[Ectopic pulmonary calcification after parathyroidectomy in multiple myeloma].

Ectopic soft tissue calcification (ESTC), a rare clinical condition, causes tissue and organ damage. It is associated with chronic renal failure, hyperparathyroidism, and malignant neoplasms, including multiple myeloma, and it is reportedly resistant to treatment. Here, we present the case of a 71-year-old male with multiple myeloma who had rapid ESTC in the lung. He had developed hypoparathyroidism secondary to thyroidectomy. During the course of our observation, he rapidly developed ectopic pulmonary calcification approximately 2 weeks after acquiring an infection. There was no evidence of further progression of multiple myeloma after the onset of ESTC, and treatment with ferric citrate hydrate and precipitated calcium resulted in immediate improvement of his pulmonary signs. We recommend cautious monitoring for patients with multiple myeloma and hypoparathyroidism to detect the onset of ectopic calcification. In addition, low blood phosphorus levels should be effectively treated.

Abnormal bone mineral density in health checkup population with subclinical thyroid dysfunction / 中华健康管理学杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between abnormal bone mineral density (BMD) and subclinical thyroid dysfunction. Methods Thyroid function, biochemical indicators of bone metabolism and BMD were reviewed retrospectively in the subjects who received health checkups from July 1, 2009 to January 31, 2017 in the Health Check-up Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital. People who had thyroid dysfunction, recognized risk factors for osteoporosis, and medication history were excluded. A cross-sectional analysis of thyroid status and biochemical indicators of bone metabolism was performed by the standard methods. BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results A total of 6884 subjects (3726 women and 3158 men) were enrolled in the study, with an average age of (50.74 ± 10.41) years. They were divided into three groups:subclinical hyperthyroid, subclinical hypothyroid, and euthyroidism. The alkaline phosphatase in subclinical hyperthyroid group was higher than that in the euthyroidism group[ (67.95±20.64)U/L vs. (63.88±18.99)U/L]. Calcium and phosphorus in blood were higher in both subclinical hyperthyroid and subclinical hypothyroid groups. The rate of abnormal BMD in male euthyroidism, subclinical hyperthyroid and subclinical hypothyroid groups were 36.10％(1049/2906), 29.27％(12/41) and 27.01％(57/211), respectively. The rate of abnormal BMD showed no difference between subclinical hyperthyroid group and euthyroidism group (P>0.05). The rate of abnormal BMD was lower in subclinical hypothyroid group than in euthyroidism group (χ2=7.0901, P0.05). Conclusion There is no significant difference in the rate of abnormal BMD between subclinical thyroid dysfunction group and euthyroidism group, possibly because abnormal serum biochemical indicators preceded the presence of low BMD. More sensitive methods used to determine the status of bone metabolism await to be developed.

Changes in Blood Superoxide Dismutase Activities after Alcohol Withdrawal

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to evaluate changes in plasma superoxide dismutase(SOD) activities in alcohol depedence, to fine out variables to influence on the SOD activities, and finally to identify the correlation of SOD activities with the alcohol-associated cognitive disorders. METHODS: For 24 male alcoholics and 21 healthy male controls, plasma SOD activities were measured by spectrophotometry on 1-2 wks after alcohol withdrawal. Structured interviews and laboratory tests were also performed. RESULTS: 1) Upon comparing SOD activities between controls and alcoholics, the SOD activities were significantly(p<0.01) lower in alcoholics(0.308+/-0.140 units/mL) than in healthy controls(0.313+/-0.086 units/mL). 2) Upon comparing SOD activities according to the presence of alcohol-related cognitive disorders, the SOD activities were significantly(p<0.05) lower in alcoholics with cognitive disorders(0.247+/-0.049 units/mL) than in alcoholics without cognitive disorders(0.317+/-0.148 units/mL). 3) Upon comparing SOD activities according to the presence of alcoholic polyneuropathy or alcohol withdrawal seizure, the SOD activities showed no significant differences between alcoholics with polyneuropathy or epilepsy and those without. 4) Upon analyzing variables influencing on the SOD activities in alcoholics, the SOD activities had the negative correlation with hemoglobin(gamma=-0.433) and severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms(gamma=-0.375). 5) Upon comparing variables according to the presence of alcohol-related cognitive disorders, the occurrence of alcoholic polyneuropathy(p<0.05) and blood phosphorus concentrations(p<0.01) were significantly higher in alcoholics with cognitive disorders than those without. 6) Upon analyzing an association between SOD activities and variables in alcoholics with cognitive disorders, the SOD activities were positively correlated with the onset age(gamma=0.995), and negatively correlated with the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms(gamma=-0.996). CONCLUSIONS: Lower SOD activities in alcohol dependence suggested alcohol-associated cognitive disorders and alcohol withdrawal symptoms might be caused by oxidative stress.