Announcements

We are delighted to share some highly cited papers on gut microbiota research that were published in our journal Metabolites (ISSN: 2218-1989) in 2023. In addition, a number of Special Issues relating to this topic are currently open for submission.

The following is a list of articles and Special Issues that we believe will be of interest to you:

1. “Tryptophan Metabolism and Gut Microbiota: A Novel Regulatory Axis Integrating the Microbiome, Immunity, and Cancer”
by Yingjian Hou, Jing Li and Shuhuan Ying
Metabolites 2023, 13(11), 1166; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13111166
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/13/11/1166

2. “Are Microplastics Toxic? A Review from Eco-Toxicity to Effects on the Gut Microbiota”
by Huixia Niu, Shaojie Liu, Yujie Jiang, Yang Hu, Yahui Li, Luyang He, Mingluan Xing, Xueqing Li, Lizhi Wu, Zhijian Chen et al.
Metabolites 2023, 13(6), 739; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13060739
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/13/6/739

3. “The Interplay between Gut Microbiota and Oral Medications and Its Impact on Advancing Precision Medicine”
by Sara Mousa, Muhammad Sarfraz and Walaa K. Mousa
Metabolites 2023, 13(5), 674; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13050674
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/13/5/674

4. “Gut Microbiota and Coronary Artery Disease: Current Therapeutic Perspectives”
by Themistoklis Katsimichas, Panagiotis Theofilis, Konstantinos Tsioufis and Dimitris Tousoulis
Metabolites 2023, 13(2), 256; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13020256
Available online: hhttps://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/13/2/256

5. “Hepatic Mitochondria-Gut Microbiota Interactions in Metabolism-Associated Fatty Liver Disease”
by Francesco Bellanti, Aurelio Lo Buglio and Gianluigi Vendemiale
Metabolites 2023, 13(3), 322; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13030322
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/13/3/322

6. “Impact of Cesarean Delivery and Breastfeeding on Secretory Immunoglobulin A in the Infant Gut Is Mediated by Gut Microbiota and Metabolites”
by Yuan Yao Chen, Hein M. Tun, Catherine J. Field, Piushkumar J. Mandhane, Theo J. Moraes, Elinor Simons, Stuart E. Turvey, Padmaja Subbarao, James A. Scott and Anita L. Kozyrskyj
Metabolites 2023, 13(2), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13020148
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/13/2/148

7. “Epigenetic Modifications Induced by the Gut Microbiota May Result from What We Eat: Should We Talk about Precision Diet in Health and Disease?”
by Katerina Reva, João Laranjinha and Bárbara S. Rocha
Metabolites 2023, 13(3), 375; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13030375
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/13/3/375

8. “Effects of Perfluorooctanoic Acid on Gut Microbiota and Microbial Metabolites in C57BL/6J Mice”
by Bei Gao, Lixia Chen, Weichen Xu, Jinjun Shan, Weishou Shen and Nan Gao
Metabolites 2023, 13(6), 707; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13060707
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/13/6/707

9. “Dietary Patterns, Gut Microbiota Remodeling, and Cardiometabolic Disease”
by Letizia Guiducci, Giuseppina Nicolini and Francesca Forini
Metabolites 2023, 13(6), 760; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13060760
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/13/6/760

10. “Crosstalk between Breast Milk N-Acetylneuraminic Acid and Infant Growth in a Gut Microbiota-Dependent Manner”
by Runze Ouyang, Sijia Zheng, Xiaolin Wang, Qi Li, Juan Ding, Xiao Ma, Zhihong Zhuo, Zhen Li, Qi Xin, Xin Lu et al.
Metabolites 2023, 13(7), 846; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13070846
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/13/7/846

11. “The Influence of Probiotic Supplementation on the Severity of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms; Function and Composition of Gut Microbiota; and Metabolic, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress Markers in Patients with Depression—A Study Protocol”
by Anna Skowrońska, Oliwia Gawlik-Kotelnicka, Aleksandra Margulska and Dominik Strzelecki
Metabolites 2023, 13(2), 182; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13020182
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/13/2/182

12. “Corinthian Currants Supplementation Restores Serum Polar Phenolic Compounds, Reduces IL-1beta, and Exerts Beneficial Effects on Gut Microbiota in the Streptozotocin-Induced Type-1 Diabetic Rat”
by Vasiliki Kompoura, Ioanna Prapa, Paraskevi B. Vasilakopoulou, Gregoria Mitropoulou, Grigorios Nelios, Evangelos Balafas, Nikolaos Kostomitsopoulos, Antonia Chiou, Vaios T. Karathanos, Eugenia Bezirtzoglou et al.
Metabolites 2023, 13(3), 415; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13030415
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/13/3/415

13.“Identification of Cancer Driver Genes by Integrating Multiomics Data with Graph Neural Networks”
by Swati Sagarika Panda, Akankshya Nayak, Srishti Shah and Palok Aich
Metabolites 2023, 13(4), 488; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13040488 
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/13/4/488

14. “Association of Plasma Lipopolysaccharide-Binding Protein Concentration with Dietary Factors, Gut Microbiota, and Health Status in the Japanese General Adult Population: A Cross-Sectional Study”
by Nobuo Fuke, Takahiro Yamashita, Sunao Shimizu, Mai Matsumoto, Kaori Sawada, Songee Jung, Itoyo Tokuda, Mina Misawa, Shigenori Suzuki, Yusuke Ushida et al.
Metabolites 2023, 13(2), 250; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13020250
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/13/2/250

15. “Seasonal Changes in the Structure and Function of Gut Microbiota in the Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)”
by Fengcheng Song, Yishu Xu, Peng Peng, Hongxu Li, Ranxi Zheng, Haolin Zhang, Yingying Han, Qiang Weng and Zhengrong Yuan
Metabolites 2023, 13(2), 248; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13020248
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/13/2/248

Special Issues:

1. “Modulating Gut Microbiota and Host Interactions: The Role of Diet, Probiotics, and Circadian Rhythms”
Guest Editors: Dr. Miri Park and Dr. Jeehwan Choe
Submission Deadline: 20 September 2025

2. “Food Additives in Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Health”
Guest Editors: Dr. Ran An, Dr. Jing Zhang and Dr. Heng Wang
Submission Deadline: 15 April 2025

3. “Metabolic Interaction between Gut Microbiota and Dietary Bioactive Compounds: Lipids, Carbohydrates, and Phytochemicals”
Guest Editor: Dr. Han Peng
Submission Deadline: 28 February 2025

4. “Metabolomics and Bioinformatics Approaches to Studying Human Gut Microbiota-Derived Metabolites”
Guest Editors: Dr. Zhiwei Zho, Dr. Shipei Xing and Dr. Xiaotao Shen
Submission Deadline: 15 March 2025

5. “Diet, Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Health”
Guest Editors: Dr. Hui Han and Prof. Dr. Jing Wang
Submission Deadline: 21 July 2025

6. “Gut Microbiota and Nutrient Metabolism Interactions in Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity”
Guest Editors: Dr. Jean Debédat and Dr. Yen Chin Koay
Submission Deadline: 31 March 2025

Join us as we engage with our Metabolites Exceptional Reviewer 2024, Dr. Federico Maria Rubino, to discuss his scholarly insights and journey as a reviewer for Metabolites (ISSN: 2218-1989).

Name: Dr. Federico Maria Rubino
Affiliation: Analytical Toxicology and Metabonomics Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine of Università degli Studi di Milano at Ospedale San Paolo, 20142 Milan, Italy
Interests: analytical chemistry; mass spectrometry; toxicology; heavy metals; redox biomarkers; workplace contaminants

The following is an interview with Dr. Federico Maria Rubino:

1. Can you briefly introduce yourself and the main content of your current research? Additionally, could you share some emerging research directions in this field?
I am a scientific professional in my mid-sixties, with forty years of experience in academic and applied research, mainly in the health sciences. My lasting research interest is the application of mass spectrometry to wide-ranging issues of biomedical research and its application to workers’ protection from occupational hazards. The technical opportunities that I have had the chance to witness in my professional life are astounding, and faster, deeper, and more extensive applications are far more possible than we might imagine.

2. When and how did you first become aware of the Metabolites journal? What attracts you most about this journal?
I came to know the MDPI Metabolites journal through the network of MDPI scholarly journals, by receiving requests to review submitted draft articles. MDPI journals, and, among them, Metabolites, are an emerging platform for dissemination of experiences and discovery in most fields of fundamental and applied science. Publishers only supply the virtual space, the salon is all for us: editors, authors, and those of us who double as authors and reviewers, depending on the circumstances. The MDPI editorial staff are among the kindest I have had the chance to collaborate with, as an author and reviewer. We, as practicing scientists in all fields, should take this opportunity to improve the intellectual and ethical quality of scientific work and its communication through the facilities that MDPI offers.

3. Which qualities do you think reviewers need?
Being invited to review drafts of submitted scientific articles is a burdening honor, full of responsibilities and devoid of privileges. There is no obligation to fulfill this role, unless one is prepared to do one’s best in terms of the ethical and professional sides of this task. A reviewer has in their hands the work of many persons, colleagues somewhere in the world, which reflects their professional and personal pride and their human relationships within a collaborating group of professionals. Kindness is the main quality. Even the sloppiest of manuscripts is the result of professional work that should not be shamed, poor as it may be. The authors are not virtual unknowns, just names on the first page. They are persons, hitherto unknown professional colleagues, the work of whom needs to be managed respectfully, as one would do with that of those one might meet at the coffee machine and the canteen tables. Competence in specific fields is a quality that can be built over time, according to needs, and has intellectual humility as its pre-requisite.

4. What are the key factors and aspects that you consider most when reviewing a manuscript?
I am there to understand, learn, and only then, later, offer my comments. No reviewer is ever able to be as learned on the topic as the professionals who actually did the job. I fully trust the authenticity of reported data. It is none of my business looking for “plagiarism” or false claims. Any flaw, if any, indeed, is within the remit of the personal and professional conscience of the authors, not mine. I read drafts as I would read published literature: what will an interested (or, even, a casual) reader grasp from it? Is there anything that can be improved? Can the data and results be useful, to the point that they can be re-elaborated into new knowledge? May I share with these colleagues an original point of view on their work? How can I convey my comments in the kindest (first!), clearest, most useful way? Is there a way to encourage the authors to carry out further revision efforts? I try to put myself in the authors’ shoes: which words would I accept as constructive? What would I not accept, but see as disruptive comments?

5. Based on your rich reviewing experience, could you please share the common problems that authors face?
As both an author and reviewer, I know that no scientific research develops in the Parnassian world of perfectly equipped, functioning laboratories, with fair, enthusiatic collaborating colleagues, supervisors, and staff. Research, fundamental or applied, is developed in the real world of existing facilities, of real-life professional and personal relationships, of budgeted time and resources, and most often, of strain and fatigue. Publishable articles are the product of research, and as all finished goods of craftsmanship and manufacturing, they are the best compromise of demands, tasks, resources, and available time in specific situations. Conveying a “positive” sense of a task being accomplished, results are the intended aim of scientific publishing, and no failure is allowed. It is not we, the scientific professionals, who set the rules. We do our best under rules, implicit and declared, that none of us are ever able to modify. No literature survey is ever complete, no experiment can be replied to or expanded on, after the allotted grant, time, and resources are expired, and people often move away to their next professional commitment. Data elaboration and result presentation rely on authors’ available resources, skills, and available time. The time used for drafting, developing, and revising in in conflict with the excessive burden of numerous professional tasks. Increasingly limited time is allotted for improving drafts, which is achieved by taking advantage of useful reviewers’ comments, and yet, “the paper must come off in time”.

6. Do you have anything to say/share with early career researchers?
Conducting research is a professional job, not a volunteer mission. Professionals strive for fair recognition, and persons for pride. The task of reviewing will demonstrate personal character and helps us recognize personal biases and improve. As one of my early mentors, a gentleman and a scientist, once said to me: “What's the point of doing research if it doesn't make us better men?” Issuing responsible judgment, that is, reviewing, is a fundamental piece in building one’s mosaic of character over a professional and personal lifetime. It is a desirable by-product of contemporary research, the expansion of article numbers, that recruits increasingly younger and more diverse professionals into this task. An advantage is that younger researchers may put themselves more easily in the authors’ shoes than seniors can. Thus, they can avoid the worst pitfalls in the reviewing task: complacency, arrogance, shallow judgment, self-aggrandizing comments, and laziness. At some future time, which is in the reach of their professional lifetimes, they will witness deep changes in the task of reviewing, to the point that open-platform discussion will be the standard of scientific communication. Emerging publishers will likely be at the forefront of this movement, by offering to our category of intellectual workers more opportunity to be agents of change in an increasingly difficult world.

Nine new journals covering multiple subjects launched their inaugural issues in December 2024. We are excited to be able to share with you the newest research rooted in the value of open access.

We would like to express our deepest appreciation to all of the Editorial Board Members, and each journal will ensure its high-quality output by using excellent editorial and rigorous peer-review processes, to ensure that the articles achieve high impact and visibility.

Please feel free to browse and discover more about the new journals below.

Journal	Founding Editor-in-Chief	Journal Topics (Selected)
	Prof. Dr. Zhaoyang Dong City University of Hong Kong, China Editorial | View inaugural issue	energy storage technologies; energy storage system management; energy storage applications; strategies in renewable energy generation grid integration; distributed storage systems; economics and markets for energy storage View journal scope | Submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Yang-Hui He 1. London Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Royal Institution, UK 2. University of Oxford, UK Editorial | View inaugural issue	Euclidean geometry; differential geometry; algebraic geometry; complex geometry; discrete geometry; computational geometry; geometric group theory;  convex geometry View journal scope | Submit an article
	Dr. Michel Planat Université de Franche-Comté, France Editorial | View inaugural issue	differential topology; algebraic topology; manifold topology; homology theory; low-dimensional topology; fuzzy sets View journal scope | Submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Rashid Al Abri 1. Sultan Qaboos University, Oman 2. Oman Medical Association, Oman Editorial | View inaugural issue	clinical practices as well as research and innovation in medical education, risk management in healthcare, and patient safety View journal scope | Submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Ecevit Bilgili* New Jersey Institute of Technology, USA *Prof. Dr. Ecevit Bilgili passed away before the completion of the inaugural issue. His dedication and vision for JPBI will always be remembered and serve as a guiding inspiration. Editorial | View inaugural issue	early drug discovery and development; product characterization and pre-clinical testing; drug delivery systems and drug design; active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production View journal scope | Submit an article
	Dr. Weiyong Liu Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China Editorial | View inaugural issue	theories, methodologies, technologies, and applications in the fields of laboratory medicine and clinical chemistry View journal scope | Submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Manuel Pedro Rodríguez Bolívar University of Granada, Spain Editorial | View inaugural issue	scientometrics; informetrics; bibliometrics; altmetrics; webometrics; research evaluation View journal scope | Submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Fei Fan Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China Editorial | View inaugural issue	regional growth theory and methods; regional system modeling and optimization; regional development policy; regional spatial evolution; environmental policy and instrument choice View journal scope | Submit an article
	Dr. Kevin Cianfaglione Université Catholique de Lille, France Editorial | View inaugural issue	wild species and their habitats; wild environments and biodiversity; natural environment management; wild land preservation View journal scope | Submit an article

We wish to thank everyone who has supported the development of open access publishing. You are welcome to send an application here, or contact the New Journal Committee (newjournal-committee@mdpi.com) if you would like to create more new journals.

The editorial team at  Metabolites extends our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated reviewers whose expertise and commitment have been key to the journal's success in 2024. Last year, Metabolites received 3378 review reports from 1931 reviewers representing 83  countries and regions worldwide.

To recognize the invaluable time, effort, and attention to detail that each reviewer dedicates, Metabolites expresses its sincere gratitude through an annual acknowledgment of reviewers. As a further token of appreciation, all reviewers are eligible for the Outstanding Reviewer Award, which honors their essential role in enhancing the quality of our publications.

We are honored to recognize the reviewers who allowed us to publish their names each year. The names of these reviewers are listed below in alphabetical order by first name:

Conference: The 145th Annual Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan
Date: 26–29 March 2025
Location: Fukuoka, Japan

MDPI will be attending the 145th Annual Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan as an exhibitor, which will be held from 26 to 29 March 2025, and we welcome researchers from diverse backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas with us.

The conference is organized by the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan and chaired by Prof. Takashi Ohshima from the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University. The theme is Promoting the Ecosystem in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Future Innovation through Cross-disciplinary Collaboration. This conference will bring together around 5,000 scientists and students to share research advances covering a wide range of scientific topics. The sessions include, but are not limited to, the following: 1) Pharmaceutical Chemistry; 2) Pharmaceutical Physics; 3) Pharmaceutical Biology; 4) Pharmaceutical Health Science and Environmental Toxicology; 5) Pharmaceutical Health Care and Sciences; and 6) Others.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Biomedicines
• Pharmaceuticals
• Pharmaceutics
• Antibiotics
• Antibodies
• Antioxidants
• CIMB
• Diseases
• Future Pharmacology
• IJERPH
• IJMS
• IJTM
• JNT
• JPM
• Marine Drugs
• Medicina
• Medicines
• Metabolites
• Psychoactives
• Sci. Pharm
• Sclerosis

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://pub.confit.atlas.jp/en/event/pharm145.

MDPI will be attending the 12th International Conference on Nutrition and Growth, which will be held from 20 to 22 February 2025 in Athens, Greece. This conference will be the ultimate meeting place to discuss the interplay between nutrition and growth in the pediatric age-group. The field of nutrition and growth in child development continues to evolve, and we invite you to join us in uncovering new knowledge, discussing the latest data, exploring challenges and best practices, and sharing ideas and perspectives between different disciplines in order to facilitate collaborations.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the symposium:

• Nutrients;
• Children;
• Obesities;
• Future;
• Pediatric Reports;
• Metabolites;
• Healthcare;
• Nutraceuticals;
• Dietetics;
• Antioxidants.

If you are planning to attend the above conference, we encourage you to visit our booth and speak to our representatives. We are eager to meet you in person and assist you with any queries that you may have.

For more information about the conference, please visit the official website at https://nutrition-growth.kenes.com/.

Conference: 17th European Conference on Fungal Genetics (ECFG17)
Place: Convention Centre Dublin, Ireland
Date: 2–5 March 2025

We are excited to announce that MDPI journals will participate, as exhibitors, in the 17th European Conference on Fungal Genetics (ECFG17), from 2 to 5 March 2025. The city of Dublin will welcome over 1,000 participants to this prestigious biennial event, bringing together leading researchers, academics, and professionals in the field of fungal genetics from around the globe. The conference aims to foster collaboration, share cutting-edge research, and promote advancements in the study of fungi and their genetic aspects.

Main conference topics:

• Biodiversity and Molecular Taxonomy;
• Evolution;
• Cell Biology and Development;
• Genome Function and Epigenetics;
• Metabolism and Metabolites;
• Sensing and Signaling;
• Molecular Tools and Synthetic Biology;
• Fungal interactions (Pathogens and Symbionts);
• Antifungal compounds;
• Fungal Biotechnology.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• JoF;
• Genes;
• Epigenomes;
• Biology;
• Life;
• Pathogens;
• CIMB;
• Applied Biosciences;
• Metabolites;
• Antibiotics;
• IJMS;
• MPs.

If you are planning to attend the above conference, please feel free to start a 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://ecfg17.org/.

More than 100 German universities and research institutions have entered into a national agreement with MDPI. The publication agreement negotiated by ZB MED comes into effect on 1 January 2025 and is valid until the end of 2026. Joining the consortium is still possible until the beginning of 2025. We are delighted by the high level of interest this agreement has already garnered, reflecting the strong demand for accessible and cost-effective open access publishing solutions among German research institutions.

This new cooperation aims to make scientific gold open access publishing more affordable and less administratively burdensome for researchers in Germany. The agreement includes substantial discounts on article processing charges (APCs) for corresponding authors from participating institutions. It offers flexible payment options, including centralized invoicing or individual payment of fees by researchers or their institutions. Additionally, the agreement features a flat-fee model that enables institutions to precisely plan expenses and optimize their library budgets.

"MDPI can look back on over a decade of successful partnerships with German research institutions," says Peter Roth, MDPI Head of Publishing. "The new agreement marks another milestone in the long-standing co-operation between MDPI and the German scientific community. It emphasizes our commitment to developing up-to-date and inventive solutions for the diverse needs of scientific institutions to promote open research for the benefit of researchers."

Petra Labriga, Head of Strategic License Management at ZB MED, highlighted the agreement's significance: "As one of the world's leading Gold OA publishers, MDPI plays a central role in the German publishing landscape. We are particularly pleased that we were able to achieve considerable potential cost savings for scientific institutions and their authors at a national level through our negotiations."

The partnership reflects a common goal of advancing the idea of open access and supporting researchers in making their scientific excellence internationally visible.

"We would like to thank the ZB MED consortium team for their excellent collaboration," added Adrian Stefan Zamfir, MDPI Institutional Partnership Manager for the DACH region. "We are delighted that this agreement will give even more researchers in Germany access to our tried-and-tested and reliable publication platform."

Franziska Fischer (right), Commercial Director at ZB MED, an Peter Roth (left), Head of Publishing at MDPI, celebrate the signing of the new national open access agreement between MDPI and the ZB MED Consortium.

More Information

• Conditions and participation opportunities (German): Link
• Frequently asked questions (German): Link

Contact

• ZB MED: Team Konsortiallizenzen (konsortiallizenzen@zbmed.de) - Website
  MDPI: Adrian Stefan Zamfir, Institutional Partnership Manager (zamfir@mdpi.com)
  
  

About ZB MED

ZB MED - Information Centre for Life Sciences is an infrastructure and research centre for life science information and data. Its aim is to support and strengthen research for people and the environment: from medicine to biodiversity and environmental protection.

The work of ZB MED is orientated towards the strategic guidelines:

• Research + Networking: We conduct research together with the regionally, nationally, European and globally networked research community.
• Data science: We enable data analyses and generate new knowledge through research.
• Access to information: We provide sustainable access to information, literature and data as a central information infrastructure.
• Open + FAIR: We promote open and reproducible science in line with open science and FAIR principles.
• Knowledge and skills transfer: We actively impart knowledge, competences and skills.

More information at www.zbmed.de.

About MDPI

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, MDPI is one of the world's leading open access publishers with a current portfolio of more than 440 journals in all scientific disciplines. MDPI‘s goal is to advance open science worldwide through greater transparency, efficiency and collaboration. To date, more than 3.7 million researchers have published their results in MDPI journals. The editorial process is overseen by a large network of dedicated reviewers and editors and supported by more than 6500 MDPI employees. MDPI currently works with over 800 academic institutions and 180 scientific societies worldwide, which benefit from a wide range of MDPI services and products.

We are pleased to announce a series of updates to our template, aimed at improving the readability and overall aesthetics of our publications. These changes have been meticulously designed to enhance the user experience and ensure consistency across all our publications. The updated template will be available for download from the Instructions for Authors page.

The following updates will be applied to articles published in the 2025 volumes, starting on 24 December 2024:

• Main text: The line spacing has been increased to improve the readability of publications;
• Header and footer: The link to the journal website will be removed, as a hyperlink has been integrated into the journal logo. Additionally, the DOI link will be moved from the left-hand side to the right-hand side, and both the header and footer will be slightly raised to achieve a better balance;
• Left information bar: The information provided here has been rearranged for better organization; the CC-BY logo will be removed;
• Font size: The font size used for the abstract, keywords, and first-level headings will be increased.

Furthermore, MDPI journals will continue to use article numbers. This approach enables us to maintain a rapid and efficient production process by being able to define pagination as soon as a paper is accepted.

We hope that the new version of the template will provide users with a better experience and make the process more convenient.

Please contact production@mdpi.com if you have any questions or suggestions.