Authors need to confirm that their manuscript is original, has not been published in its current form or a substantially similar form (in print or electronically, including on a website), has not been accepted for publication elsewhere, and is not under consideration for publication by another journal.

For cases where similar works have been released or posted on a website, please proceed with submission but include a copy of the relevant previously published work or work under consideration by other journals. Authors must draw attention to any published work that concerns the same patients or subjects as the present paper in a cover letter for their manuscript submission.