Visible-light and X-ray detectors based on semiconductors as light absorption and charge transport materials are widely used in image sensing, optical communication, biological detection, inspection, etc. Metal halide perovskite materials are promising candidates for visible-light and X-ray detectors due to their long carrier diffusion length, low trap density, strong absorption and tunable bandgap. Compared with the widely investigated polycrystalline thin films, single crystals exhibit better optoelectronic properties, showing potential for higher-performance detector devices. In this review, we will summarize the recent development of visible-light and X-ray detectors based on perovskite single crystals with different morphologies and device structures. The strategies to optimize the material properties and device performance will be discussed in detail. Finally, challenges and perspectives are proposed to promote further improvement in performance and practical application of single-crystal perovskite detectors.

Previous studies suggest that the thrombospondin-1/transforming growth factor-β1 (TSP-1/TGF-β1) pathway may be critical in synaptogenesis during development, and that the purinergic P2 receptor family could regulate synaptogenesis by modulating TSP-1 signaling. However, it is unclear whether this pathway plays a role in synaptogenesis during epileptic progression. This study was designed to investigate this question by analyzing the dynamic changes and effects of TSP-1 levels on the density of synaptic markers related to epileptic seizure activity. In addition, we evaluated whether P2-type receptors could regulate these effects. We generated a rat seizure model via amygdala kindling, and inhibited TSP-1 activity using siRNA interference and pharmacological inhibition. We treated the rats with antagonists of P2 or P2Y receptors, PPADS or Reactive Blue 2. Following this, we quantified TSP-1 and TGF-β1 immunoreactivity, the density of synaptic markers, and seizure activity. There were significantly more synapses/excitatory synapses in several brain regions, such as the hippocampus, which were associated with progressing epileptic discharges after kindling. These were associated with increased TSP-1 and TGF-β1 immunoreactivity. Genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of TSP-1 significantly reduced the density of synaptic/excitatory synaptic markers and inhibited the generalization of focal epilepsy. The administration of PPADS or Reactive Blue 2 attenuated the increase in TSP-1 immunoreactivity and the density of synaptic markers following kindling, and abolished most epileptic seizure activity. Taken together, our results indicate that the TSP-1/TGF-β1 pathway and its regulation by P2, particularly P2Y-type receptors, may be a critical promoter of synaptogenesis during the progression of epilepsy. Therefore, components of this pathway may be targets for novel anti-epileptic drug development.

Metal halide perovskite single crystals are a promising candidate for X-ray detection due to their large atomic number and high carrier mobility and lifetime. However, it is still challenging to grow large-area and thin single crystals directly onto substrates to meet real-world applications. In this work, millimeter-thick and inch-sized methylammonium lead tribromide (MAPbBr₃) single-crystal wafers are grown directly on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates through controlling the distance between solution surface and substrates. The single-crystal wafers are polished and treated with O₃ to achieve smooth surface, lower trap density, and better electrical properties. X-ray detectors with a high sensitivity of 632 µC Gy_air⁻¹ cm⁻² under –5 V and 525 µC Gy_air⁻¹ cm⁻² under –1 V bias can be achieved. This work provides an effective way to fabricate substrate-integrated, large-area, and thickness-controlled perovskite single-crystal X-ray detectors, which is instructive for developing imaging application based on perovskite single crystals.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common infectious cause of mental disability in newborns in developed countries. There is an urgent need to establish an early detection and high-throughput screening method for CMV infection using portable detection devices. An antibody analysis method is reported for the detection and identification of CMV antibodies in serum using a biosensor based on high spatial resolution imaging ellipsometry (BIE). CMV antigen (CMV-3A) was immobilized on silicon wafers and used to capture CMV antibodies in serum. An antibody against human immunoglobulin G (anti-IgG) was used to confirm the IgG antibody against CMV captured by the CMV-3A. Our results show that this assay is rapid and specific for the identification of IgG antibody against CMV. Further, patient serum was quantitatively assessed using the standard curve method, and the quantitative results were in agreement with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The CMV antibody detection sensitivity of BIE reached 0.01 IU/mL. This novel biosensor may be a valuable diagnostic tool for analysis of IgG antibody against CMV during CMV infection screening.

Xenon has been shown to have neuroprotective effects and is clinically used as a favorable safe inhalation anesthetic. We previously confirmed the neuroprotective effects of xenon treatment in epileptic animals. However, the mechanism underlying these protective effects remains unclear. We aimed to assess the effects of xenon inhalation on autophagy in neuronal injury induced by acute generalized seizures. Kainic acid (KA) was injected into the lateral ventricle of male Sprague-Dawley rats to induce acute generalized seizures. Next, the rats were treated via inhalation of a 70% xenon/21% oxygen/9% nitrogen mixture for 60 min immediately after KA administration. The control group was treated via inhalation of a 79% nitrogen/21% oxygen mixture. Subsequently, two inhibitors (3-methyladenine or bafilomycin A1) or an autophagy inducer (rapamycin) were administered, respectively, before KA and xenon administration to determine the role of autophagy in the protective effects of xenon. The levels of apoptosis, neuronal injury, and autophagy were determined in all the rats. Xenon inhalation significantly attenuated the severity of seizure-induced neuronal injury. Increased autophagy accompanied this inhibitive effect. Autophagy inhibition eliminated these xenon neuroprotective effects. A simulation of autophagy using rapamycin recapitulated xenon’s protective effects on KA-induced acute generalized seizures in the rats. These findings confirmed that xenon exerts strong neuroprotective effects in KA-induced acute generalized seizures. Further, they indicate that increased autophagy may underlie the protective effects of xenon. Therefore, xenon and autophagy inducers may be useful clinical options for their neuroprotective effects in epileptic seizures.