International Journal of General Medicine

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 31 July 2023.

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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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 1 September 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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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 31 August 2023.

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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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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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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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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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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