American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology...

NEW YORK, February 14 /PRNewswire/ --     The American Journal of Obstetrics & 
Gynecology (AJOG), known popularly
as "The Gray Journal," has undergone a significant transformation
specifically designed to improve the flow of information to its readers.
Beginning with the January 2007 issue, it has adopted a multidimensional,
multimedia approach, revamping its editorial content and format to help
physicians deal with the challenge of the limited time to locate and read the
relevant medical literature. An innovative Web edition of AJOG now
complements a redesigned print version.



    AJOG Editors-in-Chief, Thomas J. Garite MD, Professor Emeritus in the
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of California,
Irvine and Moon H. Kim MD, Director of the University of California, Irvine
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Division, explain, "Several years
ago the editors of AJOG began to think about the future of the biomedical
journal and how it can best meet the needs of its readers and contributors
and, by extension, of patients. The new format launched with the January
issue of the Journal is our first comprehensive response to this challenge.
What we offer is a departure from the comfortable position of the print-based
biomedical journal. We remain strongly committed to our scholarly mission,
yet aspire to reach the largest possible audience while providing
information-rich content. To accomplish this goal, we have redesigned the
Journal both literally and philosophically."



    The official version of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
appears online at www.AJOG.org. This arrangement permits authors to convey
information unconstrained by the limitations of print. In addition, the
online version is published much sooner than was possible before, thus
disseminating important information much more rapidly. Authors are now
encouraged to submit supplementary material, including video clips,
animations, illustrations, and downloadable slide presentations, taking
advantage of the full scope of available Web technology to maximize the
understanding and impact of their work.



    Each issue of the print version of the Journal features abridged versions
of all the research articles that are posted in full at www.AJOG.org. Running
approximately two pages, each article summary highlights the key points of
the study and discusses its rationale, methods and results. Elements found
only in the summaries are an Overview (describes the point of the study in a
sentence or two) and Clinical Implications (bullet points that quickly apply
the significance of the study's findings to daily practice, future research
or both). References are included only in the online version.



    Similarly, Clinical Opinions are published in abridged form in print and
in full online. The print format contains unabridged review articles and
editorials. Exciting new features that take full advantage of electronic
media include a Journal Club discussion of a research article in the same
issue, with the full discussion online and a recap in print; Images in
Obstetrics alternating with Images in Gynecology; and Surgeon's Corner,
featuring a video clip online.



    Associate Editor, Professor Roberto Romero, MD (Professor of Obstetrics
and Gynecology at the Wayne State University and Chief of the Perinatology
Research Branch of the National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development, NIH) comments, "As a way to provide our contributors with a
platform for reaching as broad a readership as possible, we are pleased that
the publisher, Elsevier, has instituted free distribution of the print
version of the Journal to all obstetricians and gynecologists in the United
States. The new print Journal is lean and easy to read. A glossary of symbols
serves as a roadmap for icons that will mark certain article categories and
internal cross-references. The goal of the print version is to concisely
inform the reader, who may then visit our website for the full article,
supplementary information and extra features. AJOG authors can be assured
that their articles will appear in PDF form for printing anywhere, thereby
providing the work with physical existence and maximizing distribution. More
people than ever will be able to hold the printed article in their hands."



ABOUT THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY

    The American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology (www.AJOG.org), known as
"The Gray Journal," presents coverage of the entire spectrum of the field,
from the newest diagnostic procedures to leading-edge research. The Journal
provides comprehensive coverage of the specialty, including maternal-fetal
medicine, reproductive endocrinology/infertility, and gynecologic oncology.
It also publishes the annual meeting papers of several of its more than 30
sponsoring societies, including the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and
the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons. The American Journal of Obstetrics &
Gynecology has the highest ranking for citation frequency of any ob/gyn
journal and ranks in the top 1.7% of the 5,684 journals listed in the most
recent Science Citation Index.



ABOUT ELSEVIER

    Elsevier is a world-leading publisher of scientific, technical and
medical information products and services. Working in partnership with the
global science and health communities, Elsevier's 7,000 employees in over 70
offices worldwide publish more than 2,000 journals and 1,900 new books per
year, in addition to offering a suite of innovative electronic products, such
as ScienceDirect (http://www.sciencedirect.com/), MD Consult (
http://www.mdconsult.com/), Scopus (http://www.info.scopus.com/),
bibliographic databases, and online reference works.



    Elsevier (http://www.elsevier.com/) is a global business headquartered in
Amsterdam, The Netherlands and has offices worldwide. Elsevier is part of
Reed Elsevier Group plc (http://www.reedelsevier.com/), a world-leading
publisher and information provider. Operating in the science and medical,
legal, education and business-to-business sectors, Reed Elsevier provides
high-quality and flexible information solutions to users, with increasing
emphasis on the Internet as a means of delivery. Reed Elsevier's ticker
symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock Exchange), RUK and
ENL (New York Stock Exchange).