Journals

Call for Papers for Collections on Dove Medical Press

Authors are invited to browse Collections that are currently open for submissions – click on the title of the Collection to learn how you can contribute your own research. These Collections focus on specific topics of interest and importance to the research community.

Breast Cancer: Targets and Therapy

Hormone Receptors and Receptor Tyrosine Kinases in Breast Cancer

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Hormone Receptors and Receptor Tyrosine Kinases in Breast Cancer" in Breast Cancer: Targets and Therapy.

Nuclear receptors are normally activated by their ligands, which are mostly steroid hormones that can cross the plasma membranes to bind their target receptors. Upon activation, hormone receptors translocate to the nucleus to serve as transcription factors by controlling the expression of specific genes involved in the regulation of numerous cellular processes. Hormone receptors are particularly important in breast cancer biology. Most breast cancers are luminal tumors characterized by the overexpression of hormone receptors; estrogen receptors (ERs) and progesterone receptors (PRs). Luminal breast cancers are dependent upon estrogen and/or progesterone for their growth making endocrine/hormonal therapies a gold-standard approach for the treatment of luminal cancers. Luminal tumors also express other hormone receptors such as androgen and glucocorticoid receptors, however, their role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of breast cancer is inconclusive. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are a family of growth factor receptors that play key roles in the regulation of various cellular processes such as cell growth, survival, and differentiation. The overexpression and/or the constitute activation of RTKs is a hallmark of carcinogenesis.

Solid evidence indicated that activated RTKs along with their downstream signaling transducers can directly interact with ERs leading to receptor activation in a ligand-independent fashion to promote cancer cell growth and survival. The crosstalk between hormone receptors and RTKs has also been implicated in the development of resistance to endocrine treatments. Previous studies indicated that acquired resistance to hormonal therapy is largely mediated by the overexpression of several types of RTKs in breast cancer cells such as members of the EGFR family, the hepatocyte growth factor receptor, MET, and others. Together, these findings highlight the importance to understand the crosstalk between hormone receptors and RTKs and the potential benefits of the combined treatment of hormonal therapies and the inhibitors of RTKs in breast cancer.

This Article Collection welcomes original research manuscripts (pre-clinical and clinical) and review articles (literature, systematic, and meta-analyses) focused on but not limited to the following topics:

• Molecular mechanisms for the crosstalk between hormone receptors and RTKs in breast cancer
• The effect of the combination of endocrine/hormonal therapies and RTK inhibitors in breast cancer
• The role of RTKs in mediating resistance to endocrine/hormonal therapies in breast cancer

The deadline for submissions is 31 January 2024. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code VTAPY to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest advisor

Nehad M. Ayoub, Jordan University of Science and Technology

[email protected]

Nehad M. Ayoub is an associate professor at the Department of Clinical Pharmacy at Faculty of Pharmacy at Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) where she has been a faculty member since 2013. Nehad completed her Ph.D. at the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) in USA and her undergraduate and master’s studies at Faculty of Pharmacy, JUST. Her research interests lie in the areas of pharmacology of novel combinations of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in treatment of the different molecular subtypes of breast cancer and the signaling and molecular pathways associated with pharmacological activity of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. She has collaborated actively with researchers in several other disciplines of cancer research including molecular biology of lymphomas and anti-cancer characterization of natural products. She is responsible for teaching different courses to undergraduate and graduate students at Faculty of Pharmacy including both pharmacology and therapeutic courses. Nehad had also mentored many graduate students. She had more than 70 publications and she is a co-investigator in multiple grants, including R01 and R15 grants. She is also a handling/associate editor and an active reviewer for multiple journals.

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Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: A Distinctive Entity

Targeting Stem Cells for Breast Cancer Therapy

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Targeting Stem Cells for Breast Cancer Therapy" in Breast Cancer: Targets and Therapy.

In the past four decades, an improved survival rate in breast cancer patients has been witnessed, largely due to early diagnosis and the advent of new targeted therapies. However, the increase in cancer-specific survival seems to have reached a plateau in 2005. Tumor recurrence and relapse are the major clinical challenges in treatment of breast cancer patients. Since breast cancer stem cells (CSCs) were first identified in 2003, they have been considered promising therapeutic targets for cancer therapy. CSCs are a small population of cancer cells which are thought to be responsible for tumor initiation, progression, recurrence, and more importantly drug resistance.

Over the past two decades, much progress has been made to understand how CSCs are regulated by intrinsic factors such as aberrantly activated oncogenic, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, anti-apoptotic, metabolic detoxification pathways as well as extracellular factors such as vascular niches, hypoxia, stromal cells, extracellular matrix, and exosomes. Based on these developments, both chemotherapeutic drugs and immunotherapeutic strategies have been developed to specifically target BCSCs, and some of these factors are already undergoing clinical trials in recent years.

This Article Collection aims to collect the most recent progress made by multidisciplinary researchers in tackling the key challenges in development of breast CSCs-targeted therapies which include, but are not limited to, differentiation therapy, nano-drug delivery and targeted therapy, immunotherapy and epigenetic modification and blockades of microenvironmental cues.

Keywords: breast cancer stem cells, tumor microenvironments, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, drug resistance, epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Article types:
• Original research (main)
• Review
• Expert opinion
• Case series

The deadline for submissions is 31 October 2023. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code GQFVO to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest advisor

Hexin Chen, University of South Carolina

[email protected]

Dr. Hexin Chen is a Professor of Biology at the University of South Carolina. He received his Ph.D. in molecular biology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and completed his postdoctoral training in breast cancer biology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His current research focuses on studying breast cancer stem cells (CSCs). His lab is especially interested in understanding how CSCs communicate with tumor microenvironment and how these interactions impact on tumor growth and development of therapeutic resistance.

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Targeting Triple-Negative Breast Cancers: Modern Advancements and Future Directions

Cancer Management and Research

The Cancer Treatment Revolution and the Threat to Equitable Global Medicines Access

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "The Cancer Treatment Revolution and the Threat to Equitable Global Medicines Access" in Cancer Management and Research.

There has been an unparalleled advancement in cancer therapeutics development, including personalized medicine, that has led to a global decline in cancer mortality across different cancer types, mostly in high income countries. Notably, more than 300 new anti-cancer drugs have been approved in the last decade alone. Furthermore, spending on cancer medicines exceeded $180 billion globally in 2021 with the vast majority focused in the major developed markets. As thrilling as this innovative therapeutic landscape is, it remains a challenge to ensure that all patients who need these cancer therapeutics can access them at the point of care. Without a matched equity plan, the pace of rapid therapeutic development will widen the already existent disparities in cancer medicines access. Enhancing universal access to new cancer medicines as they reach the market will be needed to ensure a more equitable and broader impact of innovations in cancer treatment.

There is a moral obligation to ensure equitable access to cancer therapeutics amidst this rapidly changing landscape. There is unequivocable data on racial and ethnic disparities in cancer clinical trial enrolment and a near absence of therapeutic trials in many low- and middle- income countries. In addition to not being included in the trials that inform the diagnostic and treatment innovations, there are also disparities in access to cancer therapeutics among racial and ethnic minority community practices in under-resourced regions within high income countries and between diverse world income regions. The next frontier in this rapidly advancing landscape is designing and implementing innovative interventions and care delivery models to ensure everyone benefits from the revolution in care.

This Collection calls for papers that address inequities in access to cancer therapeutics globally and approaches for closing the equity gap.
- The first area seeks to define the cancer treatment access gap, with emphasis on communities that are understudied and areas of treatment disparities that are not as parsed out.
- The second area is operationalizing and defining what an equitable genomics and diagnostic landscape in cancer medicine looks like, and sharing insights about the future of the innovation-equity mismatch.
- The third area is highlighting different multiprong research approaches, policy initiatives and care delivery models that have demonstrated impact in improving access and are scalable to ensuring global access to oncology medicines in marginalized sub populations within high income countries and in low-resource global health settings.

The collection welcomes contributions from experts from developing countries and those with expertise in cancer medicines access, public health, healthcare policy, researchers, and industry experts. We encourage manuscripts to identify effective and feasible policies that support effective collaboration.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 1 December 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code FGWSF to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest Advisor

Yehoda M. Martei, Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

[email protected]

Dr. Yehoda Martei is an Assistant Professor of Medicine, and the Vice Chief of Diversity, Inclusion and Health Equity in the Division of Hematology - Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn). She is also a global health scholar at the Center for Global Health and a Senior Fellow at the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at Penn. She is an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Botswana where she conducts most of her research work related to access to WHO essential medicines for cancer treatment. Her research is also focused on implementation strategies for eliminating global disparities in breast cancer outcomes by optimizing high quality breast cancer therapy delivery in low-resource settings. She serves as a technical consultant on several working groups and organizations, including the WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative, the Access to Oncology Medicines Consortium, and the Medicines Patent Pool.

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Trends in Emerging Cancer Vaccines and Immunotherapies

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Trends in Emerging Cancer Vaccines and Immunotherapies" in Cancer Management and Research.

Cancer vaccines have been in research at both pre-clinical and clinical levels for decades and the field continues to expand to address the unmet need of cancer therapy with minimal adverse events.

Cancer vaccines are of two kinds, preventative and therapeutic. Two FDA approved preventative cancer vaccines include vaccines against human papillomavirus and hepatitis B virus responsible for cervical cancer and hepatitis B respectively. Additionally, three FDA approved therapeutic vaccines are available against prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and melanoma. These limited number of FDA approved cancer vaccines contrast the impact diverse forms of cancers have on the global population. Considerable cancer vaccine and immunotherapy-based research is still in pre-clinical and clinical stages and faces various challenges. Limitations of establishing the pre-clinical animal model, formulation and development of the vaccine, efficacy evaluation, and translation of research from pre-clinical to clinical stages often serve as early roadblocks. Further, clinical challenges ranging from patient enrollment to obtaining a statistical number of patients to establish safety and efficacy are often encountered.

• Cancer Vaccines
• Cancer Immunotherapy
• CAR-T cell therapy/ CAR-NK cell therapy
• Immunecheckpoint inhibitors/ monoclonal antibodies against cancer/ immune system modulators against cancer

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 31 January 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code LMDVZ to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest Advisor

Lipika Chablani, Associate Professor, St. John Fisher University

[email protected]

Dr. Lipika Chablani is an associate professor at the Wegmans School of Pharmacy, St. John Fisher University, Rochester, New York. Her research focuses on formulation, development, and evaluation of cancer vaccines in combination with immunomodulators. Using preclinical animal models, she utilizes microparticulate drug delivery systems to deliver cancer antigens and stimulate innate and adaptive immune responses. Her lab has also supported systematic reviews to summarize clinical research findings in this field.

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Clinical Interventions in Aging

Falls, Fall Injuries, and their Prevention among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection in Clinical Interventions in Aging on "Falls, Fall Injuries, and their Prevention among Community-Dwelling Older Adults", organized by Guest Advisors.

Falls, fall injuries, and deaths from falls among community-dwelling older adults are on the rise. Certain population subgroups (i.e., men, non-Hispanics) are more likely to die from a fall. Due to the high cost of fall injury care, the public health burden of falls is substantial and growing. Despite evidence-based tools such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries (STEADI), best practices for fall prevention are not routinely reaching those who stand to benefit.

While frequent, falls are not an inevitable part of aging. Falls are, however, a threat to the health, independence, and well-being of older adults and generate anxiety and burden for caregivers. This Article Collection seeks to address translational (i.e., applying evidence in primary care practice) and evidence gaps in fall injury prevention, providing new insights into how to improve care and reduce the burden of falls and fall injury care. Original research and systematic, scoping, and narrative reviews are welcome.

Topics of interest include but are not limited to:

• Reasons for differential risk of falls, fall injuries, and fall-related death by gender, race, or ethnicity
• Qualitative research on men’s attitudes toward fall prevention
• Studies of the effects of electronic health record-based tools to facilitate fall risk assessment and management
• Intervention studies focusing on:
o Interventions other than or in combination with exercise for effects on falls and/or fall injuries among persons with cognitive impairment
o Effects of holistic exercise (e.g., yoga, pilates, seated tai chi) on falls and/or fall injuries
o Under-studied fall risk factors (e.g., peripheral neuropathy, persistent pain, hearing loss, vestibular dysfunction, obesity, incontinence)
o Older adults at low fall risk
• Observational studies of non-opioid pain medications (e.g., gabapentinoids, muscle relaxants) and their associations with falls, including comparisons between classes

All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review; the Guest Advisors for this collection will not be handling the manuscripts (unless they are an Editorial Board member). Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

Guest Advisors:
Elizabeth A. Phelan, MD MS, Professor, Medicine/Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine and Adjunct Professor, Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington

[email protected]

Elizabeth A. Phelan, MD, MS, is Professor of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine, Adjunct Professor of Health Systems and Population Health, UW School of Public Health, and Affiliate Investigator, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute. She is the Project Director of the Northwest Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Center and founding director of the UW Medicine Fall Prevention Clinic. She is a clinically active, board-certified geriatrician whose clinical work encompasses the inpatient and outpatient settings and involves teaching principles of geriatric medicine to health professions students, resident physicians, and geriatric medicine fellows. Dr. Phelan's research aims to promote health and prevent functional decline in community dwelling older adults through improving the quality of care for geriatric syndromes (falls, dementia).

Nandu Goswami, PhD, Editor-in-Chief of Clinical Interventions in Aging

Assoc. Prof Priv Doz. Nandu Goswami, PhD, is a cardiovascular physiologist with special interests in cardiovascular regulation, cerebral blood flow, orthostatic intolerance and effects of bedrest induced deconditioning. He is the Acting Chair of Physiology Division and is the Head of Research group "Gravitational Physiology, Aging and Medicine" at the Medical University of Graz, Austria. He is also actively involved in teaching and carrying out research in aging care, especially in social gerontology, as a visiting faculty member of the Alma Mater Europaea Maribor, Slovenia. He is also the President of Austrian Physiological Society and a member of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA).

The deadline for submissions is 8 December 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code QJFXK to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Clinical Ophthalmology

OCT Biomarkers of Macular Disorders: From Theory to Practice

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "OCT Biomarkers of Macular Disorders: From Theory to Practice" in Clinical Ophthalmology.

The advancement in optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology in recent years has allowed the identification of novel biomarkers for various macular disorders; such biomarkers serve diagnostic and predictive roles. The availability of higher resolution OCT scans and routine OCT acquisition have aided both the characterization and quantification of OCT signs. In that regard, multiple descriptive terminologies for novel OCT signs emerge in the literature on a regular basis, changing the face of medical retina practice every so often.

While exponential growth in the number of research articles could be appreciated in the literature over the past decade, most articles deal with the description and incidence of these biomarkers. Limited data exist on their utilization in clinical practice, their predictive role, or their implications for patient education and therapeutic choices.

This Article Collection aims to provide a platform for authors who conduct research on the practical application of novel OCT signs and their utilization in clinical practice. Disorders of interest include but are not limited to: age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular disorders, uveitic macular disorders, macular dystrophies, vitreomacular interface anomalies, degenerative retinal conditions, traumatic maculopathy, and preoperative patient evaluation.

Guest Advisor
Yousef Ahmed Fouad
Ophthalmology Specialist, Faculty of Medicine
Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

Submission Instructions
All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo full peer-review; Guest Advisors will not be handling submitted articles. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author instructions prior to submission.

Please submit your manuscript through the Dovepress website. During submission, enter the promo code MUKBN to indicate that your article should be considered for this Collection.

The manuscript submission deadline is 29 February 2024. If you have any questions about this Article Collection, please contact Krista Thom at [email protected].

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Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology

Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Insights from pathogenesis to treatment

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to the upcoming Article Collection on “Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Insights from pathogenesis to treatment” in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory disorder that is characterized by chronic deep-seated nodules, abscesses, fistulae, sinus tracts, and scars in the axilla, inguinal area, submammary folds, and perianal area. This disfiguring condition is accompanied by pain, embarrassment, and a significantly decreased quality of life. Although the mechanism of HS has not been entirely elucidated, lesion formation is believed to center around follicular hyperkeratosis within the pilosebaceous-apocrine unit. Recent research has provided new insight into the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of HS, helping close some existing knowledge gaps in the development of this condition. Immune cells and keratinocyte-mediated products are widely accepted as key players in HS pathogenesis. Indeed, both pro-inflammatory (e.g., IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-23, and IL-17) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-10) are found to be increased in HS lesional and perilesional skin.

The identification of predictive biomarkers of therapeutic response is one of the greatest challenges of modern medicine, particularly in a pathology as HS with a high percentage of therapeutic failures. Although several studies have shown that anti-TNF-α agents clinically reduce the disease activity in HS, the efficacy of these agents is inconstant in some cases. Identifying predictive markers of response is, thus, of strong interest. Several small molecules and biologics are under investigation, for moderate-to-severe HS therapy. With phase III trials ongoing, the anti-IL-17 agents bimekizumab (which blocks IL-17 A and F) and secukinumab (which blocks IL17A) are in the most advanced stage of clinical development showing promising results, based on the extensive evidence of the activation and upregulation of the IL-17 pathway in HS inflammation. Other molecules and biologics are under investigation such as jak inhibitors and IL-23 drugs. New studies are needed to identify biomarkers.

The Article Collection entitled: “Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Insights from pathogenesis to treatment” aims to bring together the most important recent findings on pathogenesis and treatments for this disease.

The deadline for submissions is 24 May 2024. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code HWNEN to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest advisors

Fabrizio Martora, University of Naples

[email protected]

Matteo Megna, University of Naples

[email protected]

Luca Potestio, University of Naples

[email protected]

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Hyaluronic acid fillers: superficial injections vs tridimensional injections, what changes?

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to the upcoming Article Collection: “Hyaluronic acid fillers: superficial injections Vs tridimensional injections, what changes?” organized by Guest Advisors Professor Raffaele Rauso and Professor Nicola Zerbinati in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers have become a mainstay in aesthetic medicine; these fillers have been quickly appreciated by both physicians and patients due to HA safety and their temporary effect. HA fillers were born as “dermal filler” in order to be injected in the dermal layer to treat fine lines, but over time physicians understood how to inject them tridimensionally, not only into the skin layer but also in superficial and deep facial fat compartments or over the periosteum in order not only to treat lines but to achieve deep facial feature changes.

Although HA is an absorbable substance when injected into the dermal layer due to the action of endogenous hyaluronidase, when injected deeply it has a different pattern of resorption, sometimes lasting also several years. Not all physicians are aware of this and continuing to inject HA fillers every 6 to 8 months causes, over the years, accumulation of the filler into the face, achieving unpleasant results of “puffy face”. Also the use of hyaluronidase, in order to dissolve HA fillers previously injected, has increased during recent years as shown in the recent medical literature.

Nowadays, most aesthetic patients have the stigmata of previous HA injections and a good physician should be aware of it in order to avoid areas where HA is still present, moreover it is mandatory to have a good knowledge of hyaluronidase uses, especially when an unpleasant result is long-lasting and HA needs to be dissolved in order to repeat the treatment in the right way.

The aim of this collection is to provide scientifically based papers that can give readers a guide on how to approach patients previously injected with HA fillers over the years, potential complications in injecting deep areas already injected, and when and how to use hyaluronidase before to repeat a filler treatment.

All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo desk assessment and peer-review as part of our standard editorial process. Guest Advisors for this collection will not be involved in peer-reviewing manuscripts unless they are an existing member of the Editorial Board. Please review the journal Aims and Scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submissions is 1 October 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code MWJLR to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Teledermatology, Inflammatory Skin Disorders and COVID-19: What the Experience Has Taught Us

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to the upcoming Article Collection on “Teledermatology, Inflammatory Skin Disorders and COVID-19: What the Experience Has Taught Us” in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology.

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically transformed healthcare delivery, forcing medical professionals to seek innovative ways to provide patient care while minimizing face-to-face interactions. Teledermatology, the remote diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions using telecommunication technologies, has emerged as a valuable tool in dermatology practice during this challenging time. This Article Collection explores the application of teledermatology in the context of inflammatory skin disorders and the lessons learned from the COVID-19 experience.

Inflammatory skin disorders encompass a wide range of conditions. These diseases often require long-term management and frequent follow-ups, making teledermatology a suitable alternative to traditional in-person visits. With the aid of secure digital platforms, dermatologists can remotely assess skin lesions, evaluate disease severity, and provide treatment recommendations. Patients can upload images of their skin lesions or participate in real-time video consultations, allowing dermatologists to make accurate diagnoses and initiate appropriate therapies. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted several key benefits of teledermatology for inflammatory skin disorders. Firstly, it reduces the risk of virus transmission by minimizing physical contact between patients and healthcare providers. This is particularly crucial for patients with chronic skin conditions who are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Secondly, teledermatology enhances accessibility to specialized care, especially for individuals residing in remote areas or facing transportation barriers. It enables patients to receive expert advice without the need for long-distance travel, thereby improving healthcare equity.

However, the use of teledermatology in inflammatory skin disorders also comes with certain limitations. To address these limitations, dermatologists have adapted their practices and developed strategies for optimizing teledermatology services. Globally, the experience gained during the COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of incorporating teledermatology into routine dermatology practice beyond the crisis. Teledermatology has demonstrated its value in triaging patients, improving access to care, and facilitating timely interventions. It has the potential to reduce healthcare costs, decrease patient waiting times, and enhance overall patient satisfaction. Moving forward, efforts should be made to establish guidelines and policies to ensure the ethical practice of teledermatology while maintaining patient privacy and data security. In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of teledermatology in managing inflammatory skin disorders.

While there are certain limitations associated with remote consultations, the experience gained during the pandemic has taught us that teledermatology is a valuable tool for providing accessible and efficient care.

The deadline for submissions is 12 January 2024. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code ZOMSS to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest advisors

Luca Potestio, University of Naples

[email protected]

Matteo Megna, University of Naples

[email protected]

Angelo Ruggiero, University of Naples

[email protected]

Fabrizio Martora, University of Naples

[email protected]

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Degenerative Neurological and Neuromuscular Disease

Therapeutic options in chronic neurodegeneration: from experimental research to clinical practice

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Thematic Series on “Therapeutic options in chronic neurodegeneration: from experimental research to clinical practice", edited by Editor-in-Chief Professor Thomas Müller in Degenerative Neurological and Neuromuscular Disease.

Upon submission, please use the promo code WNGXX for 20% off the advertised article processing charge and indicate that your manuscript will be considered for the Thematic Series of "Therapeutic options in chronic neurodegeneration: from experimental research to clinical practice". The deadline for manuscripts is the 31 October 2023.

For any enquiries, please email Assistant Journal Development Editor, Vicky Ship, at [email protected]

About the Thematic Series

Chronic neurodegeneration and associated chronic neuroinflammation are characterized by progressive neuronal loss over time. Neurodegeneration may cause brain atrophy and several related functional deficits. The importance of the brain as a powerhouse to a multitude of abilities, and arguably the trait that allows people to be “themselves”, can be slowly whittled away by cruel diseases. The origin of which is typically unknown outside of neurodegenerative diseases that are known to be hereditary.

Why are the causes so complex? How can the scientific and medical community proceed in treating them? From the early development phases, clinical trials, regulatory approval and real-world practice, developers have introduced therapeutic options for some neurodegenerative diseases. While chronic neurodegeneration may be heterogenous in nature, the development of treatments can provide reassurance for those affected.

This Thematic Series seeks to cover current treatment modalities and how they are used in clinical practice and to consider emerging therapies being developed for chronic neurodegeneration, alongside further developing an understanding of how these diseases affect individual abilities and functions. It is hoped that discussion of these issues can help researchers improve the lives of those enduring neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, and those that are rarer, including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

The journal is seeking original submissions and review articles on the following topics related to the treatment of chronic neurodegenerative diseases and the journey of developing these therapies:

• Development processes of treatments for neurodegeneration
• Teachings from neuron destruction, brain atrophy and loss of function
• Differentiation between symptomatic treatment, disease modification
• Reaching the possibility of a cure
• Medication, immunology, antibody treatments and additional therapy options in development, in trials or available for patients

Submit your manuscript
https://www.dovepress.com/submit_step_1.php

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Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity

Managing obesity with pharmacotherapy

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Managing obesity with pharmacotherapy" in Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity.

Obesity is a chronic, relapsing, progressive disease causing or negatively impacting numerous medical conditions, including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and some types of cancer. The foundation of its treatment is lifestyle modification. However, for many people with obesity, these changes are difficult to achieve and to maintain long-term. For this reason, great efforts have been made to develop effective drugs weight-reducing drugs.

In the past, pharmacotherapy for obesity produced discouragingly modest weight loss on the whole, and several drugs had to be withdrawn from the market due to unacceptably severe side effects. However, the future of obesity pharmacotherapy looks promising. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have shown promise in promoting sustained and healthy weight loss in patients with obesity with or without type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, drug combinations that target multiple complementary pathways influencing food intake have the potential to promote more significant weight loss.

However, several questions need to be addressed. The long-term effectiveness and tolerability of new weight loss drugs have not been fully determined, and many more data are needed on their clinical efficacy on cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes prevention, as well as real-word effectiveness. More research is also needed to understand better their mechanisms of action, which patients can benefit most from their use, and when and how these drugs should be combined with lifestyle modifications. It is also crucial to know their long-term effect on the specific subpopulations of obesity patients, such as adolescents, those with binge-eating disorder and their effectiveness before and after bariatric surgery.

The goal of this Article Collection is to solicit the contribution and submission of any article in the area of pharmacological treatment of obesity, including preclinical studies, clinical trials, and reviews.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:
• Combination of pharmacotherapy with lifestyle modification for the management of obesity
• Pharmacotherapy for obesity and bariatric surgery
• Pharmacotherapy for obesity in binge-eating disorders
• Pharmacotherapy for obesity in adolescents
• Pharmacotherapy for obesity and cardiovascular diseases
• Pharmacotherapy of obesity and type 2 diabetes magament
• Mechanisms of action of medications for obesity
• Safety of pharmacotherapy for obesity

All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review; the Guest Advisor for this collection will not be handling the manuscripts (unless they are an Editorial Board member). Please review the journal Aims and Scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 31 January 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code JTCZR to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest Advisors

Riccardo Dalle Grave, Villa Garda Hospital, Italy

[email protected]

Dr. Riccardo Dalle Grave is director of the Department of Eating and Weight Disorders at Villa Garda Hospital (Garda, VR, Italy). In this department, he developed an intensive rehabilitative treatment for severe and disabling obesity and eating disorders both for adults and adolescents based on cognitive behavior therapy. He is the author of 178 peer review articles (Scopus h-index, 40), several book chapters, and books, on the treatment of obesity and eating disorders.

Giulio Marchesini, “Alma Mater” University, Italy

[email protected]

Prof. Giulio Marchesini is former Professor of Clinical Dietetics, “Alma Mater” University. After retirement from clinical duties, he maintained a research contract and chairs several research programs inside the IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera di Bologna. Specifically involved in studies in the area of obesity, diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, he wrote over 500 peer-reviewed papers (Scopus h-index, 87), with over 50k citations.

Conflict of Interest: In accordance with Taylor & Francis policy and my ethical obligation as a researcher, I am reporting that I received funding from Eli Lilly for a lecture, a company that may be affected by the research reported in the enclosed paper. I have disclosed those interests fully to Taylor & Francis, and I have in place an approved plan for managing any potential conflicts arising from that involvement. I will not handle the paper and I will not be involved in the peer-review process.

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Understanding the Impact of Gender and Sex on Diabetes Incidence, Complications, and Treatment

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Understanding the Impact of Gender and Sex on Diabetes Incidence, Complications, and Treatment" in Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity.

Over 10% of the world’s population has diabetes, a major contributor to coronary heart disease, stroke peripheral vascular disease, end-stage renal disease, retinopathy, neuropathy, and lower-extremity amputations. While diabetes prevalence is similar in male and female populations, there are critical differences in how and when diabetes presents by sex and gender. For example, adult women tend to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes later in life and have a higher BMI at diagnosis than men, resulting in the condition having often progressed further prior to diagnosis. In addition, complications from diabetes, such as cardiovascular disease, are more common in women with diabetes than in men with diabetes, and women are more likely than men to die from these complications.

Given the strong evidence of sex- and gender-based disparities in diabetes diagnosis, development of complications, and outcomes, including death, increasing our understanding of how sex and gender impact metabolic risk is critical to slowing the diabetes epidemic. The reasons for these differences are not well understood, but possible contributing factors include genetic differences, sex hormones, cultural or social constructs, and a differential effect of lifestyle factors. Growing evidence also suggests that female sex hormones, reproductive stage, and gender-specific psychosocial health issues can impact how an individual responds to diabetes treatment. Identifying the root causes of gender disparities can help identify ways to improve the prevention and treatment of diabetes among women and gender minorities.

In this article collection, we will examine how female sex and gender identity impact both (1) the development of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and (2) the risk of diabetes-related complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and depression. Additionally, we will examine how female sex hormonal fluctuations, such as across puberty, pregnancy, and the menopause transition, impact metabolic risk. Finally, we will examine how current treatments for preventing and treating diabetes are impacted by female sex and gender, including how treatment outcomes vary during periods of female sex hormone fluctuations, as well as how prevention, treatment, and outcomes vary comparatively based on gender and sex.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 20 March 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code MOCUS to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest Advisors

Erin LeBlanc, Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research

[email protected]

Erin LeBlanc, MD, MPH, is an epidemiologist and board-certified adult endocrinologist. Her research focuses on conditions that affect women, including diabetes, menopause, obesity, osteoporosis, and vitamin D deficiency.

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Drug Design, Development and Therapy

Advances in design and development of ophthalmic drugs

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Advances in design and development of ophthalmic drugs", organized by Guest Advisors Dr. Georgios D. Panos in Drug Design, Development and Therapy.

This Article Collection will focus on the latest advances in drug design and development for the treatment of various ophthalmic diseases and conditions.

Ophthalmic diseases, including glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and dry eye disease, are a significant public health concern, affecting millions of people worldwide. Despite the increasing availability of some effective treatments, there is still an unmet need for safe and even more effective drugs that can treat these conditions.

This Article Collection will bring together leading researchers and clinicians in the field to present their latest research on the design and development of ophthalmic drugs. Topics that will be covered in this special issue include but are not limited to:

- New drug delivery systems for ophthalmic drugs
- Advances in small molecule drug design and development for ophthalmic conditions
- Nanotechnology-based approaches for ocular drug delivery
- Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ophthalmic drugs
- Design and development of sustained-release ophthalmic drug delivery systems
- Gene Therapy and novel biological therapies for the treatment of ocular diseases

We welcome submissions of original research articles and review articles that address any aspect of drug design and development for ophthalmic diseases. All submitted manuscripts will undergo a rigorous peer-review process to ensure the highest quality of the published papers.

This Article Collection will provide a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and pharmaceutical companies working in the field of ophthalmic drug design and development and will further advance the understanding of the current state of the art in ophthalmic drug research and help pave the way for the development of safe and effective treatments for ophthalmic diseases.

The deadline for submissions is 30 July 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code HMYJF to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Beyond Brain Boundaries: Overcoming the Blood-Brain Barrier to Reach the Central Nervous System

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Beyond Brain Boundaries: Overcoming the Blood-Brain Barrier to Reach the Central Nervous System" in Drug Design, Development and Therapy.

The central nervous system (CNS) is the final frontier in drug delivery due to its intricate network of neurons and complex functions. Despite the increasing prevalence of CNS disorders worldwide, developing effective treatments remains challenging due to exorbitant costs, prolonged clinical pathways, and discouraging failure rates. The formidable barriers guarding the CNS, such as the blood-brain barrier and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, pose significant challenges, impeding the access of most drugs to their intended targets.

This Article Collection delves into the realm of drug design and explores innovative strategies and breakthrough materials designed to surmount these barriers, facilitating precise and controlled drug delivery to the CNS. The collection aims to unravel the enigma of the CNS by paving the way for transformative therapies that can revolutionize the treatment of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.

In addition to exploring innovative strategies and breakthrough materials for drug delivery to the CNS, this article collection also aims to investigate the interplay between neural substrates and non-invasive stimulation techniques. By understanding how different neural substrates interact and respond to non-invasive stimulation (i.e., transcranial magnetic stimulation), researchers aim to develop more targeted and effective therapeutic interventions. This interdisciplinary approach holds the potential to reinvent and rethink the treatment of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, offering new possibilities for improved patient outcomes.

Join us as we embark on a journey to uncover the secrets of the central nervous system and pave the way for transformative therapies that can bring about a paradigm shift in the management of neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions. We cordially invite authors to contribute original research and comprehensive review articles.

The deadline for submissions is 8 April 2024. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code ZDTPN to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest advisors

Masaru Tanaka, ELKH-SZTE Neuroscience Research Group, University of Szeged (ELKH-SZTE)

[email protected]

Dr. Tanaka's scientific interests include depression, anxiety, dementia, pain, and their comorbidities nature, and translational research in neurological diseases and psychiatric disorders. He is ranked in D1 in Biological Sciences (98%) among Hungarian researchers. His articles have been ranked in the top 99.9 percentile in various fields. He is an editorial board member of Frontiers in Neuroscience, Frontiers in Psychiatry, Anesthesia Research, the Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, and Biomedicines.

Simone Battaglia, University of Bologna

[email protected]

Dr. Battaglia's research experience focuses on the functional interplay of different brain areas involved in emotional learning, action control, brain plasticity, decision-making, and a variety of cognitive tasks. To achieve this aim, his research activity mainly includes the use of non-invasive brain stimulation (i.e., TMS and tDCS), and the recording of different physiological measures using different neuroscientific techniques such as EEG, SCR, HRV, and EMG. He has conducted his research in both healthy individuals, studying intra- and inter-individual differences, and in patients with acquired brain injury. His approach integrates various techniques such as behavioral analysis, electrophysiology, and neurostimulation, aiming to develop groundbreaking therapeutic protocols through cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS). He is an active Editor of several peer-reviewed journals with impact factors.

Francesco Di Gregorio, University of Bologna

[email protected]

Dr Di Gregorio's scientific interests include psychophysiological correlates of consciousness and disorders of consciousness after severe acquired brain injury. Additionally, his work focused on how cognitive processes are implemented in the human brain, and on translational research in neurological diseases. He is an editorial board member of Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine.

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Beyond Monoclonal Antibodies: Cutting-Edge Approaches to Targeted Therapy

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Beyond Monoclonal Antibodies: Cutting-Edge Approaches to Targeted Therapy" in Drug Design, Development and Therapy.

Monoclonal antibodies have revolutionized the development of targeted therapies, enabling the precise and selective targeting of disease biomarkers, leading to the development of more effective therapies. While over 100 monoclonal antibodies have been approved by the FDA, recent advancements in molecular engineering have greatly expanded the array of engineered proteins that have been approved by regulatory bodies or are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. As a result, the development of targeted therapies has become more versatile and sophisticated, offering new hope for patients with previously untreatable diseases.

This Article Collection aims to highlight the latest advancements in antibody and protein engineering, including design strategies, preclinical screening methods and their translation into clinical practice. Specifically, this Collection will cover:
1. Design and selection of synthetic binders, including but not limited to antibodies, affibodies, monobodies, nanobodies, adhirons, ubiquitin variants, DARPin, peptidomimetics, and cytokines.
2. Antibody engineering, such as the development of bispecific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, alternative modalities, and engineered Fc regions.
3. Genetically encoded protein degraders and their impact on targeted protein degradation.
4. From the bench to the bedside: showcasing therapeutic applications of novel biologics for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases, and viral infections.
By highlighting the latest advancements in antibody and protein engineering, we hope to provide insights into how these innovations are changing the landscape of drug development and therapy.
This article collection in Drug Design, Development and Therapy invites various types of articles, such as:
• Research articles
• Review articles
• Systematic Reviews
• Mini reviews
• Clinical Studies
• Perspectives

The deadline for submissions is 16 April 2024. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code ZLRGC to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest advisor

Gianluca Veggiani, Louisiana State University

[email protected]

Dr. Gianluca Veggiani is a Research Assistant Professor in nano-immunoengineering at the Department of Pathobiological Sciences of Louisiana State University. He joined the university in 2022 and his current work focuses on developing high-throughput methods for synthetic biology, vaccines, and novel cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. During his postdoctoral work at the University of Toronto, Dr. Veggiani developed molecular probes for detection and modulation of post-translational modifications and efficient gene editing. He also pioneered the development of molecular superglues for protein polymerization, enhanced T-cell activation, and sensitive circulating tumor cell isolation during his doctoral work at the University of Oxford.

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Is CADD ready to take a leap in the light of AI? Where are we?

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Is CADD ready to take a leap in the light of AI? Where are we?" in Drug Design, Development and Therapy.

Artificial intelligence (AI) in a research domain represents the theory and the computer technology development that helps to model the physical reality of the phenomenon under study. AI is capable of solving complex problems with higher accuracy and efficiency, such as robust language models like GPT, 3D protein model prediction tools like AlphaFold, and defeating champions in a board game like AlphaGo etc. The success of AI is well appreciated in our day-to-day life as well as in corporate businesses. However, its impact on computer aided drug design (CADD) is still awaited.

The field of AI in CADD is in its initial stage, where the development of a smart machine is difficult with the amount of data available. Numerous machine learning (ML) models have been built by implementing neural networks (NN), deep neural network (DNN), convolutional NN etc. to predict drug properties, active inhibitors and pharmacophore, and protein-inhibitor affinity - but the accuracy and specificity remains limited due to insufficient data. Recently, AlphaFold2 has been very successful in CASP14 for the prediction of single domain protein structure with experimental resolution (~2Å), which will be of great assistance to structure-based drug design. However, improvement in feature design and novel machine learning approaches will be required for the advancement of ligand-based design and CADD in general.

There has been significant effort in deploying AI for drug prediction and its target recognition of diseases. AI-based methods such as machine learning and deep learning have revolutionized the field of drug discovery with new algorithms such as back propagation for update of weights, context capture by the use of attention layer, and transformer’s encoder-decoder architecture for input reconstruction. Combined bioinformatics and machine learning have shown great potential in drug target prediction and computer drug design by enabling the analysis of the available amount of biological data and predicting the potential interactions between drugs and their targets, such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and other neurological disorders. The endeavour to improve our understanding of the drugs, their targets, and the disease phenotype, is still on and we have yet to build the right tools to solve one of the most complicated question of the biological science.

The aim of this article collection is to publish articles related to AI assisted structure-based and ligand-based drug design under the subtopics mentioned below.
1. Current state and future development of novel small molecule design with desired physico-chemical properties/activities by implementing state of the art technique, AI assisted de novo design, synthesis, pharmacophore modelling, and toxicity prediction.
2. Current and future developments in novel drug target prediction and small molecule drug development through combined machine learning, bioinformatics and CADD technologies.
3. Current state and future development of novel feature/descriptor engineering and deep learning model building for protein inhibitor binding energy prediction.

Please note that any submissions based on in-silico research require to be validated using appropriate in vitro or in vivo methods as per the journal Aims and Scope requirements of Drug Design, Development and Therapy.

The deadline for submissions is 22 April 2024. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code XRMJW to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest advisors

Zunnan Huang, Guangdong Medical University

[email protected]

Neshatul Haque, Medical College of Wisconsin

[email protected]

Ling Wang, South China University of Technology

[email protected]

Tejaswi Koduru Naidu, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

[email protected]

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Therapeutic advances in adipose tissue dysfunction and bone health in obesity and insulin resistance

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Therapeutic advances in adipose tissue dysfunction and bone health in obesity and insulin resistance", organized by Guest Advisors Prof. Antonio Brunetti, Dr. Maria Mirabelli and Assoc. Prof. Kok-Yong Chin in Drug Design, Development and Therapy.

The adipose tissue is a large and varied endocrine organ, consisting of different types of fat cells and other cell types (i.e., endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells) with unique secretory properties. It can influence almost every aspect of body function. In mammals, the adipose tissue grows and develops in utero in relation to maternal blood glucose levels, and if challenged after birth with overnutrition, it may continue to expand almost indefinitely, causing obesity and its attendant metabolic consequences, such as insulin resistance.

Although there are many hypothesized contributing factors to the development of insulin resistance in obesity (i.e., lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, hypoxia), there is still no consensus about its aetiology. This is a significant problem because insulin resistance can have a major impact on the quality and expectancy of life for obese individuals. Insulin resistance plays a key role in the development of prevalent conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular and reproductive disorders, metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver and cancer. Additionally, it can negatively impact bone health. Indeed, the hormones released by the adipose tissue, which are collectively called “adipokines”, participate to the complex regulation of bone physiology and integrity, and can interfere, either positively or negatively, with the insulin receptor signalling. Obesity and insulin resistance are associated with changes in the secretion of adipokines. The use of incretin-based (i.e., single, dual, or triple agonist) drugs to lose weight can improve the function of adipose tissue and the secretion of adipokines, potentially reducing the burden of obesity and insulin resistance on the healthcare system. However, it is unclear how and whether these drugs would change the way adipose tissue communicates with bone and other tissues that are sensitive to insulin, and whether this would revert insulin resistance.

Original research articles (i.e., clinical, preclinical and/or translational studies) and review articles focusing on the latest pharmacological advances for treating obesity, insulin resistance, and their related metabolic/health consequences are welcome for submission to this special issue. Particular emphasis will be placed on articles exploring the connection between adipose tissue dysfunction and bone health, as well as the modulation of weight-lowering drugs on this aspect.

The deadline for submissions is 31 January 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code IQLPK to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Using Innovative Drug Delivery Systems to Improve the Efficacy and Applicability of Poorly Water-soluble Drugs

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Using Innovative Drug Delivery Systems to Improve the Efficacy and Applicability of Poorly Water-soluble Drugs" in Drug Design, Development and Therapy.

Failure of the conventional delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs could be attributed to their low solubility and hence their limited bioavailability that hinder their pharmacological applications.

The improvement of drug solubility is of a critical concern in boosting the dissolution rate and bioavailability. Recently, different techniques have been used to increase the solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs.

Using novel drug delivery systems and nano-based drug delivery systems can improve their solubility. Moreover, many of these systems act as drug reservoirs that also improve the drug permeability and stability. Accordingly, these delivery systems are important in improving the efficacy and applicability of poorly water-soluble drugs.

Topics that will be covered in this Article Collection include but are not limited to:

Novel drug delivery systems such as microemulsions, inclusion complexes, solid dispersions, cocrystals.
Nano-based drug delivery systems like nanosuspensions, liposomes, niosomes, proniosomes, transfersomes, etc.
Techniques to increase the solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs.

We welcome submissions of original research articles and review articles that address any aspect of design and development of innovative drug delivery systems to improve the efficacy and applicability of poorly water-soluble drugs. All submitted manuscripts will undergo a rigorous peer-review process to ensure the highest quality of the published papers.

The deadline for submissions is 13 May 2024. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code KBOSG to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest advisors

Eman A. Mazyed, Department of pharmaceutical technology, Faculty of pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt

[email protected]

Kariman M. AbouElhassan, Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt

[email protected]

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Eye and Brain

Neurodegenerative diseases: link between eye and brain

HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care

HIV: treatments and prevention for longevity

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Thematic Series on “HIV: treatments and prevention for longevity”, edited by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Olubunmi Ogunrin in HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care.

Upon submission, please use the promo code JBJFT for 20% off the advertised article processing charge and indicate that your manuscript will be considered for the Thematic Series of “HIV: treatments and prevention for longevity”. The deadline for manuscripts is the 31 October 2023.

For any enquiries, please email Darcy Hodge, Commissioning Editor at [email protected]

About the Thematic Series

For many researchers and clinicians, effective prevention and treatment of HIV can prove a halfway point for its eradication. Since its first outbreak, the developments made highlight a wealth of progress, but how much further does medical science have to go? This Thematic Series will explore current methods to prevent the spread of HIV, alongside those currently in development. This can include the varying types of HIV vaccine in development (e.g., mRNA, T-Cell), our understanding of selective immunity in certain individuals, the efficacy of pre-exposure prophylaxis and more.

Prevention is one part of reducing the spread of HIV, but the treatments available to patients once diagnosed are equally as important. Recent developments and discoveries in HIV treatment push the field further to improve the quality of life of individuals living with HIV, including progress into injectable treatments. Additionally, pre-existing treatments including antiretroviral drugs receive necessary updates to enhance their efficacy, safety and adherence levels.

Importantly, how clinicians and society approach HIV and its treatment is crucial for progress. This includes highlighting the accessibility of HIV healthcare across countries, gender, socioeconomic status and age groups. With this information it is hoped that everyone has a chance of receiving high-quality HIV healthcare globally. Attitudes can form a significant part of this, as the benefits of having an external support network will also be explored in this Thematic Series. However, the mental health of the patient can be equally as important as external support, with insight into psychological comorbidities and treatments available to individuals living with HIV.

The journal is seeking original submissions and review articles on the following topics related to the prevention, treatment and attitudes towards HIV:

• Latest developments in HIV treatment, including long-acting injectable treatments
• Knowledge about current antiretroviral drugs and microbicides
• Impact of genetics on variability in HIV transmission and treatment
• Cases of cured HIV and how they can inform treatment
• Selective immunity against HIV in special populations
• Progress and challenges in various types of HIV vaccine development
• Variables in the efficacy of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
• Environmental and societal methods for HIV prevention
• Accessibility of HIV treatment worldwide and across sociodemographic groups
• Attitudes towards HIV and their impacts on treatment uptake and adherence
• The power of social support networks
• Mental health of individuals living with HIV throughout different stages of treatment
• Psychological comorbidities and psychiatric treatments in HIV care

Submit your manuscript

https://www.dovepress.com/submit_step_1.php

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ImmunoTargets and Therapy

Modern diagnosis of autoimmune diseases

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your work to an upcoming Thematic Series on “Modern diagnosis of autoimmune diseases” in Immunotargets and Therapy.

When submitting your work, please use the promo code URAJX for 20% off the advertised article processing charge and to indicate that your manuscript should be considered for the Thematic Series on “Modern diagnosis of autoimmune diseases”. For any enquiries, please email Rebecca Kearns, Commissioning Editor, at [email protected].

The deadline for submission of manuscripts is September 30th, 2023.

About the Thematic Series

There are more than 80 known types of autoimmune disease, and due to their heterogeneity and often unknown cause, diagnosis of specific disorders can be complex and often requires multiple investigations. These diseases are often chronic and can be debilitating in nature, which can lead to a reduced quality of life. As well as affecting patients on a physical, physiological, psychological, and financial level, it also affects their families and communities. Fast and efficient diagnosis of these diseases is crucial in finding efficacious therapeutic options. In this thematic series we will publish studies and reviews that focus on topics surrounding the diagnosis of autoimmune disorders.

The journal Editors are seeking original research and review article submissions within the theme of “Modern diagnosis of autoimmune diseases”. Papers addressing the following issues are welcomed:

• Diagnosis of rare autoimmune disorders
• Novel biomarkers in autoimmune disease
• Genetic and molecular diagnosis of autoimmune disease
• Challenges of differential diagnosis in autoimmune disease
• Diagnosis of Multiple Autoimmune Syndrome (MAS)
• Machine learning and diagnostic technologies in autoimmune disease
• Obstacles and barriers to early and accurate diagnosis
• Multidisciplinary approaches to autoimmune disease diagnosis
• Insights into modern diagnosis of specific autoimmune diseases

Submit your manuscript

https://www.dovepress.com/submit_step_1.php

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Infection and Drug Resistance

Advances in Osteomyelitis: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Advances in Osteomyelitis: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment", organized by Guest Advisor Dr. Nan Jiang in Infection and Drug Resistance.

Osteomyelitis (OM) refers to osseous tissue infection, with or without surrounding soft tissue infection. It is characterized by inflammatory associated bone destruction, with or without new bone formation. Despite great advances in medical techniques, osteomyelitis remains a catastrophic disorder or complication. On the one hand, the pathogenesis of this disorder is still not fully understood. On the other hand, diagnosis of this disorder is sometimes difficult owing to the non-specific symptoms. In addition, treatment is always tricky, with high risks of infection recurrence and limb disability. Therefore, how to lower the incidence of osteomyelitis is as important as the topic of how to increase the cure rate.

Currently, successful management of OM still poses substantial challenges for orthopedic surgeons, which is primarily attributed to its characteristics of high heterogeneity. Despite having the same disorder, clinical efficacy varies among patients and is influenced by multiple factors. At present, the overall efficacy of osteomyelitis treatment remains unsatisfactory, placing great pressure on the patients, not only physically, but also psychologically and economically. Even in patients with long-term skin ulcers and sinus drainage, malignant transformation of squamous cell carcinoma is not rare. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of OM's pathogenesis, together with early and accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, is of great importance, and may help achieve better clinical efficacy and improve life quality of the patients.

The aim of this Article Collection is to solicit original research articles covering the current concepts and investigations regarding the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of osteomyelitis. Review articles discussing state-of-the-art are also welcome. Subjects of the collection may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Fundamental research focusing on the pathogenesis of osteomyelitis.
• Novel approaches or tools for early and accurate diagnosis of osteomyelitis.
• Current situations of the microbiology and drug resistance of osteomyelitis.
• Progress in the personalized and optimized treatment of osteomyelitis.
• Preventive measures aiming at reducing the incidence of osteomyelitis.

Keywords

osteomyelitis, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, prevention

All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo desk assessment and peer-review as part of our standard editorial process. Please review the journal Aims and Scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submissions is 31st December 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code ONIEQ to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest advisor

Nan Jiang, Southern Medical University

[email protected]

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Advances in Prosthetic Joint Infections: Current Challenges and Future Solutions

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Advances in Prosthetic Joint Infections: Current Challenges and Future Solutions" in Infection and Drug Resistance.

Prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) pose a critical challenge to the fields of orthopedic surgery and infectious diseases. As joint replacement surgeries become more common worldwide, the incidence of PJIs also rises. Infections in prosthetic joints can have severe consequences, including prolonged hospitalization, functional impairment, repeated surgeries, and increased economic burden on healthcare systems. Addressing this growing concern requires a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment modalities related to PJIs. This Article Collection delves into the intricate complexities of PJIs, providing a platform for researchers and clinicians to share their insights, latest findings, and innovative strategies for combating this formidable challenge.

The significance of this Article Collection lies in its potential to foster advancements in the prevention, detection, and management of PJIs. With an aging population and an increasing demand for joint replacement surgeries, the prevalence of PJIs is expected to rise, amplifying the urgency to find effective solutions. This Collection serves as a reservoir of knowledge, highlighting the latest research and evidence-based practices to aid in reducing the incidence of infections, improving patient outcomes, and optimizing healthcare resources. By bringing together multidisciplinary expertise, this endeavor seeks to drive forward the development of novel antimicrobial therapies, diagnostic techniques, and preventive strategies to curb the burden of PJIs on patients, healthcare providers, and society at large.

For this Article Collection, the goal is to solicit submission of any articles to showcase the latest advances in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment of PJIs that align with the broader scope of the journal to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of research, clinical practices, challenges, and future of research and management in PJIs, including but not limited to the subtopics highlighted below:

• Prophylactic measures and infection control strategies for reducing the incidence of PJI.
• Novel diagnostic techniques and biomarkers for early and accurate detection of PJI.
• Understanding the role of biofilms in PJI pathogenesis and exploring potential targeted therapies.
• Antimicrobial resistance patterns in PJI organisms and strategies to overcome resistance challenges.
• Comparative effectiveness of different antimicrobial agents and treatment regimens.
• Host-related factors influencing PJI susceptibility and prognosis.
• Surgical techniques and advancements in implant design to minimize infection risk.
• Long-term follow-up studies and outcomes assessment of PJI management approaches.
• Multi-institutional collaborative efforts and clinical guidelines for PJI management.
• Patient perspectives, quality of life, and economic impact of PJI and its treatment.

By bringing together a diverse range of research on prosthetic joint infections, this Article Collection aspires to foster innovation and drive advancements in the field. We encourage contributions that offer evidence-based insights, promote best practices, and explore cutting-edge solutions to the challenges posed by PJI. Authors are invited to contribute their latest findings and perspectives to enhance our collective understanding and management of this critical medical condition.

The deadline for submissions is 29 February 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code JQBSL to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest advisors:

Xinyu Fang, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China

[email protected]

Wenming Zhang, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China

[email protected]

Xiaoqian Dang, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi 'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China

[email protected]

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Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Control: A Global Perspective

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Control: A Global Perspective", organized by Guest Advisor Dr. Anucha Apisarnthanarak in Infection and Drug Resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance occurs commonly in public and in patient settings and is a major concern in a global scale. Inappropriate use and poor infection prevention are undeniable causes of antimicrobial resistance. Strategies to reduce antimicrobial resistance and effective control measures are needed. This article collection will address the epidemiology of, and innovative strategies to control for, antimicrobial resistance in a global perspective.

All articles pertaining to antimicrobial stewardship and/or infection control to limit transmission of antimicrobial resistance will be considered for publication. The scope of this article collection will also include laboratory stewardship, antimicrobial stewardship, interventions using Infection Control (IC) together with antimicrobial stewardship to curb multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens, novel stewardship strategy, novel IC strategies to reduce MDR, antimicrobial stewardship in resource-limited settings, etc. Articles pertaining to antimicrobial stewardship and control strategies in the community and public, antibiotic prescribing behaviors, as well as epidemiology of multi-drug resistant organisms are also welcome.

Guest advisor:

Dr. Anucha Apisarnthanarak is current the Professor and Chief of Infectious Diseases Division at Thammasat University Hospital. He also serves as an Adjunct Visiting Professor at Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, USA. Dr. Apisarnthanarak’s research focus included infection prevention in resource-limited setting, infection control to prevent multi-drug resistant microorganisms as well as outbreak investigations. He published more than 250 peer-review articles and more than 20 peer-review book chapters. He has been a key committee member of many national and international societies including Thai National Nosocomial Infection Group, Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America, and Asia Pacific Society of Infection Control.

The deadline for submissions is 1 May 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code MKIRN to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Current aspects of fungal infections

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Current aspects of fungal infections", organized by Guest Advisor Dr. Héctor Manuel Mora-Montes in Infection and Drug Resistance.

Fungi, like other living organisms, interact with the environment, other members of the same species, or organisms belonging to different taxonomic groups. Sometimes, these interactions lead fungal species to establish infections in human beings, because of changes in the host environment, like opportunistic pathogens, or simply because there is no other way to interact with the host than causing damage, like primary pathogens. From the millions of species that are estimated that belong to the kingdom fungi, only a handful of them are etiological agents of mycosis in humans, and these can be well-known etiological agents, emerging fungal pathogens, or species that previously were not considered of relevance in medical mycology.

The colonization and invasion of the host’s tissues and organs are the results of fungal adaptation to this new environment and the expression of virulence factors and determinants, along with strategies to evade the host’s immunity. The increment of temporal or permanent immunodeficiency has positively impacted the frequency of mycosis and the emergence of atypical cases is more often reported. Once the infection is diagnosed, there are therapeutic options to treat mycosis, which are mainly based on antifungal drugs. Despite these being excellent alternatives to treat infections, the repertoire is not as abundant as the one we have to treat bacterial infections, and antifungal drug resistance is a common reason for treatment failure. Most of our knowledge of basic aspects of medical mycology comes from the study of Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus, and the caused infections, but nowadays we know that the mechanisms of host-pathogen interaction, immune sensing, evasion, and response to antifungal drugs are species-specific traits; thus, the study of this and other medically relevant fungal species and the caused mycoses is currently an opportunity area.

Thus, the aim of this Article Collection is to gather papers about the latest basic or clinical aspects of medically relevant fungal species. Original research manuscripts are particularly welcome, but review papers and case reports can also be part of this collection. Subjects of the collection may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Neglected fungal pathogens
2. Immunity against fungal infections
3. Virulence factors
4. Epidemiology of mycosis
5. Diagnosis and treatment
6. The search for new antifungal compounds

The deadline for submissions is 10th November 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code XWWVT to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Epidemiology, Etiology, and Demography of COPD: Who, When, and How?

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Epidemiology, Etiology, and Demography of COPD: Who, When, and How?" in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This health condition is prevalent, underdiagnosed, preventable, and has a high economic burden worldwide. The prevalence of COPD varies by country, age, sex, and genetic susceptibility. The main risk factors for COPD include environmental factors such as indoor and outdoor air pollution, occupational exposure to dust and fumes, and tobacco smoking. In addition, passive smoking in early childhood and intrauterine exposure predispose individuals to develop COPD with age. Environmental risk factors differ in developing countries compared to industrialized countries. Endogenous risk factors for COPD include genetic predisposition (for example, among individuals with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency), sex and racial differences in susceptibility to COPD, and the presence of respiratory problems in childhood. The impact of these environmental and endogenous risk factors increases with co-existing and interacting multiple risk factors. Further, social determinants of health in childhood and adulthood and gaps in access to disease-related prevention and care in rural and some urban areas contribute to the development of COPD and adverse health outcomes.

Our understanding of the natural history of COPD has evolved over time, and more research is needed to fully appreciate and recognize the extent of and interaction among various sociodemographic, etiologic, and clinical factors that contribute to the onset and progression of COPD.

This Article Collection welcomes submissions of original research and systematic review papers, including but not limited to epidemiological, translational, and health outcomes research. We invite research exploring the natural history and epidemiology of COPD in various geographic locations around the globe, individual and combined risk factors, sex and racial differences in COPD presentation, and associations with social determinants of health.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 26 October 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code DZXFA to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest Advisors

Dr. Radmila Choate, University of Kentucky College of Public Health

[email protected]

Dr. Choate is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health. Her research interests include the epidemiology of COPD and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency-associated lung disease. Currently, her work focuses on associations between COPD and quality of life, aging, and cognitive and functional impairment.

Dr. Choate receives research support from AlphaNet and the COPD Foundation.

Dr. Kristen E. Holm, National Jewish Health

[email protected]

Dr. Holm is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at National Jewish Health. Her research interests include social and psychological factors that are associated with COPD outcomes, with a particular interest in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency-associated lung disease. She is also involved with evaluating behavioral interventions that aim to improve health outcomes for individuals with chronic health conditions.

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Precision Medicine in COPD

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Precision Medicine in COPD" in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Precision Medicine in cancer patients refers to a method of analyzing the genes of cancer cells using a next-generation sequencer, finding the gene mutation that caused the cancer, and using a molecularly targeted drug designed to be effective against that gene mutation. This is also called tailormade or personalized medicine. Is this possible in a real clinical setting in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? Although studies on the etiology and pathogenesis of COPD have yielded many insights at the genetic level, unfortunately there are no insights that can be directly translated into the content of treatment for individual patients, and it is not unreasonable to suggest that the application of precision medicine in cancer treatment to COPD may still be a fairy tale.

In general, most medical treatments are designed for the average patient, but this approach may not be effective for everyone. Rather, we would like to think of precision medicine in COPD as: novel strategies for personalizing disease management that take into account variations in the environment, lifestyle, symptoms, and characteristics of individuals. The goal of precision medicine, as many have noted, is to get the right treatments to the right patients at the right time. In the field of medicine for COPD, this policy has been emphasized with increasing importance in recent years and various terms have come into use. A surrogate term for this is "Treatable Traits". Treatable traits have been proposed as an innovative approach to the management of COPD. Many advanced studies and review articles have already been published in the literature on treatable traits, giving an idea of the approaches that have been taken.

The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) document emphasizes the ABCD assessment tool since 2011, or the recently revised ABE assessment tool, which classifies using symptoms (or dyspnoea) on the horizontal axis and exacerbations on the vertical axis. Dyspnoea and exacerbations may be one of the treatable traits there, which also relates to the basis for determining which drug to administer.

Additionally, COPD patients with a blood eosinophil count (BEC) of 300 cells/mm3 or higher are currently recommended to receive inhaled medications, including inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), because ICS are expected to reduce the frequency of acute exacerbations. In this case, BEC of 300 cells/mm3 or more is considered one of the treatable features and peripheral blood eosinophil count can be positioned as a biomarker.

A definition of Precise Medicine in COPD does not yet exist. This attempt is rather a first step towards a definition. In this sense, we are trying to cover as broad an area of COPD as possible. We hope that different researchers from around the world will submit their ideas without preconceived notions. If you are involved in real clinical practice, the term Precision Medicine may be difficult to grasp as a familiar term because it is an esoteric term and is associated with advanced medicine related to gene therapy. We have no intention of playing with words. We hope to see the development of steady research that directly contributes to the treatment of individual COPD patients in a familiar patient care setting. A slight change in perspective should lead to new insights that are still being overlooked. We hope that everyone from young researchers to experienced clinicians will take a second look at this field of practice and contribute their findings.

It is our great pleasure to invite you to submit articles on the topic of COPD. This article collection, entitled "Precision medicine in COPD", will cover all aspects of clinical investigations regarding COPD. I believe this is the best opportunity to publish your excellent work. Both original articles and reviews are welcome. In light of scientific originality this Article Collection is not currently accepting case reports, case series, meeting reports, photo essays, poster extracts, or study protocols.

Topics include but are not limited to:

Early COPD or late COPD
Blood eosinophil count as biomarker
Asthma and COPD overlap
Frequent exacerbators
Patient-reported outcomes
Health status or health-related quality of life
Dyspnoea measurement
Definition of COPD exacerbation

Keywords

COPD
precision medicine
treatable traits
biomarker
inhaled corticosteroids

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 30 September 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code MXSKB to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest Advisors

Dr. Koichi Nishimura, Visiting Researcher at National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, and Director of Clinic Nishimura, Japan

[email protected]

Dr. Nishimura has more than 30 years of experience in the practice of COPD and asthma in Japan since the early 1990s. He spent six months at St. George's University of London in 2012 supervised by Professor Paul Jones to research this. Dr. Nishimura retired from the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology (NCGG) of Japan in March 2023 and currently serves as a visiting researcher at NCGG while contributing to community health care in his own clinic.

Dr. Toru Oga, Kawasaki Medical School, Japan

[email protected]

Dr. Toru Oga has been a respiratory physician for about 25 years. His major includes clinical and basic research in asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, sleep-disordered breathing, and respiratory failure. Dr. Toru Oga has led the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kawasaki Medical School, as a professor, since 2018.

Dr. Susumu Sato, Kyoto University, Japan

[email protected]

Dr. Susumu Sato is an associate professor at Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine. His experiences are more than 20 years in practicing respiratory medicine, particularly in COPD and pulmonary rehabilitation. He spent two years as a research associate at Boston University and worked with Professor Bela Suki, a distinguished physicist.

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Promoting Optimized Health Care for Individuals with COPD in the Era of Telehealth

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Promoting Optimized Health Care for Individuals with COPD in the Era of Telehealth", organized by Guest Advisors Dr. Yumin Zhou (The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, China, [email protected]), Dr. Juan Chen (General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, China, [email protected]), and Dr. Ning Deng (Zhejiang University, China, [email protected]) in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

This subject highlights the telehealth of COPD for better management and care of COPD patients. As we all know, COPD is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with an economic and social burden that is both substantial and increasing. Patients with COPD typically complain of dyspnea, activity limitation and/or cough and may experience exacerbations that require specific preventive and therapeutic measures. However, many challenges are encountered in delivering preventive and therapeutic measures, including the COVID-19 pandemic and people living far from their healthcare providers and having limited access to services. Now, as a means to mitigate the risk of viral transmission for both patients and clinicians during the COVID-19 pandemic, many health systems have rapidly converted ≥70% of their outpatient visits to telehealth via phone or video delivery. Due to this, telehealth system has become a hotbed of research in recent years.

Telehealth may offer a bridge to care and now offers a chance to consider virtual and hybrid virtual/in-person care models, with a goal of improved healthcare access, outcomes, and affordability. There are many critical potential benefits of telehealth, as follows:
• Telehealth systems may improve COPD medication adherence. Self-management education by telehealth system can help a person understand their disease and the benefits of proper use of medication.
• Telehealth technologies could improve the delivery of healthcare for people with COPD, reduce exacerbations, improve quality of life, anxiety and depression, and lower rates of hospitalization and emergency department visits.
• Tele-rehabilitation has been proposed as an alternative to the traditional approach.

Despite the hope of telehealth as a means of COPD patient care, the evidence base is still evolving, and best practices are not established at this time for COPD. We therefore need much more exploration.

This Article Collection provides a high-quality forum for interdisciplinary researchers to propose novel informatics methods for telehealth to improve patients' mode of visit and health conditions for patients with COPD. We welcome submissions across the evidence spectrum, ranging from studies of component technologies (e.g., sensors, algorithms, and software) to research articles, database articles, software articles, study protocols, reviews, matters arising, comments, etc.

This Collection welcomes submissions covering a range of related areas of telehealth, including but not limited to:
• Remote monitoring plus usual care versus usual care alone.
• Remote consultation plus usual care versus usual care alone (e.g., Face to face visit for a check-up in a health service with a health professional, or as reported by trialists).
• Remote monitoring or remote consultation versus usual care (e.g., where telehealthcare has replaced an element of usual face-to-face care).
• Telehealth interventions' long-term effects.
• Self-education/follow-up/behavioral intervention and compliance monitoring based on the telehealth system.
• The field of telerehabilitation: i) standardization of delivery platform; ii) tests performed remotely allowing for accurate exercise prescription; iii) post-exacerbation rehabilitation, etc.

Keywords:
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• mHealth, Telehealth or Digital Health
• Internet based pulmonary rehabilitation
• Intelligent/personalized healthcare
• Remote monitoring and Interventions

The deadline for submissions is 31 October 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code KFSQK to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Sarcopenia and frailty in COPD: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Potential Interventions

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Sarcopenia and frailty in COPD: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Potential Interventions" in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is primarily a respiratory disease with several extra-pulmonary manifestations. For example, many COPD patients present with an advanced form of age-related muscle impairment, called sarcopenia. In addition, these patients may also exhibit reduced physiological reserves and an increased susceptibility to adverse health outcomes, termed frailty. It is generally well recognized that the presence of sarcopenia and/or frailty in COPD patients increases functional dependency, disease exacerbation, and mortality.

Timely recognition and intervention of sarcopenia and frailty are critical for treating COPD. Both these conditions have multifactorial etiologies, necessitating a rigorous characterization of the associated molecular mechanisms and biomarkers before optimal therapeutic interventions are applied. However, the driving molecular mechanisms, biomarkers for identification, and effective therapeutic strategies for sarcopenia and frailty in COPD remain elusive.

This Article Collection aims to unravel the molecular and cellular alterations governing pathogenesis of sarcopenia and frailty in COPD. These may include but are not limited to cellular proteostasis, apoptosis and autophagy, bioenergetics, the roles of satellite cells, muscle vasculature, and myonuclear transcription. We also invite studies investigating the diagnostic potential of novel biomarkers of these conditions in COPD. Here, we aim to primarily unravel the blood biomarkers of muscle or non-muscle origin, that reflect the changes in muscle mass, strength, and frailty phenotype in COPD patients. Lastly, we will reflect on therapeutic interventions, including exercise modalities, novel molecules, nutritional supplements, and other modalities of sarcopenia and frailty in COPD patients.

We invite basic and clinical research for expanding our understanding of disease mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutics of sarcopenia and frailty in COPD patients. Original articles, reviews, case reports, and clinical trials are encouraged for submission.

Keywords

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Sarcopenia
Frailty
Biomarkers
Muscle wasting

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 31 May 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code GKTXA to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest Advisors

Rizwan Qaisar, University of Sharjah, UAE

[email protected]

Dr. Qaisar investigates the mechanisms and biomarkers of muscle impairment associated with physical inactivity, aging, and age-related diseases. His work includes evaluating the regulation of muscle contraction at the motor protein, single fibers, and whole muscle levels using in-vitro, in-situ, and in-vivo methods in experimental animal models and clinical settings. Additionally, he investigates the therapeutic interventions to prevent and/or reduce accelerated muscle loss in older adults with age-associated comorbidities.

Johan Lindqvist, University of Arizona, USA

[email protected]

Dr. Lindqvist is interested in how giant sarcomeric proteins influence skeletal muscle function in both healthy and disease states using molecular to whole animal techniques. His disease interests range from inherited to acquired diseases with a focus on the diaphragm, the main respiratory muscle, related pathologies. He has special focus on structural adaptations to diseases.

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International Journal of General Medicine

Breaking the Barriers: Achieving Health Equity and Access to Healthcare for All

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Breaking the Barriers: Achieving Health Equity and Access to Healthcare for All" in the International Journal of General Medicine.

Health equity and access to healthcare are essential components of a just and fair society. Despite significant advancements in medical technology and public health evidence and policies, many individuals and communities continue to face significant barriers to accessing quality healthcare services. Health disparities, often driven by social determinants of health, such as poverty, ethnicity, gender, and education level, persist and result in unequal access to healthcare and poorer health outcomes for disadvantaged and vulnerable populations. Addressing health equity and access to healthcare requires a comprehensive approach that includes policy interventions, community engagement, and innovative solutions to overcome systemic barriers. This topic is of critical importance, and continued research and advocacy efforts are necessary to achieve health equity and ensure that every person has access to quality healthcare services.

The subject of health equity and access to healthcare is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, access to quality healthcare is a fundamental human right and is essential for maintaining overall health and well-being and that the individual received the chances to fulfil his/her/their health potential. Secondly, health inequities, driven by social determinants of health, continue to be a major challenge globally. This has significant social and economic implications, as it erodes social cohesion as well as individuals and communities with poor health outcomes are less likely to contribute to society and experience a lower quality of life. Additionally, health inequities and unequal access to healthcare perpetuate existing disparities, reinforcing a cycle of disadvantage. Addressing health equity and access to healthcare requires concerted efforts by policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to ensure that healthcare services are accessible, affordable, and of high quality for all individuals, regardless of their social and economic status.

This Collection on health equity and access to healthcare aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the various aspects that contribute to health inequities and limited access to quality healthcare services. The collection seeks to cover a broad range of subtopics, including the impact of social determinants of health, cultural and linguistic barriers, systemic bias, health policy interventions, and innovative approaches to reduce health disparities. Furthermore, it covers in-depth analyses of formal and informal barriers to care as well as ethical, theoretical and methodological papers within the subject. In particular, we seek manuscripts that present innovative solutions to overcome the barriers to access to healthcare and promote health equity, such as community-based interventions and telehealth services.

The ultimate goal of this collection is to provide evidence-based strategies to improve access to healthcare services and achieve health equity for all individuals, regardless of their social and economic status. The collection seeks to promote a better understanding of the root causes of health inequities and provide a roadmap for policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to address this critical challenge.

We welcome contributions in various article types, including original research, reviews, case studies, and policy analyses.

All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review; the Guest Advisor for this collection will not be handling the manuscripts. Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 1 November 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code LNWEA to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest Advisor

Signe Smith Jervelund, University of Copenhagen, The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Department of Public Health, Section for Health Services Research

[email protected]

Signe Smith Jervelund is an Associate Professor in health services research at the Department of Public Health at the University of Copenhagen. The overall focus of her research is the access, functions and outcomes of healthcare services with a special focus on vulnerable groups, such as socially disadvantaged groups, immigrants and citizens with an ethnic minority background. Signe Smith Jervelund is likewise highly dedicated to intervention studies on how we can overcome inequities in access to healthcare in a national and international comparative perspective.

Dr. Jervelund has no conflicts of interest to disclose regarding this work.

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Impact of Dietary Choice on Life Expectancy – General Medicine Perspective in the Era of Longevity

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection in the International Journal of General Medicine on "Impact of Dietary Choice on Life Expectancy – General Medicine Perspective in the Era of Longevity", organized by the Lead Guest Advisor Prof. Mihajlo (Michael) Jakovljevic from Hosei University, Japan / the University of Kragujevac, Serbia, and co-Guest Advisors Prof. Arcadio Cerda from Talca University, Chile and Prof. Wenqing Wu from Tianjin University, China.

Nutrition and dietary patterns during most of the previous history of mankind were largely driven by the way of life imposed by survival. This was the case ranging from prehistoric hunter gatherer communities over several millennia of evolving nomadic and agricultural societies. After the Colonial Age, the modern era is particularly characterized by massive scale industrial development and urbanization across low-and-middle-income nations of the Global South. This has created a unique phenomenon in human history – a surplus of food that continues to grow and becomes a matter of foreign trade and struggle for geo-economical influence.

In the era of ease, to generate self-sustainable agricultural and industrial-scale food manufacturing across many nations worldwide, other epidemiological challenges have arisen. In the earlier past, the primary causes of short longevity were hunger and starvation, communicable infectious diseases, traumatism, and early childhood and maternal morbidity. Yet constant surplus of food supply and consumption for many decades has given rise to prosperity diseases or non-communicable chronic diseases. Many of them such as cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, diabetes, and cancer are largely attributable to dietary patterns. Long shelf-life market foods contain many oncogenic and toxic adjuvants and conservation substances. This particularly refers to fast foods and their high content of salt, sugar, and saturated fats. On the other hand, introduction of large quantities of herbal fibers into diets, cis-fatty acids, fresh fruits and vegetables, cereals, and bold reduction of sugar content have been proven to increase longevity. Thus, among the public health measures that are affordable to lower-and-middle-income citizens in most of LMICs countries for the prevention of NCDs – nutrition cultural change comes at the first place. It is both affordable and cost-effective. The promotion of and education in healthy dietary habits to school children and households bring long-term benefits. This has been documented in terms of extended life expectancy in so-called Blue Zones across the globe where such dietary patterns and healthy lifestyle prevails.

This collection attempts to attract a variety of submissions in the field of general medicine, public health, and health economics & policy that attempt to tackle the aforementioned issues. This refers to all the aspects of the causal relationship between dietary habits and longevity as well as their public health consequences. Any article consistent with Dove Press's author guidelines is welcomed. Diversity and heterogeneity of submissions across interdisciplinary health sciences is strongly preferred.

The deadline for submissions is 30 June 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code QWLLT to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Muscling Up: Strategies for the Prevention and Management of Sarcopenia

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Muscling Up: Strategies for the Prevention and Management of Sarcopenia", organized by Guest Advisors Prof. Yong-Seok Jee (Hanseo University), Prof. Sang-Kyun, Park (Woosong College), and Dr. Seung-Jae Heo (Chungnam National University) in the International Journal of General Medicine.

Sarcopenia is a condition characterized by the loss of muscle mass, strength, and function, typically associated with aging. It can have serious implications for an individual's overall health and quality of life, leading to a decreased ability to perform activities of daily living and an increased risk of falls and other health problems.

To prevent or manage sarcopenia, there are several strategies that can be employed. These include resistance training, adequate protein intake, vitamin D supplementation, hormone replacement therapy, and avoiding inactivity. However, there are still many unresolved issues regarding the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia. For example, there is a lack of interdisciplinary studies on the effectiveness of combining various treatment strategies, and there is a need for more in-depth observational studies at the cellular and tissue levels. That is, the management of sarcopenia is achieved through a multidisciplinary approach by doctors, nurses, psychologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, exercise therapists, fitness providers, and social workers. The purpose of this Article Collection is to share valuable knowledge and the most recent developments regarding the prevention and management of sarcopenia. We hope that experts from diverse fields will participate and work together in advancing this important area of health sciences.

Any article types related to the prevention and management of sarcopenia and consistent with the International Journal of General Medicine’s author guidelines are welcomed. Relevant subtopics may include but are not limited to the following:

• The efficacy of different resistance training protocols in preserving muscle mass and improving strength in individuals at risk of or affected by sarcopenia
• The role of protein supplementation and dietary strategies to promote muscle protein synthesis and combat muscle wasting
• Impact of vitamin supplementation on muscle health and function in the context of sarcopenia
• The potential benefits and risks of hormone therapy in preserving muscle mass and function among aging individuals
• Cellular and tissue-level studies that can advance our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of sarcopenia

Keywords:
Aging, Sarcopenia, Strength training, Protein, Vitamin supplementation, Hormone replacement therapy

Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 31st May 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code CYLSQ to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest Advisors

Yong-Seok Jee, Hanseo University

[email protected]

Sang-Kyun Park, Woosong College

[email protected]

Seung-Jae Heo, Chungnam National University

[email protected]

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Reinfection of COVID-19: Prevention and Management

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Reinfection of COVID-19: Prevention and Management", organized by Guest Advisors Prof. In-Hwan Oh (Kyung Hee University), Prof. Kyung Suk Lee (Hanyang University), and Prof. So Youn Park (Kyung Hee University) in the International Journal of General Medicine.

COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has spread since its emergence in late 2019, leading to widespread morbidity and mortality worldwide. Though global vaccination programs have been implemented and have helped to stem the tide of the pandemic, concerns have arisen due to the emergence of new variants and the potential for reinfection. Compared to no reinfection, reinfection has additional risks of death, hospitalization, and sequelae regardless of vaccination status, and the transmission of the virus to others can contribute to the ongoing spread of the disease. As such, understanding the risk factors, severity, and effective interventions for preventing and managing reinfection is crucial in reducing the burden on healthcare systems and society as a whole.

This Article Collection aims to inspire research that will expand our understanding of the reinfection of COVID-19 and help to inform effective interventions that will reduce the impact of the disease and improve public health outcomes. We encourage researchers and practitioners to submit their work and share their knowledge to explore various factors related to the risk of reinfection, the severity of reinfection, and interventions to prevent it.

The scope of this Collection includes but is not limited to the following topics:
• Risk of reinfection by COVID-19
• Interventions including patient education to prevent reinfection
• Factors affecting the severity of reinfection
• Factors affecting readmission interventions including patient education to prevent reducing the severity and decreasing readmission

We welcome original research, reviews, case studies, and perspectives on the subject matter. Manuscripts submitted should fit the scope of the journal and demonstrate clear relevance to the prevention and management of reinfection in the context of COVID-19.

Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 30 September 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code ICYVM to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest Advisors

In-Hwan Oh, Kyung Hee University

[email protected]

Dr. In-Hwan Oh is the professor in the department of preventive medicine, college of medicine, Kyung Hee University in Seoul, Korea. His research focus is researching healthcare utilization and the burden of disease in Korea using national health insurance claims data.

Kyung Suk Lee, Hanyang University

[email protected]

Dr. Kyung Suk Lee serves as an allergist and emergency pediatrician, Department of pediatrics, the Hanyang University Guri Hospital, and is an Associate Professor in the Hanyang University.

So Youn Park, Kyung Hee University

[email protected]

Dr. So-Youn Park is an associate professor of medical education and humanities at Kyung Hee University. She is currently a director at the Disability Health Research Center at Kyung Hee University. Dr. Park’s current work focuses on health care service, patient-centered care, and self-determination for the people with disabilities to maintain health as well as improve their support system.

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The Continuum of Aging and Age-Related Diseases: Present Hurdles and Future Evidence

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on " The Continuum of Aging and Age-Related Diseases: Present Hurdles and Future Evidence", organized by Guest Advisors Dr. Woon-Man Kung (Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital and Chinese Culture University) and Dr. Lam King Hei Stanley (The Chinese University of Hong Kong) in the International Journal of General Medicine. Dr. Kung now serves as a Consultant Neurosurgeon in the Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery of the Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, and is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Exercise and Health Promotion of the Chinese Culture University. Dr. Lam is a Clinical Associate Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and an honorary Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Hong Kong. He is also a musculoskeletal, sports, and pain physician and serves as a President of the Hong Kong Institute of Musculoskeletal Medicine and the MSKUS Asia-Pacific.

Population aging is a significant global challenge, making geroscience an important emerging field. The goal of geroscience is to enhance our understanding of the genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms that underlie aging, which is a major risk factor or driver of age-related diseases (ARDs), such as sarcopenia, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, or Alzheimer’s disease. Aging is characterized by a progressive decline in biological and physiological resilience, leading to functional deficit accumulation and reduced ability to maintain health. Although there is evidence supporting shared mechanisms between aging and ARDs, there is also interest in the differences between the two. For instance, not all elderly individuals necessarily suffer from ARDs, and some centenarians may exhibit signs of decelerated aging, while others may develop ARDs at a younger age with signs of accelerated aging. Factors such as genetics, lifestyle, diet, physical activity, and living environment all play a role in the aging-ARDs continuum. Geroscience research is therefore crucial in helping geriatrics slow the impact of aging on ARDs, improve function and resilience in the elderly, and reduce multimorbidity. This Collection aims to provide updated evidence on biological markers, cellular mechanisms, lifestyle factors, environmental risk factors, and more to deepen our understanding of the aging-ARDs continuum.

Any article types related to aging and ARDs continuum and consistent with the International Journal of General Medicine’s author guidelines are welcomed. Relevant subtopics may include but not limited to the following:

• Diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of diseases
• Elucidation of disease processes and management protocols
• Patient perspectives including satisfaction, quality of life, health literacy, and communication
• Development of new healthcare programs and optimizing clinical outcomes
• Monitoring and treatment protocols
• Multi-system disease processes

The deadline for submissions is 30 June 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code XKROF to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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The global epidemic of cardiometabolic disease: Risks, trends, explanations, and implications

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "The global epidemic of cardiometabolic disease: Risks, trends, explanations, and implications", organized by Guest Advisors Dr. Kafui Adjaye-Gbewonyo (University of Greenwich), Dr. Annibale Cois (Stellenbosch University), and Prof. Andre Pascal Kengne, (South African Medical Research Council) in the International Journal of General Medicine.

Cardiometabolic diseases encompass a range of interrelated cardiovascular and metabolic conditions, including heart disease, stroke, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and obesity. They are some of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide and their burden is growing rapidly, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. These conditions often cluster together and share common risk factors and much emphasis has been placed on modifiable risk factors such as unhealthy diets, smoking, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity. However, cardiometabolic conditions can also be influenced by genetic factors, psychosocial stressors and environmental exposures and there may also be interactions with infectious diseases. Furthermore, many of the risk factors for cardiometabolic conditions are in turn shaped by the social structures in which we live.

To effectively manage and prevent these conditions, it is important to understand the factors that have been driving trends in cardiometabolic risk in populations over time. Examining how cardiometabolic trends are changing over time and across space is necessary for allocating resources to treat these conditions. Moreover, understanding what factors may be accounting for cardiometabolic trends, as well as the relative contributions of these potential causes helps to direct prevention efforts to address the causes of greatest importance. Further research is also needed on the role of non-traditional risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases, such as psychosocial, infectious and environmental exposures. Efforts must also be made to collect and identify adequate data sources; accurately quantify and measure cardiometabolic risk, outcomes and sequelae; and evaluate different methods and measures for their effectiveness. Furthermore, although cardiometabolic diseases are a global epidemic, their distribution, trends and implications will differ in different settings. Therefore, context-specific research is needed.

To this end, this article collection invites contributions addressing the global epidemic of cardiometabolic disease from a range of perspectives, including population health, medical and social sciences. We are interested in papers addressing the following issues, among others: trends in cardiometabolic conditions and risk factors over time and place; predictors, correlates and determinants of cardiometabolic outcomes; methodological issues in the measurement and monitoring of cardiometabolic outcomes and risk factors; comorbidities between cardiometabolic disease and other conditions; as well as economic, social and health workforce implications of the above. The article collection welcomes papers in the form of original research or reviews. Contributions from around the world are welcome, including high-, middle- and low-income settings. We encourage submissions from regions where these topics may be understudied.

The deadline for submissions is 15 December 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code SVYWC to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Uncovering the potential of MicroRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutics in Liver Disease

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Uncovering the potential of MicroRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutics in Liver Disease", organized by Guest Advisor and Associate Editor-in-Chief Professor Hyam Leffert in the International Journal of General Medicine.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) were discovered by Lee RC, Feinbaum RL, Ambros V. The C.elegans heterochronic gene lin-4 encodes small RNAs with antisense complementarity to lin-14. Cell. 1993;75:843-854; and, Wightman B, Ha, I, Ruvkun, G. Posttranscriptional regulation of the heterochronic gene lin-14 by lin-4 mediates temporal pattern formation in C. Elegans. ibid:855–862). Human miRNAs consist of 5 classes of thousands of single-stranded, non-coding RNA molecules 18-25 nucleotides long. Following DNA-directed transcription by RNA polymerase II, miRNAs regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally by complementary base-pairing either to 3’ untranslated regions (3’UTRs) or protein-coding tracts of specifically targeted messenger RNAs (mRNA). Targeted mRNAs are destroyed, or their translational functions are blocked, thereby altering protein synthesis and gene expression. miRNA biogenesis is regulated stepwise by transcription, nuclear (Drosha) and cytoplasmic (Dicer) processing, modifications via RNA editing, methylation, uridylation and adenylation, Argonaute loading, and, ultimately, RNA decay.

miRNAs exert many significant biological functions over a broad spectrum of liver diseases including acute liver toxicity, viral hepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver fibrosis, and liver cirrhosis. They are widely expressed inside human liver cells and outside them, circulating as lipid-encapsulated exosomes in plasma. miR-containing exosomes produced by hepatocytes play critical roles in the biomolecular communication and transfer of information between hepatocytes and other cell types (such as hepatic stellate cells and Kupffer cells), e.g.in liver diseases like alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) where they also serve as potential biomarkers. miRNAs have been shown to manifest dual functions as oncogenes and tumor suppressors. miRNAs exert liver-specificity (Lewis AP, Jopling CL. Regulation and biological function of the liver-specific miR-122. Biochem Soc Trans.2010;38:1553-1557). Examples include treatment of human hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (FDA approved); metabolic controI (e.g. roles in cholesterol and lipid regulation such as plasma cholesterol levels, fatty acid biosynthesis, and fatty acid β-oxidation, decreased hepatosteatosis). miR-34a functions through an intricate network that regulates type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NALFD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Subtopics

This proposal seeks original and innovative contributions, and discussion of testable hypotheses, from a diverse group of clinical and basic scientists that will advance the field and unravel the puzzling complex mechanisms by which miRNAs cause, cure and exacerbate liver disease and function. For example, miRNAs are implicated in the differentiation of bone-marrow derived stem cells into hepatocytes; in the inhibition of angiogenesis by HCC; in miR-34-mediated growth arrest via direct control over the cell cycle regulator cyclin E2, and the hepatocyte growth factor receptor c-Met, augmenting caspase-dependent cell death; in miR-26 mediated suppression or increased metastasis of HCC. Searchable annotated databases like miRBase, and the Protein Interaction Network Analysis (PINA) platform, which contain published miRNA sequences and an integrated platform for examining protein interaction networking, should also provide useful tools for design and interpretation of clinical trials and basic laboratory research.

All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review. The Guest Advisors for this Collection will not be handling the manuscripts (unless they are an Editorial Board member). Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 30 September 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code HHPFQ to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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International Journal of Nanomedicine

Nanomedicine for Cancer Immunotherapy

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection in the International Journal of Nanomedicine on "Nanomedicine for Cancer Immunotherapy", organized by Guest Advisors Dr. Guangya Xiang (Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China) and Dr. Songwei Tan (Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China).

Cancer Immunotherapy is a therapy used to treat cancer patients that involves or uses components of the immune system, including antibodies (e.g. anti-PD1/PD-L1), vaccines and T cell infusions, which is a revolutionary technology in oncology. Cancer immunotherapy has made great progress in the past decades and it is thought to be an effective strategy for achieving long-term success in cancer treatment. Despite some clinical successes, some issues, including low patient response rates, adverse effects/immune-related toxicities, and acquired immune resistance need to be solved. The development of new nanoparticles, including lipid nanoparticles, nano-sized metal-organic frameworks, polymeric nanoparticles/micelles/nanogels, inorganic nanoparticles and cell membrane derived systems, have offered effective solutions for targeting delivery of the cargoes, boosting antitumor immune responses, sensitizing tumors to immunotherapy, and/or reducing adverse effects. Nanomedicines can also remodel the tumor immune-microenvironment, induce immunogenic cell death(ICD) of cancer cells to improve cancer immunotherapy and even realize sequential release of different drugs to induce cascade immune response. Furthermore, the combination of nanotechnology and immunotherapy offers new perspectives on strengthening antitumor immune responses. For example, clinical trials have proven the advantages of the treatment strategy of albumin paclitaxel nanoparticle-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody combination therapy.

This Article Collection aims to show recent progress in cancer immunotherapy by using nanotechnology. We hope this Collection can help researchers to deepen the mechanisms by which tumor cells evade immunity, reveal how nanomedicine can strengthen the anti-tumor immune-response, and discuss how nanomedicine overcomes the challenges and the critical limitations of cancer immunotherapy. We also hope to offer a platform to inspire future directions in this field.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Nano-vaccines for antigens, peptides or mRNA delivery
• Nanomedicine for cell therapy
• Nanomedicine for reprogram of tumor immune-microenvironment
• Targeting delivery of cancer immunotherapy drugs
• Novel nanoparticles for cancer immunotherapy
• Exosomes/ cell derived vesicles for cancer immunotherapy
• Combination of nanomedicine and cancer immunotherapy
• Interaction between nanoparticles and the immune system

All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo full peer-review; Guest Advisors will not be handling submitted articles. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submission.

Please submit your manuscript through the Dovepress website. During submission, enter the promo code FXKES to indicate that your article should be considered for this Collection.

The manuscript submission deadline is 29 February 2024.

Please contact Haoyang Yi at [email protected] with any queries regarding this Article Collection.

Guest advisors

Prof. Dr. Guangya Xiang, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

[email protected]

Dr. Guangya Xiang received his Ph.D. from Tongji Medical College in 2000. His research interests include nanoscale drug delivery system, drug synthetic technology and medical imaging nanotechnology. He has published more than 100 articles such as Journal of Controlled Release, Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B, Acta biomaterialia, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Chemical Engineering Journal, Bioactive Materials, Theranostics, with the H-index of 30.

Prof. Dr. Songwei Tan, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

[email protected]

Dr. Songwei Tan received his Ph.D. from Zhejiang University in 2011. His research interests include polymeric drug delivery system and gene therapy. He has published more than 70 articles such as Journal of Controlled Release, Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B, Ebiomedicine, Acta biomaterialia, Nano Research, Nanoscale Horizons, with the H-index of 27.

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Nanoparticle Applications in Brain Disorders: Gene Therapy and Enzyme Replacement Therapy

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Nanoparticle Applications in Brain Disorders: Gene Therapy and Enzyme Replacement Therapy", in the International Journal of Nanomedicine.

Brain disorders are one of the most challenging targets for novel therapies due to their location and the presence of numerous barriers that limit the efficacy of treatments. Nanotechnologies, such as nanoparticles and nanomedicines, are promising tools to overcome the limitations of traditional treatments thanks to their ability to protect sensitive molecules from degradation and reduce off-target drug toxicity in vivo by using targeting ligands to cross the blood brain barrier, selectively accumulate at the target site, and release their payload in the brain parenchyma. In fact, the use of complex molecules such as DNA, RNA, siRNA, mRNA, enzymes, or proteins has shown promising results in hard-to-treat pathologies such as neurodegenerative disorders and brain cancer.

After the successful formulation of the Covid-19 vaccine, in which genetic material was successfully delivered via a lipid nanoparticle, nanotechnologies and the advantages they offer have attracted a great deal of interest. The Pfizer vaccine boosted research about nanoparticle-based gene therapy and enzyme replacement therapy with promising results in all medical applications including brain disorders.

This Article Collection aims to collect the most recent innovations in the field of nanoparticle-based gene and enzyme replacement therapy for brain diseases. It is our hope that this Collection will help researchers stay up-to-date with developments in the field. We also hope that it will inspire future efforts to reach a challenging target organ, combat numerous hard-to-treat diseases, and implement novel production methods in the field of nanomedicine.

We welcome articles pertaining to the optimization of nanoparticles for the delivery of sensitive molecules such as proteins, enzymes, or genetic material to the brain. Both Original Research articles and Reviews will be considered. Particular attention will be given to novel methods of production, such as microfluidic technology, electrospinning, or 3D-printing, which accelerate the translation from laboratory practice to an industrial setting.

Topics of interest include:
• Brain targeted polymeric, lipidic, polymer-lipid hybrid, self-assembled nanoparticles
• Novel Design of Nanoparticles to deliver proteins, enzymes, or genetic material
• Nanoparticle-based gene therapy and protein/enzyme replacement therapy
• Novel techniques of nanoparticle production (e.g. microfluidic technology, electrospinning, 3D printing)
• Advanced in vitro/in vivo models for brain diseases

Guest Advisors
Giovanni Tosi
Full Professor
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy

Jason T. Duskey
Fixed-Term Researcher, Type B
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy

Ilaria Ottonelli
Research Fellow
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy

Please submit your manuscript through the Dovepress website. During submission, enter the promo code ECJOF to indicate that your article should be considered for this Collection.

The manuscript submission deadline is 31 December 2023.

If you have any questions about this Article Collection, please contact Krista Thom at [email protected].

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Novel Fluorescent Imaging Probes for Cancer Treatment

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection in the International Journal of Nanomedicine on "Novel Fluorescent Imaging Probes for Cancer Treatment", organized by Guest Advisor Dr. Tohru Yamada (University of Illinois at Chicago, US).

Fluorescent probes are powerful tools and there has been remarkable growth in the use of such probes in bioscience and imaging. Fluorescence imaging is in real-time, without the need for ionizing radiation or a substrate for light emission. It also enables the simultaneous identification of multiple cellular processes by utilizing different colors of fluorophores. Fluorescence imaging possesses the qualities of being non-invasive, user-friendly, and adaptable to emerging technologies, thereby holding substantial potential to profoundly influence the preclinical development and clinical effectiveness of cancer treatments.

The Article Collection will bring together research on the latest advancements in developing new types of fluorescent probes for cancer.

Potential subtopics related to recurrent miscarriage include (but are not limited to):
• Small molecule-based fluorescent probes
• Peptide/protein-based fluorescent probes
• Organelle specific probes
• Tissue specific probes
• Visible and near-infrared (NIR) wavelength-excitable fluorescent probes
• Development of new fluorescent probes in basic, translational, and clinical studies

Please submit your manuscript through the Dovepress website. During submission, enter the promo code DKPJA to indicate that your article should be considered for this Collection.

The manuscript submission deadline is 31 January 2024.

Please contact Haoyang Yi at [email protected] with any queries regarding this Article Collection.

Guest advisor
Dr. Tohru Yamada, University of Illinois at Chicago

[email protected]

Dr. Tohru Yamada is an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology at the University of Illinois, College of Medicine. Dr. Yamada was a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the school's Department of Microbiology & Immunology. He received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in Biotechnology from Tokyo Institute of Technology. His research interests and expertise are the discovery and development of new class of peptide-based anticancer agents and carriers for imaging agent targeting cancers on the basis of molecular biology, protein/peptide chemistry, cell biology and cancer biology. He holds a number of issued and pending US and international patents, and has authored original research/review/news articles featured in Nature Medicine, Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, Nature Reviews Microbiology, Lancet Oncology, etc. Dr. Yamada is currently a member of the Editorial Board of several peer-reviewed scientific journals including the International Journal of Nanomedicine.

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Plant-based Nanoparticles for Advanced Medical Applications: Current Trends and Future Prospects

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection in the International Journal of Nanomedicine on "Plant-based Nanoparticles for Advanced Medical Applications: Current Trends and Future Prospects", organized by Guest Advisor Dr. Alfredo Ambrosone (University of Salerno, Italy).

Phyto-nanomedicine is an emerging field that aims to leverage the unique properties of plant-based nanoparticles for medical applications. This interdisciplinary field brings together expertise in materials science, plant science, chemistry, biology, and medicine to develop innovative approaches to drug delivery and disease treatment.
The use of plant-based materials in nanomedicine offers several advantages over traditional drug delivery systems. These nanoparticles have biocompatibility, biodegradability, and minimal side effects, making them an attractive alternative to synthetic materials. The use of phyto-nanoparticles can also enhance the bioavailability of drugs, leading to improved therapeutic outcomes. The potential applications of phyto-nanoparticles in disease treatment are vast, with promising results in the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. Phyto-nanoparticles have been shown to be effective in targeting specific cells or tissues, resulting in more efficient treatments with fewer side effects. Moreover, the use of plant-based materials in nanomedicine offers a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals. As a result, there is increasing interest in the development of phyto-nanoparticles for various medical applications.

This Article Collection aims to showcase the latest research in phyto-nanomedicine and highlight the potential of plant-based nanoparticles for medical applications. By bringing together researchers from different fields, this Article Collection offers a platform to exchange ideas, share findings, and discuss the future directions and challenges of this exciting field. Through this initiative, we hope to inspire further innovation and exploration of phyto-nanomedicine, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes and a more sustainable approach to medicine.

Potential subtopics related to recurrent miscarriage include (but are not limited to):
• Development and characterization of plant-based nanoparticles for medical applications
• Purification, characterization and bioengineering of plant extracellular vesicles and/or plant-derived nanovesicles
• Applications of phyto-nanoparticles in disease treatment, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases
• Biocompatibility and safety of phyto-nanoparticles
• Delivery and targeting of phyto-nanoparticles in vivo
• Synergistic effects of combining phyto-nanoparticles with other therapies
• Future directions and challenges in the field of phyto-nanomedicine

Guidelines for contributors:
Contributors are invited to submit original research articles, reviews, or perspective papers related to the subtopics mentioned above. The manuscripts should present novel findings, critical analysis, and prospects in the field of phyto-nanomedicine. All submissions will be subjected to rigorous peer-review processes to ensure high-quality publications.
Please contact Haoyang Yi at [email protected] with any queries regarding this Article Collection.

Guest advisor:
Dr. Alfredo Ambrosone, University of Salerno
[email protected]
Prof. Ambrosone completed his PhD in Biotechnological Sciences at the University of Naples "Federico II" in 2008. His academic journey provided him with a multidisciplinary background in biotechnology and nanotechnology, with a specific focus on their application to both plant species and invertebrate animals. As part of his achievements, he was honored with a Marie Curie Individual Fellowship through the Excellent Science - Horizon 2020 program.
Currently, Prof. Ambrosone holds the position of Associate Professor of Plant Genetics and Genetic Diversity at the Department of Pharmacy (University of Salerno, Italy). His primary research interests lie in exploring the genetic and molecular factors that govern plant growth and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in response to abiotic stresses. In recent years, he has directed his investigations towards the examination of the role played by plant extracellular vesicles in plant protection and human health. Additionally, his current studies are also focused on the implementation of new nano-enabled technology for crop improvement and protection. His publications span various esteemed journals, including ACS Nano, NanoToday, Biomaterials, Environmental Science and Technology, and Plant Physiology.

The deadline for submissions is 31st December 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code XZIER to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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International Journal of Women's Health

PCOS and Fertility Treatments

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "PCOS and Fertility Treatments", organized by Guest Advisor Dr. Giuseppe Gullo, University of Palermo, Italy, in the International Journal of Women's Health.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 6–10% of women in reproductive age and is characterized by hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and chronic anovulation. It is a heterogeneous syndrome with not completely understood aetiology that is related to a complex interaction between metabolic, endocrine, genetic, and environmental factors.

This is an important topic as women diagnosed with PCOS are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and endometrial cancer. Increasing evidence suggests that insulin resistance and secondary hyperinsulinemia play a key synergistic role with hyperandrogenism in the development and maintenance of metabolic alterations and anovulation or irregular cycles in both obese and lean patients with PCOS.

This Special Issue will feature short, focused reviews discussing the distinctive features and comorbidities associates with PCOS, the modern evidence-based clinical assessment and management of PCOS, lessons learned from PCOS animal models, and the latest novel ideas in the pathophysiology of PCOS. This Special Issue aims to provide an update on advances and challenges in the field of PCOS. The goal is to provide up-to-date information on new and developing ideas on the origins, diagnosis, and management of PCOS, highlighting the latest concepts in understanding the aetiology of PCOS, while also generating thought-provoking directions for future investigations and management.

Overall, the manuscripts published in this special issue add significant and novel elements for the understanding of the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of this complex and multifaceted syndrome. We offer these new insights to the readers, hoping that they will stimulate further debate and address new fields of investigation in the next future.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers).

All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo desk assessment and a full peer-review; the Guest Advisor for this collection will not be handling the manuscripts. Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript. The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 1st April 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code PQCLS to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Prediction and prevention of preterm birth

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Prediction and prevention of preterm birth" in the International Journal of Women's Health.

Preterm birth is defined as live birth occurring before 37 completed weeks of gestation, which affects 5-18% of pregnancies and accounts for around 15 million newborns worldwide annually. It is a complex syndrome resulting from the interplay of multiple pathologic processes, as well as a major cause of neonatal and childhood morbidity and mortality. The earlier the gestation at delivery, the higher the risk of neonatal death.

Preterm-born survivors are at risk of a range of short-term and long-term complications due to the immaturity of multiple organ systems. The economic burden for families and society is also heavy in terms of the need for neonatal intensive care and frequent health services for complex complications. Despite advances in obstetric care, the incidence of preterm birth remains high. In addition, the underlying pathophysiology of preterm birth is largely unknown, and the growing evidence base is often conflicting. Therefore, the development of an effective screening tool to identify women at risk of preterm birth is of great importance, thus allowing prophylactic interventions to reduce the risk of these pregnancy complications and improve neonatal outcomes.

In this Article Collection, we invite original articles, reviews, and perspectives addressing new insights, challenges, and available knowledge on prediction and prevention of preterm birth, a crucial issue in maternal and child health.

Papers on this topic may cover a range of areas, including but not limited to:
• risk factors for preterm birth
• novel predictive models
• interventions to reduce the risk of preterm birth
• the impact of preterm birth on maternal and child health outcomes

We welcome submissions from researchers, clinicians, and other professionals in this field, and look forward to the sharing of new insights and approaches to address this important public health issue.

Keywords:
• Preterm birth
• Prediction
• Prevention
• Pathophysiology
• Consequence

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 30 November 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code QHUWD to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest Advisors

Shangrong Fan, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, China

[email protected]

Prof. Fan has received his doctor of medicine diploma from Peking University. He is the editorial board member of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and BMC Women Health. His research interests are maternal fetal medicine and female genital infectious diseases. He specializes in research and management of perinatal infections such as syphilis, group B streptococcal (GBS) infection and sepsis. He has published more than thirty research papers and reviews.

Chunyan Shi, Peking University First Hospital, China

[email protected]

Prof. Shi is a Chief Physician at Peking University First Hospital. She is a renowned expert in the field of maternal fetal medicine, with extensive clinical and research experience in perinatal care, preterm birth and cervical disfunction, obstetric ultrasound, prenatal diagnosis and perinatal infection. She is also the editorial board member of numerous national medical institutions and top-tier medical journals, and she has published more than 60 research articles.

Dunjin Chen, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, China

[email protected]

Prof. Chen is the Dean of Obstetrics in The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. He is an expert in maternal fetal medicine, with a focus on the prediction and prevention of preterm birth and preeclampsia, as well as maternal critical care. He has published extensively in prestigious medical journals, and he is highly regarded for his contributions to medical education and research. He is the chairman of Maternal and Fetal Medicine Committee in the Chinese Obstetricians and Gynecologists Association, and he is also the chief editor of the Chinese Journal of Obstetric Emergency (Electronic Edition).

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Strengths-based approaches to optimizing perinatal mental health and wellbeing

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Strengths-based approaches to optimizing perinatal mental health and wellbeing" in the International Journal of Women's Health.

Positive perinatal mental health is likely to result from a combination of internal and external resources that foster the ability to cope well despite severe and long-lasting stressors. Individuals who are able to acquire and maintain resources are better situated to cope with the demands associated with the transition to motherhood. Internal and external resources often aggregate and interact during the perinatal period to collectively influence prenatal, birth and postpartum outcomes. Several studies have found that internal resources, including optimism and religiosity, may mitigate perinatal mood disorders and enhance maternal mental health. External resources, including informal and formal supports as well as aspects of the neighborhood environment and community connections may further promote positive perinatal well-being.

Unfortunately, individuals facing low socioeconomic status and minority individuals experience disproportionately high rates of poor perinatal mental health, have fewer material resources and have a decreased ability to replenish resources over time due to social inequities. Multi-level supports may attenuate these associations leading to positive health outcomes. Additionally, much of the research investigating perinatal mental health focuses on risk factors associated with perinatal mood disorders. Resource capacity frameworks emphasize the importance of strengths-based strategies and interventions to prevent poor perinatal mental health outcomes.

This Article Collection invites exploratory and intervention studies, as well as secondary data analyses, that apply strengths-based approaches to investigate resources associated with well-being during pregnancy and/or through the first year postpartum. Papers that focus on internal and/or external resources and associations with perinatal mental health and well-being, particularly among low-resourced communities, will be considered. Original research and review articles are accepted.

All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review; the Guest Advisors for this collection will not be handling the manuscripts (unless they are an Editorial Board member). Please review the journal Aims and Scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is December 4, 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code NTQSL to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest Advisors

Charlotte Farewell, University of Colorado – Anschutz Medical Campus

[email protected]

Dr. Charlotte Farewell is an Assistant Professor with the Rocky Mountain Prevention Research Center and director of the Population Mental Health and Well-being program at the Colorado School of Public Health. Dr. Farewell is a Principal Investigator on numerous intervention projects which focus on promoting the mental health and well-being of low-resourced populations (e.g., pregnant and postpartum individuals). Her research is centered around three overarching goals: (1) to build expertise related to the analysis of developmental research questions, with specific focus on mental health (depression, stress, and anxiety) during the prenatal and postpartum periods, (2) to investigate non-pharmacological methods that can be targeted and/or mobilized to optimize population mental health and resilience in multi-ethnic and low-resourced communities, and (3) to advance research in the field of dissemination science to identify core constructs that are most critical to enhance the uptake of evidence-based behavioral interventions.

Jenn Leiferman, University of Colorado – Anschutz Medical Campus

[email protected]

Dr. Jenn Leiferman has spent the last 20 years working in the area of mental health. Her research focuses on developing and testing prevention and treatment strategies for perinatal and child mental health. Recently, her work has also focused on improving access to care for perinatal mood disorders. She is the director of the Rocky Mountain Prevention Research Center, the founding director of the Population Mental Health & Wellbeing Program, and the Chair of the Community and Behavioral Health Department at the Colorado School of Public Health.

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The Prevention, Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Cervical Cancer

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "The Prevention, Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Cervical Cancer" in the International Journal of Women's Health.

The morbidity and mortality of cervical cancer are fourth ranked in global female malignant tumors. It can be reduced significantly by implementing cytology and HPV testing effectively. The use of the HPV vaccine has also significantly reduced the incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related diseases. Early diagnosis and treatment is the key to preventing cervical cancer, and can definitely reduce the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is a preventable and curable disease, and HPV is a necessary but not sufficient cause of cervical cancer. Over the past few decades, the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer have decreased in most countries and regions, especially in developed countries. However, in developing countries and regions, cervical cancer morbidity and mortality remain high, which is closely related to the human development index, poverty rate, the coverage rate of cervical cancer screening, the sensitivity of cervical cytological testing, the accessibility of HPV vaccine, sexual lifestyle, and HPV virus transmission. In 2018, to reduce the global burden of cervical cancer, the WHO Director-General called for the elimination of cervical cancer worldwide (≤4 per 100,000 women worldwide). With the increasing coverage of cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccine, more and more HPV-independent cervical cancer is being identified. The questions of how to effectively achieve the goal of eliminating cervical cancer, how to effectively implement vaccination, early diagnosis and treatment, as well as the difficulties and challenges existing in practice, have been the concern of governments and medical institutions globally.

We are calling for papers on cervical cancer (HPV dependent and HPV-independent) prevention, early diagnosis and treatment, including:
• HPV vaccination
• epidemiology of cervical cancer
• risk factors
• disparities and challenges
• screening methods of cervical cancer
• screening frequency and interval
• screening outcomes and follow-up
• screening in special populations
• cost-effectiveness and implementation
• the role of colposcopy in cervical cancer prevention and treatment
• the treatment of cervical precancer.
• innovative approaches to cervical cancer screening and prevention
• clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of cervical precancer and cancer

Submission types include research articles, clinical studies, reviews, case reports, technology reports, opinion and commentary.

Keywords:
• Screening tests
• HPV vaccine
• HPV-independent cervical cancer
• Prevention
• Diagnosis
• Treatment

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 30 November 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code ADVEH to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest Advisors

Jianliu Wang, Peking University People’s Hospital, China

[email protected]

Dr. Wang is the professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Vice-Dean of Peking University People’s Hospital. He is Editor-in-Chief of Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinical Medicine.

Jae-Weon Kim, Seoul National University and Seoul National University Hospital, South Korea

[email protected]

Dr. Kim is the current President of the Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology and the Asian Society of Gynecologic Oncology. He has been a Board Executive of the Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup.

Aikou Okamoto, Jikei University School of Medicine, Japan

[email protected]

Jae-Yun Song, Korea University College of Medicine, South Korea

[email protected]

Masataka Takenaka, Jikei University School of Medicine, Japan

[email protected]

Junya Tabata, Jikei University School of Medicine, Japan

[email protected]

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The Vulvodynia Frontier: Where do we go from here?

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "The Vulvodynia Frontier: Where do we go from here?" in the International Journal of Women's Health.

Vulvodynia, defined as chronic vulvar pain for at least three months, is highly prevalent globally. Localized provoked vulvodynia, or vestibulodynia (VBD), is the most common presentation of this pain disorder characterized by pain with palpation of the vulvar vestibule and/or attempted vaginal penetration. Vulvodynia has been shown to significantly impact patients' quality of life.

The pathogenesis of VBD is complex, with contributors to the heterogenous clinical presentation including microbial, immunological, hormonal, and genetic factors. On exam, inflammation and hyperesthesia is often noted within well-defined areas of the vestibule. Peripheral nerve sensitization, a pain mechanism described in VBD, is considered a contributor to pain symptoms. At present, there is no consensus on treatment algorithms for vulvodynia. Topical lidocaine is often used as first-line treatment in addition to addressing responsive pelvic dysfunction and psychosexual health dysfunction. While treatments ranging from medication to surgical intervention have shown some promise, the methods of both treating and assessing pain associated with vulvodynia are variable in their reported efficacy.

Although pain is the primary characteristic of vulvodynia, the effect of the disorder is far-reaching, associated with reduced sexual desire, arousal, sexual frequency and sexual satisfaction. With the disease state affecting multiple facets, it directly damages intimate relationships. Despite the high prevalence and catastrophic effect, data from population- based studies have suggested that formal diagnosis is rarely a reality for women who seek treatment for vulvodynia. Diagnosis is directly linked to access to treatment, therefore the quality of care available to these women and their partners is often suboptimal.

This Article Collection invites original research, review articles, and commentaries focused on vulvodynia, ranging from basic science, epidemiology, medical (topicals, medicines, physical therapy) and surgical components. The Article Collection serves as a deep dive in the epidemiology and mechanisms driving pathophysiology to allow for identification of opportunities for growth and innovation in the treatment of vulvodynia.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 12 October 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code HEPNQ to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest Advisor

Erin Carey, University of North Carolina

[email protected]

Dr. Carey is a clinician scientist with a long-standing interest in identifying therapeutic treatments for chronic pelvic pain syndromes in women. She is board certified in OBGYN with sub-specialty fellowship training in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and pain management. Women with pelvic and vulvar pain constitute over half of Dr. Carey's clinical practice and controlling pain symptoms and restoring patients’ quality of life is her primary focus. Common themes in her research include exploring peripheral and central pain mechanisms and phenotyping patients with pain syndromes, with the objective of identifying novel treatment strategies for different subgroups. Dr. Carey's long-term goal is to incorporate these effective treatments for chronic pelvic and sexual pain into clinical practice.

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Journal of Asthma and Allergy

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to Aid the Management of Allergic Respiratory Diseases

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to the upcoming Article Collection “Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to Aid the Management of Allergic Respiratory Diseases” organized by Guest Advisors Professor Gang Luo and Dr Syed Ahmar Shah in the Journal of Asthma and Allergy.

Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have led to major innovations and fundamental changes in many fields of medicine. Like the case with many other areas in healthcare, AI and ML have immense potential to improve the management of allergic respiratory diseases such as asthma. Asthma is a heterogenous condition encompassing several diseases and current approaches to asthma management are sub-optimal.

Adopting tools built using AI and ML can help identify disease phenotypes, stratify patients based on risk and therefore support personalized treatments that are anticipated to lead to better patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.

This Article Collection aims to bring together original research articles, review articles, viewpoint articles, and research protocol articles on using AI and ML (including deep learning) to develop predictive models that can aid the management of allergic respiratory diseases such as asthma. Potential topics include studies that use AI and ML to aid the management of allergic respiratory diseases. Potential topics include the following aspects of AI and ML:

• Development and validation of prognostic tools
• External validation of existing prognostic models
• Clinical implementation of prognostic models
• Benefits and caveats of using explainable AI in clinical decision-making
• Using AI and ML for phenotyping such as age based phenotyping
• Clinical evaluation of prognostic models
• Implementing AI into clinical guidelines such as NHLBI or GINA

The deadline for submissions is 18 October 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code UJWIV to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Atopic dermatitis and other atopic comorbidities

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to the upcoming Article Collection “Atopic dermatitis and other atopic comorbidities” in the Journal of Asthma and Allergy.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory cutaneous disorder. Currently, AD has been found to be associated with substantial patient burden and numerous atopic comorbidities, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergy, and eosinophilic esophagitis, as well as nonatopic comorbidities, including allergic contact dermatitis, anxiety, depression, suicidality, infections, and cardiovascular disease. All these comorbidities led to the recognition of AD as a systemic disease. Of note, the relationship between AD and comorbidities is likely bidirectional and multifactorial, as well as some comorbidities may be secondary to the effects of the burden of chronic AD.

This Article Collection aims to explore the association between atopic dermatitis and other atopic comorbidities, shedding light on the shared pathophysiological mechanisms and the implications for clinical management.

This Article Collection aims to bring together original research articles, review articles, and commentaries exploring the pathogenesis of atopic diseases, also considering primary immune defects presenting as AD, the role of environmental factors, the impact of environmental allergies and infections, novel diagnostic approaches (including biomarkers), and emerging therapeutic approaches (including biologic treatments and JAK inhibitors). Articles regarding all the atopic diseases (asthma, food allergy, allergic rhinitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, and atopic dermatitis) are welcome.

Potential topics include the following aspects:
- Epidemiology and burden of atopic comorbidities
- Pathophysiological mechanisms
- The role of environmental allergies in atopic diseases
- Biomarkers in atopic diseases
- Asthma and allergic rhinitis in atopic dermatitis
- Atopic dermatitis and food allergies
- Atopic dermatitis and mental health
- Novel therapeutic approaches
- The use of biologics in atopic diseases
- Clinical management and guidelines

The deadline for submissions is 19 January 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code DFHHN to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest Advisors
Maddalena Napolitano, Professor, MD, Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
[email protected]

Luca Potestio, MD, Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
[email protected]

Cataldo Patruno, Professor, MD, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro
[email protected]

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Journal of Blood Medicine

Blood Donation

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your work to an upcoming Thematic Series on “Blood Donation” edited by Dr. Martin Bluth in the Journal of Blood Medicine.

When submitting your work, please use the promo code SYJLF to indicate that your manuscript should be considered for the Thematic Series on “Blood Donation”. This code will also provide you with a 20% discount on the advertised article processing charge. The deadline for submission of manuscripts is 31 October 2023.

For any enquiries, please email to Jenni Shackleton, Commissioning Editor, at [email protected]

About the Thematic Series

The recent Covid epoch has demonstrated the friable nature of the global blood pool. Blood product inventory has dropped precipitously during the pandemic as a result of decreased blood donations. This has in turn affected surgical boarding, voluntary interventions that required blood product availability as well as blood utilization in a multitude of respects.

Specialty blood derived products such as Covid convalescent plasma (CCP) became promising treatment options until further interrogation demonstrated its decreased clinical value. Plasma containing immunoglobulins specific to Covid were also fractionated to provide a unique form of Covid centric immune globulin offerings. Clotting factor derivatives also surfaced as alternate or preferential options in certain aspects of decrease blood product availability.

As a result of this, it became clear that blood donation remained critical to maintain global blood supply needs. In addition, humankind felt the effects of decreased blood donations and various approaches were implemented to improve blood donations, including relaxation of FDA deferrals, local and regional blood drive increases and awareness initiatives to improve the blood product pool.

This special Blood Donations issue of the Journal of Blood Medicine serves to highlight blood donation science in all respects. Increased awareness, unique initiatives, utilization improvements, eligibility, deferrals, component processing, and psycho socio donation science approaches implemented or proposed to improve the blood component pool are all welcome for consideration.

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Journal of Healthcare Leadership

Digital Healthcare Leadership in an Era of Value-Based Care, Health Equity, and Patient Consumerism

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Digital Healthcare Leadership in an Era of Value-Based Care, Health Equity, and Patient Consumerism" in the Journal of Healthcare Leadership.

The proliferation of health information technology to support patient care, which gained accelerated momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic, has continued unabated in the post-pandemic period, with no sign of waning. The pandemic also served to expose and exacerbate disparities in healthcare and health outcomes both in the United States and globally. In the process, the pandemic served to highlight the potential of value-based payment models to reduce health disparities by encouraging organizations to develop partnerships and invest in infrastructure to address people’s clinical and social needs. Since value-based care requires a concurrent focus on improving outcomes and promoting population health, while keeping costs in check, the success of value-based payment models has been inextricably linked to the use of technology. This in turn has fostered growing recognition of the role of health information technology in reducing health disparities and advancing health equity.

With the growing emphasis on value in the industry and concurrent push towards health equity by public payers and policymakers, health information technology remains central to enabling the shift towards value-based equitable care. While barriers exist, value-based care is a concept that appeals to all stakeholder groups in the healthcare ecosystem, including providers, payers, and patients, who are all seeking better data, more interoperability across health IT systems, actionable, real-time insights, and more effective engagement.

At the same time, health information technology is also recognized to be central to meeting the increasing demands of patient consumerism. Consumerism refers to growing expectations of patients to be actively involved in decisions related to their own care. Healthcare providers and payers will need to work together to deliver on consumer expectations for convenient, functional high-quality services. In other words, achieving the goals of value-based care in an era of consumerism will require effective personalized care that is seamlessly corroborated across industry operators. This systemwide approach in turn will require organizations to bring together disparate sources of information to create an integrated approach to facilitating improved outcomes and consumer engagement.

As patients become more engaged consumers of healthcare, providers will need to continue to reevaluate how they interact with patients with the use of engagement and empowerment tools, data ownership and price transparency. Ultimately, as healthcare organizations learn to thrive in the emerging patient-centric, equity-focused, value-based healthcare system, technology that facilitates connectivity across disparate stakeholders, payers, providers, and consumers, will be a foundational cornerstone that enables high-quality, cost-effective care.

To successfully adapt to this industry transformation, leaders of healthcare organizations need to be prepared to proactively address a variety of challenges. Accordingly, this Article Collection invites original research papers and informed commentary for a global audience, on a variety of topics relevant to digital healthcare leadership in an era of value-based care, health equity, and consumer-centric technology solutions.

Topics of interest:

Health IT and value-based payment models
Health IT and health equity
Health IT and consumerism
Value-based consumer-centric technology solutions
Use and impact of telemedicine use on health outcomes
Use and impact of telemedicine use on health disparities
EHR usability and clinician burden
Personalized medicine and predictive analytics
Population health analytics
Data exchange and interoperability
Data safety and privacy
Adoption of advanced health IT capabilities
Use of health IT for learning and continuous improvement
Use of health IT to promote consumer, provider, and payer engagement
Health IT and healthcare delivery system reform

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 30 May 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code YNFWF to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest Advisor

Pavani Rangachari, University of New Haven

[email protected]

Pavani Rangachari, Ph.D., CPH, serves as Professor of Healthcare Administration and Public health and Director of the Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program in the School of Health Sciences at the University of New Haven. Her expertise is in health policy and administration, including healthcare organization, delivery, financing, health disparities, and public health. Her special interest lies in the implementation of innovation and change in healthcare organizations. Dr Rangachari holds an M.S. in Health Management & Policy from the School of Public Health at the University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY), and a Ph.D. in Public Administration & Policy, from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy at the University at Albany, SUNY. Dr Rangachari also has extensive work experience in the healthcare industry, through service in leadership roles at both a state hospital association and a community hospital.

Dr. Rangachari has received independent research grants as Principal Investigator from the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and has published numerous primary-authored articles in the fields of healthcare management, leadership, health informatics, and public health. Her scholarship has contributed towards the: 1) identification of evidence-based management strategies for successful innovation implementation in healthcare organizations and 2) development of policy implications for consistent implementation of evidence-based and patient-centered care practices to promote population health. Her research projects have also contributed towards improving healthcare practices and outcomes at her study institutions. Dr. Rangachari’s scholarship has been recognized at a national level with the "Best-Theory-to-Practice Paper Award" from the Academy of Management Healthcare Management Division and nomination for the "Distinguished Paper Award" from the American Medical Informatics Association.

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Journal of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Advanced Radiation Therapy and Radiobiology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Advanced Radiation Therapy and Radiobiology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma" in the Journal of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Advances in systemic therapy have transformed the care of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in recent years, including with immunotherapy and targeted agents. Recently, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) followed by sorafenib showed an overall survival advantage over standard of care (at the time of the original study design) sorafenib. SBRT is the first local therapy for patients with advanced stage HCC to show an OS improvement over sorafenib in a phase III trial, and this Article Collection will highlight advances in the clinical delivery of radiation for this disease and new insights into the effects of radiation on the liver.

Indeed, while the advances in systemic therapy have occurred, numerous advances in radiation therapy have occurred, including with motion management technologies, image guidance systems, particle therapies, and radioenhancers. Moreover, the biological effects of radiation on HCC and other cancers has created excitement about the potential for radiation to play a role in combination with immunotherapy and other novel therapies. Understanding the clinical advances and the biological advances related to radiation for HCC is critical to development of the next generation of clinical trials that will shape how this deadly disease is managed.

In this Article Collection, we invite investigators to submit high quality original articles on (1) the clinical efficacy and benefits of radiation for HCC using modern techniques, (2) the radiobiology of HCC, (3) the effects of radiation on the non-tumor liver, and (4) markers of response to radiation in HCC. Comprehensive review articles are also welcome, but authors are encouraged to inquire about appropriateness prior to submission.

The deadline for submissions is 15 September 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code HGBNE to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest advisors

Dr. Eugene Koay, Associate Professor, MD Anderson Cancer Center

[email protected]

Dr. Eugene Koay is a physician scientist at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, who specializes in radiation therapy for patients with hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers, and develops applications of the physical sciences to cancer for the purposes of early detection, biomarker development, and therapeutic management. He received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Rice University in 2001. He completed the MD/PhD Program at Baylor College of Medicine/Rice University in 2009, with a PhD in Bioengineering. His residency training was in Radiation Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (2009-2014). He then joined faculty at MD Anderson where he established his clinical and research foci. He leads the Cancer Physics and Engineering Laboratory at MD Anderson. The lab studies how the physical properties of tumors relate to the biological underpinnings of the disease, and recent studies describe how patient-specific parameters may be used to detect cancer earlier, predict treatment response, and improve cancer outcomes.

Dr. Jennifer Y. Wo, Associate Professor, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School

[email protected]

Dr. Wo is Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology at Harvard Medical School and clinical attending physician in radiation oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital. Involved in both patient care and clinical research, her research involves prospective clinical trials with advanced radiation and integration with targeted therapies. Additionally, she is interested in identification of novel biomarkers that predict outcomes to radiation or chemoradiation, and in the evaluation on prognostic and predictive factors for outcomes in gastrointestinal malignancy.

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Combination of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Locoregional Therapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Hype or Hope

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Combination of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Locoregional Therapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Hype or Hope" in the Journal of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitor and its combinations have revolutionized the management of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. The combinations of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and durvalumab plus tremelimumab demonstrated the overall survival benefits over sorafenib in the first line setting, while pembrolizumab was superior to placebo in patients who were refractory to sorafenib as second-line therapy. Current ongoing studies are focused on combining immunotherapy with locoregional therapy (LRT) to augment the anti-tumor immune response. LRTs such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) have been long established as key treatment options in patients with unresectable HCC; they could increase tumor immunogenicity by releasing tumor-associated antigens yet the anti-tumor response of LRT-alone was only limited. Emerging data suggested that LRT and immunotherapy are potentially synergistic, LRT could prime the host immune system, modulate the tumor microenvironment, and enhance the systemic effect of checkpoint inhibitors. At the same time, the immunotherapy could enhance the local effect of LRT.

Based on the initial promising data, there is a growing interest in studying the combination of LRT with immunotherapy in HCC. There are several ongoing large-scale prospective trials the results of which are highly anticipated. However, there remain many unanswered questions, for example: what is the optimal combination and sequence of LRT and immunotherapy to maximize the anti-tumor response? What type of immune response could be generated by different kinds of LRT? What can be summarized based on the emerging studies of combined LRT and immunotherapy? The most updated evidence on this active area of research is important for us to bridge the gap between interventional radiology, radiation oncology, and cancer immunology, and unleash the full potential of combinational approach.

Herein, we provide a collection of articles to summarize the recent advances and unanswered questions in the field, including:
1. Review articles on different combinations of LRT-immunotherapy
2. Original research and clinical trial report on different LRT-immunotherapy combination
3. Preclinical studies on the immune response and mechanism of LRT-immunotherapy combination
4. Expert commentaries on the future direction of research

Article types:
• Original research
• Reviews
• Clinical trial reports
• Expert opinions
• Commentaries

The deadline for submissions is 31 October 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code WGJZU to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest advisor

Chiang Chi-Leung, University of Hong Kong

[email protected]

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Insights and Innovations in Imaging for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Advancing Diagnosis and Management

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Insights and Innovations in Imaging for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Advancing Diagnosis and Management" in the Journal of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy, and its incidence is increasing globally, making it a major global public health concern. Early detection and accurate staging of HCC are essential for effective management and improved patient outcomes. This proposed Article Collection aims to provide an overview of the latest developments in imaging of liver tumors, including new techniques, challenges, and clinical applications.

Liver cancer is a serious public health problem with high mortality rates all over the world. For better patient outcomes, early detection and accurate staging are crucial. Imaging is essential for the detection, staging, and treatment of liver tumors, and it is critical for healthcare professionals to be aware of the latest developments in liver imaging. New opportunities for better diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment are presented by recent advancements in liver imaging techniques – such as radiomics, artificial intelligence, and imaging biomarkers. This Article Collection can assist healthcare professionals in making well-informed decisions about which imaging modality to use in various clinical scenarios and how to correctly interpret imaging findings. Ultimately, improving imaging methods and applications can result in better patient outcomes, lower medical expenses, and a higher standard of living for those who have the disease.

Subtopics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Advances in CT and MRI imaging for liver diseases
• Imaging biomarkers for liver diseases and their clinical applications
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning in liver imaging
• Radiomics in liver imaging for diagnosis and prognosis
• Nuclear medicine imaging for liver diseases
• Image-guided interventions for liver diseases
• Challenges and future directions in liver imaging

This Collection accepts the following article types:
• Original Research Articles: reporting original research in liver imaging, including imaging techniques, image analysis methods, and clinical applications.
• Clinical Trial Reports: reporting on clinical trials related to liver imaging, including trial design, methodology, results, and implications.
• Expert Opinions: featuring opinions and commentary from leading experts in liver imaging, discussing current and emerging trends, challenges, and future directions in the field.
• Review Articles: providing comprehensive overviews of specific subtopics in liver imaging, including CT and MRI imaging, imaging biomarkers, artificial intelligence, radiomics, nuclear medicine imaging, image-guided interventions, and challenges and future directions.
• Perspective Articles: discussing current issues or controversies in liver imaging, including ethical and societal implications.
• Technical Advances: presenting novel technical developments in liver imaging, including hardware, software, and imaging protocols.

The deadline for submissions is 15 December 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code LDBKC to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest advisor

Khaled M. Elsayes, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

[email protected]

Dr. Khaled Elsayes is a Professor of Radiology and the Institutional Medical Director of Global Education at The University of Texas MD Anderson. He is an internationally renowned radiologist and author of more than 200 peer reviewed publications and three radiology textbooks. Dr. Elsayes has been honored by 100 visiting professorships, membership in numerous international societies, and 85 international awards – including 2014, 2017, and 2018 RSNA Honored Educator award.

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The Emerging Multiple Modality Treatment Based on Systemic Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "The Emerging Multiple Modality Treatment Based on Systemic Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)", organized by Guest Advisors Professor Hui-Chuan Sun, Professor Ming Kuang, Professor Hong Zhao, and Professor Arndt Vogel in the Journal of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Thanks to the rapid development of systemic therapy for HCC in the past 4 years, multi-modality treatments of systemic therapy combined with such aspects as surgery, TACE, transplantation, as well as related prognostic biomarkers, have become current hotspots. This Collection aims to collect valuable evidence with various perspectives to provide reference for questions frequently discussed in the clinical practice of HCC treatment. The quickly evolving systemic therapies have improved HCC patients’ survival dramatically and changed the landscape of whole-course management.

With all these systemic therapies emerging, multi-modality treatments such as systemic therapy combined with locoregional therapy, and different combinations of systemic treatment compounds with variable mechanisms, are developing quickly, followed by much discussion and controversy. However, there is not much high-level evidence helping us to make appropriate conclusions. Therefore, the Guest Advisers of this Collection, consisting of a team of experts from China as well as Germany, will review the quality and significance of the research from a relevant perspective.

Sub-topics:

The exploration on the 2nd line therapy subsequent by new 1st line standard systemic therapy
Novel systemic combinations for uHCC patients, as well as systemic combined with multi-modality treatment (including surgery, transplant, TACE, HAIC, RT)
The exploration of the use of new systemic treatment options in special populations, such as Child-Pugh B, VP4, etc.
New advances for the early and mid-stage
Biomarkers predict the efficacy of systemic therapy

Article types:

Original research (main)
Review
Expert opinion
Case series

The deadline for submissions is 30 November 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code ZDHVZ to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Journal of Inflammation Research

Neurodegenerative diseases: From Pathogenesis to Treatment

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Neurodegenerative diseases: From Pathogenesis to Treatment" in the Journal of Inflammation Research.

Neurodegenerative diseases are chronic disorders corroborated with central nervous system damage. They are characterized by the loss of neurons resulting in neuropsychomotor dysfunctions. Some of these disorders which will be discussed in this Article Collection include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, globoid cell leukodystrophy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the deposition of senile plaques containing amyloid β (Aβ), albeit how the peptide induces neurotoxicity is not clear.

Huntington's disease involves progressive degeneration of neurons in the striatum and cerebral cortex resulting in loss of control of motor function leading to cognitive dysfunction.

Parkinson's disease is characterized by α-synuclein accumulation, dopaminergic neuron loss and inflammation. Pathological α-synuclein and microglial activation can potentiate each other, leading to the loss of dopaminergic neurons and accelerated the disease degeneration.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that affects several million patients worldwide.

Globoid cell leukodystrophy (also known as Krabbe disease) is a rare autosomal recessive disease that affects infants. Patients who are homozygous for this disease die before the age of two years from hyperpyrexia or respiratory infections.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is another rare, fatal disorder characterized by loss of upper and lower motor neurons, resulting in progressive weakness of all voluntary muscles and eventual respiratory failure.

The pathology and/or etiology of these diseases are still unresolved and require further investigations.

Although neurodegenerative diseases have high prevalence worldwide, the diseases are only treated with drugs that alleviate the symptoms of patients. Consequently, they do not cure the neurodegenerative diseases and can only improve the quality of patients’ lives. Drugs developed to treat these diseases are mainly pleotropic, and their mechanisms of action (MOA) differ among patients and among diseases. Further, they may develop adverse reactions, yet do not inhibit the progression of the diseases.

This research topic will focus on new therapeutic modalities to treat neurodegenerative diseases; modalities that may module the immune system in these pathologies. In addition, the research topic will also discuss other therapeutic modalities such as cognitive therapy. We welcome the submission of original research articles, reviews and mini-review articles.

Topics of Interest Include:
1. Novel understandings of the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.
2. Development of new drugs and monoclonal antibodies that target inflammation with the aim of treating and/or preventing neurodegenerative disorders in humans or in mouse models.
3. Exploring the values of other therapeutic modalities such as cognitive therapy or physiotherapy, among others.
4. Implementing the concept and methods of artificial intelligence (AI) in investigating and resolving issues related to neurodegenerative disorders.

Submission Instructions:

All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review; the Guest Advisor will not be handling the manuscripts. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

Please submit your manuscript on our website. During submission, enter the promo code VRXME to indicate that your submission should be considered for this Collection.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 1 October 2023. If you have questions, please contact Krista Thom at [email protected].

Guest Advisor

Azzam A. Magazachi, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE

Dr. Maghazachi's main research interests are immunotherapy of cancer using natural killer (NK) cells, autoimmune diseases with emphasis on multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, chemokines, and drug mechanisms of action. He was the first to identify all chemokine receptors, lysophospholipids and oxidized lipids receptors on NK cells. He has collaborated with major pharmaceutical companies such as TEVA and Biogen to examine the biological activities of their drugs Copaxone and Tecfidera, respectively, on NK cells, and holds a patent on the effects of dimethyl fumarate and monomethyl fumarate in the therapy of cancer. He is the editor or editor-in-chief of more than 15 scientific journals in the fields of Immunology, Toxicology, and Neuroscience. He has published more than 120 scientific papers as well as book chapters and ebooks.

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Unraveling the Complex Relationship Between Inflammation, Diabetes, and Obesity: A Comprehensive Exploration

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection in the Journal of Inflammation Research on "Unraveling the Complex Relationship Between Inflammation, Diabetes, and Obesity: A Comprehensive Exploration", organized by Guest Advisor Dr. Nasser Rizk (Qatar University, Qatar).

Diabetes and obesity are two of the most prevalent chronic metabolic diseases worldwide, with estimates indicating that more than 420 million individuals worldwide are living with diabetes and over 650 million individuals are obese or overweight. Both conditions have significant impacts on health and quality of life, and they are associated with an increased risk of numerous comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, fatty liver, and certain types of cancer. However, despite the significant advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of these conditions, the precise mechanisms by which they develop and progress remain incompletely understood.

Recent research has highlighted the role of inflammation in the development and progression of both obesity and diabetes. Inflammation is a complex process that involves the activation of various immune cells, cytokines, and other inflammatory mediators in response to tissue damage, infection, or other stimuli. While inflammation is typically a protective response that helps to clear pathogens and promote tissue repair, chronic low-grade inflammation can contribute to metabolic abnormalities, including insulin resistance, impaired glucose metabolism, and dyslipidaemia. Even though there has been a lot of progress achieved in the fields of obesity, diabetes, and inflammation, many concerns about the underlying molecular mechanisms of these chronic illnesses still need to be answered. The recent emergence of immunometabolism as an innovative field in medical studies demonstrates the interconnectedness of various fields and the centrality of immunology in health and disease.

In individuals with obesity, adipose tissue is a significant source of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Adipose tissue inflammation is thought to contribute to insulin resistance and the development of type 2 diabetes by impairing insulin signaling and promoting the release of free fatty acids into the circulation. Inflammation has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes, with evidence suggesting that inflammatory cells and cytokines contribute to beta-cell destruction and the loss of insulin secretion. While the link between inflammation and metabolic abnormalities is becoming increasingly clear, the precise mechanisms involved in this relationship are still not fully understood. Moreover, understanding the process by which inflammation is reduced is just as crucial for predicting the course of a disease as learning how it is initially triggered. However, recent research has shed light on some potential mechanisms, including the activation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, the induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and the modulation of gut microbiota. Furthermore, several studies have demonstrated the potential of anti-inflammatory agents, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), to improve metabolic outcomes in individuals with diabetes and obesity.

Potential subtopics related to recurrent miscarriage include (but are not limited to):
• The role of adipose tissue inflammation in the development of obesity and diabetes
• The link between inflammation [local and systemic] and insulin resistance
• The impact of inflammation on beta-cell function and insulin secretion
• The potential of anti-inflammatory agents as therapeutic interventions for diabetes and obesity
• The relationship between inflammation, gut microbiota, and metabolic health
• The role of exercise and dietary interventions in reducing inflammation and improving metabolic outcomes in individuals with diabetes and obesity.

Overall, inflammation is a crucial player in the pathogenesis of diabetes and obesity, and a better understanding of the mechanisms involved could potentially lead to the development of novel therapeutic interventions. This Article Collection aims to explore the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of diabetes and obesity, with a focus on the latest research findings and potential therapeutic interventions. We invite original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that explore this complex relationship, and we hope that this Article Collection will contribute to the ongoing efforts to improve the prevention and treatment of these prevalent chronic diseases.

Please review the journal Aims and Scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript. The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 30 November 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code OBCZU to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare

Crosstalk in multidisciplinary approaches for evidence-based medicine

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection in the Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare on "Crosstalk in multidisciplinary approaches of evidence-based medicine", organized by co-Guest Advisors Dr. Yao-Chin Wang (Min-Sheng General Hospital and Taipei Medical University, Taiwan), Dr. Sunil Kumar (Nottingham Trent University, England), and Lead Guest Advisor Dr. Woon-Man Kung (Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital and Chinese Culture University, Taiwan).

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) provides care to patients using the appropriate use of the best available evidence. EBM has increased due to the advancement of clinical measurements, research design, and efficient data analysis techniques. A multidisciplinary approach and the capacity of available evidence have made EBM more reliable than ever. The current development's objective is to achieve high-quality clinical research in the field of clinical decision-making. Now EBM is laced with new clinician skills that provide the edge in collecting vital information about patients' diagnosis, therapy, prognosis, clinical trial studies, and healthcare issues. Therefore, crosstalk in EBM with interdisciplinary consideration has become essential to better understand and serve patients and our society. Certainly, crosstalk on EBM in a multidisciplinary approach will provide options for treatments, medications, harmful side effects, and any potential risks involved.

Any article types related to healthcare, clinical, and medicines are welcomed. Relevant subtopics may include but are not limited to the following:
• Diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of diseases
• Elucidation of disease processes and management protocols
• Patient perspectives, including satisfaction, quality of life, health literacy, and communication
• Development of new healthcare programs and optimizing clinical outcomes
• Monitoring and treatment protocols
• Multi-system disease processes

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 31 October 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code GGICE to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Multidisciplinary care for long COVID

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Multidisciplinary care for long COVID", in the Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare.

Long COVID, the persistent symptoms of COVID-19 that persist long after the initial infection, has become a significant concern among healthcare professionals worldwide. While much attention has been given to the acute phase of COVID-19, the long-term effects of the disease are increasingly recognized as a public health issue. As the pandemic continues, the number of people experiencing long COVID is on the rise.

Long COVID can affect individuals of any age or background, and the symptoms can vary widely. Some of the most common physical symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, and heart palpitations. In addition, many individuals report cognitive symptoms such as brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and memory loss. Emotional symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have also been reported. The impact of long COVID can be profound, affecting the ability to work, exercise, and engage in everyday activities.

Given the complexity and diversity of long COVID symptoms, a comprehensive approach to treatment is necessary. Multidisciplinary care that involves a team of specialists working together can be effective in addressing physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms. Such care may include physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and nutritionists, among others. The goal is to improve quality of life, reduce symptoms, and promote recovery. Early intervention is key, and ongoing support may be necessary to manage long-term effects.

The pathophysiology of long COVID remains unclear, but research suggests that it is a multifactorial condition that involves immune dysregulation, viral persistence, and tissue damage. Studies are underway to better understand the mechanisms underlying long COVID and identify effective treatments that can alleviate symptoms and promote recovery. Currently, there is no single approach to treating long COVID, but a range of interventions such as pulmonary rehabilitation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and pharmacological treatments are being explored.

This Article Collection aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the topic and explore the latest developments in the field. We invite submissions from researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals exploring various aspects of long COVID, such as the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical manifestations of the condition. We welcome original research articles, review articles, clinical case reports, and commentaries, all of which contribute to a better understanding of this complex condition. By sharing the latest findings and insights, we hope to advance the field and improve the lives of those affected by long COVID.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 12 January 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code JEGCV to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest Advisors

Daisy Motta-Santos, Telesaude Center (UFMG)

[email protected]

Daisy Motta-Santos, PhD in Biological Sciences (UFMG) sandwich at MDC-Berlin, Buch, Germany, MSc in Physical Activity and Health. Graduated in Physical Education and Pedagogy with postdoctoral in Sports. Researcher at Telesaude Center (UFMG) and ongoing research in public health (chronic disease). NanoBIOFAR INCT Member.

Mellanie Fontes-Dutra, Vale do Rio dos Sinos University (UNISINOS)

[email protected]

Mellanie Fontes-Dutra, PhD in Neuroscience, Vale do Rio dos Sinos University (UNISINOS). Graduated in Biomedicine (Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS) with M.Sc and Ph.D in Neurosciences (UFRGS), with completed postdoctoral studies in biochemistry (UFRGS) and ongoing research in virology (Feevale). Assistant Professor at UNISINOS, and permanent professor in post-graduate program in nutrition and food (PPG-NA/UNISINOS)

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Journal of Pain Research

Dysmenorrhea: Therapy and Mechanism

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Dysmenorrhea: Therapy and Mechanism", organized by Guest Advisor Dr. Jie Yang (Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine) in the Journal of Pain Research.

Dysmenorrhea, commonly known as menstrual cramps, is a widespread gynecological disorder that affects a significant number of women worldwide. Despite its high prevalence, effective treatments and a clear understanding of the underlying mechanisms are still lacking. To address this gap in knowledge, we are inviting submissions related to dysmenorrhea for our upcoming Article Collection.

Specifically, we are interested in papers that cover the following topics:
1. Pathophysiology of Dysmenorrhea, including the role of prostaglandins, uterine contractions, and central nervous system sensitization. This topic is crucial in providing a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of dysmenorrhea.
2. Pharmacological Interventions for Dysmenorrhea, such as NSAIDs, hormonal contraceptives, analgesics, and other medications. We are seeking articles that address the evidence, limitations, and side effects supporting the use of these interventions in the management of dysmenorrhea.
3. Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Dysmenorrhea, including exercise, acupuncture, heat therapy, and other alternative therapies. We welcome papers that discuss the evidence supporting the use of these interventions and their potential role in managing dysmenorrhea.
4. Potential Mechanisms for Dysmenorrhea, such as central and peripheral factors, uterine and ovarian blood supply, and other related mechanisms. We also encourage submissions that explore the potential mechanisms underlying therapies aimed at improving ovarian or uterine functions.

The deadline for submissions is 31 December 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code LOYEF to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Orofacial Pain: A new US Dental Specialty. Where are we now?

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Orofacial Pain: A new US Dental Specialty. Where are we now?", organized by Guest Advisors Dr. David Keith and Dr. Alexandre F. DaSilva in the Journal of Pain Research.

Orofacial Pain has become a new Dental Specialty in the US. The origin and responsibility of this subject lies in the realm of Dentistry and thus much of the research work has originated from this discipline, with inherent limitations. Current efforts around the world are endeavoring to rectify this situation by using scientific methodology and interdisciplinary collaboration to focus on the various clinical conditions seen in this anatomic region. It is important to establish a broader evidence base for this subspecialty and to define its direction for the future.

The topics suggested fall into several domains:

1 - The clinical diagnoses of neuropathic, post traumatic, temporomandibular disorder, headache, and psychological correlates of orofacial pain, which are among the most difficult to classify and manage.
2 - The burgeoning fields of neuroimaging and neuromodulation.
3 - Basic science projects that are represented by research on glial cells, pharmacogenomics, animal models, and genetics of Temporomandibular Disorders/Orofacial pain.
4 - National efforts - the US-based OPPERA study and the Norwegian national program for Orofacial Pain.
5 - Bias in Orofacial Pain literature and research based on gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic factors.

The deadline for submissions is 17th November 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code XFCAU to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Pain in Space: a Journey of Discovery

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to the upcoming Article Collection “Pain in Space: a Journey of Discovery” organized by Guest Advisors Professor Pablo Ingelmo and Professor Juan Pablo Cata in the Journal of Pain Research.

We invite you to contribute to a special journal collection dedicated to unravelling the mysteries of pain in space. As humanity extends its reach beyond Earth's boundaries, understanding the impact of microgravity on pain perception and its underlying mechanisms becomes paramount. This unique opportunity beckons for ground-breaking research to shed light on an unexplored realm.

The microgravity environment of space challenges human physiology across multiple systems, including the musculoskeletal, immune, and nervous systems. Recent studies have unveiled the distressing reality of pain experienced by astronauts during and after spaceflight. Back and neck pain afflict a significant majority of astronauts during their time in microgravity, with implications extending beyond their return to Earth. Primordial studies highlight startling parallels between space-induced musculoskeletal changes and terrestrial back pain. However, the interactions between microgravity-induced bone resorption, sensitization to thermal stimuli, and the intricate relationship between pain and cellular senescence pose intriguing challenges.

This Article Collection seeks submissions that explore the multifaceted facets of pain in space, including but not limited to:

1. Nociceptive Responses and Inhibitory Systems: Investigate alterations in astronauts' nociceptive profiles and the functioning of descending inhibitory systems, harnessing quantitative sensory testing and conditioned pain modulation paradigms.

2. Immune Blood Cells and Pain Pathways: Uncover specific pathophysiological pathways induced by immune cell changes and their potential role in modulating pain perception.

3. Inflammation and Systemic Response: Examine dynamic changes in systemic inflammatory markers and their implications for pain and tissue deterioration in microgravity environments.

4. Bone Health and Pain: Explore the interplay between bone resorption dynamics and pain sensitization, elucidating their role in the genesis of pain in space.

The deadline for submissions is 1 March 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code KVMIA to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Nature and Science of Sleep

Intersection of AI and Sleep Medicine: Innovations, Challenges, and Ethical Considerations

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Intersection of AI and Sleep Medicine: Innovations, Challenges, and Ethical Considerations" in Nature and Science of Sleep.

Sleep disorders burden healthcare systems due to laborious diagnostics and limited workforce capacities. However, a wealth of data collected from sleep recordings, patient histories, and electronic medical records remains underutilized in current practices. Additionally, emerging data from wearables, nearables, and apps hold immense potential for understanding the long-term implications of sleep disorders.

Artificial intelligence (AI) may revolutionize sleep research and medicine by enhancing diagnostic efficiency and accuracy, predicting outcomes, and characterizing patient and disorder traits for optimized and personalized care. However, it is crucial to ensure the ethical design, development, and implementation of these methods while considering data privacy, transparency, validation best practices, and method reliability and generalizability.

This call for papers explores the latest advancements in AI in sleep medicine and research. It seeks to emphasize the translation of methodologies into clinical practice, focusing on the technical aspects while acknowledging the importance of ethics.

Topics of interest include:

• Automatic sleep study scoring
• Novel methods for sleep disorder detection
• Utilization of subjective and objective data
• Integration in electronic medical record systems
• Minimally invasive data collection for screening and long-term follow-up of the general population
• Validation and implementation
• Discussions on best practices, ethical considerations, and practical implementation of AI in sleep research and medicine

We welcome submissions of original research, reviews, perspectives, and commentaries. Join us in contributing to the conversation on the role of AI in sleep medicine and the considerations surrounding the translation to clinical practice. This collection will serve as a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers interested in the intersection of AI and sleep research.

Guest Advisors

Jon Skirnir Agustsson
VP Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
Nox Medical ehf, Reykjavik, Iceland

Anna Sigridur Islind
Associate Professor
Department of Computer Science, Reykjavik University, Iceland

Henri Korkalainen
Adjunct Professor, Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland

Submission Instructions
All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review; the Guest Advisor will not be handling submitted articles. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submission.

Please submit your manuscript on our website. During submission, enter the promo code AUCFK to indicate that your article should be considered for this Collection.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 31 December 2023. If you have any questions, please contact Krista Thom at [email protected].

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Sleep and COVID-19

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Sleep and COVID-19", organized by Guest Advisor Dr. Cecilia Cheng (University of Hong Kong, China), in Nature and Science of Sleep.

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to the world, affecting every aspect of our lives. One of the key areas of concern that has come to light is the impact of the pandemic on sleep. Sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining our physical and mental health, and any disruption to it can have significant consequences. With the outbreak of COVID-19, several factors have come into play that have had a profound impact on sleep, and this has led to an increased interest in the subject.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a range of changes in our daily lives that have contributed to sleep disruptions. For one, the pandemic has forced many people to work from home, which has led to changes in daily routines and work schedules. These changes have disrupted our circadian rhythms, the internal clock that regulates our sleep-wake cycle. Additionally, the pandemic has caused widespread anxiety and stress, which can lead to insomnia and other sleep disorders. Fear of contracting the virus, financial uncertainty, and social isolation have all contributed to increased levels of stress and anxiety, which can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. The pandemic has also led to changes in our physical activity levels and exposure to natural light. With many people confined to their homes and limited outdoor activities, there has been a decrease in physical activity and exposure to natural light. These factors can have a negative impact on sleep quality, as exposure to natural light and physical activity are both essential for regulating our circadian rhythms. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has also led to changes in sleep patterns among healthcare workers who are on the front lines of the pandemic. Healthcare workers are often required to work long hours, which can disrupt their sleep patterns and lead to chronic sleep deprivation. This can have serious consequences on their physical and mental health, and may even compromise their ability to provide quality care to their patients.

Sleep is an essential aspect of health and well-being, and disruptions to sleep can have significant impacts on physical and mental health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have experienced increased stress and anxiety, which can exacerbate sleep problems. Understanding the relationship between sleep quality and pandemic-related stress and anxiety is critical for developing effective interventions to support individuals' mental and physical health during and beyond the pandemic.

In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered our daily lives, resulting in a profound impact on our sleep patterns. The pandemic has disrupted our circadian rhythms, increased stress and anxiety levels, reduced exposure to natural light and physical activity, and altered the sleep patterns of healthcare workers. As we continue to navigate this unprecedented situation, it is crucial that we pay close attention to the effects of these changes on our sleep and take necessary steps to maintain healthy sleep habits. As such, we organized an Article Collection with the aim of investigating the relationship between sleep quality and psychological distress, including but not limited to pandemic-related stress and anxiety. The collection also seeks to explore potential interventions that could improve sleep patterns during these challenging times.

Potential subtopics include (but are not limited to):
• The impact of COVID-19 on sleep quality and duration
• The relationship between pandemic-related stress and anxiety and sleep
• Interventions to improve sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic, including cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia, mindfulness-based interventions, and sleep hygiene education
• The impact of sleep disruptions on mental and physical health during the pandemic
• The role of technology in monitoring and improving sleep during the pandemic
• The impact of sleep on immune system functioning and susceptibility to infection
• The effects of social distancing measures on sleep patterns
• The impact of COVID-19 on sleep in certain occupations, such as healthcare workers and other frontline workers
• The effectiveness of public health messaging and education campaigns in promoting healthy sleep during the pandemic.
• Long-term consequences of COVID-19 on sleep disorders.
• Advantages and challenges of telemedicine in sleep medicine.
• Telemonitoring and its role in managing sleep-related conditions.
• Remote sleep studies and their efficacy during pandemics.
• Benefits and limitations of NIV during pandemics.
• Analysis of dream patterns and themes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Relationship between stress, anxiety, and pandemic-related dreams.
• Melatonin supplements and their efficacy in treating sleep disorders.
• Role of melatonin in managing sleep disturbances during pandemics.
• Impact of COVID-19 vaccines on sleep patterns and quality.
• Long-term effects of vaccinations on sleep disorders.

Please review the journal Aims and Scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is December 31, 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code EJYZN to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest Advisor

Cecilia Cheng, University of Hong Kong

[email protected]

Cecilia Cheng is a professor of psychology at the University of Hong Kong, with expertise in various realms of psychology, including social, health, applied, personality, cross-cultural, and cyber-psychology. She has been elected as a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science, and has received prestigious awards including the Fulbright Senior Scholar Award and the ICP Early Career Research Award. Professor Cheng has also held editorial positions at several flagship journals in the field of psychology, including the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology and Health Psychology Review. At the University of Hong Kong, she has served as the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and currently the Associate Dean of the Graduate School.

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The Intersection of Wearables and Sleep Medicine

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "The Intersection of Wearables and Sleep Medicine" in Nature and Science of Sleep.

Physiological and behavioral sensing from wearable devices provides a unique opportunity to capture an individual’s condition and health status in situ, passively, over time. As a result, wearable technology has provided unprecedented insight and progress to both clinical care and consumer wellness. Sleep science is one of the first disciplines to harvest the potential of these advanced non-invasive technologies to accurately screen, diagnose, and monitor for abnormalities or illness.

Sleep affects most aspects of well-being, from cognitive function and mental health to physical performance and disease susceptibility. Despite its importance, sleep disorders remain widespread and often undiagnosed. The physiological changes that occur during sleep and are passively measured through wearables can serve as indicators of numerous health conditions, including neural and cardiac events. Moreover, wearables allow for measurement during the daytime, extending the interpretation of sleep beyond the sleep period. These insights can guide interventions, lifestyle changes, and even medical treatments, ultimately leading to improved sleep and overall health.

To highlight the critical uses of wearables for sleep science, we are providing a platform for groundbreaking research. We hope the articles in this Collection will serve to offer insights into, and foster a dialogue around, this rapidly evolving interdisciplinary field. We welcome all original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that use wearable technology to better understand sleep. Our scope includes the following:

• Studies using wearable devices for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment related to sleep disorders
• Applications of continuous physiological data collection using wearable devices during sleep
• Sleep-related studies leveraging new wearables for sleep or daytime usage
• Validation of sleep-related data collection and/or derived metrics from wearable devices using gold standard procedures
• New algorithms or machine learning models that use data from wearable devices with sleep-related applications
• The positive and negative impact of wearables on sleep habits and behavior

Guest Advisors

Aarti Sathyanarayana
Assistant Professor
Northeastern University, Massachusetts, USA

Matheus Araujo
Assistant Professor
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Ohio, USA

Please submit your manuscript through the Dovepress website. During submission, enter the promo code YJVGW to indicate that your article should be considered for this Collection.

The manuscript submission deadline is 31 December 2023. If you have any questions about this Article Collection, please contact Krista Thom at [email protected].

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The Relationship between Sleep and Aging: Exploring the Complex Interplay and Implications for Healthy Aging

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "The Relationship between Sleep and Aging: Exploring the Complex Interplay and Implications for Healthy Aging", organized by Guest Advisor Dr. Alpar Lazar (University of East Anglia, UK) in Nature and Science of Sleep.

Sleep is a vital physiological process that plays a crucial role in overall health and wellbeing. As we age, changes in sleep patterns are common, which can lead to various negative consequences, including cognitive decline, mood disorders, and increased risk of chronic diseases. Therefore, understanding the dynamic relationship between sleep and aging is critical for promoting healthy aging.

This Article Collection aims to explore the complex interplay between sleep and aging and its implications for healthy aging. The collection will bring together research on the latest advancements in sleep science, including the underlying mechanisms of age-related sleep changes, the impact of sleep on physical and mental health, and potential interventions to improve sleep in older adults.

Subtopics that would fit this Article Collection (but are not limited to):
• Age-related changes in sleep architecture and sleep-dependent brain activity
• Age-related changes in cognitive vulnerability to sleep loss and mistimed sleep.
• Sex differences in the impact of sleep disturbances on cognitive performance and emotional wellbeing in older age
• Sleep disturbances and falls risk in older age
• The impact of sleep disturbances on aging-related cognitive decline
• The role of sleep in physical health and chronic diseases in aging
• Sleep and mental health in aging, including depression and anxiety
• Sleep interventions and treatments for older adults
• The role of technology in sleep monitoring and improvement in older adults
• Sleep and gut health in older age
• Sleep and social determinants of health in aging populations
• The impact of age-related changes in the circadian rhythm on sleep patterns and health outcomes in older adults.
• The effect of lifestyle interventions such as exercise and diet on sleep quality and its potential benefits for healthy aging.
• The effect of medication use on sleep quality and its potential impact on aging-related health outcomes.
• The relationship between sleep duration and the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults.
• The impact of sleep duration on physical health outcomes in older adults, such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders.
• The impact of sleep duration on mood and mental health outcomes in older adults.

Please review the journal Aims and Scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is November 30, 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code ZKWME to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest Advisor

Alpar Lazar, University of East Anglia

[email protected]

Dr. Alpar Lazar is an associate professor at the University of East Anglia, UK with a research interest in the significance of human sleep and circadian rhythmicity in brain health. He has been recently studying the effect of genetic risk factors of neurodegeneration on sleep architecture, brain oscillatory activity and cognitive vulnerability to sleep loss.

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Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment

Autism, the disorder without borders and geopolitical variations

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Autism, the disorder without borders and geopolitical variations", organized by Guest Advisors Dr. Yvette Hus, Prof. Kakia Petinou, and Dr. Osnat Segal in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.

Topic: Prevalence of a disease, including new and preexisting cases, is ‘the proportion of individuals in a population who have a particular disease or attribute at a specified period of time’ (according to the CDC). It is exceedingly difficult to determine Autism prevalence as many dynamic conditions influence the calculations including unequal distribution of socio-economic resources, diverse cultures with unique views of disease and treatment, and meagre or non-existent meaningful instruments for identification and intervention in the population’s specific context. Each geopolitical region requires factoring these issues into their calculations, consequently, complex algorithms are employed when establishing prevalence data.

Value: Prevalence data are of utmost importance, especially in Autism, with mostly a lifetime impact and an evolving developmental trajectory and changing needs. This reality profoundly affects individuals, their families, and their communities. The data permit calculating risk of occurrence or number of new cases in a specified time, guide planning for resources and education for impacted individuals and support services for families, and establish professional training programs to provide essential services to autistic populations of any age.

Contributing authors and topics: In the following, a virtual tour around the globe, the IALP Autism Committee members highlight specific geopolitical regions with target populations to discuss Autism prevalence, challenges encountered, available resources and practices, and reveal their efficacy. In their review K. Petinou, M. Christopoulou (Cyprus) and I. Vogindroukas (Greece) discuss Autism prevalence in understudied areas: Malta, Cyprus, and Balkan regions including Bulgaria. Y. Hus (Canada) thematic review highlights Canadian indigenous peoples, representing geographically remote and economically vulnerable communities within an industrialized privileged region, with authorities ‘frozen’ in a colonial era in their approach to families with autistic loved ones. S. Adam’s (South Africa) article underscores the challenges of determining Autism prevalence in South Africa and Nigeria. K. Jensen de Lopez and H. Thirup Møller (Denmark) review focus is autism prevalence in 7-9 years old in Scandinavia: Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and related regions: Finland, Iceland, and Greenland. N. Neubauer (USA New Jersey) reviews the Northeast USA Hispanic and Asian communities with a ‘heads-up’ to Speech Language Pathologists to be prepared to meet their dynamic needs. K.L. Johnson and A. Kristofik (USA Texas) tackle the Under-identified and Under-served Autistic Texan indigenous pediatric populations. O. Segal and S. Ferman (Israel) data compilation reviews prevalence, incidence, diagnosis, treatment, and educational opportunities for autistic individuals in the mosaic of the Israeli communities. C. Westby (USA New Mexico) and L. Cheng (USA California) review presents prevalence and services to ASD in Taiwan and Thailand representing a collective cultural perspective. Finally, C. Westby (USA New Mexico) and R. Roman (Bolivia; USA) review highlight two Latin countries, Paraguay where state agencies’ efforts are responsible for establishing services for autistic children, while a Bolivian family’s challenges to secure services for their affected child provides a ‘reality lens’ in these efforts.

Keywords:
• Autism
• Prevalence
• Geopolitical Variations
• Under-identified
• Underserved

The deadline for submissions is 28 February 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code FQVDO to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest Advisors & Conflict of Interest
1. Dr. Yvette Hus, PhD SLP ([email protected])
Yvette Hus, a McGill and Concordia universities graduate, is a Canadian Speech Language Pathologist (SLP), Quebec licensed clinician, educator, and researcher focusing on pediatric populations with diverse bio-neurodevelopmental disorders: Autism, DLD (SLI), Specific Learning Disabilities, and ADHD. She is the IALP ASD standing committee deputy chair headed by Prof. Petinou, and a Theralab Research Collaborator (Prof. Kakia Petinou director) of Cyprus University of Technology, Rehabilitation Sciences Department. Her publications are found on ResearchGate.
*No Conflict of Interest
2. Prof. Kakia Petinou, PhD ([email protected])
Kakia Petinou is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Cyprus University of Technology. She is a member of the International Association of Communication Sciences and Disorders (IALP) and the Chair of the Autism Spectrum Committee (ASD) of the IALP. Petinou is the founder and director of the THERALAB research laboratory (http://theralab.cut.ac.cy/), and a registered member of the Cypriot Association of Speech Therapists.
*No Conflict of Interest
3. Dr. Osnat Segal, PhD ([email protected])
Osnat Segal is a senior lecturer and department head at Tel Aviv University Sackler Faculty of Medicine Department of Communication Disorders. Her pediatric research focus is infant speech and language acquisition, autism, hearing loss, and Childhood Apraxia of Speech. Her responsibilities include SLP clinical education in an orthodox program. Dr. Segal is the Israeli Speech Hearing and Language Association chair, and heads the scientific and organizing committees for the upcoming IALP 2025 Congress in Tel-Aviv. She is the founder and member of the IALP Autism standing committee.
*No Conflict of Interest

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Cognitive dysfunction in bipolar disorder: Bio-psycho-social perspective

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Cognitive dysfunction in bipolar disorder: Bio-psycho-social perspective", organized by Guest Advisor Dr. Kuniyoshi Toyoshima in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.

Bipolar disorder affects >1% of the global population, and it causes cognitive impairment, functional disability, and death by suicide. Bipolar disorder is also characterized by recurring manic and depressive episodes. In individuals with bipolar disorder, not only mood symptoms but also cognitive impairment affects quality of life, even during euthymic phases and in the case of young people. Cognitive impairment also correlates with illness awareness, social function, suicidal ideation, etc. Therefore, recently, cognitive dysfunction has become considered to be a treatment target.

However, the pathology of cognitive impairment in bipolar disorder has not been elucidated. Furthermore, an effective treatment for cognitive dysfunction in bipolar disorder has not yet been established. Hence, in clinical settings, biological, psychological, and social interventions are performed in combination according to the patient’s condition.

This Article Collection seeks papers that study cognitive impairment in bipolar disorder, in terms of the bio-psycho-social perspective. It is hoped that this Article Collection will contribute to well-being and functional recovery in individuals with bipolar disorder.

Keywords:
• Cognitive dysfunction
• Bipolar disorder
• Functional recovery
• Well-being
• Bio-psycho-social perspective

The deadline for submissions is 31 December 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code QGCFU to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Current Perspectives of Chronic Stress: from Neurobiology to Treatment

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Thematic Series on "Current Perspectives of Chronic Stress: from Neurobiology to Treatment”, in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, edited by Guest Editor, Zoran M Pavlovic MD, Heruka Lifescience & Health Innovations.

Upon submission, please use the promo code YZDWK for 20% off the advertised article processing charge and indicate that your manuscript will be considered for the Thematic Series of “Current Perspectives of Chronic Stress: from Neurobiology to Treatment”. The deadline for manuscripts is the 31st of October 2023.

For any inquiries, please email Darcy Hodge, Commissioning Editor at [email protected]

About the Thematic Series

A stressful situation – whether environmental, such as a looming work deadline, or psychological, such as persistent worry about losing a job – can trigger a cascade of stress-related neurotransmitter and hormonal changes resulting in well-orchestrated physiological reactions.

Our bodies are well equipped to handle stress in small doses, for instance when facing challenging life situations as in the case of eustress. On the other hand, long-term and continuous distressful events can exert serious effects on us. Yet, we ask, how do those somatic and nervous system strains form our experience of stress?

Although typical human responses to stressors show a certain degree of uniformity, personality type, age, sex, intensity, duration and exposure to previous stressful life events can specifically modulate our reactions to stressful situations. Therefore, investigating the neurobiological correlates of responses to chronic stress in the context of these variabilities can provide much richer knowledge on the impact of long-term environmental stressors on our mind and body functions.

The consequences of chronic stress are closely linked to overall health outcomes. This is associated with dysregulation of immunological functions leading to systematic and neuroinflammation and consequential health deterioration. Preventative treatments may assist in mitigating the long-term impact of stress, but equally, stress-reduction treatments and resilience boosting interventions can assist us at times when prevention is not feasible or suitable.

The journal is seeking original submissions and review articles on the following topics related to various aspects of chronic stress:

• Neurobiological and neurophysiological correlates of chronic stress
• Chronic stress-induced neurotransmitter, corticoid, and hormonal changes and their interplay in stress response
• Mind-body reactions to chronic stress: the influence of demographic and genetic variables
• Role of chronic stress in triggering major depression, anxiety, substance use, and neurodegenerative disorders
• Dysregulation of the immune system and associated systematic and neuroinflammation caused by exposure to long-term environmental stressors
• Oxidative and nitrosative stress biomarkers in the context of chronic stress
• Chronic stress in the workplace and its implications
• Implementing preventative treatments for chronic stress and chronic stress-related conditions
• Evaluation of efficacy of stress symptom reduction interventions
• Resilience enhancement strategies in the management of stress response

Submit your manuscript

https://www.dovepress.com/submit_step_1.php

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Epileptic disorders: advances in the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Epileptic disorders: advances in the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies", organized by Guest Advisors Dr. Luo Zhou and Dr. Bo Xiao in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects a substantial number of individuals worldwide, with more than 70 million individuals suffering from this condition. It is considered to be one of the most common serious diseases of the central nervous system. The incidence of epilepsy shows a bimodal distribution, meaning that the highest risk of developing the disorder is observed in infants and older age groups. The clinical presentation of epilepsy can vary greatly from person to person, resulting in diverse symptoms and manifestations. These variations can have a profound impact on the patients’ quality of life, affecting their daily activities, social interactions, and overall well-being.

For clinical approaches, investigations such as brain imaging and genetic testing could aid in identifying the underlying etiologies and predicting the prognosis. In recent years, the field of precision medicine has gained significant attention in the context of epilepsy. Through the discovery of genes associated with these disorders, researchers have been able to advance their understanding of the underlying biology and pathogenesis of epilepsy. This newfound knowledge has opened up possibilities for developing targeted therapies that can modify or even cure the condition. The advances in brain imaging techniques have also played a significant role in epilepsy research. These imaging modalities, including structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional MRI (fMRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) have enabled researchers to identify structural and functional abnormalities in the brain that may be responsible for causing or contributing to epileptic seizures.

Furthermore, an improved understanding of the gradual development of epilepsy, as well as the role of epigenetic factors and pharmacogenomics, has offered hope for the development of better therapeutic strategies. Researchers are exploring both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to treat epilepsy, with the aim of improving patient outcomes and enhancing their quality of life. This Article Collection will focus on the latest research progress in epilepsy diagnosis and treatment. It will cover topics such as clinical observational study, neuroimaging study, genetic analysis, mechanism research, prospects for further targeted treatment, and rehabilitation interventions. By highlighting these advances, the collection aims to provide valuable insights for clinicians, researchers, and patients alike personalized approaches for managing epilepsy.

Keywords:
• Epilepsy
• Diagnostic and therapeutic strategies
• Neuroimaging
• Genetic analysis
• Targeted treatment

All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo desk assessment and peer-review as part of our standard editorial process. Guest Advisors for this Collection will not be involved in peer-reviewing manuscripts unless they are an existing member of the Editorial Board. Please review the journal Aims and Scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submissions is 29 February 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code TPAGK to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Investigating the Role of Ketamine and Its Enantiomers in Bipolar Depression

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Investigating the Role of Ketamine and Its Enantiomers in Bipolar Depression", organized by Guest Advisor Dr. Alina Wilkowska in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.

Bipolar depression (BD), affecting 2-3% of the global population, is a major research priority given the alarming suicide rates (5-10%) and a 30% non-response rate to existing treatments. The urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies has led to interest in Ketamine and its enantiomers, including esketamine and arketamine, as potential options for BD treatment. However, robust evidence for ketamine's effectiveness in BD remains elusive, underscoring the necessity for thorough randomized studies, particularly those examining maintenance phase and long-term outcomes.

We invite submissions of original research and review articles exploring:

• Therapeutic strategies for BD focusing on ketamine, esketamine, and arketamine. Topics could include maintenance treatment, variability of formulations, co-administration with standard treatments such as lithium, and real-world data from patients with comorbidities on various medications.

• The impact of ketamine, esketamine, and arketamine on BD symptoms, including suicidality, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and anhedonia.

• The progression of BD as a chronic disease, contributing factors, and the potential roles of ketamine and its enantiomers in slowing this progression.

• Comprehensive reviews on definitions of treatment-resistant bipolar depression, offering insights into optimal definitions and categorizations.

• The influence of ketamine and its enantiomers on connectivity disturbances in BD, enhancing our understanding of their effects on brain network interactions.

• The role of ketamine and its enantiomers in addressing BD-associated immune system dysregulations.

We welcome contributions from various disciplines aiming to advance our understanding of BD and the potential benefits of ketamine and its enantiomers. Please submit manuscripts in accordance with the guidelines provided on our journal's submission page. Together, let's strive to expand the therapeutic options for BD patients.

The deadline for submissions is 31 March 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code YQCPB to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Stroke and neurorestoratology

Suicide Prevention and Intervention: Recent Evidence and Future Directions

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Suicide Prevention and Intervention: Recent Evidence and Future Directions", organized by Guest Advisors Dr. Sidney Kennedy and Dr. Amanda Ceniti in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.

Suicide is an ongoing global public health concern, with over 800,000 deaths annually worldwide, and an estimated 20-25 times more attempts. The enduring impacts on families and communities cannot be overstated, with recent estimates suggesting over 100 people are affected for each death by suicide. Risk and protective factors are complex, spanning biological factors such as brain connectivity and genetic markers, psychological factors such as hopelessness and psychological pain, and social/environmental factors such as housing insecurity and financial stress. Consistent with current understanding of mental health conditions, there are no single clinical or biological markers that definitively predict suicide-related outcomes, and integrated approaches may be more fruitful. Importantly, suicide is recognized as a transdiagnostic entity, occurring both across and outside of mental health conditions, providing an impetus to study its prevention and management in and of itself and not simply as a symptom of a mental health condition such as depression.

Unfortunately, despite increasing awareness and research interest in recent decades, suicide risk prediction remains imprecise. There is a need for rigorous research on evidence-based interventions and better understanding of risk and protective factors. It is also vital to recognize the higher risk among specific marginalized communities and the need for culturally competent care. This topic is especially urgent given the ongoing mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, in which early reports demonstrated an increase in suicidal thoughts.

This Article Collection seeks to collect and share recent perspectives in suicide research through a multidisciplinary, transdiagnostic lens. From neurobiological studies of suicide risk to qualitative studies exploring relevant social determinants of health, this collection will cover broad perspectives on suicide prevention, intervention, and management. We welcome Original Research and Review articles on the following themes:
• Clinical topics, including risk assessment and management
• Suicide prevention strategies, including reducing access to lethal means and digital health approaches
• Neurobiology of suicide, including neuroimaging, genetic, biological, or neurocognitive studies to better understand the neurobiological mechanisms involved in suicide risk and identify potential predictive markers
• Impact of COVID-19, from the broader global mental health and economic effects of the pandemic, to the direct individual impacts of COVID-19 infection and/or Long-COVID on suicide risk
• Specific populations who may have increased suicide risk, including LGBTQ2S+ communities, Indigenous communities, racialized groups, youth/young adults, and military/veteran populations
• Suicide intervention strategies, including the current evidence for psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and psychosocial interventions

The deadline for submissions is 30 November 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code AFTXM to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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The effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for people with cognitive dysfunction

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "The effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for people with cognitive dysfunction", organized by Guest Advisors Professor Hsin-Hung Wu, Professor Pei-Fen Wu, and Dr. Kai-Ming Jhang in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.

There is no curable treatment for dementia. Strategies about how to prevent cognitive decline from the stages of subjective cognitive dysfunction or mild cognitive impairment into dementia are important. Appropriate care for people living with dementia (PLWD) and their caregivers, such as transferring suitable care facilities or communication skills according to their care needs, is also necessary.

The journal is seeking original submissions and review articles on the following topics related to the effectiveness of non-pharmacological intervention:
• Benefits of technological intervention in cognitive impairment: Technological intervention brings personalized, engaging, and innovative approaches to cognitive training, art therapy, reminiscence therapy, and social engagement and support. By leveraging technology, these interventions enhance cognitive functioning, stimulate creative expression, foster emotional well-being, and facilitate social connections, ultimately improve the overall quality of life for individuals.
• Assistive tools, devices, data analytics, and predictive models.
• The effectiveness of psychoeducation, behavioral therapy, multisensory therapy, therapeutic activities, individualized or group setting, on the change of cognitive function, behavior and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) or physical function.
• The effectiveness of care models, such as specialized dementia units, collaborative care models, or case manager leading care coordination, on the change of cognitive function, BPSD or physical function.
• Benefits of different care facilities or care delivery systems on PLWD or their caregivers.

The deadline for submissions is 31 January 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code CPDTH to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Therapeutic Response to Psychedelic Therapy – Who, What, Why & How?

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Therapeutic Response to Psychedelic Therapy – Who, What, Why & How?", organized by Guest Advisor Dr. James Rucker in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.

Psilocybin and MDMA therapy are now in Phase 3 trials for Treatment Resistant Depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, respectively. Meanwhile, other psychedelics are in earlier phases of development. Blinding is largely impossible in such trials, and psychological support is given as standard. A complex interplay between drug and non-drug effects is likely to mediate outcome.

Identifying this interplay may allow the optimization of the process of treatment by identifying key factors of "set" and "setting", informing models of therapy and how dosing session environments are set up. This could significantly impact how such treatments might be delivered, if they are approved for wider use. This collection focuses on non-drug factors that may serve as predictors and mediators of response to treatment with psychedelic therapy, including psilocybin, MDMA and related compounds. How might clinical trial designs be modified to capture salient factors beyond drug effects? Can open-science frameworks, "real world" trials and non-medical use of psychedelics be combined to interrogate "set" and "setting" in a way clinical trials cannot? If such research is fruitful, will it be clinically meaningful?

The article collection welcomes both data-driven, methodological and conceptual articles that explore these themes:
• Psilocybin
• MDMA
• Therapeutic response
• Predictors
• Mediators

All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo desk assessment and peer-review as part of our standard editorial process. The Guest Advisor for this collection will not be involved in peer-reviewing manuscripts. Please review the journal Aims and Scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submissions is 31 October 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code FGVBW to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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OncoTargets and Therapy

Cancer Immunotherapy: Harnessing the Immune System for Cancer Treatments

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to the upcoming Article Collection “Cancer Immunotherapy: Harnessing the Immune System for Cancer Treatments” organized by Guest Advisor Dr. Anna Maria Di Giacomo in OncoTargets and Therapy.

In the last decade, harnessing the immune system with immune checkpoint blockades has achieved remarkable results in solid tumors of different histotypes, enabling durable responses and long-term survival. Despite these unprecedented results, primary or acquired resistance can limit its efficacy; therefore a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanism of resistance is crucial for the identification of novel therapeutic strategies in several clinical settings (e.g. adjuvant, neo-adjuvant setting, rare tumors, etc.). In this exciting scenario, to untangle the threads of immunotherapy, research needs to answer some key questions, ranging from the mechanistic exploration causing lack of response, to the identification of biomarkers, but also the development of novel immunotherapeutic modalities and their clinical applications.

In this regard, we are seeking original research, and review article submissions on the following topics:
• Immune-checkpoint blockade for cancer treatment: from biology to clinical results
• Therapeutic combinations of immune-modulating antibodies
• Immunotherapies for brain metastases and brain primary tumors
• Immunotherapies for ocular melanoma
• Immunotherapies for rare tumors
• Immunotherapy in adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings
• Mechanisms of immune escape and potential strategies to overcome resistance
• Epigenetic immune remodeling to improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies
• Harnessing T-cell metabolism to improve anti-tumor responses
• Microbioma and immune-checkpoint blockade therapy
• Beyond immune-checkpoint(s): new targets for cancer immunotherapy
• Imaging challenges of immunotherapy
• Biomarkers of immune response and toxicity in immunotherapy
• Radiomics and deep learning approach in cancer immunotherapy

The deadline for submissions is 31 December 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code ZDDYW to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Understand and target the complexity of the tumor milieu

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Understand and target the complexity of the tumor milieu" in OncoTargets and Therapy.

The process of tumor initiation and progression is influenced by genetic/epigenetic alterations in tumor cells and the rearrangement of the tumor microenvironment (TME) through complex signaling networks. The TME consists of various components, including tumor cells, stromal fibroblasts, endothelial cells, immune cells, and extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Crosstalk between tumor cells and these non-malignant cells in the TME plays a critical role in promoting tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance.

Interactions within the TME involve cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and other mediators, as well as novel mechanisms such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), exosomes, cell-free DNA (cfDNA), and apoptotic bodies that contribute to horizontal gene transfer between tumor and normal cells. Understanding these interactions is essential to understanding tumor growth and metastasis. Targeting the TME offers potential opportunities for cancer treatment and personalized therapy.

This Article Collection seeks research and review articles that focus on the molecular interactions between cancer cells and TME components, the link between tumor heterogeneity and metabolic plasticity, and related strategies that can bridge the gap between preclinical and clinical research.

The deadline for submissions is 31 August 2024. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code SCXVO to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest advisors

Yong Teng, Emory University and Georgia Tech

[email protected]

Dr. Teng is an Associate Professor in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Emory University and an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University. He is the inaugural recipient of the Winship Cancer Institute Wally Award and a member of the BME Program and BDCI at Emory University. Dr. Teng's primary research interests are in tumor microenvironment, tumor metabolism and metastasis, with a focus on molecular determinants and paradigm-shifting treatment regimens.

Nabil F. Saba, Emory University

[email protected]

Dr. Saba is Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology. He holds the Lynne and Howard Halpern Chair in Head and Neck Cancer Research and serves as Co-Director of the Head and Neck Cancer Multidisciplinary Program at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University. Dr. Saba is a recognized expert in immunotherapy for head and neck cancer and leads numerous translational research efforts focused on targeting the tumor microenvironment.

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Open Access Emergency Medicine

Decision making within the first hour of admission

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Thematic Series on “Decision making within the first hour of admission", edited by Editor-in-Chief Dr Amit Agrawal in Open Access Emergency Medicine.

Upon submission, please use the promo code LQHJW for 20% off the advertised article processing charge and indicate that your manuscript will be considered for the Thematic Series "Decision making within the first hour of admission". The deadline for manuscripts is the 31st October 2023.

For any enquiries, please email Victoria Ship at [email protected]

About the Thematic Series

For a long time, the concept of the importance of decision-making within the first hour of admission has been used to improve the outcomes in trauma and stroke practice. Recently, this concept has been expanded to various other clinical disciplines including neonatal, toxicology, shock, etc. The philosophy of this approach utilizes the advancements in patient care algorithms, multidisciplinary approach, inter-team communication and collaboration protocols. The main aim of this is to shorten the delay between admission and start of definitive management, improving patient outcomes in the process. The present Series is an effort to comprehensively present the elaborative concept of decision-making within the first hour of admission and its expanded applications in one platform.

Journal Editors are seeking original research, and review article submissions on the following topics; however this list is not exhaustive, and contributors are welcome to modify or add a title of their interest.

Decision-making within the first hour of admission:
• scope and opportunities
• in trauma care
• in the emergency room
• and thermoregulation
• in polytrauma care
• in neurotrauma interventions
• and neonatal life
• and stroke
• and management of shock
• and cardiovascular medicine
• in toxicology practice
• role of intensive care unit
• resuscitation and stabilization
• role of technology
• quality care opportunities and challenges
• logistics challenges and solutions
• a perspective form developed economies
• gaps and challenges in low- and middle-income countries
• from onset-to-intervention: how to reduce time delays
• protocols: how to measure the impact
• capacity building

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Open Access Journal of Contraception

Complexities in contraception

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Thematic Series on “Complexities in contraception”, edited by Editor-in-Chief Professor Igal Wolman in the Open Access Journal of Contraception.

Upon submission, please use the promo code ZKTCB for 20% off the advertised article processing charge and indicate that your manuscript will be considered for the Thematic Series of “Complexities in contraception”. The deadline for manuscripts is the 1st of October 2023.

For any enquiries, please email Darcy Hodge, Commissioning Editor at [email protected]

About the Thematic Series

In the modern world, contraception forms a regular part of life and medical care to cover a range of symptoms, preventative needs and additional concerns. With a wealth of choice in contraceptive care, it seems probable that complexities arise. This Thematic Series will investigate how medication-based contraceptives compare against Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives, in terms of their efficacy, safety and use to treat multiple aspects of reproductive health. How do contraceptives go beyond their physical effects to affect psychological wellbeing? Moreover, when regular contraception fails, the efficacy of emergency contraception will also require consideration.

An additional complexity includes access to contraceptive devices, while it is a regular part of life, it is not as easily accessible for all. This series will also investigate the demographics influencing the accessibility of contraception and the consequences to health and wellbeing when inaccessible. Beyond geographical and physical accessibility, the perception and attitudes towards contraception may form a significant part of access. How does knowledge affect outcomes when on the topic of contraception? Does this change when focus shifts to more permanent forms of contraception, or alternative methods of contraception, including male hormonal contraception.

Even still, complexities can arise when considering the individual and their contraceptive method of choice. Responsiveness can differ by age, or by life cycle, perhaps even the influence of pre-existing comorbidities can add to the complexities of contraception. Additional factors beyond the individual, including policies and attitudes towards delivering contraception, can affect the amount of choice provided. How about the impacts of discontinuing contraception and the effect it has on patients? All of these aspects of contraception combined can prompt the need for best practices within reproductive healthcare, of which this series intends to highlight.

The journal is seeking original submissions and review articles on the following topics related to contraception and related issues:

• Comparative effectiveness of contraception methods (e.g., medication, LARCs)
• Safety and efficacy of contraceptive devices and use in multiple contexts
• Physical and psychological side effects of contraception, including emergency contraception
• Developments in contraceptive technologies
• Global disparities in accessing contraception and treatment of side effects
• Consequences of lacking accessibility
• Attitudes towards and knowledge about contraception and reproductive health
• Permanent contraception and associated attitudes, risk factors and best practices
• Advances in male hormonal contraception
• Effects and outcomes of discontinuing contraception
• Best clinical practices for reproductive health practitioners

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Orthopedic Research and Reviews

Knee Instability

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Thematic Series on "Knee Instability”, in Orthopedic Research and Reviews, edited by our journal Editor-in-Chief Professor Clark T. Hung.

Upon submission, please use the promo code VTXTS for 20% off the advertised article processing charge and indicate that your manuscript will be considered for the Thematic Series of " Knee Instability". The deadline for manuscripts is the 31st October 2023.

For any enquiries, please email Jermaine Wilcock, Commissioning Editor at [email protected].

About the Thematic Series

Knee instability remains a major cause of knee pain in younger individuals, especially those who participate in sport activities. The term “knee instability” represents a broad spectrum of diagnoses such as patellar instability, isolated ligamentous injury, multiligament knee injuries but also post-operative knee instability.

Patellar instability is a common condition associated with subluxation or dislocation of the patella due to various aetiologies such as dysplastic changes in the knee joint, ligamentous laxity or traumatic injuries. Generalized ligamentous laxity can also contribute to instability of various joints, including the knee. Patients with this condition are at increased risk of knee dislocation during sport participation or traumatic events compared to the general population.

Multiligament knee injury (MLKI) is defined as injury to two or more major ligaments of the knee (anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament, lateral collateral ligament), and it can be devastating. MLKI has attracted special scientific interest in the last decade with research focusing on biomechanics as well as patient outcomes following conservative or surgical treatment of MKLI.

This special Thematic Series in Orthopedic Research and Reviews will address key aspects of the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of knee instability including the above-mentioned conditions. The journal is seeking original submission and review articles on the following topics related to:

• Patella instability
• Chronic patellofemoral instability
• Acute traumatic patellofemoral dislocation
• Management of knee ligamentous pathology in patient with generalized tissue laxity
• Multiligament knee injury diagnosis
• Multiligament knee injury treatment
• Postoperative rehabilitation following multiligament knee surgery
• Multiligament knee injury in polytraumatized patients
• Isolated multiligament knee injury in athletes

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Patient Preference and Adherence

Advancing Medical Problem-Oriented Approaches in Infectious Disease Management

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection entitled “Advancing Medical Problem-Oriented Approaches in Infectious Disease Management”, organized by Dr. Ahmad Riyad Alsayed, in Patient Preference and Adherence.

Infectious diseases remain a significant global health challenge, with the emergence of new pathogens, the spread of drug-resistant strains, and the ongoing threat of pandemics. In response to these challenges, infectious disease management has continuously evolved, adopting innovative strategies to combat common and emerging infections. This Collection aims to highlight and disseminate cutting-edge research and developments in the field, particularly on problem-oriented approaches.

Scope and Objectives

This Article Collection seeks to provide a comprehensive platform for researchers, clinicians, and public health experts to share their insights and findings related to problem-oriented approaches in infectious disease management. The primary objectives of this Article Collection include:

1. Illuminating the critical issues surrounding drugs and treatment, using classification systems like drug-related problems (DRPs), treatment-related problems, or recently, the medical problems-oriented plan (MPOP), with the ultimate goal of enhancing patient outcomes and the overall quality of care in patients suffering from infectious diseases.
2. Exploring Novel Diagnostic Tools: Papers in this Article Collection will delve into the development and application of innovative diagnostic tools, including molecular techniques, point-of-care devices, and artificial intelligence-driven algorithms, to enhance the rapid and accurate detection of infectious pathogens, considering patient acceptance and adherence.
3. Advancements in Therapeutic Strategies: Researchers are encouraged to present studies on discovering and evaluating new therapeutic agents, vaccines, and treatment modalities for infectious diseases. Emphasis should be placed on personalized and precision medicine approaches.
4. Surveillance and Epidemiological Studies: Contributions that focus on using epidemiological models, big data analytics, and advanced surveillance systems to predict, prevent, and manage infectious disease outbreaks will be featured.
5. Antimicrobial Stewardship: Papers discussing the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs in healthcare settings and strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance will be considered for inclusion.

The deadline for submissions is 31 December 2024. Please review the journal’s aims and scope of the journal, alongside the author submission instructions prior to completing your submission.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code EHHUY to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest advisor

Ahmad Riyad Alsayed, Applied Science Private University

[email protected]

The main aims of Dr. Alsayed's practice and research are to promote evidence-based medication use to improve disease outcome and health-related quality of life of patients with internal medicine-related disorders. His current research interests include clinical pharmacy, evidence-based medicine, clinical trials of effectiveness and safety, quality of life, and pharmaceutical care, with a special interest in infectious, respiratory, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

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Making An Impact in Diabetes Preference and Adherence Research

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Making An Impact in Diabetes Preference and Adherence Research" in Patient Preference and Adherence.

Diabetes is a significant clinical and economic burden in the United States and worldwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 37.3 million Americans have diabetes and 96 million have pre-diabetes. The total costs of diabetes were estimated to be $327 billion in 2017, up from $245 billion in 2012. By 2030, diabetes is estimated to cost $414 billion, or 1.69% of gross domestic product.

Management of diabetes requires diet, exercise, pharmacological treatment, and self-management. While there is a significant amount of evidence demonstrating the efficacy of these interventions, only about 50% of patients with diabetes achieve glycemic control and continue to have a higher risk of cardiovascular and/or renal disease and mortality.

While research of methods that address diabetes management adherence exists, actual adherence to clinical recommendations remains poor. To address this problem, it is important to take a holistic approach to examine reasons for non-adherence from all stakeholders, including patients, prescribers, institutions, and others. Furthermore, a focus on interventional research to address adherence and its impact on short- and long-term clinical and economic outcomes in high-risk populations is necessary as well. This Article Collection invites papers that report novel research in this area, including but not limited to innovative interventional studies that address the spectrum of adherence in prediabetes and diabetes management, innovative methods to measure adherence and its impact on clinical and economic outcomes particularly in high-risk groups, and evaluations using real-world data that identify factors of non-adherence including using social determinants of health. Studies in both children and adults are welcome. In this Article Collection we will consider reviews, original research both qualitative or quantitative, and opinion pieces on the subject.

The deadline for submissions is 6 November 2023. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code AUPDS to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest advisor

Alexandra Perez, Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy

[email protected]

Dr. Alexandra Perez has published many studies in the area of medication use and outcomes using existing national databases and also in pharmacoeconomic research in diabetes and cardiovascular disease. She hopes to make an impact in populations with diabetes by conducting meaningful research that will improve diabetes management and clinical outcomes.

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Treatment adherence in COPD and asthma

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Treatment adherence in COPD and asthma", organized by Guest Advisors Dr. Amy Hai Yan Chan, Dr. Kebede Beyene, and Dr. Christina Pearce in Patient Preference and Adherence.

Asthma and COPD are two of the most common long-term conditions in the world affecting over 339 million and 212 million people worldwide respectively. While there are effective treatments available to manage asthma and COPD, including bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory medications, these need to be used correctly and appropriately to have a maximal therapeutic effect. However, adherence to these medications has traditionally been poor due to several interrelated factors, including socioeconomic, patient-, medication-, condition-, and healthcare system/healthcare provider-related factors. Poor adherence is associated with reduced quality of life, poor clinical outcomes, higher mortality, and high healthcare and societal costs.

While there have been decades of research into asthma and COPD treatment adherence, overall adherence rates remain poor. This Article Collection invites papers that report novel research in this area, including but not limited to:
- Innovative interventions to improve adherence to asthma and COPD treatments
- Use of novel technologies to promote adherence
- Novel methods of measuring and analyzing adherence
- Use of artificial intelligence and machine learning methods to improve adherence
- Personalized medicine approaches to tackle non-adherence

The deadline for submissions is 31 October 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code QSTUV to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Treatment non-adherence in psychiatric disorders: conceptual and clinical aspects

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Treatment non-adherence in psychiatric disorders: conceptual and clinical aspects", organized by Guest Advisors Professor Subho Chakrabarti and Professor Saeed Farooq in Patient Preference and Adherence.

About half or more of the patients with chronic psychiatric illnesses either do not take medications correctly, miss appointments, or drop out from psychotherapy. Rates of non-adherence have remained relatively unchanged over the years despite the introduction of newer treatments. However, there has been a gradual shift from an illness-centered to a patient-centered approach to adherence in psychiatry. This shift has been propelled by the inability of demographic and clinical factors to fully explain non-adherence, the emergence of health-behavior theories, a move away from earlier compliance-based models to those that place greater emphasis on collaborative relationships between patients and clinicians, and the growing use of psychosocial treatments in the management of non-adherence.

Despite advances in conceptual and clinical aspects, non-adherence continues to be a significant problem and leads to sub-optimal clinical benefit, adverse clinical outcomes, increased health-care costs, and greater burden on the patient, family, and the wider society. Moreover, our understanding of this complex phenomenon and attempts to alleviate the problem have been inadequate. Thus, the subject of non-adherence in psychiatric disorders is still relevant for both clinical practice and research endeavors.

This collection intends to include articles that focus on concepts, extent, consequences, detection, prediction, and management of non-adherence in various psychiatric disorders. The type of articles could include reviews, original research both quantitative and qualitative, and opinion pieces on the subject. Articles on non-adherence among vulnerable patient groups such as children, adolescents, the elderly, and those from different ethnic or cultural backgrounds could make an important contribution. To align with the current broader perspective of the phenomenon, articles that emphasize patient perspectives and psychosocial management of non-adherence are particularly welcome.

The deadline for submissions is 31 October 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code WUHOC to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Patient Related Outcome Measures

Patient Related Outcome Measures and Social Determinants of Health in Chronic Disease

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Thematic Series on "Patient Related Outcome Measures and Social Determinants of Health in Chronic Disease”, in Patient Related Outcome Measures, edited by our journal Editor-in-Chief Dr Liana Bruce.

Upon submission, please use the promo code ZABMB for 20% off the advertised article processing charge and indicate that your manuscript will be considered for the Thematic Series of "Patient Related Outcome Measures and Social Determinants of Health in Chronic Disease". The deadline for manuscripts is the 31st October 2023.

For any enquiries, please email Jermaine Wilcock, Commissioning Editor at [email protected]

About the Thematic Series

Social determinants of health (SDH) are the non-medical factors impacting health outcomes. SDH comprise a set of process outcomes that may help or hinder specific populations to get healthy, stay healthy and importantly to access optimal healthcare resources in their communities.

The shift to value-based care seeks to incentivize prevention of illness and chronic disease through appropriate lifestyle behaviors, but we also need measures to address these SDH in order to overcome these longstanding inequities and improve outcomes.

This Special Thematic Issue of Patient Related Outcome Measures invites original research, opinion pieces and commentaries sharing success stories, failures and lessons learned in SDH measurement, implementation, and intervention design. The Thematic Series will consider all SDH in chronic disease – such as diabetes, COPD, kidney disease, heart disease to give just a few examples.

Topics to consider for submission include:
• Best practices for participation and effectiveness of community-based healthy behaviour promotion – such as mobile cancer screening vans at churches, barbershop campaigns, gardening, cooking classes etc.
• Cost-benefit analysis of transportation provision to access healthcare – such as dialysis visits
• The impact of poor nutrition on chronic disease – for example, the benefit of nutrition counseling for lowering HbA1c in a food desert
• The role that poor housing and the environment play in chronic disease
• Job insecurity and unemployment
• Quantifying the impact of self-reported or algorithm/imputed SDH data in predicting population health intervention costs and outcomes

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Veterans and military patient-related health outcomes: Part 2

Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine

Breaking Down the Intricacies of Catabolic Enzymes

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection entitled “Breaking Down the Intricacies of Catabolic Enzymes”, organized by Editor-in-Chief Dr. Martin Bluth in Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine.

Genetic polymorphisms are one way in which people vary from one another. While initial thoughts of "variance" might include a person’s physical features, it is well established that the body’s internal processes are also subject to differ dependent on a multitude of factors. This could include traits that follow them from birth, but also polypharmacy, or even diet.

In line with the advances in modern medicine and genetic testing, research has started to explore the plethora of information linked to catabolic enzyme polymorphisms. This can involve specifying polymorphisms of interest, such as the Cytochrome P450 (CYP) family such as those including the location on the chromosome, possible allelic variations and the impact of these polymorphisms on their parent compound, metabolites or other molecules.

Genetic polymorphisms affect many parts of human function, irrespective of specific health status. This stresses the importance of such polymorphisms further, for both promoting wellbeing in times of health, but to also understand how to approach certain illnesses given the variance in each individual case. This Collection aims to explore the role of catabolic enzyme polymorphisms for a wide variety of disease areas, such as oncology, pulmonology, immunology, psychology, cardiology and more.

The advances in medicine can also leave researchers asking more questions. As more drug compounds reach regulators and medicine agencies, should we be considering how enzyme polymorphisms influence the efficacy and reaction of new medicines? What dangers exist when you inhibit or enhance an enzyme reaction? When considering these possibilities for new medicines, it is also imperative to acknowledge the range of possible reactions and their severity, given that polymorphisms highlight how differences between people should not be underestimated. In turn it is hoped that this Article Collection can promote best practices when prescribing treatments, by placing leading research in this collection.

It is also hoped that research can investigate catabolic enzyme polymorphisms with a wider lens, to understand global trends in such polymorphisms and our understanding of variance on a larger scale. Thus, exploring upcoming topics of interest in this field, such as genomic testing and the use of bioinformatics in predictive technologies, elucidating the intricacies of such interaction are now within reach. These possibilities may provide more control to the individual, their medical practitioners, drug manufacturers by acknowledging human variance stretches beyond what meets the eye. These investigations, questions and early research outcomes highlight the importance of this topic for sustaining our health as a population.

The journal is seeking original submissions and review articles from all disease areas on the following topics related to catabolic enzyme polymorphisms:

• Identifying and understanding polymorphisms (e.g., single-nucleotide polymorphisms)
o All aspects of enzyme metabolism (e.g., catabolism, anabolism)
o Associated mutations, location and allelic compositions
o Functions of interest (e.g., CYPs, steroidogenic enzymes)
• Incidence and variance of poor metabolizers
• Biochemical impact of polymorphisms (e.g., on parent compound, metabolites)
• Impact of polymorphisms on drug reaction symptoms, severity and consequences
o Variance in pro-drug and active drug reactions
• Non-drug consumables (i.e. diet, infectious diseases) and polymorphisms
• How epigenetic and infectious processes affect polymorphism function
• Treatment efficacy and polymorphisms
o Role of polypharmacy on reactions
o Personalized dosages, drug classes and emergency medical care
• Global trends and variation in polymorphisms
• Progress in polymorphism genomic testing and associated benefits and costs
• Use of bioinformatics and modelling systems for predictive testing

All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection are subject to desk assessment and peer review processes as part of our standard editorial process. We kindly ask all submitting authors to review the Aims and Scope of the journal, alongside the Author Information prior to completing your submission.

The deadline for submissions is 28 February 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code FEFSM to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Pragmatic and Observational Research

Pharmacological intervention in atrial and ventricular fibrillation: real world evidence and regulatory considerations

Real world data and AI/machine learning for drug development and drug evaluations

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Real world data and AI/machine learning for drug development and drug evaluations” in Pragmatic and Observational Research.

This Article Collection will focus on studies that use real world data (RWD) and artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to conduct drug development and drug evaluation research. Our goal is to highlight the integration of RWD with AI/ML to promote pragmatic and observational research.

RWD, such as electronic health records (EHRs) and insurance claims, when combined with AI/ML, offer a unique opportunity to develop innovative approaches to conduct drug development and evaluation research. By combining AI/ML and RWD, drug development and evaluation can become more data-driven, efficient, and patient-centric, ultimately leading to faster discovery, development, and delivery of safe and effective drugs.

Manuscripts should be written for a broad target audience within the field of pragmatic and observational research. Manuscripts addressing the spectrum of the integration of RWD with AI/ML for drug development and evaluation research will be considered, with the following being of interest:

Illustration of best practices of RWD with use cases demonstrating improved drug development and evaluation and health outcomes
The integration of drug development and evaluation with RWD and AI/ML, including EHRs, insurance claims, patient registries, and other data sources with linkage to public health entities
The development and applications of novel approaches (e.g., novel AI/ML and causal principled models) to study drug development and evaluation
Opportunities and challenges for digital health technologies to transform drug development and evaluation and improve patient care
The improvement of clinical research enrollment diversity for drug development and evaluation
Use cases of studying drug development and evaluation and enabling learning health systems and learning health communities
Infrastructure, including governance, IT support from EHRs, and key implementation best practices to support RWD and AI/ML to conduct research for drug development and evaluation

All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review; the Guest Advisors for this Collection will not be handling the manuscripts (unless they are an Editorial Board member). Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code ZNFGI to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 15 March 2024. For questions about this Article Collection, including inquiries regarding discounts off of the article publishing charges, please contact Commissioning Editor Dr. MK Huffman at [email protected].

Guest Advisors

Jiang Bian, Professor & Chief Data Scientist, University of Florida

[email protected]

Dr. Bian is currently a Professor and Division Chief of Biomedical Informatics in the Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, at the University of Florida (UF) and the Chief Data Scientist & Chief Research Information Officer (CRIO) for the UF Health system. He also serves as the Chief Data Scientist for the OneFlorida+ Clinical Research Consortium, Director of Biomedical Informatics program of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) at UF, and the Director of Cancer Informatics Shared Resource at the University of Florida Health Cancer Center (UFHCC). Dr. Bian has a diverse yet strong multi-disciplinary background and extensive expertise in machine learning, natural language processing, network science, ontology development and evaluation, semantic web technology and software engineering. He has extensive experience in developing informatics tools and systems, as well as expertise in data science methods for the analysis and interpretation of biomedical and textural data. Especially, he has a track record of building data infrastructure and using electronic health records (EHRs) for research and natural language processing (NLP) tools.

Serena Guo, Assistant Professor, University of Florida

Dr. Guo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy at the University of Florida (UF) College of Pharmacy. She received her MD from Peking University in Beijing, China and her PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Guo conducts research in pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoinformatics, primarily focused on cardiometabolic diseases and neurodegenerative conditions (e.g., dementia) with the goals of promoting precision health and health equity. Her research draws on large real-world data (e.g., electronic health records and insurance claims data) and advanced analytics (e.g., AI/machine learning, causal-principled modeling, and geospatial analyses).

Lixia Yao, CEO, Polygon Health Analytics LLC

[email protected]

Dr. Lixia Yao is the founder and CEO of Polygon Health Analytics LLC, which develops high-quality real-world data (RWD) and rigorous real-world evidence (RWE) in disease areas with pressing unmet medical needs. With two decades of experience in this field and by leading a team of data scientists and healthcare professionals and collaborating with world-renowned scholars and clinicians, she has published over 60 peer-reviewed scientific articles, including several high-impact publications in prestigious journals such as Nature Biotechnology, Genome Research, and Drug Discovery Today. Her H-index is 20. She is also the recipient of a Career Development Award in Biomedical Informatics (K01) from the National Library of Medicine for 2016-2019, a Fellow of American Medical Informatics Association (FAMIA), the Chair of the AMIA KDDM working group from 2020-2022, and the Member Engagement Co-Chair for The Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) Oncology Special Interest Group for 2023-2024. Additionally, she serves as an adjunct associate professor in Department of Health Services Administration and Policy at Temple University.

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Surgical interventions in heart valve replacement: Surgical and patient-reported outcomes

Psoriasis: Targets and Therapy

Life Style Interventions to Improve Outcome with Biologics

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Life Style Interventions to Improve Outcome with Biologics", organized by Guest Advisors Dr. Fabrizio Martora (University of Naples, Italy), Dr. Teresa Battista (University of Naples, Italy) and Dr. Matteo Megna (University of Naples, Italy) in Psoriasis: Targets and Therapy.

The management of psoriasis has evolved considerably over the past 100 years. This has occurred in parallel with our understanding of the pathogenesis of this common, complex and enigmatic disease. It should be celebrated as an outstanding example of successful translational research. With precise targeting of immune pathways for the treatment of psoriasis with new biologics and small molecules has come the realization that the most effective approach to patient management is a holistic one which encompasses the biopsychosocial nature of the disease. This involves a stratified medicine approach to identifying the best drug for an individual allied to patient education, screening for comorbidity, and regular review as both the clinical presentation and the patient's needs will change over time.

Extrinsic environmental factors, including patient lifestyle (alcohol intake, smoking, stress, sleep disturbances, and sedentary habit), diet and single nutrients intake may affect psoriasis clinical presentation, severity, and course.

Current authoritative knowledge confirms that low‐calories, Mediterranean, and protein restricted/vegetarian diets may be beneficial. Psoriatic patients are also recommended to engage regular physical activity, to avoid alcohol intake and to consume fish rich in omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, as well as fruit and vegetables. Prebiotics and probiotics may also provide potential benefit, whereas vitamin D supplementation and gluten‐free diet are useful in selected cases only. Changing of dietary and lifestyle habits alone does not replace conventional treatment but must be considered as an adjuvant.

Lifestyle and nutrition may play an important role in the outcome of psoriasis therefore, the purpose of our Article Collection should be a compilation of the authors' experiences of the interventions carried out to improve the outcome of the biological treatments available to date for psoriasis.

Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript. The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 24 March 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code OSZGU to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Please contact Haoyang Yi at [email protected] with any queries regarding this Article Collection.

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Treatment of psoriasis in patients with underlying comorbidities

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your work to an upcoming Thematic Series on “Treatment of psoriasis in patients with underlying comorbidities” in Psoriasis: Targets and Therapy.

When submitting your work, please use the promo code JQWWG for 20% off the advertised article processing charge and to indicate that your manuscript should be considered for the Thematic Series on “Treatment of psoriasis in patients with underlying comorbidities”. For any enquiries, please email Rebecca Kearns, Commissioning Editor, at [email protected].

The deadline for submission of manuscripts is September 30th, 2023.

About the Thematic Series

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated disease with an unknown exact cause. It is often identified by raised scaly patches on the skin, though there are different types which may manifest differently in individuals. Although it has no cure, there are treatments available to help manage symptoms and reduce the risk of developing psoriasis-related comorbidities. In cases of severe psoriasis, immunomodulatory drugs may be necessary, which can cause complications for those with immunodeficiencies. Treating psoriasis with comorbidities can be complex and time-consuming, and fast, efficient, and efficacious therapeutic options are needed to ensure the best health outcomes for the patient.

In this thematic series we will publish original research and reviews that focus on topics surrounding the treatment of psoriasis and comorbidities.

The journal Editors are seeking original research and review article submissions within the theme of “Treatment of psoriasis in patients with underlying comorbidities”. Papers addressing the following issues are welcomed:
• Barriers and facilitators in treating psoriasis in patients with comorbidities
• Treatment of psoriasis in patients with immunodeficiencies
• Cardiovascular risk in psoriasis treatment
• Mental health considerations in psoriasis treatment
• Treatment of psoriatic arthritis
• The use of biologics in psoriasis treatment
• Management of psoriasis with metabolic syndrome
• Multidisciplinary approaches to psoriasis care

Submit your manuscript here:
https://www.dovepress.com/submit_step_1.php

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Psychology Research and Behavior Management

Advancing global addiction neuroscience in the genomic era

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to the upcoming Article Collection “Advancing global addiction neuroscience in the genomic era” organized by Guest Advisor and Editorial Board Member Professor Kenneth Blum in Psychology Research and Behavior Management.

Addiction neuroscience is a multidisciplinary field aimed at unraveling the neural mechanisms underlying addictive behaviors, including eating disorders and behavioral addictions. Numerous neurotransmitters and second messengers contribute to overall well-being and their intricate interactions regulate the controlled release of dopamine at post-neuronal sites, particularly at the nucleus accumbens, commonly referred to as the brain's reward center. In 1995, Kenneth Blum introduced the concept of 'Reward Deficiency Syndrome’ (RDS) to highlight hypofunctionality of the brain reward circuits, clinically manifested as diminution of drives and of capacity to experience pleasure.

Nowadays, it is widely recognized that hypodopaminergia, either acquired and/or influenced by genetic predisposition, contributes to the development of RDS. Thus, people afflicted with RDS might turn to addictive substances in an ill-fated attempt to alleviate their symptoms due to the drugs offering temporary relief from the reward deficits. Yet the ongoing use of such substances exacerbates the deficits over time, subsequently amplifying reward deficiency and stress levels. Moreover, RDS is exacerbated by negative emotions, triggering epigenetic changes like methylation on chromosomal histones, resulting in substantial disruption of gene expression. One potential solution to such deepening distress is engaging in positive and nurturing behaviors that bring about beneficial effects on gene expression and contribute to a healthier reward circuitry. The present Article Collection aims to curate high-quality manuscripts pertaining to addiction neuroscience including relevant genetic and epigenetic factors.

Importance:

In the United States alone, opioid-induced fatal overdoses claim the lives of over 100,000 individuals a year. Globally, around 800 million people exhibit addictive behaviors or RDS, necessitating innovative thinking to address this alarming concern. We firmly believe that early detection of preaddiction traits through tools such as genetic testing is paramount for potential preventive strategies. Shifting the focus from merely prescribing medications e.g., medication assisted therapy for opioid use disorder towards restoring "dopamine homeostasis,” that is to say, “hedonostasis,” may be a complementary approach. While articles aligned with these concepts are of utmost priority, we also encourage the exploration of other pertinent topics within this realm of addiction neuroscience.

Topics that fit within this scope include, but are not limited to:

• Clinical outcome studies with interventions
• Gene-environmental studies related to addictive behaviors
• Substance Use Disorders
• Behavioral Addictions
• Preaddiction
• Neuroepigenetics
• Nutrigenomics
• Preventive strategies
• Genetic assessment tools
• Recovery aspects
• GWAS
• Candidate gene approaches
• mRNA profiling studies
• Micro-RNA and addiction
• Biomarkers for addiction
• Gene therapy approaches
• Genetic edits of reward genes
• Comorbidity across all psychiatric disorders
• Neuroplasticity
• Personalized addiction medicine

Types of articles

• Original research
• Systematic review
• Expert opinion
• Editorial
• Letters to editor
• Case study

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 1 March 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code MEZFB to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Social media and mental health: exploring their complex relationships

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to the upcoming Article Collection “Social media and mental health: exploring their complex relationships” organised by Guest Advisors Professor Tore Bonsaksen and Dr Annette Løvheim Kleppang in Psychology Research and Behavior Management.

Social media have become a permeating feature of modern life. Billions of individuals use them, to a greater or lesser extent, for a multitude of reasons, in a variety ways, and with a range of foreseen and unforeseen consequences. For example, social media may be experienced as positive and liberating, as when they facilitate connection and shared interests. However, they may also serve as platforms for bullying and harassment, with detrimental effects on the mental health of those affected. Some find it difficult to log off in fear of missing out on something. Others, including healthcare services and -professionals, use social media to attract attention to and provide guidance on mental health-related issues. For many reasons, social media is a relevant factor to assess in relationship to mental health.
Advancing the research in this field will increase our understanding of – and instigate public debate about – the many and complex relationships between social media use and mental health. The knowledge provided may guide public and healthcare policies and therapeutic approaches, as well as the directions for further research. Ultimately, it may assist individuals in making sound choices concerning their use of social media.

For this Article Collection, we invite authors to submit articles that will expand the knowledge in this rapidly emerging field. Original research articles and reviews are particularly encouraged, while case reports, expert opinions and commentaries will be considered. We seek contributions that advance the state of knowledge on topics such as, but not limited to:

• Mental health-related precursors and consequences of social media use
• Mental health-related outcomes of social media policies and interventions
• Mediators and moderators of associations between social media use and mental health
• The role of social media and social media literacy in mental health services
• Mental health opportunities related to social media
• Social media in relation to self-efficacy, social support and loneliness
• Social media use and sleep
• Motivations for social media use
• Social media addiction and therapeutic approaches
• Behavior change related to social media use
• Self-presentation on social media
• Bullying and harassment on social media
• Social media scale development and testing

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 1 March 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code COUDI to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Urban densification, crowding, access to nature and their impact on human well-being and nature connectedness

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Urban densification, crowding, access to nature and their impact on human well-being and nature connectedness" in Psychology Research and Behavior Management.

One of the most important pathways linking contact with nature to mental well-being may be its relaxing and restorative effect. The need for this type of experience may be higher in high density residential settings, especially if there are also other stressors at play, such as limited indoor space (per person), financial worries, and conflicting lifestyles within the apartment building or neighborhood. At the same time, natural areas and elements that afford relaxing and restorative experiences may be less prevalent in this type of residential environment. This may not only be due to a lower presence of nature, but also due to qualitative issues, such as social safety and privacy, being compromised.

Urbanization continues at a rapid pace world-wide, with existing cities densifying. More people will be living in high-rise apartment buildings without access to a private green space in the form of a domestic garden. The remaining public urban green space will likely have to be shared with more fellow citizens, and urban expansion implies ever increasing distances to peri-urban nature for people living in the older parts of cities. This Article Collection focuses on how this combination of higher population densities and dwindling access to nature will affect the mental well-being of future populations and on how it will it affect citizens’ connectedness to nature, which may be instrumental for successful nature conservation and biodiversity policies, needed for long-term sustainability.

Topics of interest include innovative thinking and/or research on:
• Population density and mental well-being across the lifespan
• Private green space, streetscape greenery and mental well-being
• Crowding in urban parks and well-being effects of visits
• Access to and contact with nature, nature connectedness, and well-being
• Potential pathways underlying associations, e.g., fear of crime, loneliness
• Socioeconomic status and ethnicity as potential moderators of such associations

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 27 October 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code LOFPL to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest Advisors
Sjerp de Vries, Senior researcher, Wageningen University & Research, The Netherlands

[email protected]

Sjerp de Vries is an environmental psychologist who investigates how people use, appreciate, and are affected by their physical environment, especially the natural elements in that environment. For the last twenty years, his work has focused on the health and well-being effects of (contact with) nearby nature. He is a co-author of several influential articles in this field and has acted as a temporary advisor of the European division of the World Health Organization on the topic of green space and health in an urban context.

Ming Kuo, Associate Professor, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

[email protected]

Ming Kuo is an internationally recognized scientist studying the impacts of natural elements, views, and places in our day-to-day environments on human health and functioning. She was awarded the Heinz Award for the Environment for her work in this area and has spoken at the World Economic Forum on global trends in urbanization and mental health.

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Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine

Chagas disease: transmission and treatment

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Thematic Series on "Chagas disease: transmission and treatment", edited by Editor-in-Chief Dr Mario Rodriguez-Perez in Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine.

Upon submission, please use the promo code NGEUC for 20% off the advertised article processing charge and to indicate that your manuscript will be considered for the Thematic Series of "Chagas disease: transmission and treatment". The deadline for manuscripts is the 1st of October 2023.

For any enquiries, please email Darcy Hodge, Commissioning Editor at [email protected]

About the Thematic Series

Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease that continues to sweep across endemic areas, typically unnoticed. The asymptomatic nature of the disease can leave diagnosis rates low globally until individuals affected present with symptoms. As a consequence of this there are 6–7 million infections annually, with 10,000 deaths from the disease.

How do we tackle the ongoing Trypanosoma cruzi infections and the subsequent symptoms? As part of this, research must determine the susceptibility to Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes, including the heterogeneity resistance and receptor antagonists that affect the likelihood of infection.

As researchers convene to develop a vaccine for Chagas disease, we hope to encourage publications that will lessen the "neglected" aspect of this tropical disease. Moreover, improving the understanding of the latent and chronic stages of the infection can pave the way to drug development, including practical molecular and chemotherapy-based techniques. Through this the disease may become treatable and preventable in the regions affected.

The journal is seeking original submissions and review articles on the following topics related to Chagas disease:
• Treatment of the chronic phase
• Efficacy of current drug treatments
• Molecular and chemotherapy-based techniques
• Susceptibility to Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes
• Metabolic heterogeneity resistance Chagas disease development
• Receptor antagonists for Chagas disease
• Chagas disease vaccine development and potential side effects
• Challenges in understanding immunity correlates
• Transmission rates through intra-domiciliary, active, transplacental and vectorial transmission
• Vector control
• Sentinel animals in the epidemiology of Chagas disease
• Eco-epidemiology of Chagas disease

Submit your manuscript
https://www.dovepress.com/submit_step_1.php

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Risk Management and Healthcare Policy

Global South's Unmet Needs - Risk to Sustainable Use of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Global South's Unmet Needs - Risk to Sustainable Use of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices", organized by Guest Advisors Professor Mihajlo Jakovljevic and Professor Maria José Muñoz Torrecillas in Risk Management and Healthcare Policy.

Global South consists of a large diversity of healthcare and pharmaceutical markets belonging mostly to the Low-and-Middle-Income countries scattered across Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Pacific islands. These nations, and in particular the rapidly developing Emerging BRICS / EM7 / MIST markets among them, will continue to lead real GDP growth worldwide in the upcoming decades.

Consequently, the Global South countries also lead the global demand for pharmaceuticals (in terms of volume based / subscription drugs turn over) and medical services. This fact is becoming more prominent as the vast majority of global burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and Population Aging is also moving from the historical dominant trend in the Global North nations towards the South. With low fertility, there is ongoing extinction of traditional family caregiving across these vast regions. This makes the need to secure long terms care provision urgent, a necessity which is hard to finance.

There remains a strong and increasing gap in sustainability of financing of hospital and home-based long-term care for patients suffering from NCDs in these countries. This is witnessed with a huge gap between the ability to publicly finance universal health coverage, even with rather shallow insurance premiums consisting only of basic services and medical goods.

Last but not least, high out-of-pocket expenditure leads to catastrophic household expenditure in many families which is also a remarkable feature of social vulnerability of poor citizens in these nations. Poor sustainability of fiscal streams intended to secure provision of such medical goods and services is well documented in the seminal literature. The most typical manifestations are frequent drug shortages of essential medicines and lengthy hospital waiting times for rather sensitive therapies such as oncology, orthopedic surgery and invasive radiology. This Article Collection is intended to welcome a wide diversity of submissions, capable of covering any of the aforementioned unmet needs and challenges.

The deadline for submissions is 30 November 2023.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code DMOXB to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

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Rethinking Public Health Approaches to Crisis Response: Putting People First

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection on "Rethinking Public Health Approaches to Crisis Response: Putting People First", organized by Guest Advisors Prof. Susannah Mayhew, Dr. Luise Enria, and Dr. Alhaji N’jai in Risk Management and Healthcare Policy.

Recent decades have seen increasingly unpredictable outbreaks of zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases (such as SARS, Zika, Ebola, Covid), changing climate, widespread economic crises and regular outbreaks of violent conflict. The uncertainty of these crises makes it difficult to plan and meet the health needs of the populations facing them. Moreover, indigenous knowledge and the experiences and views of affected populations are rarely considered part of preparedness planning or crisis-response, despite being critical to it. Research on responses to epidemics highlights how a lack of community trust and involvement in formal response strategies undermines efforts to stop the spread of the disease and puts people in life-threatening positions. Experiences from agriculture show the importance of local engagement in decision-making when planning for climate-resilient livelihoods. These experiences provide critical learning to redefine our thinking on emergency responses and global health security.

Research has called for greater commitment to involving a variety of local first responders in public health crises as a key step to establishing the inclusive, trust-based decision-making critical for effective crisis response. However, there is little robust evidence from the health sector of “what works” or “why it works” for community engagement and involvement, the role of local knowledge, or how formal health sector and humanitarian crisis-response structures can support and sustain local action to safeguard health. Although guidelines exist on “risk communication and community engagement” they seldom detail genuinely participatory approaches or meaningful community-led action in shaping crisis-response and preparedness planning. Valuable local knowledge is therefore too often ignored.

This Collection welcomes submissions that detail actions, experiences, models, or mechanisms of the involvement of community members and local knowledge in responses to any clearly defined public health crisis. We welcome empirical data studies of any relevant study design, particularly those using participatory methods and those seeking to put local knowledge first. We especially welcome contributions led by authors from the global-South.

The deadline for submissions is 31 March 2024.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, quoting the promo code EBOSK to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

Guest advisers

Professor Susannah Mayhew, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

[email protected]

Susannah Mayhew is Professor of Health Policy, Systems and Reproductive Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Her research specialisations are in policy analysis, policy implementation, governance and accountability research – including community engagement; health systems and systems integration research (including in epidemic-response); and reproductive health and rights. She has led multi-partner research projects in numerous countries across sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia. At present she works primarily in West and East Africa on cross-sectoral responses to climate and health challenges, including reproductive health and zoonotic outbreaks, with a focus on community involvement.

Dr. Luisa Enria, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

[email protected]

Luisa Enria is Assistant Professor in Anthropology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Her work applies approaches from medical and political anthropology to study how communities engage with, imagine and at times resist development and humanitarian interventions, with a particular focus on health emergencies. She worked as a social scientist on the Ebola vaccine trials in Sierra Leone as well as several projects on the political economy of emergency vaccine deployment, rumors in epidemics, assessing community engagement for vaccine campaigns in humanitarian settings and she has developed a training on citizen ethnography for Community Health Workers. She currently holds a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship on the politics of knowledge in epidemic preparedness.

Dr. Alhaji U. N’jai

[email protected]

Alhaji U. N’jai is Associate Professor in Immunology, Infectious Disease, Toxicology, environmental science, and Public Health at University of Sierra Leone with dual appointment at California University of Science and Medicine. He is also director of University of Wisconsin-Madison Global Health Institute’s One Health Center, West Africa. Dr. N’jai has a broad multidisciplinary research interest at the intersection of biomedical science (infectious disease, toxicology, immunology, genomics, systems biology), environmental science, epidemiology, One Health, anthropology, and indigenous African Knowledge systems. Since December 2014, he has led the Ebola control and infectious disease emerging in Africa (IDEA) research initiative in Sierra Leone resulting in international collaborative projects on Ebola and infectious diseases between University of Sierra Leone, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and University of Tokyo. Dr. N’jai is a principal investigator for Abbott Pandemic Defense Coalition (APDC) Acute Febrile Illness Surveillance in Sierra Leone. He is also the founder and chief strategist for Project 1808 and Koinadugu College. Dr. N’jai was deputy incident manager for Ebola in 2021 and currently serves as a senior technical advisor for the Directorate of Health Securities and Emergencies (DHSE) at Sierra Leone Ministry of Health as well as the chairman of the One Health Technical Working Group in Sierra Leone.

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Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation

Last laugh: dangers of nitrous oxide misuse

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Thematic Series on “Last laugh: dangers of nitrous oxide misuse”, edited by Editor-in-Chief Dr. Halley Pontes in Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation.

Upon submission, please use the promo code IOBXB for 20% off the advertised article processing charge and indicate that your manuscript will be considered for the Thematic Series of “Last laugh: dangers of Nitrous Oxide misuse”. The deadline for manuscripts is the 1 October 2023.

For any enquiries, please email Darcy Hodge, Commissioning Editor at [email protected]

About the Thematic Series

Typical clinical use of nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas, is for sedation during painful procedures. However, in recent years the misuse of nitrous oxide as a recreational drug has become prominent, known for its instantaneous and pleasant effects. Less than pleasant, though, are the psychological and physical consequences of nitrous oxide misuse. Users may experience euphoria related to nitrous oxide use, but drug-induced psychosis, mood disorders, and traumatic brain injuries are equally as likely.

Outcomes of misuse are not limited to the brain, as embolisms, neuropathy, myelopathy, esophagus damage and more are linked to nitrous oxide misuse. Moreover, constant inhalation of the substance may lead to vitamin deficiencies, leading to the body attempting to futilely compensate. The psychological “high” from nitrous oxide leaves individuals vulnerable to physical harm, as risk assessment falters, meaning injuries whilst intoxicated are common.

How do we treat these psychological and physiological outcomes? Treatment can include counteracting the imbalances nitrous oxide leads to, successfully reducing side effects. For the behavior itself, research may branch out into other substances and apply effective treatments to nitrous oxide misuse. Moreover, psychological support may uncover the underlying reasons for misuse. This Thematic Series also seeks to investigate how to prevent nitrous oxide misuse as it rises in popularity as a substance, including risk factors leading to misuse, social factors affecting use, improving knowledge and more.

The journal is seeking original submissions and review articles on the following topics related to nitrous oxide misuse and related issues:

• Incidence of drug-induced psychosis
• Relationship to later psychotic and mood disorders
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBIs) related to nitrous oxide misuse
• Damage to the nervous system through myelopathy, neuropathy and more
• Cardiovascular and respiratory side effects including embolisms, emphysema and more
• Vitamin deficiencies and subsequent consequences
• Self-injury through substance misuse
• Treatment by countering physiological abnormalities
• Tapering the addiction cravings and behavior using cobalamin injections
• Efficacy of treatments for other substance misuse disorders to treat nitrous oxide misuse
• Detection of risk factors for nitrous oxide misuse
• Prevention through harm-reduction campaigns and information sharing

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Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management

Asthma

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Thematic Series on "Asthma”, in Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, edited by our journal Editor in Chief Professor Garry Walsh.

Upon submission, please use the promo code DKPCL for 20% off the advertised article processing charge and indicate that your manuscript will be considered for the Thematic Series of “Asthma”. The deadline for manuscripts is the 30th November 2023.
For any inquiries, please email Jermaine Wilcock, Commissioning Editor at [email protected]

About the Thematic Series

Asthma remains a major cause of ill-health worldwide that presents as a heterogeneous, chronic inflammatory airways disorder characterized by complex and diverse inflammatory processes including goblet cell hyperplasia, airway smooth muscle hypertrophy and sub-epithelial fibrosis that give rise to airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and reversible airflow limitation. Asthma can be divided into ‘asthma phenotypes’ that take demographic, clinical and/or pathophysiological characteristics into account.

A further refinement involves division into disease entities termed ‘asthma endotypes’ based on specific pathophysiological mechanisms. For example, T helper 2 (TH2)-high asthma is seen in around 50% of patients who typically have eosinophilic inflammation mediated by cytokines including IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13. Elevated levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) may also be present, while both Th2 and non-Th2 mechanisms contribute to asthma pathogenesis. Furthermore, respiratory viral infection is known to be a common risk factor for asthma exacerbations, although the underlying mechanisms require further investigation.

Most asthmatic patients achieve satisfactory symptom control using inhaled glucocorticosteroids and bronchodilators such as β2-adrenergic agonists, with the addition of oral leukotriene inhibitors if required. However, severe disease is seen in the region of 5% of asthmatic subjects who do not achieve satisfactory asthma control despite adherence to high dose inhaled or systemic glucocorticoid therapies giving rise to recurrent exacerbations and persistent symptoms together with significant morbidity, quality of life issues with attendant health cost implications.

This Special Thematic Issue of Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management will address key aspects of the pathogenesis of asthma that informs diagnosis and treatment together with the development of more effective novel therapy for this important and common condition. The journal is seeking original submissions and review articles on the following topics related to:
• Current asthma therapy
• Severe asthma
• Paediatric asthma
• Co-morbidities; rhinitis; obesity, COPD
• COVID-19
• Viral infection
• The role of pro-inflammatory cells including T cells; mast cells; eosinophils; neutrophils; epithelial cells and smooth muscle cells
• Biomarkers
• Monoclonal antibody based biologic therapy (IgE; IL4/13; IL-5)