The Metabolic Genesis of Cardiovascular Disease

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 16:46:57 +0200

A special issue of [https://www.mdpi.com/journal/metabolites] (ISSN 2218-1989). This special issue belongs to the section "Endocrinology and Clinical Metabolic Research [https://www.mdpi.com/journal/metabolites/sections/endocrinology-clinical-metabolic-research] ".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide, exerting a significant burden on public health systems and economies. In parallel, the world is facing an unprecedented epidemic of metabolic disorders—including obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia—which are emerging at alarming rates, particularly among younger populations. A key driver of this trend is an increasing dietary imbalance characterized by excessive consumption of carbohydrates and simple sugars, leading to chronic overstimulation of the insulin axis. This hyperinsulinemic state contributes to systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and metabolic disturbances that collectively accelerate cardiovascular damage.

Increasing evidence implicates metabolic dysfunction as a central driver of chronic low-grade inflammation and immune dysregulation, both of which play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis and progression of CVD. A growing body of research has unveiled intricate links between metabolic derangements and cardiovascular risk, revealing how alterations in metabolites, metabolic pathways, and signaling networks contribute directly to vascular injury, atherosclerosis, and cardiac dysfunction.

This Special Issue, “The Metabolic Genesis of Cardiovascular Disease”, focuses on exploring the emerging concept that metabolic disorders are not merely risk factors but may represent fundamental causative events in cardiovascular disease. We welcome contributions that provide novel insights into dietary influences, metabolomic profiles, inflammatory pathways, immune system interactions, and metabolic networks involved in cardiovascular pathology, as well as studies proposing innovative strategies for early detection, prevention, and treatment of metabolic-driven cardiovascular diseases.

Dr. Davide Agnoletti
Guest Editor

nbsp;https://www.mdpi.com/journal/metabolites/special_issues/98HNYGB9G8

Clinical Case Discussion Moderator Training

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 15:26:31 +0200

Clinical Case Discussion Moderator Training

November 21-22, 2023 - OPEN SPACE – Polo Murri – Bologna

Clinical Tutor: Dr. Christian Rausch (Ludwig Maximilian University - Munich)

After the positive experience within the framework of the Global Alliance of Medical Excellence [https://www.game-med.net/], the School of Medicine and Surgery proposes the Clinical Case Discussion Moderator Training with the goal of offering an innovative learning experience to Medical Students enrolled in one of the four Degree Programs in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Bologna.

Program and Goals

Get to know an innovative teaching format:
The Clinical Case Discussion (CCD) format was developed by leading American medical schools and has successfully been implemented at Ludwig Maximilian University Munich for two decades. The learning format emphasizes peer teaching, active participation, clinical reasoning and collegial discussion of real medical cases. In this course, you will learn the structure of the teaching format, its strengths and weaknesses, and how to conduct your own session.
Improve your clinical reasoning:
Clinical reasoning is improved through both a real-world based learning format demanding diagnostic choices but also through theoretical background on how scientific and clinical reasoning are currently conceptualized. We also include useful algorithms and heuristics that will help you make good clinical choices. In addition, decision support systems such as available online databases will be introduced.
Learn basic concepts of learning science:
The course does not only teach you how to conduct CCDs but gives you the reasons for why learning science considers this format particularly useful as well. Important current principles of learning science such as active recall of a foundation of prior knowledge, spaced and varied practice and the importance of mental models are taught.
Practice your medical English:

As both this course and the CCDs in general are conducted in English you will improve your medical English.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Medical Students (IV-V year) and Junior Clinical Tutors

FORMAT: interactive face-to-face sessions held in English

APPLICATION (for medical students)

Students must be enrolled in the 4th year (degree programs in Medicine and Surgery of Forlì and Ravenna) or in the 5th year (degree programs in Medicine and Surgery of Bologna) in the academic year 2023/2024.

Students attending the fourth or fifth year of the Degree Programs in Medicine and Surgery must submit their application to Prof. Fabrizio De Ponti (fabrizio.deponti@unibo.it) by the deadline of September 30, 2023 with the following attachments:

a) detailed CV (which must specify knowledge of English, which must be at least C1, and must include the number of credits – CFU – achieved up to the date of submission);

b) motivation letter in English (maximum 1 page) with relevant experience (especially in teamwork).

SELECTION OF CANDIDATES. In case more than 15 applications are submitted, the School of Medicine will select15 candidates. Criteria for selection:

knowledge of English (at least C1)
merit (number of credits and scores) weighed by year of attendance
previous experience and motivation

IMPORTANT NOTE: no credits (CFU) will be granted by the University of Bologna. However, students attending both days will receive a certificate of attendance, which, in a student portfolio logic, may be considered by their degree program among the activities concurring to define the score to be assigned to the “Prova Finale”.

Reference:

Fabrizio De Ponti

Dean’s Delegate for Global Alliance of Medical Excellence

Transnational Educational Initiative

Davide Agnoletti � Avvisi

The Metabolic Genesis of Cardiovascular Disease

Clinical Case Discussion Moderator Training