A novel irreversible FLT3 inhibitor, FF-10101, shows excellent efficacy against AML cells with mutations.

An activating mutation of () is the most frequent genetic alteration associated with poor prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although many FLT3 inhibitors have been clinically developed, no first-generation inhibitors have demonstrated clinical efficacy by monotherapy, due to poor pharmacokinetics or unfavorable safety profiles possibly associated with low selectivity against FLT3 kinase. Recently, a selective FLT3 inhibitor, quizartinib, demonstrated favorable outcomes in clinical studies.

[Expectations toward the care service and the medical service for elderly in Japan].

Aim: With the purpose of gathering basic data in order to prompte various research toward the realization of a vibrant aging society, we performed a nationwide 'Survey on life' intended for citizens over 60 years old who engage in independent living, preserving their state of health even after retirement.

Methods: We created a survey form consisting of 14 question items. Processing 4,000 persons surveyed from 100 locations chosen nationwide, we obtained a total of 2,370 answers from both male and female subjects, with an effective recovery rate of 59.

Evaluation of B-mode ultrasonographic images of carotid lesions by computer analysis as compared with visual assessment.

To establish an objective method for evaluating the characteristics of carotid artery lesions by B-mode ultrasonography, we compared the reproducibility of computer analysis with that of visual evaluation. Using two different models of ultrasonograph, we evaluated B-mode ultrasonographic images of 100 carotid artery lesions in a blinded fashion by computer analysis and visual evaluation, two times at a 1-month interval. Another 35 lesions were simultaneously imaged by the two models of ultrasonograph and were evaluated visually and by computer analysis to examine the correlation between results.

Synthesis of dimethyl gloiosiphone a by way of palladium-catalyzed domino cyclization.

The synthesis of a spiro[4.4]nonane skeleton by the palladium-catalyzed domino cyclization of a linear 7-methylene-2,10-undecadienyl acetate is described. The pi-allylpalladium intermediate underwent intramolecular alkene insertion with high intraannular diastereoselectivity, followed by intramolecular Heck-type cyclization, leading to a spiro[4.

Prognostic implications of swallowing ability in elderly patients after initial recovery from stroke.

Background: It remains unclear how swallowing assessment can help clinicians to predict the risk for pneumonia in elderly persons after ischemic stroke. A prospective case-control study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic utility of swallowing ability assessments.

Methods: Participants were 136 elderly persons who had an acute ischemic stroke 3-12 months previously.

Aspiration and infection in the elderly : epidemiology, diagnosis and management.

Aspiration of the oropharyngeal or gastric contents by elderly persons often leads to lower respiratory tract infections, such as aspiration pneumonia or pneumonitis. The existence of dysphagia and aspiration in elderly patients are important factors in the occurrence of aspiration pneumonia, but are not sufficient to cause aspiration pneumonia in the absence of other risk factors. Salivary flow and swallowing can eliminate Gram-negative bacilli from the oropharynx in healthy persons.

[Treatment of bedsores--combination of therapies depended the experimental design method].

The treatment of bedsores is a particular problem in geriatric medicine. We selected standard drugs that may be effective for the decubitus ulcer, and investigated combination therapy to develop efficient treatment The subjects were 16 patients in whom the grade of the bedsore was evaluated as II to IV according to the Shea's depth classification. Treatment was performed while all patients were on air mats.

Immunolocalization of 14-3-3 isoforms in brains with Pick body disease.

Immunolocalization of 14-3-3 protein isoforms in relation to Pick bodies in Pick body disease (PBD) brains was investigated. Weakly granular immunoreactivity of 14-3-3 proteins was found in neurons in control subjects and in Pick body disease brains. In addition to this granular immunoreactivity, many Pick bodies were immunopositive for 14-3-3 proteins as confirmed with double-immunofluorescence with an anti-PHF tau (AT8) and anti-14-3-3 that recognizes all its isoforms (common).

[Severe chlamydia pneumoniae pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation and steroid therapy in an elderly patient].

A 75-year-old man first developed dyspnea and low-grade fever in late March. A chest X-ray film showed infiltration in the right lower lung field and blood gas analysis revealed severe hypoxemia. Accordingly, he was diagnosed as having pneumonia and was admitted to our hospital on March 11, 2003.

Differences in regional cerebral blood flow patterns in male versus female patients with Alzheimer disease.

Background And Purpose: There may be some differences in the pathophysiology between men and women with Alzheimer disease (AD). This study was undertaken to explore the possible influence of sex on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) patterns in patients with AD.

Methods: Single photon emission CT (SPECT) was performed in 30 men and 30 women with AD, and the SPECT data were analyzed by using 3D stereotactic surface projections.

Metabolism of pyrogallol to purpurogallin by human erythrocytic hemoglobin.

The aim of this study was to investigate the oxido-reductive reactions of human hemoglobin with pyrogallol and the metabolism of pyrogallol by the protein, which contains a protoporphyrin IX like cytochrome P-450. Pyrogallol, having three hydroxy groups at the adjacent positions in the benzene ring, oxidized human oxyhemoglobin to methemoglobin and reduced human methemoglobin to oxyhemoglobin. Since superoxide dismutase and catalase inhibited these reactions extensively, active oxygens such as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide were considered to be involved in the oxido-reductive reaction of human hemoglobin by pyrogallol.

14-3-3 proteins and zeta isoform containing neurofibrillary tangles in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Immunolocalization of 14-3-3 proteins in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains was investigated using isoform-specific antibodies. Weak granular immunoreactivity of 14-3-3 proteins was found in neuronal cytoplasm in control subjects and AD brains. Both intracellular and extracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), as well as neuropil thread-like structures, were immunopositive for 14-3-3 proteins.

Cerebral blood flow patterns in Binswanger's disease: a SPECT study using three-dimensional stereotactic surface projections.

We investigated regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) patterns in Binswanger's disease (BD) patients using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). SPECT data on 22 patients with BD were analyzed using three-dimensional stereotactic surface projections (3D-SSP) and were compared with those of 22 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). rCBF patterns in patients with BD were different from those with AD.

Recovery of platelet function after withdrawal of cilostazol administered orally for a long period.

To clarify the recovery of platelet function after abrupt withdrawal of cilostazol, we studied platelet function and cilostazol concentration in elderly who received cilostazol, 100 mg twice a day (200 mg/day), for a long period. After interviewing the time of final cilostazol intake, platelet aggregability was determined with an aggregometer using four different concentrations of adenosine-5'-diphosphate as an inducer, which showed the grading curve (GC) type and platetet aggregatory threshold index (PATI). Serum cilostazol concentration was also determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Effects of partial volume correction on discrimination between very early Alzheimer's dementia and controls using brain perfusion SPECT.

We assessed the accuracy of brain perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in discriminating between patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) at the very early stage and age-matched controls before and after partial volume correction (PVC). Three-dimensional MRI was used for PVC. We randomly divided the subjects into two groups.

Long-term effects of lipoprotein(a) on carotid atherosclerosis in elderly Japanese.

Background: Serum level of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is hereditarily constant throughout life within an individual, but the relationship between Lp(a) and atherosclerosis in elderly people is still controversial.

Methods: Serum Lp(a) levels were studied in 208 elderly Japanese participants aged 80 years with a variety of diseases, using carotid ultrasonography (US), brain computerized tomography (CT), electrocardiography (ECG), and ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI). Carotid plaque lesions were divided into 3 types based on the US echogenicity assessed by a computer-assisted system: L type (hypoechoic plaque), H type (hyperechoic plaque), and M type (heterogeneous plaque).

[A case of anaplastic large cell lymphoma associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection, representing clinicopathological features of malignant histiocytosis].

An 82-year-old woman was admitted with fever and anorexia. Aggravated pancytopenia and liver dysfunction suggested the presence of disseminated intravascular coagulation. The serum ferritin level increased to 9,100 ng/ml.

Atrophy of the substantia innominata on magnetic resonance imaging predicts response to donepezil treatment in Alzheimer's disease patients.

To investigate whether atrophy of the substantia innominata as shown on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), reflecting degeneration of cholinergic neurons in the nucleus basalis of Meynert, predicts response to donepezil treatment in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), we studied correlations between the thickness of the substantia innominata and clinical efficacy. Eighty-two patients were divided into responders, including transiently and continuously responding groups, and nonresponders, based on the changes in the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score from baseline at 3 months and at 12 months. Atrophy of the substantia innominata was more pronounced in transiently and continuously responding groups than nonresponders, but no significant change in the thickness between transiently and continuously responding groups was found.

[Marked decrease of intracranial atherosclerosis in contrast with unchanged coronary artery stenosis in Japan].

We conducted comparative studies on intracranial atherosclerosis and coronary artery stenosis over the past 28 years. Two-year consecutive autopsy case studies from an urban geriatric hospital between 1974-1975 (Group I. 484 cases).

[Characteristics of MRI features in Alzheimer's disease patients predicting response to donepezil treatment].

We attempted to investigate whether morphological features as shown on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) predict response to donepezil treatment in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Sixty-three patients with AD were divided into responders (n = 16) and non-responders (n = 47) based on the changes in the MMSE score between baseline and endpoint. Atrophy of the substantia innominata was more pronounced in responders than non-responders.

Apolipoprotein E genotype and early Alzheimer's disease: a longitudinal SPECT study.

Background And Purpose: To determine the association of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype and longitudinal changes of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous reports have yielded conflicting results concerning this association.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed.

Effect of age on regional cerebral blood flow patterns in Alzheimer's disease patients.

The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of age on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) patterns in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was performed in 79 patients with AD, including 31 younger and 48 older patients divided according to age at examination (<70 and > or = 70 years), and the SPECT data were analyzed using three-dimensional stereotactic surface projection. Although no significant differences in severity and duration of disease between the two groups were found, there were some differences in rCBF patterns.

Cerebral microbleeds in Binswanger's disease: a gradient-echo T2*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging study.

We investigated the incidence and the number of microbleeds (MBs) on T2*-weighted gradient-echo magnetic resonance imaging in 30 Binswanger's disease (BD) patients with diffuse white matter lesions and a varying degree of lacunar infarction, 51 multiple lacunar stroke (MLS) patients with multiple lacunar infarction and no or mild white matter lesions, and 59 elderly controls. MBs were found in 23 (77%) patients with BD, 26 (51%) patients with MLS, and 5 (8%) controls, and the incidence and the number of MBs were significantly greater in the BD group compared with MLS and control groups. Patients with BD had a more widespread location of MBs.

Regional cerebral blood flow patterns and response to donepezil treatment in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

We attempted to identify the characteristic patterns in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) of patients with Alzheimer's disease who responded to donepezil therapy. Sixty-one patients treated with donepezil were divided into two groups (responders and nonresponders) on the basis of changes in their Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores from baseline to study endpoint. We analyzed single-photon emission computed tomography data (SPECT) at baseline using three-dimensional stereotactic surface projections and compared differences in rCBF between the two groups.