Special Issues

The CiiEM is responsible through some of its Members, for the edition of one Special Collection, two Topical Collections and twenty three Special Numbers integrated in the indexed international journals, SAGE Journals, Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418), Biosensors (ISSN 2079-6374), International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601), Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032), Applied Sicences (ISSN 2076-3417), Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923), Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607), Journal of Personalized Medicine (ISSN 2075-4426), Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X), Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921), Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049), Gels (ISSN 1310-2861), Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643), Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059), Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050) and Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382) from MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute) and six Research Topic integrated in the indexed international journal Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Frontiers in Nutrition, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience - Brain Health and Clinical Neuroscience and Frontiers in Psychiatry.

NEW:

Research Topic "Impact of Cooking Techniques and Ingredients on Nutritional Quality and Safety: Acting Precisely in Clinical and Community Settings"

(Frontiers in Nutrition)

Guest Editors:

Prof. Dr. Renata Ramalho

Prof. Dr. Paula Pereira

Possibilities for preparing culturally diverse foods have increased as a result of the availability and diversity of foods, as well as the internationalization of markets. The demand for alternative foods and healthier diets raises pertinent questions about the suitability of food in contemporary societies. To this end, not only the food that is purchased but also how it is processed and/or cooked is crucial. Culinary science, specifically the cooking techniques employed, can reduce or increase the nutritional value of food. Consequently, in the pursuit of personalized nutrition, it is essential to understand the effect of various cooking methods on nutritional quality and food safety -even more so as "raw food" techniques gain more traction in popular culture. It is also important to know, from an epidemiological standpoint, which cooking methods are most prevalent among various populations and whether they have changed over time as a result of increased globalization.

With this Research Topic, we seek articles that emphasize the food science/technology aspects of cooking as well as the associated safety and quality concerns. Aspects that we would like to see discussed include the nutritional characterization of foods cooked by different methods, the effect of these methods on the content of compounds with antioxidant activity, and the difference between cooked and raw foods. Epidemiological studies and community trials are also welcome, particularly those focusing on associations between cooking methods and health/disease, and evaluations of interventions based on modifying the way food is prepared, irrespective of the dietary pattern adopted. It would also be very interesting to understand how self-perception of cooking skills influences food selection, especially pre-cooked food.

We welcome both original research and review articles that contribute to elucidate the following issues:
• Culinary abilities and the propensity to cook in various populations.
• Common cooking techniques and their effects on human health
• The influence of cooking techniques on the nutritional composition of food.
• The influence of cooking techniques on food safety and health
• Prevalence of raw food consumption and potential health risks/benefits.
• Evaluation of community-based interventions based on culinary training and promotion of cooking techniques that preserve nutrients more effectively
• The presence of contaminants in food and how to avoid them through preparation or cultivation techniques (e.g. arsenic in rice)

PREVIOUS:

Research Topic "One Health Care in Psychiatric and Neurological Diseases"

(Frontiers)

One Health Care in Psychiatric and Neurological Diseases | Frontiers Research Topic (frontiersin.org)

Guest Editors:

Prof. Dr. Catarina Godinho

Prof. Dr. Júlio Belo Fernandes

One Health is a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach that works at local, regional, national, and global levels to achieve optimal health outcomes by recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. Increasingly environmental exposures from air pollution, second-hand smoke, heavy metals, pesticides, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, have been linked to a range psychiatric and neurological diseases.
Living with a psychiatric or neurological disease can be stressful because it changes patients' lives, distressing their physical or/and mental health or threatening their survival. Nevertheless, people are able to take steps to cope with these new situations, manage their condition and maintain a good quality of life. These patients have different disease status and management requirements. One health care is a collaborative process that should be used in chronic condition management in which patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers identify and discuss problems caused by or related to the patient's condition and then develop plans and goals to empower patients. Employing One Health frameworks can provide innovative solutions to prevent and treat neurological disorders across the animal kingdom.

This Special Issue focuses on the current state of knowledge on how society in general, and health professionals in particular, can contribute to One Health care in Psychiatric and Neurological Diseases.

We invite researchers in the field to submit original research, clinical trials, study protocols, case studies, review, mini-review, hypotheses, theory, and perspectives that can further establish the current state of science on delivering one health care for people with psychiatric and neurological diseases.

All papers should look at one health care and contribute to the development of knowledge in this field.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
- Health status of people with psychiatric or neurological diseases;
- Ensuring access to one health care for people with psychiatric or neurological diseases;
- Pathways for one health care;
- Studies with the application of novel approaches to psychiatric and neurological diseases;
- Protecting and supporting people with psychiatric or neurological diseases through one health care;
- Benefits of an one health care approach;
- Challenges to delivering one health care.

Special Issue "Wildlife Sentinels of Antimicrobial Resistance"

(Antibiotics)

Antibiotics | Special Issue : Wildlife Sentinels of Antimicrobial Resistance (mdpi.com)

Guest Editor:

Prof. Miguel Grilo

Wild animal populations are widely acknowledged as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in natural environments. Although prevalence rates and resistance determinants’ diversity are modulated by ecological constraints often particular for specific populations and geographical areas, the consolidation of the reservoir status of wild species and their contribution to the dissemination of resistance determinants renders wildlife an important key role in the AMR cycle.

Surveillance is a crucial task in the integrated action plan to tackle AMR and decrease the economical and health burdens associated with this phenomenon. Dedicated and systematic surveillance focusing on the detection of resistance determinants in wild animal species have the potential to disclose anthropogenic pressures on natural habitats, track natural AMR events that can have an impact on Human and Veterinary Medicine, and estimate the risk of resistance determinants circulation from the environment to anthropogenic settings. Furthermore, studies focusing on the impact of resistance determinants on wild species homeostasis, through processes of host-microbiota disturbance, are needed in the framework of ongoing conservation efforts of vulnerable species.

This Special Issue aims to publish original manuscripts focusing on different aspects of the concept of wildlife as reservoirs of AMR, including surveillance programs, epidemiology, detection of novel resistance mechanisms, risk analysis, and impacts on the host.

Special Issue "Advances in Sustainable Functional Materials for Electrochemical Applications"

(Sustainability)

Sustainability | Special Issue : Advances in Sustainable Functional Materials for Electrochemical Applications (mdpi.com)

Guest Editor:

Prof. Dr. Maria João Cebola

Electrochemical processes are characterized by their high efficiency, which is of utmost importance in terms of sustainability. Green technologies comprise methods, practices, and materials in which the consideration of the long- and short-term impact on the environment is paramount. Pairing electrochemical processes with green technologies can be the key to developing novel functional materials. Green technologies need to be addressed and developed as a means to achieve sustainability for our planet by counteracting harmful energy policies and the general depletion of natural resources. For instance, green solvents, such as supercritical fluids, have been used as a medium for nanomaterial deposition, leading to electrocatalysts with higher electrochemical activities than those prepared by conventional methods. Other such techniques are certainly out there. Hence, we would like to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue of Sustainability, showcasing these concepts by bringing forward your research in this area to give it the deserved visibility, and to stimulate others to follow this path of sustainable innovation.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:

Environmental electrochemistry;
Materials technology;
Green technologies;
Sustainable materials;
Energy storage;
CO₂ storage.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Special Issue "Precision Medicine for Chronic Diseases"

(Biomedicines)

Biomedicines | Special Issue : Precision Medicine for Chronic Diseases (mdpi.com)

Guest Editors:

Prof. Dr. Catarina Godinho

Prof. Dr. Júlio Belo Fernandes

Living with a chronic condition can be stressful because it changes patients’ lives, distressing their physical and/or mental health or threatening their survival. Nevertheless, people are able to take steps to cope with these new situations, manage their condition, and maintain a good quality of life. These patients have different disease statuses and management requirements, and so providing optimal care is key. Precision health considers genetic and genomic sequence, protein, metabolite, and microbiome information—collectively known as “omics”—with lifestyle, social, economic, cultural, and environmental factors. Combining these high-tech and high-touch approaches allows healthcare professionals to formulate treatment and prevention strategies based on patients’ unique backgrounds and conditions. Precision health can improve aspects of physical health, mental health, and the ability to self-manage conditions. This new approach represents a fundamental shift to more proactive and personalized care that empowers people with chronic conditions to lead healthy lives. With this Special Issue, we aim to publish articles describing precision health approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of chronically ill patients.

We encourage the submission of manuscripts that look at precision health and contribute to the development of knowledge in this field. Potential topics include, but are not limited to: ensuring access to precision health for people with chronic conditions; pathways for precision health; protecting and supporting people with chronic conditions through precision health; benefits of the precision health approach; challenges to the delivery of precision health for people with chronic conditions.

Special Issue "Personalized Nutrition for Older Adults"

(Nutrients)

Nutrients | Special Issue : Personalized Nutrition for Older Adults (mdpi.com)

Guest Editors:

Prof. Dr. Alexandra Bernardo

Prof. Dr. Jorge Fonseca

Prof. Dr. Maria Leonor Silva

Prof. Dr. Alexandra Maia e Silva

Clinical and nutritional personalized practices, in elderly active and healthy aging, are key factors in maintaining general health, wellbeing, and quality of life. The health of the elderly is a delicate balance between endogenous factors such as genetics, aging, disease, and nutritional status, and exogenous factors such as environment, dietary pattern, and lifestyles. In fact, older adults frequently present several comorbidities, leading to malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty. In this context, personalized nutritional support of older adults with metabolic, digestive, cardiorespiratory, neurological, or other chronic disorders may be a major challenge.

This Special Issue of Nutrients on “Personalized Nutrition for Older Adults” aims to publish scientific papers with a focus on clinical and nutritional practices, in the elderly population, from an interdisciplinary and societal perspective.

The Special Issue welcomes original research that report new insights into the impact of clinical and nutritional practices for elder citizens. Interdisciplinary approaches are highly appreciated, as the health of the elderly requires teams in different areas of expertise. In addition, interventional studies that examine associations of different factors, original pre-clinical and clinical studies, reviews, and systematic reviews will also be considered.

Special Issue "Polymers Enhancing Bioavailability in Drug Delivery - Volume II"

(Pharmaceutics)

Pharmaceutics | Special Issue : Polymers Enhancing Bioavailability in Drug Delivery—Volume II (mdpi.com)

Guest Editor:

Prof. Dr. Ana Isabel Fernandes

Currently, many of the drug entities entering the clinic face bioavailability issues, mainly due to poor water solubility and/or permeability, in addition to issues with physicochemical instability or degradation in the body. To overcome biological barriers, drug sensitivity, and formulation problems, the use of several polymers has been considered. Polymers, either natural or synthetic, present an array of different backbones and functional groups, sizes, shapes, as well as mechanical and degradation properties, which have been exploited in drug delivery and targeting. Strategies for bioavailability enhancement using functionalized polymers include solid amorphous dispersions for improved solubility; chemical modification for extended blood residence and reduced or abrogated immunogenicity and antigenicity; protection from harsh pH or enzymatic degradation; as well as tailored rate and temporal/spatial drug release.

This Special Issue, Polymers Enhancing Bioavailability in Drug Delivery—Volume II, aims to review the specific functional benefits granted by polymers to formulations, which are very much reliant on polymer structure and design, and result in improved drug bioavailability and therapeutic index. You are welcome to submit your research or review papers to this Special Issue, thus contributing to this exciting field.

Special Issue "Hydrogel-Based Novel Biomaterials: Achievements and Prospects"

(Gels)

Gels | Special Issue : Hydrogel-Based Novel Biomaterials: Achievements and Prospects (mdpi.com)

Guest Editors:

Prof. Dr. Ana Isabel Fernandes

Prof. Dr. Ana Paula Serro

Dr. Diana Silva

In recent decades, interest in hydrogels has increased, due to their vast biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. The similarity of these materials to many biological tissues and their unique behavior, resulting from their high water content, together with the possibility of tailoring their properties and/or ability to interact with cells by using an appropriate combination of monomers and synthesis methods, have placed them among the most promising biomaterials for different purposes. They have been used with success in areas such as injectable particulate systems, contact lenses, cartilage substitutes, catheter linings, valves, suture threads, wound-healing dressings, skin grafts, or biosensors. Their role has also become increasingly important in areas such as tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, or drug delivery and targeting.

Although a significant effort has been made to develop new hydrogels with improved properties and additional functionalities, several issues remain a challenge and have been targeted by intense research, combining knowledge of biology with materials engineering. For example, the design of hydrogels aims at those capable to respond to both local and systemic stimuli, with an in situ cross-linking/gelation capacity, adequate degradation rates or bioactive surfaces, which could allow for vascularization and a suitable tissue architecture and/or ability to avoid colonization by microorganisms. In a more transversal way, topics such as their ability to ensure a controlled and/or targeted release of drugs and other active agents, or their resistance to sterilization methods, have also been of concern.

This Special Issue aims to gather some of the most recent achievements and prospects related to the synthesis and processing of new, hydrogel-based biomaterials. Both original research and comprehensive review papers are welcome.

Special Issue "Forensic Analysis in Chemistry"

(Molecules)

Molecules | Special Issue : Forensic Analysis in Chemistry (mdpi.com)

Guest Editors:

Prof. Dr. Samir Ahmad

Prof. Dr. Alexandre Quintas

Dr. Carla Ferreira

Globalization has dramatically changed the crime landscape all around the world. Today, national, and transnational crime makes forensic investigations even more complex. This is especially true in forensic chemistry, where the appearance of new psychoactive substances on the market almost every week, the occurrence of unlawful discharges of multicompounds on the environment, food adulteration and contamination, the use of more complex explosives and precursors, and, at the same time, acknowledgement of the benefits as well as the restraints of laboratory certification and accreditation make the work of forensic analysts in chemistry even more challenging.

This Special Issue of Molecules welcomes original research articles, communications, and review articles dealing with research on the topics discussed above, as well as in all other fields in chemistry applied to solving forensic issues, including drug analysis, safe consumption, suspected documents, ink profiling and aging, accelerant analysis, explosives, latent fingerprint revelation, thanatochemistry, wastewater-based epidemiology, and forensic chemometrics. We are certain that this will be an excellent forum for providing and discussing recent developments in the field.

Special Issue "One Health Care in Non-Communicable Diseases"

(International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)

IJERPH | Special Issue : One Health Care in Non-Communicable Diseases (mdpi.com)

Guest Editors:

Prof. Dr. Catarina Godinho

Prof. Dr. Júlio Belo Fernandes

Prof. Dr. Ricardo Assunção

More than 70% of all human deaths are due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) (WHO, 2021). Increasingly environmental exposures from air pollution, second-hand smoke, heavy metals, pesticides, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, have been linked to a range of NCDs, including many cancers, cardiopulmonary diseases, neurological diseases and other pathologies. The fields of chronic disease, mental health, injury, occupational health, and non-communicable diseases can benefit from a One Health approach involving collaboration across disciplines and sectors. Employing One Health frameworks can provide innovative solutions to prevent and treat NCDs across the animal kingdom. An increased awareness among human health professionals and stakeholders of the shared vulnerability across species of environmentally linked NCDs should ignite interest and ideally mobilize resources for NCD surveillance across species (Bordier, 2018). These efforts could not only improve the health of humans, but of all species sharing exposures in increasingly hazardous environments (Natterson-Horowitz, 2022).

This Special Issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH) focuses on the current state of knowledge on how society in general, and health professionals in particular, can contribute to One Health care in non-communicable diseases.

Special Issue "Virulence and Resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae 2.0"

(Microorganisms)

Microorganisms | Special Issue : Virulence and Resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae 2.0 (mdpi.com)

Guest Editor:

Prof. Dr. Aida Duarte

This Special Issue is the continuation of our previous special issue "Virulence and Resistance of Klebsiella pneumonia".

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an important opportunistic Gram-negative pathogen that belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae family, which is frequently associated with severe healthcare-associated infections (HAI) as well as community-acquired infections. It can cause different types of infection such as pneumonia, urinary tract infection, skin or soft tissue infection, meningitis, pyogenic liver abscess, and bacteremia potentially developing into sepsis. It is believed that the gastrointestinal tract is the most important reservoir for the transmission of K. pneumoniae. However, in contrast to many other bacterial pathogens, K. pneumoniae is ubiquitous in nature, and environmental reservoirs can also have a relevant role in human infections. Infections resulting from multidrug-resistant (MDR), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), and/or carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae strains are a challenge due to the lack of vaccines and therapeutic options. Several virulence factors, such as adherence and invasion factors, toxins, capsules, and siderophores, can be involved in the pathogenic mechanisms, namely, invasion of the host, disease induction, and the evasion of host defenses. The coexistence of antimicrobial resistance genes with other advantageous determinants such as virulence factors can have a significant impact on bacterial pathogenicity. Moreover, recent population diversity studies have shown that K. pneumoniae is in fact part of a complex of species. The aim of this Special Issue is to give an updated insight into K. pneumonia-complex resistance and virulence determinants, and the interplay of these factors. For this purpose, we welcome the submission of research articles, review articles, and short communications related to the various aspects of K. pneumonia-complex infection, with particular emphasis on antimicrobial resistance, its transmissibility, molecular pathways, the coexistence of virulence factors, biomarkers, clinical and environmental reservoirs, high-risk clones, whole genome sequencing characterization, in vivo infection models, and bacterial pathogenicity.

Research Topic "Personalized Care in Neurological Diseases"

(Frontiers in Human Neuroscience - Brain Health and Clinical Neuroscience)

Personalized Care in Neurological Diseases | Frontiers Research Topic (frontiersin.org)

Guest Editors:

Prof. Dr. Catarina Godinho

Prof Dr. Júlio Fernandes

Living with a neurological disease can be stressful because it changes patients' lives, distressing their physical or/and mental health or threatening their survival. Nevertheless, people are able to take steps to cope with these new situations, manage their condition, and maintain a good quality of life. These patients have different disease statuses and management requirements, so providing personalized care is key. Personalized care is a collaborative process that should be used in chronic condition management in which patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers identify and discuss problems caused by or related to the patient's condition and then develop plans and goals to empower patients.

Personalized care can improve aspects of physical health, mental health, and the ability to self-manage conditions. Thus, a personalized care approach could greatly benefit patients with neurological diseases. It represents an opportunity to improve care for all individuals from a singular or collective point of view that holds promise for the prevention and treatment of diseases.

There have been developments in studies related to delivering personalized care for people with neurological diseases. In addition, current research expanding on the optimization of treatment outcomes in terms of efficacy, safety, and quality of life is encouraging.
In this Research Topic, we aim to publish articles describing a personalized care approach to diagnosing and treating patients with neurological diseases.

Special Issue "Technique and Diagnose of Viruses in Electron Microscopy"

(microorganisms)

Microorganisms | Special Issue : Technique and Diagnose of Viruses in Electron Microscopy (mdpi.com)

Guest Editor:

Prof. Dr. António P. Alves de Matos

Electron microscopy is an essential method for visualization of virus particles and virus-cell interactions. Due to the distinctive ultrastructure of virus particles, the technique has a key role in the identification of viruses in infected tissues up to the family level, with direct implications for new virus discovery and diagnosis. This volume presents the scientific and technological knowledge needed to understand the diagnostic rationale and procedures and to successfully implement the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods for virus identification.

Dedicated chapters by experienced microscopists will address virus ultrastructural characteristics at the family level, practical issues of virus morphological identification, negative staining and thin section methods, and their diagnosis-related variations.

Quick identification of unknown pathogens, differentiation between viruses producing skin lesions and other viruses, and other significant diagnostic contributions of TEM will be discussed in comprehensive chapters. This will empower researchers and clinicians to take advantage of the methods presented.

Future perspectives of the field will be treated in depth.

Research Topic "Digital Approaches in the Nutitional Prevention and Management of Chronic Diseases"

(Frontiers in Nutrition)

Digital Approaches in the Nutritional Prevention and Management of Chronic Diseases | Frontiers Research Topic (frontiersin.org)

Guest Editors:

Prof. Dr. Mara Pereira Guerreiro

Prof Dr. José Camolas

Chronic diseases are a global epidemic, responsible for the majority of deaths worldwide. Cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic lung diseases present the highest prevalence, which is projected to increase in the next decades across the globe. In addition to morbidity and mortality, chronic diseases are associated with a considerable economic burden for governments and individuals, as well as losses for economies.

Addressing the burden of chronic diseases is enshrined in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, in particular, “Good health and well-being”, and subsumed targets and indicators.

Diet and nutrition are major modifiable determinants of chronic diseases, both at prevention (e.g. type 2 diabetes) and management levels (e.g. obesity).

Addressing diet and nutrition in chronic diseases requires trained health professionals and continued support. The sustainability of quality nutrition care in many countries is threatened by a constellation of factors, such as population ageing, the rising burden of chronic diseases and a shortage of health professionals. These factors have driven the reengineering of care processes.

Globally, there is strong policy support for the meaningful use of digital health innovations for citizen empowerment. Specifically, digital technology became popular for expediting the nutrition care process and enhancing dietary self-management. There is a growing body of evidence on the benefits of digital technology in nutritional outcomes in persons with or at risk for chronic disease.

The goal of this research topic is to present a state-of-the-art collection of approaches in nutritional prevention and management of chronic diseases, which is expected to foster advances in practice and research whilst minimizing wasteful redundancies.

Special Issue "The Importance of Thioredoxin System for Redox Regulation and Health"

(Antioxidants)

Antioxidants | Special Issue : The Importance of Thioredoxin System for Redox Regulation and Health (mdpi.com)

Guest Editor:

Prof. Dr. Vasco Branco

Thioredoxin system encompasses thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), thioredoxin (Trx) and NADPH and is central to the regulation of cell redox homeostasis. Trx was discovered 60 years ago as a hydrogen donor for the reduction of ribonucleotides by ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) and is fundamental for repairing oxidized proteins.

TrxR isoforms, TrxR1; TrxR2; TrxR3 also known as TGR, besides their importance to regenerate oxidized thioredoxin in cytoplasm and in mitochondria, have been decisive to understand the importance of selenium as a micronutrient and its risk–benefit relationship as an antioxidant. Toxification processes have been linked to TrxR inhibition at the active site Sec by xenobiotics such as heavy metals.

The importance of the thioredoxin system extends far beyond the direct action of Trx, TrxR and NADPH as antioxidants. There are crucial interactions of these elements that become determinant for Redox Biology. Examples of those are the complexes between Trx and Apoptosis Signaling Kinase 1 (ASK-1) or Thioredoxin interacting protein (TxniP); oxidation of Trx, as a result of oxidative stress, releases ASK-1 and triggers an apoptotic cascade.

The thioredoxin system is of outmost importance for protein repair and folding, oxidative stress defense, redox signaling, DNA replication and repair, transcription; glucose metabolism, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis regulation. Dysregulation and disrepair of the thioredoxin system has been related to pathological processes such as inflammation, cancer, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes, among others.

Specil Issue "Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic: Typical and Atypical Cognitive Development"

(Behavioral Development)

Behavioral Sciences | Special Issue : Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic: Typical and Atypical Cognitive Development (mdpi.com)

Guest Editor:

Prof. Dr. Luís Querido

The goal of this Special Issue is to increase our understanding of how children acquire the proverbial three Rs: reading, writing, and arithmetic. Several cognitive skills such as phonological awareness, orthographic knowledge, and rapid automatized naming have been recognized as fundamental for reading and writing development. Likewise, number sense and counting have been pointed out as crucial for the development of arithmetic skills. Recent research has even suggested a considerable overlap in the cognitive predictors of reading, writing, and/or arithmetic skills. Clarifying cross- and within-domain predictors is important since they may carry significant implications for cognitive developmental theories and practice. Within this scope, we welcome contributions from research groups worldwide, focusing on typical and/or atypical acquisition of reading, writing, and arithmetic skills.

We intend to select new empirical research and studies that use a systematic framework that has not been published elsewhere. Research issues may be addressed employing quantitative methodologies or provide a systematic review on a topic of the three Rs.

Specil Issue "Insigths into Hygiene, Disinfection Measures and Preventive Actions"

(International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)

IJERPH | Special Issue : Insights into Hygiene, Disinfection Measures and Preventive Actions (mdpi.com)

Guest Editor:

Prof. Dr. Helena Barroso

The lack of hygiene has always been associated with infections, sometimes of catastrophic proportions. In the 19th century, Semmelweis, with the introduction of a simple gesture of washing and disinfecting doctors’ hands, greatly reduced the deaths of parturients. Today, washing and disinfecting hands is still fundamental for controlling the spread of infections, as can be observed during the present SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and in the light of the common infections occurring in the healthcare environment.

Disinfection and antisepsis are extremely important in controlling infections and reducing the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms, both in hospitals and in society. The disinfection of surfaces and environments is vital in the food and pharmaceutical industries as a means of guaranteeing the production of safe products. The development of measures that contribute to the prevention of infections is increasingly essential.

This Special Issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH) focuses mainly on hygiene and disinfection, along with all the different preventive measures that might be implemented to control the spread of infectious diseases and to guarantee a safe environment. Papers addressing these topics are invited for this Special Issue, to which manuscripts from different scientific areas will be welcomed.

Topical Collection "E-learning and Digital Training in Healthcare Education: Current Trends and New Challenges"

(Healthcare)

Healthcare | Topical Collection : E-learning and Digital Training in Healthcare Education: Current Trends and New Challenges (mdpi.com)

Guest Editors:

Prof. Dr. Luís Proença

Prof. Dr. José João Mendes

Prof. Dr. João Botelho

Prof. Dr. Vanessa Machado

The COVID-19 pandemic had a massive impact on the learning and teaching processes, especially in healthcare education, due to the predominant role of the current student–patient interaction. Worldwide higher education institutions were forced to accelerate the introduction of web-based learning methodologies in areas where that was not the main core, like clinical teaching. This Special Issue is dedicated to the current trends and new challenges that emerge from this new e-learning environment, focusing on its potential to revolutionize healthcare education and exploring how it may help to better prepare the future healthcare professionals for their daily practice.

The Special Issue “E-learning and Digital Training in Healthcare Education: Current Trends and New Challenges” seeks research articles focusing on new insights into the use of interactive and intuitive e-learning tools and innovative teaching methodologies that engage healthcare students in the new web-based environment training. Case studies of ‘pathfinder’ e-learning initiatives and surveys related to the penetration and acceptance of the digital training in healthcare education are also encouraged.

Special Collection on the Therapeutic Progression in Inflammatory Periodontal and Peri-Implant Disease

(Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease)

Special Collection on the Therapeutic Progression in Inflammatory Periodontal and Peri-Implant Disease: Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease: SAGE Journals (sagepub.com)

Guest Editors:

Prof. Dr. João Botelho

Prof. Dr. Vanessa Machado

Prof. Dr. José João Mendes

Periodontal conditions, and recently peri-implant diseases, have been associated with systemic health. Several putative mechanisms are becoming evident that link these alveolar bone inflammatory disorders with systemic status, getting closer and closer to drug candidates or comprehensive treatments. This Special Collection aims to encourage researchers to present from observation to intervention trials, as well reviews and evidence-based studies.

Specil Issue "Research on Antibiotic Resistance within one Health"

(International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)

Special Issue : Research on Antibiotic Resistance within One Health (mdpi.com)

Guest Editor:

Prof. Dr. Lucinda J. Bessa

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a complex, multifaceted problem that threatens human and animal health, the global economy, and national and global security. The World Health Organization (WHO) has included AMR as one of the top ten threats to global health in 2019. Thus, there is a need for a thorough One Health approach to address AMR that incorporates human, animal, and environmental perspectives and identifies key priorities for research. Research on antibiotic resistance is advancing in a variety of approaches and innovative strategies for tackling multidrug-resistant infections are looked-for. Some of the topics regarding research on antibiotic resistance include characterization of multidrug-resistant isolates from clinical and environmental sources, spread of resistance and antibiotic resistance genes in the environment, study of biofilms and antibiofilm strategies, antibiotic drug discovery, repurposing of existing drugs, innovative technologies for diagnostics or treatment, meta-analysis, and longitudinal studies. Papers addressing these topics are welcome in this Special Issue, especially those providing novel solutions to combat antibiotic resistance. Original research papers, reviews, case reports, methodological papers, and brief reports are invited.

Research Topic "Enzyme or Protein on Electrodes for Biosensors and Biofuel Cells"

(Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology)

Enzyme or Protein on Electrodes for Biosensors and Biofuel Cells | Frontiers Research Topic (frontiersin.org)

Guest Editor:

Prof. Dr. Gabriela Almeida

Enzymes/proteins immobilized on electrodes can be used in applications such as biosensors and biofuel cells. Immobilizing enzymes or proteins on electrodes allows chemical reactions or electron transfers to occur at room temperature. However, the activity of enzymes/proteins on electrodes is limited by current intensity, suboptimal orientation, and mechanical stability. Advances in protein engineering and electrode surface modification technology, including methods to increase the lifetime of enzymes/proteins and their stability in actual scenario, have addressed these deficiencies. In particular, electrode materials and modification methodologies are highly significant for improving electron transfer between surfaces and enzymes/proteins; thus, the exploitation of novel immobilization strategies with improved efficiency is crucial and has attracted substantial attention in recent years.

Special Issue "Personalized Care and Treatment Compliance in Chronic Conditions"

(Journal of Personalized Medicine)

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/jpm/special_issues/treatment_compliance

Guest Editors:

Prof. Dr. Catarina Godinho

Prof. Dr. Júlio Belo Fernandes

Chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases are growing at an alarming rate, especially in the aging population. People who have chronic disease spend a significant amount of time in self-management in out-of-hospital environments, in their homes and in their community settings. These patients have different disease statuses and management requirements, so providing personalized care is key.

We aim to publish articles describing a personalized care approach to the diagnosis and treatment to chronically ill patients.

Personalised care is a collaborative process that should be used in chronic condition management in which patients, caregivers and healthcare providers identify and discuss problems caused by or related to the patient's condition, and then develop plans and goals to empower patients.

Personalized care can improve aspects of physical health, mental health and the ability to self-manage conditions. Thus, a personalized care approach could greatly benefit patients with chronic conditions.

We encourage the submission of manuscripts that describe a personalized care approach to the diagnosis and treatment to chronically ill patients.

Topical Collection "Diagnostic Virology"

(Diagnostics)

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/diagnostics/special_issues/diagnostic_virology

Collection Editor

Prof. Dr. Nuno Taveira

In these troubled COVID-19 times we are living in, it has become more evident than ever that rapid, deployable, and highly sensitive, specific and precise diagnostic assays can save many lives. Together with the established qPCR-based and isothermal amplification-based methods, new technologies such as those based on CRISPR-Cas13 system and metagenomics are emerging and are enabling the rapid and sensitive detection and identification of multiple viruses at the same time with an unprecedented quality, both in the lab and outside the lab (PoC assays). These molecular methods of diagnostics rely on nucleic acid extraction methods whose performance characteristics may be very diverse and need a better assessement. High quality serologic assays are also paramount for the diagnosis and management of virus diseases, and for monitoring the response to vaccination. A better understanding of the advantages and limitations of currently available molecular and serologic assays for the diagnosis, treatment management, and cure assessement of each virus disease is needed. There is no better time for this Special Issue in diagnostic virology. I would like to invite you to submit your best review or original work on all aspects of diagnostic virology mentioned above and others that I have missed to this topical collection issue. We are particularly seeking top level contributions on the development, validation, and implementation of molecular and serologic assays for the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of diseases caused by human viruses in all settings from the lab to the house and the bed of the patient.

Special Issue "Virulence and Resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae"

(Microorganisms)

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/microorganisms/special_issues/virulence_resistance_Klebsiella

Guest Editor

Prof. Dr. Aida Duarte

Special Issue "New Techniques, Materials and Technologies in Dentistry"

(Applied Sciences)

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci/special_issues/dentistry_materials

Guest Editors

Prof. Dr. Ricardo Alves

Prof. Dr. José João Mendes

Prof. Dr. Ana Cristina Mano Azul

Dentistry has seen great technical and technological advances in recent years. These achievements have made it possible to increase the accuracy of the diagnosis, plan treatments more precisely, improve the predictability and durability of certain treatments, make procedures safer and faster, and improve the patient experience and acceptance, among others. The speed at which these advances are developing justifies the publication of a Special Issue that will allow clinicians to be aware of the latest breakthroughs in this field. Topics in this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following: new restorative materials, new regenerative materials, new surgical techniques, CAD-CAM systems, artificial intelligence in dentistry, robotics, and translational research. We encourage the submission of papers from different fields of dentistry and related areas. Original in vivo or in vitro studies that describe new therapeutic approaches or materials are strongly welcomed. Reviews on the aforementioned topics will also be considered for publication.

Special Issue "Minimizing the burden of Aging Disorders"

(International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)

IJERPH | Special Issue : Minimizing the Burden of Aging Disorders (mdpi.com)

Guest Editor

Prof. Dr. Catarina Godinho

Assistant Guest Editor

Prof. Dr. Jorge Fonseca

The world is facing a situation without precedent: We soon will have more older people than children and more people at extreme old age than ever before (WHO, Global Health and Aging, 2011). In the last 100 years, populations in developed countries have experienced an unprecedented addition of 30 years to life expectancy. Developing countries are now experiencing this same phenomenon. With this comes the challenge of maximizing health and vitality across these aging population. The compression of morbidity to the latest point in the human life span could unleash a sustained third demographic dividend that benefits all of society (Fried LP, 2016). To accomplish this, society needs to invest in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, frailty and all the burden associated to the aging like falls prevention and cognitive impairment, for example. Papers addressing these topics are invited for this Special Issue, especially those combining a high academic standard coupled with a practical focus on providing input strategies to minimizing the burden of Aging.

This special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH) focuses on the current state of knowledge on the how society in general and health professionals in particular can contribute to minimizing the burden of Aging Disorders. New research papers, reviews case reports and case series are welcome to this issue. Other manuscript types accepted include methodological papers, position papers and brief reports.

We will accept manuscripts from different disciplines including exposure assessment science, epidemiology, clinical studies, risk and health impact assessment and risk management.

Research Topic “Molecular Features Linking Amyloidogenic Toxicity and Antimicrobial Peptides”

(Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences)

(https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/17630/molecular-features-linking-amyloidogenic-toxicity-and-antimicrobial-peptides)

Guest Editor

Prof. Dr. Alexandre Quintas

This Research Topic aims do connect two fields of biochemistry and promote the interchange of knowledge between amyloid diseases and antimicrobial peptides.

Special Issue “Polymers enhancing bioavailability in drug delivery”

(Pharmaceutics)

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/pharmaceutics/special_issues/Polymers_Bioavailability_Drug_Delivery

Guest Editor

Prof. Dr. Ana Isabel Fernandes

This Special Issue aims to review the specific functional benefits granted by polymers to formulations, which are very much reliant on polymer structure and design, and result in improved drug bioavailability and therapeutic index.

Special Issue "Novel Developments in the Bioproduction of Biochemicals and Biomaterials"

(Applied Sciences)

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci/special_issues/Bioproduction_Biochemicals_Biomaterials

Guest Editor

Prof. Dr. Catarina Dias de Almeida

The Special Issue on Novel Developments in the Bioproduction of Biochemicals and Biomaterials in Applied Sciences intends to assemble recent advances and breakthroughs regarding the biological production of commercially important biomolecules. The wide scope of this issue is, however, limited to the production of biochemicals and biomaterials with nonfuel applications. Instead, processes that originate biochemical building blocks, biochemicals, biopolymers, and/or high end-value bioproducts for medical, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and nutrition markets are preferred.

Special Issue "E-learning and Digital Training in Healthcare Education: Current Trends and New Challenges"

(Healthcare)

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/healthcare/special_issues/E-learning_Digital_Training_Healthcare_Education

Guest Editors

Prof. Dr. Luís Proença
Prof. Dr. José João Mendes
Dr. João Botelho
Dr. Vanessa Machado

The COVID-19 pandemic had a massive impact on the learning and teaching processes, especially in health education, due to the predominant role of student-patient interaction in that process. In view of this situation, Higher Education institutions around the world were forced to accelerate the introduction of online learning methodologies in areas where this was not the main focus, such as clinical teaching. This special issue is dedicated to current trends and new challenges that emerge from this new e-learning environment, highlighting its potential to revolutionize Health Education and exploring how it can help better prepare future Health professionals for their daily practice.

Special Issue "Periodontal Disease and Female Reproductive Health"

(International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph/special_issues/Periodontal_Disease_Female_Reproductive_Health

Guest Editors

Prof. Dr. Maria Alexandra Bernardo
Dr. Vanessa Machado
Dr. João Botelho

The special issue “Periodontal Disease and Female Reproductive Health” is dedicated to scientific and clinical progress on the study of Periodontology in Women of childbearing age. In recent years, a body of scientific evidence has shown an association between periodontal disease and obstetric complications, however, the mechanism of this relationship is not yet fully understood. In addition, recent studies have revealed the potential impact of the subclinical inflammatory state produced by periodontitis on female infertility, which may act as a limiting, but modifiable, risk factor in conception. As contributions to this Special Number, interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged, as well as interventional studies, in addition to systematic reviews that explore the association mentioned above.

Special Issue "Biosensors for the Detection of Nitrogen-Based Compounds"

(Biosensors)

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/biosensors/special_issues/bios_Detec_nitrogen

Guest Editor

Prof. Dr. Maria Gabriela Almeida

Nitrogen is present in the environment in a wide variety of chemical compounds, such as nitrates, nitrites, nitric oxide, nitrous oxide, ammonia, hydroxylamine and also as organic nitrogen. The interconversion of these compounds, in the environment, constitutes the global biogeochemical cycle of nitrogen, which is unbalanced by the human supply of nitrogen compounds, in the soil, water and atmosphere. This represents a threat to Human Health and ecosystems, on a global scale, requiring strict control and monitoring of the most impacting nitrogen compounds, in accordance with national and international legislation. In addition, the search for effective nitrogen oxide analysis methodologies is also present in areas such as food quality control, biomedical research and clinical diagnosis.

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