Sepsis with subsequent multiple organ dysfunction is a pronounced systemic inflammatory response to concealed or known infection. It is one of the leading causes of ICU admissions, which affects patients of all ages with multiple comorbidities and underlying diagnoses, and is the result of infection by many potential pathogens infecting various organs or sites.
The pathogenesis of sepsis remains poorly understood although it is attributable to dysregulated immune responses orchestrated by innate immune cells that sequentially release early and late pro-inflammatory mediators. Recent studies proved that VE-cadherin cleavage, weak or absent type IV collagen expression and elevated L-arginine and ADMA levels appear to be of clinical relevance in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. These many molecules have been clinically tested, however, no beneficial effects on outcomes in heterogeneous populations of patients have been determined.
Mounting evidence in both animal models and human studies suggests that sepsis induces a higher mortality, cognitive decline (e.g. dementia), progressive immunosuppression, cholinergic anti-inflammatory deficiency, metabolic and hydroelectrolyte imbalance.
Current sepsis therapies are largely supportive and limited to a few clinical interventions, including antibiotics, steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., hydrocortisone) and early goal-directed therapies (EGDT). Despite improved overall management for sepsis, no strategies have yet been persistently shown to have beneficial effects on outcomes, and therefore mortality and morbidity rates remain high.
In this thematic series for Military Medical Research, we would like to generate an international view of sepsis across the globe. A variety of articles including Research, Review and Study Protocol are preferred. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
- Epidemiology
- Pathogenesis/mechanisms of sepsis
- Predictive and prognostic biomarkers
- Clinical features and diagnosis
- Therapeutic approaches and interventional strategies
- Sepsis-induced sequelae: prevention and management
Articles must be received by June 30, 2016 for consideration for the thematic series. Please refer to our Submission Guidelines for information on preparing your manuscript for Military Medical Research, and submit your manuscript via our online submission system. Please highlight that your submission is to be considered for the thematic series in your cover letter. For rapid feedback on the potential suitability of an article for this Thematic Series, please submit a pre-submission enquiry.
Submission deadline: June 30, 2016
Guest Editors:
Yong-Ming Yao
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Trauma Research Center, First Hospital Affiliated to the Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
Timothy R. Billiar
Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA
You may also be interested in the relevant articles regarding Sepsis published in Military Medical Research, please enjoy free access to full articles at the following links:
An ongoing search for potential targets and therapies for lethal sepsis
Current knowledge and future directions of TLR and NOD signaling in sepsis
Septic encephalopathy: when cytokines interact with acetylcholine in the brain