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White spot syndrome (WSS) is one of the most common and most disastrous diseases of shrimp worldwide. It causes up to 100% mortality within 3 to 4 days in commercial shrimp farms, resulting in large economic losses to the shrimp farming industry. VP28 envelope protein of WSSV is reported to play a key role in the systemic infection in shrimps. Considering the most sombre issue of viral disease in cultivated shrimp, the present study was undertaken to substantiate the inhibition potential of Avicennia marinaderived phytochemicals against the WSSV envelope protein VP28. Seven A. marina-derived phytochemicals namely stigmasterol, triterpenoid, betulin, lupeol, avicenol-A, betulinic acid and quercetin were docked against the WSSV protein VP28 by using Argus lab molecular docking software. The chemical structures of the phytochemicals were retrieved from Pubchem database and generated from SMILES notation. Similarly the protein structure of the envelope protein was obtained from protein data bank (PDB-ID: 2ED6). Binding sites were predicted by using ligand explorer software. Among the phytochemicals screened, stigmasterol, lupeol and betulin showed the best binding exhibiting the potential to block VP28 envelope protein of WSSV, which could possibly inhibit the attachment of WSSV to the host species. Further experimental studies will provide a clear understanding on the mode of action of these phytochemicals individually or synergistically against WSSV envelope protein and can be used as an inhibitory drug to reduce white spot related severe complications in crustaceans.

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Background and aims: Study of branching pattern of arch of aorta and its variation is very significant. This study helps in avoiding the surgical, accidental injuries of blood vessels during cardiovascular surgeries and radiological procedures. Present study is aimed at finding out the branching pattern of arch of aorta, variations of its incidence, clinical significance and to correlate its embryological basis. Materials and methods: Present study was conducted on 30 formalin fixed cadavers, which were allotted to the undergraduate students of Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute. A comparative analysis was done with previous studies. Results: Usual three-branched aortic arch was found in 23 cadavers (76.66% ); variations were found in seven cadavers (23.33% ); 10% presented left vertebral artery arising directly from the arch of aorta; 6.66% presented common trunk of left vertebral artery and left subclavian artery; 3.33% presented thyroidea ima artery arising from the arch; 3.33% presented common trunk of brachiocephalic trunk and left common carotid artery. Conclusion: Variations observed in present study were in par with the variations observed by previous studies. Although anomalous origins of the aortic arch branches very rarely produces clinical symptoms but their knowledge is necessary for operating surgeons and interventional radiologist to avoid complications in the thorax, head and neck region.

The potential effect of two beneficial bacteria -Azotobacter vinelandii and Bacillus megaterium -was studied in experimental tanks cultured with Penaeus monodon. The shrimps exhibited higher levels of production and growth rate, along with lower levels of food consumption and food conversion ratio, in the experimental tanks inoculated with the bacterial strains. There was also a significant reduction in the level of ammonia. All these beneficial effects were higher in the tanks treated with B. megaterium than A. vinelandii and mixed cultures.