Sickle cell anemia (HbSS) includes chronic inflammation, but the origin is unclear. We hypothesized that in stable HbSS patients the inflammation was associated with hypermetabolism. We compared selected hypermetabolic and key immunomodulator indicators in HbSS versus control children and examined associations between measures of hypermetabolism and inflammation. Twelve fasting asymptomatic HbSS children 6-12 years and 9 controls matched for age, gender and fat mass (FM) were studied. Proportional reticulocyte count (retic%) and resting energy expenditure (REE) represented hypermetabolism, and C-reactive protein (CRP) indicated inflammation. Proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and energy balance cytokine leptin were measured. Methods were indirect calorimetry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and radioimmunoassay. Statistical analysis included simple correlation and regression analysis. REE (51 ± 6 vs. 43 ± 12 kcal/kg per fat-free mass (FFM), mean ± SD), retic% (12 ± 4 vs. 0.7 ± 0.3%), CRP (5 ± 3 vs. 0.3 ± 0.4 mg/liter), and IL-6 (71 ± 40 vs. 20 ± 7 pg/ml) were significantly higher for HbSS than controls (P < 0.05). Conversely, leptin (0.1 ± 0.1 vs. 2 ± 1 µg/liter per kgFM) and MCP-1 (34 ± 5 vs. 41 ± 4 pg/ml) were significantly lower for the HbSS subjects (P < 0.01). TNF-α was not significantly different. There were no significant associations between REE or retic% and any cytokine measured. However, CRP was significantly associated with REE in HbSS (r = 0.8, P = 0.003) and an important predictor of REE/FFM. We provide new evidence for low circulating levels of inflammatory chemokine MCP-1 in stable HbSS children, confirm mostly low cytokine levels, inflammation, and hypermetabolism and demonstrate association of hypermetabolism with inflammation via CRP but not via cytokines.

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et al., 1971). Fresh or frozen vegetable soybean can be cooked just like sweet pea (Pisum sativum L.) or lima Edamame (pronounced eh-dah-MAH-meh) are large-seeded soybean (Phaseolus limensis L.), either stir fried or added bean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] harvested as green pods at the R6 stage when the seed are approximately 80% matured. The demand to stews and soups. They are nutritious and rich in phyfor edamame as fresh or frozen vegetable is increasing worldwide. tochemicals beneficial to humans. Masuda (1991) com-Currently, lack of adapted edamame cultivars is one of the major pared vegetable soybean quality with that of green peas factors limiting its commercial production in the southeastern USA.(P. sativum) and reported nearly 56% more protein A need exists, therefore, to evaluate and identify Asian vegetable content for vegetable soybean than that of green peas. soybean genotypes for potential production and/or as a source of The combination of low oil content and the relatively vegetable traits for breeding suitable cultivars. In a 4-yr study, six high protein content of fresh green soybean seeds makes Japanese edamame cultivars, four large-seeded Japanese plant introthem particularly desirable to the health conscious peoductions, two Chinese vegetable soybean cultivars, and two adapted ple seeking low fat, high protein snacks (Brar and Car-U.S. cultivars were evaluated for fresh green pod and seed yields and ter, 1993). The USA currently imports more than 10 000 seed composition at the R6 stage. The genotypes were planted in a randomized complete block with four replications and were harvested Mg of frozen edamame each year and this is estimated to at the R6 stage. The mean fresh pod and seed yields were 18.5 and increase to 25 000 Mg by 2005 (Lin, 2001). Soybean 9.6 Mg ha Ϫ1 , respectively. The PI 181565, 'Tambagura', 'Shangrao with 78 to 220 g isoflavone g Ϫ1 dried seed weight, de-Wan Qingsi', and PI 200506 with fresh pod and seed yields in excess pending upon isoflavone type (Mohamed et al., 2001), of 20 and 10 Mg ha Ϫ1 , respectively, offer potential for commercial is one of the few natural sources of isoflavones. Messina production in Georgia. The seed oil and protein contents ranged from (2001) summarized the results of several clinical studies 130.7 to 155.8 and 333.2 to 386.0 g kg Ϫ1 , respectively. The mean glucosethat showed the association of soyfoods, particularly soy content was 67.1 g kg Ϫ1 , whereas the mean phytate content was 12.6 isoflavones with reduction in blood serum cholesterol gkg Ϫ1 . Fresh pod weight was the major yield determinant (R 2 ϭ 0.88).

Seeds from nine kenaf genotypes (Cubano, Everglades 41, Everglades 71, GR2563, Guatemala 48, Indian, 178-18RS-10, Tainung #l, and Tainting #2) were evaluated for oil, fatty acid, phospholipid, and sterol content. Oil content ranged from 21.4 to 26.4% with a mean of 23.7%. Total phospholipids ranged from 3.9 to 10.3% of the oil, with a mean of 6.0%. Mean sterol percent was 0.9 and ranged from 0.6% of the total oil for 178-18RS-10 accession to 1.2% for Everglades 71. Palmitic (20.1% of the total fatty acids), oleic (29.2%), and linoleic (45.9%) were the major fatty acids, and palmitoleic (1.6%), linolenic (0.7%), and stearic (3.5%) were the minor components. Medium (Ci2-Ci4) and long (C22-C24) chain fatty acids were less than 1%. Sphingomyelin (4.42% of the total phospholipids), phosphatidyl ethanolamine (12.8%), phosphatidyl choline (21.9%), phosphatidyl serine (2.9%), phosphatidyl inositol (2.7%), lysophosphatidyl choline (5.3%), phosphatidyl glycerol (8.9%), phosphatidic acid (4.9%), and cardiolipin (3.6%) were identified in the nine genotypes. Phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, and phosphatidyl glycerol were the dominant phospholipids. In addition, eight unidentified phospholipids were also found. /I-sitosterol (72.3% of the total sterols), campsterol (9.9%), and stigmasterol (6.07%) were prevalent among kenaf genotypes. Kenaf's relatively high oil content and its similarity to cottonseed oil suggest that the seed oil may be used as a source of edible oil. The variation among genotypes indicates potential for genetic improvement in oil yield and quality.

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), grown under greenhouse conditions, was harvested at three growth stages and analyzed for total solids, total protein, ash, soluble carbohydrate, and fructose/fructane in whole plants, leaves, stems, and roots. Significant increases were observed in total solids and protein during plant maturation. Leaves had the highest amount of protein in the third growth stage (44.25 g/100 g dry matter). Roots showed a decline in protein level as the plant aged. Soluble carbohydrate was significantly higher in growth states 1 and 3. Significant variation among growth stages was found with regard to total phosphorous, calcium, potassium, iron, manganese, and copper. Total phosphorus (P) content in leaves was significantly higher than P found in stems and roots. Iron (Fe) content varied significantly among growth stages, and roots and leaves had the highest Fe content (121.47 and 33.21 mg, respectively). Significant accumulation of manganese (Mn) was found in different growth stages. Leaves and roots had significantly higher Mn content than stems.