Instructions for authors

AIMS AND SCOPE
Archives of Medical Science (AMS) publishes high quality original articles and reviews of recognized scientists that deal with all scientific medicine. AMS opens the possibilities for young, capable scientists. The journal would like to give them a chance to have a publication following matter-of-fact, professional review by outstanding, famous medical scientists. Thanks to that they will have an opportunity to present their study results and/or receive useful advice about the mistakes they have made so far.

The second equally important aim is a presentation of review manuscripts of recognized scientists about the educational capacity, in order that young scientists, often at the beginning of their scientific carrier, could constantly deepen their medical knowledge and be up-to-date with current guidelines and trends in world-wide medicine. The fact that our educational articles are written by world-famous scientists determines their innovation and the highest quality.

ARTICLE TYPES
1. Full length (original) articles should not exceed 8 printed pages (4400 words including tables and references - about 20 typewritten double-spaced 8½" 11" sheets). Each article should contain structured abstract (200-250 words), divided such as the text of the manuscript. Subject matter should be organized under suitable headings and subheadings such as: Structured Abstract, Introduction, Material and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusions, Acknowledgments and References. Footnotes should be avoided and their contents incorporated into the text. Manuscripts should be in their final form when submitted.

2. Research letters and Letters to the Editor should be no more than 1000-1500 words - 4 manuscript pages, excluding structured abstract (100 words - only for the Research Letters), title page, references, tables and figures. The authors are strongly recommended to prepare the letters with no more than 10-15 references, no more than 2 tables or 1 figure, and no more than 5 authors, all of whom should sign the copyright release form. Keywords and name and mailing address of all authors should be included.

3. Review articles should follow the format for a regular article, but should be submitted only after consultation with the Editors. Each article should contain unstructured abstract (100-150 words) and up to 5 key words.

4. Opinion
Short abstract without subheadings (100 words), max numer of words 2000, max number of references 25, max 2 figures/tables.
This type of article is suitable to present the most recent data based on the presentation from the international congress, new guidelines, new important papers that may change the clinical practice. It is also the best form to discuss the new basic/experimental data published on new biomarkers, diagnostic methods, particles/drugs that have potential to be implemented in clinical practice.

5. Commentary
No abstract, 1 figure/table, 10 references. 800 words.
Very concise form to start the discussion on any scientific/practical/social subject that the author finds important to be presented and to be shared with the Readers. This form will be fast-tracked with the decision made by the Editors.

6. Preliminary results
Short abstract with subheadings (150 words), max numer of words 2000, max number of references 20, max 2 figures/tables, all other data in the appendix.
This for is dedicated to all kinds of research, which authors have important preliminary results (including RCTs) that would like to present. It is also the suitable form for the study design.

7. HotTopic
No abstract, 1 figure/table, 10 references. 1000 words.
Very concise form to present and discuss the hot topic concerting the new data, new guidelines changes, new RCTs published, or any other subject that is recognized as HOT. This form will be fast-tracked with the decision made by the Editors.

Archives of Medical Science does not accept CASE REPORTS any longer. Case reports should be submitted as Letters to Editors (LTEs). LTEs could also focus on a specific article that has appeared in recent issue of AMS. Letters must be submitted within 4 weeks of the print issue date of the article. Replies will generally be solicited by the Editors. LTEs should not exceed 500. Provide a title page that includes authors’ names and institutional affiliations and a complete address for correspondence. Do not include abstract nor subheadings.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATION
Papers describing animal experiments can be accepted for publication only if the experiment conforms to the legal requirements in Poland as well as with the European Communities Council Directive of November 24, 1986 or the National Institute of Health Guide (National Institute of Health Publications No. 80-23, Revised 1978) for the care and use of Laboratory Animals for experimental procedure. Authors must provide a full description of their anesthetics and surgical procedures. Papers describing experiments on human subjects must include a statement that experiments were performed with the understanding and consent of each subject, with the approval of the appropriate local ethics committee.

SUBMISSION OF MANUSCRIPTS
All manuscripts written in English should be submitted to Editorial Office by electronic Editorial System of Archives of Medical Science. Tables and figures should be submitted separately; linked files such as images or charts should also be provided. Authors are requested not to submit the manuscripts by post or e-mail.

Archives of Medical Science may also consider high quality papers under the Fast Track Review scheme. This scheme relies on a dedicated group of top class reviewers to deliver a final decision on reviewed manuscripts optimally within 14 days (each author needs to take into account that this process might be prolonged depending on the subject of the paper and reviewers availability) and the possibility of online publishing in next 2 weeks after confirming the payment. The authors need to indicate that they want to have their paper proceed as a fast-track review during the submission process (should indicate that he applies to have his paper managed as a fast track in the Covering letter to the Editor) and additionally inform the Editor about this (m.banach@termedia.pl). The scheme requires an additional fee to the standard one from authors (all together 2000 EUR/9200 PLN). Termedia Sp. z o.o. does not pay bank transfer costs.

IN OF LEGAL ASPECTS
In sending the manuscript the author(s) confirm(s) that (s)he has (they have) not previously submitted it to another journal (except for abstracts of no more than 250 words) or published it elsewhere. The author(s) also agree(s), if and when the manuscript is accepted for publication, to automatic and free transfer of copyright to the Publisher allowing for the publication and distribution of the material submitted in all available forms and fields of exploitation. The author(s) accept(s) that the manuscript will not be published elsewhere in any language without the written consent of the copyright holder, i.e. the Publisher. Appropriate Transfer of Copyright Agreement form is available online and will be also sent with page proof to corresponding author.

All manuscripts submitted should be accompanied by a covering letter including signed confirmation of the above and confirming that this publication has been approved by all co-authors (if any), as well as by the responsible authorities at the institution where the work has been carried out. Generally no more than six authors should be listed (except multicenter studies). All authors must sign the Authors Guarantee Form (available online) and send to Editors with the manuscript. Materials previously published should be accompanied by written consent for reprinting from the relevant Publishers. In the case of photographs of identifiable persons, their written consent should also be provided. Any potential conflict of interest will be dealt with by the local court specific to the Publisher. Legal relations between the Publisher and the author(s) are in accordance with Polish law and with international conventions binding on Poland.

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
Authors of research articles should disclose at the time of submission any financial arrangement they may have with a company whose product figures prominently in the submitted manuscript or with a company making a competing product. Such information will be held in confidence while the paper is under review and will not influence the editorial decision, but if the article is accepted for publication, the editors will usually discuss with the authors the manner in which such information is to be communicated to the reader.

Because the essence of reviews and editorials is selection and interpretation of the literature, the Journal expects that authors of such articles will not have any financial interest in a company (or its competitor) that makes a product discussed in the article.
Journal policy requires that reviewers, associate editors, editors, and senior editors reveal in a letter to the Editor-in-Chief any relationships that they have that could be construed as causing a conflict of interest with regard to a manuscript under review. The letter should include a statement of any financial relationships with commercial companies involved with a product under study.

ANONYMOUS REVIEW
All manuscripts will be subject to a process of anonymous editorial review (the name of authors and their affiliations will be disclosed to the referees only when the review process is complete). In order to achieve this, the first page and the acknowledgements page will be removed from the manuscripts sent to referees. Manuscripts will be sent to 2 independent reviewers, and the information about acceptance should be limited to 4 weeks.

PREPARATION OF MANUSCRIPTS
Articles must be written in English, with either British or American spelling used consistently throughout. Authors not entirely familiar with English usage are advised to seek the assistance of an English speaker; correct style is the responsibility of the authors.
- The length of original article should not exceed 20 printed pages including text, illustrations, tables, and references. Short research notes should not exceed 4 printed pages.
- Manuscripts should be typed, double-spaced, and fully corrected. Allow a margin at least 3 cm at the top, bottom and left side of the page. Text should not be justified, but flush left.
- The first page of each paper should indicate: the author's name, title of the paper, the institute where the work was conducted, complete name and address for correspondence with telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address if available; running head not exceed 40 characters including space.
- The second page contains the abstract which should be written in an informative style. Avoid generalizations and give essential details of research findings. For indexing purposes, a list of 3–5 key words (according to Index Medicus) in English and not included in the title should be typed below the abstract.
- The textual material of the article should be organized in a standard form with separate: Introduction, Material and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion and References. Review articles should be divided into sections and subsections as appropriate without numbering.
- Do not underline in the text. Avoid footnotes. When essential, they are numbered consecutively and typed at the foot of the appropriate page.
- All dimensions and measurements must be specified in the metric system.
- The source of any drug and special reagent should be identified. Indicate doses and use the international names.
- Particular attention needs to be paid to the selection of appropriate analysis of data and the results of statistical test should be incorporated in the results section. The Statistics Editor will check the statistical analysis of each submitted manuscript. The Editors reserve the right to check raw data.
- The nomenclature used should conform to the current edition of the Nomina Anatomica, Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria or to the Nomina Anatomica. Avium, Eponyms (e.g., Fallopian tube, Eustachian tube) should not be used.
- Legends of figures should be typed on separate sheet.
- Tables (numbered in Roman numerals) and illustrations (numbered in Arabic numerals) should be prepared on separate sheets.
- Abbreviations should be explained in full when first used in the text, table or figure.
- The editor reserves the right to make corrections.

Tables
- Tables require a brief but descriptive heading.
- The major divisions of the table should be indicated by horizontal rules.
- Explanatory matter should be included in footnotes, indicated in the body of the table in order of their appearance.
- Tables must not duplicate material in the text or in illustration.

Illustrations
- The desired position of the figures and tables in the text should be indicated in the left margin.
- When possible, group several illustrations on one block for reproduction; figures and photographs should be attached as separate printouts (in the electronic version, as separate files); figures should be saved in one of the following formats: .cdr, .tif, .jpg, .ai, .bmp or .eps. Photographs sent in the electronic form should be of the resolution of 300 dpi and in .tif or .jpg format. Do not place figures and photographs in MS Office files. Like all other figures, block should be prepared within a rectangular frame to fit within a single or double column width of 84 and 174 mm, respectively, and a maximum page height of 226 mm.
- Each figure should include scale magnification bar; do not use magnification factors in the figure legends.
- All figures, whether photographs, graphs or diagrams, should be numbered consecutively throughout.
- Color illustrations can be included, but the expense must be borne by the authors. The cost of color print for every successive 8 pages is 200 euros (VAT exclusive) irrespective of the number of color pages, i.e., the price remains the same whether there is one or eight pages. The Publisher makes out the bill to the Author.

References
The list of references (written on a separate sheet) should include only those publications that are cited in the text. Number references consecutively in the order in which they first appear in the text. Numbers in square brackets should give citation of literature references in the text at the appropriate places. All authors cited and only these must be included in the reference list. List all authors when there are six or fewer; when there are seven or more, list the first three, then „et al.”. References should be written as follows:
Journal papers: initials and names of all authors, full title of paper, journal abbreviation (according to Index Medicus), year of publication, volume (in Arabic numerals), first and last page (example below):

Banach M, Kosmider A, Zwolinski R, Walczak A, Okonski P, Zaslonka J. Mechanical aortic valve replacement in patients with stenosis or aortic valve regurgitation. The influence on improvement of haemodynamic parameters of heart. Eur J Heart Failure 2004; 3: 98-102.

Book and monographs: initials and names of all authors, full title, edition, publisher, place, year (examples below):

Ringsven MK, Bond D. Gerontology and leadership skills for nurses. 2nd ed. Albany (NY): Delmar Publishers; 1996.

Chapter in a book:
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.

Conference proceedings
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.

Reference to articles that are accepted for publication may be cited as "in press", whereas manuscripts that are still in preparation or submitted for publication should be referred to as "unpublished data".

This journal should be cited in lists as Arch Med Sci.

PROOFS
Authors should keep a copy of their article, as proofs will be sent to them without the manuscript. Corrections to the proofs should be restricted to printer’s errors only; other alterations will be charged to the authors. In order to maintain rapid publication, proofs should be returned within 48 hours after receipt, preferably by fax, courier mail or e-mail. If the Publisher receives no response from the authors after 5 days, it will be assumed that there are no errors to correct and the article will be published.

PUBLICATION CHARGE
Please note that there is an obligatory charge (= 1000 EUR/4600 PLN) for the manuscript being accepted for publication in Archives of Medical Science journal. We send invoice for payment after articles are accepted for publication. Termedia Sp. z o.o. does not pay bank transfer costs.

PayPal (EUR) is the preferred way of payment. However, if this is impossible, payments can be made directly to the following bank accounts:

Payment in EUR:
PL 21 1090 1359 0000 0001 0601 0708
Termedia sp. z o.o.
ul. Kleeberga 8
61-615 Poznań
SANTANDER POLSKA S.A.
- SWIFT: WBKPPLPP
- amount: 1000 EUR
- title: Publication fee for ARTICLE-SIGNATURE

Payment in PLN:
PL 61 1090 1359 0000 0000 3505 2645
Termedia sp. z o.o.
ul. Kleeberga 8
61-615 Poznań
SANTANDER POLSKA S.A.
- SWIFT: WBKPPLPP
- amount: 4600 PLN
- title: Publication fee for ARTICLE-SIGNATURE

The fee applies only to the cost of preparing/developing the article for publication in the journal. The fee has no effect on the acceptance of the article for publication. All articles submit by editorial system are reviewed by independent experts outside the editorial office and based on their opinions are qualified or not for publication.
Please be informed that if the author decides not to publish the work, which was already accepted and paid, the fee paid will not be returned for reasons beyond the Publisher’s control.