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Pancreaticoduodenectomy is a highly morbid operation with significant resource utilization. Using a national cohort, we examined the interhospital variation in pancreaticoduodenectomy hospitalization cost in the United States. Adults undergoing elective pancreaticoduodenectomy in the setting of pancreatic cancer were tabulated from the 2016–2020 Nationwide Readmissions Database. A 2-level mixed-effects model was developed to evaluate the interhospital variation in pancreaticoduodenectomy hospitalization costs. Institutions within the top decile of risk-adjusted expenditures were defined as high-cost hospitals. Multivariable regression models were fitted to examine the association between high-cost hospital status and outcomes of interest. To account for the effects of complications on expenditures, a subgroup analysis comprising of patients with no adverse events was conducted. The study included an estimated 24,779 patients with a median hospitalization cost of $38,800. After mixed-effects modeling, 40.9% of the cost variation was attributable to hospital, rather than patient, factors. Multivariable regression models revealed an association between high-cost hospital status and greater odds of complications and longer length of stay. Among patients without an adverse event, interhospital cost variation remained significant at 61.0%, and treatment at high-cost hospitals was similarly linked to longer length of stay. Our study identified significant interhospital variation in pancreaticoduodenectomy hospitalization costs in the United States. Although high-cost hospital status was associated with increased odds of complications, variation remained significant even among patients without an adverse event. These results suggest the important role of hospital practices as contributors to expenditures. Further efforts to identify drivers of costs and standardize pancreatic surgical care are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two-dimensional molybdenum carbide (Mo 2 CT x) has a similar electronic structure to platinum, which has the potential to be one of non-precious metals catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, the preparation of Mo 2 CT x by conventional HF and LiF–HCl etching method inevitably introduces the –F and –Cl terminations on the surface, which adversely affect activity and stability. In this study, the LiCl–KCl–Li 3 N molten salt was used to treat Mo 2 CT x at 600 °C and atmospheric pressure and introduce nitrogen heteroatoms. After treated in LiCl–KCl–Li 3 N molten salt, the HER performance of nitrogen-doped Mo 2 CT x is improved compared with that of un-doped Mo 2 CT x , which should be attributed to the optimization of the electronic structure of N–Mo 2 CT x and lower hydrogen adsorption energy barrier. This simple molten salt method provides a way to modify non-precious metal HER catalyst and introduce nitrogen heteroatoms. The LiCl–KCl–Li 3 N molten salt was used to treat Mo 2 CT x at 600 °C and atmospheric pressure and introduce nitrogen heteroatoms. After treatment in LiCl–KCl–Li 3 N molten salt, the HER performance of nitrogen-doped Mo 2 CT x is improved compared with that of un-doped Mo 2 CT x , which should be attributed to the optimization of the electronic structure of N–Mo 2 CT x and lower hydrogen adsorption energy barrier. [Display omitted] • N-modified Mo 2 CT x MXene was prepared via molten salt modification strategy. • The N doping optimizes the electronic structure of Mo 2 CT x. • The improved catalytic performance and stability for Mo 2 CT x. • The molten salt method is simple, efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly for modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Study on the mechanism of aptamer-based fluorescent DNA biosensors. • Antibiotic detection is facilitated by the construction of aptamer-based fluorescent DNA biosensors using both label-free and labeled methods. • Signal amplification are harnessed to pursuit the heightened sensitivity of the antibiotic detection. The inappropriate employment of antibiotics across diverse industries has engendered profound apprehensions concerning their cumulative presence within human bodies and food commodities. Consequently, many nations have instituted stringent measures limiting the admissible quantities of antibiotics in food items. Nonetheless, conventional techniques employed for antibiotic detection prove protracted and laborious, prompting a dire necessity for facile, expeditious, and uncomplicated detection methodologies. In this regard, aptamer-based fluorescent DNA biosensors (AFBs) have emerged as a sanguine panacea to surmount the limitations of traditional detection modalities. These ingenious biosensors harness the binding prowess of aptamers, singular strands of DNA/RNA, to selectively adhere to specific target antibiotics. Notably, the AFBs demonstrate unparalleled selectivity, affinity, and sensitivity in detecting antibiotics. This comprehensive review meticulously expounds upon the strides achieved in AFBs for antibiotic detection, particularly emphasizing the labeling modality and the innovative free-label approach. It also elucidates the design principles behind a diverse array of AFBs. Additionally, a succinct survey of signal amplification strategies deployed within these biosensors is provided. The central objective of this review is to apprise researchers from diverse disciplines of the contemporary trends in AFBs for antibiotic detection. By doing so, it aspires to instigate a concerted endeavor toward the development of heightened sensitivity and pioneering AFBs, thereby contributing to the perpetual advancement of antibiotic detection methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]