Identification of a Catalytically Highly Active Surface Phase for CO Oxidation over PtRh Nanoparticles under Operando Reaction Conditions.

Pt-Rh alloy nanoparticles on oxide supports are widely employed in heterogeneous catalysis with applications ranging from automotive exhaust control to energy conversion. To improve catalyst performance, an atomic-scale correlation of the nanoparticle surface structure with its catalytic activity under industrially relevant operando conditions is essential. Here, we present x-ray diffraction data sensitive to the nanoparticle surface structure combined with in situ mass spectrometry during near ambient pressure CO oxidation. We identify the formation of ultrathin surface oxides by detecting x-ray diffraction signals from particular nanoparticle facets and correlate their evolution with the sample's enhanced catalytic activity. Our approach opens the door for an in-depth characterization of well-defined, oxide-supported nanoparticle based catalysts under operando conditions with unprecedented atomic-scale resolution.

CB2 receptors regulate natural killer cells that limit allergic airway inflammation in a murine model of asthma.

BACKGROUND: Allergic asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease involving the complementary actions of innate and adaptive immune responses. Endogenously generated cannabinoids acting via CB2 receptors play important roles in both homeostatic and inflammatory processes. However, the contribution of CB2-acting eicosanoids to the innate events preceding sensitization to the common house dust mite (HDM) allergen remains to be elucidated. We investigated the role of CB2 activation during allergen-induced pulmonary inflammation and natural killer (NK) cell effector function. METHODS: Lung mucosal responses in CB2-deficient (CB2-/- ) mice were examined and compared with wild-type (WT) littermates following intranasal exposure to HDM allergen. RESULTS: Mice lacking CB2 receptors exhibited elevated numbers of pulmonary NK cells yet were resistant to the induction of allergic inflammation exemplified by diminished airway eosinophilia, type 2 cytokine production and mucus secretion after allergen inhalation. This phenomenon was corroborated when WT mice were treated with a CB2-specific antagonist that caused a pronounced inhibition of HDM-induced airway inflammation and goblet cell hyperplasia. Unexpectedly, the preponderance of NK cells in the lungs of CB2-/- mice correlated with reduced numbers of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s). Depletion of NK cells restored the allergen responsiveness in the lungs and was associated with elevated ILC2 numbers. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these results reveal that CB2 activation is crucial in regulating pulmonary NK cell function, and suggest that NK cells serve to limit ILC2 activation and subsequent allergic airway inflammation. CB2 inhibition may present an important target to modulate NK cell response during pulmonary inflammation.

Atomic structure and crystalline order of graphene-supported ir nanoparticle lattices.

We present the atomic structure of Ir nanoparticles with 1.5 nm diameter at half height and three layers average height grown on graphene/Ir(111). Using surface x-ray diffraction, we demonstrate that Ir nanoparticles on graphene/Ir(111) form a crystallographic superlattice with high perfection. The superlattice arrangement allows us to obtain detailed information on the atomic structure of the nanoparticles themselves, such as size, shape, internal layer stacking and strain. Our experiments disclose that the nanoparticles reside epitaxially on top of the graphene moiré structure on Ir(111), resulting in significant lateral compressive intraparticle strain. Normal incidence x-ray standing wave experiments deliver additional information on the particle formation induced restructuring of the graphene layer.

Initial corrosion observed on the atomic scale.

Corrosion destroys more than three per cent of the world's GDP. Recently, the electrochemical decomposition of metal alloys has been more productively harnessed to produce porous materials with diverse technological potential. High-resolution insight into structure formation during electrocorrosion is a prerequisite for an atomistic understanding and control of such electrochemical surface processes. Here we report atomic-scale observations of the initial stages of corrosion of a Cu3Au111 single crystal alloy within a sulphuric acid solution. We monitor, by in situ X-ray diffraction with picometre-scale resolution, the structure and chemical composition of the electrolyte/alloy interface as the material decomposes. We reveal the microscopic structural changes associated with a general passivation phenomenon of which the origin has been hitherto unclear. We observe the formation of a gold-enriched single-crystal layer that is two to three monolayers thick, and has an unexpected inverted (CBA-) stacking sequence. At higher potentials, we find that this protective passivation layer dewets and pure gold islands are formed; such structures form the templates for the growth of nanoporous metals. Our experiments are carried out on a model single-crystal system. However, the insights should equally apply within a crystalline grain of an associated polycrystalline electrode fabricated from many other alloys exhibiting a large difference in the standard potential of their constituents, such as stainless steel (see ref. 5 for example) or alloys used for marine applications, such as CuZn or CuAl.

Operando reaction cell for high energy surface sensitive x-ray diffraction and reflectometry.

A proof of concept is shown for the design of a high pressure heterogeneous catalysis reaction cell suitable for surface sensitive x-ray diffraction and x-ray reflectometry over planar samples using high energy synchrotron radiation in combination with mass spectrometry. This design enables measurements in a pressure range from several tens to hundreds of bars for surface investigations under realistic industrial conditions in heterogeneous catalysis or gaseous corrosion studies.

Taxol and taxane production by Taxomyces andreanae, an endophytic fungus of Pacific yew.

Taxomyces andreanae, a fungal endophyte, was isolated from the phloem (inner bark) of the Pacific yew, Taxus brevifolia. The fungus is hyphomyceteous and, when grown in a semi-synthetic liquid medium, produced taxol and related compounds. Taxol was identified by mass spectrometry, chromatography, and reactivity with monoclonal antibodies specific for taxol. Both [1-14C]acetic acid and L-[U-14C]phenylalanine served as precursors of [14C]taxol in fungal cultures. No taxol was detected in zero-time cultures or in the small agar plugs used to inoculate the culture flasks.

Incommensurate strain-induced ordering of interstitial oxygen in Nb.

We present a semi-phenomenological theory of the strain-induced interaction between interstitial oxygen dissolved in Nb and predict an incommensurate oxygen ordering wave which is mediated by the intrinsic bcc instability at k = 2/3(111). We discuss the stability range of this ordering phenomenon, which may play a role in the performance of Nb radio frequency (RF) cavities for high energy particle accelerators.

A new variant of Glanzmann's thrombasthenia (Strasbourg I). Platelets with functionally defective glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complexes and a glycoprotein IIIa 214Arg----214Trp mutation.

We describe a new variant of Glanzmann's thrombasthenia (variant Strasbourg I). The patient (M.S.) showed an absence of platelet aggregation to ADP, thrombin, and collagen, and a decreased clot retraction. Platelet fibrinogen was approximately 20% of normal levels. ADP-stimulated platelets bound markedly reduced amounts of soluble fibrinogen and platelet adhesion to surface-bound fibrinogen was defective. Normal to subnormal amounts of glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa (alpha IIb beta 3) complexes, the platelet fibrinogen receptor, were revealed by SDS-PAGE, crossed immunoelectrophoresis, and antibody binding. However, the complexes were unusually sensitive to dissociation with EDTA at room temperature. Furthermore, flow cytometry showed that the platelets failed to bind the activation-dependent monoclonal antibody, PAC-1, after stimulation. In contrast, an RGDS-containing peptide induced significant binding of the anti-ligand-induced binding site antibody, D3GP3, suggesting the presence of a functional RGD binding domain on the patient's GPIIb-IIIa complex. Sequence analysis was performed after polymerase chain reaction amplification of selected patient's GPIIIa exons, and of the patient's platelet GPIIb and GPIIIa mRNAs. A point mutation (C to T) was localized in exon D (iv) of GPIIIa that resulted in an 214Arg to 214Trp amino acid substitution. The defect has been inherited from the parents who are heterozygous for the same mutation. This substitution points to an essential amino acid in a region of GPIIIa involved in the binding of fibrinogen and influencing the Ca(2+)-dependent stability of the GPIIb-IIIa complex.

Structure and Oxidation Behavior of Nickel Nanoparticles Supported by YSZ(111).

Nickel nanoparticles supported by the yttria-stabilized zirconia (111) surface show several preferential epitaxial relationships, as revealed by in situ X-ray diffraction. The two main nanoparticle orientations are found to have their [111] direction parallel to the substrate surface normal and ∼41.3 degrees tilted from this direction. The former orientation is described by a cube-on-cube stacking at the oxide-metal interface and the latter by a so-called coherent tilt strain-relieving mechanism, which is hitherto unreported for nanoparticles in literature. A modified Wulff construction used for the 111-oriented particles results in a value of the adhesion energy ranging from 1.4 to 2.2 Jm2, whereby the lower end corresponds to more rounded particles and the upper to relatively flat geometries. Upon oxidation at 10-3 Pa of molecular oxygen and 673 K, a NiO shell forms epitaxially on the [111]-oriented particles. Only a monolayer of metallic nickel of the top (111) facets oxidizes, whereas the side facets seem to react more severely. An apparent size increase of the remaining metallic Ni core is discussed in relation to a size-dependent oxidation mechanism, whereby smaller nanoparticles react at a faster rate. We argue that such a preferential oxidation mechanism, which inactivates the smallest and most reactive metal nanoparticles, might play a role for the long-term degradation of solid oxide fuel cells.

Normal ADP-induced aggregation and absence of dissociation of the membrane GP IIb-IIIa complex of intact rat platelets pretreated with EDTA.

ADP-induced platelet aggregation requires the presence of external calcium and fibrinogen. When human platelets are incubated for 30 min at 37 degrees C with 5 mM EDTA and then resuspended in a calcium containing medium, they lose their ability to bind fibrinogen and to aggregate in response to ADP stimulation. Under these conditions, the effect of EDTA is irreversible and accompanied by dissociation of the glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa complex into its free subunits, GP IIb and GP IIIa. We studied the effect of incubation of intact rat platelets with 5 mM EDTA at 37 degrees C from 30 to 120 min. EDTA treated rat platelets showed normal aggregation in response to 5 microM ADP in the presence of added purified rat fibrinogen and bound 125I-labeled rat fibrinogen at the same rate and magnitude after stimulation with 5 microM ADP as untreated platelets. Control and EDTA treated rat platelets, labeled or not with 125I and solubilized in Triton X-100, had a similar pattern of immunoprecipitates after crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) analysis. The rat GP IIb-IIIa arc was located by incorporation of an 125I-labeled polyclonal anti-human GP IIb-IIIa antibody. In contrast, in experiments using rat platelet lysates, we demonstrated that the rat GP IIb-IIIa is a Ca(2+)-dependent heterodimer as it was dissociated by EDTA. Using SDS-PAGE and two-dimensional SDS-PAGE, the rat GP IIb-IIIa complex was found to have characteristics similar to the human complex with the exception that the light chain of the rat GP IIb was undetectable after 125I surface labeling.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Role of cyclic AMP in the inhibition of human platelet aggregation by quercetin, a flavonoid that potentiates the effect of prostacyclin.

Quercetin (3.3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone) has previously been shown to inhibit cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases prepared from various cell homogenates and the function of intact human platelets. We now report that (1) high concentrations of quercetin raise platelet cAMP levels; and (2) quercetin potentiates the inhibitory effect of prostacyclin (PGI2) on ADP-induced washed human platelet aggregation and the elevation of platelet cAMP levels elicited by PGI2. These results suggest a role for cAMP in the mechanism of action of quercetin on blood platelets.

The thienopyridine PCR 4099 selectively inhibits ADP-induced platelet aggregation and fibrinogen binding without modifying the membrane glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex in rat and in man.

The thienopyridines, ticlopidine and PCR 4099, inhibit ex vivo aggregation in response to ADP and other agonists. It has been shown that ticlopidine induces a functional defect in the binding of fibrinogen to its platelet membrane receptor. We have studied the effects on platelet functions of PCR 4099 in rat and in man. The aim of the study was to check the possibility of a direct modification of the fibrinogen binding site on the GP IIb-IIIa complex. Washed platelet suspensions were used for aggregation and fibrinogen binding studies. Platelet lysates were submitted to SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, crossed immunoelectrophoresis and immunoprecipitation. We found that administration of PCR 4099 inhibited selectively and irreversibly ADP-induced aggregation. Although the effect of ADP on aggregation was blocked, PCR 4099 did not modify ADP-induced shape change. Only the effects of low concentrations of thrombin on platelet aggregation were inhibited. Fibrinogen binding was dramatically inhibited in rat and in man when platelets were stimulated with ADP and low concentrations of thrombin. At high concentration of thrombin there still remained a part of fibrinogen binding inhibition although aggregation was not impaired. Electrophoretic and immunoelectrophoretic studies showed no difference before and after treatment by PCR 4099. In particular, the GP IIb-IIIa-complex was not dissociated, its electrophoretic mobility was not changed and three monoclonal anticomplex antibodies recognized it in the same manner before and after treatment. We conclude that PCR 4099 selectively inhibits the ADP aggregation pathway and that the inhibition of fibrinogen binding is probably not due to a direct modification of the GP IIb-IIIa complex.

Inhibition of human platelet cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase and of platelet aggregation by a hemisynthetic flavonoid, amentoflavone hexaacetate.

Amentoflavone hexaacetate (AmAc) was synthesized from natural amentoflavone (Am), a biflavonoid extracted from Viburnum lantana L. Am does not inhibit aggregation of intact platelets up to a concentration of 100 microM but inhibits human platelet cAMP phosphodiesterase (IC50 = 22.0 microM). AmAc is a potent inhibitor of the aggregation of washed human platelets induced by ADP (IC50 = 2.3 microM) or collagen (IC50 = 4.7 microM). AmAc inhibits crude (IC50 = 8.6 microM) or partially purified (IC50 = 42.2 microM) human platelet cAMP phosphodiesterase. In the presence of prostaglandin E1, AmAc (10 microM) induces a 3.7-fold increase in total platelet cAMP. The characteristics of this action suggest a role for cAMP in the mechanism of action of AmAc. The incubation of AmAc with intact platelets for 5 min is necessary for its activity.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors prevent aggregation of human platelets by raising cyclic AMP and reducing cytoplasmic free calcium mobilization.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors (HL-725, RO 15-2041, cilostamide, quercetin and MY-5445) potently inhibit human platelet aggregation induced by ADP. In parallel, PDE inhibitors inhibit the increase in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ evoked by ADP, as measured with the fluorescent probe quin 2. The inhibition of ADP-induced aggregation and rise in [Ca2+]i is potentiated by PGE1 which stimulates adenylate cyclase and is inhibited by adrenaline which inhibits adenylate cyclase. PDE inhibitors increase human platelet cAMP levels in the presence of low concentrations of PGE1. It is suggested that PDE inhibitors prevent platelet aggregation by raising cAMP levels and by subsequent inhibition of cytoplasmic free Ca2+ mobilization.

Platelet functions, alpha 2-adrenergic receptors and cytoplasmic free calcium are normal in the myotonic dystrophy of Steinert.

Platelet function tests were performed on 11 patients with myotonic dystrophy of Steinert (MD) and on 21 healthy control subjects. Using citrated platelet-rich plasma or washed platelets, MD patients had normal aggregation and secretion responses after stimulation with adrenaline, ADP, collagen, PAF, arachidonic acid and thrombin. Using intact and functional washed platelets, MD patients responded normally to adrenaline and had a similar affinity and number of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors as control patients as measured by [3H]dihydroergocryptine and [3H]yohimbine binding. In addition platelets from MD patients had normal basal and stimulated levels of cytoplasmic free Ca2+ as measured with the fluorescent Ca2+ probe quin2. Thus platelet functions, alpha 2-adrenergic receptors and cytoplasmic free Ca2+ are normal in MD.

Apheresis-elutriation program for adoptive immunotherapy with autologous activated monocytes in cancer patients.

Human blood monocytes (Mo) and monocyte-derived macrophages (M phi) are known to be potent antitumor cytotoxic effector cells through activation with recombinant human interferon gamma (rIFN-gamma), bacterial muramyldipeptide or the synthetic derivative muramyltripeptide phosphatidylethanolamine entrapped in liposomes (L-MTP-PE). Large-scale generation of ex vivo activated Mo from the blood of cancer patients proved feasible. We report our experience with a fixed rotor speed counterflow centrifugation elutration (CEE) procedure using the newly available Beckman high capacity JE-5.0 rotor system that reproducibly isolates up to 1.0-1.5 x 10(9) Mo with greater than 90% purity, in suspension and functionally intact derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cell-enriched suspensions obtained by leukapheresis (LP) from healthy volunteers and cancer patients. The semiclosed, easy to handle CCE system, was adapted to a sterile technique that permitted clinical trials in adoptive monocyte immunotherapy. Freshly isolated Mo did not lose morphological or functional integrity and had no spontaneous activation. Their abilities to become activated to the cytotoxic state after 18-h stimulation with 500 U/ml rIFN-gamma or 1 microgram/ml L-MTP-PE and to differentiate into matured M phi in vitro were not altered. The system was therefore used to isolate large numbers of Mo for a phase I clinical trial of intraperitoneal immunotherapy with L-MTP-PE activated autologous Mo in nine patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. Each patient received weekly Mo infusions (n = 5) with an intrapatient dose escalation schedule (from 10(7) to 10(9) Mo). Toxicities were mild including fever, chills and abdominal pain. There was no treatment-induced thromboembolic event or capillary leak syndrome.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

High-energy surface X-ray diffraction for fast surface structure determination.

Understanding the interaction between surfaces and their surroundings is crucial in many materials-science fields, such as catalysis, corrosion, and thin-film electronics, but existing characterization methods have not been capable of fully determining the structure of surfaces during dynamic processes, such as catalytic reactions, in a reasonable time frame. We demonstrate an x-ray-diffraction-based characterization method that uses high-energy photons (85 kiloelectron volts) to provide unexpected gains in data acquisition speed by several orders of magnitude and enables structural determinations of surfaces on time scales suitable for in situ studies. We illustrate the potential of high-energy surface x-ray diffraction by determining the structure of a palladium surface in situ during catalytic carbon monoxide oxidation and follow dynamic restructuring of the surface with subsecond time resolution.

Shape changes of supported Rh nanoparticles during oxidation and reduction cycles.

The microscopic insight into how and why catalytically active nanoparticles change their shape during oxidation and reduction reactions is a pivotal challenge in the fundamental understanding of heterogeneous catalysis. We report an oxygen-induced shape transformation of rhodium nanoparticles on magnesium oxide (001) substrates that is lifted upon carbon monoxide exposure at 600 kelvin. A Wulff analysis of high-resolution in situ x-ray diffraction, combined with transmission electron microscopy, shows that this phenomenon is driven by the formation of a oxygen-rhodium-oxygen surface oxide at the rhodium nanofacets. This experimental access into the behavior of such nanoparticles during a catalytic cycle is useful for the development of improved heterogeneous catalysts.

Structure of Ag(111)-p(4 x 4)-O: no silver oxide.

The structure of the oxygen-induced p(4 x 4) reconstruction of Ag(111) is determined by a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy, surface x-ray diffraction, core level spectroscopy, and density functional theory. We demonstrate that all previous models of this surface structure are incorrect and propose a new model which is able to explain all our experimental findings but has no resemblance to bulk silver oxide. We also shed some light on the limitations of current density functional theories and the potential role of van der Waals interactions in the stabilization of oxygen-induced surface reconstructions of noble metals.

A surface x-ray study of the structure and morphology of the oxidized Pd001 surface.

The oxidation of Pd(100) and the formation of PdO was studied in situ using surface x-ray diffraction. A bulklike, epitaxial PdO film is formed at oxygen partial pressures beyond 1 mbar and sample temperatures exceeding 650 K. The main orientation is PdO(001)/Pd(001), based upon bulk reflections from the PdO film. By comparing with measurements from the Pd crystal truncation rods, we estimate an rms surface roughness of 6 A, in good agreement with previous high pressure scanning tunneling microscopy measurements. Finally, we observed the transformation from the (radical5 x radical5) surface oxide to PdO bulk oxide at 675 K and 50 mbar O(2) pressure.