Publication regulations (instructions to authors)

Dermatología Argentina Journal, publication of the Argentine Society of Dermatology. ISSN 1669-1636 (online) ISSN 1515-8411 (print)

1. Scope and Editorial Policy

Dermatología Argentina is the official publication of the Argentine Society of Dermatology. It publishes original, unpublished research articles, review articles, and clinical case reports in dermatology that have not been submitted to or published in other journals or dissemination media, following a triple-blind, online peer-review process, with the aim of providing verifiable scientific information for the medical community. It is addressed to physicians specialized in dermatology and related medical fields who carry out their professional activity in Ibero-America.

Dermatología Argentina will consider for publication those manuscripts that meet the requirements established by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, as set out in the “Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals” (Ann Intern Med 1997; 126: 36-47), May 2000 update, available at http://www.icmje.org. The language of publication is Spanish.

The Editorial Board reserves the right to reject manuscripts for technical or scientific reasons, for not strictly complying with these instructions, or for failing to meet the minimum quality standards required by the journal. Likewise, when deemed appropriate for layout or space reasons, reductions or modifications may be made to the text or graphic material, as well as style edits that do not affect the concepts or conclusions of the article, without prior authorization from the authors.

Responsibility for the content, statements, and authorship of the works lies exclusively with the authors. The Journal is not responsible for loss of submitted material; therefore, authors are advised to keep a copy of the manuscript submitted.

2. Review Process (Peer Review)

Every manuscript submitted to Dermatología Argentina for publication will undergo a pre-review carried out by the Editorial Committee, whose members meet monthly. Once the manuscript is received by the Editorial Office, the Editorial Committee evaluates (without identifying the authors) whether it meets the conditions for publication; if this pre-review is positive, at least two external reviewers (independent from the publishing entity and the editorial team) are appointed to evaluate the manuscript. Peer review is triple-blind and online.

Possible decisions from external reviewers are: accepted, accepted with corrections, and rejected. In case of disagreement between reviewers, the Editorial Committee makes the final decision.

Estimated timeframe for the review process: up to twelve months.

The final decision on publication of an article rests with the Editorial Committee.

The Editorial Office will inform the authors of the decision (acceptance, acceptance with corrections, non-acceptance), maintaining reviewer anonymity. The order of publication is determined by the Editorial Committee. Publication of an article does not imply that the Journal endorses the statements expressed therein. Responsibility for the content, statements, and authorship lies exclusively with the authors.

3. Manuscript Format

Manuscripts submitted for publication in Dermatología Argentina must comply with the following instructions: Articles must be prepared in Arial 12-point font, in MS Word, double-spaced. Pages must be numbered consecutively in the upper right corner of each page.

The first page (title page) must include: the title in Spanish and English; the first and last name of the author(s); and the institutional affiliation data for each author. At the bottom of the title page, include the corresponding author’s details.

Only manuscripts submitted online will be accepted for review.

4. Figures, Charts, and Tables

They must be clear and legible, presented on separate pages, and each must have a title.

5. Photographs

The minimum requirement for clinical and histopathological photographs is 2.3 megapixels (equivalent to 300 dpi for print), high resolution, in JPEG or TIFF format, to be uploaded online.

Photographs of microscopic observations must indicate the magnification used and the technique applied. If material from other authors is used, whether published or unpublished, the corresponding reproduction permission must be attached.

Explanatory captions for photographs must be provided on a separate page. Authorization (informed consent) is required for publication.

6. Classification or Types of Submissions

A) Continuing Medical Education: the manuscript must follow this format:

• Title page.
• Summary and abstract (up to 250 words each). Keywords in English and Spanish.
• Text: maximum length: 10 pages (title page, abstracts, and references are not included in the page count).
• References (must comply with the publication instructions).
• Tables.
• Photos: up to 8.
• Multiple choice: 10 numbered questions, with 4 lettered options and the correct answers.

B) Original Article: refers to: a research article (aimed at answering one or more research questions; it must describe, fully yet concisely, the results of clinical or laboratory research that follows scientific methodology criteria), or a case series (two or more cases of interest, with a review of the topic).

Research article: the manuscript must follow this format: Title page: this is the first numbered page and must include a concise and informative title in Spanish and English. Abstract and keywords: in Spanish and English (abstract and keywords). It must be structured and contain up to 250 words. The structured abstract includes: Background (an update of the current status of the problem, i.e., what problem led to the study); Objective (what was intended to be done, with whom, and for what purpose); Design (type of study); Methods (how the study was conducted); Results (most important findings); and Conclusion (direct answer to the objectives, supported by the results). At the end of each abstract, include a list of 2 or 3 keywords (keywords). These should identify the content of the article and reflect its main concepts, to be compared with MeSH vocabulary (preferably using the Medical Subject Headings list found in Medline, produced by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and freely accessible via the PubMed interface).

If the chosen descriptors are not available in MeSH (e.g., because they are recently introduced), it is advisable to adhere to the terminology used in the consulted medical literature.

· Article text: organized with an introduction, materials and methods, results, and comments. Maximum length: 10 pages.

a) Introduction: indicate the general field to which the work refers, as well as its purpose. Summarize the rationale for the study and state the research objectives (what is to be done, with whom, and for what purpose). Avoid including data or conclusions from the work.

b) Materials and methods: define the population, i.e., inclusion, exclusion, and elimination criteria used for patient enrollment, as well as the exact place and date of the study. If randomization procedures were used, specify the technique. Where applicable, state that informed consent was requested from patients and that the responsible Institutional Ethics Committee approved the study. Precisely define the variables studied and the techniques used to measure them. Report statistical tests in sufficient detail so that data can be verified by other researchers, and justify the use of each. Provide the name of the statistical software used for data processing. Identify procedures, equipment (manufacturer name and address in parentheses), as well as drugs and chemical substances used—generic names, doses, and routes of administration—so other researchers can reproduce the results.

c) Results: present results in a logical sequence. This sequence must be consistent in the text, tables, and figures. Data may be shown in tables or figures, but not simultaneously in both. The most relevant results must always be described in the text. Do not repeat all the data shown in a table or figure; highlight or summarize only the important observations in the text. Do not mix results presentation with discussion, which must be included in the next section.

d) Comments: this is a discussion of the results obtained in the work, not a review of the topic. Discuss and emphasize only the new and important aspects your work contributes and the conclusions you draw from them. Do not repeat data from the results section. Discuss implications and limitations of your findings, and relate these observations to other relevant studies with appropriate references and citations. Relate conclusions to the study purpose. Avoid conclusions not solidly supported by findings. Propose new hypotheses when appropriate. Offer recommendations.

• Tables and charts: up to 6.
• Photographs: up to 8.
• References: 15 to 30.

Case series: the manuscript must follow this format: Title page: first numbered page, including a concise and informative title in Spanish and English. Abstract and keywords: in Spanish and English (abstract and keywords). Maximum length: 150 words. Article text: organized with an introduction, case series, and comments. Maximum length: 6 pages. a) Introduction: present background and the interest of the report. b) Case(s): concise description of cases presented. Use tables when a large number of cases requires it. c) Comments: provide a review of the topic with references to the cases presented, and express agreements or differences, proposals, or hypotheses as appropriate.

• Tables and charts: up to 4.
• Photographs: up to 6.
• References: 10 to 20.

C) Clinical Case: allows rapid and straightforward publication of a case of practical interest and easy reading. The manuscript must follow this format: Title page: first numbered page, including a concise and informative title in Spanish and English. Number of authors: up to 5. Abstract and keywords: in Spanish and English (abstract and keywords). Maximum length: 100 words. Article text: organized as clinical case (written in past tense), starting with the case description, followed by comments: brief, focused on key aspects of the case and its comparison with the literature. Maximum length: 3 pages.

• Photograph: up to 4.
• Does not include an introduction, charts, or tables.
• References: up to 10.

If the Clinical Case reports a new entity or if its exceptionality is due to epidemiological, clinical, or therapeutic aspects, it may be considered by the Editorial Committee for publication as an original article.

D) What Is Your Diagnosis? Title page: first numbered page, including the title in Spanish and English describing the lesion presented, omitting the diagnosis.

• Number of authors: up to 4.
• Clinical case with dermatologic description and histopathological study. Maximum length: up to 2 pages.
• Diagnosis: mention only.
• Updated comment on the entity presented.
• Photographs: up to 4 (2 clinical and 2 histopathological).
• References: up to 10.

E) Skin in Literature

Title page: first numbered page and must include title in Spanish and English and a subtitle indicating the author’s name and the book from which the fragment was taken.

Number of authors: up to 2.

Second page: fragment of the work where the mention of skin appears (mandatory).

Maximum length: 1 page.

Third page: affiliation data for the author, mentioning nationality and year of birth (and of death, if applicable), profession, literary genre in which the author stands out, and main works (up to five). Also include a brief comment on the book from which the fragment was taken, and a sentence authored by the writer, independent of the book in which it appears. Optionally, an anecdote from the author’s life may be included.

• Maximum length: 1 page.
• Photograph: 1.
• References: the book from which the fragment was taken, as indicated for printed texts, item “b” (book chapters).

F) Other Articles: Dermatología Argentina also publishes update or review articles, letters to the editor, and articles in the Young Dermatologists section. Update or review articles: their structure is free, with development of the different aspects of the topic; if the author has carried out a critical analysis of the information, a Discussion section should be included. Subheadings may be used for better didactic presentation. Authors submitting this type of article must include a section describing the methods used to locate, select, collect, and synthesize the data. Maximum length: 10 pages of text; references should be as complete as required for each topic. An abstract and keywords in Spanish and English are required. Letters to the editor: refer to published articles or any other topic of scientific interest. They must begin with the heading “Dear Editor:” and should not exceed two double-spaced pages. If a letter is accepted, the Editorial Committee will send a copy to the author mentioned, who will have the opportunity to respond, comment, or express an opinion in the same issue in which the letter is published, under the same length limits. Young Dermatologists section: in this section, dermatologists in training (physicians in the Specialist Dermatology training program, residents, and fellows) will have a space to publish various topics of interest with a didactic approach. Topics will be presented clearly, emphasizing visual content (clinical photos, graphs, tables, and/or algorithms) to facilitate learning about therapies and common dermatological conditions. The section offers four options for submissions:

1) Literature update:

Brief update on:

  a) Therapeutic option for a specific condition.

  b) Characteristics of a drug, its applications, or new therapeutic uses.

  Maximum: 2,500 characters including spaces.

  Number of authors: 1 (must meet the Young Dermatologists requirements).

2) Think of…

Consider a diagnosis through the presentation of 3 clinical photos:

  a) First page: 3 numbered clinical photos. May be accompanied by 3 histological photos.

  b) Second page: 3 clinical photos with a caption corresponding to the diagnosis. Highlight the correct photo.

  c) Brief text explaining key points guiding the diagnosis.

  Maximum: 2,000 characters including spaces.

  Number of authors: up to 3 (must meet the Young Dermatologists requirements).

3) Multiple choice:

A clinical case will be described as an introduction to review a condition and its diagnostic method using a “multiple choice” format.

  a) Number of authors: up to 3 (must meet the Young Dermatologists requirements).

  b) Background: briefly mention personal history.

  c) Present illness: mention all history related to the condition to be diagnosed.

  d) Physical examination: description of lesions. Clinical photos: up to 2.

  e) Complementary tests: describe relevant positive or negative findings (1 photo).

  f) Four “multiple choice” questions with 5 answer options each. To make the learning exercise dynamic, it is suggested that questions 2 to 4 include options related to the possible differential diagnoses. In answers to questions 2 to 4, there may be more than one correct option: 1- What is your most likely diagnosis? 2- What test would you request to establish the diagnosis? 3- A question you consider relevant to highlight about the condition. 4- What treatment do you consider the treatment of choice?

  g) Up to 3 photos in total may be included, with at least 1 clinical photo; the others may correspond to complementary tests.

  h) Brief text summarizing the condition presented, without reference to the case (maximum 1,000 characters).

  i) References: up to 4.

4) Myths and truths:

  a) Number of authors: up to 2 (must meet the Young Dermatologists requirements).

  b) Maximum characters: 2,500 including spaces.

  c) Page 1: write 3 statements of no more than two lines each. They must be concise. They may be true or false. Topics are chosen by the authors; they may share one topic (e.g., “Myths and truths in the treatment of pemphigus”), or be statements on different topics.

  d) Page 2: Resolution: respond with the word myth or truth and then write a paragraph quoting the fragment of the article that justifies the response. Up to two bibliographic citations (maximum) may be referenced per response.

7. References

The abbreviation adopted by Dermatología Argentina is: Dermatol Argent.

Reviewing and including national references on the topic presented is highly encouraged. Number bibliographic citations (“references”) in the order in which they are first mentioned in the text; identify them with Arabic numerals in superscript at the end of the sentence or paragraph where they are cited. Consecutive references are separated by a hyphen, e.g., (1-5), and non-consecutive references by commas, e.g., (1, 6, 9). References cited only in tables must be numbered according to the sequence corresponding to the first time they are cited.

Journal titles must be abbreviated according to the style used in Index Medicus.

Abstracts from conference presentations may be cited as references only when they are published in commonly circulated journals.

Do not include “unpublished observations” or “personal communications” as references.

Works that have been officially accepted by a journal and are in the publication process may be included as references; in this case, provide the complete reference and then add the abbreviated journal name, followed by “(in press)”.

Works that have been submitted for publication but have not yet been officially accepted should not be included in the references; they may be cited in the text, in parentheses, as “unpublished observations”.

a) Journal articles: each reference must be listed in the following order:

• Surname and initial(s) of the given name(s) of the author(s). If there are more than four authors, list the first four and add “et al”. Limit punctuation to commas separating authors.
• Full title of the article, in its original language.
• Journal name in which it appeared, abbreviated according to international nomenclature (Index Medicus).
• Year of publication, journal volume, first and last page numbers.
• Example: Abeldaño A, Pelegrina MP, Neglia V, Kien MC, et al. Linfoma cutáneo de células grandes CD 30+. Tratamiento con interferón alfa 2b. Dermatol Argent 2003; 9: 268-272.

b) Book chapters: each reference must be listed in the following order:

• Surname and initial(s) of the given name(s) of the chapter author(s).
• Chapter title.
• Surname and initial(s) of the book author(s)/editor(s).
• Book title. Publisher, place, year. Pages.
• Example: Yaar M, Gilchrest B. Envejecimiento cutáneo, in Fitzpatrick TB, Freedberg IM, Eisen AZ et al. Dermatología en Medicina General. Ed. Panamericana, Buenos Aires, 2001: 1792-1802.

c) Electronic texts: each reference must be listed in the following order:

Journals:

• Author names (if more than four, list the first four and add “et al”).
• Full title of the work, [medium].
• Journal name, publication date, <availability and access>, [date accessed], standardized number (ISSN or ISBN).
• Example: Myers M, Yang J, Stampe P. Visualization and functional analysis of a maxik channel fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP). [online], Electronic Journal of Biotechnology, December 15, 1999, vol. 2, no. 3. <http://www.ejb.org/content/vol2/issue3/full/index.html>, [accessed: December 28, 2000], ISSN 0717-3458.

Books:

• Chapter author(s).
• Chapter title.
• Book author(s)/editor(s).
• Book title, [medium], publisher, <availability and access>, [date accessed], standardized number (ISBN).

Authors are asked to clarify at the end of the references whether there is A.R.B. (Expanded Bibliographic References), which may be provided by the author upon reader request.

Reviewing national bibliography and including it is recommended. Authors are responsible for the accuracy of their references.

8. Authors

The list of authors should include only those who have participated sufficiently in the work and can therefore take public responsibility for its content. In other words, authorship should be limited to those who have contributed creatively to the study: a) conception and design; analysis and interpretation of the data, or both; b) drafting of the article or critical revision for important intellectual content; c) final approval of the version to be published. Participation solely in data collection, leadership of a service or department, casual observation, performing special examinations, or serving as a referring physician does not by itself confer authorship.

In any case, editors may request that authors justify authorship, especially when the number of authors exceeds five.

9. Acknowledgements

Recognition of contributions that do not reach authorship. Individuals who contributed intellectually to the work but do not merit authorship may be named and their contribution described—for example, “advice,” “critical review of study proposal,” “data collection,” “participation in clinical trials.” Such individuals must give permission to be named.

10. Multiple Publications

The following statement on multiple publication was approved by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (Vancouver group) in May 1983. It has been edited to serve as a guide for authors and editors.

Multiple publication is understood as publication more than once of the same information, content, analysis, etc., even if the wording or presentation differs. In this sense, multiple publication includes: 1) parallel publication, 2) repetitive or duplicate publication.

1) Parallel publication is understood as a (secondary) publication intended for readers whose national language differs from that of the primary publication and who would otherwise be outside its reach; it is also referred to as publication in two languages. This classification includes secondary publications intended for physicians who do not usually use systematic information registration and retrieval methods in their professional reading.

Parallel publication is acceptable if:

• Editors of both journals involved are fully informed. The editor of the secondary publication must have a photocopy, reprint, or copy of the original of the first version.
• Priority of the first publication is respected by the second, with an interval of at least 2 weeks.
• The content of the secondary publication is written for a different group of readers; in other words, it is a simple translation of the first, and sometimes an abridged version may suffice.
• The secondary version faithfully reflects the information and interpretations of the primary.
• A footnote on the first page of the secondary version informs readers and documentation agencies that the work was edited and is being published for a parallel audience using the same information. The footnote must provide sufficient and appropriate reference to the primary version.
• In curricula vitae and scientific production reports, parallel publications must be indicated unequivocally.

2) Improper repetitive or duplicate publication is multiple publication intended for overlapping readership of both publications (primary and secondary) and that most likely use similar professional information registration and retrieval systems.

Repetitive publication is not acceptable.

Preliminary releases or prior publications—i.e., dissemination of scientific information described in a work that has been accepted but not yet published—are considered by many journals as a violation of reserved rights. In exceptional cases, and only with approval of the editor of the primary publication, a preliminary release may be accepted, for example, to warn the population of a risk.

11. Ethical and Regulatory Aspects

As established in the Declaration of Helsinki (point 23), all medical research studies involving human subjects, whether experimental or observational, including research on identifiable human material and data, must be submitted for consideration, comment, guidance, and approval to the relevant Ethics Committee before the study begins. For clinical case presentations, informed consent must be obtained for publication of personal information. If the study involves the use of drugs, devices, supplies, or any other item with economic value, or if the study received partial or full funding from a third party (university, foundation, pharmaceutical industry, or other), the corresponding conflict-of-interest letter must be included. These requirements are essential to begin the review process for an article submitted to Dermatología Argentina. Studies performed with experimental animals must have approval from the relevant institutional Bioethics Committee.

12. Assignment of Reproduction Rights for Articles

Please complete, sign, print, and send the Assignment of Reproduction Rights for Articles (click here):

1. Signed and scanned, by email: derargentina@sad.org.ar

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