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British Journal of Pharmacology

Instructions for authors (abbreviated version)

Authors are strongly recommended to read the full Instructions to Authors and Nomenclature Guidelines for Authors (Br. J. Pharmacol. 1999, 126, 379-390) before submitting a manuscript for publication in the British Journal of Pharmacology. The manuscript and cover letter should be checked against the following list before mailing.

Original Research Papers

The original and two copies of the manuscript must be supplied. Manuscripts must be typed in double-line spacing on one side of A4 paper, in type not smaller than 12 characters per inch or 10 point. Both copies to include Tables and a set of labelled Figures. The text to be arranged in the following subsections:

1. Title - To have no more than 150 characters on a separate page, which should also include a Short Title (50 characters maximum) and the name and address of the author for correspondence.
   
2. Summary - To be arranged in numbered paragraphs (Full Papers) or a single paragraph (Special Reports).
   • must not exceed 250 words
   • to include aims, principal results and conclusions.
   • to include keywords (10 maximum) at end of summary.
3. Introduction - To contain concise statements of the problem and the aims of the investigation.
   
4. Methods - To have a brief but adequate account of the procedures; full names of drugs (including those referred to by manufacturer's code), sources of drugs and statistical tests to be stated.
   
5. Results - To have no repetition of data in Figures, Tables and text.
   
6. Discussion- Findings and conclusions to be placed in context of other relevant work. NB Simple repetition of results and unwarranted speculation are not acceptable.
   
7. Acknowledgements - Sources of support. Sources of drugs not widely available commercially.
   
8. References - All references in the text to be included in the Reference List and vice versa. References in alphabetical order with complete citations; Journals publishing 'in press' papers identified. References to manuscripts submitted to other journals but not yet accepted are not allowed.
   
9. Tables - Each on a separate page and prepared in accordance with current requirements of the Journal.
   
10. Figures - Figures should be prepared in accordance with current requirements of the Journal (see Instructions to Authors, 1999, 126, 379-390) and provided with Figure Number and Authors' name on back (in pencil)
    
    • each legend to be typed on a separate page.
    • keys to symbols and histograms should appear on the Figures themselves, and not in the respective legends.
    • 'box style' figures are not in keeping with the Journal style; line drawings etc must have only left-hand and bottom axes.
11. Manuscripts - To be accompanied by a declaration signed by each author that
    • results are original
    • approval of all persons concerned has been given to submit manuscripts for consideration (see also 12b)
    • the same material is neither in press (ie is in proof or has definitely been accepted for publication ) nor under consideration elsewhere. Furthermore it will not be submitted or published elsewhere before a decision has been reached by the Editorial Board of The British Journal of Pharmacology and will not be submitted elsewhere if accepted by the British Journal of Pharmacology.
    • Copyright assignment is included.
12. Cover letter - To state clearly
    • corresponding author's full postal address, telephone, telex or fax number
    • where appropriate, that either ethical approval has been given for investigation or Company or Institution permission to publish work has been received.
13. Reminder - Packaging to be sufficiently robust to protect Figures and to withstand mailing.

    Failure to comply with Instructions to Authors may lead to substantial delays in processing, review and publication and may even jeopardise acceptance of the manuscript.

    SPECIAL REPORTS

    The purpose of Special Reports is to provide rapid publication for new and important results which the Editorial Board considers are likely to be of special pharmacological significance. Special Reports will have publication priority over all other material and so authors are asked to consider carefully the status of their work before submission.

    In order to speed publication there is normally no revision allowed beyond very minor typographical or grammatical corrections. If significant revision is required, the Board may either invite rapid re-submission or more probably, propose that it be re-written as a Full Paper and be resubmitted for consideration. In order to reduce delays, proofs of Special Reports will be sent to authors but essential corrections must reach the Production Office within 48 hours of receipt. Authors should ensure that their submitted material conforms exactly to the following requirements.

    In a covering letter, the authors should state clearly and briefly why they consider the Report to be of special pharmacological significance and should therefore receive priority for publication as a Special Report.

    Special Reports should normally occupy no more than four printed pages of the Journal. Two copies of each manuscript should be provided. One copy should be prepared double spaced according to instructions for full papers. The second copy should be prepared in a two-column format as follows. Text (divided into Summary, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Acknowledgements and References, maximum of 20, all sub-headings in bold) should be justified and in Times New Roman (9pt). Columns should measure no more than 83 mm (width) and 250 mm (length). The Title (18pt bold), Authors (12pt bold) and their Affiliation (9pt) should spread across both columns. The Summary (9pt) should measure 140 mm (width) and should not exceed 150 words. Within this format there is no limitation to the number of illustrations (Figures and Tables, with legends) allowed. Authors must supply illustrations which are appropriately sized for direct inclusion in the Journal. These should be either 80 mm width (including axis labelling) to fit single column or 160 mm width (including axis labelling) to fit double column. Authors must ensure that sufficient space is left in the body of the text for these illustrations with their associated legends. All lettering in Figures should be in plain sans serif typeface (Univers, 8pt). Please note that the complete manuscript (including text, Figures and Tables prepared as above) must not exceed the four printed pages maximum. Manuscripts which do not conform to these requirements may be returned to authors for amendment without review.

    NOMENCLATURE

    Authors are reminded that accepted receptor and associated terminology is laid out in Nomenclature Guidelines for Authors, as published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, 1999, 126, 379-390.

    Business matters
    Business correspondence and enquiries relating to advertising, subscriptions, backnumbers or reprints should be addressed to the relevant person at Nature Publishing Group Specialist Journals, Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS, UK.