Factors that influence the axis between glucose metabolism and diet
Guest editor: Kei Nakajima, Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Human Sciences and Design, Japan Women's University
The metabolism of glucose is undoubtedly affected by dietary intake. However, it's important to note that this relationship can be influenced by various individual factors. These factors include age, smoking and alcohol consumption habits, meal timing, fasting, and sleep duration. As society becomes increasingly diverse, it's likely that the relationship between glucose metabolism and diet will continue to evolve in the future.
In order to achieve optimal glucose control in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as those with impaired glucose metabolism and obesity, it's imperative that healthcare providers take these individual factors into consideration during treatment. Therefore, we strongly encourage articles that explore these complex issues in greater detail.
We welcome review articles that cover diabetes and diets on any of the aforementioned topics. By shedding light on the intricacies of the relationship between glucose metabolism and diet, we can improve treatment strategies and outcomes for patients.
Keywords: glucose metabolism, diabetes, diet, lifestyles
Submission deadline: November 30, 2023
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Alleviation of metabolic, immune, gastrointestinal, ophthalmic, oral, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases by regulating microbiota
Guest editor: Yongbo Kang, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
Summary
The microbiota plays a crucial role in the occurrence and progression of various diseases such as metabolic, immune, gastrointestinal, ophthalmic, oral, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases. Targeting the microbiota to prevent these diseases is an appealing approach due to its high safety profile and low risk of severe adverse effects, which can be achieved through various methods such as probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), antibiotics, traditional Chinese medicine, and others. Some studies have shown that regulating the microbiota can alleviate these diseases, but further research is needed to understand the mechanism of microbiota regulation in treating these diseases and to identify the most appropriate treatment methods.
The objective of this special issue is to establish a platform for advancing research on the use of various treatments such as probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), antibiotics, traditional Chinese medicine, and others in treating a range of diseases including metabolic, immune, gastrointestinal, ophthalmic, oral, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases.
The special issue will focus on the following areas:
(1) Understanding the mechanisms by which microbiota alleviate metabolic, immune, gastrointestinal, ophthalmic, oral, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases, with a particular emphasis on key pathways such as bacterial dysbiosis, leaky gut, bacterial metabolites, and microorganism-related molecular patterns.
(2) Developing biomarkers for the early detection of metabolic, immune, gastrointestinal, ophthalmic, oral, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases using microbiota.
(3) Investigating the effects and mechanisms of regulating microbiota in the treatment of metabolic, immune, gastrointestinal, ophthalmic, oral, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases.
(4) Examining the relationship between microbiota and the efficacy of certain drugs used to treat metabolic, immune, gastrointestinal, ophthalmic, oral, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases.
Keywords: microbiota, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), antibiotics, metabolic diseases
Submission deadline: March 1, 2024
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Recent advances in hemodynamic monitoring
Guest editor: Syed A. A. Rizvi, Biomedical Sciences, Larkin University, Miami, Florida, United States
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a prevalent condition in all age groups regardless of gender. Patients with early-stage CVD exhibit vascular damage such as endothelial dysfunction, arterial wall stiffening, and loss of vascular elasticity. These manifestations often go undetected during a routine clinical evaluation in the primary care setting that is exclusively based on brachial (peripheral) blood pressure measurement and biochemical test results. Furthermore, costly and more invasive tests such as carotid ultrasound, echocardiogram, coronary CT scan, and angiogram are generally not indicated in asymptomatic patients. This leads to a delay in the diagnosis of asymptomatic atherosclerosis, which in turn accelerates disease progression. Invasive methods utilized in central hemodynamic monitoring, such as pulmonary artery catheter and arterial line, are usually used in patients needing emergency or intensive care to continuously monitor their blood pressure and cardiac function.
Therefore, there is a medical need to identify and validate noninvasive markers of cardiovascular function that are sensitive enough for the early identification of impaired vascular function during the subclinical phase. Routine measurement of noninvasive parameters during regular check-ups is beneficial for early diagnosis and could assist the clinicians in formulating the least invasive therapeutic approach for their patients.
This special issue features research and review articles on various aspects of noninvasive central hemodynamic measurements such as epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), pulse wave velocity (PWV), flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and glyceryl trinitrate-induced dilation (GNT-induced dilation).
We welcome articles reporting on the development, validation, and clinical application of new instruments and biomarkers for hemodynamic measurements.
Keywords: cardiovascular disease, central hemodynamic monitoring, peripheral blood pressure measurement, noninvasive aortic hemodynamic parameters, personalized treatment
submission deadline: December 31, 2023
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Applied biomaterials in oral surgery and personalized dentistry
Guest editors: Gaetano Isola, Simona Santonocito, Department of General Surgery and Surgical-Medical Specialties, School of Dentistry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
Summary
The development of new biocompatible materials and/or existing material composition and progressing techniques is expected to broaden the diversity of applications of biomaterials in dentistry field in upcoming years. The progress in materials research clearly requires an improved understanding in multiple disciplines, as well as the development of new design methodologies in order to obtain better properties in biologic performance and better biocompatibility. The objectives of all these biomaterials and technologies not only are to replace missing or damaged tooth tissues but are also now to promote tissue regeneration and also prevent healthy tooth tissue.
Comprehension of recent advances in biomaterial of dentistry would lead to appropriate applications of these biomaterials in clinical cases and successful strategies to improve dental treatment outcomes to better serve patients. It is important to choose most appropriate material for the regeneration of the tooth structure via biomimetic processes. In other words, to choose the appropriate dental materials and its successful clinical use directly affect treatment outcome and long term results.
The biomaterials and technologies are not only replacing missing or damaged tissues but also promoting the tissue regeneration. In this special issue, some researches related to application techniques in dentistry will analyzed and updated.
Specific areas of current research activity are discussed and some of the required technical advances highlighted.
We especially welcome interventional studies aiming at improving the knowledge of the imaging functional biomaterials and technologies in dentistry. Review studies including those that use conceptual frameworks on any of the aforementioned topics will also be welcomed.
Key words: applied dentistry, periodontology, oral surgery, orthodontics, Temporomandibular joint, quality of life, teeth, biomaterials, software, bone, periodontal ligament, periodontal medicine, dental materials, oral medicine
Submission deadline: August 30, 2023
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Reproductive toxicity in males and females: Cellular and molecular mechanisms
Guest editors: M. Mehdi Ommati, Shanxi Agricultural University, China; Socorro Retana-Márquez, Metropolitan Autonomous University, Mexico
Summary
Humans are exposed to various xenobiotics (environmental, nutritional, lifestyle factors and diseases) during their prenatal, postnatal, pubertal, and maturity development, which leads to reproductive failure or sub- or infertility. Therefore, most chemicals are considered environmental endocrine disruptors compounds (EDCs). Some of the EDCs to which the organisms are exposed include heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, arsenic, and other toxic elements such as bisphenol-A, fluoride, pesticides, and other environmental toxins. Moreover, nanoparticle exposure alters germ and somatic cells, thus affecting fertility. Therefore, this special issue focuses on the study of the cellular and molecular mechanism by which these classes of toxins induce reproductive toxicity in humans. Manuscripts dealing with animals will not be considered unless those were used as models (such as livestock, mammalian laboratory animals, amphibians, fish, and insects) to study human diseases or conditions. Using animal models to assess the toxic effects is crucial in studying these effects by several experimental approaches to analyze the molecular mechanisms involved in the reproductive disruption caused by chemicals in human body. We will publish research covering all disciplines relevant to human reproductive health and toxicity. Submissions that feature original research (clinical trials, translational research, in vivo research), different types of reviews, and well-elaborated medical hypotheses will be considered.
Keywords: reproduction, toxicity, xenobiotics, environmental endocrine disruptors, males, females, infertility, cellular, molecular
Submission deadline: May 1, 2023
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Updates on management of neurotrauma
Guest editors: Brandon Lucke-Wold, Daisy Valle, University of Florida, United States
Summary
Neurocritical care is a rapidly emerging specialty in the field of neurology and neurological surgery with a focal point on the evaluation and treatment of severe neurological and neurosurgical disease. Specifically, the management of neurotrauma as a component of neurocritical care has garnered attention due to the advent of technological breakthroughs and advanced neurosurgical techniques. Importantly, neurocritical care has allowed physicians to employ a multidisciplinary approach through the inclusion of pharmacological principles and infectious disease medicine. As such, this special edition seeks contributions in the form of articles and reviews relevant to recent updates enacted on the standard care of neurotrauma. The focus of these studies will encompass novel diagnostic tools, pharmaceutical therapies, surgical interventions, rehabilitation standards, and finally will address future directions. We invite authors of all fields to provide their contributions for this special issue.
Keywords: neurotrauma, neurocritical care, neurosurgery, management, treatment, therapy, intervention, multidisciplinary
Submission deadline: July 1, 2023
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Innovative solutions for regenerative medicine applications with clinical relevance
Guest editor: Roberto Gramignoli, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Summary
This third decade of the new millennium has forced all of us to face urgent needs in clinical practice, but it may optimistically also turn into a golden time in regenerative medicine. Researchers have been ignited to explore and translate innovative solutions in healthcare and biotech enterprises. Regenerative medicine is a fast-growing branch of translational research, with the purpose of restoring the structure and function of damaged tissues or organs, generating new technology for biotherapeutics and bio-engineered approaches. A multitude of advanced therapy medicinal products proposed during recent years has been slowly but dramatically transforming the health care system, harnessing the power of repairing, replacing, restoring, and regenerating human organs and tissues affected by various degenerative disorders and diseases.
In somatic tissues as well as perinatal tissues, different types of stem and progenitor cells have been identified, mainly involved in maintaining homeostasis and supporting innate capacity to regenerate. Such (pluri/multi) potent cells have been used in both autologous and allogeneic clinic settings. Scientists and clinical innovators in the field of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering are nowadays exploiting such multi-potency as well as immunomodulatory properties characteristic in such stem and progenitor cells to restore and maintain normal function in diseased and injured tissues.
This Special Issue seeks research papers on various aspects related to the emerging field of precision medicine, and clinical research, covering different aspects of the basics of translational research, regenerative medicine, and personalized treatments.
Keywords: regenerative medicine; ATMP; immunomodulatory; transplantation; bioengineering; clinical research; cell therapy; personalized treatments
Submission deadline: November 30, 2023
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Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn
Guest editors: Enrico Lopriore, Department of Neonatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, the Netherlands; E.J.T. (Joanne) Verweij, Department of Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
Summary
Hemolytic disease of the fetus/newborn (HDFN) results from maternal alloimmunization to red cell antigens, for which mother and fetus are incompatible. In HDFN, maternal immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies cross the placenta causing destruction of fetal red blood cells and fetal anemia. Antenatal treatment with intrauterine transfusion may be required in case of severe fetal anemia or fetal hydrops. Postnatal management is based on intensive phototherapy and exchange transfusion in case of excessive hyperbilirubinemia. Unconjugated bilirubin may pass through the blood-brain barrier and lead to permanent brain damage due to kernicterus.
During the last decades a significant evolution in treatment strategies has occurred and new management options have led to a remarkable decrease in perinatal mortality and morbidity. Nevertheless, several questions remain unanswered and there is still room for improvement.
This special edition will include important reviews and articles focusing on pathogenesis, diagnosis, management and outcome in HDFN, and also address future perspectives.
Keywords: hemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn; red blood cell alloimmunization, rhesus hemolytic disease
Submission deadline: December 31, 2023
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Otolaryngology: clinical outcomes, management, and challenges
Guest editor: Dr. Ignazio La Mantia, University of Catania, Italy
Summary
Otorhinolaryngology was established in the late 19th and early 20th century as a unified specialization that deals with medical conditions of the head and neck. It has seen dramatic development in the past decades along with technical innovations.
This Special Issue aims to offer readers and colleagues the latest trends, modern diagnostic tools, treatment modalities, and beyond in the otorhinolaryngologic fields. With the perspective of precision medicine and a multidisciplinary approach, this Special Issue aims to describe not only the challenges in otorhinolaryngological diagnostics and surgical managements but also to provide useful models and tools for personalized therapeutic strategies in clinical practice.
Given the very broad yet very specialized nature of otorhinolaryngology, we invite researchers and experts from all subspeciliazations to contribute to this special issue.
Keywords: otolaryngology; endoscopy; otorinolaryngologists; otoneurosurgery; rhinology; laryngological; multidisciplinary
Submission deadline: December 31, 2023
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Regenerative medicine in head and neck: clinical and basic science perspectives
Guest editor: Prof. Petros D. Karkos, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; 1st Department of Otolaryngology, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
Regenerative medicine (RM) has been rapidly evolving in many directions and fields of medicine. Tissue engineering gives the opportunity to rectify abnormalities by using scaffolds that simulate the normal structure and function of many organs and tissues. The field of Head and Neck is large including paramount functions such as breathing, hearing, balance, voice and swallowing, facial expressing and aesthetics. The diversity of the cells and tissues concerning all those vital functions makes RM very challenging in the field of otorhinolaryngology, facial plastics, dermatology and maxillofacial surgery.
We invite authors from all the specialties above to submit to this special issue.
Submission deadline: October 31, 2023
Contact the guest editor for more information