INSTRUCTIONS FOR AUTHORS

Chinese Medical Sciences Journal (Chin Med Sci J) is a peer-reviewed, general medical journal published by the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Chin Med Sci J reports on all aspects of basic and clinical medicine and pharmacology in China, while contributions from abroad are welcomed as well.

MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION

Manuscripts are considered with the understanding that they have not been published previously in print or electronic format and are not under consideration by another publication or electronic media. Copies of those containing substantially similar content or using the same or similar data that have already been published or accepted for publication elsewhere in print or electronic format must be provided at the time of manuscript submission. Any previously published figures and tables and any personal communications cited must be accompanied by written permission from the copyright owner or author cited. All authors of the manuscript must have agreed to its submission and are responsible for its content.

Authors are required to submit their manuscripts online at http://www.actacams.com

Manuscript inquiries: Tel: 86-10-65105897, Fax: 86- 10-65133074, E-mail: actacams@263.net.cn

CATEGORIES OF ARTICLES

Original Articles (up to 3000 words or 5 journal pages) represent complete investigations that constitute a significant advance in the field. Include a structured abstract, an introduction, sections with brief headings of Materials and Methods, Results, and Discussion, up to 5 figures or tables, and a maximum of 30 references.

Short Communications differ from original articles in that the scope of the report is narrower. They include case reports, new techniques, procedures, instruments, etc.

Case reports (up to 2000 words or 3 journal pages) present important new research results of broad significance. Include an introductory paragraph, sections with headings of Case Description and Discussion, up to 3 figures or tables, and a maximum of 10 references.

Reviews (about 5 journal pages) provide an original comprehensive look into a field which highlights unresolved questions and historical perspectives and defines new trends and areas of investigation. Reviews are generally commissioned by editors though unsolicited contributions may be considered on occasion. They may address any subject within the scope of the journal. They must be based on published articles. A non-structured abstract is needed. A maximum of 40 references is suggested.

Research Notes are brief contributions presenting preliminary results or updates on ongoing projects of importance and of general interest. The text should not exceed 600 words (including authors' names and affiliations). Submit Research Notes in the same way as full-length papers. Combine introduction, methods, results, and discussion in a single section; do not use section headings in the body of the text; do not include illustrations, tables, or references.

MANUSCRIPT PREPARATION

Chin Med Sci J complies with the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals: Writing and Editing for Biomedical Publication (http://www.icmje. org).

Manuscripts may be editorially rejected, without review, on the basis of poor English or lack of conformity to the standards set forth in these Instructions.

Instructions for acceptable manuscript and figure formats at both the initial submission and revision stage, tips for creating efficient figures, and additional resources on editorial style are as follow.

Title Page The title page should include a short but informative title of no more than 50 letters, the names and affiliations of each author, and footnotes indicating the telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address of the corresponding author as well as the financial support.

and Abstract Authors should provide a list of 3-5 key words to assist the indexers in cross-indexing the article. Refer to Index Medicus for acceptable key words.

Original articles should include a structured abstract of no more than 250 words emphasizing new and important aspects of the study or observations. The abstract should convey the main point of the article and outline the results or conclusions. It should be divided by individual headings into paragraphs entitled: Objective, Methods, Results, and Conclusions. Reviews need a 150-word non-structured abstract. Other types of articles do not need an abstract. The abstract must not include references and should cite necessary data in the Results.

Note: Chinese authors are required to submit an extra abstract in Chinese.

Text The text should follow this outline:

Introduction: Clearly state the purpose and, where applicable, a brief and relevant background of the study, thus allowing the reader to understand and evaluate the results of the present study. The introduction should also provide the hypothesis that was addressed or the rationale for the present study.

Materials and Methods: Describe the subjects (including criteria for selection) and the equipment involved as well as the methods used. The sources of all equipment, drugs, chemicals, and experimental animals or cell lines must be identified. The Materials and Methods section should include sufficient technical information to allow the experiments to be repeated.

Results: Include the results of the experiments. Present the results clearly and concisely. Do not discuss their implications and do not repeat in detail all data presenting in tables and figures. Present the results in one of the following forms: text, table(s), or figure(s).

Discussion: Emphasize new and important aspects of the study and the conclusions that follow from them. Provide an interpretation of the results in relation to previously published work and to the experimental system at hand. Point out methodological or other limitations that may bear on the interpretation of the results. Do not repeat details listed in the Results section or reiterate the introduction, and do not review the field in depth. When citing references, do not detail their findings.

Note: Symbols, abbreviations, and acronyms should be defined at the first time they are used. In line with Chin Med Sci J’s publishing style, subsections should not be numbered but given a brief heading typed in italics.

References should be numbered consecutively in the order in which they are first mentioned in the text. Identify references in text, tables, and legends by means of mini-size Arabic numerals. For reference form, see the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals. Examples of the proper format are:

Vega KJ, Pina I, Krevsky B. Heart transplantation is associated with an increased risk for pancreatobiliary disease. Ann Intern Med 1996; 124: 980-3.

Phillips SJ, Whisnant JP. Hypertension and stroke. In: Laragh JH, Brenner BM, editors. Hypertension: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management. 2nd ed. New York: Raven Press; 1995. p. 465-78.

Abood S. Quality improvement initiative in nursing homes: the ANA acts in an advisory role. Am J Nurs. 2002 Jun [cited 2002 Aug 12];102(6). Available from: http:// www.nursingworld.org/AJN/2002/june/Wawatch.htm

Note: A reference with more than three authors may list only the first three authors. References from Chinese Journals must be translated into English.

Tables and Figures Tables and figures should be numbered in the order in which they are cited in the text, and be sure to cite all figures and tables. Arrange the data so that columns of similar material read down, not across.

Tables: Each table should be presented double-spaced and identified by a clear and concise title above the table. Data should be arranged clearly and enough information should be included to warrant table form, and tables with fewer data will be incorporated into the text by the copyeditor. Columns must be provided with headings and units. The headings should be sufficiently clear so that the meaning of the data is understandable without reference to the text. Footnotes can be used to clarify the data, explain abbreviations, and clarify statistical significance. For footnotes use the following symbols, in sequence: *, ?, ?, §, #,‖, **, ??, ??, etc.). Do not use internal horizontal or vertical rules.

Figures: Including graphs, flow charts, diagrams, photographs, and radiographs. Figures should be clear, usually 7 cm×9 cm in size. In the case of photographs, the orientation of each print (glossy) should be indicated on the reverse. In the case of photomicrographs, the staining method and magnification should be indicated. Include only the significant portions of figures. Indicate the important areas of figures. All information that may identify a patient should be removed.

Figure legends should provide enough information so that the figure is understandable by readers without frequent reference to the text. The figure title should be a brief descriptive phrase or sentence given at the first line of the legend. Any individually labeled figure parts or panels (A, B, etc.) should be specifically described by phases or sentences. Define all symbols and abbreviations used in the figure.

Note: The cost of printing in color is required to be borne by the author. Color graphics may be submitted for reviewing purpose only on initial submission. At the modification stage, digital files that are acceptable for production must be submitted.

Units of measurement In tables, figures, and throughout the text, data should be presented in metric units, temperature in degrees Celsius, blood pressure in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), and the International System of Units (SI) should be adopted as standard.

Abbreviations and Acronyms Use only standard abbreviations. Avoid abbreviations in the title. The full term for which an abbreviation stands should precede its first use in the text unless it is a standard unit of measurement. Place the abbreviation and acronym in parentheses at first use in the abstract or text.

Verb Tense and Voice Use the past tense to narrate particular events in the past, including the procedures, observations, and data of the study that you are reporting. Use the present tense for your own general conclusions, the conclusions of previous researchers, and generally accepted facts. Use the active voice rather than the passive voice to describe how you execute the study and state your viewpoints.

Address to the Editorial Office

Chinese Medical Sciences Journal

9 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing 100730, China

Tel: 86-10-65105897

Fax: 86-10-65133074

http://www.actacams.com

E-mail: actacams@263.net.cn