Electromagnetic Field Enhancement of Nanostructured TiN Electrodes Probed with Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy.

We present a facile approach for the determination of the electromagnetic field enhancement of nanostructured TiN electrodes. As model system, TiN with partially collapsed nanotube structure obtained from nitridation of TiO nanotube arrays was used. Using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy, the electromagnetic field enhancement factors (EFs) of the substrate across the optical region were determined.

Accelerated Photo-Induced Degradation of Benzidine-p-Aminothiophenolate Immobilized at Light-Enhancing TiO Nanotube Electrodes.

Herein, the enhanced visible-light-induced degradation of the azo-dye benzidine-p-aminothiophenolate immobilized on TiO nanotube electrodes is reported. Exploiting the reported photonic properties of the TiO support and the strong electronic absorption of the dye allowed for employing surface-enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy at 413 nm to simultaneously trigger the photoreaction and follow the time-dependent decay process. Degradation rate constants of up to 25 s were observed, which stand among the highest reported values for laser-induced degradation of immobilized dyes on photonically active supports.

Molecular Engineering of Conjugated Acetylenic Polymers for Efficient Cocatalyst-free Photoelectrochemical Water Reduction.

Conjugated polymers featuring tunable band gaps/positions and tailored active centers, are attractive photoelectrode materials for water splitting. However, their exploration falls far behind their inorganic counterparts. Herein, we demonstrate a molecular engineering strategy for the tailoring aromatic units of conjugated acetylenic polymers from benzene- to thiophene-based.

High Electromagnetic Field Enhancement of TiO Nanotube Electrodes.

We present the fabrication of TiO nanotube electrodes with high biocompatibility and extraordinary spectroscopic properties. Intense surface-enhanced resonance Raman signals of the heme unit of the redox enzyme Cytochrome b were observed upon covalent immobilization of the protein matrix on the TiO surface, revealing overall preserved structural integrity and redox behavior. The enhancement factor could be rationally controlled by varying the electrode annealing temperature, reaching a record maximum value of over 70 at 475 °C.

Nickel electrodes as a cheap and versatile platform for studying structure and function of immobilized redox proteins.

Practical use of many bioelectronic and bioanalytical devices is limited by the need of expensive materials and time consuming fabrication. Here we demonstrate the use of nickel electrodes as a simple and cheap solid support material for bioelectronic applications. The naturally nanostructured electrodes showed a surprisingly high electromagnetic surface enhancement upon light illumination such that immobilization and electron transfer reactions of the model redox proteins cytochrome b (Cyt b) and cytochrome c (Cyt c) could be followed via surface enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy.

The impact of preoperative immunonutrition and other nutrition models on tumor infiltrative lymphocytes in colorectal cancer patients.

Aim: The importance of the alteration of tumor infiltrative lymphocytes (CD4(+), CD8(+), CD16(+), and CD56(+)) in colorectal cancer prognosis is well known. In this study, we analyzed the effect of preoperative immunonutrition and different nutritional models on the clinical condition of colorectal cancer patients.

Methods: Twenty-eight colorectal cancer patients were grouped into 4 groups according to their nutrition regimens randomly and were given immunonutrition (IMN), standard enteral (SE), total parental nutrition (TPN), and normal nutrition (NN) regimens, all of which contained the same calorie-nitrogen content within a 7-day preoperative period.

Extraperitoneal laparoscopic approach to Spigelian hernia combined with groin hernias.

Spigelian hernia is a rare form of abdominal wall hernia. It occurs when peritoneum with or without organs or preperitoneal fat exists through a defect in the Spigelian fascia. A 63 year old male patient complaint of inguinal hernias and Spigelian hernia treated with laparoscopic approach that has been not previously reported in the literature.