First published on March 8, 2007
This version was published on April 1, 2007
Neuro Oncol 2007 9(2):81; DOI:10.1215/15228517-2006-041
Duke University Press
Focusing In, Broadening Our Reach
W. K. Alfred Yung, Editor in chief and
C. David James, Co-Editor in chief
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Introduction
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In this, our second issue as editors of Neuro-Oncology, we have begun to implement some of the changes we referred to in our January 2007 editorial. Notably, we have compiled our first special focus issue. The special focus is on pediatric neuro-oncology, and the papers published in this issue reflect a wide spectrum of current research in the field. These five papers cover a broad array of tumor types, from astrocytic tumors to gliomas and medulloblastomas, and also address a range of investigative questions, from molecular pathogenesis to the clinical use of advanced cytotoxic agents.
This initial effort to aggregate current thinking on a specific topic provides a glimpse of what we hopeNeuro-Oncology will achieve in the long term: in-depth analyses of some of the most important questions confronting the neuro-oncology community. This is no simple task, given our diverse, multidisciplinary readership. However, by identifying and publishing papers that look at specific subdisciplines in neuro-oncology, we hope to build a databank of state-of-the-art knowledge to serve as a resource for the many members of our community active in specific areas.
This pediatric focus issue also includes abstracts from the Twelfth International Symposium on Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (ISPNO), held June 6-9, 2006, in Nara, Japan. In this meeting, ISPNO uniquely contributes to the field by inviting parents and other caregivers to speak about their personal experiences involving the children afflicted with these cancers, which serves to remind all of us of the very real consequences of our work.
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Journal to Be Published Six Times a Year
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Clearly, as the number of clinicians and investigators involved with the study and treatment of brain tumors continues to grow, the more there is to share with our fellows in the community of neuro-oncology—which has proven to be something of a challenge for the journal. Since moving to online manuscript submission, combined with the journal's increased impact factor, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of articles submitted to be considered for publication. In 2006, 258 new manuscripts were registered in the online Editorial Manager system; in January 2007, we have already received 33 submissions. At this pace, our editors and reviewers will evaluate almost 400 manuscripts for the year, not to mention several review articles, book reviews, or other special topic papers that are commissioned. Even if we were to tighten our already rigorous standards, many excellent manuscripts would have to be excluded in order to stay within our yearly page number limit. This, in turn, would be a disservice to the journal's authors and readers.
In answer to this dilemma, we are happy to report that the next two issues will be expanded to include more original articles, as well as the SNO Annual Meeting abstracts in October, and beginning in January 2008, Neuro-Oncology will be published six times a year. This expansion will increase our ability to publish more original research articles in a more timely manner, will invigorate our news section, and will increase the frequency with which we can present special focus sections, supplements, reviews, and other in-depth analyses of the most important developments and challenges facing us today. We will do our best to ensure that the additional issues you receive will be well worth the extra storage demands.
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Footnotes
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PPS: We are continuing to accept neuro-oncology-related color photos for upcoming journal covers; these need not be associated with specific article submissions (although this month's cover does serve to highlight an article you will read in our July edition). If you have an image or other art you would like us to consider, please contact Managing Editor Kathryn Carnes at neurooncology{at}mdanderson.org.
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Introduction
Journal to Be Published...
