Seabuckthron (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) leaf extract ameliorates the gamma radiation mediated DNA damage and hepatic alterations.

In vitro assessment showed that H. rhamnoides (HrLE) extract possessed free radical scavenging activities and can protect gamma (γ) radiation induced supercoiled DNA damage. For in vivo study, Swiss albino mice were administered with HrLE (30 mg/kg body weight) for 15 consecutive days before exposing them to a single dose of 5 Gy of γ radiation. HrLE significantly prevented the radiation induced genomic DNA damage indicated as a significant reduction in the comet parameters. The lipid peroxidation, liver function enzymes, expression of phosphorylated NFκB (p65) and IκBα increased whereas the endogenous antioxidants diminished upon radiation exposure compared to control. Pretreatment of HrLE extract ameliorated these changes. Based on the present results it can be concluded that H. rhamnoides possess a potential preventive element in planned and accidental nuclear exposures.

Assessment of a modification of bruckner's test as a screening modality for anisometropia and strabismus

Current amblyopia screening methods are not cost effective. To evaluate the diagnostic capability of a modified Br_ckner test [MBT] for amblyopiogenic risk factors. We applied the MBT using the streak retinoscope to identify anisometropia and strabismus by noting an inter-ocular difference in movement and glow, from children who failed 6/9 Snellen on community vision screening, followed by comprehensive eye examination. Data were analyzed by 2 _ 2 tables for diagnostic test parameters [95% CI]. From 7998 children vision-screened, 392 failed 6/9 VA and were referred. Since 34 failed to reach the centers, and 15 were excluded due to poor/ no glow, data from 343 was analyzed. The prevalence of anisometropia of 0.5D was 17%, of 1D was 11% and of strabismus 5%. For the MBT the accuracy was ? 90% [95%CI 89% to 97%] over the three outcomes. The sensitivity, specificity, NPV and +LR for anisometropia of 0.5D were: 0.57 [0.48, 0.64], 0.97 [0.95, 0.98], 0.92 [0.90, 0.93] and 18 [9.7, 35]; for 1D: 0.74[0.60, 0.82], 0.95 [0.94, 0.97], 0.97 [0.95, 0.98] and 16 [9.3, 28]; and for strabismus: 0.5 [0.32, 0.66], 0.98 [0.97, 0.98], 0.97 [0.96, 0.98] and 20 [9.1, 42]. Our data suggests that the MBT is highly accurate and useful for ruling in anisometropia and strabismus in children who fail 6/9 Snellen. The MBT needs further validation, both by different care givers and on differing populations. It offers an affordable, portable, and clinically useful tool to detect anisometropia and strabismus. We suggest that performing an MBT prior to uniocular retinosocpy should be a routine practice