We accept manuscripts in Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx) or rich text format (.rtf). PDF files are accepted for initial submission, but authors of manuscripts proceeding to revision will be asked to provide an editable file. Figures may be submitted as TIFF, JPEG, EPS, or PDF files with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi for colour and grayscale images and 1200 dpi for line art.

No, the journal does not impose strict word limits. However, we encourage authors to present their work concisely. Manuscripts should be long enough to clearly describe the research question, methods, results, and interpretation, but not longer than necessary. Editors may request that excessively long manuscripts be shortened during the review process.

Yes. Authors may suggest suitable reviewers during the submission process. Please provide full names, institutional email addresses, and affiliations. While we carefully consider these suggestions, the editor retains final authority over reviewer selection. You may also request that specific individuals not be consulted; such requests are respected whenever feasible and do not require justification.

No. This journal considers only manuscripts that are not under consideration elsewhere. Simultaneous submission constitutes unethical publishing behaviour and may result in immediate rejection and notification to other journals.

Yes. All manuscripts should use the Vancouver/numbered referencing style. Citations should be numbered consecutively in the order they first appear in the text, using Arabic numerals in square brackets. The reference list should be numbered and presented at the end of the manuscript. Complete journal names, volume numbers, article numbers, and page ranges should be provided where applicable.

Your cover letter should state that the manuscript is original, has not been published previously, and is not under consideration elsewhere. It should confirm that all authors have approved the submission and agree with its content. You may also briefly explain why your work is appropriate for this journal and how it advances the field. Any prior interactions with the journal, such as previous submissions or reviewer suggestions, should be noted.

The duration of peer review varies considerably depending on reviewer availability and response times. Most manuscripts receive an initial editorial decision within four to eight weeks of submission. Authors are notified promptly once decisions are reached. You may check the status of your manuscript through the submission system at any time.

This depends on the journal's peer review model. Under our single-anonymised review, reviewer identities are concealed from authors. Under double-anonymised review, both authors and reviewers remain anonymous to each other. Under open review, reviewer reports are published alongside the article and reviewers may choose to sign their comments. Please consult the journal website for the specific model adopted.

A major revision decision indicates that your manuscript has potential but requires substantial improvement. Carefully read all reviewer and editor comments. Prepare a point-by-point response addressing each concern, describing what changes you have made and, where you disagree, providing a respectful explanation. Indicate changes clearly in the revised manuscript. Submit your revision within the specified timeframe, typically 14 days.

Yes. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Editor-in-Chief within fourteen days of the decision letter. Clearly state the grounds for appeal, such as factual misunderstanding, procedural error, or new data that directly addresses reviewer concerns. Disagreement with reviewers' opinions, without more, does not constitute sufficient grounds. Appeals are reviewed carefully and decisions are final.

Yes. If you wish to withdraw your manuscript, please notify the editorial office in writing. Withdrawal is permitted at any stage prior to formal acceptance for publication. Once accepted, withdrawal is discouraged and permitted only in exceptional circumstances.

Plagiarism includes verbatim copying of text from other sources without attribution, substantial paraphrasing without appropriate citation, and reuse of one's own previously published work without disclosure and proper referencing. All submissions are screened using specialised detection software. Suspected plagiarism is investigated following COPE guidelines and may result in rejection, retraction, or notification to institutional authorities.

Authors must disclose any financial or non-financial relationships that could reasonably be perceived to influence their work. This includes employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, paid expert testimony, patents, research grants, and personal or professional relationships. Declarations should be specific and transparent. If no competing interests exist, a statement to this effect is required.

Yes, under our open-access model, authors retain copyright. Articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (CC BY), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. For a subscription-based publication, copyright may be transferred to the publisher; the specific terms are detailed in the publishing agreement.

Research involving human participants must have been conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by an appropriate ethics committee. The manuscript must include a statement identifying the committee and the approval reference number. Informed consent must have been obtained from all participants. Research involving animals must have been conducted in accordance with relevant institutional and national guidelines. Editors may request documentation.

Authors must not publish identifying information, including names, initials, hospital numbers, or photographs, without written informed consent from the patient or their legal guardian. Consent forms should be retained by the authors and provided to the journal upon request. Manuscripts should include a statement confirming that informed consent was obtained.

If you identify an error in your published article, please contact the editorial office immediately with a detailed description. Minor errors that do not affect the interpretation or integrity of the work may be corrected through an erratum or corrigendum. Significant errors that invalidate the findings may require retraction. All corrections follow COPE guidelines.

Please get in touch with the editorial office directly. Include a clear description of the problem, the browser and operating system you are using, and screenshots if applicable. Our staff will assist you promptly.