Guidelines for Authors

1. Manuscript Submission

All manuscript submissions to the Annals of Quaid-e-Azam Medical College (AQAMC) must be made online via the Open Journal System (OJS). Submissions through email or hard copies by hand, or post are not accepted. Only the corresponding author is authorized to submit a manuscript.

If you encounter difficulties in uploading or submitting your manuscript, please contact us at aqamc@qamc.edu.pk. The editorial office details are as follows:

Editorial Office
Office No. 26, Department of Pathology
Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur
Phone: +92-62-9250435

All submitted manuscripts must be accompanied by a cover letter certifying that the work is original, free of conflicts of interest, and that the research was conducted in accordance with ethical guidelines for human and animal subjects. Submissions will not be processed unless the following documents are provided: Cover Letter, Ethical Approval, and Authorship & Conflict of Interest Statement Form.

At the time of submission, the editorial team will verify the completeness of the documents. Incomplete submissions will be returned to the author for completion. Authors will have two weeks to resubmit the completed documents. Failure to comply within the given time will result in the automatic deletion of the submission from the system without further notice.

There are no submission or publication fees for manuscripts submitted to AQAMC.

2. Manuscript Preparation and Format

The main manuscript file, including text and tables, must be prepared using MS Word in clear British English. AQAMC uses a double-blind peer review policy. Therefore, the title page must be excluded from the main document.

The manuscript should be typed using Times New Roman, 12-point font, double-spaced, with justified alignment throughout. Use continuous line numbers and A4-sized paper with 2.5 cm margins on all sides. Insert page numbers in the bottom right corner.

The manuscript should be organized in the following sequence:
Title Page (submitted separately), Abstract and Keywords, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, Acknowledgments (if any), Disclaimer, Conflict of Interest, Ethical Statement, Funding Disclosure, Supplementary Materials (if any), Authors’ Contributions, References, Tables, and Figures with Legends.

Begin each section on a new page. Tables and figures should be placed at the end of the manuscript rather than inserted in the main text. Non-essential but supporting content may be submitted as “Supplementary Material” and will be published online only.

Minimize the use of abbreviations. Do not use abbreviations in the title. Abbreviations may be used in the abstract if the term appears frequently, but each must be defined at first use. Avoid starting sentences with numerals.

Use standard chemical or generic names for all drugs and chemicals. Report units of measurement according to the International System of Units (SI). Insert one space between the number and the unit, except for percentages (%) and degrees Celsius (°C).

Gene descriptions must follow the US National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) or the HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee standards. Gene names should be italicized.

Use generic names for drugs; if brand names are essential, include them in parentheses after the generic name. Failure to follow these instructions may delay processing or result in the manuscript being returned to the author.

3. Manuscript Types

The following types of manuscripts are accepted for publication in AQAMC:

A. Original Articles

These include randomized controlled trials, intervention studies, screening or diagnostic test evaluations, outcome studies, cost-effectiveness analyses, case-control series, and surveys with high response rates.

• Structured Abstract: 250 words, with subheadings: Introduction, Objective, Methods, Results, and Conclusion. Include 3 to 6 MeSH keywords.
• Main text: Maximum 3,500 words
• References: Maximum of 25, with at least 50% from the past five years
• Tables/Figures: Maximum of 4 combined
• Sections: Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, Acknowledgments (if any), Disclaimer, Conflict of Interest, Ethical Statement, Funding Disclosure, Supplementary Material (if any), Authors’ Contributions, References, Tables, and Figure Legends
• Clearly state the time and location of the study
• Mention ethical approval and informed consent if applicable
• Include clinical trial registration number for RCTs

B. Narrative Reviews

A comprehensive and critical analysis of existing knowledge, preferably authored by subject matter experts with a track record in the topic.

• Unstructured Abstract: 250 words and 3 to 6 MeSH keywords
• Main text: Maximum 4,500 words
• References: Maximum of 75, with at least 50% from the last five years
• Tables/Figures: Maximum of 3 combined
• Use appropriate subheadings as necessary
• Not accepted from undergraduate students
• Must include Acknowledgments (if any), Disclaimer, Conflict of Interest, and Funding Disclosure

C. Systematic Reviews

A thorough synthesis of empirical evidence addressing a specific research question, following strict methodological criteria to reduce bias.

• Structured Abstract: 250 words with 3 to 6 MeSH keywords, using the same format as Original Articles
• Main text: Maximum 4,500 words
• References: Maximum of 75
• Tables/Figures: Maximum of 4 combined
• Follow PRISMA guidelines
• Use the same section headings as Original Articles

D. Meta-Analyses

A statistical analysis combining data from multiple studies to provide a more precise estimate of effects.

• Structured Abstract: 250 words with 3 to 6 MeSH keywords, following the Original Article format
• Main text: Maximum 4,500 words
• References: Maximum of 75
• Tables/Figures: Maximum of 3 combined
• Use PRISMA guidelines
• Section headings should follow the Original Article structure

E. Case Reports

Brief reports on unique or rare cases that offer educational value or novel clinical insight.

• Unstructured Abstract: 150 words with 3 to 6 MeSH keywords
• Main text: Maximum 1,250 words
• References: Maximum of 20
• Tables/Figures: Maximum of 2 combined
• Sections: Introduction, Case Report (include timing and follow-up), Discussion, Conclusion, Acknowledgments (if any), Disclaimer, Conflict of Interest, Ethical Statement, Funding Disclosure, Supplementary Material (if any), Authors’ Contributions, References, Tables, and Figure Legends
• State that informed consent from the patient/guardian was obtained. While a signed form is not required, it should be retained for possible verification.

F. Short Communications

Concise reports of preliminary data, technical innovations, or early findings that may prompt further research.

• Unstructured Abstract: 150 words with 3 to 6 MeSH keywords
• Main text: Maximum 1,500 words
• References: Maximum of 10
• Tables/Figures: Maximum of 2 combined
• Sections: Introduction, Patients/Materials and Methods, Results, Conclusion, followed by the standard post-text components (Acknowledgments, etc.)
• No other subheadings allowed
• The editorial board reserves the right to classify submissions as Short Communications

G. Letters to the Editor

Short observations, critiques, or commentaries related to recent journal articles or relevant topics.

• No abstract or keywords required
• Main text: Maximum 500 words
• References: Maximum of 5 (preferably recent)
• Tables/Figures: Maximum of 1
• Maximum 3 authors
• No headings within the text body; include standard statements after the letter (Acknowledgments, Disclaimer, etc.)
• Subject to editorial editing and peer review if necessary

4. Reporting Guidelines

Authors are strongly encouraged to follow standardized scientific reporting guidelines hosted by the EQUATOR Network (Enhancing the Quality and Transparency of Health Research). These guidelines aim to improve the clarity and reproducibility of published health research. Separate guidelines are available for different study designs and types of research.

Although AQAMC has not made submission of reporting checklists mandatory, adherence to these guidelines will greatly facilitate the processing, review, and acceptance of submitted manuscripts.

Commonly used reporting guidelines include:

• CONSORT – for Randomized Controlled Trials
• STROBE – for Observational Studies (e.g., cohort, case-control, cross-sectional studies)
• PRISMA – for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
• TREND – for Non-Randomized Controlled Trials
• MOOSE – for Meta-Analyses of Observational Studies
• CARE – for Case Reports
• ORION – for Infection Control Intervention Studies
• STARD – for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies
• SPIRIT – for Study Protocols

If you are uncertain which guideline is applicable, use the decision-support tool developed by the EQUATOR Network in collaboration with Penelope Research to determine the appropriate checklist.

5. General Guidelines

A. Title Page

The title page must include the following information in the order listed:

• Type of article (e.g., Original Article, Case Report)
• Title of the manuscript
• Full names (spelled out) of all authors
• Author affiliations, marked with superscript Arabic numerals (e.g., ¹, ²) matching each author to their institution
• Email addresses of all authors
• Complete details of the corresponding author: full name, email, mailing address, telephone, and fax numbers

Author names should follow the format: first name followed by surname (e.g., Hamida Jamil). Authorship must be limited to individuals who have made significant contributions to the research. Each author may list up to three institutional affiliations only.

B. Abstract and Keywords

A structured or unstructured abstract and 3 to 6 relevant Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) keywords (in alphabetical order) are required for:

• Original Articles, Narrative Reviews, Systematic Reviews, and Meta-analyses:
  Abstracts must be no more than 250 words
• Case Reports and Short Communications:
  Abstracts must be no more than 150 words

Narrative Reviews, Case Reports, and Short Communications must use unstructured abstracts, i.e., written as a single paragraph with no subheadings, briefly covering background/purpose, methods, key findings (or case details), and conclusions.

Original Articles, Systematic Reviews, and Meta-analyses must include structured abstracts, divided into the following five sections:

• Introduction: Brief context and importance of the topic
• Objective: Clearly state the research aim or question
• Methods: Briefly describe study design, setting, participants, interventions, outcomes, and analysis methods
• Results: Present major findings with supporting statistics (e.g., p-values)
• Conclusion: Interpret results, linking them to the objective and avoiding overstatements

Keywords must be chosen from the MeSH database of Index Medicus. Letters to the Editor and Correspondence do not require abstracts or keywords.

C. Main Text

For Original Articles, Systematic Reviews, Meta-analyses, and Short Communications, the main manuscript must be divided into the following sections:

• Introduction
• Materials and Methods
• Results
• Discussion
• Conclusion

Followed by:
Acknowledgments (if any), Disclaimer, Conflict of Interest, Ethical Statement, Funding Disclosure, Supplementary Materials (if any), Authors’ Contributions, References, Tables, and Figures with Legends.

Use subheadings only when absolutely necessary and in accordance with guidelines (e.g., PRISMA). Each section must begin on a new page.

Case Reports must follow this format:

• Introduction
• Case Report (include time of presentation and follow-up)
• Discussion
• Conclusion

Followed by the same standard post-text sections. Do not insert any other subheadings unless required under specific guidelines.

D. Abbreviations

If a term is used frequently, write it out in full at first use followed by the abbreviation in parentheses. Use the abbreviation consistently thereafter.

• Do not define abbreviations in section headings.
• Abbreviations should only be used when necessary.
• Ensure that abbreviations are defined before use and appear again in the main text (not just in tables/figures), otherwise, they should be removed.

E. Numbers

Numbers that begin a sentence or are less than 10 should be spelled out in words.
Centuries and decades should also be spelled out (e.g., “nineteenth century” or “the Eighties”).

For laboratory values, time, temperature, length, mass, volume, and similar measurements, use numerals with appropriate units (e.g., 5 mg, 10 cm, 3 hours).

F. Units

All measurements must follow the Système International (SI) system. Blood pressure should be reported in mmHg. Use metric units for length, area, mass, and volume. Temperature must be reported in degrees Celsius (°C).

G. Drug, Device, and Product Names

Use the generic (International Nonproprietary Name – INN) for all medicinal substances, using lowercase letters in the text.

If a brand or trade name is necessary, include it only once in parentheses after the generic name on its first mention.

For devices or products, provide:

• Trade name
• Manufacturer name
• Location (City, State, Country)
  Example: “SPSS version 21 was used (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).”

Subsequent mentions should use only the generic term.

H. Gene Nomenclature

Gene names must follow current internationally accepted standards. For human genes, use the official symbols and nomenclature provided by the HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC). Additional guidance is available from the Human Genome Variation Society (HGVS).

In manuscripts:

• Gene names must be written in italic font.
• Include the corresponding accession number where applicable.

Ensure consistency of gene names throughout the text, figures, and tables. Do not invent abbreviations or synonyms that differ from the accepted nomenclature.

I. Statistical Requirements

Statistical analysis is mandatory for all research articles except narrative reviews and case reports.

• Use precise terminology when describing statistical methods (e.g., use “two-sample t-test” instead of “unpaired t-test”).
• Descriptive statistics must correspond to the type and scale of data collected.
• Inferential statistics must be accurately and clearly described.

All p-values should be reported to three decimal places (e.g., p = 0.023). The smallest p-value reported should be p < 0.001—do not use additional zeroes such as p < 0.00001. The largest p-value reported should be p > 0.99.

Ensure the correct application of statistical tests and clarity in interpreting the results. Authors are responsible for the accuracy and appropriateness of all statistical content.

J. Personal Communications and Unpublished Data

Personal communications and unpublished data should not be included in the reference list. However, they can be cited within the main text. When citing such sources:

• Provide the full name and highest academic degree of the individual.
• Include the date of the communication.
• Specify the format (e.g., oral, letter, email).

Authors must also include a signed statement of permission from the individual cited to confirm their consent to be acknowledged as a source.

K. Tables

Tables should complement and not duplicate the main text. Each table must:

• Have a concise title and be self-explanatory.
• Be numbered sequentially in the order they are cited in the text.
• Use superscripted lowercase letters (a, b, c…) for footnotes, listed alphabetically below the table.
• Use **asterisks (*, ) solely to indicate statistical significance.

Abbreviations used in the table should be defined in a note below the footnotes, listed in alphabetical order.

If a table or data block is adapted or reproduced from another source—whether published or unpublished—it must be properly credited. Add a credit line as the first footnote, such as:

“Reprinted with permission from Calfee DR, Wispelwey B. Brain abscess. Semin Neurol. 2000;20:357.”

Terms like “Data from…” or “Adapted from…” may be used if appropriate.

Do not embed tables within the manuscript text. Insert them after the reference list, followed by a page break before the figure legends. If a table includes visual elements (e.g., artwork), submit them separately as high-resolution image files.

L. Figures

General Guidelines:

• Use only the minimum number of figures necessary to convey the data.
• Figures must include detailed and informative legends, numbered according to their first appearance in the manuscript.
• Define all symbols and abbreviations used in the legend in alphabetical order.
• Footnotes and abbreviations in figures should follow the same style as in tables.

For best results:

• Use Adobe Photoshop for images and Adobe Illustrator for line art.
• Do not use Microsoft Excel, Word, or PowerPoint for artwork; these are not compatible with the journal’s typesetting system.

All images must be free of patient-identifying information. If showing facial features, black bars must be used to obscure the eyes unless patient consent has been obtained.

Professional lettering is required. Font size and line weights should be in proportion to the figure. Photomicrographs must include a scale bar, and the legend should specify specimen type, magnification, and stain.

Submission Format and Resolution Requirements:

• EPS: Vector graphics (fonts embedded or text converted to graphics)
• TIFF:
  • Grayscale or color images: minimum 300 dpi
  • Line drawings: minimum 1000 dpi
  • Mixed line/halftone images: minimum 600 dpi

Figures must be submitted as separate files, named as “Fig1.tif”, “Fig2.jpg”, etc.

Avoid using formats like GIF, BMP, PICT, or WPG, which are optimized for screens and lack suitable resolution. Use CMYK color mode for all color images.

Do not submit figures with low resolution (<300 dpi) or in compressed JPEG format, as these result in poor-quality print images.

Annotations (e.g., arrows or asterisks) must contrast with the background—white on dark or black on light—and must be large enough to remain visible after size reduction during layout. Use 1-point minimum line thickness. Label figures consistently using a serif font, and avoid using multiple font styles or sizes.

M. Acknowledgments

General acknowledgments should be listed after the conclusion section, and should remain concise. This section may include recognition of individuals who provided statistical assistance, technical help, or professional consultation.

Always obtain consent before including individuals by name. Do not acknowledge individuals who contributed solely through routine administrative, clerical, or technical duties.

N. Conflict of Interest

A Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement is required from each author at the time of submission.

Authors must declare any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest relevant to the work. If there are no conflicts, the following statement must be included:

“The author(s) declare no conflict of interest.”

Failure to disclose conflicts may lead to retraction or editorial sanctions if discovered later.

O. Funding Disclosure

Authors must disclose all sources of research funding, grants, or financial support received for the study, including any institutional or commercial sponsorship.

If no funding was received, include the following statement:

“The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.”

P. Reference Guide

AQAMC uses the Vancouver referencing style. Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and consistency of all references and in-text citations.

If extensive errors are found in the reference list at the final stage, the editorial team reserves the right to revoke acceptance.

Key referencing rules:

• Cite references using superscripted Arabic numerals (e.g., ¹) placed after punctuation.
• To cite multiple references together, separate numbers with commas (e.g., ¹,²), or use a hyphen for consecutive citations (e.g., ²–⁵).
• List references in the order of appearance in the manuscript.
• Include references cited in tables and figures based on where they are first mentioned in the main text.
• Use NLM abbreviations for journal titles. To check abbreviations, visit:
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nlmcatalog

Author listing:

• 1–6 authors: list all
• More than 6 authors: list the first 6 followed by “et al.”

Formatting notes:

• Use single-spacing within the reference list, with one line space between each reference.
• Capitalize only the first word, proper nouns, and acronyms in titles.
• Unpublished work, abstracts, and personal communications should not be included as references.
• Manuscripts accepted for publication may be cited and should include their DOI if available.
• Citations should primarily come from peer-reviewed professional journals.

Detailed examples and formatting guidance are available on the AQAMC journal website.