ISSN 0365-0596 printed version
ISSN 1806-4841 online version

INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS

• General information
• Norms for the presentation of original work

The journal Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia (ABD), indexed in accordance with the databases MedLine, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase - Excerpta Medica, Latindex, LILACS, Periodica, Tropical Diseases Bulletin (TDB) - and included in the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) - Brazil, is published bimonthly and is devoted to the dissemination of original, unpublished technical-scientific study, resulting from research or reviews of dermatological topics and related matters. Exchanges with other publications may be accepted. According to the Statute of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology, the distribution of the journal is free to its members.

The journal Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia follows the rules of the "Uniformity Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals" (Vancouver Norms), whose updated original English version is available on the website: www.icmje.org. Study originated from experiments with humans and animals must comply with the official norms in effect (Resolution CNS 466/12). The Research Ethics Committee of the institution must approve research involving human subjects and animals, with proof of authorization supplied by the authors.

Original manuscripts received are forwarded to specialist reviewers for analysis. The process is anonymous, that is, the identity of authors and reviewers is not disclosed. The name of the institution where the research was conducted and/or names of the city/state/country should not appear in the title and body of text at the beginning of the submission process. Authors are informed of the analysis results and should provide the reviewed original article when significant changes are recommended.

Opinions and statements presented in the journal are of sole responsibility of their authors and may not be shared by the Editorial Staff, the Advising Council or the Brazilian Society of Dermatology.

The Editorial Staff of the Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia and the Brazilian Society of Dermatology does not guarantee or endorse products or services advertised in the journal or any promises related to services or products advertised. Advertisement is of sole responsibility of advertisers.

There is no fee for submission and review articles.

Development and Essential Elements

Submit original manuscripts through the online submission system, according to instructions. The font used should be Times New Roman, size 12.

Choose the section the article belongs to and verify, on the cover sheet, the full title of the manuscript, the name(s) of the author(s), full and abbreviated, academic degrees, the name of the institution where the study was conducted, the institution which the author(s) are affiliated to and their respective functions, the complete address of the main author, his or her phone numbers and email address, financial support and potential conflicts of interest. When required by the Editorial Staff for inclusion in the Investigation and Review Sessions, the specific participation of each author in the conduction of the study should be informed, through a declaration signed by the main author (please see "Authorship Criteria" below).

Indicate at least 3 and at most 10 descriptors (keywords) which identify the subjects discussed in the text and which are included in the publication "Descriptors in Health Sciences" (DeCS), of Bireme, available on the website http://decs.bvs.br or in Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), of Index Medicus, available on the website www.nlm.nih.gov/mesh.

Authorship Criteria
To be classified as author an individual must have given significant intellectual contribution to the performance of the study. This involves participation in conceiving and planning the study; in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data; in writing or critically reviewing the manuscript, and in approving its final version. Other participation, such as securing financial support, data collecting and cataloging, technical support for conducting medical protocols, patient referral, interpretation of routine exams and service supervision or department heading, which is not directly involved in the study, does not constitute criteria for authorship. However, if these individuals have significantly contributed to the study, they may be cited in the "Acknowledgements", at the end of the text, by means of written authorization from the individuals in charge of the study.

References
Unabridged bibliographical references, in order of citation, should include only publications mentioned in the manuscript and follow the norms of the "Uniformity Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals" (Vancouver Style). Journal titles must be abbreviated as in Index Medicus, whose list of abbreviations may be obtained in the NLM publication "List of Serials Indexed for Online Users", available on the website http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK7256. The authors are responsible for the accuracy of bibliographical references.

Most Common Examples

Journal Manuscript
Halpern SD, Ubel PA, Caplan AL. Solid-organ transplantation in HIV-infected patients. N Engl J Med. 2002;347:284-7.
If the manuscript has many authors, mention at most 6. If there are more than 6 authors, cite the first 6 followed by the expression "et al".
Rose ME, Huerbin MB, Melick J, Marion DW, Palmer AM, Schiding JK et al. Regulation of interstitial excitatory amino acid concentrations after cortical contusion injury. Brain Res. 2002;935:40-6.

Book Chapter
Meltzer PS, Kallioniemi A, Trent JM. Chromosome alterations in human solid tumors. In: Vogelstein B, Kinzler KW, editors. The genetic basis of human cancer. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2002. p. 93-113.

Thesis or Dissertation
Borkowski MM. Infant sleep and feeding: a telephone survey of Hispanic Americans [dissertation]. Mount Pleasant (MI): Central Michigan University; 2002.
Nery JAC. Reação na hanseníase: uma descrição epidemiológica [tese]. Niterói (RJ): Universidade Federal Fluminense; 1995. 129 p.

Book
Murray PR, Rosenthal KS, Kobayashi GS, Pfaller MA. Medical microbiology. 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby; 2002.

Website
Cancer-Pain.org [Internet]. New York: Association of Cancer Online Resources, Inc.; c2000-01 [updated 2002 May 16; cited 2002 Jul 9]. Available from: http://www.cancer-pain.org
Saude.gov.br [Internet]. Prevalência da hanseníase no Brasil, macrorregiões e estados, 1985 - 2003 [acesso 22 Fev 2005]. Disponível em: http://portal.saude.gov.br/portal/arquivos/pdf/hansen_prevalencia.pdf
If a reference exists only on the Internet, a hard copy of the file should be saved to be given to interested readers, in case the URL changes or becomes inactive.

A complete list of examples of bibliographical citations is available here (Adobe Acrobat Reader is required).

Illustrations
Illustrations include charts, tables, graphs, figures and videos. Their inclusion is justified when they actually complement textual information or facilitate its comprehension. For this reason, illustrations will be accepted only up to the limit established for the particular type of manuscript. The Editorial Staff reserves the right to make exceptions based on fair judgment.

Refer to illustrations in the text and number them using Arabic numerals in a sequence adequate to each type, according to the entry order.

Attach all illustrations in the specific field in the submission system.

Insert digital images in ".jpg" files and with minimal resolution of 300 dpi. Video file formats no larger than 10 MB with the extensions ".mpg", ".avi" and ".wmv" are also accepted.

Charts, tables and graphs
Charts are used to present textual information in a tabulated form, without the use of statistical data. Tables, on the other hand, are used to present numerical and comparative data, thus allowing statistical analysis of results. In graphs, data are presented as drawings, preferably as circle (pie) or bar graphs.

Charts, tables and graphs should have a brief and clear title, with explanations, when necessary, in footnotes, and submitted in Word.

If data from other sources, published or not, are used in charts and tables, it will be necessary to obtain permission and inform the author, the date and the origin of the data. The source must be cited in the references and credits should appear below the chart, table or graph.

Figures and videos
Figures include other forms of illustration, mainly photographs and photomicrographs. Photographs should be attached as ".jpg" files. Legends should be specified and identified with the respective number.

If a figure has already been published, the original source must be cited and a written authorization from the individual who owns its copyright must be provided. Public domain documents are exception.

When uploading a video, it is necessary to include legends with information such as title of the manuscript, authorship, institution, and other relevant comments.

To use photographs of patients, their identity should be kept anonymous. Otherwise, it will be necessary to obtain written permission for their disclosure and dissemination (please see Protection of Rights and Privacy of Patients below).

Protection of Rights and Privacy of Patients Participating in Research
Information that may reveal the identity of a research participant or case report should not be published as descriptions, photographs or genealogy, unless the information is essential for scientific purposes. In this case, the patient or person responsible for the patient must give written permission for its publication.

The written consent for this purpose requires that the manuscript to be published be shown to the patient or person responsible for him/her. Acknowledgment that authorization has been granted should be included in the publication.

In the pursuit of anonymity, patient data must never be altered or falsified. Details that may help identifying individuals should be omitted if they are not essential.
Patient names, their initials or hospital records should not be used, especially in the illustrative materials.

When experiments with animals are conducted, the approval of the Ethics Committee for Animal Research of the Institution where the research was conducted should be informed.

Reproduction of images
The journal may permit the reproduction of images by previous request to the editors, as long as the source is cited and the due credits to all concerned are given.

Measurement Units and Abbreviations
Abbreviations are not permitted in the title and are not recommended in the abstract, except in rare circumstances. The full term should precede the abbreviation when used for the first time.

All measurements must follow the International System of Units (SI), found on the website http://physics.nist.gov/cuu/Units/units.html. Temperature must be informed in Celsius degrees (oC) and blood pressure in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

Content
Write the original manuscript for publication in the journal Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia and assign it to one of the different sections of the journal:

Continuing Medical Education 
Authors are invited by the coordinators of Continuing Medical Education and/or by the editors of Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia to write detailed manuscripts about topics of great scientific interest in the Dermatology field with the aim of applying the acquired knowledge.

Uninvited authors may also participate in this section, as long as they contact the Editorial Staff beforehand in order to avoid the duplication of manuscripts. The articles must include:

The journal considers acceptable a maximum of four authors for articles in this section. However, it may admit, on exceptional basis, a larger number of authors in studies of greater complexity, which should be accompanied by convincing justification of surplus participation.

Abstract, in English and Portuguese, with a maximum of 250 words. Besides an Introduction, the following topics are suggested, if relevant: History; Epidemiology; Etiopathogeny; Clinical Aspects; Classification; Clinical, Laboratorial and Differential Diagnosis; Course; Prognosis; and Treatment. The text must have no more than 10,000 words, excluding illustrations and references. It is mandatory to present updated bibliographical references. A maximum of 12 illustrations is permitted. At the end of the text, it should be included an evaluation test with 20 multiple-choice questions presenting four alternatives, with only one correct answer, so that credits related to the Continuing Medical Education program of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology can be awarded.

Investigation 
Original manuscript that includes observational and interventional studies, characterized by controlled and randomized experiments; studies about the physiopathogeny of diseases and/or about nosological associations; studies about diagnostic and prognostic tests, and basic research with laboratory animals are comprised in this section. The text should have a maximum of 6,000 words, excluding illustrations and bibliographical references. The prior approval of the Research Ethics Committee and protocol number should be mentioned in the manuscript. There is a limit of 50 references and of 10 illustrations. The journal considers acceptable a maximum limit of six authors for articles in this section. However, it may admit, on exceptional basis, a larger number of authors in studies of greater complexity, which should be accompanied by convincing justification of surplus participation. The following topics should be included:

1. Introduction;
2. Methods;
3. Results;
4. Discussion;
5. Conclusion;
6. References.

Subdivide the abstract, with a maximum of 250 words, into 5 subtopics:

1. Background (current state of knowledge);
2. Objective;
3. Methods;
4. Results;
5. Study limitations
6. Conclusions (with a precise level of significance of clinical statistics, to avoid speculation).

Case report
Report one or more cases with justified reason for publication (rarity, unusual aspects, atypical evolution, therapeutic and diagnostic innovations, relevant or unusual therapeutic adverse events). The text should have no more than 1,000 words, excluding illustrations and references. A maximum of 6 illustrations and 10 bibliographical references are permitted. The journal considers acceptable a maximum limit of four authors for articles in this section. However, it may admit, on exceptional basis, a larger number of authors in studies of greater complexity, which should be accompanied by convincing justification of surplus participation. The following topics must be included:

1. Abstract in English and Portuguese with a maximum of 120 words;
2. Introduction;
3. Case Report(s);
4. Discussion;
5.  References.

DERMATOPATHOLOGY 
This section includes topics that highlight important dermatopathological aspects.
The abstract should have a maximum of 150 words.

The text must not exceed 2,500 words, excluding illustrations and references. A maximum of 8 figures and 20 bibliographical references are permitted. The journal considers acceptable a maximum limit of four authors for articles in this section. However, it may admit, on exceptional basis, a larger number of authors in studies of greater complexity, which should be accompanied by convincing justification of surplus participation.

Review
Paper under invitation exploring in detail the current state of knowledge about topics of clinical relevance, highlighting aspects such as cause and prevention of skin diseases, their diagnosis, treatment and prognostic. It should preferably include critical and systematic literature reviews (medicine based on scientific evidence), as well as meta-analyses. The text must have no more than 10,000 words, excluding illustrations and references. A maximum of 10 illustrations are permitted. The journal considers acceptable a maximum limit of six authors for articles in this section. However, it may admit, on exceptional basis, a larger number of authors in studies of greater complexity, which should be accompanied by convincing justification of surplus participation.

Bibliographical references must be recent. The following topics must be included: abstract in English and Portuguese, with no more than 250 words; introduction; methods, in the case of systematic review and meta-analysis; other topics may be included at the discretion of the author(s).

IMAGES IN TROPICAL DERMATOLOGY
Submit, in this section, tropical dermatological diseases documented through clinical and histopathological photographs or other relevant exams, in no more than 4 figures with explanatory legends. The manuscript should include an abstract with a maximum of 80 words. The text must be a brief commentary about the topic with a maximum of 250 words. Bibliographic references should not be more than 10. The journal considers acceptable a maximum limit of four authors for articles in this section. However, it may admit, on exceptional basis, a larger number of authors in studies of greater complexity, which should be accompanied by convincing justification of surplus participation.

IMAGES IN DERMATOLOGY 
Submission of relevant images that allow the dermatologist to arrive at diagnostic and therapeutic recognition, as well as the description of new technologies (Dermoscopy, Laser Confocal Microscopy, Radiologic Images) should be emphasized and encouraged. The manuscript should include an abstract with a maximum of 80 words. The text should have no more than 800 words, 8 figures and 10 references.

The journal considers acceptable a maximum limit of four authors for articles in this section. However, it may admit, on exceptional basis, a larger number of authors in studies of greater complexity, which should be accompanied by convincing justification of surplus participation.

The submission to this section includes images in the areas of Dermoscopy, Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy, Radiologic Images, and images derived from new technologies.

Communication  
Original, brief manuscripts, exploring relevant knowledge in the area of Dermatology, such as education, methods and research protocols, equipment, basic sciences and technology, history of Dermatology, are comprised in this section. It aims also to be a form of rapid publication of results of original research, new or preliminary; initial reports of therapeutic trials; and reports on new reactions to drugs.

The text should be continuous, not divided into topics, and should have no more than 900 words, excluding illustrations and references. It should include an abstract not exceeding 100 words.

The journal considers acceptable a maximum limit of four authors for articles in this section. However, it may admit, on exceptional basis, a larger number of authors in studies of greater complexity, which should be accompanied by convincing justification of surplus participation.

There is a limit of 2 illustrations and 10 references.

Syndrome in question

This section presents a case report representative of an outstanding dermatological syndrome, with the objective of highlighting ordinary syndromes and contributing to the recognition of atypical ones. The following topics should be included:

1. Case report;
2. Discussion;
3. References.

The Case Report should have no more than 150 words and the Discussion should have no more than 350 words, excluding illustrations and references. There is a limit of 4 illustrations and 10 references. It should include an abstract with a maximum of 100 words.

The journal considers acceptable a maximum limit of four authors for articles in this section. However, it may admit, on exceptional basis, a larger number of authors in studies of greater complexity, which should be accompanied by convincing justification of surplus participation.

WHAT IS YOUR DIAGNOSIS?
This section aims to report a single case of undeniable interest where the final diagnosis of the disease in questioned. It comprises: Case report; Discussion; and References.

Case Report is limited to 150 words and Discussion to 350 words, excluding illustrations and references. Four illustrations and 10 references are permitted. The paper must include an abstract in Portuguese and English with no more than 100 words.

The journal considers acceptable a maximum limit of four authors for articles in this section.

LETTERS
This section is destined to a faster publication of brief communications from simpler studies, that include:

1. Letters/Case report (Case letters): brief case reports or new adverse drug reactions;
2. Letters/Investigation (Research letters): less complex investigation studies, such as a small series of cases, disclosure of preliminary results from original researches and initial reports of therapeutic trials

Correspondence
This section refers to comments, opinions or answers to questions about recently published articles. The text should be continuous and contain no more than 500 words and 5 references. All correspondence is subject to analysis and review by the Editorial Board.

The journal considers acceptable a maximum limit of four authors for articles in this section. However, it may admit, on exceptional basis, a larger number of authors in studies of greater complexity, which should be accompanied by convincing justification of surplus participation.

SPECIAL ARTICLES
Articles under invitation aiming to address specific issues such as: epidemiology and biostatistics applied to dermatology (e.g., practical foundations in epidemiology and biostatistics, applied to scientific production, especially to Dermatology); approach to photographic techniques or image, memory (historical approach of aspects of dermatologic interest, as commemorations of important events in the development of medicine or dermatology, biographies and celebrations regarding relevant personalities of national and international dermatology); and necrology.

The text must contain a maximum of 10,000 words, excluding illustrations and references. A maximum of 30 references and 6 illustrations are permitted. Author must provide an abstract (in Portuguese and English), with a maximum of 250 words. The manuscripts will be submitted to the review of the Editorial Board.

The journal considers acceptable a maximum limit of four authors for articles in this section. However, it may admit, on exceptional basis, a larger number of authors in studies of greater complexity, which should be accompanied by convincing justification of surplus participation.

News 
News brings information about events, activities of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology, relevant individuals or facts in Dermatology, as well as publications of books and theses relevant to this area. They may or may not be followed by summaries.

SUPPLEMENTS
Articles submitted as supplements will be evaluated by the Editorial Board and, subsequently, by the Consulting Committee. The editors may promptly reject manuscripts if they are considered not suitable for publication. The text format should follow the standards of the chosen category, which could be either Investigation or Review, with the exception of number of text words, references and illustrations, which have no limit. The abstract should have a maximum of 250 words.

Topics that have been written by invitation from the editors and are considered relevant may be included in the Special Article section. 
Submit your manuscript for evaluation by the Editorial Staff of the journal on the following website: http://www.sgponline.com.br/abd/sgp/

All documents, such as Consent of Use for Publication, Conflict of Interest, Disclosure Form, Authorization for Publication of Photographs, and Participation in the Study are available on the journal website. These documents must be signed by all of the participating authors and attached when the article is submitted through the system. Authorization for publication of photographs is only necessary when the face of the patient is completely identified. The document of participation in the study will only be requested by the editors if necessary.

Contact us at:
 A/C Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia
Av. Rio Branco, nº 39, 18º andar
20090-003  Rio de Janeiro - RJ, Brasil
revista@sbd.org.br