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Introduction/Aims: Intestinal dysbiosis may be involved in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). We aimed to define differences in the gut microbiota composition between patients with AS, ulcerative colitis (UC) and healthy controls (HC) and determine the relations between gut microbiota, fecal calprotectin (FCal) and disease related variables in AS. Methods: Fecal microbiota was analyzed in patients with AS(N=150), UC(N=18) and HC(N=17) using 16S rRNA sequence technique in a targeted approach. Fecal bacterial abundance and profile was also compared with a healthy reference group creating a Dysbiosis Index score (DI 1-5). The AS patients were assessed with questionnaires, back-mobility tests, FCal, ESR and CRP. Results: Principal component analysis showed highly separate clustering of the microbiota in stool samples from patients with AS, UC and HC. We found an expansion of Proteobacteria and a contraction of Bacteroidetes and Lachnospiraceae in AS. Dysbiosis (defined as DI≥3) was found in 88% of AS and an elevated DI correlated with increased FCal (rS=0.303; p<0.001). Samples from AS patients with FCal<50 (n=57) and >200 mg/kg (n=36) clustered separately in multivariate analysis. The patients with a FCal>200 mg/kg had lower abundance of bacteria with anti-inflammatory effects such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Clostridium and higher abundance of various types of Streptococci. No clear association was found between the overall fecal microbiota composition and HLAB-27 status, disease activity, function or medication. Conclusions: The fecal microbiota signature differed greatly between patients with AS, UC and HC. An increased FCal, suggestive of intestinal inflammation, was associated with aberrations in the microbiota composition and increased dysbiosis., Meeting Abstract: O1

Eleven different pulps, both chemically and thermomechanically produced and of both softwood and hardwood origin, were acid/base characterised. The measurements were performed as series of potentiometric and conductometric titrations. The potentiometric titration data revealed that all pulp materials were characterised by two buffer regions with an intervening buffer minimum at pHapproximate to6 and, from these measurements, it was possible to evaluate the buffer capacity in the low pH region. The capacity of the second buffer region could not be quantified since drifting readings characterised the data and since the region extended beyond the area of accurate pH determinations. With the conductometric titration data it was not possible to strictly separate the two buffer regions, and it was concluded that the method, as used in the present work, determined the low pH region buffer capacity plus a minor part of the buffer capacity in the upper buffer region. This conclusion was based on a finding that the differences in buffer capacity, as evaluated with the two methods, was related to the relative amount of the weaker acidity at pH>6. From the potentiometric titration data it was also possible to evaluate additional information, namely the initial charge of the pulps and the thermodynamic acidity of the acidic groups on the fibre. In an attempt to determine the origin of the weaker acidity and to determine the practical importance of this weaker acidity, paper sheets were made from one of the softwood pulps at neutral and alkaline pH and these sheets were spectroscopically and physically characterised., QC 20100525

H-1/N-15 and C-13 NMR were used to investigate metabolism in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells. Labelled substrates ([2-N-15]glutamine, [5-N-15]glutamine, [2-N-15]glutamate, (NH4Cl)-N-15, [2-N-15]alanine, and [1-C-13]glucose) were added to batch cultures and the concentration of labelled excreted metabolites (alanine, NH4+, glutamine, glycerol, and lactate) were quantified. Cultures with excess glucose and glutamine produce alanine as the main metabolic by-product while no ammonium ions are released. H-1/N-15 NMR data showed that both the amide and amine-nitrogen of glutamine was incorporated into alanine in these cultures. The amide-nitrogen of glutamine was not transferred to the amine-position in glutamate (for further transamination to alanine) via free NH4+ but directly via an azaserine inhibitable amidotransfer reaction. In glutamine-free media (NH4+)-N-15 was consumed and incorporated into alanine. (NH4+)-N-15 was also incorporated into the amide-position of glutamine synthesised by the cells. These data suggest that the nitrogen assimilation system, glutamine synthetase/glutamate synthase (NADH-GOGAT), is active in glutamine-deprived cells. In cultures devoid of glucose, ammonium is the main metabolic by-product while no alanine is formed. The ammonium ions stem both from the amide and amine-nitrogen of glutamine, most likely via glutaminase and glutamate dehydrogenase. C-13 NMR revealed that the [1-C-13] label from glucose appeared in glycerol, alanine, lactate, and in extracellular glutamine. Labelling data also showed that intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle were recycled to glycolysis and that carbon sources, other than glucose-derived acetylCoA, entered the cycle. Furthermore, Sf9 cell cultures excreted significant amounts glycerol (1.9-3.2 mM) and ethanol (6 mM), thus highlighting the importance of sinks for reducing equivalents in maintaining the cytosolic redox balance., QC 20100525

The crystal structure of sodium bis(trans)-2-methylpropanedionatedimethanolaluminate(III), [Na+][Al(C4H4O4)(2)(CH3OH)(2)(-)], has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallises in the trigonal space group R (3) over bar, with a = 12.046(2), c= 28.705(6) Angstrom and Z= 9. The refinement of 103 parameters on 946 reflections [1>2.0 sigma(I)] gave a final R-value of 0.064 (R-w= 0.066, S= 1.000). The structure consists of octahedral Al(C4H4O4)(2)(CH3OH)(2)(-) complexes and sodium ions. In these complexes, methylmalonate coordinates to Ak(3+) bidentately in the equatorial plane of the octahedron, while methanol coordinates at the apices. As such, it represents a rare single-crystal example of direct aluminium( III)-methanol coordination. The complexes, arranged in layers, are connected to each other by octahedrally coordinated sodium ions, in special position 6c, and hydrogen bonds. The layers, with the methyl group of methylmalonate pointing out from the layers, are stacked perpendicular to the [001] direction and are held together by other octahedrally coordinated sodium ions, in special position 3b.

The crystal structure of hexaaquaaluminium(III) trans-diaquabis(2-methylpropanedionate)aluminate(III) dichloride tetrahydrate, [Al(H2O)(6)(3+)] [Al(C4H4O4)(2)(H2O)(2-)][Cl-](2 .)4H(2)O, was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallises in the triclinic space group , with a = 6.956(1), b = 8.413(2), c = 10.737(2) Angstrom, alpha = 89.78(2), beta = 106.90(2), gamma = 95.25(2)degrees and Z = 1. The refinement of 148 parameters on 2563 reflections [I > 2.0 sigma(I)] gave a final R-value of 0.076 (R-w = 0.052, S = 1.082). The double salt was crystallised from aqueous solution and contains two different octahedral aluminium complexes, an Al(H2O)(6)(3+) complex and an AlL2(H2O)(2)(-) complex with two methylmalonate ions equatorially coordinated and with two molecules of water at the apices. The structure is built up from layers of the Al complexes alternated with layers of chloride ions and water molecules parallel to the (010) plane.

The NAE 5ftx5ft blowdown wind tunnel has undergone a major upgrade of its transonic testing capabilities. Two entirely new test sections, one for testing two-dimensional models (2D) and one for testing three-dimensional models and reflection plane models (3D), have been constructed. The two test sections are parts of the so-called Roll-in Roll-out Test Section System, so designed that an interchange between the two sections can be carried out within two days, a process that previously required about three weeks. The new test sections have, as before, perforated walls, but with different hole geometry, viz. slanted holes with splitter plates as opposed to normal holes in the original test sections. The design and manufacturing was carried out by Canadian companies. The two test sections have been calibrated with regard to pressure distributions, flow quality (turbulence and pressure fluctuations), side wall boundary layer characteristics (2D), flow angularity and wall interference characteristics. Results from these investigations are presented and compared with corresponding data obtained in the original test sections. Canada., Published in Canada Aeronautics and Space Institute, First Canada Symposium on Aedrodynamics, on 4-5 December 1989. Abstract in French and English.