Sjögren's Syndrome Presenting with Temporary Hemiplegia Mimicking Transient Ischemic Attack.

Sjögren's syndrome manifests with a wide variety of neurologic symptoms. This case report presents a 53-year-old woman with Sjögren's syndrome associated with temporal hemiplegia, which was suspected to be a transient ischemic attack. After induction of immunosuppressive therapies [high-dose prednisolone (1 mg/kg/day) and intravenous cyclophosphamide (total 5 g)], the hemiplegia did not reappear and the blood flow abnormalities remarkably improved as depicted on electroencephalography and single photon emission computed tomography.

Interferon Enhances B Cell Activation Associated With FOXM1 Induction: Potential Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Targeting the Plasmablasts of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. It is characterized by the production of various pathogenic autoantibodies and is suggested to be triggered by increased type I interferon (IFN) signature. Previous studies have identified increased plasmablasts in the peripheral blood of SLE patients.

Refractory Takayasu arteritis successfully treated with rituximab: case-based review.

Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a subtype of the large-vessel vasculitis, affecting the aorta and its major branches. Although T cell-mediated autoimmunity is mainly involved in vascular inflammation, in recent years, accumulating evidence suggests the important role of B cells in the pathogenesis and effectiveness of B-cell-targeted therapy with rituximab (RTX), a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody in refractory TAK. Herein, we report for the first time a case involving a 34-year-old man with TAK who was refractory to four different biologic agents, such as one selective T-cell co-stimulation modulator (abatacept), one anti-interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibody (tocilizumab), and two tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors (infliximab and etanercept), but eventually achieved remission with RTX.

Retrospective analysis of 95 patients with large vessel vasculitis: a single center experience.

Aim: Although Takayasu arteritis (TAK) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) have been considered as distinct disease entities, similarities of these diseases have been recently reported. However, little data is available regarding this issue in Japanese patients with TAK and GCA. In addition, the classification criteria for TAK established in 1990 by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) have been criticized due to the age restriction for disease onset (≤ 40 years).

Long-term follow-up of 124 patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis: Statistical analysis of prognostic factors.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to clarify the long-term outcome of patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis (PM/DM) and to elucidate prognostic factors using statistical analysis.

Methods: We enrolled patients with PM/DM who visited our department between 1990 and 2014. Diagnoses of PM/DM and clinically amyopathic DM were based on the definitions of Bohan and Peter, and Sontheimer, respectively.