alpha-tocopherol protects the peroxidative modification of LDL to be recognized by LDL receptors.

Background: Peroxidatively modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL) may contribute to the atherosclerotic process; therefore, protecting LDL against peroxidation may reduce or retard the progression of atherosclerosis. We evaluated the effect of alpha-tocopherol on copper-catalyzed LDL peroxidative modification.

Methods: The protective effects of alpha-tocopherol on copper-catalyzed LDL peroxidative modification were examined by measurement of the concentration of lipid hydroperoxides in LDL and by the provision of LDL cholesterol to lymphocytes via the LDL receptor-mediated pathway.

[Six-month short course chemotherapy containing pyrazinamide for initial treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis].

From January 1991 to December 1992, 419 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were initially treated at Fukujuji Hospital. Among them, 190 patients, who were younger than 80 years old and had pulmonary tuberculosis with cavities or infiltration of extension 2 or 3, and/or were sputum-smear positive, had been treated by 6-month short course regimen containing pyrazinamide, 2HRS(E)Z/4HRE. And were eligible for the evaluation of the clinical usefulness of pyrazinamide-containing regimen for the initial treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.

[An approach to tuberculosis in newcomers from Asia and Africa].

In recent years, it has been documented that tuberculosis frequently occurs among recently entered foreigners dominantly from Asia. We studied 85 cases admitted to our hospital for active tuberculosis from 1986 to 1990. Many of those cases, we believe, were infected in countries of origin and were reactivated soon after or before entering Japan.

[Infusion of LAK cells and anticancer drugs with a total implantable port to a patient with metastatic liver and spleen tumors].

A case of hepatic and splenic metastases of lung cancer infused with LAK cells and anticancer drugs from hepatic artery with total implantable port (Port-A-Cath: Pharmacia, Incorp.) was reported. A 56-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of general fatigue, jaundice, pleural effusion and elevation of transaminase caused by hepatic and splenic metastases of lung carcinoid.