Recurrent bacteremia caused by a "Flexispira"-like organism in a patient with X-linked (Bruton's) agammaglobulinemia.

Helicobacter spp., except for Helicobacter cinaedi, have only rarely been reported in cases of septicemia. A patient with X-linked (Bruton's) agammaglobulinemia was found to have persistent sepsis with a Helicobacter-like organism despite multiple courses of antibiotics. His periods of sepsis were associated with leg swelling thought to be consistent with cellulitis. The organism was fastidious and required a microaerophilic environment containing H(2) for growth. Optimal growth was observed at 35 to 37 degrees C on sheep blood, CDC anaerobe, and Bordet-Gengou agars. Serial subcultures every 4 to 5 days were required to maintain viability. The organism was strongly urease positive and showed highest relatedness to Helicobacter-like organisms with the vernacular name "Flexispira rappini" by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Genomic DNA hybridization studies, however, found 24 to 37% relatedness to "F. rappini" and even less to other Helicobacter spp. Although the organism phenotypically resembles "Flexispira" and Helicobacter, it is thought to represent a new taxon. The patient's infection was eventually cleared with a prolonged (5-month) course of intravenous imipenem and gentamicin.

The effect of encapsulated soluble fiber on carohydrate metabolism during exercise.

Previous investigations have reported that soluble fiber reduces the plasma glucose and insulin changes after an oral glucose load. To improve the palatability of a soluble-fiber feeding, this study addressed how a combined, soluble fiber (delivered in capsule form) and a preexercise CHO feeding would affect metabolic responses during exercise. On 3 different days, participants ingested a placebo (CON), 75 g liquid CHO (GLU), or 75 g liquid CHO with 14.5 g encapsulated guar gum (FIB) 45 min before cycling for 60 min at 70% VO2 peak. Peak concentrations of plasma glucose and insulin were similar and significantly greater than CON preexercise (p < 05). Similarities in carbohydrate reliance were observed in GLU and FIB. Muscle glycogen use did not differ significantly among trials. These results demonstrate that encapsulated soluble fiber delivered with liquid CHO feeding does not affect plasma glucose, insulin, or muscle glycogen utilization during exercise.

Effect of sodium in a rehydration beverage when consumed as a fluid or meal.

To investigate the impact of fluid composition on rehydration effectiveness, 30 subjects (15 men and 15 women) were studied during 2 h of rehydration after a 2.5% body weight loss. In a randomized crossover design, subjects rehydrated with water (H2O), chicken broth (CB: 109.5 mmol/l Na, 25.3 mmol/l K), a carbohydrate-electrolyte drink (CE: 16.0 mmol/l Na, 3.3 mmol/l K), and chicken noodle soup (Soup: 333.8 mmol/l Na, 13.7 mmol/l K). Subjects ingested 175 ml at the start of rehydration and 20 min later; H2O was given every 20 min thereafter for a total volume equal to body weight loss during dehydration. At the end of the rehydration period, plasma volume was not significantly different from predehydration values in the CB (-1.6 +/- 1.1%) and Soup (-1.4 +/- 0.9%) trials. In contrast, plasma volume remained significantly (P < 0.01) below predehydration values in the H2O (-5.6 +/- 1.1%) and CE (-4.2 +/- 1.0%) trials after the rehydration period. Urine volume was greater in the CE (310 +/- 30 ml) than in the CB (188 +/- 20 ml) trial. Urine osmolality was higher in the CB and Soup trials than in the CE trial. Urinary sodium concentration was higher in the Soup and CB trials than in the CE and H2O trials. These results provide evidence that the inclusion of sodium in rehydration beverages, as well as consumption of a sodium-containing liquid meal, increases fluid retention and improves plasma volume restoration.

Physiological correlates of 3-kilometer running performance in male children.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of body fatness, aerobic and anaerobic ability on 3-km running performance in 19 physically active boys (mean +/- SD, age = 10.4 +/- 0.9 yrs). The sum of six skinfolds, VO2 at 8.04 and 9.65 km.hr-1, and VO2max were measured in the laboratory. Run time for 3 km was assessed twice on separate days on a 200-meter indoor track. Prior to each run, every child performed two 55-meter sprints and two vertical jumps. Mean +/- SD values for the sum of skinfolds, %VO2max at each running speed, VO2max and 3-km run time were: 33.9 +/- 14.9 mm; 70.6 +/- 6.6% and 81.0 +/- 7.9%; 54.6 +/- 5.0 ml.kg-1.min-1; 16.41 +/- 2.58 min, respectively. Significant (p < 0.05) correlations were observed between the following variables and run time: sum of skinfolds (r = 0.72); vertical jump (r = 0.67); sprint time (r = 0.59); VO2max (r = 0.61); and, %VO2max at each treadmill speed (r = 0.79 and r = 0.75, respectively). Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that the combination of the %VO2max at 8.04 km.hr-1 and vertical jump accounted for 83% (adjusted R2) of the variance in running time (SEE = 1.06 min, p < 0.05). This study suggests that 3-km run time in physically active boys is influenced by aerobic and anaerobic indices as well as body fatness, supporting the notion that children, compared to adults, are not metabolic specialists.

Ratings of perceived exertion at maximal exercise in children performing different graded exercise test.

The purpose of this study was to examine the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) at maximal exercise in children performing three different graded exercise tests on a treadmill. Eighteen children with a mean +/- SD age of 10.3 +/- 1.4 years volunteered for this study. Each subject performed three different graded exercise test protocols on a treadmill. The protocols consisted of walking only, running only, and combination walk/run. Mean VO2max (ml.kg-1.min-1) during the walking trial (47.3 +/- 5.0) was significantly (p < 0.05) less than during the running (52.1 +/- 4.9) and combination trials (51.9 +/- 5.1). Mean HRmax (bpm) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower during the walking test (195.2 +/- 7.9) compared to the running (202.2 +/- 7.4) and combination tests (202.3 +/- 6.6). Mean RPE at maximal exercise was 18.1 +/- 2.1 in the walking trial, 16.8 +/- 3.0 in the running trial, and 16.8 +/- 2.6 in the combination trial, and was significantly (p < 0.05) greater in the walking trial compared to the other two testing protocols. These data indicate that although VO2max during a walking test is lower, effort sensation is higher compared to protocols that use running as the mode of exercise. The factors involved with RPE selection in this age-group remain to be established.

Purification and characterization of functional recombinant alpha-amidating enzyme secreted from mammalian cells.

A rat alpha-amidating enzyme (alpha-AE) cDNA has been expressed in mouse C127 cells using a bovine papilloma virus vector in which transcription was regulated by the mouse metallothionein 1 promoter. The cDNA encoding the full length alpha-AE protein was modified to terminate translation at a site preceding the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains, thereby enabling functional enzyme to be secreted into the medium. Purification of recombinant alpha-AE to homogeneity indicated that the enzyme was synthesized and secreted as two proteins of 75-77 kDA. The observed heterogeneity was due to inefficient glycosylation at Asn660, as demonstrated by glycopeptidase F digestion. Using the synthetic peptide, dansyl-Tyr-Val-Gly, the specific activity of the recombinant enzyme at pH 7.0 was found to be 1.4 mumol/min/mg and the Km of the enzyme was determined to be 3 microM. The purified recombinant enzyme has maximal activity at pH 4.5-5.5; however, a rapid inactivation of the enzyme occurs in acidic solutions in vitro. This inactivation is diminished when activity is measured at pH 7.0-10.0. The availability of large amounts of readily purified, active recombinant alpha-AE should allow detailed probing of reaction mechanism, copper coordination chemistry, and turn-over-based inactivation events.

Cloning and characterization of two alternatively spliced rat alpha-amidating enzyme cDNAs from rat medullary thyroid carcinoma.

The alpha-amidating enzyme activity in rat medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) consists of multiple, active enzymes that can be resolved by ion-exchange chromatography. Amino acid sequences from one form of purified rat MTC alpha-amidating enzyme have been utilized to design oligonucleotide probes for isolating cDNAs encoding this protein. Sequence analysis of multiple cDNA clones indicates that there are at least two types of cDNA in rat tissues. These cDNAs differ primarily by the absence (type A) or the presence (type B) of a 315-base internal sequence. Additional heterogeneity in the 3' coding regions of the different mRNAs has also been found. Both types of cDNA predict primary translation products that are preproenzymes which must be post-translationally processed at both their amino and carboxyl termini. Sequence analysis of the purified peak III protein from rat MTC demonstrates that the type A mRNA encodes this 75-kDa protein. This analysis also provides support for the assignment of the C-terminal processing site. In addition, data are presented which demonstrate that type B mRNA is also functional. The implications of the internal and carboxyl-end heterogeneity are discussed.

Soup-to-nuts: a television approach to nutrition education.

Soup-to-Nuts is a fresh approach to nutrition education. Television is a relatively untapped medium in the classroom for teaching nutrition concepts. These open-ended lessons facilitate discussion and encourage critical analysis of food behavior. Soup-to-Nuts can serve as a model for other audiovisual nutrition education efforts which join the expertise on nutrition and media professionals.

Speech duration effects in the Kennedy news conferences.

Transcripts of the 61 regular Kennedy news conferences were examined in an attempt to provide a replication of the "speech duration effect" previously found in two-person interviews and during manned space flight. A positive relation was found between the length of the reporters' questions and the length of the President's answers.