3. Required Supporting Documents

To ensure a smooth editorial and peer review process, authors are required to submit all relevant supporting documents along with their manuscript. Submission of incomplete documentation may delay the review process or result in the manuscript being returned to the authors for completion.

The following documents must be uploaded during manuscript submission, where applicable:

3.1 Cover Letter

A Cover Letter must accompany every manuscript submission. It should briefly describe the significance of the study, confirm that the manuscript is original, has not been published previously, and is not under consideration by another journal. The corresponding author should also declare that all authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

3.2 Title Page

The Title Page should be uploaded as a separate file and must include:

Full manuscript title
Running title (if applicable)
Full names of all authors
Institutional affiliations
ORCID IDs (where available)
Corresponding author's name, postal address, telephone number, and email address
Funding information
Conflict of Interest declaration

3.3 Blinded Main Manuscript

To maintain the integrity of the double-blind peer review process, the main manuscript must not contain any information that could identify the authors or their institutions. Author names, affiliations, acknowledgements, and any identifying information should be removed from the manuscript before submission.

3.4 Institutional Review Board (IRB) / Ethics Committee Approval Letter

Research involving human participants, patient data, biological specimens, or clinical investigations must be approved by a recognized Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Ethics Committee before the commencement of the study.

Authors must upload a copy of the approval letter, clearly indicating:

Name of the approving institution
IRB/Ethics Committee approval number
Date of approval

Manuscripts requiring ethical approval but submitted without valid documentation may be rejected prior to peer review.

3.5 Author Undertaking Form

A duly completed and signed Author Undertaking Form is mandatory for all submissions. The form confirms that:

The manuscript is original.
The work has not been published previously.
The manuscript is not under consideration by another journal.
All listed authors satisfy the authorship criteria.
All authors have approved the submission.
The submitted work is free from plagiarism, fabrication, and falsification.
Any conflicts of interest have been disclosed.

3.6 Conflict of Interest Statement

Authors must disclose any financial, personal, institutional, or professional relationships that could influence the interpretation of the research findings. If no conflict exists, authors should state:

"The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest."

3.7 Funding Statement

Authors should disclose all sources of financial support received for the study. If the research did not receive any external funding, the following statement should be included:

"This research received no external funding."

3.8 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Disclosure Statement

Authors who have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools during manuscript preparation must disclose their use. AI tools may assist with language editing or formatting but must not be listed as authors. Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the manuscript.

3.9 Informed Consent Statement

For case reports, clinical photographs, or studies involving identifiable participants, written informed consent must be obtained from the patient or the patient's legally authorized representative. Authors should confirm this within the manuscript and provide supporting documentation if requested by the Editorial Office.