On-Line Instruction-checking in Pipelined Microprocessors

Microprocessors performances have increased by more than five orders of magnitude in the last three decades. As technology scales down, these components become inherently unreliable posing major design and test challenges. This paper proposes an instruction-checking architecture to detect erroneous instruction executions caused by both permanent and transient errors in the internal logic of a microprocessor. Monitoring the correct activation sequence of a set of predefined microprocessor control/status signals allow distinguishing between correctly and not correctly executed instruction

Gaucher Disease and Myelofibrosis: A Combined Disease or a Misdiagnosis?

Background: Gaucher disease (GD) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF) share similar clinical and laboratory features, such as cytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, and marrow fibrosis, often resulting in a misdiagnosis. Case Report: We report here the case of a young woman with hepatosplenomegaly, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Based on bone marrow (BM) findings and on liver biopsy showing extramedullary hematopoiesis, an initial diagnosis of PMF was formulated. The patient refused stem cell transplantation from an HLA-identical sibling. Low-dose melphalan was given, without any improvement. Two years later, a BM evaluation showed Gaucher cells. Low glucocerebrosidase and high chitotriosidase levels were indicative for GD. Molecular analysis revealed N370S/complex I mutations. Enzyme replacement therapy with imiglucerase was commenced, resulting in clinical and hematological improvements. Due to an unexpected and persistent organomegaly, PMF combined with GD were suspected. JAK2V617F, JAK2 exon 12, MPL, calreticulin, and exon 9 mutations were negative, and BM examination showed no marrow fibrosis. PMF was excluded. Twenty years after starting treatment, the peripheral cell count and liver size were normal, whereas splenomegaly persisted. Conclusion: In order to avoid a misdiagnosis, a diagnostic algorithm for patients with hepatosplenomegaly combined with cytopenia is suggested