Analysis of data from a large, multistate outbreak of fungal infections showed substantial morbidity and mortality. The infections were associated with injection of a contaminated glucocorticoid medication from a single compounding pharmacy. Rapid public health actions included prompt recall of the implicated product, notification of exposed persons, and early outreach to clinicians.

No abstract

This study investigated the effects of overfeeding on the body composition and fat morphology characteristics of 6 pairs of male monozygotic twins. Each participant was submitted to a 22-day overfeeding period, supplemented by an additional 1000 kcal/day. Significant changes were observed in body composition and fat morphology as shown by increases in body weight, fat mass, sum of 9 skinfolds, and fat cell diameter. Significant within-pair resemblance for absolute changes was observed for body weight, percent body fat, fat mass, sum of skinfolds, trunk skinfolds, and extremity skinfolds, suggesting a role for the genotype in determining the sensitivity of the response to an energy surplus. Significant within-pair resemblance was noted for the biceps, triceps, and thigh with less resemblance noted in the subscapular, abdomen, suprailiac, calf, axillary, and chest sites, suggesting a variation in genotype dependency for subcutaneous fat. The results suggest that changes in body fat following short-term overfeeding appear to have a genetic basis.

No abstract

Abstract. In order to study the influence of heredity on resting metabolic rate (RMR), 20 monozygotic and 19 dizygotic male twin pairs aged 20.6 (SD 2.9) and 21.4 (SD 3.1) years, gave their consent to participate in the experiment. Fat free weight (FFW) was estimated from underwater weighing. RMR was measured by indirect calorimetry using an open circuit system. RMR was expressed as kJ • min -1 , kJ/m 2 • h _1 , kJ/kg • h" 1 and kJ/kgFFW • h" 1 . Significant intraclass coefficients were observed in MZ twins for the different expressions of RMR. The values ranged from r = 0.45 (P < 0.05) to r = 0.81 (P < 0.01). However, DZ twins demonstrated lower intraclass coefficients for RMR, with a range from r = 0.21 to r = 0.44. Significant (P < 0.05) DZ resemblance was revealed only when RMR was expressed as kJ • min -1 and kJ/kg • h -1 . Results of the present study suggest that variations in RMR may have a genetic component. Implications for human energy balance and body fat are discussed.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the contribution of an increment in glucose storage to the reduced glucose-induced thermogenesis (GIT) characterizing endurance-trained individuals. For that purpose, glucose storage and GIT were determined during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in eight elite endurance athletes exercising between 6 and 16 h/week. Their values were compared with those obtained in five nontrained subjects submitted to two OGTT, i.e., before and 16 h after they had performed a 90-min vigorous exercise. As expected, endurance athletes exhibited a reduced GIT and a greater glucose storage during the OGTT in comparison to the preexercise values of nontrained subjects. Once the latter subjects had performed the 90-min exercise, their glucose storage during the OGTT was similar to the level found in athletes. This adaptation was accompanied by a significant reduction in GIT, which corresponded to 47% of the difference observed between trained and nontrained subjects when both groups maintained their usual life habits. Unlike GIT, resting metabolic rate (RMR) was found to be higher in athletes than in nontrained individuals. When subdividing the athletes into two subgroups on the basis of the duration of their weekly training, it was found that RMR was mainly elevated in those performing the higher amount of exercise. These results demonstrate that the reduced GIT characterizing endurance-trained individuals is partly explained by an increase in glucose storage during an OGTT. As further discussed, this reduced GIT is likely an indirect consequence of modifications of other energy-requiring energy processes rather than a direct result of the postexercise increment in glucose storage.

No abstract

The present study was designed to evaluate the contribution of the exercise-induced increment in glucose storage to the increased insulin sensitivity characterizing endurance athletes. Plasma glucose and insulin were measured during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in six endurance athletes. Glucose storage and lipid oxidation during this test were also determined using indirect calorimetry. These measurements were compared to those obtained in five non-trained subjects who were tested before and during the three days following a 90-min cycle ergometer exercise performed at 69% of their VO2max. As expected, preexercise values of non-trained subjects revealed a much higher insulin response to glucose, and a lower glucose storage and lipid oxidation compared to results obtained in endurance trained individuals. Glucose tolerance was comparable in both groups. The morning following the exercise test, i.e. about 16 h after exercise, glucose storage was significantly increased in non-trained subjects to a level similar to that found in trained subjects. Surprisingly, this was accompanied by higher values of glucose during the OGTT without significant changes in insulinaemia. This impairment in glucose homeostasis was transitory since glucose tolerance had returned to control level on day 2 after exercise. At that time, the increase in glucose storage was less pronounced than in day 1. On day 3 after exercise, glucose and insulin responses to glucose were similar to preexercise values. These results indicate that the increase in glucose storage by acute exercise is not systematically associated with an improved glucose homeostasis, suggesting that other adaptive mechanisms also contribute to the improvement of insulin sensitivity in endurance athletes.