Announcements

Autistic individuals contribute uniquely to society, bringing diverse perspectives, creativity, and innovation. Recognizing and valuing neurodiversity fosters more inclusive communities where individuals with autism can thrive. However, many face challenges in accessing education, employment, healthcare, and social support due to systemic barriers and misconceptions. By strengthening inclusive policies, support networks, and awareness efforts, we can create environments that empower autistic individuals to reach their full potential while ensuring their rights, dignity, and well-being. 

In recognition of the International Day of Autism Awareness, observed annually on 2 April, we celebrate the contributions of autistic individuals and reaffirm our commitment to promoting inclusion and acceptance. The theme for this year’s World Autism Awareness Day, “Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, emphasizes the importance of integrating neurodiversity into global development efforts, ensuring that autistic individuals are included in the pursuit of the SDGs. We highlight a selection of relevant articles, Special Issues, and journals spanning disciplines such as psychology, education, public health, and social sciences. Through the dissemination of research, we aim to deepen understanding, promote acceptance, and encourage practical solutions that enhance the lives of autistic individuals. By fostering awareness and advocacy, we can work toward a more inclusive, supportive, and neurodiverse society.

 Invited speakers:

	Prof. Dr. Marios Adamou, University of Huddersfield, UK Presentation: “Enhancing Adult Autism Diagnostic Pathways: The Role of Clinical Triage in Efficient Service Provision”
	Dr. Andrey Vyshedskiy, Boston University, USA Presentaion: “Fostering Syntactic Language Acquisition in Children with Autism”
	Dr. Roberto Canitano, Univeristy of L’Aquila, Italy Presentation: “Experimental Treatments in ASD”

Feel free to register for this webinar here. 

“Cognitive and Emotional Resilience in Parents with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder During COVID-19: The Role of Promoting Variables”
by Aziz Sarhani-Robles, Maria Guillot-Valdes, Maria Auxiliadora Robles-Bello and David Sanchez-Teruel
J. Intell. 2025, 13(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence13010006 

“International Perspectives on Assistive Technologies for Autism and Intellectual Disabilities: Findings from a Delphi Study”
by Paulina Tsvetkova, Carla Sousa, Daniel Beiderbeck, Aneta M. Kochanowciz, Branislav Gerazov, May Agius, Tomasz Przybyla, Merita Hoxha and Alan H. Tkacyz
Disabilities 2024, 4(4), 1138-1155; https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities4040071 

“Validity of the Greek Knowledge About Childhood Autism Among Health Workers (KCAHW) Questionnaire”
by Vasiliki Zarokanellou, Alexandros Gyparis, Evridiki Papagiannopoulou and Vassiliki Siafaka
Psychiatry. Int. 2024, 5(4), 962-974; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint5040066 

“The Feasibility of Whole-Body Vibration Training as an Approach to Improve Health in Autistic Adults”
by Amy Allnutt, Sara Pappa and Michael Nordvall
Disabilities 2024, 4(3), 429-443; https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities4030027 

“The Association between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Precocious Puberty: Considering Effect Modification by Sex and Neuropsychiatric Comorbidities“
by Yi-Chun Liu, Yin-To Liao, Mei-Hong Wan, Vincent Chin-Huang Chen and Yi-Lung Chen
J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14(6), 632; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14060632 

“Epidemiological Study of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Greece for 2021: Nationwide Prevalence in 2–17-Year-Old Children and Regional Disparities”
by Raissa Kouznetsov, Panagiotis Angelopoulos, Spyridon Moulinos, Ioannis Dimakos, Philippos Gourzis and Eleni Jelastopuly
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(7), 2510; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12072510

“Mental Health, Innovative Therapies and Assessment in Adolescents and Young Adults and Related Contexts” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. David Sánchez-Teruel and Prof. Dr. Mª Auxiliadora Robles-Bello Submission Deadline: 30 September 2025

Conference: TERMIS EU Congress 2025
Date: 20–23 May 2025
Location: Freiburg, Germany

MDPI will be attending the TERMIS EU Congress 2025 as an exhibitor, which will be held from 20 to 23 May 2025, and we welcome researchers from diverse backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas with us.

TERMIS EU 2025 spans multiple fields of science and explores interdisciplinary diversity to find common mechanisms in inflammation, mechanisms of regeneration, and tissue engineering strategies; it combines basic science and clinical science as a multi-scale science (from molecules to patients). The main aim of this conference is to share the newest information in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. With “innovation”, “translation”, and “digitalization”, TERMIS 2025 is going to “shape the future by connecting scientific diversity”.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Biomedicines;
• Bioengineering;
• Biomimetics;
• Diseases;
• Emergency Care and Medicine;
• Hematology Reports;
• Neurology International.

If you are planning to attend the above conference, please do not hesitate to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at the booth and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://eu2025.termis.org/.

Tuberculosis is a disease that is both preventable and treatable, significantly affecting people’s health and quality of life worldwide. Every year, we commemorate World Tuberculosis Day to raise public awareness of the devastating health, social, and economic consequences of tuberculosis (TB) and to intensify efforts to end the global TB epidemic. The date signifies the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of the bacterium responsible for TB, which paved the way for diagnosing and curing this disease. We hope that established journals in the fields of Biology Life Sciences and Medicine & Pharmacology at MDPI, including Pathogens, Microorganisms, Reports, Medical Sciences, Healthcare and Diagnostics will continue to serve as a communication platform for innovative ideas regarding prevention and treatment.

“Impact of Severity of COVID-19 in TB Disease Patients: Experience from an Italian Infectious Disease Referral Hospital”
by Virginia Di Bari, Carlotta Cerva, Raffaella Libertone, Serena Maria Carli, Maria Musso, Delia Goletti, Alessandra Aiello, Antonio Mazzarelli, Angela Cannas, Giulia Matusali, Fabrizio Palmieri, Gina Gualano and on behalf of the TB-INMI Working Group
Infect. Dis. Rep. 2025, 17(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/idr17010011 

“Cigarette Smoking as a Risk Factor for Tuberculosis in Adults: Epidemiology and Aspects of Disease Pathogenesis”
by Charles Feldman, Annette J. Theron, Moloko C. Cholo and Ronald Anderson
Pathogens 2024, 13(2), 151; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13020151 

“Situation Analysis of Early Implementation of Programmatic Management of Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment among Household Contacts of Pulmonary TB Patients in Delhi, India”
by Yasir Alvi, Sairu Philip, Tanu Anand, Palanivel Chinnakali, Farzana Islam, Neeta Singla, Pruthu Thekkur, Ashwani Khanna and BK Vashishat
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(1), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9010024 

“HLA-DPB1*05:01 and HLA-A*11:01 Is Associated with Adverse Drug Reactions to Isoniazid and Rifampin for Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in South Korea”
by Bomi Kim, Jungok Kim, Sun-Young Yoon, Hae Suk Cheong, Min-Jung Kwon, Joon-Sup Yeom, Han-Na Kim and Eun-Jeong Joo
Clin. Med. 2024, 13(12), 3563; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13123563 

“Pharmacists’ Role in Global TB Elimination: Practices, Pitfalls, and Potential”
by Alina Cernasev, Jonathan Stillo, Jolie Black, Mythili Batchu, Elaina Bell and Cynthia A. Tschampl
Healthcare 2024, 12(11), 1137; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12111137 

“Metabolic Rewiring of Mycobacterium tuberculosis upon Drug Treatment and Antibiotics Resistance”
by Biplab Singha, Sumit Murmu, Tripti Nair, Rahul Singh Rawat, Aditya Kumar Sharma and Vijay Soni
Metabolites 2024, 14(1), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14010063 

“Exploring the Impact of Silicosis Incidence on Tuberculosis Mortality and Morbidity: A Multi-Country Study”
by Muayad Albadrani
Med. Sci. 2023, 11(4), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/medsci11040063

This year, World Down Syndrome Day will be celebrated on 21 March 2025. Each year, approximately 3,000 to 5,000 children are born with this chromosome disorder. In 2025, we call for people around the world to “end the stereotypes”.

Aiming at improving the quality of life of people with Down syndrome and propelling the scientific development in this field, we would like to recommend some related articles, Special Issues, and journals in MDPI as suitable communication platforms for you. We believe that sharing research like this can help raise awareness of Down syndrome.

“When Language Is Not Enough: How to Explain ToM Abilities of Individuals with Williams Syndrome and Down Syndrome”
by Claire Touchet, Régis Pochon and Laure Ibernon
Disabilities 2025, 5(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities5010004

“Assessing Uveitis Risk following Pediatric Down Syndrome Diagnosis: A TriNetX Database Study”
by Alan Y. Hsu, Yu-Hsun Wang, Chun-Ju Lin, You-Ling Li, Ning-Yi Hsia, Chun-Ting Lai, Hou-Ting Kuo, Huan-Sheng Chen, Yi-Yu Tsai and James Cheng-Chung Wei
Medicina 2024, 60(5), 710; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60050710

“Impact of Resistance Training on Body Composition and Physical Function in Individuals with Down Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis”
by Hou-Ting Kuo, Ting-Hsu Lee, Li-An Su, Li-Yun Wu, Ping-Yan Mao and Ciao-Ci Yang
Diagnostics 2024, 14(23), 2620; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14232620

“The Role of Tau Pathology in Alzheimer’s Disease and Down Syndrome”
by Ann-Charlotte Granholm and Eric D. Hamlett
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(5), 1338; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13051338

“Astrocytic Alterations and Dysfunction in Down Syndrome: Focus on Neurogenesis, Synaptogenesis, and Neural Circuits Formation”
by Beatrice Uguagliati and Mariagrazia Grilli
Cells 2024, 13(24), 2037; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13242037

“Lipid Profile, Eating Habit, and Physical Activity in Children with Down Syndrome: A Prospective Study”
by Luca Pecoraro, Melissa Zadra, Francesco Cavallin, Silvana Lauriola, Giorgio Piacentini and Angelo Pietrobelli
Diseases 2024, 12(4), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases12040068

“Impact of Physical Activity on Autonomy and Quality of Life in Individuals with Down Syndrome: A Systematic Review”
by Antonio Muñoz-Llerena, Laura Ladrón-de-Guevara, Daniel Medina-Rebollo and Virginia Alcaraz-Rodríguez
Healthcare 2024, 12(2), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12020181

“Health Checks for People with Down Syndrome: A Pooled Analysis of Three Randomized Controlled Trials”
by Robert S. Ware, Catherine Franklin, Lyn McPherson and Nicholas G. Lennox
Disabilities 2024, 4(1), 101-110; https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities4010007

“DNMT3B rs2424913 as a Risk Factor for Congenital Heart Defects in Down Syndrome”
by Dijana Majstorović, Anita Barišić, Ivana Babić Božović, Iva Bilić Čače, Neven Čače, Mauro Štifanić and Jadranka Vraneković
Genes 2023, 14(3), 576; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14030576

“Stress Responses in Down Syndrome Neurodegeneration: State of the Art and Therapeutic Molecules”
by Lanzillotta, Chiara, and Fabio Di Domenico
Biomolecules 2021, 11(2), 266; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11020266

“Role of 3-Mercaptopyruvate Sulfurtransferase in the Regulation of Proliferation and Cellular Bioenergetics in Human Down Syndrome Fibroblasts”
by Panagaki, Theodora, Elisa B. Randi, and Csaba Szabo
Biomolecules 2020, 10(4), 653; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom10040653

“The Care Economy and Disability Inclusion”	“Fragile X Syndrome and Fragile X Premutation Associated Conditions”
“Physical Activity, Exercise, and Sport in People with Disabilities: Strategies for Health Promotion”	“Cellular and Molecular Alterations in the Down Syndrome Brain: A Starting Point for the Design of Therapeutic Approaches”

We are pleased to announce that three new scholars have been appointed as Editorial Board Members (EBMs) of Diseases (ISSN: 2079-9721), joining recently. We wish our new members success in both their research and their efforts to develop the journal.

Name: Dr.  Michele Malaguarnera
Affiliations: ^1. Psychobiology Department, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; ^2. Nursing Department, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Interests: endocrine and metabolic diseases

Name: Dr. Andrea Cabrera-Pastor
Affiliations: ^1. Pharmacology Department, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; ^2. Fundación de Investigación del Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia (INCLIVA), 46010 Valencia, Spain
Interests: extracellular vesicles; neurodegenerative diseases; endocrine and metabolic disorders

Name: Prof. Dr. Emilio Jirillo
Affiliation: Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Medical School, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11, I-70124 Bari, Italy
Interests: immune regulation; nutritional immunology; intestinal microbiota; microbial immunity; neuroimmunology

Diseases is recruiting scholars from around the world to join our Editorial Board. To apply for membership, recommend potential candidates, or request further information, please contact the Diseases Editorial Office and provide the following files:

• A full academic CV;
• A short cover letter detailing your interest in the position.

Further details about the Editorial Board of Diseases can be found by clicking the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/diseases/editors.

Conference: 19th Conference of the International Society of Travel Medicine (CISTM19)
Organization: International Society of Travel Medicine
Date: 11–15 May 2025
Place: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Booth ID: #19

A number of MDPI journals will be attending CISTM19 as exhibitors. This meeting will be held in New Orleans, USA, from 11 to 15 May 2025.

CISTM19 is the premier gathering of approximately 1,100+ travel medicine specialists and practitioners to learn about the latest developments and new and innovative technologies, products, and services, as well as to contribute to the evolving field of travel medicine.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• TropicalMed;
• COVID;
• Diseases;
• Antibiotics;
• Parasitologia;
• Life;
• Viruses;
• Healthcare;
• Vaccines;
• Women;
• Children;
• Infectious Disease Reports;
• Microorganisms;
• Epidemiologia.

If you will be attending this conference, please feel free to start a conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.istm.org/event/cistm19/.

MDPI is pleased to share a significant milestone in its mission to advance scholarly research and promote the dissemination of knowledge—300+ MDPI journals are now indexed in Web of Science (WoS). This milestone highlights the global recognition, interdisciplinary impact and enhanced visibility of our journals. It also reflects our adherence to rigorous editorial standards, scientific integrity, and our mission to foster open scientific exchange in all forms, across all disciplines. 

To explore the full list of our journals indexed in WoS, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/about/journals/wos. Beyond expanding the coverage of our publications in the leading academic databases, we are dedicated to ensuring that our journals are included in as many scope-specific databases as possible. This increases the visibility of our authors’ work and extends the reach of their significant data. 

This milestone would not have been possible without the efforts and expertise of our academic editors, reviewers and authors. Their commitment and collaboration have been instrumental in creating an inclusive, accessible, and impactful publishing platform. We also extend our gratitude to the global research community for their trust as we continue to break new ground in academic publishing. This milestone is not just a celebration of MDPI’s progress but also recognition of the collective strides made by researchers worldwide. 

As we celebrate this remarkable accomplishment, MDPI remains steadfast in its commitment to open access publishing and ensuring that high-quality research reaches and inspires a global audience.

Conference: Anatomy–Physiology–Pharmacology Week in 2025
Date: 17–19 March 2025
Location: Osaka, Japan

MDPI will be attending APPW 2025 as an exhibitor. We welcome researchers from different backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas with us.

The Japanese Association of Anatomists, the Physiological Society of Japan, and the Japanese Pharmacological Society are the oldest academic organizations in basic medicine representing Japan, and each has a long history of academic activity. The theme of this joint conference of the three academic societies (English name: Anatomy–Physiology–Pharmacology Week 2025, abbreviated as APPW 2025) is “Toward the Future of Concert—Exploring, Elucidating, and Protecting Life”.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Diseases;
• Pathophysiology;
• Anatomia;
• Future Pharmacology.

If you are planning to attend this conference, please do not hesitate to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.aeplan.jp/appw2025/.

We are pleased to announce that Prof. Dr. Omar Cauli has been appointed as the Editor-in-Chief of Diseases (ISSN: 2079-9721).

Prof. Dr. Omar Cauli is a professor of pathophysiology at the Department of Nursing at the University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. He graduated with a degree in pharmacy at the University of Cagliari (Italy) and a degree in medicine at the University of Valencia (Spain). He also has a Ph.D. in neuroscience with a specialization in pharmacology from the University of Valencia. For the past 25 years, Prof. Dr. Omar Cauli has specialized in the fields of neuro-psychiatric diseases and geriatric medicine. He joined the journal Diseases as the Section Editor-in-Chief for the Section “Neuro-psychiatric Disorders” in 2018. He also serves as a Guest Editor and Topic Editor and has led several Special Issues and Topic Collections for Diseases and other MDPI journals.

Prof. Dr. Omar Cauli is also the Chair of the 1st International Online Conference on Diseases, which will be held from 9 to 11 September 2025. For more information, you may refer to https://sciforum.net/event/IOCD2025?section=#instructions.

The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Omar Cauli, who shared his vision for the journal and his views on the research area:

1. What about the journal appealed to you and made you want to take on the role as its Editor-in-Chief?

Diseases provides an invaluable platform for high-quality innovative scholarship dealing with diseases, ranging from the molecular to the clinical points of view, thanks to the efforts of the previous Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Maurizio Battino. I have had a pleasant experience with the journal as the Section Editor-in-Chief for the Section “Neuro-psychiatric Disorders” since 2018, during which I have edited five Special Issues for the journal while serving on the Editorial Board of Diseases. I have been very grateful for these opportunities.

2. What is your vision for the journal Diseases?

While keeping up the high standards for scholarship that Diseases has established, I do hope to expand the journal’s scope in certain fields. I have added two new Subject Sections “Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases” and “Autoimmune/Inflammatory Diseases”, with the goal of including a variety of approaches derived from the study of these fields. I see the need to bring in several Associate Editors to support this expansion.

3. What does the future of this field of research look like?

Due to the continuous progress of science and medicine, it is evident that the field of diseases, from the molecular to the clinical perspectives, will continue to grow and evolve.  The scientific evidence so far suggests that from the clinical point of view, inter- and multidisciplinary approaches are crucial for disease management. In addition, a personalized approach to individuals and patients with certain types of diseases will be the future of the treatment and care of people with health problems. I would like the journal to present papers that are based on the latest advances which are rooted in new molecular discoveries regarding each disease and the multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to disease management, especially in the context of chronicity.

4. What do you think of the development of open access research in the publishing field?

Open access publication of scientific results creates a level playing field for all researchers worldwide, regardless of their location, status, or affiliation. It can only be a good thing. It removes the limitations and biases of intellectual development from parts of academia and allows everyone to keep up with scientific advances, regardless of their ability to pay to learn. It may be a difficult balance from the publishers’ point of view, but to me, it is the right direction.

We warmly welcome Prof. Dr. Omar Cauli as our Editor-in-Chief and look forward to his valuable input for the continued success of Diseases. Further details regarding the journal and the latest news can be found at the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/diseases.

MDPI, a pioneer in scholarly open access publishing, and the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine), Singapore, proudly announce the successful conclusion of the first edition the MDPI Early Career Researcher Awards. The awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to medical and biomedical research, were presented to six exceptional researchers during an awards ceremony held at LKCMedicine HQ Building on 28 November 2024.

Honoring Excellence in Research

The awards recognize exceptional postdoctoral researchers and Ph.D. students who have demonstrated outstanding originality, innovation, and impact in their respective fields. We are honored to announce the winners of the 2024 edition:

Early Career Researcher (Postdoc) Award:

• Dr. Theresia Handayani Mina, “Adiposity and Metabolic Health in Asian Populations: An Epidemiological Study Using Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry in Singapore”;
• Dr. Erfan Rezvani Ghomi, “Wound Healing Improvement by Novel Aligned Antimicrobial Nanofibrous 3D Scaffolds”;
• Dr. Yadollah Ranjbar Slamloo, “Functional Alterations of The Prefrontal Circuit Underlying Cognitive Aging in Mice”.

Early Career Researcher (Ph.D.) Award:

• Pritisha Rozario, “Mechanistic Basis for Potassium Efflux-Driven Activation of the Human NLRP1 Inflammasome”;

• Michelle Law Cheok Yien, “Chikungunya Virus Nonstructural Protein 1 is a Versatile RNA Capping and Decapping Enzyme”;
• Yin Ruoyu, “The Use of Digital Mental Health and Wellbeing Tools in Older Adults: A Mixed Method Study”.

Our collaboration highlights a shared commitment to recognizing exceptional talent and research within the academic community, addressing today’s healthcare challenges, and inspiring continued innovation.

Looking Ahead to 2025

Building on the success of the first edition, MDPI and LKCMedicine are excited to announce that the 2025 MDPI Early Researcher Awards will continue to celebrate excellence and innovation in medical research. The next edition promises to expand its scope, introducing new categories and providing even greater recognition for impactful research.

Further details on the 2025 awards, including nomination criteria and timelines, will be shared in the coming months. We remain committed to fostering a culture of research excellence and collaboration within the global scientific community.