Evolutionary analyses aimed at detecting the molecular signature of selection during crop domestication and/or improvement can be used to identify genes or genomic regions of likely agronomic importance. Here, we describe the DNA sequence-based characterization of a pool of candidate genes for crop-related traits in sunflower. These genes, which were identified based on homology to genes of kno...

For populations to maintain optimal fitness, harmful mutations must be efficiently purged from the genome. Yet, under circumstances that diminish the effectiveness of natural selection, such as the process of plant and animal domestication, deleterious mutations are predicted to accumulate. Here, we compared the load of deleterious mutations in 21 accessions from natural populations and 19 dome...

OBJECTIVE Although key roles for dietary vitamin E (VITE) and fatty acid (FA) in fertility have been confirmed, limited data are available on the effects of VITE alone, or a constant level of VITE supplemented by dietary omega-6 and omega-3 FAs in combination on male reproduction. Consequently in this paper, the effects of VITE, sunflower oil, fish oil and their combination on rat sperm were in...

Bezoars are accumulated foreign material that forms concretions in the gastrointestinal tract, inducing abdominal pain, constipation, obstruction, and even peritonitis. This case report describes a rare rectal bezoar in a healthy young woman who had recently consumed large quantities of sunflower seeds. A 21-year-old healthy woman was admitted with abdominal pain, rectal pain, and constipation ...

BACKGROUND Evidence indicates that different types of fat have different effects on the postprandial plasma triacylglycerol response. Therefore, the type of fat may influence the appearance of beta-carotene in postprandial triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins, which is used as an indicator of intestinal beta-carotene absorption. OBJECTIVE We compared in female subjects the appearance of beta-car...

White blister rust (WBR) of sunflower caused by Pustula helianthicola is an important and often underestimated disease in many countries of the world. The epidemiology of the pathogen is not yet fully understood; particularly the role of oospores in primary infection and long distance dispersal. We analysed WBR severity in sunflower under natural conditions and found disease incidence of 97-99 ...

Olive waste cake (OWC) is underestimated as an agricultural waste. In this work, OWC extract were obtained by ethanol. Antioxidant efficacy of ethanolic OWC extract at levels of 100, 200, 400 and 600 ppm were studied. Samples of sunflower oil mixed with OWC extract were intermittent heated at 180±5°C for 4 hr / day, for 5 consecutive days and has been assayed for stabilization of sunflower oil ...

Because of inherent genetic and physiological characteristics, the natural concentration of cadmium in the kernels of sunflowers grown in uncontaminated soils of the northern Great Plains region of the United States is higher than in most other grains. We tested the hypothesis that a habitual consumption of sunflower kernels will increase the body burden and health effects of cadmium in humans....

BACKGROUND There is increasing evidence that bird fanciers may develop airborne allergies to unusual allergens. OBJECTIVE To detect the allergen source in a bird fancier with a history of asthma associated with bird cage cleaning activities and with contact with a Brazil parrot. METHODS SPT with a large series of both airborne and food allergens were carried out. IgE reactivity to allergens...

Sunflower diseases are of major concern in the production of this crop worldwide. This is due to the regular and quite often severe attack by different pathogens. As a result considerable yield losses occur or the quality of product lessens. Though the number of pathogens known to attack sunflower is relatively high, only a handful to a dozen are considered important ones depending on region an...