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The present study was conducted to assess the physico-biochemical variability in 35 genotypes of loquat using multivariate analyses, in order to provide efficient criteria and promising genotypes for the loquat genetic breeding program. Mature fruits were collected from 35 loquat genotypes, belonging to the Zegzel valley, were subjected to physico-biochemical analyses. The results revealed a juice yield ranging from 0.21 to 0.65 g/g FW, and a polyphenols content fluctuating from 322.8 to 366.89 μg GAE. g-1 DM. Regarding DPPH test, with a range of 3.35 and 7.6 μmol TE. g-1 DM, showed a positive correlation with total polyphenol content (r²= 0.76) and flavonoid content (r²= 0.72). Moreover, a negative correlation was recorded between the total soluble solids content and juice yield (r²=- 0.47), which was moderately correlated with vitamin C (r²= 0.59). In addition, the components analysis results revealed a significant and independent contribution of bio-physicochemical characteristics in the loquat variation. Indeed, biochemical characteristics contribute to PC1, while, physicochemical parameters contribute to PC2 and PC3. Furthermore, the hierarchical clustering analysis classified the 35 genotypes into four homogeneous groups independently of their geographic origin. According to these findings, the genotypes T9, T12, Z16, Z17 and TA9 exhibited high total sugar content, while, genotypes T9 and T11 provide high carotenoids, flavonoids, total polyphenols and antioxidant activity level. As results, these genotypes can be directly recommended for the vegetative propagation as well as applied along with the efficient characters in future loquat breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of different methods to assess genetic diversity is crucial for plant breeding and conservation programs. In this study, the morphological traits, the biochemical parameters and 11 ISSR molecular marker were used to investigate 11 Moroccan walnut accessions. The results of the morphological study revealed an important variation of the analyzed traits. The largest variation revealed in the position of the pad on the suture (CV=45.02%), whereas for leaflet margin no variation was found. The matrix of the Euclidean distance coefficient exhibited a large morphological variation between accessions, ranging from 3.1 to 12.1. In addition, the Mantel test showed no correlation between morphological and geographical distance of the accessions (r=0.159, p=0.84). Regarding the biochemical results, the parameters revealed a large variation. The coefficient of variation of energy value was the lowest (3.68%) while that of total flavonoids was the highest (62.02%). For the molecular analysis, the results indicated a high percentage of polymorphism (89%) as well as efficiency of the primers UBC836 and UBC841 in the research of the genetic diversity of this species. The principal component analysis divided the 66 trees into three groups independently of geographic origin and mountain range type. In addition, the altitude provided a weak effect on the structuring of the accessions (1.8%). Finally, the mantel test showed no significant correlation between the molecular and morphological markers (r= 0.591; P value= 0.998), molecular and biochemical markers (r=0.38; P=0.475), and morphological and biochemical markers (r=0.602, P=0.784). The results of this work can be useful for the conservation and improvement program of walnut in Morocco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Sexual puberty in adolescents occurs before their mental and emotional maturity and exposes them to high-risk sexual behaviors. Because sexual risk-taking occurs before adolescents become involved in a sexual relationship, this study was conducted to identify the effect of group counseling based on self-awareness skill on sexual risk-taking among female high school students in Gorgan in order to suggest some preventative measures. Methods The present parallel study is a randomized field trial conducted on 96 girl students who were studying in grades 10, 11 and 12 of high school with an age range of 14-18 years old. Sampling was done based on a multi-stage process. In the first stage, through the randomized clustering approach, four centers among six health centers were selected. In the second stage, 96 samples were collected through consecutive sampling. Finally, the samples were divided into two intervention and control groups (each one having 48 subjects) through the simple randomized approach. It has to be noted that no blinding was done in the present study. The data were collected using a demographic specifications form and the Iranian Adolescents Risk-Taking Scale (IARS). The consultation sessions based on self-awareness skill were explained to an intervention group through 60-min sessions over 7 weeks. The pretest was conducted for both groups and the posttest was completed 1 week and 1 month after the intervention by the intervention and control groups. Finally, after the loss of follow-up/drop out, a total of 80 subjects remained in the study; 42 subjects in the intervention group and 38 subjects in the control group. Data analyses were done using SPSS v.16 along with the Freidman non-parametric test and the Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests. Results The results showed that the sexual risk-taking mean scores in the intervention group (10.54 ± 15.64) were reduced by applying 1-week (8.03 ± 12.82) and 1-month (4.91 ± 10.10) follow-ups after the intervention. This reduction was statistically significant (p = 14%). However, no statistically significant difference was observed in the control group. Conclusion Group counseling based on self-awareness skill decreased the sexual risk-taking in girl students of the high school. As prevention is prior to treatment, this method could be proposed as the prevention of high-risk sexual behavior to healthcare centers and educational environments and non-government organizations (NGOs) interacting with adolescents.