Primary Clear-Cell Sarcoma in the Mediastinum

We report a case of primary clear-cell sarcoma (CCS) in the mediastinum. In October 2011, a 63-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for surgical resection. The tumor was completely excised by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The tumor was well encapsulated and did not invade the pleura. Histological examination led to a final diagnosis of primary CCS in the mediastinum. The patient remains alive without evidence of recurrence at 15 months after surgery

Depression, Alcoholism, and Genetic Alcohol Sensitivity Regulated by ALDH2 and ADH1B Polymorphisms among Japanese Community-Dwelling Adults

Background: Although strong association between drinking and depression as well as alcohol- related disorders (ARD) has been reported, the relationship between potential ability to drink (genetic alcohol sensitivity) and depression or ARD is unclear. Genetic alcohol sensitivity is regulated by two alcohol metabolic enzyme genes, ADH1B and ALDH2 polymorphisms. We have already evaluated the&nbsp; association&nbsp; between&nbsp; depression&nbsp; and&nbsp; these&nbsp; polymorphisms&nbsp; in Japanese white-collar&nbsp; workers.Current study expanded this issue on community-dwelling relatively older adults. Methods: A total of 654 community-dwelling people were interviewed regarding their ARD by a brief psychiatric structured interview (MINI). Severity of depression was evaluated by the Center for&nbsp; Epidemiologic&nbsp; Studies&nbsp; Depression&nbsp; Scale&nbsp; (CES-D). We investigated&nbsp; the&nbsp; relationship&nbsp; of ADH1B rs1229984 and ALDH2 rs671 polymorphism combinations with depression and ARD risks. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations between those polymorphisms and mental disorders, adjusting for sex, age, number of family members, physical exercise, job status, and serum lipid&nbsp; abnormality. The degree of alcohol sensitivity&nbsp; was&nbsp; classified&nbsp; into&nbsp; five&nbsp; groups&nbsp; according&nbsp; to&nbsp; the combination of two enzyme genotypes (Group I-V, in order from the lowest alcohol sensitivity). Results: Those&nbsp; with ALDH2 1 / * 2 and &nbsp; ADH1B * 1 / * 1&nbsp; were&nbsp; likely&nbsp; to&nbsp; be&nbsp; at&nbsp; an&nbsp; increased&nbsp; risk&nbsp; of depression&nbsp; (OR&nbsp; 6.63,&nbsp; 95%&nbsp; CI&nbsp; 1.12-39.21).&nbsp; On&nbsp; the&nbsp; other&nbsp; hand,&nbsp; a&nbsp; genotype&nbsp; combination&nbsp; of ALDH2 * 1 / * 1 and&nbsp; ADH1B * 1 / * 2 or * 2 / * 2 was significantly associated with an increased risk of ARD (OR 3.93, 95% CI 1.86-8.31). Similar findings were observed when depression and ARD were combined as an&nbsp; outcome variable. Conclusions: Genetic alcohol sensitivity&nbsp; with&nbsp; the genotype&nbsp; combination&nbsp; of ALDH2 * 1 / * 2 and ADH1B * 1 / * 1&nbsp; was significantly&nbsp; associated&nbsp; with an&nbsp; increased&nbsp; risk&nbsp; of&nbsp; depression,&nbsp; while&nbsp; Japanese community-dwellers in rural areas with ALDH2 * 1 / * 1 and&nbsp; ADH1B&nbsp; * 1 / * 2 or * 2 / * 2 were at a&nbsp; significantly elevated risk of ARD. </p

Response of Meningeal Carcinomatosis from Breast Cancer to Capecitabine Monotherapy: A Case Report

A 62-year-old woman with breast cancer received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by breast-conserving surgery and sentinel node biopsy. During adjuvant endocrine therapy with aromatase inhibitor, she developed multiple bone metastases. Thereafter, she received tamoxifen and zoledronate therapy. In May 2011, she developed a tongue deviation and was diagnosed as having meningeal carcinomatosis. The tongue deviation disappeared 3 weeks after taking capecitabine (2,400 mg/day). Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed regression of meningeal carcinomatosis. Levels of tumor markers CEA and CA15-3 changed from 96.0 IU/ml and 3.5 ng/ml to 47.0 IU/ml and 1.5 ng/ml, respectively. Progression-free survival with capecitabine monotherapy was 5 months