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Frontiers in Genetics 2023In plant breeding programs, multiple traits are recorded in each trial, and the traits are often correlated. Correlated traits can be incorporated into genomic selection...
In plant breeding programs, multiple traits are recorded in each trial, and the traits are often correlated. Correlated traits can be incorporated into genomic selection models, especially for traits with low heritability, to improve prediction accuracy. In this study, we investigated the genetic correlation between important agronomic traits in safflower. We observed the moderate genetic correlations between grain yield (GY) and plant height (PH, 0.272-0.531), and low correlations between grain yield and days to flowering (DF, -0.157-0.201). A 4%-20% prediction accuracy improvement for grain yield was achieved when plant height was included in both training and validation sets with multivariate models. We further explored the selection responses for grain yield by selecting the top 20% of lines based on different selection indices. Selection responses for grain yield varied across sites. Simultaneous selection for grain yield and seed oil content (OL) showed positive gains across all sites with equal weights for both grain yield and oil content. Combining g×E interaction into genomic selection (GS) led to more balanced selection responses across sites. In conclusion, genomic selection is a valuable breeding tool for breeding high grain yield, oil content, and highly adaptable safflower varieties.
PubMed: 37051598
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1129433 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent environmental organic pollutants known to have detrimental health effects. Using a mouse model, we previously...
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent environmental organic pollutants known to have detrimental health effects. Using a mouse model, we previously demonstrated that PCB126 exposure before and during pregnancy and throughout the perinatal period adversely affected offspring glucose tolerance and/or body composition profiles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the glucose tolerance and body composition of offspring born to dams exposed to PCB126 during the nursing period only. Female ICR mice were bred, and half of the dams were exposed to either vehicle (safflower oil) or 1 µmole PCB126 per kg of body weight oral gavage on postnatal days (PND) 3, 10, and 17 (n = 9 per group). Offspring body weight, lean and fat mass, and glucose tolerance were recorded every three weeks. PCB126 treatment did not alter dam nor offspring body weight (p > 0.05). PCB126-exposed male and female offspring displayed normal body composition (p > 0.05) relative to vehicle-exposed offspring. However, both male and female offspring that were exposed to PCB126 during the nursing period had significantly impaired glucose tolerance at 3 and 9 weeks of age (p < 0.05). At 6 and 12 weeks of age, no impairments in glucose tolerance existed in offspring (p > 0.05). Our current study demonstrates that exposure to PCB126 through the mother's milk does not affect short- or long-term body composition but impairs glucose tolerance in the short-term.
Topics: Pregnancy; Animals; Mice; Humans; Female; Male; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Mice, Inbred ICR; Body Weight; Glucose
PubMed: 37033268
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1085958 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2023Oils derived from non-traditional seeds, such as safflower, milk thistle, and black cumin seeds, have recently grown in popularity. Seed oil is in high demand due to...
Oils derived from non-traditional seeds, such as safflower, milk thistle, and black cumin seeds, have recently grown in popularity. Seed oil is in high demand due to consumer interest in illness prevention and health promotion through healthier diets that include a high concentration of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidant phenolic components. This study assessed the quality characteristics of cold-pressed seed oil at three unique storage times: at the beginning of the trial (i.e., before storage), after 2 months, and after 4 months. The results of the performed analyses indicate that the acidity of extracted black cumin, safflower, and milk thistle seed oil fluctuates considerably over time. The highest acidity level change was detected for black cumin seed oil, from 10.26% after the extraction to 16.96% after 4 months of storage at 4 °C. Consequently, changes between pre- and post-storage peroxide concentrations were discernible after four months. Peroxide value in milk thistle and safflower seed oils increased by 0.92 meq/kg and 2.00 meq/kg, respectively, during the assessed storage time, while that of black cumin was very high and fluctuated. The storage period substantially affects oxidative changes and the oxidation stability of the oil. Major changes were observed in the polyunsaturated fatty acids in seed oil during storage. The essential changes were detected in the black cumin seed oil odor profile after 4 storage months. Their quality and stability, as well as the nature of the changes that occur during the storage of oil, require extensive investigation.
PubMed: 36987040
DOI: 10.3390/plants12061351 -
Current Atherosclerosis Reports May 2023This narrative review summarizes the current peer-reviewed literature and mechanisms surrounding the cardiovascular health impact of coconut oil. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
This narrative review summarizes the current peer-reviewed literature and mechanisms surrounding the cardiovascular health impact of coconut oil.
RECENT FINDINGS
No randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and/or prospective cohort studies have investigated the effect or association of coconut oil with cardiovascular disease. Evidence from RCTs indicated that coconut oil seems to have less detrimental effects on total and LDL-cholesterol compared to butter, but not compared to cis-unsaturated vegetable oils, such as safflower, sunflower, or canola oil. The isocaloric replacement (by 1% of energy intake) of carbohydrates with lauric acid (the predominant fatty acid in coconut oil) increased total cholesterol by 0.029 mmol/L (95% CI: 0.014; 0.045), LDL-cholesterol by 0.017 mmol/L (0.003; 0.031), and HDL-cholesterol by 0.019 mmol/L (0.016; 0.023). The current evidence from shorter term RCTs suggests that replacement of coconut oil with cis-unsaturated oils lowers total and LDL-cholesterol, whereas for the association between coconut oil intake and cardiovascular disease, less evidence is available.
Topics: Humans; Coconut Oil; Dietary Fats; Cardiovascular Diseases; Plant Oils; Cholesterol, LDL; Triglycerides
PubMed: 36971981
DOI: 10.1007/s11883-023-01098-y -
Anatomy & Cell Biology Jun 2023Adult neurogenesis has been reported in the hypothalamus, subventricular zone and subgranular zone in the hippocamp. Recent studies indicated that new cells in the...
Adult neurogenesis has been reported in the hypothalamus, subventricular zone and subgranular zone in the hippocamp. Recent studies indicated that new cells in the hypothalamus are affected by diet. We previously showed beneficial effects of safflower seed oil (SSO), a rich source of linoleic acid (LA; 74%), on proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) . In this study, the effect of SSO on hypothalamic neurogenesis was investigated , in comparison to synthetic LA. Adult mice were treated with SSO (400 mg/kg) and pure synthetic LA (300 mg/kg), at similar concentrations of LA, for 8 weeks and then hypothalamic NSCs were cultured and subsequently used for Neurosphere-forming assay. In addition, serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Administration of SSO for 8 weeks in adult mice promoted the proliferation of NSCs isolated from SSO-treated mice. Immunofluorescence staining of the hypothalamus showed that the frequency of astrocytes (glial fibrillary acidic protein cells) are not affected by LA or SSO. However, the frequency of immature (doublecortin cells) and mature (neuronal nuclei cells) neurons significantly increased in LA- and SSO-treated mice, compared to vehicle. Furthermore, both LA and SSO caused a significant increase in the serum levels of BDNF. Importantly, SSO acted more potently than LA in all experiments. The presence of other fatty acids in SSO, such as oleic acid and palmitic acid, suggests that they could be responsible for SSO positive effect on hypothalamic proliferation and neurogenesis, compared to synthetic LA at similar concentrations.
PubMed: 36967238
DOI: 10.5115/acb.22.220 -
Scientific Reports Mar 2023Safflower is an annual herb of Compositae, which has great economic value. To explore the impact of invasive weed Xanthium italicum Moretti on the economic crop...
Safflower is an annual herb of Compositae, which has great economic value. To explore the impact of invasive weed Xanthium italicum Moretti on the economic crop safflower, field experiments were conducted, the growth-related characters and the relative intensity of competition between the two species was explored. The results showed that under monoculture conditions, the stem height, crown width, stem diameter and the biomass of X. italicum root, stem and leaves were 1.14, 1.96, 1.82, 4.42, 4.21 and 3.99 times as high as those of safflower, respectively. When the two species coexisted, the growth related characters of X. italicum were further significantly improved, while the growth related characters of safflower were significantly decreased. When coexisted with X. italicum, the corolla biomass, hydroxysafflor yellow A content of corolla, seed yields, 100-seed weight, and seed oil content of safflower in the interplanted treatment 90.04%, 33.11%, 63.89%, 40.58%, and 25.61% lower than those in the monocultured treatment, respectively. Relative yield (RY) and Competitive balance index (CB) of X. italicum and safflower showed that the interspecific competitiveness of X. italicum was significantly higher than that of safflower. Under the competitive inhibition of X. italicum, not only the vegetative growth, but also the reproductive growth, yield, and quality of the economic organs of safflower were significantly negatively impacted. Together, our findings provide important scientific basis for evaluating the invasion risks and consequences of safflower's cropland ecosystem by X. italicum.
Topics: Carthamus tinctorius; Xanthium; Ecosystem; Seeds; Plant Leaves
PubMed: 36922573
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31101-0 -
ACS Omega Mar 2023Hair is exposed to harmful factors such as sunlight, pollution, cosmetic applications, and cleaning every day. With lost moisture, the hair is worn out, loses shine, and...
Hair is exposed to harmful factors such as sunlight, pollution, cosmetic applications, and cleaning every day. With lost moisture, the hair is worn out, loses shine, and exhibits color changes in the case of dyed hair. In this study, the effects of herbal oils on hair were investigated by comparing the properties with measurements. Three different types of hair were used: natural (unprocessed), damaged, and dyed hair. After washing hair with a base shampoo, herbal oils were applied, and brightness, color changes, elasticity, and breaking points were examined. Safflower seed oil, grape seed oil, and rosehip oil were applied to the samples. It was tried to regain the properties that have decreased as a result of shampoo application in the hair with the applied oils. The highest gloss was observed with grape seed oil, and according to color change calculations, the best result was seen with safflower seed oil. Tensile-strain testing was performed for all samples, and rosehip oil gave the best results. The changes in hair fractures were examined with a scanning electron microscope, and grape seed oil was the best for all hair types. When all analyses were evaluated, the best performing herbal oil was grape seed oil. All analysis results showed that herbal oils can be used in the cosmetics industry with different applications.
PubMed: 36910971
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c06550 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2023Limited information on monitoring adulteration in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) by hyperspectral imaging (HSI) exists. This work presents a comparative study of...
Limited information on monitoring adulteration in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) by hyperspectral imaging (HSI) exists. This work presents a comparative study of chemometrics for the authentication and quantification of adulteration in EVOO with cheaper edible oils using GC-MS, HSI, FTIR, Raman and UV-Vis spectroscopies. The adulteration mixtures were prepared by separately blending safflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, and sesame oil with authentic EVOO in different concentrations (0-20%, m/m). Partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and PLS regression models were then built for the classification and quantification of adulteration in olive oil, respectively. HSI, FTIR, UV-Vis, Raman, and GC-MS combined with PLS-DA achieved correct classification accuracies of 100%, 99.8%, 99.6%, 96.6%, and 93.7%, respectively, in the discrimination of authentic and adulterated olive oil. The overall PLS regression model using HSI data was the best in predicting the concentration of adulterants in olive oil with a low root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 1.1%, high R (0.97), and high residual predictive deviation (RPD) of 6.0. The findings suggest the potential of HSI technology as a fast and non-destructive technique to control fraud in the olive oil industry.
PubMed: 36765958
DOI: 10.3390/foods12030429 -
Endocrine Regulations Jan 2023The intent of the present study was to test two hypotheses. The primary hypothesis was that there would be differences between blood serum individual free fatty acids... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
The intent of the present study was to test two hypotheses. The primary hypothesis was that there would be differences between blood serum individual free fatty acids (SIFFA) and serum individual total fatty acids (SITFA) in terms of their different relationships (correlations) to each of homeostatic model assessment-individual insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and homeostatic model assessment-individual insulin resistance-percentage β-cell function (HOMA-% β) remaining in human type 2 diabetic patients with pre-flaxseed oil (FXO) and pre-safflower oil (SFO) administration. The secondary hypothesis was that FXO (rich in alpha-linolenic acid, ALA) supplementation would alter these correlations differently in the SIFFA and STIFFA pools in comparison with the placebo SFO (poor in ALA). Patients were recruited via a newspaper advertisement and two physicians. All patients came to visit 1 and three months later to visit 2. At visit 2, the subjects were randomly assigned (double-blind) to flaxseed or safflower oil (placebo) treatment for three months until visit 3. There were pre-intervention differences in the SIFFA and STIFA pool's relationships with each of HOMA-IR and HOMA-% β. These relatioships remained either unchanged or became significant after intervention (treatment or placebo). There was a negative correlation found between HOMA-IR and serum free ALA (SFALA) mol % after FXO. Serum total ALA (STALA) mol % had no significant correlations with HOMA-IR and HOMA- % β before and after flaxseed oil administration. The SIFFA and SITFA pools have different relationships with HOMA-IR and HOMA-% β for each of pre- and post-intervention. It is concluded that the data support both the primary and the secondary hypotheses indicating that they are correct.
Topics: Humans; Linseed Oil; Fatty Acids; Insulin Resistance; Safflower Oil; Serum; Dietary Supplements; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 36753666
DOI: 10.2478/enr-2023-0003 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2022Globally, abiotic stresses, such as temperature (heat or cold), water (drought and flooding), and salinity, cause significant losses in crop production and have adverse... (Review)
Review
Globally, abiotic stresses, such as temperature (heat or cold), water (drought and flooding), and salinity, cause significant losses in crop production and have adverse effects on plant growth and development. A variety of DNA-based molecular markers, such as SSRs, RFLPs, AFLPs, SNPs, etc., have been used to screen germplasms for stress tolerance and the QTL mapping of stress-related genes. Such molecular-marker-assisted selection strategies can quicken the development of tolerant/resistant cultivars to withstand abiotic stresses. Oilseeds such as rapeseed, mustard, peanuts, soybeans, sunflower, safflower, sesame, flaxseed, and castor are the most important source of edible oil worldwide. Although oilseed crops are known for their capacity to withstand abiotic challenges, there is a significant difference between actual and potential yields due to the adaptation and tolerance to severe abiotic pressures. This review summarizes the applications of molecular markers to date to achieve abiotic stress tolerance in major oilseed crops. The molecular markers that have been reported for genetic diversity studies and the mapping and tagging of genes/QTLs for drought, heavy metal stress, salinity, flooding, cold and heat stress, and their application in the MAS are presented.
PubMed: 36676037
DOI: 10.3390/life13010088