Production of Esters by Saccharomyces cervisiae Fermentation of Different Fusel Alcohols

A reaction between fusel alcohols and Acetyl-CoA and Acyl CoA in Saccharomyces cervisiae uses ester synthase enzymes, such as alcohol acetyltransferase (AATase), to produce esters. Fusel alcohols are a mixture of many alcohols that are produced during fermentation. Both the type of fusel alcohol and strain of yeast factor into which esters will be produced during fermentation. Esters are essential to the final flavor determination of the beer and with many factors affecting their production, problems can occur in a hurry. Low ester production could cause a poor flavor profile and cost brewers money and time if the beer is unusable and cannot be sold. This research has been dor:e in an attempt to compare yeast strains with similar types of produced esters, resulting in similar flavor profiles, and then factor in other characteristics such as price. This will allow the determination of which yeast, or combination of yeasts, would be most cost effective, resistant to diseases or temperature changes, and still give the same flavor profile. Several experimental setups were constructed in attempt to efficiently produce and characterize esters. S. cerevisiae was incubated with a fusel alcohol in aerobic conditions for 12-24 hours. The alcohols and esters were then extracted with pentane for gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis. Data analysis has shown that we cannot jump into the pathway at this point, but instead must back up and try to influence fusel alcohol production at earlier points in the pathway. Most samples have shown little to no esters that can clearly be identified from their precursor alcohol. Research is currently being done, and will continue in the future, in order to find the best experimental method for ester production. Once that is accomplished, different strains of yeast will be tested to see what esters are produced by the different strains

Transrectal Ultrasound Guided Prostate Biopsy Antibiotic Prophylaxis: Standard vs. Augmented Antibiotic Regimens, and the Role for Pre-Biopsy Rectal Swab Cultures

Objectives: To evaluate peri-procedural antibiotic prophylaxis regimens based on pre-procedural rectal swab cultures. To evaluate infection rates between transrectalbiopsy patients receiving FQs alone and those receiving ceftriaxone or gentamicin in addition to FQs.https://jdc.jefferson.edu/patientsafetyposters/1056/thumbnail.jp

Vortex Hair on ADS Black Holes

We analyse vortex hair for charged rotating asymptotically AdS black holes in the abelian Higgs model. We give analytical and numerical arguments to show how the vortex interacts with the horizon of the black hole, and how the solution extends to the boundary. The solution is very close to the corresponding asymptotically flat vortex, once one transforms to a frame that is non-rotating at the boundary. We show that there is a Meissner effect for extremal black holes, with the vortex flux being expelled from sufficiently small black holes. The phase transition is shown to be first order in the presence of rotation, but second order without rotation. We comment on applications to holography

The Profiling Potential of Computer Vision and the Challenge of Computational Empiricism

Computer vision and other biometrics data science applications have commenced a new project of profiling people. Rather than using 'transaction generated information', these systems measure the 'real world' and produce an assessment of the 'world state' - in this case an assessment of some individual trait. Instead of using proxies or scores to evaluate people, they increasingly deploy a logic of revealing the truth about reality and the people within it. While these profiling knowledge claims are sometimes tentative, they increasingly suggest that only through computation can these excesses of reality be captured and understood. This article explores the bases of those claims in the systems of measurement, representation, and classification deployed in computer vision. It asks if there is something new in this type of knowledge claim, sketches an account of a new form of computational empiricism being operationalised, and questions what kind of human subject is being constructed by these technological systems and practices. Finally, the article explores legal mechanisms for contesting the emergence of computational empiricism as the dominant knowledge platform for understanding the world and the people within it

Subclinical Myocardial Necrosis and Cardiovascular Risk in Stable Patients Undergoing Elective Cardiac Evaluation

Objective— The presence of subclinical myocardial necrosis as a prodrome to longer-term adverse cardiac event risk has been debated. The debate has focused predominantly within patients with acute coronary syndrome, and on issues of troponin assay variability and accuracy of detection, rather than on the clinical significance of the presence of subclinical myocardial necrosis (ie, “troponin leak”) within stable cardiac patients. Herein, we examine the relationship between different degrees of subclinical myocardial necrosis and long-term adverse clinical outcomes within a stable cardiac patient population with essentially normal renal function. Methods and Results— Sequential consenting patients (N=3828; median creatinine clearance, 100 mL/min/1.73m2) undergoing elective diagnostic coronary angiography with cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels below the diagnostic cut-off for defining myocardial infarction (\u3c0.03 ng/mL) were evaluated. The relationship of subclinical myocardial necrosis with incident major adverse cardiovascular events (defined as any death, myocardial infarction, or stroke) over 3-year follow-up was examined. “Probable” (cTnI 0.001–0.008 ng/mL) and “definite” (cTnI 0.009–0.029 ng/mL) subclinical myocardial necrosis were observed frequently within the cohort (34% and 18%, respectively). A linear relationship was observed between the magnitude of subclinical myocardial necrosis and risk of 3-year incident major adverse cardiovascular events, particularly in those with cTnI 0.009 ng/mL or higher (hazard ratio, 3.00; 95% confidence interval, 2.4–3.8), even after adjustment for traditional risk factors, C-reactive protein, and creatinine clearance. The presence of subclinical myocardial necrosis was associated with elevations in acute phase proteins (C-reactive protein, ceruloplasmin; P\u3c0.01 each) and reduction in systemic antioxidant enzyme activities (arylesterase; P\u3c0.01) but showed no significant associations with multiple specific measures of oxidant stress, and showed borderline associations with myeloperoxidase, a marker of leukocyte activation. Conclusion— In stable cardiology patients, prodromal subclinical myocardial necrosis is associated with substantially higher long-term risk for major adverse cardiovascular events. The underlying mechanisms contributing to this minimal troponin leak phenomenon warrants further investigation

Subclinical Myocardial Necrosis and Cardiovascular Risk in Stable Patients Undergoing Elective Cardiac Evaluation

Objective— The presence of subclinical myocardial necrosis as a prodrome to longer-term adverse cardiac event risk has been debated. The debate has focused predominantly within patients with acute coronary syndrome, and on issues of troponin assay variability and accuracy of detection, rather than on the clinical significance of the presence of subclinical myocardial necrosis (ie, “troponin leak”) within stable cardiac patients. Herein, we examine the relationship between different degrees of subclinical myocardial necrosis and long-term adverse clinical outcomes within a stable cardiac patient population with essentially normal renal function. Methods and Results— Sequential consenting patients (N=3828; median creatinine clearance, 100 mL/min/1.73m2) undergoing elective diagnostic coronary angiography with cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels below the diagnostic cut-off for defining myocardial infarction (\u3c0.03 ng/mL) were evaluated. The relationship of subclinical myocardial necrosis with incident major adverse cardiovascular events (defined as any death, myocardial infarction, or stroke) over 3-year follow-up was examined. “Probable” (cTnI 0.001–0.008 ng/mL) and “definite” (cTnI 0.009–0.029 ng/mL) subclinical myocardial necrosis were observed frequently within the cohort (34% and 18%, respectively). A linear relationship was observed between the magnitude of subclinical myocardial necrosis and risk of 3-year incident major adverse cardiovascular events, particularly in those with cTnI 0.009 ng/mL or higher (hazard ratio, 3.00; 95% confidence interval, 2.4–3.8), even after adjustment for traditional risk factors, C-reactive protein, and creatinine clearance. The presence of subclinical myocardial necrosis was associated with elevations in acute phase proteins (C-reactive protein, ceruloplasmin; P\u3c0.01 each) and reduction in systemic antioxidant enzyme activities (arylesterase; P\u3c0.01) but showed no significant associations with multiple specific measures of oxidant stress, and showed borderline associations with myeloperoxidase, a marker of leukocyte activation. Conclusion— In stable cardiology patients, prodromal subclinical myocardial necrosis is associated with substantially higher long-term risk for major adverse cardiovascular events. The underlying mechanisms contributing to this minimal troponin leak phenomenon warrants further investigation

Comprehensive Peroxidase-Based Hematologic Profiling for The Prediction of 1-Year Myocardial Infarction and Death

Background— Recognition of biological patterns holds promise for improved identification of patients at risk for myocardial infarction (MI) and death. We hypothesized that identifying high- and low-risk patterns from a broad spectrum of hematologic phenotypic data related to leukocyte peroxidase-, erythrocyte- and platelet-related parameters may better predict future cardiovascular risk in stable cardiac patients than traditional risk factors alone. Methods and Results— Stable patients (n=7369) undergoing elective cardiac evaluation at a tertiary care center were enrolled. A model (PEROX) that predicts incident 1-year death and MI was derived from standard clinical data combined with information captured by a high-throughput peroxidase-based hematology analyzer during performance of a complete blood count with differential. The PEROX model was developed using a random sampling of subjects in a derivation cohort (n=5895) and then independently validated in a nonoverlapping validation cohort (n=1474). Twenty-three high-risk (observed in ≥10% of subjects with events) and 24 low-risk (observed in ≥10% of subjects without events) patterns were identified in the derivation cohort. Erythrocyte- and leukocyte (peroxidase)-derived parameters dominated the variables predicting risk of death, whereas variables in MI risk patterns included traditional cardiac risk factors and elements from all blood cell lineages. Within the validation cohort, the PEROX model demonstrated superior prognostic accuracy (78%) for 1-year risk of death or MI compared with traditional risk factors alone (67%). Furthermore, the PEROX model reclassified 23.5% (P\u3c0.001) of patients to different risk categories for death/MI when added to traditional risk factors. Conclusion— Comprehensive pattern recognition of high- and low-risk clusters of clinical, biochemical, and hematologic parameters provided incremental prognostic value in stable patients having elective diagnostic cardiac catheterization for 1-year risks of death and MI

Comprehensive Peroxidase-Based Hematologic Profiling for The Prediction of 1-Year Myocardial Infarction and Death

Background— Recognition of biological patterns holds promise for improved identification of patients at risk for myocardial infarction (MI) and death. We hypothesized that identifying high- and low-risk patterns from a broad spectrum of hematologic phenotypic data related to leukocyte peroxidase-, erythrocyte- and platelet-related parameters may better predict future cardiovascular risk in stable cardiac patients than traditional risk factors alone. Methods and Results— Stable patients (n=7369) undergoing elective cardiac evaluation at a tertiary care center were enrolled. A model (PEROX) that predicts incident 1-year death and MI was derived from standard clinical data combined with information captured by a high-throughput peroxidase-based hematology analyzer during performance of a complete blood count with differential. The PEROX model was developed using a random sampling of subjects in a derivation cohort (n=5895) and then independently validated in a nonoverlapping validation cohort (n=1474). Twenty-three high-risk (observed in ≥10% of subjects with events) and 24 low-risk (observed in ≥10% of subjects without events) patterns were identified in the derivation cohort. Erythrocyte- and leukocyte (peroxidase)-derived parameters dominated the variables predicting risk of death, whereas variables in MI risk patterns included traditional cardiac risk factors and elements from all blood cell lineages. Within the validation cohort, the PEROX model demonstrated superior prognostic accuracy (78%) for 1-year risk of death or MI compared with traditional risk factors alone (67%). Furthermore, the PEROX model reclassified 23.5% (P\u3c0.001) of patients to different risk categories for death/MI when added to traditional risk factors. Conclusion— Comprehensive pattern recognition of high- and low-risk clusters of clinical, biochemical, and hematologic parameters provided incremental prognostic value in stable patients having elective diagnostic cardiac catheterization for 1-year risks of death and MI

Barriers to HIV Testing Within a Sample of Spanish-speaking Latinx Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men: Implications for HIV Prevention and Care

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) have higher rates of HIV infection compared to the general population in the United States, and the infection rate is growing among Latinx GBMSM, compared to a decline in most other demographic subgroups. Uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a biomedical strategy designed to reduce HIV transmission, is very low among Latinx GBMSM. HIV testing is a critical first step in the HIV prevention and care continua. We analyzed data from a community-based sample of Latinx GBMSM in the southeastern United States to identify the most common HIV testing barriers and the factors associated with barriers. The five most commonly reported HIV testing barriers included not knowing where to get tested, not having health insurance, fear of being HIV positive, practicing safer sex and perceiving not needing to be tested, and not being recommended to get tested. Using multivariable logistic regression modeling, speaking only Spanish, being unemployed, and adhering to traditional notions of masculinity were associated with increased barriers to HIV testing. We recommend that interventions to increase HIV testing among Latinx GBMSM be provided in Spanish and use culturally congruent messaging, be accessible to those who are unemployed, and incorporate positive risk-reducing aspects of masculinity