Correction: The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, an emerging paradigm of a gender egalitarian organisation.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

The use of pembrolizumab monotherapy for the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in the UK.

Pembrolizumab has received approval in the UK as first-line monotherapy for recurrent and/or metastatic HNSCC (R/M HNSCC) following the results of the KEYNOTE-048 trial, which demonstrated a longer overall survival (OS) in comparison to the EXTREME chemotherapy regimen in patients with a combined positive score (CPS) ≥1. In this article, we provide retrospective real-world data on the role of pembrolizumab monotherapy as first-line systemic therapy for HNSCC across 18 centers in the UK from March 20, 2020 to May 31, 2021. 211 patients were included, and in the efficacy analysis, the objective response rate (ORR) was 24.

Metabolomic Profiling of Second-Trimester Amniotic Fluid for Predicting Preterm Delivery: Insights from NMR Analysis.

Preterm delivery (PTD) is a notable pregnancy complication, affecting one out of every ten births. This study set out to investigate whether analyzing the metabolic composition of amniotic fluid (AF) collected from pregnant women during the second trimester of pregnancy could offer valuable insights into prematurity. The research employed H-NMR metabolomics to examine AF samples obtained from 17 women who gave birth prematurely (between 29 and 36 weeks of gestation) and 43 women who delivered at full term.

Utilizing Amniotic Fluid Metabolomics to Monitor Fetal Well-Being: A Narrative Review of the Literature.

Fetal and perinatal periods are critical phases for long-term development. Early diagnosis of maternal complications is challenging due to the great complexity of these conditions. In recent years, amniotic fluid has risen in a prominent position in the latest efforts to describe and characterize prenatal development.

The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, an emerging paradigm of a gender egalitarian organisation.

Females are underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) disciplines globally and although progress has been made, the gender gap persists. Our aim was to explore gender parity in the context of gender representation and internal collaboration at the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING), a leading national biomedical organisation accredited as an equal opportunity employer. Towards this aim we (1) explored trends in gender parity within the different departments, positions and qualifications and in student representation in the CING's postgraduate school and, (2) investigated the degree of collaboration between male and female researchers within the Institute and the degree of influence within its co-authorship network.

Framework of Methodology to Assess the Link between A Posteriori Dietary Patterns and Nutritional Adequacy: Application to Pregnancy.

This study aimed to explore the nutritional profile of 608 women during the second trimester of pregnancy, in terms of nutrient patterns, dietary quality and nutritional adequacy. Dietary data were collected using a validated Mediterranean-oriented, culture-specific FFQ. Principal component analysis was performed on 18 energy-adjusted nutrients.

Nutritional Inadequacy: Unraveling the Methodological Challenges for the Application of the Probability Approach or the EAR Cut-Point Method-A Pregnancy Perspective.

The aim of this study was to unravel the methodological challenges when exploring nutritional inadequacy, involving 608 healthy pregnant women. The usual intake of twenty-one nutrients was recorded by employing a validated FFQ. Simulated datasets of usual intake were generated, with randomly imposed uncertainty.

Robustness and Generalizability of Deep Learning Synthetic Computed Tomography for Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Radiation Therapy Planning of Patients With Head and Neck Cancer.

Purpose: Radiotherapy planning based only on positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) lacks computed tomography (CT) information required for dose calculations. In this study, a previously developed deep learning model for creating synthetic CT (sCT) from MRI in patients with head and neck cancer was evaluated in 2 scenarios: (1) using an independent external dataset, and (2) using a local dataset after an update of the model related to scanner software-induced changes to the input MRI.

Methods And Materials: Six patients from an external site and 17 patients from a local cohort were analyzed separately.

Clinical outcomes in relapsed oropharyngeal cancer after definitive (chemo) radiotherapy.

Objectives: To report clinical outcomes of relapsed oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) after definitive intensity-modulated (chemo)radiotherapy [(C)RT].

Materials And Methods: Data for all relapsed patients treated for OPSCC with definitive (C)RT between 2010 and 2016 were collected. Primary end-point was post-failure survival (PFS).

A multi-centre survey reveals variations in the standard treatments and treatment modifications for head and neck cancer patients during Covid-19 pandemic.

Background: The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid changes to the practice of head and neck oncology in UK. There was a delay between the onset of the pandemic and the release of guidelines from cancer societies and networks, leading to a variable response of individual centres. This survey was conducted to assess the pre-Covid-19 pandemic standard of practice for head and neck oncology patients and the treatment modifications introduced during the first wave of the pandemic in UK.

TNM 8 staging is a better prognosticator than TNM 7 for patients with locally advanced oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma treated with surgery and post-operative radiotherapy.

Purpose: To assess TNM 8 staging in discriminating overall survival (OS) amongst patients with locally advanced oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) treated with surgery and post-operative radiotherapy (PORT), compared to TNM 7.

Material And Methods: Data from OCSCC patients treated with surgery and PORT between January 2010 and December 2018 were reviewed. Demographics, tumour characteristics and treatment response data were collected, and patients staged according to both TNM 7 and TNM 8.

Safety and Treatment Outcomes of Nivolumab for the Treatment of Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study.

Nivolumab is an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody currently used as immunotherapy for patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with evidence of disease progression after platinum-based chemotherapy. This study evaluates real-world safety and treatment outcomes of non-trial nivolumab use. A retrospective multicenter cohort study of patients with recurrent/metastatic HNSCC treated with nivolumab between January 2017 and March 2020 was performed.

18F-FDG-PET in guided dose-painting with intensity modulated radiotherapy in oropharyngeal tumours: A phase I study (FiGaRO).

Background And Purpose: The FiGaRO trial assessed the feasibility and safety of using an FDG-PET-based dose-painting technique to deliver a radiotherapy (RT) boostto the FDG-avid primary tumour in patients with locally advanced high and intermediate risk oropharyngeal cancer.

Materials And Method: Patients underwent a planning 18FDG-PET-CT scan, immobilised in the treatment position, after one cycle of induction chemotherapy. The volume of persistent FDG-avidity in the primary tumour was escalated to 71.

Fermented Cereal-based Products: Nutritional Aspects, Possible Impact on Gut Microbiota and Health Implications.

Fermentation, as a process to increase the security of food supply, represents an integral part of food culture development worldwide. Nowadays, in the evolving functional food era where new sophisticated technological tools are leading to significant transformations in the field of nutritional sciences and science-driven approaches for new product design, fermentation technology is brought to the forefront again since it provides a solid foundation for the development of safe food products with unique nutritional and functional attributes. Therefore, the objective of the present review is to summarize the most recent advances in the field of fermentation processes related to cereal-based products.

Radical (chemo)radiotherapy in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: Comparison of TNM 7th and 8th staging systems.

Purpose: To evaluate whether the 8th staging system is a better discriminator of overall survival (OS) than the 7th edition for oropharyngeal cancer patients after definitive (chemo)radiotherapy (CRT).

Material And Methods: Data from oropharyngeal cancer patients treated with CRT with curative intent between 2010 and 2016 at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals were reviewed. Human papillomavirus (HPV) status was ascertained in all cases.

Guidance on the use of MRI for treatment planning in radiotherapy clinical trials.

The aim of this article is to propose meaningful guidance covering the technical and safety issues involved when designing or conducting radiotherapy clinical trials that use MRI for treatment planning. The complexity of imaging requirements will depend on the trial aims, design and MRI methods used.The use of MRI within the RT pathway is becoming more prevalent and clinically appropriate as access to MRI increases, treatment planning systems become more versatile and potential indications for MRI-planning in RT are documented.

Guidance on the use of PET for treatment planning in radiotherapy clinical trials.

The aim of this article is to propose meaningful guidance covering the practical and technical issues involved when planning or conducting clinical trials involving positron emission tomography (PET)-guided radiotherapy. The complexity of imaging requirements will depend on the study aims, design and PET methods used. Where PET is used to adapt radiotherapy, a high level of accuracy and reproducibility is required to ensure effective and safe treatment delivery.

Machine-learned target volume delineation of F-FDG PET images after one cycle of induction chemotherapy.

Biological tumour volume (GTV) delineation on F-FDG PET acquired during induction chemotherapy (ICT) is challenging due to the reduced metabolic uptake and volume of the GTV. Automatic segmentation algorithms applied to F-FDG PET (PET-AS) imaging have been used for GTV delineation on F-FDG PET imaging acquired before ICT. However, their role has not been investigated in F-FDG PET imaging acquired after ICT.

H NMR-based metabolomics reveals the effect of maternal habitual dietary patterns on human amniotic fluid profile.

Maternal diet may influence offspring's health, even within well-nourished populations. Amniotic fluid (AF) provides a rational compartment for studies on fetal metabolism. Evidence in animal models indicates that maternal diet affects AF metabolic profile; however, data from human studies are scarce.

Changing Trends in Nutritional Behavior among University Students in Greece, between 2006 and 2016.

The objective of the present survey was to study the dietary behavior of university students residing away from the family home. In this context, we (a) compared their dietary habits in two time periods, namely 2006 and 2016; and (b) explored the possible impact of gender on the behavioral changes in nutritional choices. A total of four hundred and five university students (2006, = 242; 2016, = 163) participated in the study.

Second trimester amniotic fluid uric acid, potassium, and cysteine to methionine ratio levels as possible signs of early preeclampsia: A case report.

Objective: The precise etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE) still remains enigmatic. In recent published work, there is a scientific trend aiming to unveil early biomarkers of PE based on amniotic fluid compositional changes before the development of clinical symptoms.

Case Report: We describe a case of an apparently clinically healthy woman, whose amniotic fluid, retrieved after amniocentesis at 22 gestational week, had elevated uric acid and potassium concentration, as well as cysteine to methionine ratio.

Development and Validation of a Mediterranean Oriented Culture-Specific Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire.

The objectives were to develop a Mediterranean oriented semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and evaluate its validity in measuring energy and nutrient intakes. For FFQ development, the main challenge was to merge food items and practices reflecting cultural Mediterranean preferences with other food choices ensuing from diet transition to more westernized dietary patterns. FFQ validity was evaluated by comparing nutrient intakes against the average of two 24-h dietary recalls for 179 pregnant women.