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Cardiovascular Research – Special Issues

Cardiovascular Research regularly publishes Spotlight Issues that are devoted to a specific research topic. These issues contain a number of invited expert reviews. In addition, a major part of each issue is reserved for original research papers. All papers are subjected to the normal peer review process (on average an editorial decision is made within 22 days of receipt of any manuscript). The authors of accepted manuscripts are given the option of publication in a regular issue of the Journal or in the Spotlight Issue. The four special issues to be published in 2009 are:

Spotlight Issue on Myocardial Remodelling

Spotlight Issue on Lipid Signalling Pathways in the Heart and Vasculature

Spotlight Issue on Cardiac Protection

Review Focus on Molecular Imaging in the Cardiovascular System


SPOTLIGHT ISSUE ON MYOCARDIAL REMODELLING

to be published in February, 2009

Guest Editors:
Javier Díez, (University of Navarra, Spain)
Georg Ertl, (University of Würzburg, Germany)

A Spotlight Issue on Myocardial Remodelling is scheduled to appear in February, 2009, that will address emerging information on the molecular, structural and functional changes that develop in the myocardium in response to the biomechanical stress that is associated with a number of cardiac diseases. Since progressive myocardial remodelling is a key feature of heart failure and may affect clinical outcome, this issue will be focused on the analysis of new data on basic mechanisms related to its development and also recent information concerning strategies aimed at its detection and treatment.

Preliminary topics of invited review articles related to signalling mechanisms in cardiac remodelling include:

1. Experimental models of myocardial remodelling
2. Genetics of myocardial remodelling
3. Mitochondrial dysfunction
4. Cell-matrix interactions
5. Contribution of cardiomyocyte apoptosis
6. Metabolic remodelling
7. Electrical remodelling
8. Post-infarct remodelling and wound healing
9. Biomarkers of myocardial remodelling
10. Novel pharmacological therapies

We invite you to contribute original manuscripts based on your research related to the above-mentioned topics to the upcoming Spotlight Issue on cardiac remodelling. Please select the article type “Spotlight Issue – Original Article” upon submission of your manuscript online at http://www.editorialmanager.com/cardiovascres/default.asp

Deadline for submission of manuscripts: July 1st, 2008
Expected publication date: February 15th, 2009

SPOTLIGHT ISSUE ON LIPID SIGNALLING PATHWAYS IN THE HEART AND VASCULATURE

to be published in May, 2009

Guest Editors:
Joel S. Karliner, (University of California, San Francisco)
Joan Heller Brown, (University of California, San Diego)

A spotlight issue on mechanisms of lipid signalling in the heart and vasculature is scheduled to appear in May, 2009. Lipids and lipid-generated second messengers play a significant role in cardiovascular signalling. During the past decade considerable new information has been gathered on how sphingolipids and phosphoinositides and their metabolites mediate responses of the heart and vasculature. These lipids and their products have newly discovered roles in protecting the heart and vasculature from ischemic damage, in regulation of Ca2+ and contractility and in control of cell growth and gene expression. The goal of this issue is to gather under one “roof” state-of-the art reviews and to invite the contribution original work that will further enhance this still nascent area of basic and clinical investigation.

Preliminary topics of invited review articles related to the above topic include:

1. Sphingosine kinase regulation and cardiac protection
2. Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor signalling
3. Sphingolipid regulation of vascular cells
4. Sphingomyelinase regulation and role in the heart
5. PTEN, PI 3-kinase, and Akt in the heart and vasculature
6. InsP3 in cardiac Ca2+ regulation and gene expression
7. Eicosanoids, phospholipase A2 and cardiolipin in the heart
8. Protein kinase C as a therapeutic target in the heart

We invite you to contribute original manuscripts to the upcoming Spotlight on Lipid Signalling Pathways in the Heart and Vasculature based on your research related to the above-mentioned topics. Please select the article type “Spotlight Issue – Original Article” upon submission of your manuscript online at http://www.editorialmanager.com/cardiovascres/default.asp

Deadline for submission of manuscripts: September 1st, 2008
Expected publication date: May 1st, 2009


SPOTLIGHT ISSUE ON CARDIAC PROTECTION

to be published in July, 2009

Issue Editors:

H. Michael Piper (University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany)
David Garcia-Dorado (Hospital Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona, Spain)

A spotlight issue on cardiac protection is scheduled to appear in July, 2009. In the past few years, exciting new concepts for protecting the heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury have emerged which are now on the verge of clinical application. New molecular targets for cellular protection have been identified, awaiting appropriate drug therapy. The first minutes of reperfusion are now recognized as a window of opportunity for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. Interventions at this time may not only salvage the myocardium acutely but also influence the long-term post-ischemic remodelling process. The issue will combine state-of-the-art reviews and original studies.

Preliminary topics of invited review articles related to the above topic include:

1. Pharmacology of mitochondrial permeability transition
2. Pharmacological targets for protection
3. Myocardial protection by modulation of inflammatory response
4. Microvascular injury during ischemia and reperfusion
5. Influence of cardioprotection on post-ischemic remodelling
6. Protective pharmacological strategies in patients
7. Protective ischemia in patients
8. Time-window for cell therapy in acute myocardial infarction
9. Reperfusion protection in heart surgery

We invite you to contribute original manuscripts to the upcoming Spotlight on Cardiac Protection based on your research related to the above-mentioned topics. Please select the article type “Spotlight Issue – Original Article” upon submission of your manuscript online.

Deadline for submission of manuscripts: December 1st, 2008
Expected publication date: July 15th, 2009


REVIEW FOCUS ON MOLECULAR IMAGING IN THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

to be published in September, 2009

Guest Editor:

Jonathan R. Lindner (Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA)

Cardiovascular Research publishes occasional review series devoted to a specific research topic. These series may be accompanied by high quality, original research papers on this theme. All papers are subjected to the normal peer review process (an editorial decision is usually made within 22 days of receipt of a manuscript).

A Review Focus on molecular imaging in the cardiovascular system is scheduled to appear in September, 2009. The term molecular imaging has been broadly applied to describe a heterogeneous array of imaging techniques that have been developed for use in both the basic science and clinical settings. This review will focus on in vivo applications where targeted imaging of the molecular mediators of cardiovascular disease can potentially provide important new information on pathophysiology or can be used to enhance clinical management through early diagnosis or selection for therapy. Although the invited review articles relate to the theme of ultrasound imaging, we encourage submissions using all forms of imaging since each will play an important role depending on the relative advantages and disadvantages of the imaging technology and targeted tracers.

Preliminary topics of invited review articles related to the above theme include:

1. Contrast ultrasound and signal generation
2. Imaging of atherosclerosis
3. Assessment of inflammatory responses
4. Imaging of ischemia
5. Evaluation of angiogenesis and cell therapy
6. Therapeutic uses of targeted ultrasound constrast agents

We invite you to contribute original manuscripts to the upcoming Review Focus on Imaging in the Cardiovascular System based on your research related to the above-mentioned topics. Other topics of pertinence to cardiovascular imaging will also be considered.

Deadline for submission of manuscripts: January 1st, 2009
Expected publication date: September 1st, 2009