Fabrication of Silicon Surface Microstructures via Vortex Femtosecond Laser Irradiation for Reusable Substrates in SERS Applications.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a key technique in analytical chemistry because of its exceptional sensitivity and specificity for detecting a broad spectrum of substances. Herein, a silicon (Si) substrate fabricated using vortex femtosecond laser beams in ambient air is proposed as an innovative, highly sensitive, and reusable platform for advanced SERS applications. The substrate has composite nanostructures adorned with bush-like formations on top of the elongated structures, which is a direct consequence of the orbital angular momentum of the vortex beam.

Femtosecond laser-induced black silicon: a dual application in photodetection and surface-enhanced Raman scattering.

A multifunctional structured silicon with enhanced optical and photoelectric properties has been processed by femtosecond (fs) laser in ambient air. The structured surface decorated with Au nanoparticles (NPs) exhibits excellent infrared absorption properties related to localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) coupled to microstructures. Over 75% absorption is achieved at 1550 nm, which is three orders of magnitude higher than that of unprocessed Si.

Reusable SERS Platform of Femtosecond Laser Processed Substrate for Detection of Malachite Green.

This study presents the development of highly efficient Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) substrates through femtosecond (fs) laser processing of crystalline silicon (Si), resulting in mountain-like microstructures. These microstructures, when decorated with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), exhibit remarkable SERS performance due to the creation of concentrated hotspots. The enhanced Raman signals originate from the excitation of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of the Au NPs and the multi-scale rough morphology of the Si substrates.

Self-breathing strategy-enabled high-performance self-powered photoelectrochemical sensing by integrating with a perovskite AgBiO/TiC plasmonic heterojunction.

An innovative photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC)-based self-powered system was developed by integrating the perovskite AgBiO/TiC MXene plasmonic heterojunction with a self-breathing strategy, which was beneficial for developing high-performance self-powered photoelectrochemical biosensors.

Sub-bandgap photo-response of black silicon fabricated by femtosecond laser irradiation under water.

Here we propose a method to fabricate black Si without the need for any chalcogenide doping, accomplished by femtosecond (fs) laser irradiation in a liquid environment, aiming to fabricate the infrared detector and investigating their optoelectronic performance. Multi-scale laser-induced periodical surface structures (LIPSSs), containing micron sized grooves decorated with low spatial frequency ripples on the surface, can be clearly observed by SEM and 3D confocal microscope. The generated black Si demonstrates superior absorption capabilities across a broad wavelength range of 200-2500 nm, achieving an average absorptance of up to 71%.

Direct Fabrication of Te-Doped Black Si with an Enhanced Photoelectric Performance by Femtosecond Laser Irradiation under Water.

Tellurium (Te)-doped black silicon (Si) with enhanced absorption and photoelectric performance over a broad wavelength range of 0.2-2.5 μm was obtained using femtosecond (fs) laser irradiation in liquid water.

B1-cell-produced anti-phosphatidylserine antibodies contribute to lupus nephritis development via TLR-mediated Syk activation.

Autoantibodies produced by B cells play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, both the cellular source of antiphospholipid antibodies and their contributions to the development of lupus nephritis (LN) remain largely unclear. Here, we report a pathogenic role of anti-phosphatidylserine (PS) autoantibodies in the development of LN.

The IL-21-TET2-AIM2-c-MAF pathway drives the T follicular helper cell response in lupus-like disease.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that involves T follicular helper (T ) cell-mediated humoral immune responses. Absent in melanoma 2 (human AIM2 and murine Aim2) is a well-known component of the inflammasome in the innate immune system. Surprisingly, we observed that in SLE patients, upregulated levels of AIM2 expression were found in peripheral blood and skin lesions, with the highest levels detected in T -like cells.

Self-powered photoelectrochemical sensor for chlorpyrifos detection in fruit and vegetables based on metal-ligand charge transfer effect by TiC based Schottky junction.

Herein, a high-performance self-powered photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor was fabricated for chlorpyrifos (CPF) assay based on the noble-metal-free AgBr/TiC Schottky interface in fruit and vegetables. The Schottky barrier could provide an electron-transfer irreversible passage from AgBr to TiC nanosheets, and thus improving the light absorption and efficiency of charge separation. Such Schottky interface exhibited an ultrasensitive and selective photocurrent response for CPF due to the metal-ligand charge transfer effect.

Non-noble metal plasmonic enhanced photoelectrochemical sensing of chlorpyrifos based on 1D TiO/3D nitrogen-doped graphene hydrogel heterostructure.

Low-cost and resource-rich non-noble metal plasmonic materials have attracted tremendous attention as potential substitutes for plasmonic noble metals. Herein, 3D nitrogen-doped graphene hydrogels (NGH) decorated with Ti self-doped 1D rod-shaped titanium dioxide nanorods (TiO NR), 10-25 nm in size, were prepared by a facile one-step method. It was found that the as-fabricated TiO NR/NGH showed a synergistic effect, displaying enhanced photoelectrochemical (PEC) activity by controlling the nanoscale architecture and improving the electronic properties, while also producing abundant oxygen vacancies, which extended the light harvesting and suppressed the recombination of electron-hole pairs induced by the non-noble metal surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect.

The Multiple Roles of B Cells in the Pathogenesis of Sjögren's Syndrome.

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration and tissue destruction of exocrine glands such as salivary glands. Although the formation of ectopic lymphoid tissue in exocrine glands and overproduction of autoantibodies by autoreactive B cells highlight the critical involvement of B cells in disease development, the precise roles of various B cell subsets in pSS pathogenesis remain partially understood. Current studies have identified several novel B cell subsets with multiple functions in pSS, among which autoreactive age-associated B cells, and plasma cells with augmented autoantibody production contribute to the disease progression.

IL-17 drives salivary gland dysfunction via inhibiting TRPC1-mediated calcium movement in Sjögren's syndrome.

Objectives: This study aims to determine a role of interleukin-17A (IL-17) in salivary gland (SG) dysfunction and therapeutic effects of targeting IL-17 in SG for treating autoimmune sialadenitis in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

Methods: Salivary IL-17 levels and IL-17-secreting cells in labial glands of pSS patients were examined. Kinetic changes of IL-17-producing cells in SG from mice with experimental Sjögren's syndrome (ESS) were analysed.

IL-17 sustains the plasma cell response via p38-mediated Bcl-xL RNA stability in lupus pathogenesis.

Recent studies have demonstrated a central role for plasma cells in the development of autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Currently, both the phenotypic features and functional regulation of autoreactive plasma cells during SLE pathogenesis remain largely unclear. In this study, we first found that a major subset of IL-17 receptor-expressing plasma cells potently produced anti-dsDNA IgG upon IL-17A (IL-17) stimulation in SLE patients and lupus mice.

Multiple Functions of B Cells in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by excessive autoantibody production and multi-organ involvement. Although the etiology of SLE still remains unclear, recent studies have characterized several pathogenic B cell subsets and regulatory B cell subsets involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. Among pathogenic B cell subsets, age-associated B cells (ABCs) are a newly identified subset of autoreactive B cells with T-bet-dependent transcriptional programs and unique functional features in SLE.

Antifungal activity of spider venom-derived peptide lycosin-I against Candida tropicalis.

Candida species are a major cause of human mucosal and deep tissue fungal infections, but few antifungal treatments are available. Here, we showed that lycosin-I, a peptide isolated from venom of the spider Lycosa singoriensis, acted as a potent antifungal inhibitor against Candida species. The MIC values of lycosin-I reached 8 μg/mL to treat fluconazole-susceptible and fluconazole-resistant C.

TLR4CXCR4 plasma cells drive nephritis development in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), immune tolerance breakdown leads to autoantibody production and immune-complex glomerulonephritis. This study aimed to identify pathogenic plasma cells (PC) in the development of lupus nephritis.

Methods: PC subsets in peripheral blood and renal tissue of patients with SLE and lupus mice were examined by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, respectively.

Characteristics of lipid metabolism including serum apolipoprotein M levels in patients with primary nephrotic syndrome.

Background: Apolipoprotein M (apoM) is a 26-kD apolipoprotein that is mainly expressed in specific cell types, such as human liver parenchymal cells and kidney proximal renal tubular epithelial cells. ApoM can regulate the formation of pre-β-HDL and the reverse cholesterol transport and thus plays an important role in the metabolism of lipids and lipoproteins, meaning that it can affect the development of lipid metabolism disorders. Significantly elevated serum apoM levels are detected in patients with hyperlipidemia.

Low apolipoprotein M serum levels correlate with Systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity and apolipoprotein M gene polymorphisms with Lupus.

Background: Sequence variation in gene promoters is often associated with disease risk. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that common promoter variation in the APOM gene is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) risk and SLE-related clinical phenotypes in a Chinese cohort. Meanwhile, we investigated the expression of apolipoprotein M (APOM) in the serum of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its relationship with disease activity.

Urinary NGAL for the diagnosis of the renal injury from multiple myeloma.

Objectives: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has been proved as a sensitive biomarker in acute and chronic renal injury. Renal impairment is a common complication of multiple myeloma (MM). We attempt to assess the value of NGAL for the early and accurate diagnosis of renal injury in MM patients.

High apolipoprotein M serum levels correlate with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Recently, variations in a component of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), namely apolipoprotein M (apoM), were found to be associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between apoM and COPD severity. Factors associated with apoM, COPD, or coronary artery disease (CAD) were also assessed.

[Association of serum level of apolipoprotein M with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus].

Objective: To explore the association of serum level of apolipoprotein M with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: A total of 65 patients with SLE, who came to Second Xiangya Hospital for treatment from April to November in 2013 (SLE group) and 120 age-and sex-matched controls (control group) were studied. The SLE group was further divided into three groups according to systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI): a mild activity group, a moderate activity group and a severe activity group (n=16, 16, 33, respectively).

Identifying atomic geometry and electronic structure of (2 x 3)-Sr/Si(100) surface and its initial oxidation.

We present a joint experimental and theoretical study on the geometric and electronic states and the initial oxidation of the (2x3)-Sr/Si(100) surface. With scanning tunneling microscopy/scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STM/STS) measurements combined with ab initio calculations, the atomic geometry and the electronic states of the (2x3)-Sr/Si(100) surface are identified. The dimerization of the Si atoms in the single atom row based on a (1x3) Si substrate model plays a critical role in stabilization of the surface structure and in determining the electronic properties.