Instructions for Editor's note authors

An Editor’s Note provides a concise synopsis of the related research article appearing in the JCI, and provides a broad view about why the Editorial Board found the research question addressed compelling and/or discusses overall implications for future work. Manuscripts should be accessible and interesting to both specialists and nonspecialists.

Contact the science editor at science-editor@the-jci.org.

Editor's note information
  • Deadline: Generally, the manuscript is due 1–2 months before the scheduled publication date. A specific deadline will be given at the time the Commentary is agreed upon.
  • Submission: Authors should submit a an electronic verison of the text (in Microsoft Word) directly to science-editor@the-jci.org.
  • Publication: Along with the proof of the article, authors are given a tentative publication date. Note: Authors may not submit the manuscript to a preprint repository (e.g., bioRxiv, medRxiv) prior to publication by the Journal. The content is under embargo until the publication date.

Manuscript preparation

  • Length. 300–500 words, excluding the References.
  • Organization. Present the manuscript in the following consecutive sections: Title page, Main text, Acknowledgments, References. Note: Submissions should not include an abstract, subheadings, figures, or tables.
  • Style. In general, authors should follow the AMA Manual of Style (AMA) for scientific/medical usage, as well as Stedman’s Medical Dictionary and the Chicago Manual of Style.
    • Demographic terminology. Adhere to NIH guidelines or other applicable authoritative standards on reporting race and ethnicity; and use clear, unbiased, and up-to-date descriptors for any demographic identities.
    • Gene terminology. Style gene names and symbols according to official NCBI Gene nomenclature and present the terms according to JCI Gene nomenclature and style.
    • Abbreviations. JCI Standard abbreviations may be used without definition. Nonstandard abbreviations should be spelled out at first use, with the abbreviated form following in parentheses. Thereafter, they may be used without definition.
  • Authors/affiliations. Provide complete names of all authors in the appropriate order. In the author list, use consecutive, superscripted numerals to assign authors to their affiliations. Affiliations should include complete location: city, state/province (if applicable), and country.
  • Conflicts of interest. Include a statement detailing any financial arrangements that could present a conflict of interest (view Journal policy). If no conflict exists, state “The authors have [or The author has] declared that no conflict of interest exists.”
  • Acknowledgments. Authors may include appropriate acknowledgments to others for help and advice, as well as of funding sources.
  • References and reference citations. (Maximum: 7) References are cited in the text by sequential numerals in parentheses (do not use superscript). The Reference list must include the related JCI research article. References are listed in the order in which they are first cited in the text.
    • Individual references are presented in AMA format (use of EndNote in Microsoft Word is encouraged). However, for references with 3 or more authors, cite only the first author followed by “et al.” Abbreviate journal names according to the US National Library of Medicine (NLM) Catalog; spell out full names of unlisted journals. Examples follow; see How to prepare references for additional details.
      • Journal articles
        Han CY, et al. NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species increases expression of monocyte chemotactic factor genes in cultured adipocytes. J Biol Chem. 2012;287(13):10379–10393.
      • Articles in press
        Gardner W, Schultz HD. Prostaglandins regulate the synthesis and secretion of the atrial natriuretic peptide. J Clin Invest. In press.
      • Complete books
        Ellis RW, Brodeur BR, eds. Bacterial Vaccines. Landes Bioscience; 2003.
      • Articles in books
        Jacobsen D. Practical chemistry of homocysteine and other thiols. In: Carmel R, Jacobsen D, eds. Homocysteine in Health and Disease. Cambridge University Press; 2001:9–20.
      • Websites
        National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Asthma Risk Factors and Prevention Research.  http://stemcells.nih.gov/policy/2009guidelines. Updated April 5, 2018. Accessed August 5, 2021.
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