Journal of Cytology
The official Journal of Indian Academy of Cytologists
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Instructions to Contributors
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Journal of Cytology (JOC) a peer-reviewed international journal is being published under the auspices of the Indian Academy of Cytologists. The journal’s full text is online at www.jcytol.org With the aim of faster and better dissemination of knowledge, we will be publishing articles ‘Ahead of Print’ immediately on acceptance. In addition, the journal would allow free access (Open Access) to its contents, which is likely to attract more readers and citations to articles published in JOC. Manuscripts must be prepared in accordance with "Uniform requirements for Manuscripts submitted to Biomedical Journals" developed by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (October 2006). The uniform requirements and specific requirement of JOC are summarized below. Before sending a manuscript contributors are requested to check for the latest instructions available. Instructions are also available from the website of the journal (http://www.jcytol.org) and from the manuscript submission site (http://www.journalonweb.com/JOC) . Scope of the journal
The journal will cover all aspects of diagnostic cytology, including fine needle aspiration cytology, gynaecological and non-gynaecological cytology. Articles on ancillary techniques, like cytochemistry, immunocytochemistry, electron microscopy, molecular cytopathology, as applied to cytological material are also welcome. The journal gives preference to clinically oriented studies over experimental and animal studies. The Journal would publish peer-reviewed original research papers, case reports, systematic reviews, meta-analysis, and debates. The Editorial Process The manuscripts will be reviewed for possible publication with the understanding that they are being submitted to one journal at a time and have not been published, simultaneously submitted, or already accepted for publication elsewhere. The Editors review all submitted manuscripts initially. Manuscripts with insufficient originality, serious scientific and technical flaws, or lack of a significant message are rejected. All manuscripts received are duly acknowledged. Manuscripts are sent to two or more expert reviewers without revealing the identity of the contributors to the reviewers. Each manuscript is also assigned to a member of the editorial team, who based on the comments from the reviewers takes a final decision on the manuscript. The contributors will be informed about the reviewers' comments and acceptance/rejection of manuscript. Articles accepted would be copy edited for grammar, punctuation, print style, and format. Page proofs will be sent to the corresponding author, which has to be returned within three days. Correction received after that period may not be included. Clinical trial registry All clinical trials from India must be registered with “clinical trials registry – India” <www.ctri.in>. The trials conducted outside India may be registered with any other clinical trial registry. The Indian council of medical research has recommended making it mandatory to have registration number for all clinical trials submitted for publication from January 2009. Authorship Criteria Authorship credit should be based only on substantial contributions 1. Conception and design or acquisition of data or analysis and interpretation of data; 2. Drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; 3. Final approval of the version to be published. Conditions 1, 2, and 3 must be met. Participation solely in the acquisition of funding or the collection of data does not justify authorship. General supervision of the research group is not sufficient for authorship. Each contributor should have participated sufficiently in the work to take public responsibility for appropriate portions of the content. The order of naming the contributors should be based on the relative contribution of the contributor towards the study and writing the manuscript. Once submitted the order cannot be changed without written consent of all the contributors. For a study from in a single institute the number of contributors should not exceed six. For a case-report, images, letter to the editor and review article the number of contributors should not exceed four. A justification should be included, if the number of contributors exceeds these limits. Only those who have done substantial work in a particular field can write a review article. A short summary of the work done by the contributor(s) in the field of review should accompany the manuscript. The journal expects the contributors to give post-publication updates on the subject of review. The update should be brief, covering the advances in the field after the publication of article and should be sent as a letter to editor, as and when major development occurs in the field. Contribution Details Contributors should provide a description of what each of them contributed towards the manuscript. Description should be divided in following categories, as applicable: concepts, design, definition of intellectual content, literature search, clinical studies, experimental studies, data acquisition, data analysis, statistical analysis, manuscript preparation, manuscript editing and manuscript review. Authors' contributions will be printed on the first page of the article. One or more author should take responsibility of the integrity of the work as a whole from inception to published article and should be designated as 'guarantor'. Conflicts of Interest All authors of submitting articles to the journal must disclose any conflict of interest they may have with an institution or product that is mentioned in the manuscript and/or is important to the outcome of the study presented. Authors should also disclose conflict of interest with products that compete with those mentioned in their manuscript. The Editor will discuss with the authors on an individual basis the method by which any conflicts of interest will be communicated to the readers. Copies of any permission(s) To reproduce published material, and to use illustrations or report information about identifiable people a copy of the permission obtained must accompany the manuscript. Copies of any and all published articles or other manuscripts in preparation or submitted elsewhere that are related to the manuscript must also accompany the manuscript. The manuscript should be sent to Journal of Cytology, C/O Col V S Nijhawan, Senior Advisor Pathology, 166 Military Hospital, Satwari, Jammu Cantt - 180 003, India. Types of Manuscripts and Limits
Editorial, Guest Editorial, Commentary, Expert’s Comments and Symposia articles are solicited by the editorial board. Online Submission of the Manuscripts All manuscripts must be
submitted on-line through the website
www.journalonweb.com/JOC. First time users will have to register at this
site. Registered authors can keep track of their articles after logging into
the site using their user name and password. Authors do not have to pay for
submission, processing or publication of articles. If you experience any
problems, please contact our editorial office by e-mail at
editor@jcytol.org. When you submit an article, the following items must be included. Manuscripts that do not adhere to the following instructions will be returned to the corresponding author for technical revision before undergoing peer review. 1. Unblinded Title Page/First Page File/covering letter: All information which can reveal your identity should be here. Use text/rtf/doc files. Do not zip the files. Provide the highest degree of each author. The covering letter must include a) A full statement to the editor about all submissions and previous reports that might be regarded as redundant publication of the same or very similar work. Any such work should be referred to specifically, and referenced in the new paper. Copies of such material should be included with the submitted paper, to help the editor decide how to handle the matter. b) A statement of financial or other relationships that might lead to a conflict of interest, if that information is not included in the manuscript itself or in an authors' form c) A statement that the manuscript has been read and approved by all the authors, that the requirements for authorship as stated earlier in this document have been met, and that each author believes that the manuscript represents honest work, if that information is not provided in another form (see below); and d) The name, address, telephone number and email of the corresponding author, who is responsible for communicating with the other authors about revisions and final approval of the proofs, if that information is not included on the manuscript itself. 2. Blinded Article file: Journal of Cytology has a policy of blinded peer review. The manuscript must not contain any mention of the authors' names or initials or the institution at which the study was done or acknowledgements. Page headers/running title can include the title but not the authors' names. Manuscripts not in compliance with The Journal's blinding policy will be returned to the corresponding author. The main text of the article, beginning from Abstract till References (including tables) should be in this file. Use rtf/doc files. Do not zip the files. Limit the file size to 400 kb. Do not incorporate images in the file. If file size is large, graphs can be submitted as images separately without incorporating them in the article file to reduce the size of the file. 3. Images: Submit good quality color images. Each image should be less than 400 kb in size. Size of the image can be reduced by decreasing the actual height and width of the images (keep up to 1024 x 760 pixels or 4-5 inches). Image format jpeg is acceptable. Do not zip the files. 4. Legends: Legends for the figures/images should be included at the end of the article file. The contributors' form and copyright transfer form (template provided below) has to be submitted in original with the signatures of all the contributors within two weeks from submission via courier, fax or email as a scanned image. Hard copies of the images (one set), for articles submitted online, should be sent to the journal office only if the article is accepted or if the editor requests for them. Preparation of the Manuscript The text of original articles should be divided into sections with the headings: Abstract, Key-words, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, References, Tables and Figure legends. For a brief report include Abstract, Key-words Introduction, Case report, Discussion, Reference, Tables and Legends in that order. Do not use subheadings in these sections. Use double spacing throughout. Number pages consecutively, beginning with the title page. The language should be American English.
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Title Page 1. Type of manuscript (e.g. Original article, Case Report) 2. The title of the article, which should be concise, but informative; 3. Running title or short title not more than 50 characters; 4. The name by which each contributor is known (Last name, First name and initials of middle name), with his or her highest academic degree(s) and institutional affiliation; 5. The name of the department(s) and institution(s) to which the work should be attributed; 6. The name, address, phone numbers, facsimile numbers and e-mail address of the contributor responsible for correspondence about the manuscript; 7. The total number of pages, total number of photographs and word counts separately for abstract and for the text (excluding the references and abstract); 8. Source(s) of support in the form of grants, equipment, drugs, or all of these; 9. Acknowledgement, if any; one or more statements should specify 1) contributions that need acknowledging but do not justify authorship, such as general support by a departmental chair; 2) acknowledgments of technical help; and 3) acknowledgments of financial and material support, which should specify the nature of the support. This should be included in the title page of the manuscript and not in the main article file. 10. If the manuscript was presented as part at a meeting, the organization, place, and exact date on which it was read. 11. Registration number of clinical trials.
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Abstract Page
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Introduction
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Materials and Methods Technical information: Identify the methods, apparatus (give the manufacturer's name and address in parentheses), and procedures in sufficient detail to allow other workers to reproduce the results. Give references to established methods, including statistical methods (see below); provide references and brief descriptions for methods that have been published but are not well known; describe new or substantially modified methods, give reasons for using them, and evaluate their limitations. Identify precisely all drugs and chemicals used, including generic name(s), dose(s), and route(s) of administration. Reports of randomized clinical trials should present information on all major study elements, including the protocol, assignment of interventions (methods of randomization, concealment of allocation to treatment groups), and the method of masking (blinding), based on the CONSORT Statement (http://www.consort-statement.org).
Reporting Guidelines for Specific Study Designs MOOSE meta-analyses of observational http://www.consort- studies in epidemiology statement.org/Initiatives/MOOSE/moose.pdf Note: Authors submitting review article should include a section describing the methods used for locating, selecting, extracting, and synthesizing data. These methods should also be summarized in the abstract.
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Ethics
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Statistics
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Results When data are summarized in the Results section, give numeric results not only as derivatives (for example, percentages) but also as the absolute numbers from which the derivatives were calculated, and specify the statistical methods used to analyze them. Restrict tables and figures to those needed to explain the argument of the paper and to assess its support. Use graphs as an alternative to tables with many entries; do not duplicate data in graphs and tables. "Where scientifically appropriate, analyses of the data by variables such as age and sex should be included.
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Discussion
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References Articles in Journals
a.
Standard
journal article: Bavdekar SB, Gogtay NJ,
Muzumdar D, Vaideeswar P, Salvi V, Sarkar M. The path ahead. J Postgrad Med
2007;53:153-3. b. Volume with supplement: Shen HM, Zhang QF. Risk assessment of nickel carcinogenicity and occupational lung cancer. Environ Health Perspect 1994; 102 Suppl 1:275-82. c. Issue with supplement: Payne DK, Sullivan MD, Massie MJ. Women's psychological reactions to breast cancer. Semin Oncol 1996; 23(1, Suppl 2):89-97. Books and Other Monographs d. Personal author(s): Ringsven MK, Bond D. Gerontology and leadership skills for nurses. 2nd ed. Albany (NY): Delmar Publishers; 1996. e. Editor(s), compiler(s) as author: Norman IJ, Redfern SJ, editors. Mental health care for elderly people. New York: Churchill Livingstone; 1996. f. Chapter in a book: Phillips SJ, Whisnant JP. Hypertension and stroke. In: Laragh JH, Brenner BM, editors. Hypertension: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management. 2nd ed. New York: Raven Press; 1995. p. 465-78. ü Tables · Tables should be self-explanatory and should not duplicate textual material. · Tables with more than 10 columns and 25 rows are not acceptable. · Number tables, in Arabic numerals, consecutively in the order of their first citation in the text and supply a brief title for each. · Place explanatory matter in footnotes, not in the heading. · Explain in footnotes all non-standard abbreviations that are used in each table. · Obtain permission for all fully borrowed, adapted, and modified tables and provide a credit line in the footnote. · For footnotes use the following symbols, in this sequence: *, †, ‡, §, ||, , **, ††, ‡‡ · Tables with their legends should be provided at the end of the text after the references. The tables along with their number should be cited at the relevant place in the text ü Illustrations (Figures) · Upload the images in JPEG format. The file size should be within 400 kb in size while uploading. Send sharp, glossy, un-mounted, color photographic prints, with height of 4 inches and width of 6 inches at the time of submitting the revised manuscript. · Figures should be numbered consecutively according to the order in which they have been first cited in the text. · Labels, numbers, and symbols should be clear and of uniform size. The lettering for figures should be large enough to be legible after reduction to fit the width of a printed column. · Symbols, arrows, or letters used in photomicrographs should contrast with the background and should marked neatly with transfer type or by tissue overlay and not by pen. · Titles and detailed explanations belong in the legends for illustrations not on the illustrations themselves. · When graphs, scatter-grams or histograms are submitted the numerical data on which they are based should also be supplied. · The photographs and figures should be trimmed to remove all the unwanted areas. · If photographs of people are used, either the subjects must not be identifiable or their pictures must be accompanied by written permission to use the photograph. · If a figure has been published elsewhere, acknowledge the original source and submit written permission from the copyright holder to reproduce the material. A credit line should appear in the legend for such figures. · Legends for illustrations: Type or print out legends (maximum 40 words, excluding the credit line) for illustrations using double spacing, with Arabic numerals corresponding to the illustrations. When symbols, arrows, numbers, or letters are used to identify parts of the illustrations, identify and explain each one in the legend. Explain the internal scale (magnification) and identify the method of staining in photomicrographs. · Final figures for print production: Print outs of digital photographs are not acceptable. If digital images are the only source of images, ensure that the image has minimum resolution of 300 dpi or 1800 x 1600 pixels in TIFF format. Send the images on a CD. Each figure should have a label pasted (avoid use of liquid gum for pasting) on its back indicating the number of the figure, the running title, top of the figure and the legends of the figure. Do not write the contributor/s' name/s. Do not write on the back of figures, scratch, or mark them by using paper clips. · The Journal reserves the right to crop, rotate, reduce, or enlarge the photographs to an acceptable size.
Protection of Patients' Rights to Privacy
ü Case Reports Case reports must meet all of the following criteria: 1) the case should be one that is highly unusual, very unique, underreported in the literature and; 2) the case report must present as a challenging diagnostic and therapeutic problem and; 3) the case report must have significant educational value including the ability to perhaps change a clinician's traditional method of handling such a case and; 4) the case report's interest to the reader should be significant.
Preparation of Case Reports Sending a revised manuscript While submitting a revised manuscript, contributors are requested to include, the ‘referees’ remarks along with point to point clarification at the beginning in the revised file itself. In addition, mark the changes as underlined or colored text in the article. A photocopy of the first page of all the cited references (articles and books) can be asked by the journal to verify the references. Reprints Journal provides no free printed reprints. Authors can purchase reprints, payment for which should be done at the time of submitting the proofs.
Manuscript submission, processing and publication charges Journal does not charge the authors or authors’ institutions for the submission, processing and/or publications of papers. Copyrights The whole of the literary matter in the JOC is copyright and cannot be reproduced without the written permission of the Editorial Board. Checklist Covering letter · Signed by all contributors · Previous publication / presentations mentioned · Source of funding mentioned · Conflicts of interest disclosed Authors · Middle name initials provided · Author for correspondence, with e-mail address provided · Number of contributors restricted as per the instructions · Identity not revealed in paper except title page (e.g. name of the institute in Methods, citing previous study as 'our study', names on figure labels, name of institute in photographs, etc.) Presentation and format · Double spacing · Margins 2.5 cm from all four sides · Title page contains all the desired information · Running title provided (not more than 50 characters) · Abstract page contains the full title of the manuscript · Abstract provided (about 150 words for case reports and 250 words for original articles) · Structured abstract provided for an original article · Key words provided (three or more) · Introduction of 75-100 words · Headings in title case (not ALL CAPITALS) · The references cited in the text should be after punctuation marks, in superscript with square bracket. · References according to the journal's instructions, punctuation marks checked · Send the final article file without ‘Track Changes’ Language and grammar · Uniformly American English · Write the full term for each abbreviation at its first use in the title, abstract, keywords and text separately unless it is a standard unit of measure. Numerals from 1 to 10 spelt out · Numerals at the beginning of the sentence spelt out · Check the manuscript for spelling, grammar and punctuation errors · If a brand name is cited, supply the manufacturer's name and address (city and state/country). · Species names should be in italics Tables and figures · No repetition of data in tables and graphs and in text · Actual numbers from which graphs drawn, provided · Figures necessary and of good quality (colour) · Table and figure numbers in Arabic letters (not Roman) · Labels pasted on back of the photographs (no names written) · Figure legends provided (not more than 40 words) · Patients' privacy maintained (if not permission taken) · Credit note for borrowed figures/tables provided · Write the full term for each abbreviation used in the table as a footnote
Contributors' form
(to be modified as applicable and one singed
copy attached with the manuscript) I/we
believe the manuscript represents valid work. Neither this manuscript nor
one with substantially similar content under my/our authorship has been
published or is being considered for publication elsewhere, except as
described in the covering letter. I/we certify that all the data collected
during the study is presented in this manuscript and no data from the study
has been or will be published separately. I/we attest that, if requested by
the editors, I/we will provide the data/information or will cooperate fully
in obtaining and providing the data/information on which the manuscript is
based, for examination by the editors or their assignees. Financial
interests, direct or indirect, that exist or may be perceived to exist for
individual contributors in connection with the content of this paper have
been disclosed in the cover letter. Sources of outside support of the
project are named in the cover letter.
We give the
rights to the corresponding author to make necessary changes as per the
request of the journal, do the rest of the correspondence on our behalf and
he/she will act as the guarantor for the manuscript on our behalf.
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