Welcome to a Special Issue of Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis—The Closing Issue for 2008

We have mentioned this before—the end of the year is a good time to reflect on the past. This issue marks the end of another year with Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis. This issue also represents the last issue of Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis to carry the name of the founding editor, Eberhard F. Mammen, as the editor in chief. As recently announced in a previous issue of Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Eberhard passed away on July 1 of this year.[1] [2] As also announced several times in the past, Eberhard was not only the founding editor but also acted in the capacity of editor in chief of this journal for the past 34 years.[2] [3] It is fitting, then, that we celebrate the life of this man whom we came to know as mentor and friend. Indeed, this particular issue of Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis has been crafted as a tribute to Eberhard Mammen and stands as a testament to both the breadth of his career and the extent of his influence in the field of thrombosis and hemostasis.

Specific details regarding the contents of this issue can be found in the preface, and further highlights into the life of Eberhard F. Mammen are detailed throughout the issue, beginning with the poignant eulogy by Prasad and Kwaan.[4] Eberhard was not only the founding editor and ongoing editor in chief of Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis but also was essentially responsible for selecting its content and shaping the journal over the past three decades. Over a span of five decades, Eberhard published more than 300 articles on various topics in thrombosis and hemostasis.[4] Over the past three decades, quite a few of these articles were published in Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis. A brief review of Eberhard's written contributions to this field and inclusive of Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis has recently been highlighted.[5] Indeed, four of his top five most popular articles (as evidenced by citation data) were published in this journal.[5]

This information has been extended in Table [1], which lists Eberhard's 10 most popular articles in Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis. This tribute issue also contains several articles prepared by various associates of Eberhard and of the journal that aim to showcase the breadth of Eberhard's influence in the field of thrombosis and hemostasis. In addition, each article can also be viewed as a state-of-the-art review for the topic under discussion. Finally, at the end of this particular issue, we have republished six of Eberhard's most popular articles from Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis. These too were specifically selected to showcase the breadth of Eberhard's knowledge and influence in the field.

Table 1 The 10 Most Highly Cited Articles Published by Eberhard F. Mammen in Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis [*]

1. Mammen EF, Comp PC, Gosselin R, et al. PFA-100 system: a new method for assessment of platelet dysfunction. Semin Thromb Hemost 1998;24:195-202[*]

2. Mammen EF, Koets MH, Washington BC, et al. Hemostasis changes during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Semin Thromb Hemost 1985;11:281-292[*]

3. Mammen EF, Alshameeri RS, Comp PC. Preliminary data from a field trial of the PFA-100 system. Semin Thromb Hemost 1995;21(Suppl 2):113-121

4. Mammen EF. Antithrombin: its physiological importance and role in DIC. Semin Thromb Hemost 1998;24:19-25[*]

5. Mammen EF. Sticky platelet syndrome. Semin Thromb Hemost 1999;25:361-365[*]

6. Mammen EF, Miyakawa T, Phillips TF, Assarian GS, Brown JM, Murano G. Human antithrombin concentrates and experimental disseminated intravascular coagulation. Semin Thromb Hemost 1985;11:373-383[*]

7. Balk R, Emerson T, Fourrier F, et al. Therapeutic use of antithrombin concentrate in sepsis. Semin Thromb Hemost 1998;24:183-194

8. Mammen EF, Arcelus J, Messmore H, Altman R, Nurmohamed M, Eldor A. Clinical differentiation of low molecular weight heparins. Semin Thromb Hemost 1999;25(Suppl 3):135-144[*]

9. Alshameeri RS, Mammen EF. Clinical experience with the Thrombostat 4000. Semin Thromb Hemost 1995;21(Suppl 2):1-10

10. Mammen EF. Why low molecular weight heparin? Semin Thromb Hemost 1990;16(Suppl):1–4

1 Articles marked with an asterisk have been reproduced at the end of this issue of Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis.

THE EBERHARD F. MAMMEN EXCELLENCE IN THROMBOSIS AND HEMOSTASIS AWARDS

As acknowledgment of Eberhard's contribution to the field of thrombosis and hemostasis in general, and to this journal in particular, the publisher, Thieme Medical Publishers, would like us to announce the creation of the Eberhard F. Mammen Excellence in Thrombosis and Hemostasis Awards. Thus, beginning in 2009, Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis will begin a series of annual awards in recognition of excellence in the field of thrombosis and hemostasis. There will be two categories of awards:

• [1]Most popular article awards: Awards for the most popular articles published in Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis during the preceding 2 years. The awards comprise two major cash prizes of US$1000 plus “open access” status for these articles thereafter. The awards will be determined by the editor in chief of Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis on the basis of download information provided by the publisher.

• [1]Young investigator awards: Best presentation or meeting abstract by a young investigator, as presented or delivered to an international meeting on a topic related to the field of thrombosis and hemostasis, and whose subject matter is determined to be in the spirit of Dr. Mammen. Up to six cash prizes of US$1000 in any year will be awarded for one or more presentations at each of three or more international meetings per year. Each awardee will be expected to prepare a review or other related article on the topic of his or her presentation for publication in Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis.

Further details about the awards will be provided to readers as these become available.

EDITORIAL BOARD

This issue also marks the end of the current configuration of the editorial board. Notably, the position of editor in chief will need to be filled, and this will be announced in the first issue of 2009. There will also be some adjustments made to other editorial positions. Accordingly, on behalf of the 2008 regional editors, I would again very much like to thank the current and past members of the editorial board for their valued contributions to the journal. We are confident that the revised editorial team will continue to bring you, the reader, the high-quality journal that you have come to expect in Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis.

THANKS TO THE THIEME TEAM

This is also a fitting time to once again acknowledge members of the Thieme team, whose contribution to the success or otherwise of this journal is critical but generally unrecognized. In particular, I would like to acknowledge the invaluable assistance of Xenia Golovchenko, the production editor for Thieme Medical Publishers, who is our first and main port of call for bringing every issue of Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis together—beginning as a collection of author-submitted and guest editor–reviewed articles that are then evolved into the form that you, the reader, see in print and online. Sincere gratitude also to the many others at Thieme; some are known to me but prefer to remain anonymous, but most are unknown to me and work in the background to ensure timely delivery of each issue of the journal to you, the reader.

THANKS TO CONTRIBUTORS AND GUEST EDITORS

On behalf of the regional editors, I would also like to once again express my gratitude to all the authors that have contributed articles to Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis in the past, as well as to those that will do so in the future. A similar expression of gratitude goes out to all past and future guest editors. Without your contributions, there would be no Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis. In particular, a huge portion of this gratitude goes to the contributors to our 2008 issues of Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis. This was no doubt one of our most turbulent years.

A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE

The regional editors have once again developed plans for the future content of Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis. Currently planned and/or confirmed topics for issues to be published over the next 24 months are listed in Table [2]. At the same time, we recognize the need to retain some flexibility in our plans and to potentially add additional material of current interest and controversy as the need arises. We thank our readers for ongoing support of the journal and look forward to your continued patronage.

Table 2 Current Planned Topics for Future Issues of Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis

1. Rare and unusual bleeding disorders

2. Platelet function testing and standardization

3. Laboratory diagnostics in thrombosis and hemostasis: from bedside to bench to bedside

4. Usual and unusual associations of thrombosis

5. Laboratory and clinical identification and treatment of bleeding disorders

6. Identification and management of factor inhibitors

7. Hemostatic abnormalities and arterial thrombosis

8. Atrial fibrillation

9. Cerebrovascular thrombosis and hemostasis

10. Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura: diagnosis, therapy, and treatment

11. Gynecologic thrombosis and hemostasis

12. Obstetric thrombosis and hemostasis

REFERENCES

• 1 Schiff D. Eulogy. Eberhard Mammen, M.D. 1930–2008.  Semin Thromb Hemost. 2008;  34 305
• 2 Favaloro E J. Editorial.  Semin Thromb Hemost. 2008;  34 307
• 3 Schiff D, Burgess T. Editorial.  Semin Thromb Hemost. 2004;  30 601
• 4 Prasad A, Kwaan H C. In memoriam: a tribute to Eberhard F Mammen, M.D. (1930–2008).  Semin Thromb Hemost. 2008;  34 697-698
• 5 Favaloro E J. Measuring the quality of journals and journal articles: the impact factor tells but a portion of the story.  Semin Thromb Hemost. 2008;  34 7-25