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The potentiometric response of InN/InGaN quantum dots (QDs) on Si (111) is experimentally studied and modeled as a function of the In content and morphology of the InGaN layer below the QDs due to the changing N flux in stationary plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. For isolated core–shell InGaN nanowires formed for N-rich growth, sub-Nernstian response with Cl− anions as the test analyte is observed. For compact columnar InGaN layers formed in a very narrow range of N flux at the N-rich to metal-rich growth transition, a maximum super-Nernstian response of 100 mV/decade is achieved, provided the In content is high. With reducing N flux and In content, low super-Nernstian response and finally sub-Nernstian response are re-established for compact planar GaN layers. The maximum super-Nernstian response and the transition to sub-Nernstian response are quantitatively modeled by the quantum partition of electrons inside and outside of the QDs and consequent fractional electron transfer in the artificial chemical reaction of the QDs with the anions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During chemodynamic therapy (CDT), tumor cells can adapt to hydroxyl radical (˙OH) invasion by activating DNA damage repairing mechanisms such as initiating mutt homologue 1 (MTH1) to mitigate oxidation-induced DNA lesions. Therefore, a novel sequential nano-catalytic platform MCTP-FA was developed in which ultrasmall cerium oxide nanoparticle (CeO2 NP) decorated dendritic mesoporous silica NPs (DMSN NPs) were used as the core, and after encapsulation of MTH1 inhibitor TH588, folic acid-functionalized polydopamine (PDA) was coated on the periphery. Once endocytosed into the tumor, CeO2 with multivalent elements (Ce3+/4+) could transform H2O2 into highly toxic ˙OH through a Fenton-like reaction to attack DNA as well as eliminating GSH through a redox reaction to amplify oxidative damage. Meanwhile, controllable release of TH588 hindered the MTH1-mediated damage repair process, further aggravating the oxidative damage of DNA. Thanks to the excellent photothermal performance of the PDA shell in the near-infrared (NIR) region, photothermal therapy (PTT) further improved the catalytic activity of Ce3+/4+. The therapeutic strategy of combining PTT, CDT, GSH-consumption and TH588-mediated amplification of DNA damage endows MCTP-FA with powerful tumor inhibition efficacy both in vitro and in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well established that the postoperative results were affected by the surgeon volume in a variety of elective and emergent orthopaedic surgeries; however, by far, no evidences have been available as for surgically treated displaced intra‐articular calcaneal fractures (DIACFs). We aimed at investigating the relationship between surgeon volume and deep surgical site infection (DSSI) following open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of DIACFs. This was a further analysis of prospectively collected data from a validated database. Patients with DIACFs stabilised by ORIF between 2016 and 2019 were identified. Surgeon volume was defined as the number of surgically treated calcaneal fractures within one calendar year and was dichotomised based on the optimal cut‐off value. The outcome measure was DSSI within 1 year postoperatively. Multivariate logistics regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship, adjusting for confounders. Among 883 patients, 19 (2.2%) were found to have a DSSI. The DSSI incidence was 6.5% in surgeons with a low volume (<6/year), 5.5 times as that in those with a high volume (≥6/year) (incidence rate, 1.2%; P < 0.001). The multivariate analyses showed a low volume <6/year was associated with a 5.8‐fold increased risk of DSSI (95% confidence interval, 2.2‐16.5, P < 0.001). This value slightly increased after multiple sensitivity analyses, with statistical significances still unchanged (OR range, 6.6‐6.9; P ≤ 0.001). The inverse relationship indicates a need for at least six cases/year for a surgeon to substantially reduce the DSSIs following the ORIF of DIACFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]