Reports on the prognostic role of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in rectal cancer are controversial. We investigated expression patterns and changes of PD-L1 in rectal cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Seventy-two patients diagnosed with rectal cancer and/or treated with fluorouracil-based neoadjuvant CRT at the Department of Internal Medicine III of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg (Austria) between January 2003 and October 2012 were included. PD-L1 scoring was performed according to the tumor proportion score (TPS), combined positive score (CPS), and immune cell score (IC). PD-L1 TPS prior to neoadjuvant CRT had a statistically significant impact on survival (median ≤1% 95.4 months (95% CI 51.8-not reached) vs.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/nu7441.html  >1% not reached, p = 0.03, log-rank). Patients with a PD-L1 TPS ≤1% prior to and after CRT showed an inferior survival compared to all other patients (median 56.7 months (95% CI 51.4-not reached) vs. not reached, p = 0.005, log-rank). In multivariate analysis, PD-L1 TPS prior to neoadjuvant CRT (>1% vs. ≤1%, hazard ratio 0.29 (95% CI 0.11-0.76), p = 0.01) remained independently associated with survival. In conclusion, low PD-L1 TPS was associated with inferior survival in rectal cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant CRT. A prospective validation of the prognostic value of PD-L1 expression in rectal cancer patients within a clinical trial is necessitated.Two Alteromonas sp. strains isolated from deep seawater were grown to promote the production of exopolysaccharides (EPS, E611 and E805), which were incorporated into chitosan solutions to develop films. The combination of the major marine polysaccharides (chitosan and the isolated bacterial EPS) resulted in the formation of homogenous, transparent, colorless films, suggesting good compatibility between the two components of the film-forming formulation. With regards to optical properties, the films showed low values of gloss, in the range of 5-10 GU, indicating the formation of non-glossy and rough surfaces. In addition to the film surface, both showed hydrophobic character, with water contact angles higher than 100 º, regardless of EPS addition. Among the two EPS under analysis, chitosan films with E805 showed better mechanical performance, leading to resistant, flexible, easy to handle films.To differentiate foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)-infected animals from vaccinated livestock, non-structural proteins (NSPs) must be removed during the FMD vaccine manufacturing process. Currently, NSPs cannot be selectively removed from FMD virus (FMDV) culture supernatant. Therefore, polyethylene glycol (PEG) is utilized to partially separate FMDV from NSPs. However, some NSPs remain in the FMD vaccine, which after repeated immunization, may elicit NSP antibodies in some livestock. To address this drawback, chloroform at a concentration of more than 2% (v/v) was found to remove NSP efficiently without damaging the FMDV particles. Contrary to the PEG-treated vaccine that showed positive NSP antibody responses after the third immunization in goats, the chloroform-treated vaccine did not induce NSP antibodies. In addition to this enhanced vaccine purity, this new method using chloroform could maximize antigen recovery and the vaccine production time could be shortened by two days due to omission of the PEG processing phase. To our knowledge, this is the first report to remove NSPs from FMDV culture supernatant by chemical addition. This novel method could revolutionize the conventional processes of FMD vaccine production.Supporting caregivers' mental wellbeing and ability to provide psychosocial stimulation may promote early childhood development. This paper describes the systematic approach of developing an integrated stimulation intervention, identifying the feasibility and challenges faced throughout the period. We developed an integrated curriculum by culturally adapting three interventions (Reach Up, Thinking Healthy, and general nutrition advice) and piloted this curriculum (Mar-April 2017) in courtyard groups sessions and individual home visits with pregnant women (n = 11) and lactating mothers (of children less then 24 months) (n = 29). We conducted qualitative interviews with the participants (n = 8) and the community health workers who delivered the intervention (n = 2). Most participants reported willingness to attend the sessions if extended for 1 year, and recommended additional visual cues and interactive role-play activities to make the sessions more engaging. Participants and community health workers found it difficult to understand the concept of "unhealthy thoughts" in the curriculum. This component was then revised to include a simplified behavior-focused story. Community health workers reported difficulty balancing the required content of the integrated curriculum but were able to manage after the contents were reduced. The revised intervention is likely feasible to deliver to a group of pregnant and lactating mothers in a low-resource setting.In the Netherlands, there is an increasing need for collective forms of housing for older people. Such housing bridges the gap between the extremes of living in an institutionalised setting and remaining in their own house. The demand is related to the closure of many residential care homes and the need for social engagement with other residents. This study focuses on housing initiatives that offer innovative and alternative forms of independent living, which deviate from mainstream housing arrangements. It draws on recent literature on healthcare 'rebels' and further develops the concept of 'rebellion' in the context of housing. The main research question is how founders dealt with challenges of establishing and governing 'rebellious' innovative living arrangements for older people in the highly regulated context of housing and care in the Netherlands. Qualitative in-depth interviews with 17 founders (social entrepreneurs, directors and supervisory board members) were conducted. Founders encountered various obstacles that are often related to governmental and sectoral rules and regulations. Their stories demonstrate the opportunities and constraints of innovative entrepreneurship at the intersection of housing and care. The study concludes with the notion of 'responsible rebellion' and practical lessons about dealing with rules and regulations and creating supportive contexts.