Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma （PDAC） is highly malignant and often has an extremely poor prognosis， and early postoperative liver metastasis is one of the key influencing factors for prognosis. With reference to the clinical and experimental studies in recent years， this article reviews the clinical risk factors for early liver metastasis after PDAC and systematically elaborates on major molecular events underlying early postoperative liver metastasis from various aspects of construction of the pre-metastatic niche in the liver driven by tumor-derived exosomes， the pro-metastatic microenvironment maintained by metastasis-associated macrophages and neutrophil extracellular traps， the invasive phenotype and liver-tropic migration of tumor cells， intrahepatic immunometabolic adaptation， and fibrotic remodeling， in order to provide a theoretical basis for perioperative risk stratification and the development of intervention strategies.

Objective:o evaluate the clinical efficacy of the induced membrane technique combined with an antibiotic-impregnated bone cement-coated plate fixation in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of the distal femur.Methods:A retrospective study was performed on patients diagnosed with chronic osteomyelitis of the distal femur, who received the induced membrane technique combined with an antibiotic-impregnated bone cement-coated plate fixation at Southwest Hospital from November 2016 to December 2022. All patients underwent a two-stage surgical protocol. Stage I involved thorough debridement, placement of antibiotic-impregnated bone cement spacers, and internal fixation with antibiotic-impregnated bone cement-coated plates. Stage II comprised internal fixation for the repair and reconstruction of bone defects. Intraoperatively, microbial culture, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and pathological examination were conducted on bone tissue lesion samples to guide targeted anti-infective therapy. Postoperatively, laboratory markers including C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), along with clinical manifestations (e.g., incision drainage, redness, fever, and pain), were monitored to exclude infection recurrence. Infection control was ultimately confirmed by intraoperative frozen section analysis during the second stage. Additionally, bone healing was evaluated via X-ray of the affected limb every month after the second-stage surgery, and lower limb function was assessed using the final knee range of motion (ROM) and the lower extremity function scale (LEFS).Results:A total of 104 patients met the inclusion criteria, including 70 males and 34 females, with a mean age of 35.2±12.13 years. Thirty-seven patients were diagnosed with chronic hematogenous osteomyelitis (CHO) and 67 with post-traumatic osteomyelitis (PTOM). The mean follow-up was 25.48±6.61 months (range, 12-38 months). After the first-stage surgery, infection recurred in 6 CHO and 15 PTOM patients, requiring repeated debridement. Two CHO patients experienced infection recurrence after second-stage reconstruction, which was successfully controlled with further staged treatment. Five PTOM patients developed nonunion after second-stage bone grafting but ultimately achieved bone union after revision surgery. At final follow-up, CRP levels were 4.45±4.23 mg/L (CHO) and 5.16±4.26 mg/L (PTOM), and ESR levels were 5.47±7.42 mm/h (CHO) and 8.51±8.72 mm/h (PTOM), all significantly lower than preoperative values (CRP: CHO 68.31±65.61, PTOM 42.71±80.46; ESR: CHO 52.18±34.29, PTOM 45.87±39.13; all P<0.05). All patients ultimately achieved bone union. One PTOM patient with a preoperative rupture of the knee extensor mechanism had limited improvement in ROM (15° preoperatively vs. 12° at 4-year follow-up). In the remaining patients, knee ROM at final follow-up was significantly improved (CHO: 101.38°±43.73°, PTOM: 94.28°±43.94°) compared with preoperative values (CHO: 57.17°± 4.53°, PTOM: 39.61°±52.61°; all P<0.05). The final LEFS scores were 72.18±9.51 (CHO) and 71.66±10.25 (PTOM). Conclusion:The findings of this study demonstrate that the combination of the "Chongqing Technique" and the "Membrane-Induced Technique" is effective in eradicating chronic osteomyelitis of the distal femur, promoting bone healing, and restoring satisfactory knee joint function.

Objective:o evaluate the clinical efficacy of the induced membrane technique combined with an antibiotic-impregnated bone cement-coated plate fixation in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of the distal femur.Methods:A retrospective study was performed on patients diagnosed with chronic osteomyelitis of the distal femur, who received the induced membrane technique combined with an antibiotic-impregnated bone cement-coated plate fixation at Southwest Hospital from November 2016 to December 2022. All patients underwent a two-stage surgical protocol. Stage I involved thorough debridement, placement of antibiotic-impregnated bone cement spacers, and internal fixation with antibiotic-impregnated bone cement-coated plates. Stage II comprised internal fixation for the repair and reconstruction of bone defects. Intraoperatively, microbial culture, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and pathological examination were conducted on bone tissue lesion samples to guide targeted anti-infective therapy. Postoperatively, laboratory markers including C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), along with clinical manifestations (e.g., incision drainage, redness, fever, and pain), were monitored to exclude infection recurrence. Infection control was ultimately confirmed by intraoperative frozen section analysis during the second stage. Additionally, bone healing was evaluated via X-ray of the affected limb every month after the second-stage surgery, and lower limb function was assessed using the final knee range of motion (ROM) and the lower extremity function scale (LEFS).Results:A total of 104 patients met the inclusion criteria, including 70 males and 34 females, with a mean age of 35.2±12.13 years. Thirty-seven patients were diagnosed with chronic hematogenous osteomyelitis (CHO) and 67 with post-traumatic osteomyelitis (PTOM). The mean follow-up was 25.48±6.61 months (range, 12-38 months). After the first-stage surgery, infection recurred in 6 CHO and 15 PTOM patients, requiring repeated debridement. Two CHO patients experienced infection recurrence after second-stage reconstruction, which was successfully controlled with further staged treatment. Five PTOM patients developed nonunion after second-stage bone grafting but ultimately achieved bone union after revision surgery. At final follow-up, CRP levels were 4.45±4.23 mg/L (CHO) and 5.16±4.26 mg/L (PTOM), and ESR levels were 5.47±7.42 mm/h (CHO) and 8.51±8.72 mm/h (PTOM), all significantly lower than preoperative values (CRP: CHO 68.31±65.61, PTOM 42.71±80.46; ESR: CHO 52.18±34.29, PTOM 45.87±39.13; all P<0.05). All patients ultimately achieved bone union. One PTOM patient with a preoperative rupture of the knee extensor mechanism had limited improvement in ROM (15° preoperatively vs. 12° at 4-year follow-up). In the remaining patients, knee ROM at final follow-up was significantly improved (CHO: 101.38°±43.73°, PTOM: 94.28°±43.94°) compared with preoperative values (CHO: 57.17°± 4.53°, PTOM: 39.61°±52.61°; all P<0.05). The final LEFS scores were 72.18±9.51 (CHO) and 71.66±10.25 (PTOM). Conclusion:The findings of this study demonstrate that the combination of the "Chongqing Technique" and the "Membrane-Induced Technique" is effective in eradicating chronic osteomyelitis of the distal femur, promoting bone healing, and restoring satisfactory knee joint function.

Background::Although overnight fasting is recommended prior to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the benefits and safety of high-carbohydrate fluid diet (CFD) intake 2 h before ERCP remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze whether high-CFD intake 2 h before ERCP can be safe and accelerate patients’ recovery.Methods::This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial involved 15 tertiary ERCP centers. A total of 1330 patients were randomized into CFD group ( n = 665) and fasting group ( n = 665). The CFD group received 400 mL of maltodextrin orally 2 h before ERCP, while the control group abstained from food/water overnight (>6 h) before ERCP. All ERCP procedures were performed using deep sedation with intravenous propofol. The investigators were blinded but not the patients. The primary outcomes included postoperative fatigue and abdominal pain score, and the secondary outcomes included complications and changes in metabolic indicators. The outcomes were analyzed according to a modified intention-to-treat principle. Results::The post-ERCP fatigue scores were significantly lower at 4 h (4.1 ± 2.6 vs. 4.8 ± 2.8, t = 4.23, P <0.001) and 20 h (2.4 ± 2.1 vs. 3.4 ± 2.4, t= 7.94, P <0.001) in the CFD group, with least-squares mean differences of 0.48 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26–0.71, P <0.001) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.57–0.95, P <0.001), respectively. The 4-h pain scores (2.1 ± 1.7 vs. 2.2 ± 1.7, t = 2.60, P = 0.009, with a least-squares mean difference of 0.21 [95% CI: 0.05–0.37]) and positive urine ketone levels (7.7% [39/509] vs. 15.4% [82/533], χ2 = 15.13, P <0.001) were lower in the CFD group. The CFD group had significantly less cholangitis (2.1% [13/634] vs. 4.0% [26/658], χ2 = 3.99, P = 0.046) but not pancreatitis (5.5% [35/634] vs. 6.5% [43/658], χ2 = 0.59, P = 0.444). Subgroup analysis revealed that CFD reduced the incidence of complications in patients with native papilla (odds ratio [OR]: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39–0.95, P = 0.028) in the multivariable models. Conclusion::Ingesting 400 mL of CFD 2 h before ERCP is safe, with a reduction in post-ERCP fatigue, abdominal pain, and cholangitis during recovery.Trail Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT03075280.

Objective:To investigate the current status of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in China, and to provide supporting data and reference for the development of endoscopic treatment.Methods:In this study, initiated by the Liver Health Consortium in China (CHESS), a questionnaire was designed and distributed online to investigate the basic condition of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in 2022 in China. Questions included annual number and indication of endoscopic procedures, adherence to guideline for preventing esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB), management and timing of emergent EGVB, management of gastric and isolated varices, and improvement of endoscopic treatment. Proportions of hospitals concerning therapeutic choices to all participant hospitals were calculated. Guideline adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals were compared by using Chi-square test.Results:A total of 836 hospitals from 31 provinces (anotomous regions and municipalities) participated in the survey. According to the survey, the control of acute EGVB (49.3%, 412/836) and the prevention of recurrent bleeding (38.3%, 320/836) were major indications of endoscopic treatment. For primary [non-selective β-blocker (NSBB) or endoscopic therapies] and secondary prophylaxis (NSBB and endoscopic therapies) of EGVB, adherence to domestic guideline was 72.5% (606/836) and 39.2% (328/836), respectively. There were significant differences in the adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals in primary prophylaxis of EGVB [71.0% (495/697) VS 79.9% (111/139), χ2=4.11, P=0.033] and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB [41.6% (290/697) VS 27.3% (38/139), χ2=9.31, P=0.002]. A total of 78.2% (654/836) hospitals preferred endoscopic therapies treating acute EGVB, and endoscopic therapy was more likely to be the first choice for treating acute EGVB in tertiary hospitals (82.6%, 576/697) than secondary hospitals [56.1% (78/139), χ2=46.33, P<0.001]. The optimal timing was usually within 12 hours (48.5%, 317/654) and 12-24 hours (36.9%, 241/654) after the bleeding. Regarding the management of gastroesophageal varices type 2 and isolated gastric varices type 1, most hospitals used cyanoacrylate injection in combination with sclerotherapy [48.2% (403/836) and 29.9% (250/836), respectively], but substantial proportions of hospitals preferred clip-assisted therapies [12.4% (104/836) and 26.4% (221/836), respectively]. Improving the skills of endoscopic doctors (84.2%, 704/836), and enhancing the precision of pre-procedure evaluation and quality of multidisciplinary team (78.9%, 660/836) were considered urgent needs in the development of endoscopic treatment. Conclusion:A variety of endoscopic treatments for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension are implemented nationwide. Participant hospitals are active to perform emergent endoscopy for acute EGVB, but are inadequate in following recommendations regarding primary and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB. Moreover, the selection of endoscopic procedures for gastric varices differs greatly among hospitals.