INFORMATION FOR AUTHORS
Scientific Papers, Brief Scientific Reports, Case Reports
The American Journal of Clinical Pathology is devoted to
prompt publication of original studies and observations in clinical and anatomic pathology. Original papers relating to laboratory use, management, and information science will be given
consideration. An article is received with the understanding that
it is submitted solely to the American Journal of Clinical Pathology and that no substantial portion of it is being submitted
elsewhere. A manuscript based primarily on data published previously is not acceptable.
Send the original typewritten manuscript and a photocopy
with two sets of illustrations to:
Myrton F. Beeler, M.D., Editor
American Journal of Clinical Pathology
Box No. 13
Louisiana State University Medical Center
1901 Perdido Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
(504) 566-1487
Transmittal letter. Send with the manuscript a covering letter
which states that 1) all authors have read and approve the final
manuscript; 2) (if applicable) the authors will assume the cost
of reproducing color illustrations; 3) when individuals (who
have contributed significantly to the study) are acknowledged
by name, their permission has been obtained to do so. Also, in
conformance with the Copyright Revision Act of 1976, include
the following statement, which has been signed by all authors
(except federal employees): "In consideration of the American
Journal of Clinical Pathology's taking action in reviewing and
editing this submission, the author(s) undersigned hereby transfers, assigns or otherwise conveys all copyright ownership to
the American Society of Clinical Pathologists in the event that
such work is published in the American Journal of Clinical
Pathology".
Type manuscripts double-spaced throughout, with one-inch
margins, on bond paper, 8V2 X 11 inches. Begin a new page for
each section (i.e., title page, abstract, text, references, tables,
legends, and acknowledgments), numbering pages consecutively.
Title page. Include on the title page: 1) a concise title; 2) first
name, middle initial, last name of each author plus his highest
degree; 3) institutional affiliation of each author; 4) name and
address of author to whom reprint requests should be addressed;
5) acknowledgment of source(s) of support; 6) a brief title (40
characters total, including spaces); 7) disclaimers, if any.
Abstract and key words. The abstract, not exceeding 150
words, should state the study's purposes, procedures, and significant findings, with emphasis on new observations. Include
3 to 10 key words below the abstract.
Text. The Introduction should include only that portion of
the literature which is pertinent to the objectives of the study.
Clearly state the purpose and rationale of the study being reported. Materials and Methods. Present material in such detail
that the work can be duplicated. Reference established methods
and describe only new or modified methods. Describe results
concisely and in a logical sequence. Tables and figures should
be consistent with the text and not be repetitious. Restrict the
Discussion to the new and significant aspects of the study and
draw conclusions based only on reported data, linking them to
the objectives. Lengthy discussion of the subject cannot be permitted because of space limitations. Make Case Reports brief,
limited to not more than four printed Journal pages (about
twelve double-spaced manuscript pages).
Nomenclature. Use Dorland's Medical Dictionary and Webster's International Dictionary as standard references. Use the
nomenclature of bacteria given in the 8th Edition of Bergey's
Manual of Determinative Bacteriology. Identify all drugs and
chemicals used by their generic names, followed, in parentheses,
by the chemical formula if the structure is not well known.
Proprietary names of drugs may be added in parentheses following the generic names.
Units. Express quantitative measurements in the conventional
metric units. Follow by SI units, in parentheses, in accordance
with the proposal of the National Committee of Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) Position Paper PPC-11, 1979. Clin
Chem 25:657-658, 1979. pH, gas pressure measurements (p02
and pC0 2 ), and osmolality should be reported in conventional
units only. Express enzyme activity in International Units per
liter (U/L). Base all SI concentration units on a volume of one
liter and express amounts in moles, using factors given by Lehmann, HP, Am J Clin Pathol 65:2-20, 1976, except when definitive molecular masses have not been established (e.g.. proteins
and mixtures). In describing reagent preparation, give weights
and volumes in metric units as at present.
Abbreviations. Use standard abbreviations whenever possible
(see Council for Biology Editors Style Manual, Council for Biology Editors, 4th Edition, Arlington, VA, 1978). The full term
for which the abbreviation stands, followed by the abbreviation
in parenthesis, should precede the first use of the abbreviation
in the text, except for standard units of measurement.
Human and animal experimentation. When reporting results
of experimental investigations on human subjects, include a
statement that the procedures followed were in accord with the
ethical standards established by the institution in which the
experiments were performed or are in accord with the Helsinki
Declaration of 1975 (Encyclopedia ofBioethics. Vol 4, Warren
T. Reich, Editor-in-Chief. Georgetown University, The Free
Press, Division of Macmillan Publishing, New York, 1978, pp
1769-1773). Experimental investigations on animals must include a statement indicating that the institution's or the National
Research Council's guide for the care and use of laboratory
animals was followed.
References. References should include only articles cited in
the text. They must be arranged and numbered consecutively
in alphabetical order. References cited only in the tables or
legends to figures should be numbered according to the sequence
in which the table or illustration appears in the text. When
there are six or fewer authors, list all authors (last name followed
by initials). When there are seven or more authors, list only the
first three and add el al. Follow this by the full title of the article
in lower case (except where a capital is required), the journal
title abbreviated according to Index Medicus, the year, the volume number, and inclusive pages.
Illustrations. Cite each figure in the text in consecutive order.
All illustrations should be submitted as sharp, glossy, black and
white, unmounted photographic prints. Photomicrographs
should be submitted in a size to fit the Journal columns, 3'A
X <9 in. (single column) or 7 X <9 in. (full page). Other sizes
will be trimmed prior to publication. Lettering should be of
professional quality (not free hand) and legible when reduced
for publication. Type illustration titles and explanations on a
separate page. Indicate the number of the figure and authors)
by writing lightly in pencil or pasting a label on the top-back
of illustrations. State the stain and magnification used, in the
legend. When photographs of persons are used, the subjects
must not be identifiable unless written permission has been
obtained. If a figure has been reproduced, acknowledge the original source. Color photographs are reproduced only at the author's expense.
Tables. Cite tables in the text in consecutive order. Type each
table double-spaced on separate pages. Each column should
contain a short heading. Place explanatory material (with nonstandard abbreviations, if not explained in the text) in footnotes
to the table. Do not use internal horizontal and vertical lines.
Footnotes. Limit use of footnotes. Use symbols in the following
order *, t, t, §, ", I **, ftDisposition of manuscript. Receipt of manuscripts will be
acknowledged and a decision regarding disposition made as
soon as possible. Accepted manuscripts are subject to editorial
revision and are not returned. Responsible author will receive
galley proof which must be reviewed and returned to the Publisher within 48 hours. An order form for reprints accompanies
the galley proof.
Letters to the Editor. Only communications referring to an
article recently published in the Journal are eligible for acceptance as Letters to the Editor. One month is allowed for the
original author's reply, after which the letters) will usually be
published within two months. However, for such rapid publication we cannot provide authors with galley proofs or reprints.
Letters to the Editor containing figures or complicated tables
will go through the usual process. Publication in that case takes
about six months. In many instances, such letters are more
appropriately submitted as a Brief Scientific Report.