Light curves of the neutron star merger GW170817/SSS17a: Implications for r-process nucleosynthesis.

On 17 August 2017, gravitational waves (GWs) were detected from a binary neutron star merger, GW170817, along with a coincident short gamma-ray burst, GRB 170817A. An optical transient source, Swope Supernova Survey 17a (SSS17a), was subsequently identified as the counterpart of this event. We present ultraviolet, optical, and infrared light curves of SSS17a extending from 10.9 hours to 18 days postmerger. We constrain the radioactively powered transient resulting from the ejection of neutron-rich material. The fast rise of the light curves, subsequent decay, and rapid color evolution are consistent with multiple ejecta components of differing lanthanide abundance. The late-time light curve indicates that SSS17a produced at least ~0.05 solar masses of heavy elements, demonstrating that neutron star mergers play a role in rapid neutron capture (r-process) nucleosynthesis in the universe.

[Local recurrence after low anterior resection of rectal cancer]. / Lokalt cancerrecidiv efter lav anterior resektion ved cancer recti.

Among 75 consecutive patients operated upon with anterior resection for rectal adenocarcinoma during a five year period, 29 (39%) developed local cancer recurrence. The total cumulative five-year survival was 49%, but only 17% in those with a local cancer recurrence. The most important risk factors for development of local recurrence were tumour fixation, intraoperative blood transfusion and surgical routine. Local recurrence was seen in 4/23 (17%) after operation performed by a consultant, 1/5 (20%) after a consultant-supervised operation and 24/47 (51%) after operation by a senior registrar (p < 0.02). As a consequence we recommend that operation for rectal cancer should only be performed or supervised by a few specialists in colorectal surgery.

Combined malignant testicular tumor and splenogonadal fusion. A case story.

Splenogonadal fusion may be misinterpretated as a primary malignant testicular tumor or as an adenomatoid tumor. Knowledge of this entity is important in order to preserve the testis at surgery. A rare case of simultaneous occurrence of splenogonadal fusion and mixed malignant tumor of the testis is reported.

Bilateral parametrial mature teratomas.

In a 21-year-old virgin suffering from increasing abdominal pain, laparotomy revealed two tumors arising from the parametria. Microscopic examination showed them to be mature teratomas. Teratomas located in the parametria have not been described in literature previously.

Listeria pneumonia. A case report.

A 42-year-old man with an atypical pneumonia. He had chest pain and a dry cough for 3 weeks, was dull at the left base clinically, and had left lower zone consolidation on chest radiography. The pneumonia spread despite oral ampicillin and cloxacillin. Blood culture grew Listeria monocytogenes and white cell count showed a monocytosis. He responded to intravenous penicillin and gentamicin with complete X-ray clearance.

Van Beaumont's formula is valid during haemodialysis. Spectrophotometric determination of body circulating haemoglobin.

Van Beaumont's formula is a convenient method to calculate changes in plasma volume from changes in haematocrit. The calculation is based on the assumption of a constant body red-cell volume. In order to evaluate the validity of this assumption during isovolaemic haemodialysis, we measured body circulating haemoglobin, blood volume and plasma volume by carbon monoxide dilution. No change in body circulating haemoglobin or plasma volume occurred by either method. Therefore, we conclude that van Beaumont's formula is valid during isovolaemic haemodialysis.

Influence of diltiazem on renal function and rejection in renal allograft recipients receiving triple-drug immunosuppression: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

In a prospective, randomized and placebo-controlled study we evaluated the influence of treatment with the calcium-channel blocker diltiazem on the course and results of cadaveric kidney transplantation in 39 graft recipients. The grafts were reperfused with Euro-Collins solution containing diltiazem 20 mg/l. All recipients except those in chronic treatment with a calcium-channel blocker received preoperatively a bolus of diltiazem or placebo 0.3 mg/kg and in all an infusion of diltiazem or placebo 3 mg/kg/24 h was started preoperatively. After that, diltiazem or placebo was given orally for 3 months. Donors were not treated. Immunosuppressive therapy consisted of prednisone, azathioprine and CsA. There were no significant differences between the groups concerning donor or recipient characteristics, HLA-mismatching, and ischaemic time. Thrombosis leading to graft loss occurred in 3 recipients (diltiazem:2, placebo:1) and one graft was lost due to septicaemia (diltiazem). For the remaining 35 grafts no beneficial effect of treatment with diltiazem was found for the rate of delayed graft function, the rate of rejections, time to first rejection, whole blood CsA concentration, or graft function. The CsA dose needed to reach target whole blood concentration was significantly less in the diltiazem group. In conclusion, our results do not indicate any beneficial effects of treatment with diltiazem in cadaveric kidney transplantation, except a reduction of costs because of a significant reduction of the CsA dosage.