluster-randomized trial in northwestern Bangladesh, allocating 566 clusters to masked azithromycin (10 mg·kg * 3 d) or placebo at 6 and 9 months of age, and unmasked delivery of an egg white protein-rich blended food supplement (250 kcal; 10 g added protein), a rice-based isocaloric supplement, egg, or nutrition education from 6-12 months.

Ultra-compact quintuple-band terahertz metamaterial biosensor for enhanced blood cancer diagnostics.

Cancer and its diverse variations pose one of the most significant threats to human health and well-being. One of the most aggressive forms is blood cancer, originating from bone marrow cells and disrupting the production of normal blood cells. The incidence of blood cancer is steadily increasing, driven by both genetic and environmental factors.