Author Guidelines – Article Types
1. Editorial Article (EA)
Word Limit: Max. 1,500 words (excluding references)
Abstract: Unstructured, 250 words in one paragraph
Required Sections:
- Title page, Running title (max 5 words)
- Unstructured Abstract
- Keywords and Highlights
- Main Editorial Text
- Conclusion
- Acknowledgments
- Ethical Considerations
- Authors’ Contributions
- Conflict of Interests
- Financial Support and Sponsorship
- Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools (if applicable)
- References
- Figures and Video Legends
- Tables
- Figures
- Videos (if applicable)
Please structure your manuscript according to the sections listed above.
2. Review Article (RA)
Word Limit: Max. 7,000 words (including references)
Abstract: Unstructured, 250 words in one paragraph
Required Sections:
- Title page, Running title (max 5 words)
- Unstructured Abstract
- Keywords and Highlights
- Introduction
- Materials and Methods (optional)
- Results (optional)
- Discussion (optional)
- Conclusion
- Acknowledgments
- Ethical Considerations
- Authors’ Contributions
- Conflict of Interests
- Financial Support and Sponsorship
- Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools (if applicable)
- References
- Figures and Video Legends
- Tables
- Figures
- Videos (if applicable)
Please structure your manuscript according to the sections listed above.
3. Meta-Analysis Article (MA)
Word Limit: Max. 5,500 words
Abstract: Structured, 250 words (Background & Objective, Methods, Results, Conclusion)
Required Sections:
- Title page, Running title (max 5 words)
- Structured Abstract
- Keywords and Highlights
- Introduction
- Materials and Methods
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- Acknowledgments
- Ethical Considerations
- Authors’ Contributions
- Conflict of Interests
- Financial Support and Sponsorship
- Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools (if applicable)
- References
- Figures and Video Legends
- Tables
- Figures
- Videos (if applicable)
Please structure your manuscript according to the sections listed above.
4. Original Research Article (OA)
Word Limit: Max. 5,500 words
Abstract: Structured, 250 words (Background & Objective, Methods, Results, Conclusion)
Required Sections:
- Title page, Running title (max 5 words)
- Structured Abstract
- Keywords and Highlights
- Introduction
- Materials and Methods
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- Acknowledgments
- Ethical Considerations
- Authors’ Contributions
- Conflict of Interests
- Financial Support and Sponsorship
- Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools (if applicable)
- References
- Figures and Video Legends
- Tables
- Figures
- Videos (if applicable)
Please structure your manuscript according to the sections listed above.
5. Brief Original Article / Short Communication (SC)
Word Limit: Max. 3,000 words
Abstract: Structured, 250 words (Background & Objective, Methods, Results & Conclusion)
Required Sections:
- Title page, Running title (max 5 words)
- Structured Abstract
- Keywords and Highlights
- Introduction
- Materials and Methods
- Results and Discussion
- Conclusion
- Acknowledgments
- Ethical Considerations
- Authors’ Contributions
- Conflict of Interests
- Financial Support and Sponsorship
- Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools (if applicable)
- References
- Figures and Video Legends
- Tables
- Figures
- Videos (if applicable)
Please structure your manuscript according to the sections listed above.
6. Case Report and Case Series (CR)
Word Limit: Max. 1,500 words (including 6 tables or figures)
Abstract: Structured, 150 words (Background and Objective, Case Presentation, Conclusion)
Required Sections:
- Title page, Running title (max 5 words)
- Structured Abstract
- Keywords and Highlights
- Introduction
- Case Presentation (Tables + Figures)
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- Acknowledgments
- Ethical Considerations
- Authors’ Contributions
- Conflict of Interests
- Financial Support and Sponsorship
- Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools (if applicable)
- References
- Videos (if applicable)
Please structure your manuscript according to the sections listed above.
7. Commentary Article (CA)
Word Limit: Max. 1,500 words (excluding references)
Abstract: Unstructured, 250 words in one paragraph
Required Sections:
- Title page, Running title (max 5 words)
- Unstructured Abstract
- Keywords and Highlights
- Commentary Text
- Conclusion
- Acknowledgments
- Ethical Considerations
- Authors’ Contributions
- Conflict of Interests
- Financial Support and Sponsorship
- Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools (if applicable)
- References
- Figures and Video Legends
- Tables
- Figures
- Videos (if applicable)
Please structure your manuscript according to the sections listed above.
8. Letter to the Editor (LTE)
Word Limit: Max. 1,500 words (excluding references)
Abstract: No abstract required
Required Sections:
- Title page, Running title (max 5 words)
- Keywords and Highlights
- Dear Editor Text
- Acknowledgments
- Ethical Considerations
- Authors’ Contributions
- Conflict of Interests
- Financial Support and Sponsorship
- Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools (if applicable)
- References
- Figures and Video Legends
- Tables
- Figures
- Videos (if applicable)
Please structure your manuscript according to the sections listed above.
References should be arranged in order of citation in the text in the Vancouver style and numbered consecutively. The minimum number of references for an Original Research articles is 30, Care Reports and Short articls are 15, Short articl is 15. In text, tables, and legends, identify references with Arabic numerals in parentheses. References should include names of all authors (last name, first); title of article; title of journal (abbreviate according to the style of Index Medicus) or book; year of publication; volume number; location and name of publishing company (books only); first page and last page.
Note: List all authors and/or editors up to 6; for more than six authors the first six should be listed followed by 'et al.'
Examples:
Journals
1. Standard journal article
Less than six authors
1. Vega KJ, Pina l, Krevsky B.Heart transplantation is associated with an increased risk for pancreatobiliary disease. Ann Intern Med 1996 Jun 1; 124 (11):980-3.
As an option, if a journal carries continuous pagination throughout a volume (as man y medical journals do) the month and issue number may be omitted.
More than six authors:
1. Parkin DM, Clayton D, Black RJ, Masuyer E, Friedl HP, Ivanov E, et al. Childhood leukaemia in Europe after Chernoblyl: 5year follow-up. Br J cancer 1996; 73:1006-12.
2. Organization as author
1. The Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand clinical exercise stress testing. Safety and performance guidelines .Med J Aust 1996; 164:282-4.
3. No author given
1. Cancer in South Africa [editorial]. S Afr Med J 1994; 84:15.
4. Article not in English
1. Ryder TE, Haukeland EA, Solhaug JH. Bilateral infrapatellar seneruptur hostidligere frisk kvinne Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen1996; 116:41-2.
5. Volume with Supplement
1. Shen HM, Zhang QF. Risk assessment of nickel carcinogenicity and occupational lung cancer. Environ Health Perspect 1994; 102 Suppl 1:275-82.
6. Issue with supplement
1. Payne DK, Sullivan MD, Massie MJ. Women's psychological reactions to breast cancer. Semin Oncol 1996; 23(1 Suppl 2):89-97.
7. Volume With part
1. Ozben T,Nacitarhan S, Tuncer N. Plasma and urine sialic acid in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Ann Clin Biochem 1995; 32(Pt 3):303-6.
8. Issue with part
1. Poole GH, Mills SM. One hundred consecutive cases of flap lacerations of the leg in ageing patients. N Z Med J 1994; 107(986 Pt 1):377-8.
9. Type of article indicated as needed
1. Enzensberger W, Fischer PA. Metronome in Parkinsons disease [letter]. Lancet 1996; 347:1337.
Clement J, De Bock R. Hematological complications of hantavirus nephropathy (HVN) [abstract] .kidney lnt 1992; 42:1285.
Books and other Monographs
10. Personal author (s)
1. Ringsven MK,Bond D.Gerontology and leadership skills for nurses. 2nd ed. Albany (NY): Delmar Publishers; 1996.
11. Editor(S), compiler (s) as author
1. Norman lJ, Redfern SJ, editors. Mental health care for elderly people. New York: Churchill Livingstone; 1996.
12. Organization as author and publisher institute of Medicine (US).
Looking at the future of the Medicail program. Washington: The institute; 1992
13. Chapter in a book
1. Phillips SJ, Whisnant JP. Hypertension and stroke. In: Laragh JH,Brenner BM, editors. Hypertension: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management. 2nd ed. New York: Raven Press; 1995. p. 465-78
14. Conference proceedings
1. Kimura J, Shibasaki H, editors. Recent advances in clinical neurophysiology. Proceedings of the 10th international Congress of EMG and Clinical Neurophysiology; 1995 Oct 15-19; Kyoto, Japan. Amsterdam: Elsevier; 1996.
15. Conference paper
1. Bengtsson S, Solheim BG. Enforcement of data protection, privacy and security in medical informatics. In: Lun KC, Degoulet P, Piemme TE, Rienhoff O, editors. MEDINFO 92. Proceedings of the 7th world Congress on Medical Informatics; 1992 Sep 6-10; Geneva, Switzerland. Amsterdam: North –Holland: 1992. p. 1561-5
Other Published Material
16. Newspaper article
1. Lee G.Hospitalizations tied to ozone pollution: study estimates 50,000 admissions annually. The Washington Post 1996 Jun 21; Sect .A:3 (col.5).
17. Audiovisual material
1. HIV+/Aids: the factes and the future [videocas – sette]. St. Louis (M O): Mosby – year Book; 1995.
18. Legal material
Pubic law:
1. Preventive Health Amendments of 1993, Pub. L. No. 103- 183, 107 Stat .2226 (Dec. 14, 1993).
Unenacted bill:
2. Medical records. Confidentiality Act of 1995, S.1360, 104th Cong. 1st Sess. (1995).
19.In press
2. Leshner Al. Molecular mechanisms of cocaine addiction. N Engl J Med. In press 1996.
Electronic Material
20. Journal article in electronic format
Morss SS. Factors in the emergence of infectious diseases. Emerg Infect Dis [serial online] 1995 Jan-Mar [cited 1996 Jun 5]; 1(1):[24 screens]. Available from: URL: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/eid.htm
21. Monograph in electronic format
CDI, clinical dermatology illustrated [monograph on CDROM]. Reeves JRT, Maibach H. CMEA Multimedia Group, producers. 2nd ed. Version 2.0. San Diego: CMEA; 1995.
22. Computer file
Hemodynamics lll: the upc and downs of hemodynamics [computer program]. Version 2.2. Orlando (FL): Computerized Educational Systems; 1993.
Tables, Figures and Illustrations
Figures and tables should be kept to a necessary minimum, no more than seven, and their information should not duplicated in the text. The position of figures and tables should be indicated in the manuscript.
Tables should be typed on separate sheets and be numbered (with Arabic numbers). Each table must include appropriate headings and Footnotes. Units of measurement must be clearly indicated.
Color images should be at least 300 DPI in JPEG, TIFF or BMP format. Illustrations should be designed to fit the journal page with a maximum plate size 254×203 mm, have an additional white border. Larger illustrations will be printed at the discretion of the Editor. Reduction or cropping may be necessary to conserve space. The best results can be obtained from original artwork and original photographs.
A short detailed legend (maximum, 60 words length) should be provided for each figure. Legends for the illustrations should be typed double spaced on a separate paper. Stains and magnifications should be specified for all photomicrographs. Color illustrations cannot be reproduced in color unless the cost is subsidized by the author. Authors will receive notice of the cost of color reproduction as soon as after acceptance as possible. The corresponding author must sign a written agreement to cover the estimated costs before production of color figures will be undertaken.
The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) offers guidance to authors in its publication Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals (ICMJE Recommendations), which was formerly the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts. The recommended style for references is based on the National Information Standards Organization NISO Z39.29-2005 (R2010) Bibliographic References as adapted by the National Library of Medicine for its databases.
Details, including fuller citations and explanations, are in
Citing Medicine. (Note
Appendix F which covers how citations in MEDLINE/PubMed differ from the advice in Citing Medicine.) For datasets
(Item 43 below) and software on the Internet (Item 44 below), simplified formats are also shown.