Representative atomic and molecular systems, including various inorganic and organic molecules with covalent and ionic bonds, have been studied by using density functional theory. The calculations were done with the commonly used exchange-correlation functional B3LYP followed by a comprehensive analysis of the calculated highest-occupied and lowest-unoccupied Kohn-Sham orbital (HOMO and LUMO) e...

A combination of adenosine (Ado) and homocysteine (Homo) enhances tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo in several tumor cells. Ado and Homo at concentrations that enhanced TNF-alpha-mediated cytotoxicity accumulated S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) and as consequence decreased the cellular methylation state, i.e. the ratio of S-adenosylmethionine to AdoHcy. This de...

1 The activity and pulmonary metabolism of two peptides, 7-homo Pro-bradykinin and 8-homo Phe-bradykinin were studied in isolated systems. 2 Both analogues were about 50-70 times less active than bradykinin on the guinea-pig ileum and 70-160 times less active on isolated strips of cat terminal ileum. 3 The action of both analogues on guinea-pig ileum was potentiated (2.5-3.0 fold) by a bradykin...

The photoreceptor cryptochrome 2 (CRY2) has become a powerful optogenetic tool that allows light-inducible manipulation of various signaling pathways and cellular processes in mammalian cells with high spatiotemporal precision and ease of application. However, it has also been shown that the behavior of CRY2 under blue light is complex, as the photoexcited CRY2 can both undergo homo-oligomeriza...

The survival of the homo sapiens sapiens species depends upon learning and passing on to future generations quality knowledge. Yet, we find to an increasing extent a corruption of the process, resulting in ignorance, environmental destruction, and breakdown of community. A fundamental shift in priorities is required to avert disaster. Articulating a solution depends upon a language, which, in t...

We addressed the evolutionary trace of hetero-oligomer interfaces by comparing the structures of paralogous proteins; one of them is a monomer or homo-oligomer and the other is a hetero-oligomer. We found different trends in amino acid conservation pattern and hydrophobicity between homo-oligomer and hetero-oligomer. The degree of amino acid conservation in the interface of homo-oligomer has no...

The nucleocapsid protein VP35 of Marburgvirus, a filovirus, acts as the cofactor of the viral polymerase and plays an essential role in transcription and replication of the viral RNA. VP35 forms complexes with the genome encapsidating protein NP and with the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase L. In addition, a trimeric complex had been detected in which VP35 bridges L and the nucleoprotein NP. It has...

The definition of the genus Homo is an important but under-researched topic. In this chapter we show that interpretations of Homo have changed greatly over the last 150 years as a result of the incorporation of new fossil species, the discovery of fossil evidence that changed our perceptions of its component species, and reassessments of the functional capabilities of species previously allocat...

New studies suggesting that humans and chimpanzees deserve to share the same genus may do little to improve the parlous status of our relatives in their home environment.

The Quaternary tract of Narmada basin covers an area of abut 12950 sq.km starting from west of Jabalpur (2307790530) to east of Handia (22 29’; 76 58’) for a distance of about 320 km. It is found to be ideal locus of Quaternary sedimentation in Central India, as witnessed by multi-cyclic sequence of Quaternary terraces in the valley. The total estimated thickness of Quaternary sediments in the ...