ISSN 0102-8650 printed version
ISSN 1678-2674 online version

INSTRUCTIONS TO THE AUTHORS

• Scope and policy
• Manuscript preparation
• Organizing electronic manuscript
• Check list

Author/Co-autor are considered to be those who has substantive intellectual and scientific contributions to published study. The main author is the responsible for the integrity of the work as a whole and must inform about the contributions of each person named as having participated in a submitted study. Contributors who not meet the criteria for authorship should be listed in an acknowledgments section (Ex.: Persons who provided purely technical help or general support).

The author(s) must transfer, assign, or otherwise convey all copyright to Acta Cirurgica Brasileira. This statement must be sent in a separate letter to the editor together with the paper and must be signed by all authors.Submissions received without a signed copyright statement will not be acceptable. The first author is responsible for ensuring that all authors have seen, approved and are fully conversant with its contents.

Editor-in-Chief has full authority over the editorial content of the journal

Secondary publication in another language, especially in other countries, is justifiable, and can be beneficial, provided all the recommendations of ICMJE. Editors of different journals may decide to jointly publish an article if they believe that would be in the best interest of the public, in the same or another language, especially in other countries.

Supplements can serve useful purposes and improve cooperation between academic and corporate entities. The journal editor must retain the authority to send supplement manuscripts for external peer review and to reject manuscripts submitted for the supplement.

It is important to distinguish between ordinary editorial pages and supplement pages, in references.

Acta Cirúrgica Brasileira is a peer-reviewed journal. Articles are submitted for review by experts who are not part of the editorial staff. The editor is aware of reviewers' conflicts.

The journal has a national and international boards of consultants. Each manuscript is read by the Editor and one of the Associate Editor. Together, they decide whether to send the paper to outside reviewers. Rejected manuscripts are returned to authors.

Authors must be affiliated to the Brazilian Society for Development of Research in Surgery - SOBRADPEC.

Manuscript must be delivered in CD or by e-mail to the editor, written in English language.

First page

The title page must contain: a) the title of the article (in English and in Portuguese), which should be concise but informative. Insert the number one superscript indicating in the footnote the place of research; b) full name of all the authors with the sequence number superscript indicating in the footnote the highest academic degree(s) with the name of department(s) and institution(s) to which the work should be attributed. See examples in the journal.

ABSTRACT

Must not exceed 200 words and should be presented in a structured format:

Purpose: The main aim of the study or investigation.
Methods: Selection of subjects (patients or experimental animals);
Basic procedures.
Results: Main findings (giving specific data and their statistical significance).
Conclusion: state the main answer concerning the purpose of the study.
Key words: should be provided based on Medical Subject Headings - Mesh
(http://www.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/meshhome.html).

Authors must include an abstract in Portuguese (Resumo), with the key words (Descritores) based on Descritores de Ciências da Saúde (DeCS) - http://www.bireme.br

PREPARATION OF THE ARTICLE

Introduction

Clearly state the subject and the purpose of the study. Give only pertinent citations, and do not review the subject extensively.

Methods

Describe your selection of the observational or experimental subjects (patients or laboratory animals, including controls) clearly (quantity and quality). Identify all procedures in sufficient detail to allow others workers to reproduce the results.

ETHICS

When reporting experiments on human subjects, indicate whether the procedures were in accord with the Ethical Commitee on Human Experimentation of the Institution in which the experiments were done or in accord with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975 as revised in 2000 [World Medical Association (www.wma.net/e/policy/b3.htm] and 196/96 Resolution of the Brazilian National Council of Health (http://conselho.saude.gov.br/resolucoes/reso_96.htm).

Patients have a right to privacy that should not be infringed without informed consent. Obligation to register clinical trials in a public trials registry established by the World Health Organization. Identification number at the end of abstract [CONSORT - Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (www.consort-statement.org) and International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP).

The Editors of Acta Cirúrgica Brasileira welcome systematic reviews and meta-analysis and they will be regarded for publication when a surgical topic of current interest is addressed. All meta-analysis of randomized trials must adhere to guidelines outlined in the QUORUM statement (Lancet 1999;354:1896-1900) and a suitable QUORUM flow chart must be included in the submission.

When reporting experiments on animals, indicate that the use of laboratory animals follow the Council for International Organization of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) ethical code for animal experimentation (WHO Chronicle 1985; 39(2):51-6) and the principles of the Brazilian College on Animal Experimentation (www.cobea.org.br).

The journal reserves the right not to accept an article on the grounds that appropriate ethical or experimental standards have not been reached.

Identify precisely all drugs and chemicals used, including generic name(s), dosage(s), and route(s) of administration. Avoid commercial terms. Do not use patient's names, initials, or hospital numbers. Describe statistical procedures with enough detail to enable a knowledgeable reader with access to the original data to verify the reported results. Authors are responsible for the accuracy of their report including all statistical calculations and drug doses.

Results

Present the results in logical sequence in the text, using table and illustrations. Do not repeat in the text, all the data in the tables and/or illustrations. In the text, emphasize or summarize only important findings. Include the statistical significance of the findings.

Tables are numbered in sequence (use arabic numerals), and supply a brief title for each at the top. Use only approved abbreviations. Explain in footnotes all nonstandards abbreviations that are used in each table. Figures are also numbered in sequence (use arabic numerals). The legends must be in the bottom of the figure.

Discussion

Emphasize the new and important aspect of the study. Compare the method and the results with those formely published. DO NOT REPEAT RESULTS.

Conclusion

Must be clear and concise. Link the conclusion with the goals of the study. AVOID CONCLUSIONS NOT SUPPORTED ON DATA.

References

The journal follow the Vancouver style:
UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS FOR MANUSCRIPTS SUBMITTED TO BIOMEDICAL JOURNALS of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (www.icmje.org /October 2007).

All references should be numbered consecutively in the order in which they are first mentioned by superscript in the text.

List all the authors, "et al" is not accepted.

The article must have at a maximum of 15 references, except review articles that 30 references are allowed.

References to abstracts, personal communications and books is discouraged. Books are not indexed. Reference to unpublished communications will not be accepted.

Abbreviations of journals should conform to those used in Index Medicus and National Library of Medicine's Citing Medicine,.

Examples of references are given below:

Journal article
List all authors

Goldenberg A, Romeo ACDCB, Moreira MB, Apodaca FR, Linhares MM, Matone J. Acta Cir Bras. 2007 Sept;22(5):366-71.

Books, Chapter in a book and Thesis
are not accepted

Acknowledgments

Acknowledge only persons who have made substantial contributions to the study. Authors are responsible for obtaining written permission from everyone acknowledged by name because readers may infer their endorsement of the data and conclusions.

PROCEDURES OF THE JOURNAL

1 - The article will be examined to verify whether it complies with the journal's instructions;
Manuscripts that do not conform to the requirements and style of the journal will be
returned for recasting;
2 - The article will be submitted to peer-review for analysis and approval, in addition to
approval by the Editors;
3 - After approval, the manuscript will be published according to the date of submission.
The Editors retain the right to alter style and shorten material for publication.

Correspondence:
Name, address
Phone/Fax, e-mail of author.

Declare conflict of interest.
Inform the source(s) of support.

LOOK AT RECENT ISSUES OF THE JOURNAL FOR EXAMPLES.

Available from www.scielo.br/acb

PLEASE, CONSULT RECENT NUMBERS OF THE JOURNAL

1. Indicate in bold letters the scientific area pertinent to the article, according to the annexed list.

2. The English title of the article must be typed in bold letters, with the first letter in capitals. Number 1 in Arabic numerals, indicating, bellow the Portuguese abstract , the place where the study was conducted.

3. The title of the article written in Portuguese should not come in bold letters but should have the first letter capitalized. No numeration.

4. Authors' full names should come in bold letters with capitalized initial letters. The authors' names must be sequential, starting with I in Roman numerals, indicating, immediately bellow the authors' names, the academic title of each author, according to the list published on www.scielo.br/acb 2006;21(2):60.

5. ABSTRACT/RESUMO in bold capital letters. They should be organized in topics, following the example. Bellow the Portuguese summary the place where the study was conducted proceeded by number 1 (Arabic numerals) should be discriminated (See example).

6. Preparation of the article

a. The original article should be written in English (revision will be made by qualified people) preferably in Word for Windows 7.0, and sent by e-mail to (sgolden@terra.com.br) The article should present the following sections: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion in bold letters with the first word of each section in capital letters.
b. Authors' citations should be followed by Arabic numerals.
c. When the name of the cited author is mentioned in the text, follow the example: Montero et al.¹ (et al. should be written in italics, followed by a full stop, and the reference number).
d. Tables and figures should be indicated or inserted in the text (see example)

7. References (bold initial capital letters): References should be numbered, following the citation order in the text. References should list all authors (never use "et al "in the list). Books and dissertations are not accepted, if there is a corresponding published and indexed article.

8. Items mentioned after the references such as Acknowledgements and Correspondence should be written in bold letters with the first letter capitalized. Conflict of Interest and Financial Source with initial capitalized letters according to the example (no bold letters).

9. How to cite the article, according to example

10. Indicate color figures, if there is any, according to the example:

*Color figures available at www.scielo.br/acb

11. Documents to be sent by mail (See examples):

a. Copyright transfer to Acta Cirúrgica Brasileira
b. Authors should mention ethical norms on which the article is based. A copy of the certificate issued by the Ethics Committee should be annexed to the article.
c. Conflict of interest declaration should be sent together with the article

 

Articles that do not comply with these instructions shall be returned to the author(s).

FURTHER INFORMATION OR QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTAC PROF. SAUL GOLDENBERG
sgolden@terra.com.br or edna.montero@gmail.com

CONSULT RECENT NUMBERS OF THE JOURNAL

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

1. Areas pertinent to the article

Alimentary Tract
Anesthesia
Cardiovascular surgery
Effect of Drugs
Ethic
Experimental Neurology
Experimental Oncology
Experimental Orthopedic Surgery
Experimental Surgical Infections
Experimental Urology
Genitalia, Female
Ischemia-Reperfusion
Materials Testing
Microsurgery
Models, Biological
New Methodology
Peritoneum
Plastic Surgery
Pre and Post-Operative Care
Shock
Systematic Reviews / Meta-Analysis
Transplantation
Trauma
Wound Healing

2. Example of title in English: Enterocyte ultrastructural alterations, following intestinal obstruction in rats¹

3. Example of title in Portuguese: Alterações ultra-estruturais do enterócito, após obstrução intestinal em ratos

4. Examples of authors' names and academic titles: Rubens Leite Junior¹, Natalia Bernardes Mello^II, Lara de Paula Miranda Pereira^II, Cristina Maeda Takiya^III, Carlos Alberto Basílio de Oliveira^IV, Alberto Schaider^V

^IAssociate Professor, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine - University of Rio de Janeiro, UNIRIO, Brazil.
^IIScientific Initiation Student, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Brazil.
^IIIAssociate Professor, Department of Histology and Embryology, UFRJ, Brazil.
^IVFull Professor, Department of Pathology, UNIRIO, Brazil.
^VAssociate Professor, Head of the Experimental Surgical Center and Coordinator of Post-Graduate Program in Surgical Sciences, UFRJ, Brazil.

5. Example of ABSTRACT/RESUMO

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Methods: Results: Conclusions: [use bold letters; only the initial letter should be capitalized]

Key- words, according to DeCS: access http://decs.bvs.br

RESUMO

Objetivo: Métodos: Resultados: Conclusões: [em negrito; somente inicial maiúscula]

Descritores, according to DeCS: access http://decs.bvs.br

AFTER THE ABSTRACT, THE FOLLOWING SHOULD BE INDICATED:

¹Research performed at the Experimental Surgical Center and Post-Graduation Program, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

6. Article preparation: Example:

TABLE 1 - Bold CAPITAL LETTERS, Arabic numerals. The enunciation should not come in bold letters and should be placed on top of the table. Tables should be open with no vertical lines.

Figure 1- Should come in bold CAPITAL LETTERS, and Arabic numerals. Legends should the placed bellow. PHOTOS SHOULD PRESENT GOOD RESOLUTION [keep color illustrations]

7. Preparation of the Reference List: VANCOUVER STYLE SHOULD BE ADOPTED. INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS OR OTHER PUBLISHED ARTICLES SHOULD BE FOLLOWED. Abbreviations should follow the INDEX MEDICUS. Use a full stop after the last abbreviation. Groups of tens, hundreds, and thousands should not be repeated on the final page.

Examples:

1. Deitch EA, Bridges WM, Jing Wen MA. Obstructed intestine as a reservoir for systemic infection. Am. J Surg. 1990; 159:399-401.

2. Derblon H. Johansson H, Nylander G. Vascular pattern of intestinal villi in the obstructed small bowel of the rat. Surgery. 1963; 54:780-3

8. Items placed after the references: Examples

Acknowledgements

Conflict of Interest: indicate
Financial Source: indicate

Correspondence:
Alberto Schanaider.
Rua Eurico Cruz 33/603
22461 - 200 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
Alberto-sch@ig.com.br

9. How to cite this article (example)

Leite Jr. R, Mello NB, Pereira LPM, Takyia CM, Oliveira AB, Schanaider A. Enterocyte ultrastructural alterations following intestinal obstruction in rats. Acta Cir Bras [serial on the Internet], 2010; 25(1). Available at URL: http://www. scielo.br/acb.

10. *Color figures available at www.scielo.br /acb

11. Documents:

a. Authors who had their articles accepted by the journal for publication should transfer copyright to Acta Cirúrgica Brasileira. A declaration letter should be signed by the authors and should be sent with the article. The first author will be responsible for the attestation that all the other authors agree with the contents of the article.

Model Commitment Letter of Copyright Transfer

"The authors undersigned transfer copyright of the article "-------------------------" to Acta Cirúrgica Brasileira. They declare that this is an original unpublished article that does not transgress any copyright or intellectual property rights of other people and it is not being evaluated for publication in other journals. The article has been read and each contribution was approved."

Date

Authors' legible names and signatures

b. Ethics: The authors should comply with the CIOMS (Council for International Organization of Medical Sciences) ethical code for animal experimentation2 and the precepts of the Brazilian College of Animal Experimentation (COBEA). Research in humans should be approved by the Ethics Committee of the institution where the experiment was conducted, according to Resolution no 196/96 of the National Health Council. Copy of the Committee's certificate should be sent with the article.
c. Declaration of INTEREST CONFLICT (in order to comply with Resolution of the Federal Council of Medicine no 1595/2000, that vetoes "articles, messages and promotional materials of products or equipment used in the medical area").