Abstract
A
Our publication is a living entity that can trace its origins to the foresight of Leon Goldman, who is credited as being the Father of laser medicine in the United States, and Mary Ann Liebert, who had launched her company in 1980. Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. was focused on providing information to the life sciences that could bridge academics with industry in the growing biotechnology sector. The combination of the needs of these constituencies in a single publication was unique and this yielded many topics and opportunities.
Lasers and their potential applications in science, medicine, and defense were becoming a hot topic. Laser Medicine and Surgery News and Advances (LMSNA) was launched in April 1983 with Leon Goldman as its first editor-in-chief. His editor's note stated:
With this issue, Laser Medicine & Surgery News makes its debut. A bimonthly newsletter, it will regularly cover general news of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery; immediately report new developments in laser medicine and surgery (long before they appear in the standard literature); list current training courses in laser medicine and surgery; contain reports from laser societies throughout the world as well as letters-to-the editor and other reader contributions; and provide a section for laser experts to answer readers' questions. Please send all inquiries - and your own “gems” of information, ideas, questions, and letters - to the editor: Leon Goldman, M.D. 1
This scope matched the vision of Mary Ann Liebert and her already successful Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News publication. It was the official newsletter for ASLMS until 1986. LMSNA was published from April 1983 through December 1989 as volumes 1(1) through 7(6). LMSNA continued to use the same general publication format throughout its course. Dr. Eugene Friedman became the editor-in-chief in 1986.
Lasers in Surgery and Medicine (LSM) was the official publication of ASLMS. LSM underwent a major change in its editorial board and publication style around this same time. More emphasis was being placed on publishing basic research as well as larger clinical studies, rather than preliminary studies or case reports. Clinicians were finding it harder to publish their new ideas and techniques in both the so-called mainstream literature and the limited options available with an interest in laser-related material. This created a vacuum and a need in the literature.
Dr. Friedman had consulted with a number of experts and luminaries of the day, including members of the editorial board and confirmed that there was a need for a publication that could serve as a home for articles that were more clinically oriented or described new instrumentation, techniques, or technologies that had clinical applications or relevance.
The original publication title, LMSNA, was no longer reflective of the type of articles, or the scope of articles that were being sought. It was reasoned that the publication's title should emphasize its clinical focus in the title and that the new title should be easily distinguished from LSM. Dr. Friedman introduced the new title and scope of publication in his editorial published in the December issue of LMSNA. 2 He wrote:
Beginning in 1990, with the February issue, the title of this publication will be changed to the Journal of Clinical Laser Medicine & Surgery. This change more clearly indicates the direction of this publication, in which we will stress articles having a clinical thrust, such as those dealing with a research problem, clinical applications, clinical results, or new ideas, proposals, and instrumentation. Articles on topics in these latter categories will not be refused merely because they do not adhere to all of the requirements of a basic research paper. 2
The Journal of Clinical Laser Medicine and Surgery (JCLMS) debuted in February 1990 as volume 8(1) and continued to be published bimonthly through volume 22(2) in April 2004. Dr. Raymond Lanzafame was appointed Co-Editor with Dr. Friedman in 1993 and became Editor-in-Chief in 1996. Dr. Chukuka Enwemeka was named Co-Editor-in-Chief in 2003.
The Journal achieved a number of milestones during this period and under this title. An online format of the Journal was first offered in 1991. JCLMS was accepted for inclusion in Current Contents/Clinical Medicine and other Thomson Reuters indexing services in 1998 and for inclusion in PubMed/MEDLINE in 1999.
Affiliations with a number of Societies occurred. It was the official journal for the International Society of Laser Surgery and Medicine (ISLSM) (1989–2008) and the International Society of Lasers in Dentistry (ISLD) (1994–2008). The Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD) and the World Federation of Laser Dentistry (WFLD) also linked with JCLMS for several years during this period. Strong affiliations were forged with the World Association for Laser Therapy (WALT) and the North American Association for Photobiomodulation Therapy (NAALT) in 2003, which continue through the present time.
The Journal continued to grow, publishing articles on a spectrum of topics. Global interest in aesthetic applications of laser devices fueled research and clinical applications. A greater interest in biostimulation and bioinhibition was stimulated in part by the need to define the mechanisms responsible for some of the clinical effects of these new devices as well as by the careful work of investigators throughout the world. The so-called low-level laser therapy articles were often viewed skeptically by the mainstream journals. However, article submissions on these topics were welcomed and accepted in increasing numbers in JCLMS.
Interest in photobiomodulation continued to increase and JCLMS merged with Laser Therapy in 2004, with the combined journal becoming the official journal for WALT. The expanding spectrum of article submissions and topics being covered, in conjunction with the combined expertise brought by this merger, again warranted a new journal title. The new title, PMLS, was introduced along with a new Journal cover in issue 22(3) in June of 2004. The mission and scope of this “new” journal was introduced by Editor-in-chief Lanzafame and Co-Editor-in-chief Enwemeka in their editorial entitled “Opportunities and Challenges” in the inaugural issue of PMLS. 3 They wrote:
The past 5 years have seen an explosion of interest and technologies that use photonics and photobiology to serve the growing need. Laser science has seen an explosive series of developments as a result of advances in dermatology and the appeal of a marketplace that accounts for expenditures in the billions of dollars per year. Steady progress is also being made in the areas of photobiomodulation in relation to improved understanding of the mechanisms of biostimulation and bioinhibition. The concepts of low-level therapies as a means of increasing collagen synthesis, reversing photoaging, and stimulating wound healing are being investigated and discussed in the medical mainstream as dermatologists attempt to apply this science to their patient population. This body of science will continue to grow and mature into the foreseeable future. It is no longer sufficient to consider the disciplines of medicine, surgery, and dentistry as encompassing this growing body of knowledge in light-based and related disciplines. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery encompass this area. We are pleased to provide this inaugural issue under our new journal title, Photomedicine and Laser Surgery. Our new title and look represents the addition of the editorial expertise of Laser Therapy to that of the Journal of Clinical Laser Medicine and Surgery. Our new look and our combined expertise provide for greater synergy and will facilitate the opportunity to provide a venue for the review and publication of high quality scientific information in this burgeoning field. Our new title is more reflective of the broad range of activities dedicated to the understanding and application of biophotonics in biomedicine. Our editorial board is broad-based, with individuals who are recognized as experts in their particular disciplines. We are committed to the review and timely publication of case reports, rapid communications, reviews, and both clinical and basic research. Our goal is to progress with this area of science and to become the premier source of information on cutting-edge research developments, ground-breaking technologies, and innovative clinical practices in the field. 3
PMLS has continued along this path to the present day. Online publishing and access to past issue archives was an ongoing process during this period with the back issues of JCLMS and LMSNA becoming accessible online in 2009. PMLS became an online-only publication in 2011 in response to profound changes in the academic publishing industry and increasing demand for immediate access to scientific information.
Heidi Abrahamse, PhD became the Co-Editor-in-Chief of PMLS in March of 2016. She replaced Dr. Enwemeka, who retired from his position to devote more time to his role as Provost and Senior Vice President at San Diego State University.
The Journal's continued upward progress has been ongoing. Our impact factor continues to increase. Demand for published articles and editorials penned by distinguished members of our Editorial Board and guest editors is increasing as well. Table 1 lists the top 20 most frequently accessed or downloaded articles for the Journal since inception. Similarly, Table 2 lists the top 15 most cited articles. The listed articles cover a range of topics, with a heavy predominance of photobiomodulation, photoantimicrobial, dental, and neurobiological issues.
Change is inevitable and this Journal, like any living organism, will continue to improve and evolve as the science of photobiology and the applications and developments in photonics drive the future. We will continue to publish special focus issues and delve into special topics. We will continue to expand partnerships with like-minded societies and others interested in the disciplines we represent.
Many have contributed to our success over these past 35 years. We are fortunate to have a distinguished and respected Editorial Board and are honored to include the who's who in the world among our current and past members. Their guidance, along with the support of our authors, reviewers, and readers propels us forward and facilitates our continued improvement as a publisher of high-quality peer-reviewed content.
Note
Raymond J. Lanzafame, MD, MBA, FACS, is the Editor-in-Chief of Photomedicine and Laser Surgery and Heidi Abrahamse, PhD, is the Co-Editor-in-Chief.