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doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.2.7398 How to cite this: Shah FA, Jawaid SA. The h-Index: An Indicator of Research and Publication Output. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(2):315-316. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.2.7398 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.7236 How to cite this: Jawaid SA. Improving the quality of Peer Review and accelerating the peer review process. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(1):1-3. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.7236 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.7.6920 How to cite this:Jawaid SA. Publication audit & ever increasing problems faced by editors of Biomedical Journals. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(7):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.7.6920 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.8.7047 How to cite this:Jawaid SA. Women physicians, their social issues & Barriers to their success in Academic Medicine. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(8):2049-2052. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.8.7047 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

The growing prevalence of human monkeypox infection has developed an alarming situation worldwide. Monkeypox virus was first time found in 1958 in monkeys and later spread to humans. The first case of human monkeypox was reported in September 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Human monkeypox was found outside Africa in the year 2003 in United States. More recently, from May 7 2022 to June 29, 2022, the monkeypox cases are swiftly spread worldwide, involving over 50 countries, and affecting 5115 people in Europe, the United Kingdom, North America, and South America, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. The confirmed monkeypox cases in the United Kingdom from May 7, 2022 to June 29, 2022, are 1076 (21.03%); Germany 874 (17.08%); Spain 800 (15.64%); France 440 (8.60%); Portugal 391 (7.62%); United States 350 (6.84); Canada 276 (5.39%); Netherlands 257 (5.02%); Italy 159 (3.10); Belgium 117 (1.59%); Switzerland 81 (1.58%); Israel 33 (0.64%), Ireland, and 31 (0.64%). However, in about 35 countries, the cases are less than 20 in each country. The epidemiological trends of the human monkeypox infection are swiftly shifting from endemic regions to non-endemic countries. The global health authorities must take priority-based preventive measures to stop the outbreaks of monkeypox disease across the globe. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.6775 How to cite this:Meo SA, Jawaid SA. Human Monkeypox: Fifty-Two Years based analysis and Updates. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(6):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.6775 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.3.4296 How to cite this:Jawaid SA. Problems faced by Researchers and pressure on Impact Factor Journal Editors. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(3):616-620. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.3.4296 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.ICON-2022.5757 How to cite this:Jawaid SA. Contributions to medical literature by Indus Hospital Health Network through Research. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(2):331-332. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.ICON-2022.5757 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.7.5208 How to cite this:Jawaid SA, Jawaid M. Achievement of another landmark during 2020 by Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(7):1715-1718. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.7.5208 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

The present most modern and highly advanced 21’st century is the era of science and technology. In human history, universities are the basic birthplace of higher education, research, and innovation and play a significant role in the countries’ performance, prosperity, and economic progress. Worldwide, there is a swift shift in the pattern of biological, environmental, economic, and educational systems. This broader change is rotating around the higher academia and its allied innovative research impact. The leading universities develop a culture and curricula as per need and demand and produce knowledge and skills-based professional graduates. The universities prepare graduates to keep in view their country’s requirements and compete with their peers at international levels.Moreover, worldwide, universities are transforming towards higher doctorate degrees (D.Sc / S.Dc) to provide an elevated helipad to the applicant to compete in this modern and highly advanced era. The higher doctoral degree, D.Sc, is earned 6-8 years after the post Ph.D. The candidates with higher academic titles, professional skills, and innovative research could compete and achieve top-ranked positions worldwide. Many universities worldwide, including the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, promote D.Sc degree programs in various science disciplines, including medical sciences. This manuscript explores the dynamics of a higher doctorate and its significance, need, and demand in academia to compete globally. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.7.5119 How to cite this:Meo SA, Jawaid SA, Naseem N. Doctor of Science (D.Sc.): Time to move towards Higher Doctorate Degrees. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(7):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.7.5119 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.6-WIT.5037 How to cite this:Jawaid SA. Strengthening bonds of Friendship between Pakistan and China through scientific publishing. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(6):1547-1549. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.6-WIT.5037 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.3.4295 How to cite this:Zaidi SH, Jawaid SA. Moral trauma caused by COVID-19 - An ethical debate. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(3):613-615. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.3.4295 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.4.4603 How to cite this:Meo SA, Jawaid SA. Performance of Pak Universities in Global Science. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(4):927-930. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.4.4603 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.3154 How to cite this:Jawaid SA, Jawaid M. Some useful tips to detect Gift Authorship. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(6):1145-1146. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.3154

Image of the medical profession in the public is not so good these days for various reasons. Media, electronic in particular takes pleasure in defaming, humiliating and running malicious campaigns against doctors and healthcare facilities. They run announcement as breaking news and pass sweeping remarks without knowing the full facts of the incidents. Media houses does not employ professionals with some core knowledge on health related issues which they cover. Most of them know nothing about it but they are also reluctant to admit it and pose themselves as experts. Medical profession also shares some blame for all this because they have never organized any orientation courses for health journalists. Yet another reason is the failure of the medical profession to effectively use media to communicate with the healthcare professionals as well as the public. Self-monitoring, accountability, having a good communication strategy, besides other initiatives can go a long way in improving the medical related news coverage thereby enhancing the image of the medical profession as well.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.3.2278 How to cite this:Jawaid SA. Plight of Dentistry in Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(3):299-302. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.3.2278 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.2.2133 How to cite this:Jawaid SA, Jawaid M. Revised Publication Policies by Higher Education Commission for Health Science Journals. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(2):1-3. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.2.2133 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.ICON-Suppl.1861 How to cite this:Jawaid SA. Promoting Research Culture at Indus Health Network. Pak J Med Sci. Special Supplement ICON 2020. 2020;36(1):S2. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.ICON-Suppl.1861 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.6.1655 How to cite this:Jawaid SA, Imran N. Proceedings of International Conference on “Prescription for Wellness: Working Across Boundaries” held at Lahore Pakistan (August 2-3, 2019). Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(6):1749-1763. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.6.1655

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.4.1299 How to cite this:Jawaid SA, Jawaid M. Professional capacity building of Health Science Journal Editors. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(4):879-881. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.4.1299 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.4.1300 How to cite this:Jawaid SA. Need to have more Biomedical Journals with Impact Factor and importance of Publication Audit. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(4):882-886. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.4.1300 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

How to cite this:Jawaid SA, Jawaid M. Common reasons for not accepting manuscripts for further processing after editor’s triage and initial screening. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(1):1-3. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.1.28 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Authors under pressure to publish to meet some academic requirement are one of the most dangerous pressure group which the editors of good quality peer review biomedical journals have to face every day. Their failure to read and follow instructions for authors which are published on every journal website, lack of training facilities in research methodology, medical writing, and low computer literacy rate leads to increased trauma to their manuscripts. The authors must realize that from submission to final publication manuscripts go through various stages i.e. internal review, editor's triage, similarity index check, formatting, external review, revision of the manuscripts in the light of reviewers comments and suggestions. It all takes time and there is no short cut. They must plan at least for six to eight months from the date of submission to acceptance and publication and avoid getting trapped by predatory journals which offer quick publication on payment.

Publishing and successfully running a good quality peer reviewed biomedical scientific journal is not an easy task. Some of the pre-requisites include a competent experienced editor supported by a team. Long term sustainability of a journal will depend on good quality manuscripts, active editorial board, good quality of reviewers, workable business model to ensure financial support, increased visibility which will ensure increased submissions, indexation in various important databases, online availability and easy to use website. This manuscript outlines the logistics and technical issues which need to be resolved before starting a new journal and ensuring sustainability of a good quality peer reviewed journal.

Publish or Perish has been the driving force for the academicians, faculty members to publish and thus contribute to the medical literature besides promoting the research culture in their respective institutions. However, in view of some recent developments during the last couple of years, it has become essential to have another look on this. Number of publication has played a vital role in the selection, appointment, promotions and approval of research grants for the faculty members and research scientists. However, now increasing number of publications from medical institutions in India, Pakistan and many other developing countries are coming out of compulsion. The main objective of the authors seems to be for selection, increments, career advancement, assessments for seeking higher qualifications like M. Phil and PhD. Now there seems to be desperation to publish and temptation to explore short cuts and easy ways. In fact it should be the quality of research and publications rather than quantity of publications which should matter. 1 Pressure to publish is also leading to scientific fraud. Some scientists are willing to disregard scientific integrity in order to publish. For example leading publications like Nature, Science and Cell with high Impact Factors have amongst the highest rates of retraction. Peer reviewers can only study the present results but it is not always possible to detect fraudulent results. Moreover, peer reviewers can also be fooled by the fraudulent results.2 This Editorial

Publication audit is considered a useful tool to evaluate the progress and plan for the future and we have been doing this exercise for the last couple of years.1-3 A careful look at the statistics for the Year 2014 reveals that there has been an increase in the number of submissions, a trend seen for the last few years consecutively. During the Year 2014, 1577 manuscripts were received from different countries. Table-I. A vast majority of the submissions were from China 524 followed by Turkey 441, Pakistan 255, Islamic Republic of Iran 107 and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 88. As regards submissions from Pakistan as expected most of the submissions were from Karachi 97 Lahore 40, Hyderabad and Peshawar 21 each while submissions from Islamabad and Rawalpindi were 18 and 17 respectively. Table-II. A total of three hundred one manuscripts were published during 2014 (acceptance rate of 19.8%) ten were rejected because of plagiarism while thirty manuscripts were withdrawn by the authors for various reasons. Table-III. A vast majority of the published manuscripts during 2014 included original articles 248 followed by case reports 20 and Review articles ten. Table-IV. Among the published manuscripts ninety three were from Pakistan, eighty nine from China, sixty from Turkey and nineteen from Saudi Arabia. Table-V. The number of submissions increased to 1577 in 2014 from 1023 in 2012 and 1091 in the Year 2013. Most of the submissions during 2012 and 2013 were also from Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and China and this has seen a continuous increase in the number Publication Audit

Astonishing revolution in information technology, developments in electronic publishing and availability of manuscript management software's has provided lot of facilities to authors, reviewers as well as editors but it has also given birth to lot of e-problems. This communication highlights some of these e-problems besides discussing the manuscript management system practiced by Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences through modified Open Journal System. It also cautions the editors of small journals faced with financial and human resource constraints to keep themselves abreast of all these developments, go for automation in e publishing gradually as all the stake holders i.e. authors, reviewers and office management staff learns these and become used to it.

One of the important objectives of medical universities is production of new knowledge which is only possible through research. Realizing the importance of knowledge which is going to be an important asset for overall development of the country, Islamic Republic of Iran has given due importance to promotion of research culture in the country. To realize this objective they have given generous funding to the medical universities besides providing them all the opportunities to function independently. At present there are about forty five medical universities in Iran most of which were established after the Islamic Revolution though some of the universities like Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz has a very old history. Now these medical universities are competing with each other to improve their academic ranking based on published research work. We have had very cordial relations with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences which began when I first visited IUMS couple of years ago. During that visit I had very useful discussions and interaction with many faculty members besides meeting the Vice Chancellor for Research Prof. Payman Adibi. I also had a chance to meet Prof.Roya Kelishadi Prof. of Paediatrics and Director Child Growth and Development Research Center during that visit. I had another chance of meeting her at Shiraz during the COPE conference on Publication Ethic and was immensely impressed with her interest in research and academics. It was during that meeting that we agreed to publish a special issue of Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences for Isfahan University of Medical Sciences which was published in March 2012.1 IUMS Governing Body has played a vital role in promoting research culture and inculcating the spirit to do research among the students, postgraduates and faculty members of IUMS over the last many years. It has not only decentralized the whole research administrative set up actively involving the various faculties but also allowed them to approve research projects related to their respective disciplines. However, it is emphasized that each and every research proposal, project must end up in a publication in a peer reviewed medical journal. Faculty members were trained in research by organizing workshops on research methodology and Medical Writing besides increasing the number of biomedical journals published by the university so that they can publish their work. Not only that, distinguished researchers were recognized, honoured and awarded. The university organizes an annual Research Day for this purpose.2 It worked wonders and has paid dividends. Bureau of Scientific Resources and Research Publications has built a team which is extremely important for research and academic activities in today’s world when integration and collaboration between different disciplines is essential. This is the second special issue of Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences showcasing the research work being done by the faculty of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. It was agreed that a team of senior academicians at IUMS will first review the manuscripts before forwarding them to us for further processing. Hence we received fifty five manuscripts for publication in this special supplement. They were all first screened for plagiarism, and then went through another review before they were finally accepted. One of the manuscripts was later withdrawn by the authors, two were dropped because of plagiarism, twelve others were not accepted for further processing because either they had many deficiencies or were more suitable for local publication as we thought they won’t be of interest to our readers. Out of these forty, twelve required extensive editing to improve the English language and Grammar while a few needed minor corrections. Some of the manuscripts included in this issue contain state of the art research Corresspondence