[A case of gastric cancer accompanied by disseminated carcinomatosis of bone marrow with DIC, and subdural hematoma successfully treated with sequential methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil therapy].

A 44-year-old man visited a nearby hospital because of severe headache. Brain MRI revealed a subdural hematoma, and he was transferred to the Department of Neurosurgery of our hospital. Burr hole surgery was performed on the second day of hospitalization because of an enlargement of the hematoma. Laboratory data on admission showed the presence of a disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC). Bone marrow aspiration revealed metastases of signet ring cell carcinoma, and abdominalCT showed gastric cancer. He was diagnosed as having DIC with bone marrow metastases of advanced gastric cancer. Despite anti-DIC therapy and blood transfusion, his systemic bleeding tendency was not improved. The neurosurgeon therefore consulted with a palliative care team. Since the patient was still young, we considered that he should be treated with anti-cancer drugs. At first, his family did not accept chemotherapy because they were pessimistic about his prognosis. However, after he regained his consciousness, we were able to perform sequential MTX and 5-FU therapy with the consent of the patient and his family. The therapy was successful, and he recovered from DIC and was discharged on the 57th hospital day.

Effects of culture and age on the perceived exchange of social support resources.

This research explores the perceived exchange of social support resources of young, midlife, and older adults in the United States and Japan, and how perceptions of exchange may moderate attributions of control, difficulty, and success in attaining important life-goals. A survey was administered to participants in the United States and Japan who ranged in age from 17 to 70 years. Results suggested culture and age to influence the designation of important life-goals, and to interactively moderate the perceived exchange of social support resources in the interpersonal contexts of family and business associates and co-workers. Furthermore, relationships between the perceived exchange of social support and perceptions of control and success in achieving life-goals indicated different intracultural effects. Overall, these findings suggest nuances in the perceived exchange of social support and social cognitions that reflect the cultural orientations of young, midlife and older adults in the United States and Japan. A culturally grounded model of social support is proposed and discussed.