Financial toxicity and dialysis: Autonomy and truth-telling in resource-limited settings

From an ethical perspective, resource limitations provide a challenge for healthcare providers. Handling disclosure of the financial details of treatment options in a way that empowers patients, even in the face of extreme poverty, requires careful consideration of the personal preferences and motivations of each patient. This article will consider the high costs of dialysis for patients experiencing extreme poverty in light of various ethical principles, including informed consent and truth-telling. It will conclude that a graduated method of disclosing the physical and financial burdens of each treatment option is the best way forward, particularly for healthcare workers engaged in resource-limited settings.

A Rare Case of Congenital Hypothyroidism

Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH) is a common preventable cause of mental retardation. The incidence of CH is 1 in 2500 to 1 in 3000 newborns. Most common causes are thyroid dysgenesis and dyshormonogenesis. Some disorder like maternal autoantibodies, maternal intake of anti thyroid medication, iodine deficiency or iodine excess can result in transient CH. Common symptoms include decreased activity and increased sleep, feeding difficulty, constipation, and prolonged jaundice. In this case report, A 3 day old baby was admitted to SNCU with chief complain of yellowish discoloration upto abdomen and respiratory distress. On examination, common signs include myxedematous facies, large fontanels, macroglossia, a distended abdomen with umbilical hernia, and hypotonia. Thyroid dysgenesis accounts for 85% of permanent, primary CH, while inborn errors of thyroid hormone biosynthesis (dyshormonogeneses) account for 10-15% of cases. Secondary or central CH may occur with isolated TSH deficiency, but more commonly it is associated with congenital hypopitiutarism. Transient CH most commonly occurs in preterm infants born.

Evaluation of pattern of prescribing of antimicrobials in Government Doon Hospital and assessment of their rational use

Background: Rational antimicrobial therapy means that the patients receive medications appropriate to their clinical needs, in needs, in doses that meet their own individual requirements for an adequate period of time and at the lowest cost they and the community can afford. Aim and Objective: The present study was aimed at assessing antibiotic prescribing pattern in eight clinical departments of Government Doon Hospital and to assess their rational use according to the indication, dose, duration, frequency, route of administration, any drug interactions, and contraindications (suitability). Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional observational study carried out in the Government Doon Hospital for a period of 3 months. Total 280 prescriptions, at least 20–30 each from eight clinical departments from OPD and IPD (Medicine, surgery, gynecs, orthopedics, ENT, ophthalmology, dermatology, and dentistry), were included in the study. Results: In our study, out of total 1202 drugs prescribed to 280 patients, 493 antibiotics were prescribed. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics were b lactams (39.75) followed by nitro imidazoles (22.9%), azoles (8.11%), and aminoglycosides (7%). The type of the treatment used is empirical in 28.5% cases, prophylactic in 5% cases, and definitive therapy in 66.42 % cases. In fixed dose combinations, total FDCs prescribed were 26. The most commonly used FDCs were amoxiclav and Piptaz. The most frequently prescribed antibiotics were ceftriaxone, amikacin, and metronidazole. The majority of the diseases in which antibiotics were prescribed were alcoholic liver disease, liver abscess, burns, tinea corporis, vaginitis and pain in lower abdomen, and tuberculosis. The number of rational prescriptions in our study is 68.28% according to the indication, dose, duration, frequency, and route of administration in accordance with standard treatment guidelines. The number of irrational prescriptions is 31.72% in terms of inappropriate antibiotic (13.48%), treatment without indication (25.84%), long duration of dosing (40.44%), and inappropriate frequency (17.97%). The prescribing from hospital formulary was 71% while the prescribing from national essential drug list was 65.5% which is still less compared to the WHO guidelines. Conclusion: The irrational prescribing by use of duplicate antibiotics of the same class, using inappropriate antibiotics, using the antibiotic for prolonged periods and incorrect frequency, should be discouraged. The irrational use causes harm to the patient, dissatisfaction, and prolongs hospital stay. The injectables should be given only in case of emergency or systemic infections, reducing the cost, and inconvenience. Rational fixed dose combinations improve compliance, produce synergism and reduce the severity of adverse effects, and prevent emergence of resistance. De-escalation practice, dose optimization, and drug modification/change should be practiced to shorten hospital stay and improve the outcome.

Genetic diversity in henna based on gene targeted SCoT, arbitrarily amplified ISSR and nuclear rDNA multiplicity

Aim: The present study was undertaken to analyze the extent of genetic variability existing among twenty accessions of Lawsonia inermis, collected from Rajasthan and Gujarat states of India, using gene targeted SCoT, arbitrarily amplified ISSR and nuclear rDNA markers. Methodology: Twenty henna accessions, vegetatively established at the Institute were collected from Rajasthan (7) and Gujarat (13). Twenty-six SCoT and twenty ISSR markers generating distinct, unambiguous and scorable fragments were selected, after preliminary screening for assessment of genetic diversity. Data analysis was performed using NTSYS-pc, GenAlEx 6 and POPGENE version 1.31 programs, and dendrograms were generated using unweighted pair group method for arithmetic mean (UPGMA). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA was amplified using universal primers followed by sequencing and dendrogram generation. Results: SCoT markers revealed lower values of similarity coefficients ranging from 0.87 - 0.93 compared to 0.93 - 0.98 for ISSR. SCoT markers delineated the L. inermis cultivars into three distinct clusters while ISSR markers demarcated them into five clusters. Interpretation: The Gujarat population of L. inermis was richer in genetic diversity than that of Rajasthan. SCoT markers proved better than the ISSR markers for genetic diversity analysis. Substantial variation in ITS-1 region due to SNPs, INDELS and ITS length polymorphism the nucleotide sequences signified its phylogenetic utility in assessing genetic diversity in of L. inermis.

Comparison of midupper arm circumference and weight-for-height z score for assessing acute malnutrition in children aged 6-60 months: an analytical study

Background: In clinical settings, wasting in childhood has primarily been assessed with the use of a weight-for-height z score (WHZ), and in community settings, it has been assessed via the mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) with a cutoff <115mm for severe wasting and 115-125mm for moderate wasting. Our recent experience indicates that many wasted children were not identified when these cutoffs for MUAC were used.Methods: Authors determined the cutoffs for MUAC to detect wasting in Indian children aged 6-60 mo. A secondary analysis was carried out on data from 1446 children aged 6-59 mo. The area under the receiver operating curve was used to indicate the most appropriate choice for cutoffs that related MUAC with WHZ. The MUAC measurement of each subject was taken using standard technique. Following the World Health Organization (WHO) age and sex-specific cut-off points, nutritional status of children was determined.Results: The mean'SD age for the entire group was 19.8'13.6 mo, MUAC was 132'13mm, and 45% of subjects were girls. Age-stratified analyses revealed that, for ages 6-24 mo, MUAC cutoffs were <120mm for a WHZ <-3 and <125mm for a WHZ <-2 with a sensitivity of 68.3% and 64.7%, respectively, and a specificity of 82.6% and 83.4%, respectively; for ages 25-60 mo, MUAC cutoffs were <135mm for a WHZ <-3 and <140mm for a WHZ <-2 with a sensitivity of 63.7% and 65.4%, respectively, and a specificity of 81.6% and 78.3%, respectively.Conclusions: The respective cutoffs for MUAC to better capture the vulnerability and risk of severe (WHZ <-3) and moderate (WHZ <-2) wasting would be <120 and <125mm for ages 6-24 mo, <135 and <140mm for ages 37-60 mo.

Predischarge risk factors for predicting significant hyperbilirubinemia in term of infants

Background: The objective of the study to compare the predictive ability of predischarge serum total bilirubin (STB) and clinical factors for significant hyperbilirubinemia (SHB) in newborn to observe the prediction of the hyperbilirubinemia.Methods: In the prospective study, enlist of healthy newborn infants with >35 weeks gestation, in a tertiary hospital in western India. The serum bilirubin between 36-48 hours of age and risk factors for SHB were identified before discharge. SHB was distinct as a bilirubin level that exceed or was within 1mg/dL (17'mol/L) of the hour-specific phototherapy conduct threshold recommended by American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guideline on the management of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.Results: Of 505 infants, 380 infants were included in final analysis, among which 70 babies (22.5%) developed SHB. On univariate analysis STB, gestational age (GA) and percentage of weight loss were found to be predictive of SHB. On multiple logistic regressions, the prognostic ability of predischarge STB is higher than that of percentage of weight loss and GA. The predictive accurateness of predischarge (<48 hours) STB level was comparable to that of percentage of weight loss (AUC=0.88, 95% CI 0.84-0.93). However, the prediction model that combined multiple risk factors such as predischarge STB, GA and percentage of weight loss have the best accuracy for predicting SHB.Conclusions: Combination of specific clinical factors (gestational age and percentage of weight loss) with predischarge serum total bilirubin described best predicts development of considerable hyperbilirubinemia.

Screening of some essential oils against Trichosporon species.

White Piedra is a superficial mycoses characterized by nodules on the hair shaft, caused by the basidiomycetous yeast Trichosporon species. In this study 25 essential oils were extracted and screened against two Trichosporon species i.e. Trichosporon asahii and Trichosporon cutaneum. Both these fungi procured from MTCC Chandigarh were maintained on yeast malt agar plates and tubes at 25oC. Two screening methods viz., agar well diffusion assay and minimum inhibitory concentration were adopted for the study. The results showed that the maximum anti-yeast activity against T. asahii and T. cutaneum was demonstrated by oil of Mentha piperita showing full inhibition of both the fungi, Melaleuca alternifolia with an inhibition zone of 45 and 40 mm, Cymbopogon winterians with inhibition zone of 45 and 45 mm and Cymbopogon flexuosus with 35 and 30 mm inhibition zones. The oil of Trachyspermum ammi exhibited 10 and 20 mm, Abelmoschus moschatus exhibited 30 and 20 mm, Salvia sclarea showed 20 and 18 mm and Jasminum officinale exhibited 25 and 15 mm inhibition zones showing moderate activity. The oil of Cyperus scariosus, Pogostemon patchouli and Rosa damascene showed no inhibition zone against both the fungi while Vetiveria zizanoides exhibited no inhibition in case of T. asahii and inhibition zone of 10 mm in case of T. cutaneum demonstrating comparatively low activity against both the fungi. These results support that the essential oils can be used to cure superficial mycoses and these oils may have significant role as pharmaceuticals and preservatives.

Inhibitory effect of essential oils against Trichosporon ovoides causing Piedra Hair Infection

Piedra, is an asymptomatic fungal infection of the hair shaft, resulting in the formation of nodules of different hardness on the infected hair. The infection also known as Trichomycosis nodularis is a superficial fungal infection arising from the pathogen being restricted to the stratum corneum with little or no tissue reaction. The nodules are a concretion of hyphae and fruiting bodies of the fungus. Two varieties of Piedra may be seen, Black Piedra and White Piedra. The fungus Trichosporon ovoides is involved in the occurrence of both types of Piedras. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of selected essential oils for the control of growth of the fungus and to determine whether the antifungal effect was due to the major compounds of the oils. Two screening methods viz. Agar well diffusion assay and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration were adopted for the study. MIC and MFC were determined by tube dilution method. Essential oils from Eucalyptus, Ocimum basilicum, Mentha piperita, Cymbopogon flexuosus, Cymbopogon winterians, Trachyspermum ammi, Zingiber officinalis, Citrus limon, Cinnamomon zeylanicum, Salvia sclarea, Citrus aurantifolia, Melaleuca alternifolia, Citrus aurantium, Citrus bergamia, Pogostemon pathchouli, Cedrus atlantica, Jasminum officinale, Juniperus communis, Abelmoschus moschatus, Cyperus scariosus, Palargonium graveolens, Boswellia carterii, Rosa damascene, Veteveria zizanoides and Commiphora myrrha were evaluated. The essential oils of Cymbopogon winterians, Mentha piperita, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Melaleuca alternifolia and Eucalyptus globulus were proved to be most effective against the fungus Trichosporon ovoides.

Inhibitory effect of essential oils against Trichosporon ovoides causing Piedra Hair Infection

Piedra, is an asymptomatic fungal infection of the hair shaft, resulting in the formation of nodules of different hardness on the infected hair. The infection also known as Trichomycosis nodularis is a superficial fungal infection arising from the pathogen being restricted to the stratum corneum with little or no tissue reaction. The nodules are a concretion of hyphae and fruiting bodies of the fungus. Two varieties of Piedra may be seen, Black Piedra and White Piedra. The fungus Trichosporon ovoides is involved in the occurrence of both types of Piedras. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of selected essential oils for the control of growth of the fungus and to determine whether the antifungal effect was due to the major compounds of the oils. Two screening methods viz. Agar well diffusion assay and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration were adopted for the study. MIC and MFC were determined by tube dilution method. Essential oils from Eucalyptus, Ocimum basilicum, Mentha piperita, Cymbopogon flexuosus, Cymbopogon winterians, Trachyspermum ammi, Zingiber officinalis, Citrus limon, Cinnamomon zeylanicum, Salvia sclarea, Citrus aurantifolia, Melaleuca alternifolia, Citrus aurantium, Citrus bergamia, Pogostemon pathchouli, Cedrus atlantica, Jasminum officinale, Juniperus communis, Abelmoschus moschatus, Cyperus scariosus, Palargonium graveolens, Boswellia carterii, Rosa damascene, Veteveria zizanoides and Commiphora myrrha were evaluated. The essential oils of Cymbopogon winterians, Mentha piperita, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Melaleuca alternifolia and Eucalyptus globulus were proved to be most effective against the fungus Trichosporon ovoides.

Studies on strains of Trichoderma spp. from high altitude of Garhwal Himalayan region.

Two species of Trichoderma i.e. T. harzianum and T. viride have been isolated from the soil samples collected from the higher altitude (2000-3500 m) of Garhwal Himalayan region in India. The two species were grown in Petri plates on TSM agar media and it was also observed that the optimum temperature and pH for Trichoderma growth was 300 C and 5.5 respectively. When incubated on TSM agar medium at 40 C, the fungus grew normally with heavy induced sporulation within three weeks of incubation. Induction of sporulation on exposure to low temperature appeared to be strategies for survival of these species in extreme cold environment temperature 4 to 50 C. Antifungal activities of the two species of Trichoderma were demonstrated with phytopathogenic fungi in dual cultures. The antifungal metabolites produced by Trichoderma spp., diffusible as well as volatile, caused abnormalities in pathogenic fungi. Plant growth promotion of Trichoderma spp. was also shown through plant analysis in greenhouse.

In vitro assessment of drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum in five States of India.

Background & objectives: In vitro assays are an important tool to assess baseline sensitivity and monitor the drug response of Plasmodium falciparum over time and place and, therefore, can provide background information for the development and evaluation of drug policies. This study was aimed at determining the in vitro sensitivity of P. falciparum isolates to antimalarials. Methods: The in vitro activity of 108 P. falciparum isolates obtained from five States of India was evaluated using WHO microtest (Mark III) to chloroquine, monodesethylamodiaquine, dihydroartesunate and mefloquine. Samples were collected from the States of Orissa, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Goa and Chhattisgarh from September 2007 to August 2009. In addition, representative samples from different States of India cryopreserved and culture adapted in the Malaria Parasite Bank of National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, were also evaluated. Results: The proportion of isolates resistant to chloroquine and monodesethylamodiaquine was 44.4 and 25 per cent, respectively. Of the 27 isolates resistant to monodesethylamodiaquine, 16 (59.3%) were cross-resistant to chloroquine. No isolate showed resistance to dihydroartesunate and mefloquine. Isolates from Orissa showed the highest degree of resistance to chloroquine and amodiaquine followed by Jharkhand. Forty two isolates were genotyped for pfcrt T76K chloroquine resistant mutation; mutations were seen in 38 (90.47%) isolates. Interpretation & conclusions: The Indian P. falciparum isolates showed a high degree of resistance to chloroquine followed by monodesethylamodiaquine. No resistance was recorded to mefloquine and dihydroartesunate.

In-vitro Antifungal activity of Sapium sebiferum L. against Aspergillus niger and Aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus.

Plants have provided a source of inspiration for novel drugs compounds, as plant derived medicines have made large contributions to human health and well-being. In present study, the methanolic, ethanolic, chloroformic and petroleum ether extracts of Sapium sebiferum leaves were investigated for their antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus. Results obtained showed that all the extracts reduced colony growth by 1-32%. It was found that among all the leaf extracts, methanolic and ethanolic extracts have maximum percentage growth inhibition (26%) against Aspergillus flavus, while methanolic extracts showed maximum percentage growth inhibition (32%) against Aspergillus niger.

Evaluation of In-vitro antibacterial and anticandidal activity of Sapium sebiferum L.

The Sapium sebiferum leaf extracts were determined for their antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus ,Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Klabsiella oxytoca, Listeria monocytogenes, E.coli, Saccharomyeces cereviceae and Candida albicans. The antimicrobial activities of these strains were compared with standard antibiotics (amoxicillin). Results obtained showed that all the extracts except aqueous (hot and cold) were effective against all the microbial strains. The methanolic extract of Sapium sebiferum leaves was most effective against all the bacterial strains and thus displayed highest zone of 21.0 mm at concentration of 100 mg/ml against Listeria monocytogenes ( MIC value is 25 mg/ml). Salmonella typhi and Klabsiella oxytoca did not show any activity. The anticandidal activity of methanolic, ethanolic and petroleum extracts showed maximum inhibition zone of 24.0 mm (MIC value is 25mg/ml).

Growth, biomass production and photosynthesis of Cenchrus ciliaris L. under Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne based silvopastoral systems in semi arid tropics.

The growth, biomass production and photosynthesis of Cenchrus ciliaris was studied under the canopies of 17 yr old Acacia tortilis trees in semi arid tropical environment. On an average the full grown canopy of A. tortilis at the spacing of 4x4 m allowed 55% of total Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) which in turn increased Relative Humidity (RH) and reduced under canopy temperature to -1.75oC over the open air temperature. C. ciliaris attained higher height under the shade of A. tortilis. The tiller production and leaf area index decreased marginally under the shade of tree canopies as compared to the open grown grasses. C. ciliaris accumulated higher chlorophyll a and b under the shade of tree canopies indicating its shade adaptation potential. The assimilatory functions such as rate of photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic water use efficiency (PN/TR) and carboxylation efficiency (PN/CINT) decreased under the tree canopies due to low availability of PAR. The total biomass production in term of fresh and dry weight decreased under the tree canopies. On average of 2 yr C. ciliaris had produced 12.78 t ha-1 green and 3.72 t ha-1 dry biomass under the tree canopies of A. tortilis. The dry matter yield reduced to 38% under the tree canopies over the open grown grasses. The A. tortilis + C. ciliaris maintained higher soil moisture, organic carbon content and available N P K for sustainable biomass production for the longer period. The higher accumulation of crude protein, starch, sugar and nitrogen in leaves and stem of C. ciliaris indicates that this grass species also maintained its quality under A. tortilis based silvopastoral system. The photosynthesis and dry matter accumulation are closely associated with available PAR indicating that for sustainable production of this grass species in the silvopasture systems for longer period about 55% or more PAR is required.

Antagonistic and plant growth activity of Trichoderma isolates of Western Himalayas.

The genus Trichoderma is rapidly growing colonies bearing tufted or postulate, repeatedly branched conidiophores with lageniform phialides and hyaline or green conidia born in slimy heads. 62 isolates of Trichoderma species were isolated from different rhizospheric soil samples collected from different places located in Western Himalayas region. Out of these only two species were found i.e. Trichoderma hazianum and Trichoderma viride. Their efficacy against soil borne plant pathogens like Sclerotium rolfsii, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum revealed that only three isolates amounting to 5% of the total collected isolates of this region were found highly antagonist. Among them 5% isolates were found against S. rolfsii, 13% isolates against R. solani, 10% against sclerotium caused above 80% inhibition of mycelial growth respectively. 6% isolates out of twenty seven utilized chitin by more than 80 and 16% isolates consumed cellulose by above 80% and therefore are producers of chitinase and cellulases. 58% isolates produced colonies having cottony texture and 41% produced dark green colonies. Pigmentation as observed from reverse side of the colony revealed that 70% of them did not produced pigment in the medium. Plant growth promotion measured as root and shoot lengths were significantly higher than in control. The maximum root length and shoot length were recorded when seeds were treated with isolates were recorded at Srinagar Garhwal was 4.70 and 4.75 cm out of all the isolates in which isolate recorded from Srinagar no 3 caused maximum percent seed germination which was significantly higher 79.49%.

Elevated CO2 influences photosynthetic characteristics of Avena sativa L cultivars.

The impact of elevated CO2 concentration on the growth, photosynthesis and biomass production was investigated in three oat (Avena sativa L) cultivars viz. Kent, JHO-822 and JHO-851 by growing under three environmental conditions i.e. elevated CO2 at 600 ± 50 μ mol mol-1 (C600), OTC with ambient CO2 (COTC) and under open field condition (Ca). Plant height and leaf area increased in the elevated CO2 grown plants. JHO-822 attained maximum height under C600 followed by Kent and JHO-851. The specific leaf mass (SLM) and specific leaf area (SLA) were also influenced significantly when the plants were grown under C600. Kent showed highest SLM under C600 corresponding lower value of SLA. The accumulation of soluble protein in the oat leaves decreased under C600 except JHO-822 where marginal increase in soluble protein was recorded under C600. JHO-822 showed an increase in Chl orophyll a, b and total in C600 over Ca, whereas other two cultivars did not follow any specific trend in the pigment accumulation. Our results confirmed that the net phosynthetic rate (PN) increased by 37% in Kent followed by JHO 822 under elevated CO2 over the control. This strong association of PN with gs was evidenced by a positive significant correlation (r=0.885**). A clear stimulatory effect at elevated CO2 was detected in all the cultivars in term of green and dry matter production than at ambient CO2 and COTC. A large increase in PN in the present investigation was accompanied by relatively small decrease in gs, which limits the water loss through transpiration rate. The elevated CO2 induced changes in gs and reduction in transpiration.

A retrospective study of 5 years: organ phosphorous poisoning in Ahmedabad.

Poisons are known to mankind since time immemorial. Of the various substances used for suicide in India, Organ phosphorous compounds form a significant group as observed by much workers. The study was aimed to generate a baseline data on the epidemiological factors contributing to the incidence and mortality due to O.P. Poisoning. So as to highlight the problem this requires planned and concentrated effort in dealing with it on a broader horizon. Since prevention is the only logical approach there is an urgent need to take appropriate steps to prevent loss of lives. The analysis of the data revealed that 65 cases of O.P. poisoning brought to the mortuary of Smt. NHL MMC, Ahmedabad for medico-legal autopsy, during 5 years period i.e. 1995 to 1999.The age group ranged between10 years to 40 years and above, with maximum incidence between 21–30 years and males outnumbering females. The main mode of poisoning was suicidal by ingestion.

Growth, yield and photosynthesis of Panicum maximum and Stylosanthes hamata under elevated CO2.

Plant height, biomass production, assimilatory functions and chlorophyll accumulation of Panicum maximum and Stylosanthes hamata in intercropping systems was influenced significantly under elevated CO2 (600 ±50 ppm) in open top chambers (OTCs). The plant height increased by 32.0 and 49.0% over the control in P. maximum and S. hamata respectively in intercropping system under elevated CO2 over open field grown crops (Ca). P. maximum and S. hamata produced 67 and 85% higher fresh and dry biomass respectively under elevated CO2. Rates of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance increased in both the crop species in intercropping systems under elevated CO2. The canopy photosynthesis (photosynthesis x leaf area index) of these crop species increased significantly under elevated CO2 over the open grown crops. The chlorophyll a and b accumulation were also higher in the leaves of both the crop species as grown in OTC with elevated CO2. The increased chlorophyll content, leaf area index and canopy photosynthesis led to higher growth and biomass production in these crop species under elevated CO2. The total carbon sequestration in crop biomass and soils during the three years was 21.53 Mg C/ha under elevated CO2. The data revealed that P. maximum and S. hamata intercropping system is the potential as a sink for the increasing level of CO2 in the atmosphere in the semi-arid tropics.

Drought stress induced changes in lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system in genus Avena.

Seven species of genus Avena viz., Avena sativa, Avena strigosa, Avena brevis, Avena vaviloviana, Avena abyssinica, Avena marocana and Avena sterilis were used to study the impact of drought stress on lipid peroxidation and other antioxidant enzymes. Maximum increase in the catalase activity was recorded in A. vaviloviana (129.97%) followed by A. sativa (122.82%) and A. brevis (83.38%) at vegetative stage; however at flowering stage the maximum increase was reported in A. sativa (25.62%) followed by A. sterilis (20.46%) and A. brevis (18.53%). At vegetative stage drought, maximum increase in peroxidase activity was recorded in A. sativa (122.82%) followed by A. brevis (83.38%) and A. sterilis (49.78%). Flowering stage drought, showed maximum increase in A. sativa (27.09%) followed by A. marocana (23.50%) and A. sterilis (20.46%). A. sativa and A. sterilis showed stress tolerance at both the stages by accumulating higher percentage of peroxidase followed by A. brevis at vegetative and A. marocana at flowering stage. Level of lipid peroxidation in terms of Malondialdehyde (MDA) content was increased in the leaves when plants were subjected to moisture stress. The rate of increase in lipid peroxidation occurs irrespective of stage however; maximum increase was recorded in A. strigosa at both the stages. Avena species which showed high level of MDA content, indicates more lipid peroxidation and more membrane permeability and are comparatively more susceptible for water stress than those which produce less Malondialdehyde (MDA) content at higher magnitude of water stress such species have better capability for moisture stress tolerance.