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Genomics and Sleep Disorders
EDITORIAL J Oral Maxillofac Surg 75:653-654, 2017
Genomics and Sleep Disorders from a review of the statistical tests used in the article in question. Our statistician provides analysis and guidance to the SEs and authors regarding whether the statistical tests utilized by investigators were appropriate and/or properly interpreted. This is of value to our readers, particularly for research projects where complex statistical methods were used. In contrast, our consultant for molecular biology will prospectively help determine if submissions are of sufficient importance scientifically and will be relevant and of interest to our readers, the majority of whom are practicing clinicians. By bringing in an individual with the needed expertise, our SEs will be assisted in the process of determining which articles merit peer review so we do not overburden the select few individuals we use to review such submissions. Fortunately, one of our current editorial board members, an individual who regularly helps review articles in which molecular techniques are in play, has agreed to serve as our molecular biology consultant. Dr Randy Todd is a practicing oral-maxillofacial surgeon who also has the expertise needed to help sort our submissions in which genomics or other molecular biology topics are involved. I appreciate his willingness to play this important role. The second change to our masthead relates to sleep disorders. Oral-maxillofacial surgeons have been working with patients with sleep apnea for several decades. Our involvement as a specialty includes conducting meaningful research into diagnostic and management strategies for sleep disorders. There is a growing appreciation of the role oral-maxillofacial surgeons can play in helping correct anatomic problems suffered by patients with sleep apnea or other sleep-related disorders, commonly as part of a sleep medicine team. Soft tissue procedures and jaw advancement operations can improve or cure sleep disorders in ways not possible by other therapeutic approaches. We in oral-maxillofacial surgery also are in a good position to help identify patients suffering from sleep disorders and introduce them to a sleep medicine team. The Journal already receives submissions from authors conducting sleep disorder investigations. However, our specialty and readership will benefit by having even more peer-reviewed publications on this topic readily available. To highlight our interest
I imagine that most readers do not make it a habit of looking at our Journal’s masthead. That’s the page which lists the members of our editorial board and shows the names of sections into which the Journal is divided. I want to alert you to 2 changes that are appearing to our masthead. The first relates to the area of molecular biology, such as genomics and proteomics. With the rise of personalized/precision medicine, it is becoming increasingly common to use the biomarkers on a lesion to help guide the therapeutic measures most likely to be effective.1 Such studies also help demonstrate subcategories of pathology that may help explain a lesion’s origin or tissue type. The Journal is receiving increasing numbers of submissions in which the authors did research related to the genomic makeup of a tumor or other forms of pathology. Our Section Editors (SEs), particularly in pathology and surgical oncology, often have difficulty determining whether articles related to molecular biology are scientifically important, and even if they are, will they be of relevance and interest to our readership. It is also difficult to find experts to peer-review such articles, particularly from the relevance and interest perspectives. One option was to stop considering such articles since many of these articles are more at the basic biomedical science level and currently have no obvious clinical relevance, particularly to our specialty. However, we believe this burgeoning area of biomedical science is important for our readers, particularly those with patients who might benefit from the advancement in this field or oralmaxillofacial surgery investigators working within this cutting edge of science. Also, even for readers who do not see a current value to understanding these aspects of molecular biology, it is useful to have a general understanding of advances occurring in this field in order to stay abreast of advances in the biomedical sciences. Therefore, the decision was made to help our SEs identify appropriate submissions for us to consider for publication. The new position created on the editorial board is the addition of a molecular biology consultant. This individual will serve in a manner similar to our statistician, with one difference. Our statistician is consulted by our SEs when they have a submitted article that they or the peer-reviewers believe would benefit
653
654
EDITORIAL
in these submissions, we are formally adding sleep disorders to our section on craniomaxillofacial deformities. We hope this will help authors seeking a journal in which to share their findings related to sleep medicine to choose to submit their work to the JOMS. JAMES R. HUPP, DMD, MD, JD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Reference 1. Hupp JR: Precision medicine—Implications for oral-maxillofacial surgery. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 73:795, 2015
Ó 2017 Published by Elsevier Inc on behalf of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.joms.2017.01.039
Genomics and Sleep Disorders from a review of the statistical tests used in the article in question. Our statistician provides analysis and guidance to the SEs and authors regarding whether the statistical tests utilized by investigators were appropriate and/or properly interpreted. This is of value to our readers, particularly for research projects where complex statistical methods were used. In contrast, our consultant for molecular biology will prospectively help determine if submissions are of sufficient importance scientifically and will be relevant and of interest to our readers, the majority of whom are practicing clinicians. By bringing in an individual with the needed expertise, our SEs will be assisted in the process of determining which articles merit peer review so we do not overburden the select few individuals we use to review such submissions. Fortunately, one of our current editorial board members, an individual who regularly helps review articles in which molecular techniques are in play, has agreed to serve as our molecular biology consultant. Dr Randy Todd is a practicing oral-maxillofacial surgeon who also has the expertise needed to help sort our submissions in which genomics or other molecular biology topics are involved. I appreciate his willingness to play this important role. The second change to our masthead relates to sleep disorders. Oral-maxillofacial surgeons have been working with patients with sleep apnea for several decades. Our involvement as a specialty includes conducting meaningful research into diagnostic and management strategies for sleep disorders. There is a growing appreciation of the role oral-maxillofacial surgeons can play in helping correct anatomic problems suffered by patients with sleep apnea or other sleep-related disorders, commonly as part of a sleep medicine team. Soft tissue procedures and jaw advancement operations can improve or cure sleep disorders in ways not possible by other therapeutic approaches. We in oral-maxillofacial surgery also are in a good position to help identify patients suffering from sleep disorders and introduce them to a sleep medicine team. The Journal already receives submissions from authors conducting sleep disorder investigations. However, our specialty and readership will benefit by having even more peer-reviewed publications on this topic readily available. To highlight our interest
I imagine that most readers do not make it a habit of looking at our Journal’s masthead. That’s the page which lists the members of our editorial board and shows the names of sections into which the Journal is divided. I want to alert you to 2 changes that are appearing to our masthead. The first relates to the area of molecular biology, such as genomics and proteomics. With the rise of personalized/precision medicine, it is becoming increasingly common to use the biomarkers on a lesion to help guide the therapeutic measures most likely to be effective.1 Such studies also help demonstrate subcategories of pathology that may help explain a lesion’s origin or tissue type. The Journal is receiving increasing numbers of submissions in which the authors did research related to the genomic makeup of a tumor or other forms of pathology. Our Section Editors (SEs), particularly in pathology and surgical oncology, often have difficulty determining whether articles related to molecular biology are scientifically important, and even if they are, will they be of relevance and interest to our readership. It is also difficult to find experts to peer-review such articles, particularly from the relevance and interest perspectives. One option was to stop considering such articles since many of these articles are more at the basic biomedical science level and currently have no obvious clinical relevance, particularly to our specialty. However, we believe this burgeoning area of biomedical science is important for our readers, particularly those with patients who might benefit from the advancement in this field or oralmaxillofacial surgery investigators working within this cutting edge of science. Also, even for readers who do not see a current value to understanding these aspects of molecular biology, it is useful to have a general understanding of advances occurring in this field in order to stay abreast of advances in the biomedical sciences. Therefore, the decision was made to help our SEs identify appropriate submissions for us to consider for publication. The new position created on the editorial board is the addition of a molecular biology consultant. This individual will serve in a manner similar to our statistician, with one difference. Our statistician is consulted by our SEs when they have a submitted article that they or the peer-reviewers believe would benefit
653
654
EDITORIAL
in these submissions, we are formally adding sleep disorders to our section on craniomaxillofacial deformities. We hope this will help authors seeking a journal in which to share their findings related to sleep medicine to choose to submit their work to the JOMS. JAMES R. HUPP, DMD, MD, JD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Reference 1. Hupp JR: Precision medicine—Implications for oral-maxillofacial surgery. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 73:795, 2015
Ó 2017 Published by Elsevier Inc on behalf of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.joms.2017.01.039