Angiogenin as a Possible Mediator of Macrophage-Mediated Regulation of Fibroblast Functions

We studied angiogenin production by human macrophages and evaluated the role of this factor in the macrophage-mediated regulation of fibroblasts. All macrophage subtypes, and especially the efferocytosis-polarized macrophages, M2(LS), actively produced angiogenin. Exogenous recombinant angiogenin dose-dependently enhanced the proliferation and differentiation of dermal fibroblasts. The addition of the angiogenin inhibitor to fibroblasts cultures suppressed the stimulating effect of exogenous angiogenin or M2(LS) conditioned media. These findings indicate the involvement of angiogenin in the macrophage-mediated paracrine regulation of skin fibroblasts.

[The relationship between visual dysfunction and cognitive deficit in schizophrenia]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether visual processing abnormalities are the result of visual dysfunction involving cognitive impairment or independent abnormalities and to identify the relationship of visual impairments with cognitive functions and severity of psychopathological symptoms.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We compared results of visual size perception and actions on objects (motor assessment) in patients with schizophrenia (n=37), including patients with non-resistant schizophrenia (n=19) and healthy individuals (n=20). Cognitive impairments were assessed with BACS. Severity of schizophrenia symptoms was assessed with PANSS.

RESULTS

The error in the visual size perception test was smaller in healthy controls compared with non-resistant patients (p<0.03). There are no significant differences between non-resistant patients and other groups. Also, there are no significant differences in motor assessment between healthy controls and patients with schizophrenia. In the visual size perception test, the amount of error correlates with cognitive impairments (r= -0.84, p<0.001), and the severity of psychotic symptoms on PANSS (r=0.55, p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Changes in visual threshold in patients with schizophrenia are correlated with cognitive dysfunction and reflect dysfunction in the parvocellular system.

Bjurböle L/LL4 ordinary chondrite properties studied by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, magnetization measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy

Bjurböle L/LL4 ordinary chondrite was studied using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, magnetization measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The phase composition and the relative iron fractions in the iron-bearing phases were determined. The unit cell parameters for olivine, orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene are similar to those observed in the other ordinary chondrites. The higher contents of forsterite and enstatite were detected by Raman spectroscopy. Magnetization measurements showed that the temperature of the ferrimagnetic-paramagnetic phase transition in chromite is around 57 K and the saturation magnetic moment is ~7 emu/g. The values of the ⁵⁷Fe hyperfine parameters for all components in the Bjurböle Mössbauer spectrum were determined and related to the corresponding iron-bearing phases. The relative iron fractions in Bjurböle and the ⁵⁷Fe hyperfine parameters of olivine, orthopyroxene and troilite were compared with the data obtained for the selected L and LL ordinary chondrites. The Fe²⁺ occupancies of the M1 and M2 sites in silicate crystals were determined using both X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Then, the temperatures of equilibrium cation distribution were determined, using two independent techniques, for olivine as 666 K and 850 K, respectively, and for orthopyroxene as 958 K and 1136 K, respectively. Implications of X-ray diffraction, magnetization measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy data for the classification of the studied Bjurböle material indicate its composition being close to the LL group of ordinary chondrites.

Characterization of Kemer L4 meteorite using Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, magnetization measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy

The bulk interior of Kemer L4 ordinary chondrite was characterized for the first time by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, magnetization measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy with a high velocity resolution. The main and minor iron-bearing phases were found as well as ferrihydrite as a result of weathering. The Fe²⁺ partitioning among the M1 and M2 sites in olivine, orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene was determined from the X-ray diffraction. The ratios of Fe²⁺ occupancies for these crystals were estimated from both X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy data and appeared to be in a good agreement. The distribution coefficients K_D and the temperatures of equilibrium cation distribution T_eq were also evaluated for olivine and orthopyroxene from two independent techniques and were in a good consistence: K_D = 1.77, T_eq = 441 K (X-ray diffraction) and K_D = 1.77, T_eq = 439 K (Mössbauer spectroscopy) for olivine and K_D = 0.10, T_eq = 806 K (X-ray diffraction) and K_D = 0.09, T_eq = 787 K (Mössbauer spectroscopy) for orthopyroxene. The fusion crust of Kemer L4 was studied using X-ray diffraction, magnetization measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Magnesioferrite and probably maghemite were found in the fusion crust in addition to other phases observed in the bulk interior.

The interior and the fusion crust in Sariçiçek howardite: Study using X-ray diffraction, magnetization measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy

The meteorite Sariçiçek, a 2015 howardite fall in Turkey, was analyzed using various physical techniques. Both the interior and the fusion crust were studied by optical and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, magnetization measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The main and minor iron-bearing phases such as orthopyroxene, Ca-poor and Ca-rich clinopyroxene, chromite with hercynite, Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ilmenite, troilite, α-Fe(Ni, Co), α₂-Fe(Ni, Co) and γ-Fe(Ni, Co) phases were identified. The ratios of Fe²⁺ occupancies in the M1 and M2 sites in the silicate phases as well as the equilibrium Fe²⁺ and Mg²⁺ cations distribution temperatures (T_eq) for orthopyroxene were estimated using X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy, which appeared to be in a good agreement: for example, T_eq were 886 and 878 K, respectively. The glass-like fusion crust of Sariçiçek consists of orthopyroxene with ferrous and ferric compounds that are likely products of combustion and melting.

Variability of Chelyabinsk meteoroid stones studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction

The meter-scale variations of material properties of the 20-m sized Chelyabinsk meteoroid are critical for understanding why the meteoroid fragmented the way it did and caused the devastating airburst that sent over 1600 people to the hospital for treatment of glass cuts and minor injuries on February 15, 2013. From a range of differently looking unweathered meteorite fragments that were recovered shortly after the event, these material differences were probed by means of optical and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the high velocity resolution Mössbauer spectroscopy. All main and some minor iron-bearing phases were identified on the basis of XRD data and Mössbauer spectra. The Fe²⁺ partitioning between the M1 and M2 sites in silicate phases was determined independently using XRD and Mössbauer data. Different meteorite fragments show a range of 570-1180 K in the temperature of the Fe²⁺ and Mg²⁺ equilibrium distribution between the M1 and M2 sites in olivine, while that in orthopyroxene falls in the range 870-1180 K (these ranges were estimated using both techniques). This fact points out a slightly different thermal history of these minerals before they accumulated in different parts of the Chelyabinsk meteoroid. The Chelyabinsk meteoroid is a fragmental breccia from materials formed at different depths in their parent body, or from materials that experienced different annealing temperatures in impacts. In addition, the fusion crust from two fragments, studied by XRD and Mössbauer spectroscopy, experienced a different thermal history during entry, suggesting that the fragment with mixed light and dark lithologies was located deeper inside the initial meteoroid than the fragment with only light lithology, or fragmented less readily.

Characterization of Northwest Africa 6286 and 7857 ordinary chondrites using X-ray diffraction, magnetization measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy

Northwest Africa (NWA) 6286 and 7857 meteorites were studied in detail by using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersion spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, magnetization measurements and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy with a high velocity resolution. The main and the minor iron-bearing phases were identified in both meteorites. The unit cell parameters as well as Fe²⁺ and Mg²⁺ cation distribution were determined for the M1 and M2 sites in silicate microcrystals. Saturation magnetic moments were obtained for both meteorites. Mössbauer parameters for the main and the minor iron-bearing microcrystals were estimated and compared for NWA 6286 and NWA 7857 LL6 ordinary chondrites. The Fe²⁺ and Mg²⁺ cation partitioning, distribution coefficient and temperature of cation equilibrium distribution were estimated for silicate microcrystals using X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy.

Comparison of iron-bearing minerals in ordinary chondrites from H, L and LL groups using Mössbauer spectroscopy with a high velocity resolution

Ordinary chondrites from H, L and LL groups were studied using Mössbauer spectroscopy with a high velocity resolution. Mössbauer parameters of spectral components were obtained using new fitting model excluding the effect of previous misfits of troilite component. Obtained parameters were related to corresponding iron-bearing minerals in ordinary chondrites. The differences of these minerals content as well as small differences in the hyperfine parameters of the same iron-bearing minerals were revealed for different meteorites. The temperatures of equilibrium cations distribution in silicates were estimated and suitable parameters for classification of H, L and LL chondrites were supposed using Mössbauer parameters.