Academic Encyclopedia - Scientific Entries, Videos & Images

Encyclopedia Insights

More >>

Ongoing

MDPI Academic Video Service: Advancing Visual Scholarly Communication

Encyclopedia MDPI is thrilled to announce significant enhancements to its Academic Video Service, which aim to improve its quality, accessibility, and functionality. Since its launch, our video service has enabled numerous scholars to present their research in a dynamic and visually engaging format, greatly enhancing its visibility and impact. Due to the overwhelmingly positive reception this service has received, we have reached a point where the number of orders we are receiving exceeds our current capacity. In order to maintain the quality of these videos and continue optimizing the service, we have made the decision to introduce a fee. However, to ensure that this service is still a cost-effective option, we have set our prices significantly below the market average. 1. Highlights of the Upgrades to the Service Although the service will now be fee-based, we are committed to providing even more professional and comprehensive support, including the following: One-on-one video production guidance Personalized assistance to ensure your needs are fully met. Scriptwriting and English editing Expertly crafted narratives and professional English editing to ensure your research is presented clearly, accurately, and with impact. High-quality animations Visually engaging animations are created to simplify complex research and captivate your audience. Whiteboard Animations: Clean and minimalist, using hand-drawn illustrations to explain ideas step-by-step. Motion Graphics (MG) Animations: Cartoon Style: Bright, colorful, and approachable, ideal for making technical or scientific content more accessible and engaging. Hand-Drawn Style: Unique and artistic, adding a personal touch to your research while maintaining clarity and professionalism. Customized infographics (optional) We can also create tailored infographics to visually summarize key data or findings, enhancing the clarity and appeal of your video. Native voiceover Native speakers provide voiceovers to enhance the accessibility and reach of your research. Multiple rounds of revision To ensure your video accurately represents your work. Social media promotion Expanding your research's visibility and impact. 2. Why Choose Us? The Proven Impact of Video Abstracts Research shows that a well-crafted video abstract can significantly enhance the visibility and impact of your work. It has been shown to do the following: Increase paper views by 120% （Source: 10.1007/ s11192-019-03108-w） Boost citations by 20% （Source: Wiley Online Library） Improve journal rankings by 33% （Source: Research Square） Raise Altmetrics scores by 140% （Source: Research Square） Our Expertise in Academic Research Backed by MDPI, our experienced production team combines deep academic knowledge with creative excellence. We understand the nuances of scholarly communication and ensure that every frame accurately conveys the value of your research, meeting the highest standards of quality and precision. Collaborations with SCI Journals We have partnered with over 60 SCI journals to create exclusive video series, enhancing the dissemination and impact of published research. For example, our collaborations with Entropy, Remote Sensing, Nanomaterials , Animals , Nutrients, Foods , Sustainability, Cancers, etc., have helped authors achieve greater visibility and recognition for their work. Global visibility The videos are linked to your paper's DOI for maximum exposure. Available Video Services and Their Pricing Video Abstract (up to 5 minutes long): Summarizes the key findings, methodology, and significance of your research paper. Regular Price: 600 CHF Short Take (up to 2 minutes long): Uses original animations to explain the specific aspects of your research. Regular Price: 500 CHF Scholar Interview: A face-to-face discussion offering deeper insights into your publication. Regular Price: 400 CHF Scholar Profile: A brief overview of a scholar’s career, highlighting education, research focus, and key achievements. Regular Price: 500 CHF 3. Video Production Service If you want to see some examples of our videos, please visit https://encyclopedia.pub/video. If you would like to apply for the video service, please click https://encyclopedia.pub/video_service. 4. Others If you have any other questions, please contact office@encyclopedia.pub.

Announcement 14 Apr 2026

Where Do Sutureless Valves Fit in Modern Aortic Valve Surgery?

Aortic valve replacement remains one of the most commonly performed procedures in cardiac surgery for treating severe aortic valve disease. While conventional surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) continues to provide excellent long-term outcomes, advances in both surgical techniques and transcatheter therapies have expanded the range of treatment options available to patients. Among these developments, sutureless aortic valve replacement (SuAVR) was introduced to simplify valve implantation by reducing the need for multiple sutures, with the goal of shortening operative time and facilitating minimally invasive surgery. More than a decade after its introduction, clinical experience with sutureless valves has grown substantially. At the same time, rapid progress in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and continued refinements in conventional surgery have reshaped the treatment landscape. A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, titled "Exploring Use-Rates of and Scientific Evidence on Sutureless Devices in Aortic Valve Replacement: A Bibliographic Meta-Analysis and Clinical Considerations", reviews the current evidence surrounding SuAVR, examines how its use has evolved across different regions, and discusses where the technique may fit within contemporary cardiac surgery. Figure 1. Use and Evidence of Sutureless Aortic Valves. Produced by MDPI Academic Video Service (Source: https://encyclopedia.pub/video/1831). 1. Why Sutureless Valves Were Developed Conventional surgical valve replacement requires the prosthetic valve to be secured with multiple sutures, a process that contributes to aortic cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times. Because longer operative times are associated with increased surgical risk, particularly in elderly patients and those with multiple comorbidities, techniques that simplify valve implantation have attracted considerable interest. Sutureless valves were developed to address this challenge. By reducing the number of sutures required during implantation, they may simplify the procedure while maintaining the principles of surgical valve replacement. The technology also complements minimally invasive surgical approaches, where the limited operative field can make conventional suturing more technically demanding. For these reasons, SuAVR attracted considerable attention as a potential way to improve procedural efficiency while preserving the established benefits of surgical valve replacement. 2. What the Current Evidence Suggests Over the past decade, a substantial body of clinical evidence has accumulated on sutureless valve implantation. To better understand how this evidence has evolved, the authors systematically reviewed 538 published studies on SuAVR. The analysis showed that most of the available evidence comes from observational studies, while randomized controlled trials account for only 1.3% of the published literature. Although SuAVR has been investigated extensively, the limited availability of randomized evidence means that important clinical questions remain incompletely answered. Across the published literature, one of the most consistent findings is that SuAVR is associated with shorter aortic cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times than conventional SAVR. These procedural advantages may be particularly relevant in patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery or in those for whom reducing operative time is desirable. At the same time, the paper notes that concerns remain regarding long-term valve durability, pacemaker implantation, and procedural costs. These issues continue to influence how the technology is evaluated and adopted in clinical practice. 3. Clinical Use Has Continued to Evolve Although research on SuAVR has expanded considerably, its global clinical adoption remains relatively limited. The paper found that approximately 80% of the published literature originated from Europe, whereas North America contributed fewer than 10% of publications, highlighting a marked geographical imbalance in both research activity and clinical use. The authors suggest that this pattern may reflect a combination of factors, including earlier regulatory approval in Europe, differences in reimbursement policies, and variation in patient populations. At the same time, the rapid expansion of TAVR has transformed the treatment of aortic valve disease, while conventional SAVR has continued to evolve through refinements in surgical techniques and prosthetic valve technology. Against this background, SuAVR has assumed a more selective role rather than becoming a universal alternative. The authors suggest that SuAVR may offer its greatest clinical value by facilitating minimally invasive surgical aortic valve replacement, an approach that remains underutilized in many parts of the world despite its potential benefits in appropriately selected patients. 4. Finding a Place Alongside SAVR and TAVR As treatment options for aortic valve disease continue to expand, selecting the most appropriate intervention increasingly depends on individual patient characteristics, anatomical considerations, surgical risk, and procedural goals. Rather than replacing existing approaches, SuAVR has become one of several treatment options available to cardiac surgeons. Its potential advantages are most relevant in selected clinical settings, highlighting the importance of individualized decision-making when planning valve replacement. 5. What Comes Next for SuAVR? The study emphasizes that additional high-quality comparative trials are needed to strengthen the evidence base for SuAVR. More standardized clinical guidance will also be important for better defining the role of this technology within modern valve therapy. Meanwhile, advances in conventional surgery, transcatheter interventions, and prosthetic valve technology will continue to shape the management of aortic valve disease. As these treatment options evolve, careful patient selection will remain central to choosing the most appropriate therapeutic approach. 6. Putting the Evidence into Perspective Sutureless aortic valve replacement was developed to simplify surgical valve implantation and support less invasive cardiac surgery. More than a decade of clinical experience has shown that the technique can shorten operative times and may offer practical advantages in selected patients, particularly when minimally invasive surgery or reduced procedural duration is desired. Current evidence suggests that SuAVR occupies a focused rather than universal role in contemporary valve therapy. As additional comparative evidence becomes available and clinical guidance continues to evolve, a clearer understanding of where SuAVR fits within modern aortic valve treatment will help support informed surgical decision-making.

Blog 01 Jul 2026

Less Dissection, Same Fixation: A Modified Approach to Lumbopelvic Reconstruction

Lumbopelvic fixation is used to stabilize the lumbosacral junction in complex clinical situations where standard posterior instrumentation is no longer sufficient. These cases are commonly seen in trauma, tumor involvement, infections, or severe deformity, where structural instability may coexist with neural compression. Although minimally invasive spinal techniques have expanded significantly in recent years, their use in the lumbopelvic region remains limited. This is largely due to the need for direct access to the sacrum in many of these cases. As a result, open surgery continues to play an essential role when decompression or reconstruction cannot be achieved through percutaneous methods alone. In this context, a technical note published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, titled “Lumbopelvic Fixation: How to Be Less Invasive When You Cannot Be Minimally Invasive—A New Subcutaneous Supra-Fascial Approach to Minimize Open Iliac Screwing”, describes a modified method for iliac screw placement that aims to reduce soft tissue disruption while maintaining the principles of standard lumbopelvic reconstruction. Figure 1. Lumbopelvic Fixation. Produced by MDPI Academic Video Service (Source: https://encyclopedia.pub/video/1788). 1. Clinical Context and Indications The technique is demonstrated in a clinically complex case involving a 56-year-old female patient diagnosed with metastatic breast carcinoma affecting the sacrum. In this patient, tumor involvement led to significant sacral destruction, accompanied by nerve compression and urinary retention, indicating both mechanical instability and neurological compromise. In such scenarios, surgical goals typically extend beyond stabilization alone. Decompression of neural elements and partial tumor resection are often required in combination with structural reconstruction of the lumbopelvic junction. 2. Surgical Strategy and Exposure Technique The procedure was performed using a linear midline incision. Rather than relying on extensive subperiosteal muscle stripping, the authors describe a more controlled subfascial dissection technique. This approach emphasizes preservation of key paraspinal muscles, including the Longissimus thoracis and Iliocostalis lumborum, which are often disrupted in conventional open exposures. To access the iliac entry point, a subcutaneous supra-fascial corridor is created. This corridor allows instrumentation toward the posterior superior iliac spine while limiting deeper muscular dissection. Intraoperative CT navigation is used to guide screw placement, particularly important in cases where the exposure is intentionally reduced and anatomical landmarks may be less directly visualized. A U-shaped cross-link is then applied to complete the construct and enhance overall stability, especially in long-segment reconstructions where rotational control is relevant. 3. Clinical Outcome and Postoperative Course Following surgery, the patient underwent successful lumbopelvic fixation combined with nerve root decompression and partial tumor resection. No new postoperative neurological deficits were observed. Over the early postoperative period, the patient showed progressive improvement in sphincter function, suggesting recovery of some degree of neurological function following decompression. Intraoperative blood loss and soft tissue disruption were reported to be reduced compared with more extensive open dissection approaches. At six-month follow-up, computed tomography confirmed stable positioning of the lumbopelvic construct. Residual tumor tissue was still present, consistent with the underlying metastatic disease process, but no mechanical failure of fixation was observed. 4. Technical Interpretation The described approach does not modify the fundamental biomechanics of lumbopelvic fixation. Pedicle and iliac screw constructs continue to function by transferring load from the lumbar spine to the pelvis, effectively bypassing the compromised sacrum. Instead, the innovation lies in the method of exposure. By combining muscle-preserving dissection, a subcutaneous supra-fascial iliac corridor, and CT navigation, the technique reduces the extent of soft tissue injury required to achieve the same reconstructive goals. 5. Position Within Existing Surgical Strategies This technique sits within a practical middle ground between conventional open fixation and percutaneous approaches. While minimally invasive techniques aim to reduce exposure entirely, they are not always feasible in cases requiring tumor resection or sacral decompression. In contrast, traditional open surgery provides full access but at the cost of significant soft tissue disruption. The approach described here represents an attempt to reduce this burden without altering the overall surgical strategy. 6. Broader Clinical Implications From a clinical perspective, this type of modification reflects an important reality in spine surgery: many complex cases cannot be categorized as purely open or minimally invasive. Instead, surgeons often operate within hybrid conditions where exposure is necessary, but its extent may still be optimized. In such settings, even modest reductions in muscle dissection and tissue trauma may be clinically meaningful, particularly in patients with oncologic disease who require recovery of neurological function and long-term structural stability. 7. Final Remarks This report describes a modified subcutaneous supra-fascial approach for iliac screw placement in lumbopelvic fixation performed in the setting of sacral metastasis. The technique combines muscle-preserving dissection, CT-guided instrumentation, and a standardized cross-link construct. Rather than changing the principles of fixation, it refines how surgical exposure is achieved when open lumbopelvic surgery is unavoidable.

Blog 24 Jun 2026

Best Video Abstract Awards

The Encyclopedia platform, together with the journals Biology and Nutrients, launches the Best Video Abstract Awards to increase the visibility and reach of published research and to inspire researchers to explore the power of visual storytelling. Video abstracts have become an increasingly important medium for scientific communication. By integrating narration, visualizations, animations, and experimental footage, they make complex research more accessible, engaging, and memorable. This initiative recognizes video abstracts that are not only scientifically rigorous but also creatively compelling and educational, thereby promoting broader dissemination and deeper community engagement. To learn more about the awards or to participate directly, please visit the event page via the links provided below. https://encyclopedia.pub/best-video-abstract-award 1. Event Duration 9 February 2026 – 2 February 2027 2. Awards Biology Best Video Abstract AwardOpen to video abstracts based on papers published in Biology between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2025. This award will be granted to two video abstracts based on the evaluation of the Award Evaluation Committee. Nutrients Best Video Abstract AwardOpen to video abstracts based on papers published in Nutrients between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2025. This award will be granted to two video abstracts based on the evaluation of the Award Evaluation Committee. Prize For each journal award, the winner will receive: CHF 500 A voucher waiving the Article Processing Charges (APCs) for one journal submission (subject to peer review, valid for one year) A free Academic Video Service production (no matter where the paper is published), valid for one year. An electronic certificate Participant Incentive All participants will receive a CHF 100 discount voucher for the Encyclopedia Academic Video Service. 3. Participation The event will be conducted in three stages. Submission Stage 9 February 2026 – 31 August 2026 Independent Submission Authors may create and submit video abstracts independently using their own tools and creative approach. Professional Support Option Authors who do not currently have a video abstract but intend to apply for the award may opt for the Academic Video Service, which offers a one-stop, end-to-end solution covering script development, animation, voiceover recording, and editing. Please submit your video abstract here: https://encyclopedia.pub/user/video_add?activity=b57ab0910b456a5e4eebd960867ce205 Or place your video service order here: https://encyclopedia.pub/user/video_service_order All video abstracts will be assessed by the editorial team for editorial suitability and overall quality. Submissions that meet the guidelines will be assessed equally. Voting Stage 1 November 2026 – 31 December 2026 Public voting will be conducted during this period. Voting results and video performance metrics, including views, likes, shares, and collections, will contribute to the final evaluation. Winner Announcement 2 February 2027 Final winners will be determined based on a combined assessment of public voting results and a comprehensive evaluation by the Award Evaluation Committee, which carries the primary weight in the final decision. Winners will be announced on the Encyclopedia platform and journal websites. 4. Others If you have any other questions, please contact office@encyclopedia.pub

Announcement 09 Feb 2026

Encyclopedia Journal Receives Its First CiteScore of 10.1

We are pleased to share that Encyclopedia has been assigned its first CiteScore of 10.1 in June 2026, following its inclusion in Scopus (Elsevier) in 2025. The CiteScore ranks the journal 20 out of 223 titles (Q1) in Multidisciplinary area, an impressive achievement for a journal running in Volume 6. You can find more statistics on our website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/encyclopedia/stats. The current CiteScores measure the average number of citations within a journal over a four-year window (2022–2025). The Scopus database provides a comprehensive suite of metrics that support informed publishing strategies, research evaluation and enable benchmarking of journal performance. This achievement reflects the collective efforts of our authors, reviewers, and editors. Together we will continue to track the progress of Encyclopedia and its growing impact in multidisciplinary research.

Announcement 04 Jun 2026

See what people are saying about us

Shlomi Agmon

Encyclopedia Video provides potential readers with a tool to quickly understand what the work is about. That is important for casualreaders, whose time is thus spared, and for investedreaders, for whom it makes the decision to say "yes, I want to read the paper" much simpler.

School of Computer Science and Engineering, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel

Ignacio Cea

For the video abstracts, the papers and authors could gain more visibility and increase citations. Also, it means a more diverse and interesting way of communicating research, which is something valuable in itself.

Center for Research, Innovation and Creation, and Faculty of Religious Sciences and Philosophy, Temuco Catholic University

Melvin R. Pete Hayden

Thank the video production crew for making such a wonderful video. The narrations have been significantly added to the video! Congratulations on such an outstanding job of Encyclopedia Video team.

University of Missouri School of Medicine, United States

Encyclopedia:
From Scholars for Scholars

Trending Entries

Top Viewed Entries

Encyclopedia: From Scholars for Scholars

Trending Entries

Top Viewed Entries

Encyclopedia:
From Scholars for Scholars