Editorial

January 2004 marks the beginning of the 14th publication year of the Journal of Renal Nutrition (JREN). The Journal continues to make progress towards becoming the premier international publication of renal nutrition science and dietetics. The recent co-sponsorship with the International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism (ISRN&M) welcomes renal nutritionists and physician scientists from around the world to the JREN, which has already benefited from increased international contributions to the majority of the journal’s features. The ISRN&M meets every two years as the Congress on Nutrition & Metabolism in Renal Disease. This year, the Congress will be held in Venice and Padua, Italy, June 19–22, 2004. Highlights of this Congress are presented in the Guest Editorial authored by Congress Co-Chairman, Dr. Gianfranco Guarnieri, which appeared in the October 2003 issue of JREN. The October 2003 issue also contains the abstract form due February 2004, and all JREN readers and authors are encouraged to apply. The ISRN&M and Congresses represent the state-of-the-art in renal nutrition and dietetics; the heartbeat of the future of this specialization working in this exciting area of nephrology. Verification of this statement can be accomplished through attendance of the 12th International Congress this June.

The 12th International Congress will be of important significance to the JREN as it will be the first Congress from which the entire Proceedings will be published in the Journal. In the past, Proceedings from this group appeared in a variety of nutrition or nephrology journals such as the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Kidney International, and the American Journal of Kidney Diseases. Just as the ISRN&M provides an interdisciplinary platform for renal nutrition professionals, the JREN, incorporating both renal science and dietetics, is the true home for these Proceedings. The ISRN&M, the JREN, and the Council on Renal Nutrition of the National Kidney Foundation, through their individual activities and interactions, hold an important role on each others’ future. Collectively they have the potential for a unique and powerful impact on renal nutrition around the world as well as on the medical literature.

We are strongly encouraging all readers of the JREN to join the International Society of Renal Nutrition & Metabolism. There is a special membership category for renal dietitians belonging to the Council on Renal Nutrition (CRN) in which dual membership in the CRN and ISRN&M is available at a significant discount. The membership form can be downloaded from the JREN homepage at www.jrnjournal.org.

Effective with the January 2004 issue, the JREN will be initiating online submissions and reviews using the Editorial Manager software platform. This will streamline the overall editorial process and facilitate both manuscript submissions by contributing authors and the peer review process. Access to the Editorial Manager is accomplished by an established hyperlink that can be found on the homepage of the JREN at www.jrnjournal.org. Allowing a few months of transition, this process is expected to be fully operational, i.e., accepting submissions and reviews exclusively through utilization of the Editorial Manager platform by April 2004.

In addition to the Editorial Manager, the JREN publisher, Elsevier, is providing an enhanced web-based platform. This platform will offer sophisticated features such as enhanced literature reviews and useful hyperlinks. All subscribers will need to reactivate their accounts, and instructions regarding this process will be sent directly by the publisher.

A final note is in regard to the Editorial Board. The JREN has previously and continues to obtain participation on the Editorial Board by unsurpassed talented individuals. As we expand into the global sector, new participation has been recruited with input from the ISRN&M with the resulting Editorial Board as found in this issue.

Thanks to all of you for your continued commitment to the Journal of Renal Nutrition. Your participation with the Journal has been essential to its ongoing success and excellence.