130 research outputs found
Structure and stability of a high-coverage (1x1) oxygen phase on Ru(0001)
The formation of chemisorbed O-phases on Ru(0001) by exposure to O_2 at low
pressures is apparently limited to coverages Theta <= 0.5. Using low-energy
electron diffraction and density functional theory we show that this
restriction is caused by kinetic hindering and that a dense O overlayer (Theta
= 1) can be formed with a (1x1) periodicity. The structural and energetic
properties of this new adsorbate phase are analyzed and discussed in view of
attempts to bridge the so-called "pressure gap" in heterogeneous catalysis. It
is argued that the identified system actuates the unusually high rate of
oxidizing reactions at Ru surfaces under high oxygen pressure conditions.Comment: RevTeX, 6 pages, 3 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev. Let
The Adsorption of Atomic Nitrogen on Ru(0001): Geometry and Energetics
The local adsorption geometries of the (2x2)-N and the (sqrt(3)x
sqrt(3))R30^o -N phases on the Ru(0001) surface are determined by analyzing
low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) intensity data. For both phases,
nitrogen occupies the threefold hcp site. The nitrogen sinks deeply into the
top Ru layer resulting in a N-Ru interlayer distance of 1.05 AA and 1.10 AA in
the (2x2) and the (sqrt(3)x sqrt(3))R30^o unit cell, respectively. This result
is attributed to a strong N binding to the Ru surface (Ru--N bond length = 1.93
AA) in both phases as also evidenced by ab-initio calculations which revealed
binding energies of 5.82 eV and 5.59 eV, respectively.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figures. Submitted to Chem. Phys. Lett. (October 10,
1996
Initial growth of Mg films on Ru(0001): An efficient approximation scheme for the LEED analysis of incommensurate structures
The epitaxial growth of incommensurate Mg layers on a Ru(0001) surface is investigated in the coverage range from submonolayers to 3 ML by analyzing low-energy electron-diffraction LEED I(V) data. For the analysis of the 2-ML Mg film, we developed an efficient approximation scheme that allows the determination of mean interlayer spacings without employing the full unit cell. The Mg-Ru spacing is found to be 2.32±0.05 Å, regardless of the presence of further Mg layers above. The Mg-Mg layer spacing in the Mg bilayer is 5%, expanded with respect to the value of the bulk material, while this layer spacing is expanded by only 2.5% after completion of the third Mg layer. The ABAB... stacking sequence is established from the beginning of the film growth
The sialic acid binding activity of the S protein facilitates infection by porcine transmissible gastroenteritis coronavirus
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) has a sialic acid binding activity that is believed to be important for enteropathogenicity, but that has so far appeared to be dispensable for infection of cultured cells. The aims of this study were to determine the effect of sialic acid binding for the infection of cultured cells under unfavorable conditions, and comparison of TGEV strains and mutants, as well as the avian coronavirus IBV concerning their dependence on the sialic acid binding activity.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The infectivity of different viruses was analyzed by a plaque assay after adsorption times of 5, 20, and 60 min. Prior to infection, cultured cells were either treated with neuraminidase to deplete sialic acids from the cell surface, or mock-treated. In a second approach, pre-treatment of the virus with porcine intestinal mucin was performed, followed by the plaque assay after a 5 min adsorption time. A student's t-test was used to verify the significance of the results.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Desialylation of cells only had a minor effect on the infection by TGEV strain Purdue 46 when an adsorption period of 60 min was allowed for initiation of infection. However, when the adsorption time was reduced to 5 min the infectivity on desialylated cells decreased by more than 60%. A TGEV PUR46 mutant (HAD3) deficient in sialic acid binding showed a 77% lower titer than the parental virus after a 5 min adsorption time. After an adsorption time of 60 min the titer of HAD3 was 58% lower than that of TGEV PUR46. Another TGEV strain, TGEV Miller, and IBV Beaudette showed a reduction in infectivity after neuraminidase treatment of the cultured cells irrespective of the virion adsorption time.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results suggest that the sialic acid binding activity facilitates the infection by TGEV under unfavorable environmental conditions. The dependence on the sialic acid binding activity for an efficient infection differs in the analyzed TGEV strains.</p
Oxygen adsorption on the Ru (10 bar 1 0) surface: Anomalous coverage dependence
Oxygen adsorption onto Ru (10 bar 1 0) results in the formation of two
ordered overlayers, i.e. a c(2 times 4)-2O and a (2 times 1)pg-2O phase, which
were analyzed by low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) and density functional
theory (DFT) calculation. In addition, the vibrational properties of these
overlayers were studied by high-resolution electron loss spectroscopy. In both
phases, oxygen occupies the threefold coordinated hcp site along the densely
packed rows on an otherwise unreconstructed surface, i.e. the O atoms are
attached to two atoms in the first Ru layer Ru(1) and to one Ru atom in the
second layer Ru(2), forming zigzag chains along the troughs. While in the
low-coverage c(2 times 4)-O phase, the bond lengths of O to Ru(1) and Ru(2) are
2.08 A and 2.03 A, respectively, corresponding bond lengths in the
high-coverage (2 times 1)-2O phase are 2.01 A and 2.04 A (LEED). Although the
adsorption energy decreases by 220 meV with O coverage (DFT calculations), we
observe experimentally a shortening of the Ru(1)-O bond length with O coverage.
This effect could not be reconciled with the present DFT-GGA calculations. The
nu(Ru-O) stretch mode is found at 67 meV [c(2 times 4)-2O] and 64 meV [(2 times
1)pg-2O].Comment: 10 pages, figures are available as hardcopies on request by mailing
[email protected], submitted to Phys. Rev. B (8. Aug. 97), other related
publications can be found at http://www.rz-berlin.mpg.de/th/paper.htm
Real Space Observations of Magnesium Hydride Formation and Decomposition
The mechanisms of magnesium hydride formation and thermal decomposition are
directly examined using in-situ imaging.Comment: 3 pages, 4 figure
Unusual disordering processes of oxygen overlayers on Rh(111): A combined diffraction study using thermal He atoms and low-energy electrons
The temperature-dependent behavior of the Rh(111)-(2X2)-1O phase was investigated by He-atom scattering (HAS) and low-energy electron diffraction. The adsorption system undergoes an order-disorder phase transition at Tc=280±5 K, with critical exponents found to be consistent with the four-state Potts model. Beyond the phase transition the HAS specular peak intensity exhibits a strong and reversible increase. This finding points toward a reduction of the surface charge-density corrugation induced by the phase transition itself. Around 160 K, hydrogen adsorbed on the Rh(111)-(2X2)-1O surface reacts with oxygen to form water, and drives the overlayer in an out-of-equilibrium condition which is characterized by a dramatic domain-wall proliferation
Mechanistic interrogation of combination Bevacizumab/dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor response in Glioblastoma implementing novel MR and PET imaging biomarkers.
Purpose:
Resistance to bevacizumab (BEV) in glioblastoma (GBM) is believed to occur via activation of molecular networks including the mTOR/PI3K pathway. Implementing an MRI/PET molecular imaging biomarker approach, we sought to interrogate response to combining BEV with the mTOR/PI3K inhibitor BEZ235.
Methods:
Tumors were established by orthotopically implanting U87MG-luc2 in mice. Animals were treated with BEZ235 and/or BEV, and imaged using diffusion weighted-MRI, T2 weighted (T2w), and T2* weighted (T2*w) before and following delivery of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) contrast. Maps for changes in relaxation rates: ΔR2, ΔR2* and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were calculated. Vessel Size Index (VSI) and micro vessel density index (MDI) were derived. 3´-deoxy-3´-[18F]fluorothymidine ([18F]FLT)- and O-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine ([18F]FET) PET was further performed and tumor endothelium/proliferation markers assessed by immunohistochemistry.
Results:
Treatment with BEV resulted in a pronounced decrease in tumor volume (T2w MRI). No additive effect on tumour volume was observed in BEV/BEZ235 combination compared with BEV monotherapy. Ki67 proliferation index staining and [18F]FLT uptake studies were used to support observations. Using ΔR2* and ΔR2 values respectively, BEZ235 + BEV combination significantly reduced tumor microvessel volume in comparison to BEV alone. Decreased MDI was further observed in the combination group; supported by von Willebrand Factor (vWF) immunohistochemistry. We observed decreased [18F]FET uptake following BEV, but failed to observe further reduced [18F]FET uptake in the combination cohort. vWF IHC analysis showed mean tumor vessel size increased in all cohorts. Conclusions: Assessing MR imaging biomarker parameters together with [18F]FET and [18F]FLT PET, informed drug combination mechanism of action and provided clues as to potential clinical response. Translation of a BEZ35/BEV combination regimen could support reduction of peritumoral edemaobviating the requirement for steroids. Implementing hypothesis driven molecular imaging studies facilitates the interrogation of drug response in the pre-clinic. These data may more accurately predict the clinical potential of novel therapeutic approaches in oncology
Identification of Host-Dependent Survival Factors for Intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis through an siRNA Screen
The stable infection of host macrophages by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) involves, and depends on, the attenuation of the diverse microbicidal responses mounted by the host cell. This is primarily achieved through targeted perturbations of the host cellular signaling machinery. Therefore, in view of the dependency of the pathogen on host molecules for its intracellular survival, we wanted to test whether targeting such factors could provide an alternate route for the therapeutic management of tuberculosis. To first identify components of the host signaling machinery that regulate intracellular survival of Mtb, we performed an siRNA screen against all known kinases and phosphatases in murine macrophages infected with the virulent strain, H37Rv. Several validated targets could be identified by this method where silencing led either to a significant decrease, or enhancement in the intracellular mycobacterial load. To further resolve the functional relevance of these targets, we also screened against these identified targets in cells infected with different strains of multiple drug-resistant mycobacteria which differed in terms of their intracellular growth properties. The results obtained subsequently allowed us to filter the core set of host regulatory molecules that functioned independently of the phenotypic variations exhibited by the pathogen. Then, using a combination of both in vitro and in vivo experimentation, we could demonstrate that at least some of these host factors provide attractive targets for anti-TB drug development. These results provide a “proof-of-concept” demonstration that targeting host factors subverted by intracellular Mtb provides an attractive and feasible strategy for the development of anti-tuberculosis drugs. Importantly, our findings also emphasize the advantage of such an approach by establishing its equal applicability to infections with Mtb strains exhibiting a range of phenotypic diversifications, including multiple drug-resistance. Thus the host factors identified here may potentially be exploited for the development of anti-tuberculosis drugs
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Soil pH effects on the interactions between dissolved zinc, non-nano- and nano-ZnO with soil bacterial communities
Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are used in an array of products and processes, ranging from personal care products to antifouling paints, textiles, food additives, antibacterial agents and environmental remediation processes. Soils are an environment likely to be exposed to manmade nanoparticles due to the practice of applying sewage sludge as a fertiliser or as an organic soil improver. However, understanding on the interactions between soil properties, nanoparticles and the organisms that live within soil is lacking, especially with regards to soil bacterial communities. We studied the effects of nanoparticulate, non-nanoparticulate and ionic zinc (in the form of zinc chloride) on the composition of bacterial communities in soil with a modified pH range (from pH 4.5 to pH 7.2). We observed strong pH dependent effects on the interaction between bacterial communities and all forms of zinc, with the largest changes in bacterial community composition occurring in soils with low and medium pH levels (pH 4.8 and 5.9). The high pH soil (pH 7.2) was less susceptible to the effects of zinc exposure. At the highest doses of zinc (2500 mg/kg dw soil) both nano and non-nano particulate zinc applications elicited a similar response in the soil bacterial community, and this differed significantly to the ionic zinc salt treatment. The results highlight the importance of considering soil pH in nanotoxicology studies, although further work is needed to determine the exact mechanisms controlling the toxicity and fate and interactions of nanoparticles with soil microbial communities
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