Thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis without acetylcholine receptor antibodies

Patients with myasthenia gravis and thymoma usually present antibodies to the acetylcholine receptor (AchR-Ab). Only two cases of thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis without AchR-Ab have been previously reported. We describe a case of seronegative thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis as a further evidence of the variability of myasthenia gravis in terms of antibody profile and thymic pathological findings

The Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB): Normative values in an Italian population sample

The Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) is a short cognitive and behavioural six-subtest battery for the bedside screening of a global executive dysfunction; although recently devised, it is already extensively used thanks to its ease of administration and claimed sensitivity. The aim of the present study was to derive Italian normative values from a sample of 364 control subjects (215 women and 149 men) of different ages (mean: 57.4 +/- 17.9 years; range: 20-94 years) and educational level (mean: 10.4 +/- 4.3 years.; range: 1-17 years); the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was concurrently administered. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed significant effects for age and education whereas gender was not significant; thus, from the derived linear equation, a correction grid for FAB raw scores was built. Based on nonparametric techniques, inferential cut-off scores were subsequently determined and equivalent scores (ES) computed. Test-restest and inter-rater reliabilities were both satisfactory. Interestingly, MMSE was significantly correlated with FAB raw scores, whereas adjusted scores were not. The present data may improve the accuracy in the use of the FAB both for clinical and research purposes

Origin of the Earth [Book Review]

Lord Kelvin calculated that Earth began to solidify 40 million years ago, thus starting a long-time confrontation between geologists and "natural philosophers." Following the discovery of radioactivity, Earth was viewed as having a cold, tranquil beginning. The Schmidt-Safranov accretional theory gave long accretion times, 10^8 years, for Earth. Gravitational energy radiated away, and planets formed in an unmelted condition. In standard geological models, the planet heated up gradually as a result of the decay of radioactive elements. Much later the "core formation event" heated and differentiated Earth. However, it has long been clear to some earth scientists that early Earth was hot and that an origin involving extensive melting was unavoidable. The Hanks-Anderson rapid-accretion hypothesis implied a hot origin, with differentiation and core formation simultaneous with accretion. This book continues the debate