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Notes: Abstract. Using 1985–99 data from the German Socio-Economic Panel Study (GSOEP) we confirm the hypothesis that existing computer wage premiums are determined by ability or other unobserved individual characteristics rather than by productivity effects. In addition to the conventional longitudinal regression analysis, the two competing hypotheses were tested by employing future PC variables in the wage regressions in order to obtain a further control for worker heterogeneity. The finding that future PC variables have a statistically significant effect on current wages leads us to conclude that computer wage differentials can be attributed to worker heterogeneity rather than to computer-induced productivity.

Notes: A stylized fact of empirical work on the relationship of wages and unemployment using macro data for European countries is a combination of strong autocorrelation of wages and a significant negative long-run relationship of wages and unemployment. However, this view is challenged by empirical work relying on regional or micro data providing evidence for an instantaneous adjustment of wages to variations in the level of unemployment. Exploiting regional panel data for West Germany, we show that, at least for the years 1990–94, regional and macro data mirror the same phenomenon. Our results are broadly consistent with the observed increase in the natural rate of unemployment in Germany.

Notes: In this paper, the equivalence scale elasticity will be estimated by using individual panel data on income satisfaction from the German Socio-Economic Panel Study (GSOEP). Satisfaction or happiness data have been more frequently used by economists in recent years to analyze individual well-being. The approach differs from other subjective approaches as respondents are requested to evaluate current income rather than income in hypothetical situations. The estimated scale elasticity is higher compared to those from other subjective approaches based on German data. In addition, panel data enable different scale use by the respondents to be controlled. It can be shown that elasticity decreases when unobserved fixed-effects are controlled for.

Notes: Histopathologically, Alzheimer's disease is characterized by plaques and tangles that develop progressively over time. Experimental data described a statin-induced decrease in β-amyloid production, a major constituent of the plaques. Others reported data on statin-mediated changes in neuronal survival and cytoskeleton, including the microtubule-associated protein tau, a major constituent of the tangles. However, these latter reports remain contradictory. To clarify and extend our knowledge on the effect of statin on the cytoskeleton, we challenged rat primary neuron cultures by lovastatin and determined the metabolite that is critical for structural integrity and survival of neurons. During the blockade of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, the neuritic network was affected and eventually was completely destroyed. This process was not part of the execution phase of apoptosis and was marked by alterations in the microfilament and microtubule system. The distribution and phosphorylation of protein tau changed. Immunoblot analysis and indirect immunofluorescence revealed a transient increase in tau phosphorylation, which ceased during the execution of apoptosis. All of these effects could be linked to the lack of the geranylgeranylpyrophosphate intermediate. Inhibition of the geranylgeranylation of Rho family GTPases (geranylgeranyl-transferase I) evoked similar changes in neurons. These data and our findings that statin treatment reduced the membrane-bound fraction of RhoA-GTPase in neurons suggest that reduced levels of functional small G proteins are responsible for the observed effects. Our data demonstrate that lovastatin concentrations able to suppress not only cholesterol but also geranylgeranylpyrophosphate formation may evoke phosphorylation of tau reminiscent of preclinical early stages of Alzheimer's disease and, when prolonged, apoptosis.

Notes: We present an 84-year-old Caucasian man (Fitzpatrick classification: skin type II) with microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) on his left cheek and a 15-year history of recurrent squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head, treated with numerous surgical interventions and multiple palliative 60-Gy radiation therapy.In 1996, the patient developed a nontender, indurated, irregularly marked, erythematous lesion on his left cheek (1.5 × 1 cm). Furthermore, the patient suffered from radiodermatitis due to previous radiotherapy ( 〈link href="#f2-1"〉Fig. 1). Punch biopsy and a subsequent wedge excision showed features of both SCC and eccrine carcinoma. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical tests of the tumor revealed a diagnosis of MAC. The patient underwent Mohs' micrographically controlled surgery to obtain tumor-free peripheral soft tissue margins. There was no evidence of any lymphatic invasion or distant metastasis in the physical and laboratory examination. So far, the patient has not developed any recurrences.〈figure xml:id="f2-1"〉1〈mediaResource alt="image" href="urn:x-wiley:00119059:IJD841-2:IJD_841_f2-1"/〉Clinical picture of MAC showing features of radiodermatitisFollowing excision, the biopsy specimen (4 × 2.6 × 1 cm) was fixed in Dubosq-Brazil and routinely processed for staining with hematoxylin and eosin. The neoplasm extended into the subcutaneous tissue with rare connection to the overlying epidermis ( 〈link href="#f2-2"〉Fig. 2). Follicular cysts with amorphous eosinophilic keratin and comma-like tails of aggregates of epithelial cells were a prominent feature ( 〈link href="#f2-3"〉Fig. 3). Perineural invasion was evident, but there were only a very few mitotic figures. Immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded tissue blocks was performed, showing strong labeling on dilated ducts for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) in the lumina of tumor cells, and positive staining for anticytokeratin KL1 (55–57 kDa) and S-100 protein. The latter was negative in ductal structures, but stained dendritic cells.〈figure xml:id="f2-2"〉2〈mediaResource alt="image" href="urn:x-wiley:00119059:IJD841-2:IJD_841_f2-2"/〉Panoramic view of the tumor demonstrating poorly circumscribed and deeply infiltrative growth patterns. Rare connection of the tumor with epidermal structures is evident (hematoxylin and eosin, × 40)〈figure xml:id="f2-3"〉3〈mediaResource alt="image" href="urn:x-wiley:00119059:IJD841-2:IJD_841_f2-3"/〉Comma-like tails of aggregates of epithelial cells and follicular cysts with amorphous eosinophilic keratin (hematoxylin and eosin, × 150)