Editorial - Time for a change

This issue of Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes will be the last for which I am responsible as editor-in-chief. Starting with the next issue, Martin Wehling (Mannheim) will be my successor. I am sure that he, along with Helmut Schatz, will further improve the scientific quality of the journal.

As a result of the amalgamation of the endocrine societies in East and West Germany, the journal Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology became the official journal of the DGE (German Society of Endocrinology) in 1992 and I was asked to take on the responsibilities of editor-in-chief. I could have hardly imagined that I would retain this position for almost 9 years. During this time there have been some promising changes and I thank all of the people who supported the improvement of the journal. Specifically, my thanks go to Helmut Schatz, my co-editor-in-chief since 1995, the diligent referees and co-editors, and the staff of the editorial office under the leadership of Judith Seufert. Last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank all of the contributing authors.

The most important change made to the journal was its becoming the official journal of the DDG (German Diabetes Association), which lead to the journal's name becoming Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes. This addition came into effect with volume 103 in 1995. Since then, the contributions of diabetologists have improved the quality and the distribution of the journal remarkably. Other changes include the introduction of reviews, mini-reviews, case reports, technical notes and the publication of abstracts from scientific meetings - most of which were organized under the auspices of the DGE or DDG. Of particular importance was the addition of 3 to 5 supplementary issues per year containing proceedings of current scientific symposia and coordinated by guest editors. Starting last year, the issues per volume was increased from 6 to 8 and at the same time a full text version of the journal's articles were made available at www.thieme-connect.com on the world wide web.

In addition to these positive changes, enormous energy must be invested in the future to establish ECED as a journal of international repute. These changes may include: (a) more articles from endocrinologists and diabetologists based outside of Germany; (b) improved editorial procedures which take advantage of modern communication possibilities and include a much faster refereeing process; and (c) a publishing policy which will further enhance the specific profile of ECED and aid in the integration of endocrinology and diabetology.

I wish Martin Wehling a successful and rewarding time as ECED's editor-in-chief and trust that all of you will support him in his endeavours.