Synthesis of Stable Aluminum Nanoparticles at Varying Reactant Concentrations and Their Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Activity.

Aluminum nanoparticles (Al NPs) were synthesized via catalyzed thermal reduction of an aluminum precursor in the presence of a capping ligand. A systematic study was conducted to examine the effect of dilution on nanoparticle synthesis by varying the volume of anhydrous toluene across four dilution factors while maintaining constant molar quantities of the aluminum precursor, catalyst, and ligand. This methodology is relevant for scale-up processes, where more dilute conditions can mitigate nanoparticle reactivity and enhance safety.

Efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of 40 mg versus 80 mg atorvastatin in a Sri Lankan cohort with acute coronary syndrome: a protocol for a single-centre randomised controlled clinical trial.

Background: Most guidelines recommend high-intensity statins for the secondary prevention of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, several studies from other Asian populations suggest enhanced sensitivity to statins, with effective low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction seen at lower doses and possible higher incidence of adverse effects at higher statin doses. However, there is no published data from Sri Lanka.

Extended human lymph node explants for evaluation of adaptive immunity.

Lymph nodes (LNs) are a vital component of the adaptive immune system as they have a key role in antigen presentation and regulation of immune responses. However, preclinical models that accurately mimic the complexity and spatial organization of LNs remain a significant unmet need for the study of LN biology. Here, we leveraged the use of biomaterials to significantly extend the lifespan of patient-derived LN explants ex vivo.

ETEC biofilms are regulated by magnesium and lactate bioavailability.

The prevailing dogma is that enterotoxigenic (ETEC) use plasmid-borne colonization factors (CFs) to adhere to the intestinal epithelium, where the organisms proliferate and produce their diarrhea-causing virulence factors, the heat-stable (ST) and/or heat-labile (LT) enterotoxins. However, vaccines that target major CF antigens fail to induce complete protective immunity, indicating that ETEC may also use other antigens to colonize the small intestines. We previously demonstrated that ST intoxication limits magnesium bioavailability in the intestinal lumen, but the role of magnesium in ETEC pathogenesis has not been rigorously evaluated.

Hydrogel-Mediated Preservation of Live Tumor Explants for Drug Development in Peritoneal Metastases.

Clinically effective treatments for peritoneal metastases (PM) remain a significant unmet need. To expedite drug development in PM, hyaluronan (HA) hydrogel-supported PM patient-derived tumor explants (PDTE) that better preserve histological features, composition, and biological pathways of the original tumor, as compared to conventional PDTE culture methods are developed. Hydrogel modulation shows that stiffness, degradation, three-dimensional embedding, and HA itself are key parameters that enhance PDTE maintenance ex vivo.