Only original manuscripts are considered for publication, in all article categories. Correct preparation by authors helps expedite review and publication.

 

Length limits (excluding abstract, references, figure legends, and table captions)

• Abstract: 250 words maximum, for all article types
• Original Article: up to 3,500 words (extendable where the depth of results discussion requires it)
• Review Article: up to 4,500 words (extendable on the same basis)
• Short Survey: up to 1,500 words
• Case Report: up to 2,000 words
• Letter to the Editor: up to 1,000 words

 

Required submission materials
Manuscripts are submitted through JMMC's Open Journal System, along with:

• The signed Undertaking Form, listing all authors' full names, designations, and specific contributions
• Processing fee (where applicable — see Publication Charges & Waivers)
• Ethical approval documentation from the relevant institution
• Additional permissions for data collected at any site other than the primary institution

 

Style
Manuscripts must conform to standard English usage. Abbreviations should be spelled out in full the first time they appear, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses, and used consistently thereafter.

 

Pagination and Formatting
Number pages beginning with the title page as page 1, then the structured abstract, then continuing through the main text, references, figure legends, and tables. Page numbers appear in the upper right corner. Use Arial, 12-point, double-spaced.

 

Title Page
Typed double-spaced, including: the complete article title (16–18 words maximum); names of all authors; department(s) and institutional affiliation and location; and the corresponding author's phone number, mobile number, email address, and institutional address.

 

Structured Abstract (Original Articles)
Maximum 250 words, structured under: Objective, Methodology, Results, Conclusion. Include a minimum of 4 keywords, preferably drawn from MeSH terms. Include no data not presented elsewhere in the manuscript. Tables and charts combined should not exceed 4.

 

Main Text
Arranged under: Introduction, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, Acknowledgment(s) (if any), Ethical Permission, Conflict of Interest, Funding, References. Maximum 3,500 words (Original Articles).

• Introduction: A brief, strictly relevant review of the topic and historical background, establishing the importance of the study, with the purpose, objectives, and rationale for the study clearly stated. Reference in Vancouver style.
• Methodology: State study design, place, setting, and duration; sampling technique and sample size; inclusion and exclusion criteria; methods and apparatus used (with manufacturer name and address); and statistical tools applied, in sufficient detail for the findings to be independently verified. Well-established methods should be cited rather than described in full.
• Results: Factual findings only, presented in logical sequence with tables and figures numbered and captioned (e.g., Table I, Figure I). Avoid repeating in text what is already shown in a table or figure; reserve interpretation for the Discussion.
• Discussion: Emphasize what is new, its implications, and the study's limitations, comparing findings against existing national and international literature.
• Conclusion: Drawn strictly from the study's own results and discussion, in the authors' own interpretation. Avoid claiming priority or referencing incomplete work.
• Recommendations (optional): May follow the Conclusion where authors wish to include specific recommendations.
• Acknowledgements: Individuals who contributed intellectually or technically but do not meet ICMJE authorship criteria may be named, with their contribution described (e.g., "scientific advisor," "critical review of study proposal," "data collection"). Named individuals must have given permission to be acknowledged.
• Conflict of Interest: State under this heading whether any conflict of interest exists (see Publication Ethics & Malpractice Statement for JMMC's full conflict-of-interest policy).
• Funding: State the funding source in full, followed by the grant number in brackets (e.g., "This work was supported by the Medical Research Council [grant number xxx]"). Where multiple funders are involved, separate them with semicolons. Where no specific funding was received, state: "This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors."

 

References
Vancouver style, numbered serially in order of appearance in the text. Cite the first 3 authors followed by "et al." Journal abbreviations should follow Cumulated Index Medicus style. Example (journal): Halpern SD, Ubel PA, Caplan AL. Solid organ transplantation in HIV-infected patients. N Engl J Med. 2002;347(4):284-7. Example (book chapter): Sherry S. Detection of thrombi. In: Strauss HE, Pitt B, James AE, editors. Cardiovascular nuclear medicine. St. Louis: Mosby; 1974. p. 273-85.

 

Illustrations
Figures should be submitted in electronic format, at least 5 inches wide, as EPS or TIF files. Color images should be CMYK, minimum 300 DPI, accompanied by a digital color proof. Figures should be numbered in order of mention in the text, with legends provided separately. If a figure is drawn from previously copyrighted material, the legend must credit the original source, and written permission covering both print and online use must be submitted with the manuscript.

 

Tables
Self-explanatory, numbered in Roman numerals in order of mention, with a brief title caption above each table. Abbreviations should be defined in a footnote. Material drawn from previously copyrighted sources requires a footnote crediting the source and written permission from the author and publisher.

 

Measurements
All measurements should be given in international standard metric units.

 

Article-Type-Specific Guidance

• Case Reports: Should include a detailed analysis of the case and a review of relevant literature. Only genuinely original cases likely to influence medical practice are considered; others may be invited to resubmit in abbreviated form as a Letter to the Editor. Structure: brief abstract, introduction, case report, discussion, references.
• Review Articles: Substantive reviews of biomedical topics, evaluated through peer review. Up to 4,500 words (extendable where depth requires it).
• Editorial/Commentary: A brief, substantiated commentary on a current topic of high interest, up to 1,000 words.
• Letter to the Editor: Concerning material recently published in JMMC; up to 1,000 words including references and tables. The original authors will be invited to respond, with letter and response published together.