Announcements
24 June 2025
Thalassemia Reports Receives an Updated Impact Factor of 1.2
19 June 2025
World Blood Donor Day—“Give Blood, Give Hope: Together We Save Lives”, 14 June 2025
On 14 June, the world celebrates World Blood Donor Day, a global tribute to the millions of voluntary, unpaid blood donors who give others a second chance at life. Their generosity saves lives, strengthens communities and embodies the spirit of solidarity. It is a day to say thank you, but also to spotlight the ongoing, urgent need for safe, regular blood donations.
The theme of the 2025 World Blood Donor Day is “Give blood, give hope: together we save lives” and the objectives of the campaign are to raise public awareness about the critical need for blood and plasma donations and the impact they have on patients' lives; encourage both new and existing donors to give blood regularly, helping to ensure a stable and sufficient blood supply; highlight the positive impact of blood donors on the health and well-being of others and promote the values of solidarity, compassion, and community through blood donation; and mobilize support from governments and development partners to invest in and sustain national blood programs to achieve universal access to safe blood transfusion worldwide.
In recognition of this important day, we recommend the following related articles, Special Issues, and journals spanning multidisciplinary fields, including clinical medicine. We believe that promoting such research contributes to enhanced public awareness of blood safety and selfless dedication.
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“Sickle Cell Anemia and Inflammation: A Review of Stones and Landmarks Paving the Road in the Last 25 Years”
by Jessica Dorneles, Amanda de Menezes Mayer and José Artur Bogo Chies
Hematol. Rep. 2025, 17(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/hematolrep17010002
“Patterns of Blood Transfusion in Sickle Cell Disease Hospitalizations”
by Aditi Sharma, Amit Dahiya, Asif Alavi, Indryas Woldie, Aditya Sharma, Jeffrey Karson and Vijendra Singh
Hemato 2024, 5(1), 26-34; https://doi.org/10.3390/hemato5010004
“Emerging Role of [18F]FLT PET/CT in Lymphoid Malignancies: A Review of Clinical Results”
by Anna Giulia Nappi, Giulia Santo, Lorenzo Jonghi-Lavarini, Alberto Miceli, Achille Lazzarato, Flavia La Torre, Francesco Dondi and Joana Gorica
Hematol. Rep. 2024, 16(1), 32-41; https://doi.org/10.3390/hematolrep16010004
“Understanding the Intricacies of Iron Overload Associated with β-Thalassemia: A Comprehensive Review”
by Subhangi Basu, Motiur Rahaman, Tuphan Kanti Dolai, Praphulla Chandra Shukla and
Nishant Chakravorty
Thalass. Rep. 2023, 13(3), 179-194; https://doi.org/10.3390/thalassrep13030017
“Bone Marrow Transplantation in Nonmalignant Haematological Diseases: What Have We Learned about Thalassemia?”
by Luca Castagna, Stefania Tringali, Giuseppe Sapienza, Roberto Bono, Rosario Di Maggio and Aurelio Maggio
Thalass. Rep. 2023, 13(2), 122-130; https://doi.org/10.3390/thalassrep13020011
“CRISPR Gene Therapy: A Promising One-Time Therapeutic Approach for Transfusion-Dependent β-Thalassemia—CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing for β-Thalassemia”
by Udani Gamage, Kesari Warnakulasuriya, Sonali Hansika and Gayathri N. Silva
Thalass. Rep. 2023, 13(1), 51-69; https://doi.org/10.3390/thalassrep13010006
“Cardiovascular Complications in β-Thalassemia: Getting to the Heart of It”
by Nathalie Akiki, Mohammad H. Hodroj, Rayan Bou-Fakhredin, Kamal Matli and Ali T. Taher
Thalass. Rep. 2023, 13(1), 38-50; https://doi.org/10.3390/thalassrep13010005
“Ferritin Trajectories over Repeated Whole Blood Donations: Results from the FIND+ Study”
by Sara Moazzen, Maike G. Sweegers, Mart Janssen, Boris M. Hogema, Trynke Hoekstra and Katja Van den Hurk
J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(13), 3581; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11133581
“Should We Stop Collecting the Preoperative Autologous Blood before Bone Marrow Harvest?”
by Daniel Lysák, Lenka Hejretová, Marcela Hrabětová and Pavel Jindra
J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(10), 2134; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10102134
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“Anaemia in Focus: Challenges and Solutions in Haematology” |
“Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion in Clinical Practice: Second Edition” |
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“Hematopathology: Rare Hematological Diseases” |
“Feature Papers in Thalassemia Reports” |
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3 June 2025
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO's Letter #23 - MDPI Summits Spain & Italy, Ei Compendex, and Editorial Independence
Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.
In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.
Opening Thoughts
Highlights from the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona (21-22 May)
In May we hosted the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona – our second summit in the city following the inaugural one in November 2023.
Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI) at the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona, 22 May 2025.
Creating a space for exchange of views
The goal of our summits is to bring together Chief Editors of MDPI journals from across disciplines and institutions. These intimate gatherings provide a platform to present the latest developments at MDPI and to initiate open conversations about our journals, the future of open access, and the evolving landscape of scientific publishing.
Most importantly, these are opportunities for in-person connection, providing a more meaningful space for the exchange of views and for building long-term relationships.
Exploring the future of scientific publishing in Spain
The summit took place on 21–22 May and featured a mix of MDPI presentations (including two guest presentations), roundtable discussions, and Q&A sessions. On the first day, we held a focused session with our Chief Editors to gather feedback and have open discussions on their journal development, the peer-review process, and local accreditation systems.
Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI, presents MDPI’s Editorial Process and Peer Review Quality Metrics at the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona, 22 May 2025.
I had the pleasure of opening the Summit with a welcome address and an overview of MDPI’s recent milestones. The agenda then included the following sessions:
- MDPI and Recent Developments in the Spanish Market – Dr. Marta Colomer (Public Affairs Specialist, MDPI)
- MDPI Editorial Process and Peer Review Quality Metrics – Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI)
- Open Access in Spain – Dr. Remedios Melero (Researcher, CSIC – guest speaker)
- AI in Publishing and MDPI's Actions – Dr. Enric Sayas (Business Analyst, MDPI), Daniele Raimondi (Data Scientist, MDPI), and Dr. Alexandre López-Borrull (Researcher, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya – guest speaker)
- Publication Ethics – Ana Stankovic (Research Integrity and Publication Ethics, MDPI)
- Opening and Closing remarks were provided by Rocksy Zhang (Editorial Director, MDPI)
We are extremely grateful for the strong engagement shown by our Editors, who were clearly appreciative of the event and the discussions we had. They felt seen and heard, which is a vital prerequisite for building open channels of communication and cultivating productive long-term collaborations.
MDPI colleagues during MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona (22 May 2025).
A big thank-you to the entire Barcelona team for organizing such a successful event!
Upcoming MDPI Summit events:
- Italy Summit – Rome (26–27 May)
- US Summit – Boston, MA (5–6 June)
- France Summit – Paris (12–13 June)
- US Summit – Houston, TX (26–27 June)
- UK Summit – London (16–17 September)
- Germany Summit – Berlin (18–19 September)
- Romania Summit – Bucharest (23–24 October)
...with more in between, and more to follow.
Impactful Research
50 MDPI Journals Now Indexed in Ei Compendex
Indexing is a key indicator of a journal’s scientific impact. An indexed journal gives research greater visibility and credibility within the global academic community and is recognized for its quality and relevance. While many of our journals are included in major databases such as Web of Science and Scopus, MDPI also places strong emphasis on journal inclusion in subject-specific indexing platforms that align with each journal’s scope. This ensures that when you publish with MDPI, you publish with impact.
I’m pleased to share that as at May 2025, 51 of our journals are now indexed in Ei Compendex, a leading bibliographic database for engineering and applied sciences. This is a major milestone that reflects both the quality or our editorial processes and the relevance of the research we publish in these fields.
“When you publish with MDPI, you publish with impact”
Discoverability and reach
Inclusion in Ei Compendex means greater discoverability for our authors and broader reach of our journals in the fields of engineering and technology. It improves our ability to support global research and innovation, while building MDPI’s reputation in the applied sciences. This recognition is the result of the dedicated work of our editorial teams, reviewers, and authors, and of our overall commitment to excellence in publishing.
You can read our full announcement here.
Appreciative thanks to everyone involved in reaching this milestone.
Inside MDPI
One Year of MDPI’s Seoul Office
On 29 April, we marked one year since the opening of our Seoul office, MDPI’s first local hub in South Korea. South Korea is a key market for MDPI, currently ranking as our sixth-largest contributor to the company’s total publications, with over 89,000 MDPI articles authored by individuals affiliated with Korean institutions. Over the past 12 months, the Seoul team has made great strides in building our visibility, networks, and presence in the region.
A few highlights from the past year
Claude Seo (MDPI Korea Office Manager, Seoul)
Claude Seo, who has over 15 years of experience in the academic publishing industry, is the Office Manager of the Seoul office.
In its inaugural year, the Seoul office focused primarily on marketing and promotional activities to support the MDPI brand locally. During that time, the team concentrated on scholar visits to local institutions, attending academic conferences, and hosting editorial board meetings.
The team also secured 10 Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP) renewals, signed three new IOAP agreements, and established one new Society affiliation.
The Seoul office also hosted its first library book fair and reached over 1,000 followers on its LinkedIn channel, which is an encouraging indication of local visibility and engagement.
“The Seoul team has made strides in building our visibility, networks, and presence in the region”
Growth plans
Later this year, we are working on opening a new Seoul office in a more central location, with room for our growing team. The new space will bring us closer to other publishing partners and provide easier access to and from the airport. The Seoul office will continue to expand its efforts in outreach and engagement as its builds its presence in South Korea.
Warm thanks to the entire Seoul team for their hard work and dedication, and to all MDPI colleagues who have contributed to this exciting chapter in our global journey.
Coming Together for Science
Highlights from the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (26–27 May)
We closed the month of May by hosting the first MDPI Italy Summit in Rome. This was an important event for us, as Italy has consistently ranked among the top ten countries globally for open access publications over the past decade.
MDPI and Italy: Facts & Figures
- With over 144,000 publications (as at 31 May 2025), Italy is MDPI’s third largest contributor after China and the USA.
- In 2024, MDPI was the second-largest publishing house in Italy.
- The 7,165 Editorial Board Members (EBMs) drawn from Italian institutions represent 8.9% of all MDPI academic editors.
- Among these, 319 serve as Editors-in-Chief (EiCs) or Section Editors-in-Chief (SEiCs).
- Eleven Italian EBMs were recognized as 2024 Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers.
- In 2024, MDPI received 24,873 review reports and collaborated with 88,578 reviewers from Italy.
- 23,131 Guest Editors from Italian institutions led 4,827 Special Issues across 248 MDPI journals.
- MDPI partners with over 900 institutions globally, of which 17 are in Italy.
The MDPI Italy Summit in Rome
Dr. Prof. Giulio Cerullo, EiC of Applied Sciences, at the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (27 May 2025).
Held on 26–27 May, the MDPI Italy Summit brought together 25 Chief Editors from across our journal portfolio, including some of our largest journals such as Applied Sciences, to discuss MDPI’s latest developments and collaborations in the Italian market, our use of data intelligence and AI to support strategic decision-making, a look into our editorial process, peer-review quality metrics, and conversations around research integrity and community engagement.
The Summit featured MDPI presentations followed by Q&A and concluded with a roundtable discussion. On the evening of the 26th, we hosted a dinner with our Editors to connect personally, learn more about their research, and hear feedback on journal operations and the broader academic landscape in Italy.
Gathering of Editors-in-Chief and MDPI staff at the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (27 May 2025).
Event Agenda – 27 May
Moderated by Maddalena Favaretto (Conference Scientific Advisor, MDPI), the program featured:
- MDPI Overview, Achievements, Latest News and Future Developments – Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI)
- Country Report: Italy – Dr. Laura Perez Martin (Conference Assistant, MDPI)
- AI in Publishing and MDPI’s Actions – Dr. Andrea Perlato (Head of Data Analytics, MDPI)
- MDPI Editorial Process and Research Integrity – Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI)
- Panel Discussion – Stefan, Andrea, Giulia
Panel Discussion with Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI), Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI), Dr. Andrea Perlato (Head of Data Analytics, MDPI) during the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (27 May 2025).
A big thank-you to our Conference team and everyone who worked behind the scenes to make these events run smoothly.
Closing Thoughts
Upholding Editorial Independence in Scholarly Publishing
A recent MDPI blog post written by Dr. Ioana Craciun (Scientific Communications Specialist, MDPI), “Editorial Independence and Publisher Support: Collaborating to Uphold Integrity,” highlights the important balance between editorial autonomy and publisher collaboration in academic publishing.
As the leading fully Open Access scholarly publisher, we are proud to champion editorial independence within our publishing process.
Drawing from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines, the article emphasizes that while editors must have the freedom to make decisions based on scholarly merit, publishers play a critical role in providing the necessary infrastructure and tools to support the editorial process. This collaborative approach ensures the integrity of the peer review process, builds trust among authors and readers, and upholds the quality and relevance of published content.
MDPI highlights its commitment to this model by investing in research integrity specialists, AI tools for plagiarism detection, and administrative support, all aimed at empowering editors to make independent, informed decisions.
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG
13 May 2025
Empowering Academic Growth with MDPI: A Scientific Publishing Exchange at Toronto Metropolitan University, 15 May 2025
MDPI is excited to collaborate with Toronto Metropolitan University to host an engaging Scientific Publishing Workshop aimed at empowering scholars with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed in academic publishing. This workshop will delve into the key aspects of MDPI’s open access publishing framework, offering an in-depth exploration of journal selection, the editorial workflow, and the essentials of publication ethics. Participants will also gain practical advice on improving their scientific writing and effectively addressing reviewer comments, with guidance from an experienced professional. This session promises to equip attendees with valuable skills to elevate their publishing journey.
Workshop Highlights:
- Learn How to Better Write and Structure a Research Article;
- How to Choose Where to Publish Academic Work;
- How to Respond to Reviewer Comments;
- Reasons for Rejection During Pre-Check;
- How to Navigate Through Ethics and AI Use.
Date: 15 May 2025
Time: 12:00–1:30 p.m.
Venue: Toronto Metropolitan University
Program:
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Dr. Stephen Mora |
Introduction to MDPI |
12:00–12:05 p.m. |
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How to Write and Structure a Research Article |
12:05–12:45 p.m. |
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How to Respond to Reviewer Comments |
12:45–1:30 p.m. |
8 May 2025
International Thalassaemia Day—“Together for Thalassaemia: Uniting Communities, Prioritizing Patients”, 8 May 2025
Celebrated on 8 May, International Thalassaemia Day is dedicated to raising awareness among the general public and decision-makers about thalassaemia, supporting the lifelong and challenging journey of patients living with this severe blood disease, and honouring the memory of those we have lost, while renewing our commitment to finding a final cure.
Thalassaemia is more than just a disease. It transcends numbers and statistics, touching the lives of real people with real challenges and lived experiences. This year, we proudly embrace the theme, “Together for Thalassaemia: Uniting Communities, Prioritizing Patients”, and stand united under the powerful slogans “#WeAre1” and “PatientsFirst”.
In recognition of this important day, we recommend the following related articles, Special Issues, and journals spanning multidisciplinary fields, including clinical medicine. We believe that promoting such research contributes to enhanced public awareness and a greater understanding of thalassaemia.
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“Childhood Anemia in Mozambique: A Multilevel Mixed-Effects Analysis of 2011–2022/23 Population-Based Surveys”
by Réka Maulide Cane, Rornald Muhumuza Kananura, Ronald Wasswa, Maria Patrícia Gonçalves, Luís Varandas and Isabel Craveiro
Healthcare 2025, 13(6), 635; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13060635
“Challenges of Iron Chelation in Thalassemic Children”
by Alkistis Adramerina and Marina Economou
Thalass. Rep. 2024, 14(1), 1-9; https://doi.org/10.3390/thalassrep14010001
“A Case Report of Hyperhemolytic Syndrome in Sickle Cell Disease, with a Special Focus on Avoiding the Use of Transfusions”
by Omar Obajed Al-Ali, György Pfliegler, Ferenc Magyari, Fanni Borics, László Imre Pinczés, Árpád Illés and Boglárka Brúgós
Thalass. Rep. 2024, 14(1), 18-25; https://doi.org/10.3390/thalassrep14010003
“Vamifeport: Monography of the First Oral Ferroportin Inhibitor”
by Federica Pilo and Emanuele Angelucci
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(18), 5524; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13185524
“Prognostic Role of Multiparametric Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in Neo Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia”
by Antonella Meloni, Laura Pistoia, Paolo Ricchi, Aurelio Maggio, Valerio Cecinati, Filomena Longo, Francesco Sorrentino, Zelia Borsellino, Alessandra Salvo, Vincenza Rossi et al.
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(5), 1281; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13051281
“Pancreatic T2* Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Prediction of Cardiac Arrhythmias in Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia”
by Antonella Meloni, Laura Pistoia, Paolo Ricchi, Vincenzo Positano, Filomena Longo, Zelia Borsellino, Valerio Cecinati, Giuseppe Messina, Elisabetta Corigliano, Rosamaria Rosso et al.
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(18), 6015; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12186015
“Health-Related Quality-of-Life Profile of Pediatric Patients with β Thalassemia after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation”
by Olga Mulas, Fabio Efficace, Maria Grazia Orofino, Antonio Piroddi, Eugenia Piras, Adriana Vacca, Susanna Barella, Alessandro Costa, Johannes M. Giesinger, Giorgio La Nasa et al.
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(18), 6047; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12186047
“Association between Glomerular Filtration Rate and β-Thalassemia Major: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”
by Shahad Saif Khandker, Nurani Jannat, Deepannita Sarkar, Alif Hasan Pranto, Ismoth Ara Hoque, Jemema Zaman, Md. Nizam Uddin and Ehsan Suez
Thalass. Rep. 2023, 13(3), 195-205; https://doi.org/10.3390/thalassrep13030018
“Bone Marrow Transplantation in Nonmalignant Haematological Diseases: What Have We Learned about Thalassemia?”
by Luca Castagna, Stefania Tringali, Giuseppe Sapienza, Roberto Bono, Rosario Di Maggio and Aurelio Maggio
Thalass. Rep. 2023, 13(2), 122-130; https://doi.org/10.3390/thalassrep13020011
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“Emerging Therapies and Strategies in Thalassemia: Toward a New Era in Management—2nd Edition” |
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30 April 2025
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO's Letter #22 - 300 Journals in WoS, Norway & Sweden Consortiums, Self-citations
Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.
In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.
Opening Thoughts
Over 300 MDPI Journals are Indexed in Web of Science
Indexing is essential to scholarly publishing as it promotes visibility and the impact of research. I’m excited to share that MDPI now has over 300 journals indexed in the Web of Science (WoS). This milestone reflects the work of our authors, editors, reviewers, and the entire MDPI staff, contributing to greater visibility and impact for open access research.
Publish with MDPI, publish with impact.
Having over 300 MDPI journals indexed in the Web of Science is more than a numbers game. It represents a recognition of the quality, consistency, and relevance of the research published in our journals. For the academic community, it reflects the growing trust in MDPI as a reputable publisher, leading the way in open access publishing.
A closer look at the achievement
Being indexed in the WoS nvolves meeting a list of quality criteria, including 24 quality benchmarks for ESCI journals.
For MDPI, rigorous editorial standards and scientific integrity are key. These enabled over 300 journals to pass the Web of Science quality criteria for indexing.
Here we share a blog post discussing the importance of this milestone for MDPI and open scholarly research. In this post, Constanze Schelhorn, Head of Indexing, at MDPI, and Giulia Stefenelli, Scientific Communications Lead, share their thoughts and insights on what this achievement means for our commitment to high-quality research.
“MDPI has a well-structured quality assurance framework that applies to all our journals. We also apply clear, standardized peer-review policies across our portfolio, ensuring transparency and consistency.” – Constanze Schelhorn, Head of Indexing
“This achievement is a step forward for Open Access research, reinforcing the mission to share scientific knowledge globally and facilitate research progress.” – Giulia Stefenelli, Scientific Communications Lead
Read the blog here: https://blog.mdpi.com/2025/04/03/300-mdpi-journals/
Looking to the future
This milestone is a testament to MDPI’s dedication to peer review, editorial excellence, and innovation in academic publishing. It highlights our role as leaders in open access publishing.
Personally, I see this as just the beginning. We will continue to support researchers, expand our contributions to scholarly communication, and push the boundaries of academic publishing.
Impactful Research
Nearly 920 partner institutions in MDPI’s Institutional Open Access Program
I’m pleased to share some exciting progress from MDPI's Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP), which now includes nearly 920 partner institutions worldwide. This is more than just a number. It reflects the growing trust and collaboration we’ve built with universities, libraries, and research organizations across the globe.
The IOAP offers institutions discounted Article Processing Charges (APCs), access to a dedicated institutional dashboard, and transparency throughout the publishing process.
Norway’s Sikt Consortium Renews national agreement with MDPI
MDPI has renewed its national agreement with the Sikt Consortium, which now supports 36 institutions across Norway. New partners, such as Kristiania University of Applied Sciences, join long-standing collaborators such as NTNU, the University of Bergen, and UiT, The Arctic University of Norway. The agreement promotes affordable, high-quality open access publishing through centralized APC funding, and reinforces Norway’s leadership in open science.
These agreements reflect MDPI’s mission to remove barriers to scientific publishing and make research freely available to all. By collaborating with national consortia and institutions, we advance the open access and strengthen our global network and collaborations.
Our IOAP Team
A big thank-you to our IOAP team for driving these important collaborations. Their work includes increasing MDPI’s visibility in scholarly communications, strengthening relationships with IOAP partners, and building trust with key stakeholders.
These efforts not only help researchers to publish their work openly and affordably but also reinforce MDPI’s position as a trusted leader in open access.
What are the benefits of MDPI’s IOAP?
For Authors: Researchers affiliated with IOAP partner institutions benefit from automatic discounts on APCs, Book Processing Charges (BPCs), JAMS, and Author Services across MDPI’s journals. The process is seamless as there is no need for codes or special applications. The publishing experience is smoother and more affordable, and centralized invoicing helps simplify the process, allowing authors to focus on their research rather than administration.
For Libraries: Participating libraries receive access to a dedicated institutional dashboard with live metadata on submissions from affiliated authors, past and present. They also benefit from flexible invoicing options (direct, collective, or prepayment) to help streamline administration, while clear, transparent agreements ensure that there are no hidden clauses or small print. Automated deposits into Institutional Repositories further reduce manual work, supporting libraries in their mission to advance open access and serve their research communities.
Inside MDPI
MDPI Self-citation study shows industry alignment
Earlier this month, Dr. Giulia Stefenelli and Dr. Enric Sayas published a thoughtful and transparent article on the ALPSP blog, presenting a self-citation analysis across MDPI’s 237 journals indexed in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR).
They found that MDPI's average self-citation rate in 2024 was 14.85%, well within industry norms and ranking 6th among the top ten publishers. Only 2.3% of MDPI journals were identified as outliers with high self-citation rates, compared to 4.7% among other leading publishers. An alternative approach, using weighted average by publication volume, shows MDPI’s self-citation rate rises from 14% to 19.7%, shifting our rank from 6th to 3rd. The study also shows that the impact of self-citation on journal quartile placement is minimal.
Read the full article on the ALPSP blog: https://blog.alpsp.org/2025/03/mdpi-self-citations-study-highlights.html
Why is this important?
As explained in the full article, the results “reinforce the fact that self-citations have minimal influence on MDPI journal rankings, emphasizing the integrity of editorial practices and the absence of any deliberate efforts to manipulate impact.”
Self-citation is a hot topic, and MDPI is sometimes unfairly singled out in this area. This analysis helps put some perspective to that narrative.
At MDPI, we are committed to transparency and to using data-driven insights to address common misconceptions about open access publishing. Our focus on self-citation reflects this commitment, and we plan to extend our efforts to other areas where the Gold OA model is often misunderstood.
About the authors
Dr. Giulia Stefenelli, Scientific Communications Lead, leverages her expertise in science communication, editorial processes, and Open Access (OA) promotion to address both institutional and country-specific challenges. She collaborates with teams across PR, Editorial Procedures, Institutional Partnerships, Research Integrity, AI and more, developing strategies to engage stakeholders, including policymakers, academics, and industry leaders. Her responsibilities include enhancing MDPI’s scientific network and promoting OA initiatives at events worldwide, supporting the efforts of various departments, and ensuring effective communication to both specialist and broader audiences.
Dr. Enric Sayas is a Business Analyst specializing in the integration of AI and Machine Learning in scientific publishing.
Within MDPI’s AI team, Enric combines his editorial expertise with his passion for AI to support the development of AI-driven solutions tailored to editorial needs, enhancing efficiency and improving decision-making.
Enric’s interests extend to data science methodologies applied to scientific publishing, as well as the broader impact of AI on open science, peer review, and the future of scientific publishing.
Coming Together for Science
Plants 2025: From Seeds to Food Security
Prof. Dr. Dilantha Fernando presenting at Plants 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.
The MDPI Conference Plants 2025: From Seeds to Food Security took place in Barcelona, Spain, from 31 March to 2 April 2025.
It was chaired by Editor-in-Chief of MDPI journal Plants (Q1 journal); Prof. Dr. Dilantha Fernando from the University of Manitoba, in Canada, and Section Editor-in-Chief of Plants; Dr. Fermín Morales from Instituto de Agrobiotecnología (IdAB) – CSIC, in Spain; and Prof. Dr. Oscar Vicente from Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) in Spain.
The conference brought plant scientists together to discuss innovations in sustainable agriculture, crop improvement, and environmental conservation.
With the global population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, the conference addressed key challenges such as food security, climate change, and sustainable agroecosystems through keynote talks and seven specialized sessions.
The conference gathered 111 attendees from 36 different countries, featuring 1 keynote speaker, 9 invited speakers, and 41 selected talks, along with 56 posters. The event received just over 200 submissions and 102 accepted abstracts.
From insightful talks, engaging poster sessions and engaging networking moments, Plants 2025 was a special experience. You can relive the highlights from the Plants 2025 conference here with our after movie!
Awards
Four awards were presented at the conclusion of the conference, sponsored by the journal Plants: two Best Poster Awards (€250 each) and two Best Oral Presentation Awards (€300 each).
Plants 2025 Conference Team
The Plants 2025 Conference was organized by colleagues from MDPI’s Conference Team: Ana Sanchis (Conference Manager), Cédric Spinnler (Senior Conference Organizer), Raquel Sellès (Conference Organizer) and Laura Perez (Conference Assistant).
Upcoming event
5–7 May 2025
The 2nd International Electronic Conference on Metals
Location: Online event (Central European Summer Time)
As one of the pillar technologies that support the development of modern society and metallurgy, IECME 2025 will present the state-of-the-art of Metallurgy and Metals.
Find more upcoming MDPI events here.
Closing Thoughts
Swedish consortium renews partnership with MDPI
I’m pleased to share that MDPI has renewed its national partnership with Sweden’s Bibsam Consortium. This is a continued commitment to advancing open access publishing and supporting Sweden’s vision for fully open research.
Under this renewed agreement, 22 leading institutions including KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm University, Linnaeus University, and Linköping University, will continue to benefit from MDPI’s IOAP. This provides discounts on APCs and a more streamlined, researcher-friendly publishing experience.
MDPI and Bibsam renew national agreement for Sweden
“With robust backing from national open science guidelines, Sweden’s open-access landscape is rapidly advancing,” says Becky Castellon, institutional partnerships manager at MDPI.
“In fact, fewer than 15% of all Swedish research outputs were locked behind paywalls in 2023. We are passionate about the positive impact our ongoing partnership with the Bibsam Consortium will have on Swedish research, paving the way for ground-breaking developments and a more inclusive, open scientific community. Through flexible solutions and tailored policies, we enable institutions to prioritize research, foster innovation, and enhance accessibility, driving the shift to full open access.”
Recent MDPI IOAP Consortium signings from 2025:
- The UK’s Jisc Consortium extended its national agreement, continuing support for more than 60 institutions across the UK.
- Switzerland’s CSAL (Consortium of Swiss Academic Libraries) renewed its agreement, continuing our collaboration with top institutions such as ETH Zurich and EPFL Lausanne.
- In Germany, we signed a new national agreement with ZB MED that includes over 100 universities and research institutions, with 78 institutions joining under a central or flat-fee model to simplify APC coverage.
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG
30 April 2025
Announcing the Award Committee for the 2024 Tu Youyou Award
We are honored to introduce the award committee for the 2024 Tu Youyou Award, composed of distinguished scientists from around the world whose research covers diverse areas of natural product chemistry, pharmacognosy, and drug discovery. Their broad expertise and pioneering contributions have significantly advanced medicinal and natural products research.
Through their collective insights, rigorous evaluation, the committee has carefully selected this year’s award recipients, recognizing exceptional achievements in the field.
We sincerely thank these distinguished scholars for their efforts and dedication to upholding the standards of the Tu Youyou Award. Below is the list of committee members. For more information about the Tu Youyou Award, please visit https://tuyouyouprize.org/.
Chair:
 Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn Ohio State University, USA |
Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn is a leading expert in pharmacognosy and natural products research. He is recognized for his key contributions to discovering bioactive compounds from plants, especially in anticancer, cancer chemopreventive, and substances with a sweet taste and taste-modifying agents. His prolific contributions include over 590 peer-reviewed works and book chapters and edited or co-edited 40 scientific volumes. |
 Prof. Angelo Fontana University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy |
Angelo Fontana is a Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Naples “Federico II” in Italy and serves as Director of the Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry at the National Research Council (CNR). His research focuses on bioactive small molecules derived from marine eukaryotes, with a particular interest on their pharmaceutical applications in immunology and oncology. He also explores their potential as molecular tools for probing and modulating complex biological systems. Prof. Fontana is a co-founder of BioSEArch SRL and has been recognized with numerous grants and honors, including the Apivita Award from the Phytochemical Society of Europe. |
 Prof. Binghe Wang Georgia State University, USA |
Prof. Binghe Wang’s lab works on drug design, drug delivery, click chemistry, chemical biology, new diagnostics, and gaseous signaling molecules such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. His interdisciplinary research supports advances in cancer, infectious diseases, organ protection, inflammation, and other areas. |
 Dr. Diana Pinto University of Aveiro, Portugal |
Dr. Diana Pinto, an Associate Professor at the University of Aveiro, specializes in organic synthesis of bioactive heterocyclic compounds, sustainable catalysis (organo-, heterogeneous, and biocatalysis), and natural product research, including isolation, characterization, and total synthesis. |
 Prof. Hideaki Kakeya Kyoto University, Japan |
Prof. Hideaki Kakeya conducts cutting-edge research in chemical biology, high-throughput screening, and biosynthesis of bioactive natural products for system chemotherapy and other therapeutic applications. |
 Dr. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel University of Strathclyde, UK |
Prof. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel heads the Natural Products Metabolomics Group (NPMG), specializing in marine natural products discovery and metabolomics-driven drug development. A recognized expert in bioactive metabolites, she collaborates with industry and academia to address antimicrobial resistance and sustainable bioprospecting. She serves on the Editorial Board of Marine Drugs and holds two patents in the field. |
 Prof. Thomas Prisinzano University of Kentucky, USA |
Prof. Thomas Prisinzano combines medicinal and natural product chemistry to explore neurotransmitter systems and develop treatments for drug abuse and pain. He has received several prestigious awards, including the Innovator Award from the College on Problems of Drug Dependence. |
 Prof. Wei Li University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA |
A distinguished professor and Director of the Drug Discovery Center, Prof. Wei Li is also the founder of SEAK Therapeutics, and the 2025 Chair-Elect of the Drug Discovery and Development Division of the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET). His work focuses on medicinal chemistry and small molecule drug discovery, with over 200 publications and 15 issued US patents. |
29 April 2025
MDPI’s Journal Cluster of Hematology
Hematology remains at the forefront of medical innovation, driving breakthroughs in understanding and treating blood-related disorders that affect millions worldwide. This dynamic field encompasses cutting-edge research in hematopoiesis, hemostasis, transfusion medicine, and the molecular mechanisms underlying conditions ranging from anemia to hematologic malignancies.
MDPI’s cluster of hematology journals has the mission to publish recent advances in this field that have profound implications for a broad spectrum of disorders, including anemia, leukemias, and rare blood conditions. These journals aim to offer the most up-to-date research and discoveries within the field of hematology to the broader scientific community.
The four participating journals are as follows:
- Hemato (ISSN: 2673-6357) is an integrative effort to explore the multifaceted nature of hematologic diseases, leukemias, and lymphomas. The journal aims to document scientific advancements and provide insights to enhance patient care. It emphasizes immunologic and genetic biomarkers, while also addressing refractory and early relapsed diseases, covering topics from microscopic morphology to immune therapies, ultimately aiming to improve patient outcomes. Hemato is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Antonino Carbone;
- Hematology Reports (ISSN: 2038-8330) investigates the prevention, diagnosis, and management of blood disorders, as well as related molecular and cell biology, genetics, pathophysiology, epidemiology, and controlled trials. Hematology Reports is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Claudio Cerchione;
- Thalassemia Reports (ISSN: 2039-4365) analyzes the pathophysiology, diagnosis, classification, and treatment of thalassemia and related disorders for physicians and medical scientists. The journal publishes clinically relevant information that aims to directly improve the care of patients with thalassemia. Basic science studies of interest to clinicians are also considered for publication, when relevant. Specific case reports are also welcome, particularly those including detailed clinical profiles of patients. Thalassemia Reports is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Aurelio Maggio;
- Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN: 2077-0383) covers all aspects of clinical and pre-clinical research. JCM is led by its Editors-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Emmanuel Andrès and Prof. Dr. Kent Doi. The journal also features a Section “Hematology”, which provides novel information and groundbreaking updates on clinical and laboratory hematology, from clinical trials to real-world clinical practice.
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Launch Year |
Impact Factor (2023) |
CiteScore (2023) |
First Decision (Median Days) |
APC (CHF) |
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2020 |
0.9 |
1.3 |
30.6 |
1000 |
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2009 |
1.1 |
0.9 |
39.1 |
1600 |
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2011 |
0.6 |
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33.1 |
1000 |
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2012 |
3.0 |
5.7 |
16 |
2600 |
MDPI mission and values:
As a pioneer in academic open access publishing, MDPI has been serving the scientific community since 1996. Our aim is to foster scientific exchange in all forms and across all disciplines. MDPI's guidelines for disseminating open science are based on the following values and guiding principles:
- Open Access—All our content is published in open access and distributed under a Creative Commons License, providing free access to science and the latest research, allowing articles to be freely shared and content to be re-used with proper attribution;
- Timeliness and Efficiency—The latest research is rapidly published through a thorough editorial process, ensuring that a first decision is provided to authors in under 32 days and that papers are published within 7–10 days upon acceptance;
- Simplicity—We offer user-friendly tools and services in one place to enhance the efficiency of our editorial process;
- High-Quality Service—We support scholars and their work by providing a range of options, such as journal publication at mdpi.com, early publication at preprints.org, and conferences on sciforum.net, to make a positive impact on research;
- Flexibility—We adapt and develop new tools and services to meet the changing needs of the research community, driven by feedback from authors, editors, and readers;
- Rooted in Sustainability—We ensure the long-term preservation of published papers and support the future of science through partnerships, sponsorships, and awards.
By adhering to these values and principles, MDPI remains committed to advancing scientific knowledge and promoting open science practices.
Selected Topics and Special Issues:
- “Advances in Molecular Pathogenesis and Targeted Therapies for Multiple Myeloma”
- “Hematopathology: Rare Hematological Diseases”
- “Anaemia in Focus: Challenges and Solutions in Haematology”
- “Innovative Therapies and Management of Complications in Hemoglobinopathies”
Selected Articles:
Journal of Clinical Medicine
“Imaging of Multiple Myeloma: Present and Future”
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(1), 264; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13010264
Thalassemia Reports
“CRISPR Gene Therapy: A Promising One-Time Therapeutic Approach for Transfusion-Dependent β-Thalassemia—CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing for β-Thalassemia”
Thalass. Rep. 2023, 13(1), 51-69; https://doi.org/10.3390/thalassrep13010006
Hemato
“Artificial Intelligence, Lymphoid Neoplasms, and Prediction of MYC, BCL2, and BCL6 Gene Expression Using a Pan-Cancer Panel in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma”
Hemato 2024, 5(2), 119-143; https://doi.org/10.3390/hemato5020011
Hematology Reports
“A 2024 Update on Menin Inhibitors. A New Class of Target Agents against KMT2A-Rearranged and NPM1-Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia”
Hematol. Rep. 2024, 16(2), 244-254; https://doi.org/10.3390/hematolrep16020024
24 April 2025
World Immunization Week—“Immunization for All Is Humanly Possible”, 24–30 April 2025
World Immunization Week, celebrated annually during the last week of April, is a global health awareness initiative highlighting the critical role of vaccines in protecting people of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases.
On this momentous occasion, we are thrilled to present a thoughtfully selected compilation of articles and Special Issues that focus on the pioneering research and cutting-edge strategies in immunology and vaccination. We encourage readers to delve into these scholarly contributions and stand with us in our commitment to preserving and enhancing global immunization health.
Join us as we explore the latest findings and innovative methods that are shaping the future of immunization. Together, we can strive towards a world where every individual has access to the life-saving benefits of vaccines.
We hope that the established journals in the fields of biology life sciences and medicine and pharmacology at MDPI will provide a communication platform for innovative ideas regarding prevention and treatment.
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Medicine & Pharmacology |
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“Lifestyle and Biochemical Parameters That May Hamper Immune Responses in Pediatric Patients After Immunization with the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine”
by Anthie Damianaki, Antonios Marmarinos, Margaritis Avgeris, Dimitrios Gourgiotis, Elpis-Athina Vlachopapadopoulou, Marietta Charakida, Maria Tsolia and Lydia Kossiva
Diseases 2025, 13(3), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases13030078
“Evaluating the Potential of Herbal Extracts as Treatment in Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Review of Evidence and Limitations”
by Russell W. Wiggins, Jihoo Woo, John Nicholas Cauba and Shizue Mito
Appl. Biosci. 2025, 4(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/applbiosci4010001
“Immunotherapeutic Strategies for the Treatment of Glioblastoma: Current Challenges and Future Perspectives”
by Ilaria Salvato and Antonio Marchini
Cancers 2024, 16(7), 1276; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16071276
“Unveiling Extramedullary Hematopoiesis: A Case Report Highlighting the Causes, Symptoms, and Management Strategies”
by Konstantinos Manganas, Aikaterini Xydaki, Angeliki Kotsiafti, Olympia Papakonstantinou and Sophia Delicou
Thalass. Rep. 2024, 14(2), 26-32; https://doi.org/10.3390/thalassrep14020004
“Inhibitors of Immune Checkpoints: Small Molecule- and Peptide-Based Approaches”
by Natalie Fuchs, Longfei Zhang, Laura Calvo-Barreiro, Katarzyna Kuncewicz and Moustafa Gabr
J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14(1), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14010068
“Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia: Clinicopathologic Features and New Perspectives on Anti-PF4 Antibody-Mediated Disorders”
by Yi Zhang, Anna-Lise Bissola, Jared Treverton, Michael Hack, Mark Lychacz, Sarah Kwok, Addi Arnold and Ishac Nazy
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(4), 1012; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13041012
“Immune Response to Respiratory Viral Infections”
by Antonella Gambadauro, Francesca Galletta, Alessandra Li Pomi, Sara Manti and Giovanni Piedimonte
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(11), 6178; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25116178
“Neutrophil Extracellular DNA Traps in Response to Infection or Inflammation, and the Roles of Platelet Interactions”
by William A. Chen and Danilo S. Boskovic
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(5), 3025; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25053025
“Host Immune Regulation in Implant-Associated Infection (IAI): What Does the Current Evidence Provide Us to Prevent or Treat IAI?”
by Zulipikaer Maimaiti, Zhuo Li, Chi Xu, Jun Fu, Li-Bo Hao, Ji-Ying Chen and Wei Chai
Bioengineering 2023, 10(3), 356; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10030356
“Airborne Pollen Calendar of Toluca City, Mexico”
by Maria Cid del Prado, Osvaldo Zarco-Cid del Prado, Hilda Adriana Guerrero-Parra and Karla Elisa Juárez Contreras
Aerobiology 2023, 1(1), 54-69; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerobiology1010005
17 April 2025
World Hemophilia Day—“Access for All: Women and Girls Bleed Too”, 17 April 2025
On 17 April 2025, the global bleeding disorders community will come together to celebrate World Hemophilia Day. This year’s theme is “Access for all: Women and girls bleed too”.
Currently, women and girls with bleeding disorders (WGBDs) are still underdiagnosed and underserved. The global bleeding disorders community has the power—and the responsibility—to change this. Through recognition, diagnosis, treatment, and care, the quality of life of women and girls will improve, strengthening the community as a whole.
We would like to recommend some related articles, Special Issues, and MDPI journals as suitable communication platforms and believe that sharing research like this can help raise awareness of Hemophilia Day.
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“Managing Surgical Risks in Hemophilic Elbow Arthropathy: An In-Depth Case Study and Literature Review”
by Gianluigi Pasta, Salvatore Annunziata, Roberta Ruggieri, Dario Abruzzi, Paolo Arrigoni, Eugenio Jannelli, Francesco Benazzo, Luisella Pedrotti, Erika Maria Viola, Emérito Carlos Rodriguez-Merchan and Mario Mosconi
Healthcare 2024, 12(17), 1776; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12171776
“Better Communication for Better Management of Persons with Hemophilia: Results from a Patients’-Clinicians’ Project to Address the New Therapeutic Landscape”
by Laura Banov, Silvia Linari, Luigi Ambroso, Enrico Ferri Grazzi, Samanta Gallo, Patrizio Pasqualetti and Maria Elisa Mancuso
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(2), 568; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13020568
“Six-Year, Real-World Use of Prophylaxis with Recombinant Factor IX–Albumin Fusion Protein (rIX-FP) in Persons with Hemophilia B: A Single-Center Retrospective–Prospective Study”
by Antonio Coppola, Gianna Franca Rivolta, Gabriele Quintavalle, Annalisa Matichecchia, Federica Riccardi, Rossana Rossi, Anna Benegiamo, Paola Ranalli, Valeria Coluccio and Annarita Tagliaferri
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(5), 1518; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13051518
“Thalassemia: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Advances in Treatment”
by Idris Zubairu Sadiq, Fatima Sadiq Abubakar, Hauwa Salisu Usman, Aliyu Dantani Abdullahi, Bashiru Ibrahim, Babangida Sanusi Kastayal, Maryam Ibrahim and Hassan Aliyu Hassan
Thalass. Rep. 2024, 14(4), 81-102; https://doi.org/10.3390/thalassrep14040010
“Haemophilia A: A Review of Clinical Manifestations, Treatment, Mutations, and the Development of Inhibitors”
by Sarmiento Doncel, Samuel, Gina Alejandra Díaz Mosquera, Javier Mauricio Cortes, Carol Agudelo Rico, Francisco Javier Meza Cadavid and Ronald Guillermo Peláez
Hematol. Rep. 2023, 15(1), 130-150; https://doi.org/10.3390/hematolrep15010014
“Ultrasound Evaluation of Tendinopathy in Hemophiliac Patients for the Purpose of Rehabilitation Indications”
by Danilo Donati, Paolo Spinnato, Lelia Valdrè, Lydia Piscitelli, Giuseppina Mariagrazia Farella, Enrico Pagliarulo and Maria Grazia Benedetti
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(13), 4513; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12134513
“Safe and Successful Surgical Outcome in Persons with Hemophilia A with and without Inhibitors Treated with Emicizumab: A Large, Single Center, Real-World Experience”
by Giancarlo Castaman, Silvia Linari, Lisa Pieri, Christian Carulli, Paolo Prosperi, Paolo Tonelli, Francesco Demartis, Rajmonda Fjerza, Monica Attanasio, Mirella Coppo and Francesca Salvianti
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(6), 2317; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12062317
“A Retrospective Analysis of the American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network Dataset Describing Outcomes of Dental Extractions in Persons with Hemophilia”
by Heather Messenger, Roshni Kulkarni, Michael Recht and Chunla He
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(5), 1839; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12051839
“Laboratory Rat Thrombi Lose One-Third of Their Stiffness When Exposed to Large Oscillating Shear Stress Amplitudes: Contrasting Behavior to Human Clots”
by Ursula Windberger, Veronika Glanz and Leon Ploszczanski
Int. J. Transl. Med. 2022, 2(3), 332-344; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijtm2030026
