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Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Safflower ( L.) is a multipurpose minor crop consumed by developed and developing nations around the world with limited research funding and genetic resources. Genomic...
Safflower ( L.) is a multipurpose minor crop consumed by developed and developing nations around the world with limited research funding and genetic resources. Genomic selection (GS) is an effective modern breeding tool that can help to fast-track the genetic diversity preserved in genebank collections to facilitate rapid and efficient germplasm improvement and variety development. In the present study, we simulated four GS strategies to compare genetic gains and inbreeding during breeding cycles in a safflower recurrent selection breeding program targeting grain yield (GY) and seed oil content (OL). We observed positive genetic gains over cycles in all four GS strategies, where the first cycle delivered the largest genetic gain. Single-trait GS strategies had the greatest gain for the target trait but had very limited genetic improvement for the other trait. Simultaneous selection for GY and OL via indices indicated higher gains for both traits than crossing between the two single-trait independent culling strategies. The multi-trait GS strategy with mating relationship control (GS_GY + OL + Rel) resulted in a lower inbreeding coefficeint but a similar gain compared to that of the GS_GY + OL (without inbreeding control) strategy after a few cycles. Our findings lay the foundation for future safflower GS breeding.
PubMed: 38891385
DOI: 10.3390/plants13111577 -
Journal of Food Science Jun 2024Avocado oil is a nutritious, edible oil produced from avocado fruit. It has high commercial value and is increasing in popularity, thus powerful analytical methods are...
Avocado oil is a nutritious, edible oil produced from avocado fruit. It has high commercial value and is increasing in popularity, thus powerful analytical methods are needed to ensure its quality and authenticity. Recent advancements in low-field (LF) NMR spectroscopy allow for collection of high-quality data despite the use of low magnetic fields produced by non-superconductive magnets. Combined with chemometrics, LF NMR opens new opportunities in food analysis using targeted and untargeted approaches. Here, it was used to determine poly-, mono-, and saturated fatty acids in avocado oil. Although direct signal integration of LF NMR spectra was able to determine certain classes of fatty acids, it had several challenges arising from signal overlapping. Thus, we used partial least square regression and developed models with good prediction performance for fatty acid composition, with residual prediction deviation ranging 3.46-5.53 and root mean squared error of prediction ranging 0.46-2.48. In addition, LF NMR, combined with unsupervised and supervised methods, enabled the differentiation of avocado oil from other oils, namely, olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, high oleic (OL) safflower oil, and high OL sunflower oil. This study showed that LF NMR can be used as an efficient alternative for the compositional analysis and authentication of avocado oil. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Here, we describe the application of LF-NMR for fatty acid analysis and avocado oil authentication. LF-NMR can be an efficient tool for targeted and untargeted analysis, thus becoming an attractive option for companies, regulatory agencies, and quality control laboratories. This tool is especially important for organizations and entities seeking economic, user-friendly, and sustainable analysis solutions.
PubMed: 38837399
DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.17142 -
BMC Genomics May 2024Domesticated safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a widely cultivated edible oil crop. However, despite its economic importance, the genetic basis underlying key...
Domesticated safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a widely cultivated edible oil crop. However, despite its economic importance, the genetic basis underlying key traits such as oil content, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, and flowering time remains poorly understood. Here, we present the genome assembly for C. tinctorius variety Jihong01, which was obtained by integrating Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) and BGI-SEQ500 sequencing results. The assembled genome was 1,061.1 Mb, and consisted of 32,379 protein-coding genes, 97.71% of which were functionally annotated. Safflower had a recent whole genome duplication (WGD) event in evolution history and diverged from sunflower approximately 37.3 million years ago. Through comparative genomic analysis at five seed development stages, we unveiled the pivotal roles of fatty acid desaturase 2 (FAD2) and fatty acid desaturase 6 (FAD6) in linoleic acid (LA) biosynthesis. Similarly, the differential gene expression analysis further reinforced the significance of these genes in regulating LA accumulation. Moreover, our investigation of seed fatty acid composition at different seed developmental stages unveiled the crucial roles of FAD2 and FAD6 in LA biosynthesis. These findings offer important insights into enhancing breeding programs for the improvement of quality traits and provide reference resource for further research on the natural properties of safflower.
Topics: Carthamus tinctorius; Genome, Plant; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Fatty Acid Desaturases; Seeds; Genomics; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Molecular Sequence Annotation
PubMed: 38783193
DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10405-z -
Movement Disorders : Official Journal... May 2024Paroxysmal movement disorders are common in Glut1 deficiency syndrome (Glut1DS). Not all patients respond to or tolerate ketogenic diets.
BACKGROUND
Paroxysmal movement disorders are common in Glut1 deficiency syndrome (Glut1DS). Not all patients respond to or tolerate ketogenic diets.
OBJECTIVES
The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of triheptanoin in reducing the frequency of disabling movement disorders in patients with Glut1DS not receiving a ketogenic diet.
METHODS
UX007G-CL301 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 crossover study. After a 6-week run-in, eligible patients were randomized 1:1 to the first sequence (triheptanoin/placebo or placebo/triheptanoin) titration plus maintenance, followed by washout and the opposite sequence titration plus maintenance. The placebo (safflower oil) matched the appearance, taste, and smell of triheptanoin. Open-label triheptanoin was administered in the extension. The frequency of disabling paroxysmal movement disorder events per 4 weeks (recorded by diary during maintenance; primary endpoint) was assessed by Wilcoxon rank-sum test.
RESULTS
Forty-three patients (children, n = 16; adults, n = 27) were randomized and treated. There was no difference between triheptanoin and placebo in the mean (interquartile range) number of disabling paroxysmal movement disorder events (14.3 [4.7-38.3] vs. 11.8; [3.2-28.7]; Hodges-Lehmann estimated median difference: 1.46; 95% confidence interval, -1.12 to 4.36; P = 0.2684). Treatment-emergent adverse events were mild/moderate in severity and included diarrhea, vomiting, upper abdominal pain, headache, and nausea. Two patients discontinued the study because of non-serious adverse events that were predominantly gastrointestinal. The study was closed early during the open-label extension because of lack of effectiveness. Seven patients continued to receive triheptanoin compassionately.
CONCLUSION
There were no significant differences between the triheptanoin and placebo groups in the frequency of disabling movement disorder events during the double-blind maintenance period. © 2024 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
PubMed: 38725190
DOI: 10.1002/mds.29822 -
Cancer Prevention Research... May 2024Several studies have indicated a strong link between obesity and the risk of breast cancer. Obesity decreases gut microbial biodiversity and modulates...
Several studies have indicated a strong link between obesity and the risk of breast cancer. Obesity decreases gut microbial biodiversity and modulates Bacteroidetes-to-Firmicutes proportional abundance, suggesting that increased energy-harvesting capacity from indigestible dietary fibers and elevated lipopolysaccharide bioavailability may promote inflammation. To address the limited evidence linking diet-mediated changes in the gut microbiota to breast cancer risk, we aimed to determine how diet affects the microbiome and breast cancer risk. Female 3-week-old BALB/c mice were fed six different diets (control, high-sugar, lard, coconut oil, lard+flaxseed oil, and lard+safflower oil) for 10 weeks. Fecal 16s sequencing was performed for each group. Diet shifted fecal microbiome populations and modulated mammary gland macrophage infiltration. Fecal conditioned media shifted macrophage polarity and inflammation. In our DMBA-induced breast cancer model, diet differentially modulated tumor and mammary gland metabolism. We demonstrated how dietary patterns change metabolic outcomes, and gut microbiota, which may contribute to breast tumor risk. Furthermore, we showed the influence of diet on metabolism, inflammation, and macrophage polarity. This study suggests that dietary-microbiome interactions are key mediators of breast cancer risk.
PubMed: 38701438
DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-24-0055 -
ACS Omega Apr 2024To meet the growing demand for high-purity lactic acid (LA) for biocompatible and biodegradable polymers, LA recovery by green techniques has been attracting the...
To meet the growing demand for high-purity lactic acid (LA) for biocompatible and biodegradable polymers, LA recovery by green techniques has been attracting the attention. This study focuses on the evaluation of vegetable oils as organic phase diluents in complex extraction of LA with an aliphatic tertiary amine extractant, trioctylamine (TOA). Eight vegetable oils were tested, and their performances were evaluated individually and compared with those obtained using 1-octanol. Extraction yields with these oils were similar; however, efficiencies with safflower oil (SFO) were slightly higher than those obtained with other oils tested. Efficiency with SFO + TOA varied inversely with temperature and pH; however, it increased with higher LA and TOA concentrations. Within the ranges of parameters investigated, the highest yield in SFO was 66% and was achieved at the highest TOA (1.0 M) and LA (1.5 M) concentrations. The efficiency obtained in 1-octanol under the identical conditions was 76%. Thus, the yields obtained with SFO + TOA and 1-octanol + TOA were comparable under most of the conditions tested, especially at the higher LA concentrations, which is preferred for commercial production. Following that, >99% of the LA was transferred from the organic phase to the (second) aqueous phase using NaOH (1.0 M) as a stripping agent. The organic phase was tested in subsequent extractions, and yields comparable to those obtained in the first uses were achieved. This study demonstrated that vegetable oils have the potential to be used as organic phase diluents during complex extraction of LA.
PubMed: 38645318
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c07988 -
Biotechnologia 2024In this study, we examined the effects of seven different sulfur treatments on safflower seeds. The treatments included: no sulfur application (S0), 25 kg/ha of pure...
In this study, we examined the effects of seven different sulfur treatments on safflower seeds. The treatments included: no sulfur application (S0), 25 kg/ha of pure bulk sulfur (S25), 50 kg/ha of pure bulk sulfur (S50), 25 kg/ha of sulfur phosphate (Sp25), 50 kg/ha of sulfur phosphate (Sp50), 25 kg/ha of zinc sulfate (Zs25), and 50 kg/ha of zinc sulfate (Zs50). Our evaluation covered various seed quality attributes, including ash percentage (ASH), oil percentage (OIL), and protein percentage (PRO). Additionally, we analyzed the fatty acid composition, including palmitic acid 16 : 0 (PAL), stearic acid 18 : 0 (STE), oleic acid 18 : 1 (OLE), linoleic acid 18 : 2 (LINL), arachidic acid 20 : 0 (ARA), and linolenic acid 18 : 3 (LINN). The vector-view of the biplot illustrated positive associations among the fatty acids STE, PAL, and OLE, whereas ASH exhibited negative associations with OIL, LINL, and LINN. The polygon-view graph was divided into four sectors, with the genotype S50 emerging as the top performer for attributes such as OIL, PRO, LINL, ARA, and LINN. Treatment Zs50 occupied the vertex of another sector and displayed the highest values for palmitic acid PAL, STE, and OLE, while treatment S0 was positioned at the vertex of the next sector, characterized by its high ASH content. By utilizing the ideal tester tool of treatment by trait biplot, we identified OIL as the desirable trait that most effectively represented the data. The qualitative properties of safflower oil were notably influenced by sulfur application, with treatment S50 proving to be the most effective in enhancing these properties.
PubMed: 38633892
DOI: 10.5114/bta.2024.135640 -
The American Journal of Clinical... May 2024Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are proposed to play a role in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and are considered emerging markers of CVDs. n-3 PUFAs are... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids alter the number, fatty acid profile and coagulatory activity of circulating and platelet-derived extracellular vesicles: a randomized, controlled crossover trial.
BACKGROUND
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are proposed to play a role in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and are considered emerging markers of CVDs. n-3 PUFAs are abundant in oily fish and fish oil and are reported to reduce CVD risk, but there has been little research to date examining the effects of n-3 PUFAs on the generation and function of EVs.
OBJECTIVES
We aimed to investigate the effects of fish oil supplementation on the number, generation, and function of EVs in subjects with moderate risk of CVDs.
METHODS
A total of 40 participants with moderate risk of CVDs were supplemented with capsules containing either fish oil (1.9 g/d n-3 PUFAs) or control oil (high-oleic safflower oil) for 12 wk in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover intervention study. The effects of fish oil supplementation on conventional CVD and thrombogenic risk markers were measured, along with the number and fatty acid composition of circulating and platelet-derived EVs (PDEVs). PDEV proteome profiles were evaluated, and their impact on coagulation was assessed using assays including fibrin clot formation, thrombin generation, fibrinolysis, and ex vivo thrombus formation.
RESULTS
n-3 PUFAs decreased the numbers of circulating EVs by 27%, doubled their n-3 PUFA content, and reduced their capacity to support thrombin generation by >20% in subjects at moderate risk of CVDs. EVs derived from n-3 PUFA-enriched platelets in vitro also resulted in lower thrombin generation, but did not alter thrombus formation in a whole blood ex vivo assay.
CONCLUSIONS
Dietary n-3 PUFAs alter the number, composition, and function of EVs, reducing their coagulatory activity. This study provides clear evidence that EVs support thrombin generation and that this EV-dependent thrombin generation is reduced by n-3 PUFAs, which has implications for prevention and treatment of thrombosis.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY
This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03203512.
Topics: Humans; Extracellular Vesicles; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Male; Female; Cross-Over Studies; Middle Aged; Double-Blind Method; Blood Coagulation; Blood Platelets; Dietary Supplements; Cardiovascular Diseases; Adult; Fish Oils; Aged; Fatty Acids
PubMed: 38484976
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.03.008 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024Seed storage underpins global agriculture and the seed trade and revealing the mechanisms of seed aging is essential for enhancing seed longevity management. Safflower...
Seed storage underpins global agriculture and the seed trade and revealing the mechanisms of seed aging is essential for enhancing seed longevity management. Safflower is a multipurpose oil crop, rich in unsaturated fatty acids that are at high risk of peroxidation as a contributory factor to seed aging. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for safflower seed viability loss are not yet elucidated. We used controlled deterioration (CDT) conditions of 60% relative humidity and 50 °C to reduce germination in freshly harvested safflower seeds and analyzed aged seeds using biochemical and molecular techniques. While seed malondialdehyde (MDA) and fatty acid content increased significantly during CDT, catalase activity and soluble sugar content decreased. KEGG analysis of gene function and qPCR validation indicated that aging severely impaired several key functional and biosynthetic pathways including glycolysis, fatty acid metabolism, antioxidant activity, and DNA replication and repair. Furthermore, exogenous sucrose and diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate (DA-6) treatment partially promoted germination in aged seeds, further demonstrating the vital role of impaired sugar and fatty acid metabolism during the aging and recovery processes. We concluded that energy metabolism and genetic integrity are impaired during aging, which contributes to the loss of seed vigor. Such energy metabolic pathways as glycolysis, fatty acid degradation, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) are impaired, especially fatty acids produced by the hydrolysis of triacylglycerols during aging, as they are not efficiently converted to sucrose via the glyoxylate cycle to provide energy supply for safflower seed germination and seedling growth. At the same time, the reduced capacity for nucleotide synthesis capacity and the deterioration of DNA repair ability further aggravate the damage to DNA, reducing seed vitality.
PubMed: 38475505
DOI: 10.3390/plants13050659