Abstract
Surgical infections are a global problem, without doubt. As prosperity comes to the developing world, so too do more expensive diets. Total caloric intake and intake of animal proteins and fats increase. Diabetes mellitus and obesity are global epidemics, and populations are aging throughout the developed world, Risk factors for surgical infections become ever more prevalent.
Both the Surgical Infection Society and Surgical Infections plan to expand their global influence (and readership). Toward that end, relationships are developing with the Japan Society of Surgical Infections and nascent surgical infection societies are forming in India and South America. As part of this globalization, the editorial board of Surgical Infections is expanding, first into Asia, but hopefully soon worldwide. This expansion also affords the opportunity for additional surgical specialty diversification. Because some of these esteemed individuals may not be known to the readership, please read further by way of introduction:
Professor Naoki Aikawa is Chairman, Board of Directors, International Medical Information Center, Tokyo, Japan, and Professor Emeritus of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, where he also received his medical and Doctor of Medical Science degrees and completed his surgery residency. He was a clinical and research fellow with SIS member John Burke at Harvard. Naoki enjoys international renown as a burn surgeon, and has lectured and presented worldwide. Professor Aikawa is a prolific author, with several hundred publications in Japanese and 100 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters in English, relating in general to the topics of shock, sepsis, and resuscitation. He brings a wealth of editorial experience to the journal, having held more than 15 editorial board positions for Japanese journals, and serves currently as editorial consultant to the Journal of Burn Care and Research, and on the editorial boards of NeuroRehabilitation, International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, and Shock. Professor Aikawa has already provided invaluable assistance as contacts are developed with the Japan Society of Surgical Infection, and undoubtedly will continue to do so. He may be reached at aikawa7@rc4.so-net.ne.jp.
Naoki Aikawa M.D., D.M.Sc., F.A.C.S.
Professor Peter Kwong Yuen Chiu is Clinical Professor of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Semi-Autonomous Region, China, and holds several honorary professorships at specialty orthopedic hospitals in the People's Republic of China. Peter obtained his medical degree and clinical training at the University of Hong Kong. He enjoys international renown as a joint replacement surgeon, and has lectured and presented worldwide. Professor Chiu is a prolific author, with more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters in English, with an interest in infection control and prosthetic device infection in orthopedics. He brings substantial editorial experience to the journal, having held several editorial board positions for Chinese journals, and serves currently as editorial consultant to International Orthopedics and on the editorial board of the Journal of Arthroplasty. He may be reached at pkychiu@hku.hk.
Peter K. Y. Chiu, M.B.B.S., F.R.C.S. (Edin.), F.H.K.C.O.S.
Associate Professor Anand Deva is Head of Cosmetic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. Anand, a native of Malaysia, received his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Sydney, while receiving nearly 20 undergraduate awards and scholarships. He also received his surgical training in teaching hospitals affiliated with the University of Sydney, including the Royal North Shore Hospital and the Royal Prince Albert Hospital, where he was also a research fellow in the Departments of Surgery and Infectious Diseases. Anand was also a research fellow at the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery of New York University, and a clinical fellow at Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat hospital. Professor Deva also holds the Master of Surgery degree from the University of Sydney for his thesis on disinfection of heat-sensitive equipment, and has interests in infection control, wound healing, and biofilm formation on prosthetic devices. He has nearly 40 peer-reviewed papers to his credit. Anand may be contacted at Anand.Deva@.mq.edu.au.
Anand Deva, B.Sc. (Med.), M.B.B.S. (Hons.), M.S., F.R.A.C.S.
Associate Professor Lewis J. Kaplan is a member of the Section of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, and Surgical Emergencies, Yale University School of Medicine. Lew obtained his undergraduate degree from Franklin and Marshall College, and his medical degree from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. He trained in surgery at the Medical College of Pennsylvania, where he was also a research fellow in cardiothoracic surgery, and in surgical critical care at the University of Pittsburgh. Professor Kaplan has more than 80 peer-reviewed publications, books and book chapters to his credit. He serves currently on six editorial boards, including the Journal of Trauma, and is the Section Editor for Emedicine Surgery. Lew is also currently the chair of the Guidelines and Therapeutic Agents Committee of SIS. Doctor Kaplan's interests include shock resuscitation, peritonitis, and soft tissue infections. He has accepted major responsibility for solicitation of new manuscripts, and may be contacted at Lewis.Kaplan@yale.edu.
Lewis J. Kaplan, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.C.C.M., F.C.C.P.
Surgical Infections is indeed fortunate to recruit these accomplished individuals to the editorial board. Please join your editor in welcoming them.