Tec protein tyrosine kinase inhibits CD25 expression in human T-lymphocyte.

The Tec protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) belongs to a group of structurally related nonreceptor PTKs that also includes Btk, Itk, Rlk, and Bmx. Previous studies have suggested that these kinases play important roles in hematopoiesis and in the lymphocyte signaling pathway. Despite evidence suggesting the involvement of Tec in the T-lymphocyte activation pathway via T-cell receptor (TCR) and CD28, Tec's role in T-lymphocytes remains unclear because of the lack of apparent defects in T-lymphocyte function in Tec-deficient mice.

F-18 FDG PET findings of Takayasu arteritis before and after immunosuppressive therapy.

A 73-year-old woman with a 3-month history of fever of unknown origin underwent F-18 FDG positron emission tomography (PET). The serum C-reactive protein was 9.62 mg/dL.

A case of rheumatoid arthritis complicated by demyelination in both cerebral cortex and spinal cord during etanercept therapy.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists, including etanercept, have been approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These agents are not free of adverse events like other antirheumatic agents. Several important adverse events in CNS lesions have been reported.

Two cases of refractory thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura associated with collagen vascular disease were significantly improved by rituximab treatment.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare disorder of small vessels. TTP is associated with deficiency of the von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease, ADAMTS13, and its inhibitor. Low ADAMTS13 activity is present in most of idiopathic TTP patients.