REFCO GLOBAL RESEARCH PERSPECTIVE ON USDA OUTLOOK FORUM FORECASTS FOR 01/02 U.S. CORN & WHEAT SUPPLY/DEMAND

Crop Production/Industries,

Torn between two targets: German police officers talk about the use of force

Considering earlier research into police use of force as well as the judicial and practical frame of police work in Germany, the article presents the results of an empirical study on the individual and collective legitimization of the use of force by German police officers. There are numerous justifications for the use of force expressed by focus group participants in eight German Federal States who were responding to a hypothesized scenario. In the discussions observed within the groups, reference is first made to the state’s duty to prosecute alleged offences and the measures or formal actions to do this—hence, the legal authority to use force. In the course of the discussions, however, it became obvious that illegal violence may occur, although it was not perceived as such by the officers. Overall, and after an intensive analysis of the focus group discussions, it can be stated that use of force (whether legal or not) depends on the police officer’s perception of the resistance of the person being engaged with. In this regard, different social–cultural or physical–material factors can be identified. They have different influences on the individual legitimization of police actions, intertwined with the perception of the situation as constructed by the officer. Three ways of perceiving the situation can be deduced, resulting in different patterns of justification for the use of force

Incorporación de ácidos grasos de cadena media a triglicéridos de aceite de pescado por interesterificación química y enzimática

Structured triglycerides (STs) containing both medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the same molecule offer nutritional and therapeutic benefits. The aim of this work was to establish the incorporation of MCFA into fish oil triglycerides (TAGs), while maintaining substantial levels of docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids. The effects of different acyl donors (capric acid methyl ester/MeC10 or medium chain triglyceride/TCM) and of the catalyst (chemical or enzymatic) on the fatty acid composition of the reaction product were studied. The fatty acid composition of the fish oil TAG was modified after interesterification to contain MCFA, and it depended on the catalyst and on the substrates. Thermograms obtained by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) showed that interesterification promoted noteworthy changes in the melting profile of the samples. STs of clinical nutrition interest containing both EPA and DHA obtained from fish oil along with MCFA were successfully produced.Triglicéridos estructurados (SL) conteniendo ácidos grasos de cadena media (MCFA) y ácidos grasos poliinsaturados (PUFA) en la misma molécula de glicerol tienen ventajas nutricionales y terapéuticas. Se establece la incorporación de MCFA a los triglicéridos (TAGs) de aceite de pescado, conservando un contenido considerable de ácidos docosahexaenóico (DHA) y eicosapentaenóico (EPA). El efecto de diferentes acil donadores (éster metílico de ácido cáprico/MeC10 o triglicéridos de cadena media/TCM) y de catalizador (químico o enzimático) sobre la composición del producto de las reacciones fue estudiado. La composición de ácidos grasos de los TAGs del aceite de pescado fue modificada después de las reacciones para contener MCFA y dependió del catalizador y de los substratos. Los termogramas obtenidos por Calorimetría Diferencial de Barrido (DSC) indicaron que la interesterificación provocó alteraciones considerables de los perfiles de fusión de las muestras. Fueron producidos STs de interés en nutrición clínica conteniendo EPA y DHA, además de MCFA

Post-COVID-19 Symptoms and Heart Disease: Incidence, Prognostic Factors, Outcomes and Vaccination: Results from a Multi-Center International Prospective Registry (HOPE 2)

COVID-19; Heart disease; PersistentCOVID 19; Malaltia cardíaca; PersistentCOVID-19; Enfermedad cardíaca; PersistenteBackground: Heart disease is linked to worse acute outcomes after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), although long-term outcomes and prognostic factor data are lacking. We aim to characterize the outcomes and the impact of underlying heart diseases after surviving COVID-19 hospitalization. Methods: We conducted an analysis of the prospective registry HOPE-2 (Health Outcome Predictive Evaluation for COVID-19-2, NCT04778020). We selected patients discharged alive and considered the primary end-point all-cause mortality during follow-up. As secondary main end-points, we included any readmission or any post-COVID-19 symptom. Clinical features and follow-up events are compared between those with and without cardiovascular disease. Factors with p < 0.05 in the univariate analysis were entered into the multivariate analysis to determine independent prognostic factors. Results: HOPE-2 closed on 31 December 2021, with 9299 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, and 1805 died during this acute phase. Finally, 7014 patients with heart disease data were included in the present analysis, from 56 centers in 8 countries. Heart disease (+) patients were older (73 vs. 58 years old), more frequently male (63 vs. 56%), had more comorbidities than their counterparts, and suffered more frequently from post-COVID-19 complications and higher mortality (OR heart disease: 2.63, 95% CI: 1.81–3.84). Vaccination was found to be an independent protector factor (HR all-cause death: 0.09; 95% CI: 0.04–0.19). Conclusions: After surviving the acute phase, patients with underlying heart disease continue to present a more complex clinical profile and worse outcomes including increased mortality. The COVID-19 vaccine could benefit survival in patients with heart disease during follow-up.Non-conditioned grant (Fundación Interhospitalaria para la Investigación cardiovascular, FIC. Madrid, Spain). This nonprofit institution had no role in the study design; collection, analysis, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; nor in the decision to submit the paper for publication

Plant-based protein sources applied as ingredients in meat analogues sustainable production.

Abstract:Though obtained from vegetable ingredients, meat analogues are replacers of traditional meat products. They mimic the flavor, juiciness, and texture and look similar to their counterparts. The innovation relies on addressing nutrition, wellness, environmental, and social issues. Plant-based sources are seen as healthier and environmentally friendly for some people. Therefore, this review summarizes nutritious vegetable sources as alternative protein-based ingredients in meat analogues for sustainable development in the food production chain. A survey was conducted from January 2019 to December 2023 in three databases to find out the most used vegetable sources rich in protein, scientific journals, gaps, and legislation on this topic. The main protein-rich ingredients in the timeline publications were soybean, pea, chickpea, peanuts, oat, and isolates from these sources, besides microalgae extrudates. These raw materials add up the nutritional value and technological properties to meat analogues. Much was done in the later years concerning technology, although there are still gaps on specific legislations for plant-based products worldwide, investments in segregated plants within a meat industry and marketing, so people are more open and aware of the benefits. Concerning the outcomes of this research, it is possible to conclude that meat analogues will remain a focus, and more ingredients are prone to meet consumer demands of innovative and healthy products that go beyond the purpose of just nourishing but indeed offering extra benefits, and opening new possibilities of marketed products. Resumo: Os análogos cárneos são substitutos dos produtos cárneos tradicionais, embora obtidos a partir de ingredientes vegetais. Eles imitam o sabor, a suculência, a textura e são semelhantes aos seus equivalentes. A inovação está em combinar nutrição, bem-estar, questões ambientais e sociais. Fontes vegetais são vistas como mais saudáveis e ecologicamente corretas por algumas pessoas. Portanto, esta revisão resume fontes vegetais nutritivas como ingredientes alternativos proteicos para análogos cárneos visando desenvolvimento sustentável na cadeia produtiva alimentícia. Foi realizada uma pesquisa de Janeiro de 2019 a Dezembro de 2023 em três bases de dados para se descobrir as principais fontes vegetais proteicas, periódicos científicos, lacunas e legislações sobre o tema. Os principais ingredientes proteicos encontrados na linha do tempo estipulada referem-se a soja, ervilha, grão de bico, amendoim, aveia e isolados dessas fontes, além de extrusados de microalgas. Essas matérias-primas agregam valor nutricional e propriedades tecnológicas aos análogos cárneos. Muito foi feito nos últimos anos em relação à tecnologia, embora ainda existam lacunas que dependem de legislações específicas para produtos vegetais mundialmente, investimentos em fábricas segregadas dentro de uma indústria de carne e marketing, para que as pessoas estejam mais abertas e conscientes dos benefícios. Como resultados desta pesquisa é possível concluir que os análogos cárneos continuarão em foco e mais ingredientes tendem a surgir para atender às demandas dos consumidores por produtos inovadores e saudáveis que vão além da nutrição, oferecendo benefícios extras e abrindo novas possibilidades de produtos comercializados.Título em português: Fontes de proteína vegetal aplicadas como ingredientes na produção sustentável de análogos de carne

Meta-Analysis Design and Results in Real Life: Problem Solvers or Detour to Maze. A Critical Review of Meta-Analysis of DAPT Randomized Controlled Trials.

Therapeutic strategies - such as duration of dual antiplatelet therapy after coronary artery stenting - usually generate a large quantity of meta-analyses. The meta-analyses that include the same randomized clinical trials should produce similar results. Our aim in the study is to analyze the quality and to compare the results of meta-analyses focused on a controversial topic such as dual antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention. We searched all published meta-analyses published up to November 2015 (near DAPT trial publication) selecting those that included the same randomized clinical trials comparing patterns of briefer versus longer-term double antiplatelet therapy. Seventeen meta-analyses achieved our selection criteria. Of the seventeen analyzed, we identified seven (41.1%) based on the same ten randomized clinical trials (RCTs), yet their results varied widely. Many of the meta-analyses differed in only some minor aspect of the design (i.e. eligible studies, length of comparators and statistical methods used). Some authors differed in the number of patients participating in RCTs and even, despite reviewing the same underlying trials, only 2 of the 7 meta-analyses included the same number of patients. Meta-analyses around cardiovascular, all-cause or non-cardiovascular death differ frequently. In the DAPT duration setting, several meta-analyses have been recently published based on the same data, presenting several issues making it difficult to determine clear recommendations on certain points.IN receives research funding from Astrazeneca; has received minor consulting fees from Boston, Medtronic, Astrazeneca; and speaking fees or support for attending scientificmeetings fromBoehringer, Daiichi-Sankyo, Lilly, AstraZeneca and Pfizer. AE is Astrazeneca employee. HB receives research funding from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PIE16/00021), AstraZeneca, BMS, Janssen and Novartis; has received consulting fees from Abbott, AstraZeneca, Bayer, BMS-Pfizer, Novartis; and speaking fees or support for attending scientificmeetings from AstraZeneca, Bayer, BMS-Pfizer, Ferrer, Novartis, Servier and MEDSCAPE-the heart.og. The other authors pose no relevant disclosures regarding this manuscript.S

Potential PET tracers for imaging of tumor-associated macrophages

The increasing incidence of cancer over the years is one of the most challenging problems in healthcare. As cancer progresses, the recruitment of several immune cells is triggered. Infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) is correlated with poor patient prognosis. Since TAMs constitute a big portion of the tumor mass, targeting these cells seems to be an attractive approach for cancer immunotherapy. Additionally, TAM assessment using non-invasive imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET), might provide a better understanding of the role of TAMs in cancer, and a means for tumor profile characterization, patient selection for individualized immunotherapy and treatment monitoring. Imaging of TAMs using PET tracers is still in its infancy. TAMs have several characteristics that could be exploited as potential targets for imaging. Various PET tracers for these TAM biomarkers have been developed, although often in the context of (neuro)inflammatory diseases rather than cancer. Since macrophages in inflammatory diseases express similar biomarkers as TAMs, these PET tracers could potentially also be applied for the assessment of TAMs in the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, the present review provides an overview of the TAM biomarkers, for which potential PET tracers are available and discusses the status of these tracers

Effects of Interventions on Cerebral Perfusion in the Alzheimer's Disease Spectrum:A Systematic Review

Cerebral perfusion dysfunctions are seen in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We systematically reviewed the literature to investigate the effect of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions on cerebral hemodynamics in randomized controlled trials involving AD patients or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) due to AD. Studies involving other dementia types were excluded. Data was searched in April 2021 on MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. A metasynthesis was performed separating results from MCI and AD studies. 31 studies were included and involved 310 MCI and 792 CE patients. The MCI studies (n = 8) included physical, cognitive, dietary, and pharmacological interventions. The AD studies (n = 23) included pharmacological, physical interventions, and phytotherapy. Cerebral perfusion was assessed with PET, ASL, Doppler, fNIRS, DSC-MRI, Xe-CT, and SPECT. Randomization and allocation concealment methods and subject characteristics such as AD-onset, education, and ethnicity were missing in several papers. Positive effects on hemodynamics were seen in 75 % of the MCI studies, and 52 % of the AD studies. Inserting cerebral perfusion outcome measures, together with established AD biomarkers, is fundamental to target all disease mechanisms and understand the role of cerebral perfusion in AD

Researching the use of force: The background to the international project

This article provides the background to an international project on use of force by the police that was carried out in eight countries. Force is often considered to be the defining characteristic of policing and much research has been conducted on the determinants, prevalence and control of the use of force, particularly in the United States. However, little work has looked at police officers’ own views on the use of force, in particular the way in which they justify it. Using a hypothetical encounter developed for this project, researchers in each country conducted focus groups with police officers in which they were encouraged to talk about the use of force. The results show interesting similarities and differences across countries and demonstrate the value of using this kind of research focus and methodology

Estimation of genetic parameters for test-day milk yield in Girolando cows using a random regression model.

The objective of this study was to estimate the components of variance and genetic parameters of test-day milk yield in first lactation Girolando cows, using a random regression model. A total of 126,892 test-day milk yield (TDMY) records of 15,351 first-parity Holstein, Gyr, and Girolando breed cows were used, obtained from the Associação Brasileira dos Criadores de Girolando. To estimate the components of (co) variance, the additive genetic functions and permanent environmental covariance were estimated by random regression in three functions: Wilmink, Legendre Polynomials (third order) and Linear spline Polynomials (three knots). The Legendre polynomial function showed better fit quality. The genetic and permanent environment variances for TDMY ranged from 2.67 to 5.14 and from 9.31 to 12.04, respectively. Heritability estimates gradually increased from the beginning (0.13) to mid-lactation (0.19). The genetic correlations between the days of the control ranged from 0.37 to 1.00. The correlations of permanent environment followed the same trend as genetic correlations. The use of Legendre polynomials via random regression model can be considered as a good tool for estimating genetic parameters for test-day milk yield records