Origin of the right coronary artery from the descending thoracic aorta: angiographic diagnosis and unique coronary artery anatomy at autopsy.

An infant born at term with hypoplastic left heart syndrome was found angiographically to have an anomalous artery arising from the descending thoracic aorta which supplied the posterior and right coronary branches. Morphologically, the right coronary artery had atypical and striking elastotic changes and wall thickening.

[Graphic presentation of visual analog scales for pain evaluation in rheumatology]. / Grafische Darstellung visueller Analogskalen zur Schmerzbeurteilung in der Rheumatologie.

The scores of visual analog scales, used for rating of rheumatological pains, are scarcely normal distributed. The presentation of these findings by mean and standard deviation can be evidently distorted. Furthermore range and extreme values are missing. The new grafical method-box and whisker plot-is more adequate to those data. Comparing both methods in a clinical trial the possible gain of information is illustrated.

Technique for the measurement of the amplitude and phase velocity of a slow space charge wave on a relativistic electron beam.

A technique is described for the measurement of the axial electric field of a slow space charge wave. The measurement employs a double probe arranged to give an output proportional to the rate of change of magnetic flux linking the probe loop. This output may be related to the electric field of the wave. Two such probes used in an interferometer arrangement allow for the measurement of the phase velocity of the wave.

Differences in effect between nomifensine and nortriptyline.

A double-blind study comparing the effects of nomifensine and nortriptyline, which was carried out exclusively on outpatients with retarded depressions, showed nomifensine to have a distinctive antidepressive and activating effect. 40 patients (17 male and 23 female) with either endogenous, endogenous/psychogenic or psychogenic depression were divided into two treatment groups (20 patients to each group). During the 21-day study, all patients were given three 50 mg capsules of nomifensine or nortriptyline per day. With the aid of a depression scale, a significant improvement in the psychic symptoms was noted both in the nomifensine and the nortriptyline group. There was no evidence of a significant difference in the two drugs. The data obtained from the dropouts suggest that nomifensine had a better effect. From the results of the study, it can be concluded that nomifensine is suitable for the treatment of patients with retarded depressions.

Sexual impotence: a double-blind study of LHRH nasal spray versus placebo.

A double-blind study comparing application of 1.0 mg LHRH nasal spray per day against a placebo was performed in a group of 20 sexually impotent patients in whom no clinical endocrinological pathology was evident. After a 2-week placebo-spray period, LHRH was given for 4 weeks. A 2-week placebo-spray period followed. A better therapeutic effect was seen in the LHRH as opposed to the placebo group (p = 0.024) 4-6 weeks after cessation of LHRH medication. After 4 weeks of LHRH medication there were no changes in basal LH/FSH levels or in the LH response after administration of 25 mug LHRH. The FSH response was, however, significantly lower.