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In this work, Ag nanoparticles were deposited in the TiO${}_{2-X}$ nanotube films through magnetron sputtering to form Ag-TiO${}_{2-X}$ nanocomposite. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study microstructure and surface morphology. Rhodamine B (RhB) was deposited on the surface of Ag-TiO${}_{2-X}$ substrate for Raman spectroscopy test. The size of Ag nanoparticles can be controlled by changing the magnetron sputtering time. The result indicated that sputtering for 30 s obtained the highest Raman enhancement.

To explore the strong coupling between the combined plasmonic mode supported by the metal nanoparticle and the anapole mode of the dielectric nanoparticle, a hybrid metal–dielectric nanoparticle consisting of the combination of silicon and silica together with the gold dimer is designed and analyzed by the finite element method (FEM). Theoretical simulation reveals that the enhanced electric field enhancement reaches 640 and unidirectional scattering with almost zero backscattering at multiple wavelengths is achieved in the far-field region. Moreover, the calculated Purcell factor of 12,193 and sensitivity of 610nm/RIU of the composite nanoparticle are much higher than those of the single-metal or dielectric nanoparticles. In the end, the impact of different structural parameters on the sensitivity, figure of merit and quality factor is analyzed and described, and the maximum sensitivity, Figure of merit and quality factor are found to be 2360nm/RIU, 18.4 RIU${}^{-1}$ and 19.8 RIU${}^{-1}$. The results reveal a new strategy to develop devices for surface-enhancement Raman scattering (SERS), quantum emitters, and sensors.

Imatinib is the standard first line treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Owing to dose-related toxicities of Imatinib such as neutropenia, there is scope for treatment optimization through therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). Trough concentration of 1 μg/mL is considered the therapeutic threshhold. Existing methods for the detection of Imatinib in plasma are limited by long read out time and expensive instrumentation. Hence, Raman spectroscopy was explored as a rapid and objective tool for monitoring Imatinib concentration. Three approaches: conventional Raman spectroscopy (CRS), Drop coating deposition Raman (DCDR) spectroscopy and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) were employed to detect the required trough concentration of 1 μg/mL and above. Detection of therapeutically relevant concentrations (1 μg/mL) using SERS and suitable nanoparticle substrates has been demonstrated. Prospectively, rigorous validation using clinical samples is necessary to confirm the utility of this approach in routine clinical usage.

Male infertility affects 10–15% of couples globally, with azoospermia — complete absence of sperm — accounting for 15% of cases. Traditional diagnostic methods for azoospermia are subjective and variable. This study presents a novel, noninvasive, and accurate diagnostic method using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) combined with machine learning to analyze seminal plasma exosomes. Semen samples from healthy controls ($n=32$) and azoospermic patients ($n=22$) were collected, and their exosomal SERS spectra were obtained. Machine learning algorithms were employed to distinguish between the SERS profiles of healthy and azoospermic samples, achieving an impressive sensitivity of 99.61% and a specificity of 99.58%, thereby highlighting significant spectral differences. This integrated SERS and machine learning approach offers a sensitive, label-free, and objective diagnostic tool for early detection and monitoring of azoospermia, potentially enhancing clinical outcomes and patient management.