Lecithinized superoxide dismutase retards wobbler mouse motoneuron disease.

Gene mutations of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) have been discovered in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Oxidative stress also plays a role in the pathogenesis of sporadic ALS. Whether antioxidant therapy is beneficial in this fatal disease is now crucial. We have shown that SOD treatment improves neuromuscular dysfunction and morphological changes in wobbler mouse motoneuron disease. Progressive spinal motor neuronopathy and axonopathy, predominantly in the cervical cord, occur at postnatal age 3-4 weeks, leading to muscle weakness and contracture of the forelimbs in this animal. These motor deficits rapidly increase by postnatal age 6-8 weeks, and then slowly progress. Wobbler mice were given two doses daily of phosphatidyl choline-bound Cu/Zn SOD (PC-SOD, 10(4), 10(5) U/kg) or a vehicle solution by intraperitoneal injection from postnatal 3-4 to postnatal 7-8 weeks of age. PC-SOD treatment attenuated progression of motor dysfunction, prevented denervation muscle atrophy, and delayed degeneration of spinal motoneurons in wobbler mice. This raises the possibility that PC-SOD may have therapeutic potential in human motoneuron disease.

A case of myasthenia gravis accompanied by invasive thymoma, alopecia areata and dry mouth.

We report a 43-year-old man suffering from myasthenia gravis with invasive thymoma accompanied with alopecia areata and dry mouth. These complications are extremely rare and the pathogenetic etiology of these complications was thought to depend on a generalized immunological disturbance.

The use of double-straight needle device in laparoscopic incisional and ventral hernia repair.

Incisional and ventral hernias are good indications for laparoscopic hernia repair. A successful repair requires complete covering of the hernia defect, adequate tension of the prosthesis, and secure stapling by a hernia stapler. The authors introduce their technique using a double-straight needle device. This technique is easy and quick and achieves adequate fixation between the prosthesis and the abdominal wall, which reduces operating time and provides cosmetic benefit.

Laparoscopic repair of an abdominal hernia using an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene patch secured by a four-corner tacking technique.

An improved technique for performing laparoscopic repair of an abdominal hernia is described herein. To ensure a successful repair, it is most important that adequate tension of the expanded-polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) patch be achieved, and that the defect be completely covered and securely stapled. Our technique involves tacking the four corners of the patch to the abdominal wall with a 2-0 nylon suture using a straight needle, then stapling it to the anterior abdominal wall over the defect with a laparoscopic stapler. We believe that this technique is a safe and reliable method which will prove useful for laparoscopic surgery.