- Email: [email protected]
AIDS
991
new journal’s catch-22 (to be successful it must attract high quality articles, but to attract such articles it must be seen to be successful, with a high profile and wide distribution). Time will tell, but it is certainly worth a browse, if you can find a copy.
As a devotee of Immunological Reviews, I inevitably found myself measuring Seminars in Immunology against that distinctive periodical. Seminars in Immunology is more compact, with shorter
reviews which have a less personal stamp; each issue has a guest editor who chooses the contributors, and shapes the way in which the topic is handled. Articles are well written and well illustrated with line diagrams. The first issue shows clear evidence of haste and is riddled with printing errors, but this problem seems to have been dealt with in subsequent issues. I particularly enjoyed the issues on transmembrane signalling in lymphocytes (2;2) and T-cell/B-cell interaction (1;1). I would be pleased to see Seminars in Immunology on my shelf; neither the institutional nor personal rates are prohibitive and it should certainly offer a serious challenge to Immunological Reviews as the premier review journal of basic immunology. As it becomes increasingly difficult to assimilate the deluge of primary data, such high-quality review journals become more important to those who wish to retain a broad knowledge of their subject. International Immunology owes much in its layout to the EMBO Journal from the same stable. The format is large and attractively laid out. The journal is prepared to accept manuscripts on disc for rapid typesetting and claims that this will speed publication; it also uses a system of transmitting editors to handle submitting manuscripts, and their names are published at the foot of each article. The list of transmitting editors is published in each issue, which seems unnecessary-although it reads like a who’s who of immunological glitterati. This assembled talent should ensure superlative standards; the quality so far is high, and I am sure that it will rapidly become a front-rank journal. All the journals reviewed here have merit in their own way, but will they find a place in libraries with shrinking budgets? Reasonably priced review journals like Seminars in Immunology and perhaps Current Opinion in Immunology deserve to find a market. I am less sanguine about Immunodeficiency Reviews, good though it is. I have grave misgivings over the need for more journals devoted to primary publication, despite the obvious quality and effort that goes into Journal of Autoimmunity and International Immunology. When are funding bodies and appointment boards going to look at the quality of applicants’ publications rather than counting the
number?
Regional Immunology Laboratory, Churchill Hospital, Oxford OX3 7LJ, UK
GAVIN P. SPICKETT
Current Opinion m Immunology London, UK: Current Science. 6/yr ISSN 0952-7915. Immunodeficiency Reviews. London, UK Harwood. 4/yr. ISSN 0893-5300. Journal of Autoimmunity. London, UK:-Academic Press 6/yr. ISSN 0896-8411. Seminars m Immunology. Philadelphia, USA: Saunders. 6/yr ISSN 1044-5323. International Immunology. Oxford, UK. Oxford University Press. 6/yr ISSN 0953-8178.
(STD) with those of AIDS, clearly the most perfidious clinical state obtained by sexual contact. This new journal features editorial reviews, original short articles, and case reports, as well as book reviews and letters. The initial issues appear to answer the main objective, in that they focus primarily on STDs and their interaction with AIDS. Nevertheless, some articles deal with the epidemiology of AIDS alone: with the many AIDS journals now available, it would seem prudent for the editors to emphasise the sexually transmitted aspects of AIDS rather than to address general aspects which are well covered by other publications. A more specific editorial policy might encourage submissions (and subscriptions). Similarly, its listing of publications on AIDS is helpful, but is again covered by other journals. Will the literature on STDs also be included? Both journals seem to have identified a niche and should be valuable sources for distribution of information for clinicians and researchers involved in the study and treatment of AIDS. Cancer Research Institute, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, California 94143, USA
JAY A. LEVY
Oxford, UK: Carfax. 4/yr. ISSN 0954-0121. International Journal of STD and AIDS. London, UK: Royal Society of Medicine. 6/yr.
AIDS Care. Abingdon, ISSN 0956-4624.
Microbiology becoming increasingly apparent that if a clinical microbiologist were to read each volume of all the available journals germane to the subject, there would be no time left to do any work at all. Selectivity is the name of the game. I have looked at six journals that have appeared since 1988; It is
there may well be others. Microbial
in Health and Disease, with its arresting red, journal of the Society for Intestinal Microbial Ecology and Disease; it was thus rather surprising to see a paper on the autochthonous microflora of the vagina in its July-September, 1989, edition. Curiously, the paper did not mention any bacteria by name. The issue also contained a paper entitled "Eimeria ovinoidalis and Escherichia coli in the gnotobiotic lamb". Its editors and editorial board encompass a suitable array of experts-medical, dental, veterinary, and agricultural-from many countries, at least 7 of whom had written papers in the two issues I looked at. I find it difficult to define its potential readership, but was interested to note that the Society also organises international symposia for its members (Texas in 1989-"there are many interesting things to see and do in San
Ecology
white, and blue
cover, is the official
Antonio..."). Clinical Microbiological Reviews is apparently the American Society for Microbiology’s first new review journal in 50 years-a reticence that does them credit. It has an editorial board of only 8 (what a change from the international/galactic line-up so common these days). The style is appealing, the cover a jaunty blue and white, and mirabile dictu, in each of the three issues that I looked at
AIDS AIDS is protean, directly or through associated disease it may affect any system in the body, often in several different ways. Small wonder, then, that these manifold clinical findings and burgeoning research into AIDS and HIV infection should encourage yet more journals devoted to this
subject. AIDS Care answers the need for a journal dedicated to social and psychological aspects of the syndrome. The editors strive to improve our understanding of the somewhat intangible dynamics involved in accepting, and attempting to live with, the diagnosis of AIDS. The publication has a wide representation of authors and appears to approach the topic with adequate depth to provide an excellent forum. Perhaps surprisingly, no other AIDS journals deal with the issues covered. The objective of The International Journal of STD and AIDS is to mcorporate clinical findings on sexually transmitted diseases
there were excellent articles which I found myself reading from start to finish. The legal issues of AIDS, and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae:
occupational pathogen (October, 1989); pneumococcal to antibiotics (April, 1990); and coryneform bacteria in diseases, vancomycin resistance, and teicoplanin: an emerging clinical problem (July, 1990). If these issues are representative, this review journal must be essential reading for any clinical microbiologist wanting to keep up to date with minimum
an
resistance infectious
effort. With its editorial board of 17, 21 section editors, and 8 literature scanners, Current Opinion in Infectious Dtseases (in the Current Opinion series-more titles expected soon) provides the reader with "views of experts on current advances in infectious diseases, selections of interesting papers annotated by experts, and exhaustive bibliographic listings". The latter, although helpfully given a star grading for interest, like an academic Michelin’ guide, is written in impossibly small print. The format of this journal (black and purple cover) repels, although I am sure that its intentions are sound.
new journal’s catch-22 (to be successful it must attract high quality articles, but to attract such articles it must be seen to be successful, with a high profile and wide distribution). Time will tell, but it is certainly worth a browse, if you can find a copy.
As a devotee of Immunological Reviews, I inevitably found myself measuring Seminars in Immunology against that distinctive periodical. Seminars in Immunology is more compact, with shorter
reviews which have a less personal stamp; each issue has a guest editor who chooses the contributors, and shapes the way in which the topic is handled. Articles are well written and well illustrated with line diagrams. The first issue shows clear evidence of haste and is riddled with printing errors, but this problem seems to have been dealt with in subsequent issues. I particularly enjoyed the issues on transmembrane signalling in lymphocytes (2;2) and T-cell/B-cell interaction (1;1). I would be pleased to see Seminars in Immunology on my shelf; neither the institutional nor personal rates are prohibitive and it should certainly offer a serious challenge to Immunological Reviews as the premier review journal of basic immunology. As it becomes increasingly difficult to assimilate the deluge of primary data, such high-quality review journals become more important to those who wish to retain a broad knowledge of their subject. International Immunology owes much in its layout to the EMBO Journal from the same stable. The format is large and attractively laid out. The journal is prepared to accept manuscripts on disc for rapid typesetting and claims that this will speed publication; it also uses a system of transmitting editors to handle submitting manuscripts, and their names are published at the foot of each article. The list of transmitting editors is published in each issue, which seems unnecessary-although it reads like a who’s who of immunological glitterati. This assembled talent should ensure superlative standards; the quality so far is high, and I am sure that it will rapidly become a front-rank journal. All the journals reviewed here have merit in their own way, but will they find a place in libraries with shrinking budgets? Reasonably priced review journals like Seminars in Immunology and perhaps Current Opinion in Immunology deserve to find a market. I am less sanguine about Immunodeficiency Reviews, good though it is. I have grave misgivings over the need for more journals devoted to primary publication, despite the obvious quality and effort that goes into Journal of Autoimmunity and International Immunology. When are funding bodies and appointment boards going to look at the quality of applicants’ publications rather than counting the
number?
Regional Immunology Laboratory, Churchill Hospital, Oxford OX3 7LJ, UK
GAVIN P. SPICKETT
Current Opinion m Immunology London, UK: Current Science. 6/yr ISSN 0952-7915. Immunodeficiency Reviews. London, UK Harwood. 4/yr. ISSN 0893-5300. Journal of Autoimmunity. London, UK:-Academic Press 6/yr. ISSN 0896-8411. Seminars m Immunology. Philadelphia, USA: Saunders. 6/yr ISSN 1044-5323. International Immunology. Oxford, UK. Oxford University Press. 6/yr ISSN 0953-8178.
(STD) with those of AIDS, clearly the most perfidious clinical state obtained by sexual contact. This new journal features editorial reviews, original short articles, and case reports, as well as book reviews and letters. The initial issues appear to answer the main objective, in that they focus primarily on STDs and their interaction with AIDS. Nevertheless, some articles deal with the epidemiology of AIDS alone: with the many AIDS journals now available, it would seem prudent for the editors to emphasise the sexually transmitted aspects of AIDS rather than to address general aspects which are well covered by other publications. A more specific editorial policy might encourage submissions (and subscriptions). Similarly, its listing of publications on AIDS is helpful, but is again covered by other journals. Will the literature on STDs also be included? Both journals seem to have identified a niche and should be valuable sources for distribution of information for clinicians and researchers involved in the study and treatment of AIDS. Cancer Research Institute, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, California 94143, USA
JAY A. LEVY
Oxford, UK: Carfax. 4/yr. ISSN 0954-0121. International Journal of STD and AIDS. London, UK: Royal Society of Medicine. 6/yr.
AIDS Care. Abingdon, ISSN 0956-4624.
Microbiology becoming increasingly apparent that if a clinical microbiologist were to read each volume of all the available journals germane to the subject, there would be no time left to do any work at all. Selectivity is the name of the game. I have looked at six journals that have appeared since 1988; It is
there may well be others. Microbial
in Health and Disease, with its arresting red, journal of the Society for Intestinal Microbial Ecology and Disease; it was thus rather surprising to see a paper on the autochthonous microflora of the vagina in its July-September, 1989, edition. Curiously, the paper did not mention any bacteria by name. The issue also contained a paper entitled "Eimeria ovinoidalis and Escherichia coli in the gnotobiotic lamb". Its editors and editorial board encompass a suitable array of experts-medical, dental, veterinary, and agricultural-from many countries, at least 7 of whom had written papers in the two issues I looked at. I find it difficult to define its potential readership, but was interested to note that the Society also organises international symposia for its members (Texas in 1989-"there are many interesting things to see and do in San
Ecology
white, and blue
cover, is the official
Antonio..."). Clinical Microbiological Reviews is apparently the American Society for Microbiology’s first new review journal in 50 years-a reticence that does them credit. It has an editorial board of only 8 (what a change from the international/galactic line-up so common these days). The style is appealing, the cover a jaunty blue and white, and mirabile dictu, in each of the three issues that I looked at
AIDS AIDS is protean, directly or through associated disease it may affect any system in the body, often in several different ways. Small wonder, then, that these manifold clinical findings and burgeoning research into AIDS and HIV infection should encourage yet more journals devoted to this
subject. AIDS Care answers the need for a journal dedicated to social and psychological aspects of the syndrome. The editors strive to improve our understanding of the somewhat intangible dynamics involved in accepting, and attempting to live with, the diagnosis of AIDS. The publication has a wide representation of authors and appears to approach the topic with adequate depth to provide an excellent forum. Perhaps surprisingly, no other AIDS journals deal with the issues covered. The objective of The International Journal of STD and AIDS is to mcorporate clinical findings on sexually transmitted diseases
there were excellent articles which I found myself reading from start to finish. The legal issues of AIDS, and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae:
occupational pathogen (October, 1989); pneumococcal to antibiotics (April, 1990); and coryneform bacteria in diseases, vancomycin resistance, and teicoplanin: an emerging clinical problem (July, 1990). If these issues are representative, this review journal must be essential reading for any clinical microbiologist wanting to keep up to date with minimum
an
resistance infectious
effort. With its editorial board of 17, 21 section editors, and 8 literature scanners, Current Opinion in Infectious Dtseases (in the Current Opinion series-more titles expected soon) provides the reader with "views of experts on current advances in infectious diseases, selections of interesting papers annotated by experts, and exhaustive bibliographic listings". The latter, although helpfully given a star grading for interest, like an academic Michelin’ guide, is written in impossibly small print. The format of this journal (black and purple cover) repels, although I am sure that its intentions are sound.