Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis(TPP) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of thyrotoxicosis. TPP secondary to thyrotoxicosis factitia(TF) is exceptionally uncommon. Here, we report the case of a 31-year-old female who developed TF and subsequent TPP after taking laxatives containing unknown ingredients. The patient presented with acute onset of quadriplegia. Laboratory investigations revealed severe hypokalemia(serum potassium 1.47mmol/L), thyrotoxicosis[thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)<0.005 mIU/L, free thyroxine(FT 4) 30.84 pmol/L, free triiodothyronine(FT 3) 7.71 pmol/L], and a decreased thyroglobulin level(3.08 ng/mL). The patient′s symptoms resolved rapidly following potassium supplementation, and thyroid function gradually normalized after discontinuation of the suspected medication. This case highlights the importance of considering TF in the differential diagnosis of TPP, particularly in patients with a history of unknown medication use. It also underscores the diagnostic value of thyroglobulin measurement in identifying TF and outlines clinical strategies for the management of TF-induced TPP.

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis(TPP) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of thyrotoxicosis. TPP secondary to thyrotoxicosis factitia(TF) is exceptionally uncommon. Here, we report the case of a 31-year-old female who developed TF and subsequent TPP after taking laxatives containing unknown ingredients. The patient presented with acute onset of quadriplegia. Laboratory investigations revealed severe hypokalemia(serum potassium 1.47mmol/L), thyrotoxicosis[thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)<0.005 mIU/L, free thyroxine(FT 4) 30.84 pmol/L, free triiodothyronine(FT 3) 7.71 pmol/L], and a decreased thyroglobulin level(3.08 ng/mL). The patient′s symptoms resolved rapidly following potassium supplementation, and thyroid function gradually normalized after discontinuation of the suspected medication. This case highlights the importance of considering TF in the differential diagnosis of TPP, particularly in patients with a history of unknown medication use. It also underscores the diagnostic value of thyroglobulin measurement in identifying TF and outlines clinical strategies for the management of TF-induced TPP.

Objective: To understand the mechanism of chemotherapy resistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma under hypoxic conditions through the perspective of protein SUMOylation modification. Methods: Cobalt chloride (CoCl₂) was used to establish the hypoxic model of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE1 cells. Then, the cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry, and the expression level of small ubiquitin-related modifier(SUMO) and cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) proteins were detected by western blotting. MTT assay was used to determine the median lethal dose (IC₅₀) of cancer cells against cisplatin, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level. Results: The cell cycle of CNE1 induced by hypoxia was arrested in G0/G1 phase.The results of Western blot showed that the protein expression level of CDK6 in CNE1 cells was lower than that in the control group (0.83±0.25 vs. 0.43±0.21, t=14.67, P=0.003). The protein level of conjugated SUMO1 was significantly lower than that in the control group (2.69±0.48 vs. 1.38±0.31, t=17.22, P=0.001), while the level of free SUMO1 protein was significantly higher than that in the control group (2.01±0.43 vs. 2.60±0.59, t=15.45, P=0.002).The LC50 of CNE1 cells in the control group was significantly lower than that in the hypoxic group (29.44 μg/ml vs. 97.72 μg/ml, t=12.79, P=0.001). After CNE1 cells received 50 μg/ml cisplatin for 48 h, the LDH content in the supernatant of the control group was significantly higher than that in the hypoxic group ((541.49±64.59) ng/ml vs. (234.67±41.03) ng/ml, t=11.94, P=0.007)). The apoptosis rate of CNE1 cells in the control group was significantly higher than that in the hypoxic group ((76.64±5.37)% vs. (32.84±4.77) ng/ml, t=8.49, P=0.003)). Conclusion Hypoxia can dissociate the covalent modification of CDK6 and SUMO1, inhibit cell cycle and increase the chemotherapy resistance of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background and purpose:Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is one of the most common malignancies in the world,It has a poor prognosis due to its rapid infiltrating growth and complicating liver cirrhosis.Surgical resection is considered the best curative option,the 5-year survival rate could reach 50%,especially in the patients with lesions less than 5 cm in diameter and good residual liver function.However curative surgery is feasible for only about 20% of patients.Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) has been demonstrated that its short-term curative effect is better than the other nonsurgical treatments.However,it has not provided any survival benefit.Many studies have been done to improve the overall therapeutic effects of HCC with multi-modality approaches.The purpose of our trial was to evaluate the effects of TACE combined with 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy(3-DCRT) for primary hepatic carcinoma.Methods:90 patients with primary hepatic carcinoma were randomly divided into two groups :45 were treated with 3-DCRT plus TACE and the others were treated with TACE alone.For TACE,80-120 mg cisplatin and 1 000 mg 5-Fluorouracil or 30 mg hydroxycamptothecine)were perfused into the hepatic arteries,then 50-100 mg adriamycin(or epirubicin) or 16 mg mitomycin C and iodized oil 10-30 ml were given to embolize the hepatic arteries,and followed by 1-2 mm gel form particles.TACE of 1-3 sessions was given to both groups.For the combined group,3-DCRT was given by 6MV X-ray.The patients with planned target volume(PTV) lesser than 512 cm~(3) received a total dose of 45-56 Gy,4.5-7 Gy per fraction,and the patients with PTV larger than 512 cm~(3) received a total dose of 45-56 Gy,2.5-4.5 Gy per fraction,5 times every week.Results:The response rates (CR+PR)of 3-DCRT plus TACE group and TACE alone group were 91.1% and 60%,respectively(?~(2)=11.79,P