Magnetic resonance imaging assessment of proteolytic enzyme concentrations and biologic properties of intraluminal thrombus in abdominal aortic aneurysms

Small molecule carbon source promoting dairy wastewater treatment of Rhodospirillum rubrum by co-metabolism and the establishment of multivariate nonlinear equation

Rhodospirillum rubrum water treatment technology could recycle bio-resource. However, the inability to degrade macromolecular organics limited its wide application. This paper discussed the feasibility of small molecular carbon source promoting R. rubrum directly treating dairy machining wastewater (DMW) and accumulations for single cell protein and pigment, and establishment of a mathematical model. Six small molecules promoted the degradation of macromolecules (proteins) in DMW. They promoted protease secretion and non-growth matrix (protein) decomposition in DMW through co-metabolism. Among the molecules, 550 mg/L potassium sodium tartrate was the best, protease activity and protein removal rate were increased by 100% compared with control. Then chemical oxygen demand (COD) and protein removal rates reached 80%, the single cell protein, carotenoid and bacterial chlorophyll yields were increased 2 times. Meanwhile, carbon nitrogen ratio (C/N) and food microbial ratio (F/M) were identified as the most important factors by principal component analysis. A multivariate nonlinear equation model between COD removal rate and C/N, F/M, time was established.

Correlation Between Proteolytic Activity and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Wall Morphology with Intraluminal Thrombus Volume

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of intraluminal thrombus (ILT) volume on the level of proteolytic activity and the content of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) wall.

METHODS

The research was designed as a cross-sectional study at the Clinic for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Clinical Center of Serbia in the period from April 2017 to February 2018. During this period, a total of 155 patients with asymptomatic AAA underwent open surgical treatment and 50 were included in the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Before surgery, patients included in the study were examined by MRI. During the operation, samples of ILT and AAA wall were taken for biochemical analysis.

RESULTS

A statistically significant correlation was found between the volume of the ILT and largest AAA diameter (ρ = 0.56; P < 0.001). The correlation of the ILT volume on the anterior wall and the concentration of MMP-9, MMP-2 and NE/ELA in the wall did not find statistical significance. Also, no statistically significant association was found between the volume of ILT and the concentration of ECM proteins (collagen type 3, elastin, proteoglycan) in the corresponding part of the wall. The association of ILT volume with MDA was also of no statistical significance. There was a positive statistical significance found in correlation of volume of ILT and catalase activity in the wall of AAA (ρ = 0.28, P = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

The volume of ILT in the aneurysmal sac seemed not to affect the level of proteolytic activity and the content of the aneurysm wall. However, a positive correlation was found between the ILT and the catalase activity. The effect of ILT on the aneurysm wall and its role in the progression of aneurysmal disease should be examined in future studies.