University of Brunei Darussalam 20140429 Springer

Author Workshop: Effectively Communicating Your Research

Universiti Brunei Darussalam29 April 2014

Jeffrey Robens, PhD

Download at: edanzediting.com/brunei

Publication output in Brunei

S

Your goal is not only to be published, but also to be widely read/cited

http://www.scimagojr.com/countryrank.php

Be an effective communicator

SChoose the best journal to reach your target audience

Logically present your research in your manuscript

Prepare effective titles and abstracts

Convey the significance of your work to journal editors

Your goal should not only to be published, but also to be widely read/cited in the field

Journal selection

Section 1


Journal selection Factors to consider when choosing a journal

Aims & scope Readership

Open access

Which factor is most important to you?

Indexing

Journal selection Evaluating significance

How new are your findings?Novelty

How broadly relevant are your findings?Relevance

What are the important real-world applications?Appeal

Journal selection

Insert your proposed abstract

Journal Selector – www.edanzediting.com/journal_sele

ctor

Journal selection

Recommended journals

Filter by:Impact factor

Publishing frequencyOpen access


ctor

Journal selection

Semantic matching terms

Journals IF, Aims & Scope, and Frequency

Similar published articles

Have they published similar articles recently?Have you cited some of these articles?


ctor

Journal selection Tips to identify the most suitable journal

S

Identify the interests of the journal editor

Identify the interests of the

readers

• Editorials• Review articles• Special issues

• Most viewed• Most cited

Manuscript structure

Section 2


Coverage and Staffing PlanManuscript

structure Introduction

General introduction

Specific aimsAims

Current state of the field

Problem in the field


structureWriting the Introduction

Beginning should demonstrate relevance/interest

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality for men and women. Despite smoking prevention and cessation programs and advances in early detection, the 5-year survival rate for lung cancer is only 16% with current therapies. Although lung cancer incidence rates have recently declined in the United States, more lung cancer is now diagnosed when considered together in former- and never-smokers than in current smokers. Thus, even if all of the national anti-smoking campaign goals are met, lung cancer will remain a major public health problem for decades. New ways to treat or prevent lung cancer are therefore needed.

Interest

Important problem in the field

Busch et al. BMC Cancer. 2012; 13: 211.


structure

Your aims should directly address this problem

This study explored the hypothesis that inhibition of TNKS by pharmacological or genetic means would inhibit lung cancer growth in vitro and in vivo…

Writing the Introduction

New ways to treat or prevent lung cancer are therefore needed.

Busch et al. BMC Cancer. 2012; 13: 211.


structure Methods

How it was done

General methodsSpecific techniques(discuss controls)

Quantification methodsStatistical tests

Who/what was used

Samples or participantsMaterials

How it was analyzed

Study design

Consult a statistician


structure Results

1. Initial observation2. Characterization3. Application

Logical presentation

Example:1. Synthesis of nanoparticles2. Characterize their physical and/or chemical

properties, SEM, determine biocompatability3. Demonstrate improved rate of drug delivery


structure Results

1. Initial observation2. Characterization3. Application

Each subsection corresponds to

one figure

What you found, not what it means

Logical presentation

Subsections

Factual description


structure Discussion

Summary of findings

Relevance of findings

Implications for the field

Similarities/differencesUnexpected resultsLimitations


structure Linking your ideas

General background

Objectives

Methodology

Results and figures

Summary of findings

Implications for the field

Relevance of findings

Problems in the field

Logically link your ideas throughout your manuscript

Current state of the fieldIntroduction

Methods

Results

Discussion


structure Linking your ideas

New ways to treat or prevent lung cancer are therefore needed.

This study explored the hypothesis that inhibition of TNKS…would inhibit lung cancer growth…

Pharmacological or genetic inhibition of TNKS1 and TNKS2…reduces lung cancer proliferation...

Problem

Objectives

Conclusion

Discussion

Introduction

Busch et al. BMC Cancer. 2012;13:211.


structureWriting effective

conclusions

Your conclusion is a summary of your findings

Your conclusion should be the answer to your research problem that is supported by your findings

Emphasizes how your study will help advance the field

Titles and abstracts

Section 3


Customer ServiceTitles and abstracts

Important points

Summarize key finding Contains keywords Less than 20 words

Avoid

Effective titles

Your title should be a concise summary of your most important finding

QuestionsDescribing methodsAbbreviations“New” or “novel”

Customer ServiceTitles and abstracts Abstract

First impression of your paper

Importance of your results

Validity of your conclusions

Relevance of your aims

Judge your writing style

Probably only part that will be read

Customer ServiceTitles and abstracts Sections of an abstract

Aims

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Why the study was done

Your hypothesis

Techniques

Most important findings

Conclusion/implications

Concise summary of your research

Customer ServiceTitles and abstracts Unstructured abstract

Our understanding of the mechanisms by which ducts and lobules develop is derived from model organisms and three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models wherein mammalian epithelial cells undergo morphogenesis to form multicellular spheres with a hollow central lumen. However, the mechanophysical properties associated with epithelial morphogenesis are poorly understood. We performed multidimensional live-cell imaging analysis to track the morphogenetic process starting from a single cell to the development of a multicellular, spherical structure composed of polarized epithelial cells surrounding a hollow lumen. We report that in addition to actively maintaining apicobasal polarity, the structures underwent rotational motions at rates of 15–20 μm/h and the structures rotated 360° every 4 h during the early phase of morphogenesis. Rotational motion was independent of the cell cycle, but was blocked by loss of the epithelial polarity proteins Scribble or Pard3, or by inhibition of dynein-based microtubule motors. Interestingly, none of the structures derived from human cancer underwent rotational motion. We found a direct relationship between rotational motion and assembly of endogenous basement membrane matrix around the 3D structures, and that structures that failed to rotate were defective in weaving exogenous laminin matrix. Dissolution of basement membrane around mature, nonrotating acini restored rotational movement and the ability to assemble exogenous laminin. Thus, coordinated rotational movement is a unique mechanophysical process observed during normal 3D morphogenesis that regulates laminin matrix assembly and is lost in cancer-derived epithelial cells.

Wang et al. PNAS. 2013; 110: 163‒168.

Customer ServiceTitles and abstracts Unstructured abstract

ConclusionThus, coordinated rotational movement is a unique mechanophysical process observed during normal 3D morphogenesis that regulates laminin matrix assembly and is lost in cancer-derived epithelial cells.

Results

We report that in addition to actively maintaining apicobasal polarity, the structures underwent rotational motions at rates of 15–20 μm/h and the structures rotated 360° every 4 h during the early phase of morphogenesis. Rotational motion was independent of the cell cycle, but was blocked by loss of the epithelial polarity proteins Scribble or Pard3, or by inhibition of dynein-based microtubule motors. Interestingly, none of the structures derived from human cancer underwent rotational motion. We found a direct relationship between rotational motion and assembly of endogenous basement membrane matrix around the 3D structures, and that structures that failed to rotate were defective in weaving exogenous laminin matrix. Dissolution of basement membrane around mature, nonrotating acini restored rotational movement and the ability to assemble exogenous laminin.

MethodsWe performed multidimensional live-cell imaging analysis to track the morphogenetic process starting from a single cell to the development of a multicellular, spherical structure composed of polarized epithelial cells surrounding a hollow lumen.

BackgroundOur understanding of the mechanisms by which ducts and lobules develop is derived from model organisms and three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models wherein mammalian epithelial cells undergo morphogenesis to form multicellular spheres with a hollow central lumen. However, the mechanophysical properties associated with epithelial morphogenesis are poorly understood.

Wang et al. PNAS. 2013; 110: 163‒168.

Customer ServiceTitles and abstracts Writing your abstract

Our understanding of the mechanisms by which ducts and lobules develop is derived from model organisms and three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models wherein mammalian epithelial cells undergo morphogenesis to form multicellular spheres with a hollow central lumen. However, the mechanophysical properties associated with epithelial morphogenesis are poorly understood. We performed multidimensional live-cell imaging analysis to track the morphogenetic process starting from a single cell to the development of a multicellular, spherical structure composed of polarized epithelial cells surrounding a hollow lumen. We report that in addition to actively maintaining apicobasal polarity, the structures underwent rotational motions at rates of 15–20 μm/h and the structures rotated 360° every 4 h during the early phase of morphogenesis. Rotational motion was independent of the cell cycle, but was blocked by loss of the epithelial polarity proteins Scribble or Pard3, or by inhibition of dynein-based microtubule motors. Interestingly, none of the structures derived from human cancer underwent rotational motion. We found a direct relationship between rotational motion and assembly of endogenous basement membrane matrix around the 3D structures, and that structures that failed to rotate were defective in weaving exogenous laminin matrix. Dissolution of basement membrane around mature, nonrotating acini restored rotational movement and the ability to assemble exogenous laminin. Thus, coordinated rotational movement is a unique mechanophysical process observed during normal 3D morphogenesis that regulates laminin matrix assembly and is lost in cancer-derived epithelial cells.Conclusions

Results

Methods

Background

Wang et al. PNAS. 2013; 110: 163‒168.

Customer ServiceTitles and abstracts Link ideas in your abstract

ConclusionThus, coordinated rotational movement is a unique mechanophysical process observed during normal 3D morphogenesis that regulates laminin matrix assembly and is lost in cancer-derived epithelial cells.

BackgroundOur understanding of the mechanisms by which ducts and lobules develop is derived from model organisms and three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models wherein mammalian epithelial cells undergo morphogenesis to form multicellular spheres with a hollow central lumen. However, the mechanophysical properties associated with epithelial morphogenesis are poorly understood.

Wang et al. PNAS 2013; 110:163‒168.

However, the mechanophysical properties associated with epithelial morphogenesis are poorly undersood.

Thus, coordinated rotational movement is a unique mechanophysical process…

Problem

Answer

Cover letters

Section 4


Cover letters

Abstract:First impression for readers

Cover letters are the first impression for the Journal Editor

SignificanceRelevance

Writing styleInteresting to their readers?

Is your work important?

Cover letters

Dear Dr Lippman,

Please find enclosed our manuscript entitled “Evaluation of the Glasgow prognostic score in patients undergoing curative resection for breast cancer liver metastases,” which we would like to submit for publication as an Original Article in the Breast Cancer Research and Treatment.

The Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) is of value for a variety of tumours. Several studies have investigated the prognostic value of the GPS in patients with metastatic breast cancer, but few studies have performed such an investigation for patients undergoing liver resection for liver metastases. Furthermore, there are currently no studies that have examined the prognostic value of the modified GPS (mGPS) in these patients. The present study evaluated the mGPS in terms of its prognostic value for postoperative death in patients undergoing liver resection for breast cancer liver metastases.

A total of 318 patients with breast cancer liver metastases who underwent hepatectomy over a 15-year period were included in this study. The mGPS was calculated based on the levels of C-reactive protein and albumin, and the disease-free survival and cancer-specific survival rates were evaluated in relation to the mGPS. Prognostic significance was retrospectively analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Overall, the results showed a significant association between cancer-specific survival and the mGPS and carcinoembryonic antigen level, and a higher mGPS was associated with increased aggressiveness of liver recurrence and poorer survival in these patients.

This study is the first to demonstrate that the preoperative mGPS, a simple clinical tool, is a useful prognostic factor for postoperative survival in patients undergoing curative resection for breast cancer liver metastases. This information is immediately clinically applicable for oncologists treating such patients. As a premier journal covering the broad field of cancer, we believe that the Breast Cancer Research and Treatment is the perfect platform from which to share our results with the international medical community.

Give the background to the research

What was done and what was found

Interest to journal’s readers

A good cover letter

We would also like to suggest the following reviewers for our manuscript…

Editor’s name Manuscript title

Publication type

Recommend reviewers

“Must-have” statements

Cover letters

“Must-have” statements

Not submitted to other journals

Source of funding

Authors agree on paper/journal

Original and unpublished

No conflicts of interest

Authorship contributions

Disclaimers about publication ethics

Cover letters Recommending reviewers

Where to find them?

From your reading/references, networking at conferences

How senior? Aim for mid-level researchers

Who to avoid? Collaborators (past 5 years),researchers from same institution

Look for reviewers who have published in your target journal

Cover letters Choose internationally

• 1 or 2 reviewers from Asia• 1 or 2 reviewers from Europe• 1 or 2 reviewers from North America

Journal Editors want to see an international list for 2 reasons:

1. Shows that you are familiar with your field worldwide

2. Shows that your research is relevant worldwide• Increased readership → increased citations → increased impact factor

Be an effective communicator

SChoose the best journal to reach your target audience

Logically present your research in your manuscript

Prepare effective titles and abstracts

Convey the significance of your work to journal editors

Your goal should not only to be published, but also to be widely read/cited in the field

Thank you!

Any questions?

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Jeffrey Robens: [email protected]

University of Brunei Darussalam 20140429 Springer

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