Blooming
of Jornal Vascular Brasileiro
(Portuguese
PDF version)
Telmo P. Bonamigo1
1.
Chief editor, Jornal Vascular Brasileiro.
J
Vasc Br 2003;2(3):167-168
Spring
is approaching and bringing with it the magic transformations of nature
- plants that sprout again, the burst of flowers, and the lush green
grass on the fields.
Just like the cycle of nature, SBAVC has planted the seed of one of
its projects and today sees it sprout - a dormant seed that, once dormancy
was broken, germinated, grew, and now, with the exuberance of spring,
is proud to be one of SBAVC's grown trees.
J Vas Br can be portrayed as a tree, as it has strong roots (SBAVC),
a trunk, and several branches (5 issues already published). As springtime
comes to life, three more branches will be added to this tree: issue
number 3 of 2003, the special supplement for Congresso Brasileiro (the
Brazilian Conference) in Salvador (with free papers and an editorial
by the event's chairman, Liberato K. Moura), and a special surprise
- a new printed English version, so that global winds can disseminate
the pollen of Brazilian vascular studies.
This tree - planted in a country where the climate is subtropical and
temperate, soil is naturally rich, water is abundant, and the sun is
generous and strong - was blessed by the miracle of photosynthesis.
And now it is ready for sustained growth.
Each of us must, however, assume a share of the responsibility and work
cooperatively for this purpose.
Many will have to water this tree when rain is scarce (by submitting
good studies for publication); the branches, flowers and fruit will
have to be tended (our competent reviewers shall solidarily carry on
their constructive mission); the right amount of fertilizers shall be
applied to maintain and promote growth (sponsors are essential). Those
that look at the tree shall see all its beauty on its leaves and flowers
(by reading the articles carefully and trying to catch their messages,
which may be useful in our medical practice); they shall also notice
small branches that do not conform to the harmony of such a majestic
tree, comparable to the purple trumpet tree (by reading articles critically
and sending in constructive critiques).
We should not forget that this tree grew from seeds (the article by
Professor Mayall, for example) that must be handled with care (see the
Symposium on Medicine and Law, coordinated by Professor Timi).
What would be of the yellow-flowered trees if everyone liked only purple
flowers? (Professor Maffei's editorial is an excellent demonstration
of the importance of contraposition in scientific discussion). At the
same time, a forest's biodiversity requires that our trees live in harmony
with the other trees, as the branches of one may get entangled with
those of another (publications about symposiums in other fields of study,
10,000 circulation, also mailed to specialists in those fields).
Now, in the prime of spring (National Conference), the front cover of
J Vas Br shows Brazil facing Salvador, in a mostly humane picture of
the "Good Land" - as Salvador is known -, a land that will
welcome all of us in October.
This spring another very important branch is growing out of the trunk,
and this new branch will reach many other countries with our vascular
message.
The country that has the largest rain forest, the largest amount of
inland water, and the greatest plant variety in the world should be
concerned with and prepared for its defense, but should not remain isolated,
afraid of exposure. And so the moment has arrived for the Brazilian
Vascular Journal to be launched into the serene adventure of proving
that we are an important Society in terms of numbers, for the time being,
but that we will become scientifically very important in the coming
years.
This is a challenge for all of us!
SBAVC has been doing its part - the tree (J Vasc Br) has already borne
its first fruit, but its growth spurt will crucially depend on the collaboration
of most of our colleagues, if not of all of us. A majority of participants
begins with one, and you can be this first participant to keep your
engagement to this editorial project, or the first to engage in it.
As we conclude the first part of our project, I wish to thank all for
their indispensable assistance, and apologize for the problems that
have not been corrected yet. Finally, I wish to express my strong belief
that our project will thrive.
