The Official Journal of the European Federation of Internal Medicine (EFIM)



Submission checklist
It is hoped that this list will be useful during the final checking of an article prior to sending it to the Journal's Editor for review. Please consult this Guide for Authors for further details of any item.

All manuscripts must be accompanied by a covering letter. This is a letter addressed to the Editor-in-Chief in which the corresponding author states that he/she wishes to submit the manuscript to the EJIM for consideration, that there is no conflict of interest, and that all authors have read and approved of the manuscript being submitted.

Elsevier Statement on Journal Publishing Ethics and Model Instructions to Authors
Elsevier position on journal publishing ethics and responsibilities.
For a full description of the standards of expected ethical behavior by all parties involved in the publishing process (the author, the journal editor, the peer reviewer, the publisher and the society for society-owned or sponsored journals) please check our Ethical Guidelines for Journal Publication.

Ensure that the following items are present:
• One Author designated as corresponding Author:
• E-mail address
• Full postal address
• Telephone and fax numbers
• All necessary files have been uploaded:
• Keywords
• All figure captions
• All tables (including title, description, footnotes)
Further considerations:
• Has undergone English language check and correction
• Manuscript has been "spellchecked"
• References are in the correct format for this Journal
• All references mentioned in the Reference List are cited in the text, and vice versa
• Permission has been obtained for use of copyrighted material from other sources (including the Web)
• Colour figures are clearly marked as being intended for colour reproduction on the Web (free of charge) and in print or to be reproduced in colour on the Web (free of charge) and in black-and-white in print
• If only colour on the Web is required, black and white versions of the figures are also supplied for printing purposes

For any further information please contact the Author Support Department at authorsupport@elsevier.com

Submission of articles
Submission to this Journal proceeds totally on-line. Use the following guidelines to prepare your article. Via the Online submission page of this Journal you will be guided stepwise through the creation and uploading of the various files. The system automatically converts source files to a single Adobe Acrobat PDF version of the article, which is used in the peer-review process. Please note that even though manuscript source files are converted to PDF at submission for the review process, these source files are needed for further processing after acceptance. All correspondence, including notification of the Editor's decision and requests for revision, takes place by e-mail and via the Author's homepage, removing the need for a hard-copy paper trail.
The above represents a very brief outline of this form of submission. It can be advantageous to print this "Guide for Authors" section from the site, for reference in the subsequent stages of article preparation. Authors submitting hard copy papers will be asked to resubmit using Elsevier Editorial System.
Submission of an article implies that the work described has not been published previously or is under consideration anywhere else, see the Copyright section below.
During online submission you will be requested to indicate within which section your work fits, please choose carefully and if you are unable to decide then please select "Other". Please refer to the Editorial from Dr John Kellet in EJIM 18/8 for more information.

Electronic format requirements for accepted articles
General points
We accept most word-processing formats, but Word or WordPerfect is preferred. Always keep a backup copy of the electronic file for reference and safety. Save your files using the default extension of the program used.

Word processor documents
It is important that the file be saved in the native format of the word processor used. The text should be in single-column format. Keep the layout of the text as simple as possible. Most formatting codes will be removed and replaced on processing the article. In particular, do not use the word processor's options to justify text or to hyphenate words. However, do use bold face, italics, subscripts, superscripts etc. Do not embed "graphically designed" equations or tables, but prepare these using the word processor's facility. When preparing tables, if you are using a table grid, use only one grid for each individual table and not a grid for each row. If no grid is used, use tabs, not spaces, to align columns. The electronic text should be prepared in a way very similar to that of conventional manuscripts (see also the Guide to Publishing with Elsevier. Do not import the figures into the text file but, instead, indicate their approximate locations directly in the electronic text and on the manuscript. See also the section on Artwork Instructions.
To avoid unnecessary errors you are strongly advised to use the "spellchecker" function of your word processor.
Although Elsevier can process most word processor file formats, should your electronic file prove to be unusable, the article will be typeset from the printout.

Preparation of text
Manuscripts should be written in good English. Authors whose native language is not English are strongly advised to have their manuscripts checked by an English-speaking colleague prior to submission. Manuscripts that do not conform to standard English style, usage or grammar will be returned to the authors for modification prior to scientific review. International Science Editing and Asia Science Editing can provide English language and copyediting services to authors who want to publish in scientific, technical and medical Journals and need assistance before they submit their article or, before it is accepted for publication. Authors can contact these services directly: International Science Editing ( http://www.internationalscienceediting.com) and Asia Science Editing ( http://www.asiascienceediting.com) or, for more information about language editing services, please contact authorsupport@elsevier.com who will be happy to deal with any questions.
Please note Elsevier neither endorses nor takes responsibility for any products, goods or services offered by outside vendors through our services or in any advertising. For more information please refer to our terms & conditions by visiting http://www.asiascienceediting.com and clicking 'terms and conditions' at the very bottom of the page.

Presentation of manuscript
Manuscripts should have numbered lines with wide margins and double spacing throughout, i.e. also for abstracts, footnotes and references. Every page of the manuscript, including the title page, references, tables, etc., should be consecutively numbered. However, in the text no reference should be made to page numbers; if necessary, one may refer to sections. Avoid excessive usage of italics to emphasize part of the text. Avoid use of extraneous words such as "study", "investigation", etc. A word count (excluding title page, abstract, and references) should be indicated. If data from the manuscript have been presented at a meeting, list the full name, date and location of the meeting and reference any previously published abstracts in the reference list.
Ensure that each new paragraph is clearly indicated. Present tables and figure captions on separate pages at the end of the manuscript. If possible, consult a recent issue of the Journal to become familiar with layout and conventions.

1) Title page:
Provide the following data on the title page (in the order given).
• Title (this should be clear, descriptive and not exceed 85 characters, including spaces)
• Name(s) of author(s) with their highest earned degrees. Authorship should only be assumed by those workers who have contributed materially to the work and its report. Colleagues who have otherwise assisted or collaborated should be recognized in the Acknowledgement section
• Complete postal address(es) of affiliations
• Full telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address of the corresponding author
• Present address(es) of author(s) if applicable
• Complete correspondence address (including postal zip code) and e-mail address to which the proofs should be sent
• Grant support
• Statement that there is no conflict of interest

2) Abstract: This should contain no more than 250 words. For original articles, the abstract should be structured (i.e., divided into the sections Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusion). Abstracts should briefly describe the problem being addressed in the study, how the study was performed and which measurements were carried out, the most relevant results, and what the authors conclude from the results.
An abstract is often presented separate from the article, so it must be able to stand alone.
References should therefore be avoided, but if essential, they must be cited in full, without reference to the reference list.
Non-standard or uncommon abbreviations should be avoided, but if essential they must be defined at their first mention in the abstract itself.

3) Key words: A list of 3-6 words or short phrases should be included after the abstract for indexing purposes. Use terms from the Medical Subjects Headings from the Index Medicus.

Arrangement of the article

4) Introduction: State the objectives of the work and provide an adequate background, avoiding a detailed literature survey or a summary of the results.

5) Materials and Methods: Experimental/Materials and methods. Provide sufficient detail to allow the work to be reproduced. Methods already published should be indicated by a reference: only relevant modifications should be described. You must include a sentence saying that informed consent was obtained from participants in the study and/or that the institution's ethics committee approved the study.

6) Results: These should be presented precisely. Keep discussion of their importance to a minimum. Do not present the same information in tables and figures.

7) Discussion: This should directly relate to the study being reported. Do not include a general review of the topic. Please include the conclusion in this section, unless it is a review article.

Learning Points For all review articles, original articles and brief reports a box with "learning points" should be included at the end of the discussion.

8) Appendices: If there is more than one appendix, they should be identified as A, B, etc. Formulae and equations in appendices should be given separate numbering: (Eq. A.1), (Eq. A.2), etc.; in a subsequent appendix, (Eq. B.1) and so forth.

9) Acknowledgements: This section should acknowledge colleagues who have assisted or collaborated in the study who are not listed on the title page. It should also include details on sponsoring and possible conflicts of interest.

10) References: The references should be numbered consecutively in [square brackets] as they appear in the text. The reference list should be typed double-spaced on a separate sheet. References should conform to the system used for manuscripts submitted to biomedical journals (N Engl J Med1991;324:424- 428).

Examples:
[1] Rizzi R, Numo R, Bruno S, Stellacci C, Pomes L, Dammacco R. Anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) in Becet's disease. Eur J Intern Med 1997;8:237-42.
[2] Thews G, Mutschler E, Vaupel P. Human anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1985.
[3] Rune M. Gastric acid and ulcer disease. In: Oda T, Hamaguchi K, Homma M, Kawai C, eds. Internal medicine: today and tomorrow. Amsterdam: Excerpta Medica, 1986;375-83.

Please note that all authors should be listed when six or less; when seven or more, list only the first three and add et al. Do not include references to personal communications, unpublished data or manuscripts either in preparation or submitted for publication. If essential, such material may be incorporated into the appropriate place in the text. Recheck references in the text against reference list after your manuscript has been revised.

11) Figures and Photographs: Figures and photographs of good quality should be submitted online as a separate file. Please use a lettering that remains clearly readable even after reduction to about 66%. For every figure or photograph, a legend should be provided. All authors wishing to use illustrations already published must first obtain the permission of the author and publisher and/or copyright holders and give precise reference to the original work. This permission must include the right to publish in electronic media.

12) Footnotes: Footnotes should be used sparingly. Number them consecutively throughout the article, using superscript Arabic numbers. Many word processors build footnotes into the text, and this feature may be used. Should this not be the case, indicate the position of footnotes in the text and present the footnotes themselves on a separate sheet at the end of the article. Do not include footnotes in the Reference list.

13) Tables: Tables should be typed with double spacing each on a separate sheet, numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals, and contain only horizontal lines. Number tables consecutively in accordance with their appearance in the text. The text should include references to all tables. Each table should occupy a separate page of the manuscript. Tables should never be included in the text. Each table should have a brief and self-explanatory title. Place footnotes to tables below the table body and indicate them with superscript lowercase letters, indicate each footnote in a table with a superscript lowercase letter. Avoid vertical rules. Be sparing in the use of tables and ensure that the data presented in tables do not duplicate results described elsewhere in the article. Authors should take notice of the limitations set by the size and layout of the Journal. Large tables should be avoided, reversing columns and rows will often reduce the dimensions of a table. If many data are to be presented, an attempt should be made to divide them over two or more tables. Column headings should be brief, but sufficiently explanatory. Standard abbreviations of units of measurement should be added between parentheses. Vertical lines should not be used to separate columns. Leave some extra space between the columns instead.

14) Illustrations• All illustrations (line drawings and photographs) should be submitted as separate files, preferably in TIFF or EPS format
• Illustrations should be numbered according to their sequence in the text. References should be made in the text to each illustration
• Illustrations should be designed with the format of the page of the Journal in mind. Illustrations should be of such a size as to allow a reduction of 50%
• Lettering should be big enough to allow a reduction of 50% without becoming illegible. Any lettering should be in English. Use the same kind of lettering throughout and follow the style of the Journal
• If a scale should be given, use bar scales on all illustrations instead of numerical scales that must be changed with reduction
• Each illustration should have a caption. The captions to all illustrations should be typed on a separate sheet of the manuscript
• Explanations should be given in the figure legend(s). Drawn text in the illustrations should be kept to a minimum
• Photographs are only acceptable if they have good contrast and intensity
• If you submit usable colour figures, Elsevier would ensure that these figures appeared free-of-charge in colour in the electronic version of your accepted paper, regardless of whether or not these illustrations are reproduced in colour in the printed version. Colour illustrations can only be included in print if the additional cost of reproduction is contributed by the author. You would receive information regarding the costs from Elsevier after receipt of your accepted article. Please note that because of technical complications which may arise by converting colour figures to 'grey scale' (for the printed version, should you not opt for colour in print), you should submit in addition usable black and white figures corresponding to all colour illustrations.

Please see Artwork Instructions for advice on the preparation of electronic artwork.

The author will pay the cost of colour illustrations.
Preparation of supplementary data

Elsevier now accepts electronic supplementary material (e-components) to support and enhance your scientific research. Supplementary files offer the Author additional possibilities to publish supporting applications, movies, animation sequences, high-resolution images, background datasets, sound clips and more. Supplementary files supplied will be published online alongside the electronic version of your article in Elsevier Web products, including ScienceDirect: http://www.sciencedirect.com. In order to ensure that your submitted material is directly usable, please ensure that data are provided in one of our recommended file formats. Authors should submit the material in electronic format together with the article and supply a concise and descriptive caption for each file.
Files can be stored on diskette, ZIP-disk or CD (either MS-DOS or Macintosh).

Review articles
Unsolicited review articles, no longer than 15 pages, or 4,500 words, excluding references, will be considered for publication in the Journal. They will be subject to fast-track peer review.

Original articles
Original Articles must not be longer than 10 pages or 3,000 words.

Editorials
Authors are encouraged to submit editorials of no more than 4 pages to the Journal.

Letters to the editor
A letter to the editor should not exceed 300 words. A maximum of 3 authors may be listed, with only 2 references and no tables or figures.

Formulae• Give the meaning of all symbols immediately after the equation in which they are first used
• For simple fractions use the solidus (/) instead of a horizontal line
• Equations should be numbered serially at the right-hand side in parentheses. In general only equations explicitly referred to in the text need be numbered
• The use of fractional powers instead of root signs is recommended
• Powers of e are often more conveniently denoted by exp
• In chemical formulae, valence of ions should be given as, e.g. Ca²⁺, not as Ca⁺⁺
• Isotope numbers should precede the symbols e.g. ¹⁸O
• The repeated use of chemical formulae in the text is to be avoided where reasonably possible; instead, the name of the compound should be given in full. Exceptions may be made in the case of a very long name occurring very frequently or in the case of a compound being described as the end product of a gravimetric determination (e.g. phosphate as P₂O₅)

Copyright
Submission of an article implies that the work described has not been published previously (except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture or academic thesis), that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere, that its publication is approved by all Authors and tacitly or explicitly by the responsible authorities where the work was carried out, and that, if accepted, it will not be published elsewhere in the same form, in English or in any other language, without the written consent of the copyright-holder.
Upon acceptance of an article, Authors will be asked to transfer copyright (for more information on copyright see Author's permissions. This transfer will ensure the widest possible dissemination of information. A letter will be sent to the Corresponding Author confirming receipt of the manuscript. A form facilitating transfer of copyright will be provided.

Authors, when quoting from someone else's work or when considering reproducing an illustration or table from a book or journal article, should make sure that they are not infringing on a copyright. Although in general authors may quote from other published works, they should obtain permission from the holder of the copyright if they wish to make substantial extracts or to reproduce tables, plates, or other illustrations. If the copyright-holder is not the author of the quoted or reproduced material, it is recommended that the permission of the author should also be sought. Material in unpublished letters and manuscripts is also protected and must not be published unless permission has been obtained. A suitable acknowledgement of any borrowed material must always be made.
Elsevier has pre-printed forms for use by Authors in requesting copyright permission, available from Elsevier's Rights Department, Philadelphia, PA, USA: phone (+1) 215 238 7869, fax (+1) 215 238 2239, e-mail healthpermissions@elsevier.com. Requests may also be completed on-line at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/permissions.

Proofs
One set of proofs will be sent by e-mail to the Corresponding Author as given on the title page of the manuscript. Only typesetter's errors may be corrected; no changes in, or additions to, the edited manuscript will be allowed.
Elsevier will do everything possible to get your article corrected and published as quickly and accurately as possible. Therefore, it is important to ensure that all of your corrections are sent back to us in one communication. Subsequent corrections will not be possible, so please ensure your first sending is complete.

Reprints
The corresponding author, at no cost, will be provided with a PDF file of the article via e-mail. The PDF file is a watermarked version of the published article and includes a cover sheet with the journal cover image and a disclaimer outlining the terms and conditions of use.

Author Services
Enquiries concerning manuscripts and proofs: questions arising after acceptance of the manuscript, especially those relating to proofs, should be directed to Elsevier Ireland, Elsevier House, Brookvale Plaza, East Park, Shannon, Co. Clare, Ireland, Tel: (+353) 61 709600, Fax: (+353) 61 709111/113.
Authors can also keep a track of the progress of their accepted article, and set up e-mail alerts informing them of changes to their manuscript's status, by using the "Track a Paper" feature of Elsevier's Author Gateway. For privacy, information on each article is password-protected. The author should key in the "Our Reference" code (which is in the letter of acknowledgement sent by the Publisher on receipt of the accepted article) and the name of the corresponding author.

Publication
Once the corrected author proofs have been returned to Elsevier, the article will be corrected and thereafter immediately posted online at ScienceDirect™. In light of the large flow of accepted articles there may be some delay between online publication and print publication, please note that your article is officially published from the date it appears online.

The European Journal of Internal Medicine has no page charges.