Editor-in-Chief: Peter E Lipsky, MD

Nature Clinical Practice Rheumatology delivers timely interpretations of key research developments, translating the latest findings into clinical practice. Our Editor-in-Chief and International Advisory Board ensure comprehensive coverage of topical issues throughout the year, with the highest standards of editorial quality and integrity that are hallmarks of Nature Publishing Group.

Table of Contents: July 2008

Free featured article

Technology Insight: adult mesenchymal stem cells for osteoarthritis therapy

Ulrich Nöth, Andre F Steinert and Rocky S Tuan

Although osteoarthritis is the most common form of joint disease, an effective treatment for this disease is lacking. In this Review, the authors outline the potential use of strategies based on mesenchymal stem cells, which can differentiate into cells of the chondrogenic lineage, in the regeneration and maintenance of damaged articular cartilage.

Free featured article

Optic neuritis and recurrent myelitis in a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus

Julius Birnbaum and Douglas Kerr

Optic neuritis and myelitis can occur as manifestations of idiopathic demyelinating syndromes, as well as of systemic rheumatic syndromes. In this Case Study, Drs Birnbaum and Kerr present a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and concomitant neuromyelitis optica (also known as Devic's Syndrome), and discuss the distinguishing clinical and radiographic features critical for an accurate diagnosis.

Call for Papers

Calling now for original research submissions

Maximise the visibility and impact of your research and be one of the first to be published in the new Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine Clinical Research section.

We are now welcoming submissions from any area of cardiology and we're interested in the following types of papers:

– Randomized, controlled trials
– Systematic reviews/meta-analyses
– Observational studies
– Epidemiological studies
– Translational studies

To find out more visit www.nature.com/ncpcardio/
originalresearch.

Sermo

Nature Publishing Group and Sermo Inc., the largest online physician community, have partnered to facilitate the discussion and interpretation by US physicians of content in leading NPG medical journals.

In this collaboration, NPG has added 'Discuss on Sermo' links to the online versions of articles in 12 of its leading medical journals, including Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine, Nature Clinical Practice Endocrinology & Metabolism, Nature Clinical Practice Neurology and Nature Clinical Practice Urology. These links will allow US physicians reading the journals to create or join discussions of the articles in Sermo's physician-only knowledge-sharing community.