Quick Guide to Manuscript Preparation

Our Dermatology Online

Use this quick guide to prepare your manuscript before submitting it to Our Dermatology Online.

For complete requirements, please consult Manuscript Preparation and Instructions for Authors.

1. Prepare Two Main Files

For manuscripts undergoing double-blind peer review, prepare:

File 1 — Title Page

The title page should contain, where applicable:

  • full title of the manuscript (a concise and informative title (the use of abbreviations should be avoided));
  • full names of all authors (First name(s), then surname(s)) and abbreviations for citation (Full surname(s) and first letter of the name(s));

Authors’ full names:
Correct:
Max Kowalsky, Sebastian Sandler, Ana Maria Kein

In Correct:
M Kowalsky, S Sandler, Ana M Kein

 

 

 Abbreviations of first names according to the instructions:

Correct:
Kowalsky M, Sandler S, Kein AM.

InCorrect:
Kowalsky M., Sandler S., Kein A.-M.
Kowalsky, M., Sandler, S., Kein, A.-M.
etc.
  • institutional affiliations;

indicate all affiliations with a superscript number immediately after the author’s name and a non-superscript number in front of the appropriate affiliation

(eg, Piotr Brzeziński1; Yamoussa Karabinta2, Igor Feszak1, Meryeme Boutaarourt3,4

1Department of Physiotherapy and Medical Emergency, Pomeranian University, Słupsk, Poland);
2 Dermatology Teaching Hospital, Bamako, Mali
3Department of Dermatology-Venereology, Mohammed VI University Hospital, Tangier, Morocco
4Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tangier, Morocco
  • corresponding author’s name;
  • corresponding author’s institutional affiliation;
  • corresponding author’s email address;
  • ORCID iDs, where available;
  • information concerning funding;
  • conflicts of interest;
  • acknowledgements, where applicable.
File 2 — Blinded Manuscript

The blinded manuscript should contain the scientific/clinical content of the article but should not unnecessarily reveal the identity of the authors.

Remove:

  • author names;
  • affiliations;
  • corresponding-author information;
  • acknowledgements identifying the authors;
  • unnecessary references that directly identify the authors or their institution.
2. Basic Manuscript Structure

The exact structure depends on the article type.

Original Article

Title → Abstract → Keywords → Background→ Materials and Methods → Results → Discussion → Conclusions → References

Review Article

Title → Abstract → Keywords → Introduction → Main Text → Conclusions → References

Case Report

Title → Abstract → Keywords → Introduction → Case Report → Discussion → Conclusions → References

Case Series

Title → Abstract → Keywords → Introduction → Case Series → Discussion → Conclusions → References

Clinical Image

Title → Clinical Description → Diagnosis → Brief Discussion → References

Case Letters / Opinion Articles

Title → Clinical Description → Diagnosis → Brief Discussion → References

Others: miniReview Article; Narrative Review; Practical issues

Title → Abstract → Keywords → Description → Discussion → References

The editorial office may adapt the structure where appropriate for the nature of the manuscript.

3. Title

The title should be:

  • concise;
  • informative;
  • specific;
  • consistent with the content of the manuscript.

Avoid unnecessary abbreviations.

4. Abstract

Prepare a concise summary of the manuscript.

The abstract should:

  • accurately reflect the manuscript;
  • contain the main findings or clinical message;
  • avoid information not presented in the manuscript;
  • follow the appropriate structure for the selected article type.
5. Keywords

Provide relevant keywords describing the main subject of the manuscript.

Use specific and appropriate medical terminology where possible.

6. Main Text

Write the manuscript in clear, concise English.

Use appropriate headings and subheadings.

Ensure that:

  • statements are supported by evidence;
  • terminology is used consistently;
  • abbreviations are defined at first use;
  • conclusions are supported by the presented information.
7. Tables

For each table:

  • number tables consecutively;
  • provide a clear title;
  • cite the table in the text;
  • use clear column and row headings;
  • avoid unnecessary duplication of information.

(Table 1) → (Table 2) → (Table 3), etc.

8. Figures

Figures must be submitted as separate electronic files and must not be embedded or pasted into the Word manuscript.

The journal accepts figures in the following formats:

  • JPG / JPEG
  • TIF / TIFF

Figures submitted as PDF files or embedded/pasted into a Word document are not accepted.

Figures should be numbered consecutively according to the order in which they are cited in the manuscript.

Examples:

  • (Fig. 1)
  • (Figs 1–3)
  • (Figs 1 and 2)

Each figure should have an appropriate figure legend. Figure legends should be included in the manuscript file and should not be used as a substitute for the separate figure file.

Authors should ensure that:

  • patient names are not visible;
  • patient identification numbers are removed;
  • dates of birth and other personal information are removed;
  • screenshots do not contain confidential information;
  • unnecessary marks, symbols, arrows, labels, annotations, borders, or other graphic elements are removed;
  • figures do not contain unnecessary panel labels such as (a), (b), (c), or (d);
  • third-party material is used only with appropriate permission where required.

Clinical photographs must comply with the journal’s Patient Consent and Case Reports policy.

Figure citations should correspond exactly to the numbering of the submitted figure files.

Important

Do not paste figures into the Word manuscript.

Do not submit figures as PDF files.

Do not use panel labels such as (a), (b), (c), etc., unless specifically requested by the editorial office.

Submit each figure as a separate JPG/JPEG or TIF/TIFF file.

For clinical photographs, comply with the journal’s Patient Consent and Case Reports requirements.

9. References

It is the responsibility of the authors to ensure the accuracy of the references in the submitted article. References should be identified by Arabic numerals in square brackets, without superscript [1], [1,2], [1,2,5] or [1-3], and numbered consecutively in the order in which they are first mentioned in the manuscript. References must be listed at the end of the manuscript. When an article has six or fewer authors, all should be listed; when there are 7 or more, only the first 6 are listed, then „et al.” The issue number should not be provided. See below for examples.

Journal articles
1. Bukhari IA. Pulse dye laser therapy and superficial cryotherapy as a novel combination treatment for hypertrophic scars and keloids. Our Dermatol Online. 2022;13:28-31.
2. Ganjoo S, Vasani R, Gupta T. Urticarial eruption in COVID-19-positive children: A report of two cases. Our Dermatol Online. 2022;13:47-9.
2. Abreu Velez AM, Jackson BL, Velasquez Cantillo KL, Rafael A, Alvarez B, Howard MS. Merkel cell carcinoma versus metastatic small cell primary bronchogenic carcinoma. Our Dermatol Online. 2013;4:64-71.
3. Ajili F, Bousseta N, Msakni I, Metoui L, Gharsallah I, Laabidi J, et al. Symptomatic macroglossia and tongue myositis in Dermatomyositis. Our Dermatol Online. 2013;4:176-8.

References should follow the journal’s current reference style.

10. Ethical Information

Where applicable, include the relevant information in the manuscript concerning:

  • ethical approval;
  • informed consent;
  • patient consent for publication;
  • animal research ethics.

Do not include unnecessary patient-identifying information.

11. Declarations

Where applicable, include:

Conflict of Interest

Funding

Acknowledgements

Ethical Approval

Patient Consent

Author Contributions

The exact declarations required may depend on the article type.

12. AI-Assisted Writing

If AI tools have been used in preparing the manuscript, follow the journal’s AI Policy.

Authors remain responsible for:

  • accuracy;
  • originality;
  • references;
  • citations;
  • data;
  • scientific interpretation;
  • final wording.

AI tools must not be used to fabricate scientific information, data, results, references, or images.

13. Final Check Before Sending

Before submitting the manuscript, make sure:

☐ The correct article type has been selected.

☐ The Title Page is complete.

☐ The manuscript is properly blinded.

☐ The title is final.

☐ Abstract and keywords are included.

☐ Main sections are complete.

☐ Tables are numbered and cited.

☐ Figures are numbered and cited.

☐ Figure legends are included.

☐ References have been checked.

☐ Ethical information is included where applicable.

☐ Patient consent requirements have been addressed where applicable.

☐ Conflict of interest and funding statements are included.

☐ The manuscript has been checked for language and formatting.

14. Submit

Once the manuscript is ready, submit it by email to:

odermatol@yahoo.com

The submission email should include the Title Page, Blinded Manuscript, and any figures, tables, supplementary files, or supporting documents required for the particular article type.

Quick rule

Title Page = who wrote the article.

Blinded Manuscript = what the article is about.

Figures/Tables = supporting material.

Declarations = ethical and administrative information.

Email = submission to odermatol@yahoo.com.

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