The prognostic effect of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on the change of PD-L1 expression in patients with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: To evaluate the prognostic effect of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on the change of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in patients with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma, by comparing PD-L1 expression in pretreatment biopsies and PD-L1 expression in pathological specimens after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: A total of 25 patients with rectal adenocarcinoma were evaluated. Patients were treated by neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (radiotherapy:44Gy normofraxionation; chemotherapy: capecitabine 825 mg/m in two daily doses).

[Children and pregnant women at high altitude].

Nowadays, high altitude resorts have become popular destinations for family vacations. Based on a limited number of publications and international guidelines, this article summarizes the effects of high altitude on children and pregnant women. Children also suffer from high altitude-related diseases, however their presentation and clinical significance are different from their adult counterparts.