Appearance of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Patients with Myasthenia Gravis following Thymectomy: Two Case Reports

We report two cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in myasthenia gravis (MG) patients who had undergone thymectomy. SLE developed in the patients 3 months or 13 yr after thymectomy, and polyarthritis was the main clinical manifestation of SLE. Both patients fulfilled at least four of the revised criteria for the classification of SLE. In this report, we describe two postthymectomy lupus patients and perform a comparative review of previous cases

Recent developments in soil law and policy in New Zealand

New Zealand has a reputation for successful and efficient agricultural production, although it has a limited supply of high-quality versatile soils. These valuable resources are under threat, both from natural forces including extreme weather events, and from the pressures of expanding urban growth into adjacent areas of high-quality soils. In this article recent developments in the legal and policy framework for soils in New Zealand are considered, and in particular the effect of the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land 2022 (‘NPS-HPL’). Recent caselaw involving residential and urban expansion into rural areas, often to the detriment of the continued availability of high-quality soils, will also be examined. The significant effects of recent extreme weather events in New Zealand on soil issues and productive land will be discussed, and some observations made on the lessons that can be learnt as we face increasing impacts from climate change. Finally, some comments will be offered on future developments, including proposed major resource management legislative reforms, in the context of soil law and policy in New Zealand

The Continuing Relevance of Common Law Property Rights and Remedies in Addressing Environmental Challenges

Environmental protection and natural resources management is today dominated by legislative measures and administrative procedures. Enforcement and penalty regimes for environmental damage and the management of natural resources are all highly regulated. Nevertheless, there remains the oft-neglected realm of common law rules and procedures available to individuals and public interest groups, and indeed government, as alternate or supplementary mechanisms to enforce rights and obligations, to guide the implementation and interpretation of environmental regulation, and to provide new avenues for addressing environmental challenges.The common law, particularly in the areas of tort and property, has demonstrated remarkable adaptability in addressing novel environmental threats and in innovating to protect environmental values and incentivize ecologically-sustainable development of natural resources. This article is intended to provide a review of the historical and current contribution of the common law, focusing particularly on property law concepts and property-related torts, and to explore the future potential of those mechanisms in contributing to environmental protection and environmentally-sustainable development. The article draws on cases and developments in a number of similar common law jurisdictions, including Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.De nos jours, la protection de l’environnement et la gestion des ressources naturelles est dominée par des mesures législatives et des procédures administratives. Les régimes d’application de la loi et de pénalités pour les dommages environnementaux et la gestion de ressources naturelles sont hautement réglementées. Néanmoins, les règles et procédures de common law disponibles aux individus et groupes d’intérêt public, ainsi qu’au gouvernement, sont souvent négligées comme mécanismes alternatifs ou supplémentaires pour faire valoir les droits et obligations, guider la mise en oeuvre et l’interprétation de règles environnementales, et suggérer de nouvelles avenues pour répondre aux défis environnementaux.La common law, particulièrement dans les domaines des obligations extra-contractuelles et du droit des biens, a démontré une adaptabilité remarquable pour répondre à de nouvelles menaces environnementales et innover pour protéger les valeurs environnementales et promouvoir le développement durable et écologique des ressources naturelles. Cet article cherche à réviser la contribution historique et actuelle de la common law, en mettant un accent particulier sur les concepts de droit des biens et des obligations extra-contractuelles reliés à la propriété, ainsi qu’à explorer le potentiel futur de ces mécanismes pour promouvoir la protection de l’environnement et le développement durable. Il se basera sur des arrêts et développements dans plusieurs juridictions de common law similaires, incluant le Canada, le Royaume-Uni, les États-Unis, l’Australie et la Nouvelle-Zélande

Integrating sustainability into water and soil conservation - the New Zealand model *

Abstract Over the last three decades 'sustainability' and the 'precautionary principle' have become internationally accepted "grundnorms", or guiding principles, in human interaction with the natural environment. In 1991 New Zealand incorporated the principle of "sustainable management" as the statutory purpose of the Resource Management Act 1991 ("RMA"). The precautionary approach is arguably implicit in this regime. The RMA provides for an "ecological bottom line" within the "sustainable management" purpose, addressing the issues of inter-generational equity, environmental protection, and ecological integrity. It also provides a comprehensive policy-making and planning regime, and an integrated consenting and enforcement regime incorporating a specialist "Environment Court". All policy-making, planning and decisionmaking functions are required to be undertaken in a manner that promotes the central purpose of sustainability. In terms of water and soil conservation, these principles are taken into account in the preparation of formal policy documents and planning instruments governing land and water use, and in decision-making on consent applications for specific water and soil uses

Colonic stricture as a complication of haemolytic uraemic syndrome

Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) is an infectious disease that can rapidly become life-threatening in the paediatric population. A number of long-term complications may arise from HUS including the rare development of colonic strictures. In this case report, we present two cases with similar presentations of colonic strictures following HUS. Case 1 is a 17-month-old female who developed HUS and multiple complications including a sigmoid colonic stricture. Once the stricture was resected, her recovery was rapid and complete. Case 2 is a 3-year-old male who developed severe HUS requiring dialysis. After developing a small bowel obstruction, a laparotomy demonstrated caecal disease, pan-colonic inflammation, a calcified appendix and a strictured descending colon. A second operation revealed strictures at the transverse, descending and sigmoid colon. Once the diseased part of bowel had been removed his recovery was complete. This report demonstrates the diagnostic difficulty and patient morbidity that may arise from post-HUS colonic strictures. A contrast study is the recommended investigation of choice in patients presenting with ongoing gastrointestinal symptoms after an acute infection with HUS