Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis in two sexagenarian men: A case report.

RATIONALE: Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) characterized by the triad of muscle paralysis, acute hypokalemia, and the presence of hyperthyroidism is often reported in young adults but rarely reported in age >60 year-old. PATIENT CONCERNS: Two sexagenarian males (age 61 and 62) presenting to the emergency department with progressive muscle paralysis for hours. There was symmetrical flaccid paralysis with areflexia of lower extremities. Both of them did not have the obvious precipitating factors and take any drugs. DIAGNOSIS: Their Wayne scores, as an objective index of symptoms and signs associated with thyrotoxicosis, were <19 (7 and 14, respectively). Their blood pressure stood 162/78 and 170/82 mm Hg, respectively. Their thyroid glands were slightly enlarged. Both of them had severe hypokalemia (1.8 and 2.0 mmol/L). Their presumptive diagnosis of mineralocorticoid excess disorders with severe potassium (K+) deficit were made. However, low urine K+ excretion and relatively normal blood acid-base status were suggestive of an intracellular shift of K+ rather than K+ deficit. Hormone studies confirmed hyperthyroidism due to Graves disease. INTERVENTIONS: A smaller dose of K+ supplementation (only a total of 50 and 70 mmol K+, respectively) were prescribed for the patient. OUTCOMES: After treatment, their serum K+ levels became normal with a full recovery of muscle strength. LESSONS: Our 2 cases highlight the fact that thyrotoxic periodic paralysis must be still kept in mind as the underlying cause of hypokalemia with paralysis and hypertension in elderly patients to avoid missing curable disorders.

Hydrophobic modification of chitin whisker and its potential application in structuring oil.

A facile approach was developed to modify chitin whiskers by reacting them with bromohexadecane, and the potential application of modified whiskers in structuring oil was evaluated. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), elemental analysis, solid (13)C NMR, and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) confirmed that the long alkyl chains were successfully introduced to the chitin whiskers and endowed them with improved hydrophobicity and thermal transition. By hot pressing the modified whiskers, the highly hydrophobic whisker sheets were constructed, showing high contact angles close to 150°. The hydrophobic interaction between the long alkyl chains and chitin backbone induced the crystal alignment with micro-nano structure, leading to the surface roughness and high hydrophobicity of the sheets. Furthermore, the modified whiskers could form a stable dispersion in sunflower oil, displaying a remarkable thickening effect. The viscosity of the oily suspension exhibited temperature dependence and shear-thinning behavior, suggesting great potentials to fabricate oleogel without adding any saturated fat. Furthermore, the intrinsic biocompatibility of α-chitin structure benefits its application in foodstuff, cosmetics, and medical fields.