eCM Scope
eCM provides an interdisciplinary forum for publication of preclinical research in the musculoskeletal field (Trauma, Maxillofacial (including dental), Spine and Orthopaedics) and the cells and materials used in the replacement, repair or regeneration of these tissues.
The clinical relevance of the work
must be briefly mentioned within the abstract, and in more detail in the discussion. Poor abstracts which do not concisely cover the paper contents will not be sent for review. Incremental steps in research
will not be entertained by eCM journal.
Please CAREFULLY read the Instructions to Authors before submission to save early disappointment.
Cross-disciplinary papers that go across our scope areas are
welcomed.
• Assessment of materials for biomedical use in the
musculoskeletal field & interaction with tissues/
prokaryotic / eukaryotic cells.
Manuscripts must have an important biological dimension reporting
effects at the cellular, tissue or organismic levels. Papers focussing purely on material properties will not be entertained. In vitro cytocompatibilty studies should
use primary cells or more than one cell line and provide more than
just simple descriptions of cell viability, spreading, proliferation, mineralisation etc. Major improvement in in vitro or in vivo models are considered.
Note: Submissions
of manuscripts on effects of surfaces, coatings, additives etc.
to prevent bacterial adhesion must also consider the effect on eukaryotic
cells (to be mentioned within the abstract) or refer to previously published data with the exact same
surfaces to be considered for publication. High level submissions on Infection prevention, diagnostics, therapy and major improvement in in vitro or in vivo models are welcomed.
• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine.
Manuscripts concerning aspects of the repair or regeneration of
connective and mineralized tissues within the musculoskeletal field will be considered.
• Structure, function, biology of connective and mineralized tissues.
Manuscripts concerning the structure of bone, teeth, cartilage,
intervertebral discs, skeletal muscle, tendons and ligaments within
the musculoskeletal field will
be considered.
• Stem and Progenitor Cells.
All manuscripts concerning stem cell characterization and mechanisms
of differentiation as they relate to the connective and mineralized tissues of the musculoskeletal field
will be considered. Note: The use of pooled donor cells should be avoided. When unavoidable, their use needs to be justified convincingly within the manuscript (and within the cover letter).
eCM carries original research papers, reviews and tutorials on
the advances made within the journal scope. All articles are peer-reviewed
and reviewer comments, together with responses by authors, are published
as an integral part of the paper.
Technical
notes and papers focussing purely on computational models will not be entertained. Papers must report effects at the cellular, tissue or organismic levels, which is a pre-requisite for possible acceptance of papers for publication in eCM.
Note: musculoskeletal field includes bone, teeth, cartilage,
intervertebral discs, skeletal muscle (not smooth or cardiac muscle), tendons and ligaments.
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