Mice deficient in lysosomal acid phosphatase develop lysosomal storage in the kidney and central nervous system

Lysosomal acid phosphatase (LAP) is a tartrate-sensitive enzyme with ubiquitous expression. Neither the physiological substrates nor the functional significance is known. Mice with a deficiency of LAP generated by targeted disruption of the LAP gene are fertile and develop normally. Microscopic examination of various peripheral organs revealed progredient lysosomal storage in podocytes and tubular epithelial cells of the kidney, with regionally different ultrastructural appearance of the stored material. Within the central nervous system, lysosomal storage was detected to a regionally different extent in microglia, ependymal cells, and astroglia concomitant with the development of a progressive astrogliosis and microglial activation. Whereas behavioral and neuromotor analyses were unable to distinguish between control and deficient mice, approximately 7% of the deficient animals developed generalized seizures. From the age of 6 months onward, conspicuous alterations of bone structure became apparent, resulting in a kyphoscoliotic malformation of the lower thoracic vertebral column. We conclude from these findings that LAP has a unique function in only a subset of cells, where its deficiency causes the storage of a heterogeneously appearing material in lysosomes. The causal relationship of the enzyme defect to the clinical manifestations remains to be determined.     

Improving branch prediction accuracy by reducing pattern history table interference

A deeply pipelined superscalar processor needs an accurate branch predictor in order to approach its performance potential. The 2-level branch predictors have been shown to achieve high prediction accuracy, yet they still suffer a significant number of mispredictions. It has been shown that a number of these mispredictions are due to interference in the pattern history tables. This paper details a method for reducing the amount of pattern history table interference by dynamically identifying some easily predictable branches and inhibiting the pattern history table update for these branches. We show that inhibiting the update in this manner reduces the amount of destructive interference in the global history variation of the 2-level branch predictor, resulting in significantly improved branch prediction accuracy for the SPEC 95 benchmarks. For example, for a 2 K Byte gshare predictor, we eliminate 38% of the mispredictions for the gcc benchmark.     

Development of the long-term medication behaviour self-efficacy scale: qualitative study for item development

There are no published instruments of patient self-efficacy related to medication behaviour, yet understanding and promoting medication compliance are central to nursing practice. The purpose of this quanlitative study was to explore patient perceptions, experiences and practices associated with long-term medication behaviour in order to establish an instrument measuring self-efficacy in medication behaviour. In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 patients with lifelong dependency on medicine. Using a phenomenological method of analysis the following themes emerged, all of which could be integrated within Bandura's conceptualization of dimensions of self-efficacy. The dimension of personal attributes comprised the themes of emotional distress, confidence in the physician, perceived health status, and normalcy. Environmental factors included the themes of routine, distraction, social support and cost of medication. The third dimension of self-efficacy, task-related and behavioural factors was composed of themes of side-effects, drug delivery system, medication aids, medication schedule, and knowledge. Based on these themes, items for the Long-Term Medication Behaviour Self-Efficacy Scale, were developed and integrated into a version that is currently being submitted to further psychometric work.     

Headache caused by a sphenoid mucocele but presenting as an ergotamine-induced headache

In a 65-year-old woman, symptomatic headache caused by a mucocele of the sphenoid sinus led to ergotamine abuse and subsequent ergotamine-induced headache. Since there were no neurological symptoms initially and the patient previously suffered from migraine, the mucocele was not recognized. Only after unsuccessful drug withdrawal therapy and an MRI, was the correct diagnosis made. Surgical removal of the mucocele led to complete relief of headache within 3 weeks. We conclude that ergotamine-induced headache can develop on the basis of symptomatic headache. In spite of the effectiveness of ergotamine tartrate, an MRI should be performed if focal neurological symptoms occur.     

Untersuchungen und Betrachtungen zur Anwendung von Kunststoffen für Lebensmittel XII: Zur Auswanderung monomerer Weichmacher aus PVC-Milchschläuchen in Reinigungslösungen

Investigations and Observations on the Application of Plastics in Foods XII: Migration of Monomeric Plasticizers from PVC Tubes into Cleansing Solutions The transfer of a few monomeric plasticizers from PVC milk tubes into cleansing solutions can be quantitatively detected by means of the analytical procedure given. It could be thus established that cleansing solutions of various compositions differ from each other in their extracting action on soft PVC. Milk tubes whose internal surface becomes brittle due to unsuitable cleansing agents can not be adequately cleaned because of the rough surface. Thus the quality of the milk flowing through them is impaired.     

TRANSPORTATION, FRONTIER EFFECTS AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE COMMON MARKET

ABSTRACT In tins paper the locational effects of introducing High Speed Railways in France, the Benelux and West Germany art estimated, together with the spatial impacts of a far reaching reduction of the internal borders of the EEC. To this aim a multisectoral potentials model is developed. It estimates the zero-sum kind of spatial redistribution effects that are due to changes in relative regional accessibility, as well as the generative net growth effects that are due to increases in market areas and the conseguent economies of scale. Empirically, surprising spatial differences in such effects are found.     

Production and Measurement of Starch Damage in Flour. Part 2. Damage Produced by Unconventional Methods

The relationship between two parameters of starch damage namely enzyme susceptibility and amylose extractability was examined in starch and in hard and soft flours ground by three unconventional methods. Variations in the relationship were as great in the starch series as in the flours, demonstrating that the effects of particle properties on the efficiency of one or other method of determination were not responsible. It is suggested that the two parameters are capable of independent variation since, in a single granule complete digestibility arises following a single “once for all” event, while for extractability that event marks the beginning of a process which can be further increased by suitable treatment. Types of starch damage can be defined in terms of ratio between extractability and digestibility and micrographs are presented which display granules afflicted by different types of damage.     

Forest fertilization — present state and history with special reference to South German conditions

Until well into the eighteenth century, forestry was largely confined to the poorer soils and sites too difficult for farming properly and ravaged by destructive lumbering, burning and grazing. Up to the mid-20th century there was much extraction of litter. All this resulted in nutrient impoverishment which persists to the present day. There has been some improvement through corrective fertilization. Such treatment over the past 30 years brought about yield improvement of around 3 m³/ha/year compared to untreated areas. This, no doubt, was largely because of the former widespread deficiencies of nitrogen and phosphate and weathering under high rainfall during the course of the experiments. Returns from fertilizer were very variable and such large improvements were not always the rule. Whether such results are still obtainable today when growth performance in many areas is so much improved or under different climatic conditions may be doubtful.Today there is a need more for ameliorative treatment to revitalize the forest and to stabilize or improve soil fertility. Many examples have shown that fertilizer treatment designed to improve growth can also improve toleration of natural and man-made adverse factors. Where this did not apply, the reason was found to be inappropriate nutrient combinations. For instance, it is only quite recently that the importance of magnesium deficiency has been recognized in many areas. Today it is possible to identify specific nutrient deficiencies before deciding on a fertilizer programme. The full potential of the forest can only be realised when all the major and trace elements are available in sufficient quantity from the soil and when nutrient contents in the plant are in equilibrium. The use of fertilizers in the complex environment of the forest ecosystem calls for discretion, the more so if the bad effects of man-made adverse factors are to be countered. Very soluble fertilizers used at a high rate can have undesirable side-effects, notably too rapid mineralisation of organic matter. So there is much to be said for using slower releasing fertilizers, but, where the need for improvement is urgent, soluble fertilizers are to be preferred. This is the case in nurseries and during the establishment phase where adverse factors (competition from the natural plant cover, wild animal damage and frost) must be outgrown. Quick releasing fertilizers are also recommended to ensure the right nutrient interrelationships in the tree, the earlier the necessary correction is made the better.In the future, fertilizer policies must be reviewed in the light of change in the level of pollution and, possibly also in the light of change in climate. Knowledge acquired up to now will be a useful foundation for future work.     

Soil forming and plant density effects on carrot yield and internal quality

Patients with established coronary disease and abnormalities of lipid metabolism represent a particularly important subgroup, since their mortality risk is typically 10 times greater than that amongst-subjects with comparable risk factors but no clinical history. Such patients are commonly treated initially with anti-anginal therapy; if ischaemic symptoms persist they often undergo revascularization (bypass or angioplasty). While invasive procedures restore blood flow and relieve ischemia, they do not, in most cases, reduce risk of subsequent MI or death, or alter the underlying atherogenic process(es). Despite this, there has been a progressive 54% decline in age-adjusted cardiac mortality over the period 1960-1995, which appears best attributable to US lifestyle changes. In particular, the past decade has provided compelling evidence for the merits of a fourth approach: comprehensive risk factor management. Clinical outcome studies have confirmed the substantial merit of aspirin prophyllaxis and of intensive lipid-lowering therapy in secondary prevention. Prospective angiographic trials and evidence from studies of vascular biology have provided insight into mechanisms of benefit. As a consequence, lipid therapy and aspirin use have increased greatly among middle aged and older US citizens, especially those with CAD. The growth of comprehensive medical management now rivals that of invasive revascularization in secondary prevention.