Favorable effects of motivational interviewing and support in a patient with schizophrenia and alcohol abuse.

A 42-year-old man with schizophrenia was referred to our hospital after 2 weeks of worsening fatigue. His hemoglobin level was 2.8 g/dL owing to folic acid deficiency stemming from alcohol abuse and consumption of unbalanced meals. We induced behavioral changes in the patient by motivational interviewing. We had direct methodical conversations with medical staff involved with the patient as well as his family, and established new social support for him as well as public assistance. These have resulted in the patient maintaining a favorable lifestyle ever since.

Addison's Disease Caused by Tuberculosis with Atypical Hyperpigmentation and Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

We herein report a case of Addison's disease caused by tuberculosis characterized by atypical hyperpigmentation, noted as exacerbation of the pigmentation of freckles and the occurrence of new freckles, that was diagnosed in the presence of active pulmonary tuberculosis. The clinical condition of the patient was markedly ameliorated by the administration of hydrocortisone and anti-tuberculosis agents. When exacerbation of the pigmentation of the freckles and/or the occurrence of new freckles are noted, Addison's disease should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis. In addition, the presence of active tuberculosis needs to be assumed whenever we treat patients with Addison's disease caused by tuberculosis, despite its rarity.

Disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow from pancreatic cancer: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Most cases of disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow (DCBM) arise from gastric cancer. DCBM from pancreatic cancer is very rare. We herein present a case of DCBM from pancreatic cancer. CASE PRESENTATION: A 57-year-old man was referred to our hospital for severe lumbago. Laboratory data indicated that he suffered from disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Non-contrast abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple bone masses but no other abnormal findings. Left iliac bone marrow biopsy revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma cells. Positron emission tomography (PET)-CT showed diffuse abnormal uptake in the bones and tail of the pancreas. Contrast whole-body CT showed a tumor measuring approximately 28 mm in diameter with poor enhancement in the tail of the pancreas. The patient's final diagnosis was pancreatic cancer located in the tail of the pancreas with diffuse bone metastases and DIC. His DCBM was thus believed to originate from the pancreatic cancer. He succumbed to the disease approximately 2 months after admission to our hospital. CONCLUSION: We herein describe a case of pancreatic cancer located in the tail of the pancreas with diffuse bone metastases and DIC, which, in our case, was DCBM. Therefore, in cases of DCBM with an unknown primary tumor, pancreatic cancer should be considered during differential diagnosis.

Low-flow mediated constriction incorporated indices as indicators of cardiovascular risk in smokers.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Low-flow-mediated constriction (L-FMC), the endothelial response to reduced blood flow by forearm compression, is present in some smokers. The differences between smokers with and without L-FMC are unclear. It is also unknown whether flow-mediated total dilation (FMTD) or modified flow-mediated dilation (mFMD), both of which incorporate information concerning L-FMC, could be used to estimate cardiovascular risk. We sought to clarify the clinical factors associated with the presence of L-FMC in smokers according to sex and examine whether L-FMC incorporated indices would be better than a conventional index to estimate cardiovascular risk in smokers. METHODS: In total, 140 consecutive smokers (58 ± 13 years old) with no coronary heart disease and 48 non-smokers, who comprised the age- and sex-matched control group, were enrolled. RESULTS: L-FMC was demonstrated in 33.6% (47/140) and 25% (12/48) of the smokers and non-smokers, respectively. In male smokers, the predictors of the presence of L-FMC were age (p = 0.014), body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.045), and baseline brachial arterial diameter (Dbase) (p = 0.048). In female smokers, there were no predictors of the presence of L-FMC. The correlations between the Framingham risk score (FRS) and %FMTD (r = -0.34) and between FRS and %mFMD (r = -0.33) were stronger than that between FRS and conventional flow-mediated dilation (%cFMD) (r = -0.20). CONCLUSIONS: Independent predictors of the presence of L-FMC were age, BMI, and Dbase in male smokers. L-FMC incorporated indices may be good alternatives to cFMD to estimate cardiovascular risk.