Alterations in the Genomic Distribution of 5hmC in In Vivo Aged Human Skin Fibroblasts

5-Hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) is a functionally active epigenetic modification. We analyzed whether changes in DNA 5-hydroxymethylation are an element of age-related epigenetic drift. We tested primary fibroblast cultures originating from individuals aged 22–35 years and 74–94 years. Global quantities of methylation-related DNA modifications were estimated by the dot blot and colorimetric methods. Regions of the genome differentially hydroxymethylated with age (DHMRs) were identified by hMeDIP-seq and the MEDIPS and DiffBind algorithms. Global levels of DNA modifications were not associated with age. We identified numerous DHMRs that were enriched within introns and intergenic regions and most commonly associated with the H3K4me1 histone mark, promoter-flanking regions, and CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) binding sites. However, only seven DHMRs were identified by both algorithms and all of their settings. Among them, hypo-hydroxymethylated DHMR in the intron of Rab Escort Protein 1 (CHM) coexisted with increased expression in old cells, while increased 5-hydroxymethylation in the bodies of Arginine and Serine Rich Protein 1 (RSRP1) and Mitochondrial Poly(A) Polymerase (MTPAP) did not change their expression. These age-related differences were not associated with changes in the expression of any of the ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes or their activity. In conclusion, the distribution of 5hmC in DNA of in vivo aged human fibroblasts underwent age-associated modifications. The identified DHMRs are, likely, marker changes.     

Supporting hydrogen technologies deployment in EU regions and Member States: The Smart Specialisation Platform on Energy (S3PEnergy)

In order to maximise European, national and regional research and innovation potential the European Union is investing in these fields through different funding mechanisms such as the ESIF or H2020 programme. This investment plan is part of the European 2020 strategy, where the concept of Smart Specialisation is also included.Smart Specialisation is an innovation policy concept designed to promote the efficient and effective use of public investment in regional innovation in order to achieve economic growth. The Smart Specialisation Platform was created to support this concept by assisting regions and Member States in developing, implementing and reviewing their research and innovation Smart Specialisation strategies.The Smart Specialisation Platform comprises several thematic platforms. The thematic Smart Specialisation Platform on energy (S3PEnergy) is a joint initiative of three European Commission services: DG REGIO, DG ENER, and the Joint Research Centre (JRC). The main objective of the S3PEnergy is to support the optimal and effective uptake of the Cohesion Policy funds for energy, and to better align energy innovation activities at national, local and regional level through the identification of the technologies and innovative solutions that support in the most cost-effective way the EU energy policy priorities.In the particular case of hydrogen technologies, the activities of the platform are mainly focused on supporting the new Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) initiative involving regions and cities. To date, more than 80 European cities and regions have committed to participate in this initiative through the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding, and more participants are expected to join. S3PEnergy is helping in the identification of potential combination of H2020 funding (provided through FCH JU) and ESIF.To identify potential synergies among these two funding sources, a mapping of the different ESIF opportunities has been performed. In order to map these opportunities, Operational Programmes (OPs) and research and innovation strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3) of the different European regions and Member States were analysed. The results of this mapping and analysis are presented in this paper.     

Antimicrobial and Amyloidogenic Activity of Peptides. Can Antimicrobial Peptides Be Used against SARS-CoV-2?

At present, much attention is paid to the use of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) of natural and artificial origin to combat pathogens. AMPs have several points that determine their biological activity. We analyzed the structural properties of AMPs, as well as described their mechanism of action and impact on pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Recently published data on the development of new AMP drugs based on a combination of molecular design and genetic engineering approaches are presented. In this article, we have focused on information on the amyloidogenic properties of AMP. This review examines AMP development strategies from the perspective of the current high prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and the potential prospects and challenges of using AMPs against infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).     

Rural idylls and urban economies: the making of metropolitan wine regions

In our quest to understand wine industries and their location and development worldwide, much emphasis has been given to key environmental, cultural and economic factors. The concept of terroir is used widely to describe, delimit and promote favoured wine regions. In this, we see constructions of rurality that tend to render invisible important connections between wine regions and urban places. However, many if not most wine regions owe much to their urban neighbours. Cities are sources of labour, capital and customers. Indeed, many wine regions are, in effect, metropolitan wine regions that owe as much to their proximity to cities than they do to any putative environmental distinctiveness and advantages. Wineries in such places develop strategies to survive and prosper not by producing bottles of wine that are widely sold on global markets – and compete on the basis on price or global reputation – but rather because they develop strong and loyal local markets tied to urban economies and because they appeal to the rural idylls held by urban consumers. This paper explores the way urban places have been critical in the development of certain wine regions in New Zealand.     

西部山地旅游公共服务游客满意度评价研究——以318国道川藏线为例

文章在对相关研究进行文献综述的基础上,以318国道川藏线为例,提出西部山地旅游公共服务5个维度的游客感知假设,选用偏最小二乘结构方程模型(PLS-SEM)对游客满意度组合模型进行因子分析与假设检验。根据模型拟合结果分析,旅游信息类公共服务在西部山地旅游公共服务中供需矛盾最为突出,其次为旅游交通类公共服务和旅游安全保障管理类公共服务,相对而言,旅游基础设施类公共服务和休闲空间与旅游便民惠民类公共服务供需矛盾较小。该结果为西部山地旅游公共服务体系构建明确了发展方向。     

西藏青稞碳、氢、氧、氮同位素在不同生态域中差异性研究

目的研究青稞中稳定同位素在不同生态域的差异性。方法 2016年在西藏不同生态域种植不同基因型的青稞品种,利用同位素质谱仪测定不同生态域的青稞样品的稳定碳、氢、氧、氮同位素,结合Kolmogorov-Smirnov和Levene统计量分别检验所有数据的正态性和方差同质性,满足方差齐性时采用LSD多重比较,不满足方差齐性时采用Games-Howell多重比较法进行分析,解析不同生态域青稞样品中稳定碳、氢、氧、氮同位素。结果不同区域种植的青稞δ~(13)C值、δ~(15)N值、δ~(18)O值和δD值差异均极其显著(P0.01)。结论稳定碳、氢、氧、氮同位素指纹可用于青稞的产地溯源,可以进一步研究青稞中多元素组成特征及其用于青稞产地溯源的可行性。     

Improving Ideality of P-Type Organic Field-Effect Transistors via Preventing Undesired Minority Carrier Injection

Electron injection plays a crucial role in arousing the double-slope characteristics for p-type organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) with narrow-bandgap organic semiconductors (OSCs). This issue will not only result in the misrepresentation of OFET performance but also may cause device instability, hence impeding their further development in real-world applications. A facile and highly efficient approach is developed to circumvent this issue by implementing modification on the electrode/organic semiconductor interface. An ultrathin layer of wide-bandgap OSC with suitable energy levels is introduced to block the undesirable electron injection. By this means, typical double-slope behaviors and bias stress stability in the p-type OFETs can be significantly improved. Using 2,8-difluoro-5,11-bis(triethylsilylethynyl) anthradithiophene-based OFETs the double-slope behaviors of as-fabricated devices are effectively converted to near-ideal behaviors after modification, leading to a dramatic improvement of average reliability from 65.11% to 91.76%. Furthermore, the positive drift of transfer curves under prolonged bias stress is also successfully suppressed. This strategy demonstrates good universality and can provide a new guideline for the fabrication of OFETs with ideal behaviors.