HBPRCA Annual Scientific Meeting 2008
celebrating 30 years


Abstract submissions close on 12 September 2008

Abstract submissions are now open! You must submit your abstract via the Internet (http://www.meetingsfirst.com.au/login.asp).

To view a list of awards available, please click here.

Rules for Preparation and Submission of Abstracts
The High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia (HBPRCA) welcomes abstracts on a broad range of topics related to blood pressure and cardiovascular conditions. The Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) provides a forum for novel research findings. A judging panel will determine the suitability of abstracts submitted for presentation at the ASM.

Eligibility for Publication in the Proceedings of the ASM of the HBPRCA:
Abstracts accepted for presentation at the Annual Scientific Meeting will be eligible for publication as part of the Proceedings in the journal Hypertension. If the abstract has been, or will be published in any other medical or scientific journal, it cannot be published in Hypertension, even if eligible for presentation at the ASM under rules above.

Submission of an abstract constitutes a commitment by the author(s) to present it if accepted. Failure to present, if not justified, will jeopardize future acceptance of abstracts for the HBPRCA

Please click here for an example

Page set up
Must fit within a space of 240mm (h) x 85mm (w). The full width of the abstract dimension must be used.

  • Set your page size to A4
  • Ensure you have no paragraph indents
  • Justify all text
  • Top margin 2.85 cm
  • Bottom 2.85 cm
  • Left 1.5 cm
  • Right 11.0 cm

Fonts and spacing

  • 10 point Times New Roman & Symbol fonts only
  • Use single-spaced line spacing for the entire abstract (this equates to exactly 12 pt spacing). Make sure you use the superscript/subscript facility in your word processing package rather than 'raising' or 'lowering' items that are superscripts or subscripts. If you notice a wider than average inter-line space, you have probably set your superscript or subscript incorrectly.

Abstract Title

  • An abstract must have a short, specific title (containing no abbreviations) that indicates the nature of the investigation.
  • Title in capitals and bold (no full stop at end of title).

Author Name(s)

  • The submitting author is designated as the primary/presenting author. You may rearrange the order of the authors; however, always list the senior author last.
  • If an author's name appears on more than one abstract, it must be identical on each abstract.
  • There is no limit to the number of abstracts an author's name may appear on.
  • Additions or deletions of author names are not permitted after submission of the abstract.

Abstract Data

  • Submit all abstracts in English.
  • Authors should not 'split' data to create several abstracts from one. If splitting is judged to have occurred, priority scores of related abstracts will be reduced.
  • Abstracts containing identical or nearly identical data submitted from the same institution and/or individuals will be disqualified.
  • Proofread abstracts carefully to avoid errors before submission. The abstract will be published exactly as it has been submitted.
  • Spaces are to be introduced prior to units of measurement eg, 2.5 h (not 2.5h).
  • The following format is preferred - mean ± se (n = xx; P < XX)
  • P to be capital and italicised
  • Use exact P values, especially if close to 0.05. If < 0.0001, then the latter will suffice.

Abstract Text

  • One continuous paragraph with no subheadings.
  • Leave one (1) line between affiliations and body of text.
  • Describe briefly the objectives of the study unless they are contained in the title. Include a brief statement of methods if pertinent. State findings in detail sufficient to support conclusions. Abstracts should not describe research in which the chemical identity or source of the reagent is proprietary or cannot be revealed.
  • Use generic drug names.
  • Do not begin sentences with numerals.
  • Standard abbreviations may be used without definition. Nonstandard abbreviations (kept to a minimum) must be placed in parentheses after the first use of the word or phrase abbreviated.
  • Please avoid grammatical errors, such as the use of 'however' to join two sentences. Note that 'L' in terms such as 'L-NAME' must be in a smaller font size.
  • Do not include references, credits or grant support.
  • Do not include the names or personal information of any patient participating in the study or trial.
  • Abstracts are limited to 1,950 characters (about 300-350 words). This includes the text plus any graphic/table, but not the title or authors. Punctuation counts as a character. Spaces do not count as characters.
  • Addition of a table deducts 250 characters no matter how many characters the table itself contains; addition of a graphic deducts 500 characters.
  • The format for publication of the abstract in Hypertension allows graphics/tables to be placed anywhere within the abstract. Do not add paragraph breaks within the body of the abstract.

Abstract Submission
You must submit your abstract as a word file and Presenting Author Form (using your own PIN) via the Internet (www.meetingsfirst.com.au). Receipt of all abstracts will be acknowledged automatically on submission, and then by follow-up email. If you do not get two confirmation emails within a few days of submission, nor an email re progamming in mid-October, please contact hbprca@meetingsfirst.com.au.

The presenting author form is self-explanatory and is part of the internet abstract submission process. Information from this form is utilised to generate the program, so please complete carefully following on-screen instructions.

Each presenting author must log in with their unique PIN - either as advised by Meetings First or generated online. All HBPRCA members currently have a PIN, which is available from Meetings First if you are unsure. Do not use another person's PIN. If you do not have a PIN please follow the instructions on the Submit Abstract page or contact Meetings First.

Abstract Revisions
Abstracts may be revised and resubmitted via the Meetings First website for two weeks after close of abstracts. Please proofread abstracts carefully to avoid errors before submission.

Abstract Withdrawal
Submit abstract withdrawal requests in writing by 1 November 2008 to avoid publication.

Abstract Acceptance

  • Abstract grading is blinded and abstracts are selected on the basis of scientific merit.
  • Abstract acceptance/non-acceptance and presentation status will be available in mid-October.

Presentation

  • All oral presentations will be allowed 10 minutes plus 5 minutes for discussion. A limited number of posters will be highlighted as "Moderated Posters" where a 2-minute oral synopsis will be required.
  • Guidelines for presentation will be provided to authors of accepted abstracts in mid-October.
  • If you do not want your abstract to be scheduled as an oral presentation, select "Poster" under Presentation Style Preference on the Presenting Author Form.