Instructions to Authors

Diabetes & Vascular Disease Research is pleased to consider papers on original pre-clinical and clinical research, contributing to the understanding of diabetes and vascular disease. Shorter reports of recent or on-going work will be considered as clinical letters.

In addition, the editors will also consider state-of-the-art reviews of important scientific and clinical significance in the field.

All manuscripts submitted to the journal will be subject to full peer-review. Authors will also be requested to disclose relevant conflicts of interest.

Material is accepted for publication on the understanding that it has not been published or submitted for publication elsewhere. Authors will be asked to confirm this in writing and transfer copyright to the journal as well as disclosing conflicts of interest.

All submissions should be written in a clear and succinct manner, following the style of the journal. Title page should include a descriptive title, authors surname and forename, address of each author and full address, telephone, fax and email contacts for the corresponding author. In text: tables and figures are either inserted as part of sentence, for example table 1 or in parentheses for example (figure 1). Each table should carry a descriptive heading. Each figure should be submitted either electronically or as finalised hard copy with descriptive legends on a separate sheet. In text: References (where relevant) by superscript number after punctuation. References numbered in the order of appearance in the text, according to Vancouver style. For papers: Author AB, Author C, Author KGMM. The title of the article. Abbrev J Title 1999; 14: 172-83. For book chapters: Author AB, Author CD. The title of the chapter in: Editor A, Editor BC, ed. Title of the book 2nd edition. Publisher, Location, 1999: 133-9.

Original papers
Title page as above. Abstract (<150 words) a short inclusive statement suitable for direct electronic abstracting identifying the purpose of the study, key methods, the main results and the main conclusion. Key words: maximum of 6 key words for indexing. Introduction: concise description of background. Clear statement of the purpose of the study. Methods: a brief description of study design, procedures, analytical techniques and statistical evaluation. Results: a clear account of the study findings using quantitative language where possible and cross referenced to tables and figures (ideally in powerpoint). Discussion: an interpretation of the study placed within the context of current knowledge leading to specific conclusions where possible. Acknowledgements. References, figures and tables as above, conflict of interest disclosure.

Research letters
Should be limited to 500 words with a maximum of two tables, two figures and <10 references. All authors with their affiliations must sign the cover letter. A disclosure of conflicts of interest will be required.

Reviews
Title page as above. Abstract (<150 words) setting out the scope, key messages and conclusions of the review. Body of text liberally partitioned with headings and subheadings leading to a synopsis with conclusions at the end. Key messages: a separate box itemising 2-5 short principal statements. Acknowledgements, references, tables and figures as above, conflict of interest disclosure.

Submission

- online
To submit your article via Manuscript Central, please visit http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/dvdres. Alternatively, to download a PDF of instructions for using this system please click here

- by e-mail
Electronic versions of manuscripts, preferably in Microsoft Word format, with text double-spaced, should be submitted to: n.j.houseman@leeds.ac.uk

Communication should contain the full postal address of the sender, and a clear indication as to whether the correspondence is to be considered for publication. Acknowledgement of receipt will be sent by e-mail.

- by post
Four copies of manuscripts, with text double-spaced, should be submitted along with a copy of the file on CD. Authors should supply the names of all the files on CD. Additional information should include: the class of computer (IBM compatible, Apple Macintosh) and the name of the programme used. CDs submitted will only be returned upon request.

Please do not supply PDF versions of text. The document should be created using Microsoft Word, text single spaced with one carriage return only between paragraphs and with single spaces after punctuation marks.

Spreadsheet or database files should also be supplied in both normal and ASCII format.

Postal submissions should be sent to:
Mrs Nikki Houseman
Division of Cardiovascular and Diabetes Research
The LIGHT Laboratories
Clarendon Way
University of Leeds
Leeds, LS2 9JT
Tel: +44 (0) 113 343 7721
Fax: +44 (0) 113 343 7738

Illustrations, artwork and photographs
Illustrations should preferably be supplied on email or CD as either eps, tiff or jpeg files (minimum resolution 300 dpi) along with the original file they were created in. Alternatively, good quality transparencies, prints, or print outs should be submitted. Each illustration should be on a separate page with legend clearly indicated. Where possible, in particular in the case of graphs and charts, a copy of the source figures should be supplied on paper, email or CD.

Do not write directly onto the reverse of photographs. The author's name and the figure number should be affixed by label and the top of the picture clearly indicated. The legend should be supplied separately on a sheet of paper bearing the relevant figure number, author's name and title of the article. Avoid the use of paper clips with prints as they may scratch the emulsion surface. All submissions containing CD, artwork and illustrations should be supplied in a stiffened envelope.

Authors' corrections
Page proofs of successfully selected manuscripts will be sent to authors. Corrections should be limited to typographical amendments. Authors' approval will be assumed if corrections are not returned by the date indicated, however, a signed consent to publish form will be required. Failure to return a signed consent form to the publisher may result in delayed publication.