Electrophysiological and immunological study in myasthenia gravis: diagnostic sensitivity and correlation.

Objective: To determine the diagnostic sensitivity of repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS), single fiber electromyography (SFEMG) and acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChRAb) in myasthenia gravis (MG), and to compare the degree of SFEMG abnormality between ocular and generalized MG and between seronegative and seropositive patients.

Methods: The sensitivities of RNS, SFEMG and AChRAb were estimated. SFEMG abnormality was compared between ocular and generalized MG and between seronegative and seropositive patients.

High prevalence of "biochemical" adrenal insufficiency in thalassemics: is it a matter of different testings or decreased cortisol binding globulin?

Context: High prevalence of "biochemical" adrenal insufficiency (AI) in thalassemics has been reported. However, "clinical" AI is rare.

Aim: The aim was to determine whether cortisol binding globulin (CBG) or tests used in assessing adrenal function contributed to the abnormally high prevalence of biochemical AI.

Short-term cyproheptadine therapy in underweight children: effects on growth and serum insulin-like growth factor-I.

Background: Cyproheptadine, an appetite stimulant, has been used in poor-appetite underweight children. Its beneficial effects on enhancing growth rate have been demonstrated. In contrast, an adverse effect on blunting growth hormone (GH) secretion has also been reported.

Serum free cortisol index, free cortisol, and total cortisol in critically ill children.

Background: In critical illness, serum total cortisol (TC) may not adequately reflect adrenal function because of reduced cortisol-binding globulin (CBG).

Aim: To evaluate adrenal function of critically ill children, using free cortisol index (FCI), calculated free cortisol (cFC), and TC levels.

Methods: Thirty-two critically ill and 36 healthy children were included.

Association between bone mineral density and erythropoiesis in Thai children and adolescents with thalassemia syndromes.

Increased marrow erythropoiesis in patients with thalassemia syndromes results in the expansion of bone marrow cavities and consequently decreases bone tissues, leading to osteoporosis. Whether the soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), a marker of erythropoietic activity, correlates with the bone mineral density (BMD) in thalassemic patients has not previously been addressed. Forty-six children and adolescents with thalassemia syndromes, who were either not transfused or suboptimally transfused, were studied.