Thinking up an original scientific research project

Writing a research proposal is not a simple task if we wish-and we do usually wish!-to succeed in putting our project into practice. Three different developing stages should indeed be clearly borne in mind from the very beginning. The first stage requires you (the applicant) "To have your own idea", thus demanding novelty and originality in the way of thinking; the second has the goal "To get your idea funded", thus entailing project feasibility and persuasion in the way in which the idea is presented; and the third is "To run the project", thus requiring resources and local implementation. The first step-i.e., to think out of the box, to be different, to be unique-is the most difficult task, the challenging point in the elaboration process. The importance of reading scientific literature, being aware of competitors and developing original thoughts will be discussed. And communication-from brain to brain, from yours to proposal reviewers' mind-will unavoidably emerge as the voussoir, the wedge-shaped or tapered stone used to construct the whole project. In this context, the three pillars of the Aristotle's Rhetorical Triangle will be discussed: ethos (credibility), logos (reasoning) and pathos (empathy). It will end with a basic, central principle as "Have the brain full up with the whole story before writing any single word on any blank piece of paper"

Carbon dioxide-mediated decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in alkaline solutions

Rapid hydrogen peroxide decomposition in aerated alkaline solutions is described, the maximum rate being attained at pH values between 11.5 and 11.7, where the peroxide (pKa = 11.7) is ca. 50% unprotonated. The reaction proceeds with the release of protons and is strictly dependent upon the continuous presence of carbon dioxide, but not of carbonate anions, in the peroxide solutions. The following two-step mechanism is proposed: (1) formation of percarbonic acid (H2CO4 ) by condensation of C02 with the undissociated peroxide (H202 ) and (2) reduction of the acid by perhydroxyl anions (HO;)

Cytochrome c signalosome in mitochondria

Cytochrome c delicately tilts the balance between cell life (respiration) and cell death (apoptosis). Whereas cell life is governed by transient electron transfer interactions of cytochrome c inside the mitochondria, the cytoplasmic adducts of cytochrome c that lead to cell death are amazingly stable. Interestingly, the contacts of cytochrome c with its counterparts shift from the area surrounding the heme crevice for the redox complexes to the opposite molecule side when the electron flow is not necessary. The cytochrome c signalosome shows a higher level of regulation by post-translational modifications—nitration and phosphorylation—of the hemeprotein. Understanding protein interfaces, as well as protein modifications, would puzzle the mitochondrial cytochrome c-controlled pathways out and enable the design of novel drugs to silence the action of pro-survival and pro-apoptotic partners of cytochrome c.Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation BFU2009-07190Andalusian Government BIO198 P08-CVI-387

Cytochrome c: Surfing Off of the Mitochondrial Membrane on the Tops of Complexes III and IV

The proper arrangement of protein components within the respiratory electron transport chain is nowadays a matter of intense debate, since altering it leads to cell aging and other related pathologies. Here, we discuss three current views-the so-called solid, fluid and plasticity models-which describe the organization of the main membrane-embedded mitochondrial protein complexes and the key elements that regulate and/or facilitate supercomplex assembly. The soluble electron carrier cytochrome c has recently emerged as an essential factor in the assembly and function of respiratory supercomplexes. In fact, a 'restricted diffusion pathway' mechanism for electron transfer between complexes III and IV has been proposed based on the secondary, distal binding sites for cytochrome c at its two membrane partners recently discovered. This channeling pathway facilitates the surfing of cytochrome c on both respiratory complexes, thereby tuning the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation and diminishing the production of reactive oxygen species. The well-documented post-translational modifications of cytochrome c could further contribute to the rapid adjustment of electron flow in response to changing cellular conditions.Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (BFU2015-71017/BMC MINECO/FEDER and PGC2018-096049-B-I00 BIO/BMC MICINN/FEDER, EU

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Prevents the Downregulation of the Cholinergic Phenotype in Axotomized Motoneurons of the Adult Rat

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was initially characterized by its activity on the vascular system. However, there is growing evidence indicating that VEGF also acts as a neuroprotective factor, and that its administration to neurons suffering from trauma or disease is able to rescue them from cell death. We questioned whether VEGF could also maintain damaged neurons in a neurotransmissive mode by evaluating the synthesis of their neurotransmitter, and whether its action would be direct or through its well-known angiogenic activity. Adult rat extraocular motoneurons were chosen as the experimental model. Lesion was performed by monocular enucleation and immediately a gelatine sponge soaked in VEGF was implanted intraorbitally. After 7 days, abducens, trochlear, and oculomotor nuclei were examined by immunohistochemistry against choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), the biosynthetic enzyme of the motoneuronal neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Lesioned motoneurons exhibited a noticeable ChAT downregulation which was prevented by VEGF administration. To explore whether this action was mediated via an increase in blood vessels or in their permeability, we performed immunohistochemistry against laminin, glucose transporter-1 and the plasmatic protein albumin. The quantification of the immunolabeling intensity against these three proteins showed no significant differences between VEGF-treated, axotomized and control animals. Therefore, the present data indicate that VEGF is able to sustain the cholinergic phenotype in damaged motoneurons, which is a first step for adequate neuromuscular neurotransmission, and that this action seems to be mediated directly on neurons since no sign of angiogenic activity was evident. These data reinforces the therapeutical potential of VEGF in motoneuronal diseases.España, MINECO and FEDER BFU2015-64515-PJunta de Andalucía and FEDER : P10-CVI605

Rabbit Nutrition with Tropical Foliage and Sugar Cane.

The behavior of productive indicators was assessed in 45 growing Cuban Brown rabbits (498 g average mean weight), fed with tropical foliage and sugar cane stems. A completely random design was used, with three treatments and 15 repetitions: foliage of  Teramnus labialis+sugar cane stem; foliage of Ipomoea batata+sugar cane stem; and foliage of  Phyla nodiflora+sugar cane stem. The highest consumption of fresh foliage was observed in  Ipomoea ba-tata (269 g) and Teramnus labialis (205 g). Animal variants Phyla nodiflora+sugar cane had a basic consumption of sugar cane (144.87 g). The Teramnus labialis-sugar cane alternative produced the highest consumption levels of raw protein (9.32 g) and digestible energy (0.79 MJ). Live weight gains were observed between 10.46 and 16.96  g/d, and feed conversion between 4.06 and 5.23, similar in both indicators for Teramnus labialis-sugar cane and Ipomoea batata-sugar cane. Live weight gain was extremely low in the Phyla nodiflora-sugar cane variant, with the highest values observed for feed conversion. Teramnus labialis-sugar cane and Ipomoea batata-sugar cane may be used by rab-bit breeders with lands for tropical foliage, and sugar cane in Cuba. The opposite was observed for P hyla nodiflora-sugar cane, which turned out little attractive for rabbit fattening

El apoyo de la ciencia a los derechos de los niños: La identificación genética

La esclavitud infantil y la trata de seres humanos se van a convertir en breve plazo, según algunos expertos, en la actividad criminal más lucrativa del mundo, superando al tráfico de drogas o al de armas. Desde 1989, año en el que la Asamblea General de Naciones Unidas aprobó la “Convención de los Derechos del Niño”, encuadrada en la “Declaración Universal de los Derechos Humanos” de 1948, son muchas las instituciones que trabajan para evitar, o cuanto menos reducir, dicha situación, tan grave y extendida a nivel internacional. Dentro de los avances científicos, la identificación genética es una de las herramientas que más se han desarrollado en pos de tal objetivo. En este artículo se analizan desde un punto de vista científico y social los procedimientos metodológicos y herramientas que en la actualidad se utilizan en dichos procesos de identificación. También se describe a modo de ejemplo una de las iniciativas que se llevan a cabo en la práctica en España, la de DNA-PROKIDS para luchar contra el tráfico de seres humanos a través de las pruebas de ADN. A través de esta vía se dispone de un banco de muestras genéticas de niños y padres, mediante el cual se intenta dificultar las adopciones ilegales, la explotación laboral, sexual o el comercio de órgano