Clinical characteristics of acute pancreatitis in pregnancy: experience based on 121 cases.

PURPOSE: Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy (APIP) is a rare condition; however, it markedly affects maternal and fetal health. This study aimed to describe the types, clinical characteristics, mortality, and the safety and necessity of gestation termination of acute pancreatitis in pregnancy (APIP). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 121 APIP cases in the Gastroenterology Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. APIP diagnosis were based on 2012 Atlanta Criteria. The correlation between APIP types, severity, biochemical parameters and mortality was analyzed. RESULTS: The most common symptoms for APIP were abdominal pain (86.8%) and vomiting (73.6%). The most common causes for APIP were gallstone (36.4%) and hypertriglyceridemia (32.2%) and hypertriglyceridemic APIP was correlated with a higher rate for local complication (P = 0.012). Serum calcium level was negatively correlated with the severity of APIP (P < 0.01). The overall maternal and fetal mortality rate were 3.3% (4/121) and 11.6% (14/121), respectively. The severity of APIP was significantly correlated with higher risks for maternal and fetal death (P < 0.01). 72.7% of moderate-to-severe APIP patients underwent Cesarean section to terminate gestation safely. CONCLUSION: The most common causes of APIP were gallstone and hypertriglyceridemia. Lower level of serum calcium could be used as an indicator for the severity of the APIP. The severity of APIP was associated with higher risk for neonate asphyxia, and maternal and fetal death.

Fabrication and properties of acellular porcine anulus fibrosus for tissue engineering in spine surgery.

BACKGROUND: Over the last few years, new treatments for a damaged intervertebral disc (IVD) have included strategies to repair, replace, or regenerate the degenerative disc. However, these techniques are likely to have limited success, due to insufficiently effective means to address the damaged anulus fibrosus (AF). Here, we try to develop a bioprocess method for decellularization of the xenogeneic AF tissue, with a view to developing a scaffold as a potential candidate for clinical application in spinal surgery. METHODS: Porcine AFs were decellularized using freeze-thaw cycles, followed by various combined treatments with 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and nucleases. RESULTS: Hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) staining showed that decellularization was achieved through the decellularization protocols. Biochemical analyses revealed 86% reduction in DNA, but only 15.9% reduction in glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content, with no significant difference in the hydroxyproline content. There was no appreciable cytotoxicity of the acellular AF. Biomechanical testing of the acellular AF found no significant decline in stiffness or Young's modulus. CONCLUSIONS: Porcine AF tissues were effectively decellularized with the preservation of biologic composition and mechanical properties. These results demonstrate that acellular AF scaffolds would be a potential candidate for clinical application in spinal surgery.