Investigation of <i>n</i>-Layer Graphenes as Substrates for Raman Enhancement of Crystal Violet

In this work, Raman signals from crystal violet (CV) molecules on n-layer graphenes are clearly observed while these signals are invisible on SiO2/Si substrate under the same deposition condition with the same concentration of CV solution. This indicates that n-layer graphenes can be used as substrates for enhancing Raman signals of adsorbed CV molecules. The enhanced efficiency is found to be closely related to the layer number n. These conclusions can be further confirmed by Raman spectra of CV molecules on gold-decorated n-layer graphenes. The Raman enhancement effect of n-layer graphenes is attributed to chemical mechanism (CM) while electromagnetic mechanism (EM) dominates the enhancement effect of gold. Thus, graphene provides a convenient way to study CM exclusively. The morphology and density of gold nanostructures on n-layer graphenes play a significant role in the EM related Raman enhancement effect

Thickness-Dependent Morphologies and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering of Ag Deposited on <i>n</i>-Layer Graphenes

After thermal deposition of silver films onto n-layer graphenes, the following results have been obtained. First, the dependence of silver morphologies on the layer number is studied via controlling the sample temperature at 298, 333, and 373 K. This can be attributed to the changes in surface properties and/or surface diffusion coefficient of n-layer graphenes at different temperatures. Second, Raman scattering of n-layer graphenes is greatly enhanced after Ag deposition and the enhancement factors depend on the layer number of n-layer graphenes. Monolayer graphene has the largest enhancement factors, and the enhancement factors decrease with layer number increasing. For graphite, almost no enhancement effect has been detected. Third, the dependences of the enhancement factors on laser wavelength, thickness, and morphologies (nanoparticle size and spacing) of silver film are also studied. The Raman enhancement observed here is mainly attributed to the coupled surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption of silver nanoparticles

Pneumocystis Pneumonia in Patients with Autoimmune Diseases: A Retrospective Study Focused on Clinical Characteristics and Prognostic Factors Related to Death

<div><p>Background</p><p>With the increasing use of immunosuppressive agents, the number of opportunistic infections has risen in patients with autoimmune diseases. Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is one of these opportunistic infections that have a high mortality rate. However, only a few studies have described PCP in these patients, and these studies are limited in scope. We conducted this retrospective study to describe the clinical characteristics and factors associated with outcomes of PCP in patients with autoimmune diseases.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A retrospective study was performed in laboratory diagnosed PCP patients with autoimmune diseases in an academic hospital over a 10-year period. Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection were not included. Clinical characteristics were collected and the factors related to death were analysed.</p><p>Results</p><p>A total of 69 patients with PCP during the study period were included. Common clinical features included fever (81%), cough (56%), and dyspnea (35%). Ground glass opacity (81%) and reticulation (52%) were the most common radiological findings. Concurrent pulmonary infections including bacterium, aspergillus and cytomegalovirus were found in 34% of the patients. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 32%. High mortality was associated with lower PaO₂/FiO₂ ratios and albumin levels. The lymphocyte count, CD4+ T cell count, previous usage of immunosuppressive agents, the duration and dose of glucocorticoids did not affect the outcome.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>The mortality rate in PCP patients with autoimmune diseases is high. Low PaO₂/FiO₂ ratios and albumin levels are independent prognostic factors of mortality.</p></div

Multivariate analysis for Prognostic factors.

<p>Multivariate analysis for Prognostic factors.</p

Modification on Single-Layer Graphene Induced by Low-Energy Electron-Beam Irradiation

In this work, we present studies of the effects of electron-beam irradiation on the modification of single-layer graphene. Micro-Raman spectra show that the D, D′, and D + G Raman bands, which are invisible for pristine graphene, appear after the graphenes are irradiated by low-energy electron-beam irradiation (10 keV), and the intensities of these peaks increase with increasing irradiation time, indicating disorder in graphene. The characteristics of G and 2D bands of graphene are also studied before and after irradiation. In the meantime, the height of graphene is studied by atomic force microscopy and found to increase for increasing irradiation time due to the contaminant deposition on graphene. The effects introduced by irradiation can be recovered partly by vacuum annealing. These results provide important information about the modification of graphene under electron-beam irradiation

Univariate analyses of risk factors among PCP patients determining survival rates.

<p>* Corticosteroids doses were expressed as the prednisolone equivalent dose</p><p>Univariate analyses of risk factors among PCP patients determining survival rates.</p

Clinical manifestations, Radiologic characters and laboratory findings of the patients.

<p>* Included <i>pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> in three specimens, <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i> in one specimen, <i>Klebsiella pneumonia</i> in one specimen</p><p>Clinical manifestations, Radiologic characters and laboratory findings of the patients.</p

Kaplan-Meier survival curve for the patients with pneumocystis pneumonia.

<p>Kaplan-Meier survival curve for the patients with pneumocystis pneumonia.</p

Demographical details, underlying diseases, and diagnostic procedures of the patients.

<p>* Vasculitis: Behcet’s disease, microscopic polyangiitis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis</p><p>** Other CTDs: Sjogren syndrome (SS), undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD), mixed connective tissue disease, scleroderma</p><p># Immunosuppressive agents: cyclophosphamide, cyclosporin A, mycophenlatemofetil, and tripterygium glycosides</p><p>& Biological agents: ritaximab, and antitumor necrosis factor α(infliximab, entanercept)</p><p>Demographical details, underlying diseases, and diagnostic procedures of the patients.</p

The Presence of Lung Cancer Affects SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Uptake and Attitude in Chinese Patients: A Clinical Cross-Sectional Investigation

With the SARS-CoV-2 mutations evolving and prompt of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, no information is available on SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status in Chinese patients with lung cancer. An electronic questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, vaccine status, side effect post-vaccination, and attitude towards a fourth dose of vaccine was conducted within 1018 Chinese patients with lung cancer from October 18th, 2022, to November 25th, 2022. Among 1018 patients, a total of 75 (13.7%) patients reported acceptable systemic adverse events in those had received the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (549, 54%), the most common of which was fever (39, 7%). Factors including females (OR, 1.512; 95% CI, 1.076–2.124), residents in the municipality (OR, 2.048; 95% CI, 1.238–3.389), undergoing therapy (OR, 2.897; 95% CI, 1.348–6.226), disagree to vaccines is safe for patients with lung cancer (OR, 3.816; 95% CI, 2.198–6.626) contributed to hesitancy. Among 373 patients had received three doses, half respondents (206, 55.2%) were hesitant to receive a fourth dose due to the safety concern and efficacy towards the variants. In conclusion, low vaccine uptake rates in patients with lung cancer could be improved by increasing confidence in vaccine safety, particularly for those with negative beliefs. Appropriate guidance and individualized vaccination plans that meet the healthcare needs of patients with lung cancer were needed during the constantly evolving pandemic.</p