Publishing in the transfusion field: “Like a Bridge Over Trouble Water” in a “The time They Are A Changing” period

Publishing in the various fields of medical science obeys several reasons, of which increasing knowledge – perhaps independent on forecasted translation –, dissecting pathophysiology, sharing experiences with peers, communicating on clinical trials, reporting on evidence bases for treatments, and offering views to be discussed within the community such as ethical issues and compassionate care, etc. (this list is obviously non-exhaustive). All such items apply to transfusion medicine and blood transfusion-related issues.

Transfusion – since its earliest times – has never be alike a “quiet water pond”, and many progresses have been achieved to serve military medicine on the battlefield (a special issue on Transfusion in the Armed Forces is under way and should be released in the journal in 2021).

The recent occurrence of the disastrous COVID-19 situation has further highlighted that transfusion had to question the safety of blood donors, blood component recipients, availability of blood where and when needed, at times of nation-, or region-, or city-wide lock-downs, and also ethical issues relative – for example – to convalescent plasma therapy. This COVID-19 situation occurred at a time where not all other transfusion issues were resolved, such as blood transmissible infections with major threats such as HIV, HVB, HCV, etc. and regional attacks of viruses and parasites (Dengue viruses, Plasmodiae spp., Babesia spp., Trypanosoma cruzi, West Nile virus, etc.), each altering blood availability as well a patient safety; indeed, those emergent and reemergent pathogens are prevalent in a large part of the world in countries developing their economy and may pose a threat to economically wealthy countries as well, as a consequence of the global climate change. At the time this Editorial was prepared, a civilian disaster has struck Beirut, the capital of Lebanon; more than 3000 citizens have been injured (and more than 130 died); many are missing; among the injured, many require surgery and blood transfusion: this situation calls once more on how to build up a safe blood inventory in case of an emergency and how to prioritize actions the field of transfusion safety. When times comes after the situation soothes, “Transfusion Clinique et Biologique” will commission a special issue on that very relevant topic.

As all other peer-reviewed, non-predatory journals in the field of transfusion medicine, “Transfusion Clinique et Biologique” offers to bridge expertise of investigators and needs of field practitioners. A “Bridge over trouble water”, however, as medicine is rather an ocean than a pond and water is subjected to tides and tempests. Tides would govern quality and safety that non-reluctantly come on stage for the safe handling of patients in need of blood transfusion; “Patient Blood Management”, for instance, could be viewed as a “high tide coefficient” in this temporality. Tempests would trouble waters of medical disciplines, and in general relate to infectious epidemics (but also civilian catastrophes) that regularly shake transfusion and even politic systems.

“…Your time has come to shine

All your dreams are on their way

See how they shine

Oh, if you need a friend

I’m sailing right behind

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will ease your mind

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will ease your mind.”

Paul Simon (Paul Simon and Arthur Garfunkel, 1970).

In such a troubled world, the “Transfusion Clinique et Biologique” Journal evolves in a “The Times They Are A Changing” period:

“…Come writers and critics

Who prophesize with your pen

And keep your eyes wide

The chance won’t come again

And don’t speak too soon

For the wheel's still in spin

And there's no tellin’ who

That it's namin’

For the loser now

Will be later to win

For the times they are a-changin’…”

(Bob Dylan, 1964).

The Journal has indeed experienced a profound mutation a couple of years back when the Board endorsed the decision to commute to English as the preferred medium over French, to broaden both authorship and readership. This transformation was aimed at accompanying the seen and foreseen developments and progresses in the transfusion-related fields. The Journal has actually succeeded in broadening both (authorship and readership), and its Clarivate™ (formerly ISI) Impact Factor has started an ascending move (now 1.2), for what it is worth. This has not been without damages as we – at the Journal office – see less communications coming from historical authors and readers in Northern and Western Africa, and France. Of note, to shortcut this happening (in Africa), a forthcoming special issue dedicated to the Transfusion in Africa is under way and should be released in the Journal in early 2021. Meanwhile, it is our strong belief that bridging is more solid when arches are firmly planted in the ground, inlaid in robust evidence based-experiences coming from the largest as possible scope of transfusion practitioners. It is our strong belief at “Transfusion Clinique et Biologique” that experience sharing is of utmost importance to colleagues operating in less favored areas; the Journal still addresses their concerns more than many other Journals in the field, as shown by the growing number of published papers originating from China, India, Iran, Brazil, Mexico, and Middle-East countries, to cite some.

Sharing fruitful experiences and also negative ones (to prevent unsuccessful duplication, unneeded costs and unacceptable harm to patients), should be a motto in the hopes and glory of publishing. “Transfusion Clinique et Biologique” has committed itself to this objective and both the scientific* and executive board members are grateful to authors who build its reputation, and to readers who trust in its robustness to better care patients, the ultimate goal. This objective is served by the commitment of a largely international Editorial Board* whom I am glad to say a big “Thank you” for their time expertise and dedication, and their role in the growing success of “Transfusion Clinique et Biologique”. From our side at the Journal office, we endeavor to improve the overall quality of publication and make all due effort to fasten the process (among other actions).

Disclosure of interest

The author declares that he has no competing interest.