This paper describes a report here the case of an 85-year-old man who developed pneumonia of Mycobacterium conspicuum, a rare nontuberculous mycobacterium. The patient had repeatedly complained of a bad cough and purulent sputum since December 2010. On admission in May 2011, chest x-ray showed multiple infiltrative shadows. Although mycobacterial infection was suspected from Gaffky 9 on the patient’s expectorated sputum smear, Mycobacterium tuberculosis was not detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We found acid-fast bacilli also in the bronchial washing fluids, and identified the mycobacteria as M. conspicuum by Rpo B and hsp 65 methods. The patient was successfully treated with antituberculosis drugs. It is important to identify the pathogenic bacteria by frequent sputum examinations and bronchoscopy in advance of treatments.

The nutritional status and exercise training programs were compared between adolescent Japanese and Chinese athletes who belonged to the top schools for track and field and basketball in their respective countries. The mean energy intake was about two times greater in Chinese athletes than in their Japanese counterparts. Chinese athletes consumed 1.5-2.0 times more carbohydrate, 1.9-2.3 times more protein, 3.5-7.5 times more calcium, 2.9-3.7 times more iron, 1.72-2.2 times more vitamin B1 and 1.3-1.8 times more vitamin B₂. Almost all the Chinese athletes consumed more than the Recommended Dietary Allowance standards for energy, protein, calcium, iron and vitamins A, B₁, B₂ and C, while many Japanese athletes did not meet them except for vitamin A and C. The Japanese athletes had more inadequate training schedules, insufficient weight training, and unsatisfactory amount and intervals of rest. These results indicate that Japanese athletes have certain deficiencies in their comprehensive training programs in consideration to nutrition, exercise and rest.