Introduction

Top Introduction Scope of Submitted Manuscripts

  Halfway into my first term as Editor, I am pleased to report that Drug Metabolism and Disposition is in excellent shape. Manuscript submissions continue to increase, while turnaround times are decreasing. For example, the average turnaround time from receipt of a manuscript to first decision was 48 days in 2000, compared with 56 days in 1999. Likewise, the average time from submission to publication was 180 days in 2000, down from 1999's 209-day average. Many individuals have contributed to these improvements. Our Journals Director Richard Dodenhoff, Managing Editor June Dreskin, Production Coordinator Frances Yates, Manuscript Assistants Debbie Ellis and Henry Carter, and Publications Assistant Patricia Stoute in the Editorial Office in Bethesda deserve great credit for instituting in-house production and centralized manuscript handling processes that are working smoothly and efficiently. I would also like to thank my former Editorial Assistant Judith Bailes and current Assistant Mary Schlobohm for their dedication to the journal. Finally, we are fortunate to have a very capable and hard-working group of Associate Editors, Editorial Board Members, and ad hoc reviewers who contribute their talent and expertise to the journal. Working with all these people has been a great pleasure.   The improvements in manuscript processing have freed up the editorial team to focus on journal content. Minireviews and Commentaries are starting to become a regular monthly feature of Drug Metabolism and Disposition. I continue to welcome ideas from our readers for future reviews on contemporary topics that link drug metabolism and disposition to biological effects of drugs and chemicals. Our goal is for Drug Metabolism and Disposition to be the premier international journal in its field, serving academia, industry, and government agencies. In an effort to clarify the kind of manuscripts we are seeking the Associate Editors and I have revised the section on Scope of Submitted Manuscripts in the Instructions to Authors. That paragraph in its entirety is found below.

	Scope of Submitted Manuscripts

Top Introduction Scope of Submitted Manuscripts

  Drug Metabolism and Disposition will consider for publication manuscripts describing the results of original research that contribute significant and novel information on xenobiotic metabolism, transport, and disposition. The term xenobiotic includes therapeutic agents as well as environmental chemicals. Research may involve the use of in vivo or in vitro approaches, including cultured cells and heterologous expression systems. Manuscripts that describe mechanistic aspects of xenobiotic metabolism and transport as well as those examining mechanisms that affect expression and regulation of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters, including genetic variability, are encouraged. Manuscripts concerned with genetic, nutritional, or hormonal factors that influence the biological fate of chemicals are also of interest, as are those that address the toxicologic consequences of xenobiotic metabolism. We continue to welcome manuscripts describing metabolite identification and/or identification of specific enzymes responsible for particular metabolic pathways, provided that the studies are thorough and rigorous. Manuscripts presenting the results of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies that address mechanisms underlying drug disposition and response and/or address clearly defined hypotheses are invited. Studies lacking mechanistic insight or dealing only with descriptive parent drug pharmacokinetics are not encouraged.   We look forward to working with authors, reviewers, and readers, and we welcome comments and suggestions on how to continually improve the journal. Please note that the new guidelines have been evolving over the past year and are already partially in effect. They will become official as of October 1, 2001.