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Authors are the souls of any journal, and deserve much respect. To publish a journal manuscripts are needed from authors. Authors have a great responsibility for producing facts of their work in terms of number and results truthfully and an individual honesty is expected from authors in this regards. Both ways its true "No authors-No manuscripts-No journals" and "No journals–No manuscripts–No authors". Reviewing a manuscript is also a very responsible and important task of any peer-reviewed journal and to be taken seriously. It needs knowledge on the subject, sincerity, honesty and determination. Although the process of reviewing a manuscript is a time consuming task butit is expected to give one's best remarks within the time frame of the journal.
Salient features of the JCDR: It is a biomedical, multidisciplinary (including all medical and dental specialities), e-journal, with wide scope and extensive author support. At the same time, a free text of manuscript is available in HTML and PDF format. There is fast growing authorship and readership with JCDR as this can be judged by the number of articles published in it i e; in Feb 2007 of its first issue, it contained 5 articles only, and now in its recent volume published in April 2011, it contained 67 manuscripts. This e-journal is fulfilling the commitments and objectives sincerely, (as stated by Editor-in-chief in his preface to first edition) i e; to encourage physicians through the internet, especially from the developing countries who witness a spectrum of disease and acquire a wealth of knowledge to publish their experiences to benefit the medical community in patients care. I also feel that many of us have work of substance, newer ideas, adequate clinical materials but poor in medical writing and hesitation to submit the work and need help. JCDR provides authors help in this regards.
Timely publication of journal: Publication of manuscripts and bringing out the issue in time is one of the positive aspects of JCDR and is possible with strong support team in terms of peer reviewers, proof reading, language check, computer operators, etc. This is one of the great reasons for authors to submit their work with JCDR. Another best part of JCDR is "Online first Publications" facilities available for the authors. This facility not only provides the prompt publications of the manuscripts but at the same time also early availability of the manuscripts for the readers.
Indexation and online availability: Indexation transforms the journal in some sense from its local ownership to the worldwide professional community and to the public.JCDR is indexed with Embase & EMbiology, Google Scholar, Index Copernicus, Chemical Abstracts Service, Journal seek Database, Indian Science Abstracts, to name few of them. Manuscriptspublished in JCDR are available on major search engines ie; google, yahoo, msn.
In the era of fast growing newer technologies, and in computer and internet friendly environment the manuscripts preparation, submission, review, revision, etc and all can be done and checked with a click from all corer of the world, at any time. Of course there is always a scope for improvement in every field and none is perfect. To progress, one needs to identify the areas of one's weakness and to strengthen them.
It is well said that "happy beginning is half done" and it fits perfectly with JCDR. It has grown considerably and I feel it has already grown up from its infancy to adolescence, achieving the status of standard online e-journal form Indian continent since its inception in Feb 2007. This had been made possible due to the efforts and the hard work put in it. The way the JCDR is improving with every new volume, with good quality original manuscripts, makes it a quality journal for readers. I must thank and congratulate Dr Hemant Jain, Editor-in-Chief JCDR and his team for their sincere efforts, dedication, and determination for making JCDR a fast growing journal.
Every one of us: authors, reviewers, editors, and publisher are responsible for enhancing the stature of the journal. I wish for a great success for JCDR."
Thanking you
With sincere regards
Dr. Rajendra Kumar Ghritlaharey, M.S., M. Ch., FAIS
Associate Professor,
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Gandhi Medical College & Associated
Kamla Nehru & Hamidia Hospitals Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462 001 (India)
E-mail: drrajendrak1@rediffmail.com
On May 11,2011
Dr. Shankar P.R.
"On looking back through my Gmail archives after being requested by the journal to write a short editorial about my experiences of publishing with the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR), I came across an e-mail from Dr. Hemant Jain, Editor, in March 2007, which introduced the new electronic journal. The main features of the journal which were outlined in the e-mail were extensive author support, cash rewards, the peer review process, and other salient features of the journal.
Over a span of over four years, we (I and my colleagues) have published around 25 articles in the journal. In this editorial, I plan to briefly discuss my experiences of publishing with JCDR and the strengths of the journal and to finally address the areas for improvement.
My experiences of publishing with JCDR: Overall, my experiences of publishing withJCDR have been positive. The best point about the journal is that it responds to queries from the author. This may seem to be simple and not too much to ask for, but unfortunately, many journals in the subcontinent and from many developing countries do not respond or they respond with a long delay to the queries from the authors 1. The reasons could be many, including lack of optimal secretarial and other support. Another problem with many journals is the slowness of the review process. Editorial processing and peer review can take anywhere between a year to two years with some journals. Also, some journals do not keep the contributors informed about the progress of the review process. Due to the long review process, the articles can lose their relevance and topicality. A major benefit with JCDR is the timeliness and promptness of its response. In Dr Jain's e-mail which was sent to me in 2007, before the introduction of the Pre-publishing system, he had stated that he had received my submission and that he would get back to me within seven days and he did!
Most of the manuscripts are published within 3 to 4 months of their submission if they are found to be suitable after the review process. JCDR is published bimonthly and the accepted articles were usually published in the next issue. Recently, due to the increased volume of the submissions, the review process has become slower and it ?? Section can take from 4 to 6 months for the articles to be reviewed. The journal has an extensive author support system and it has recently introduced a paid expedited review process. The journal also mentions the average time for processing the manuscript under different submission systems - regular submission and expedited review.
Strengths of the journal: The journal has an online first facility in which the accepted manuscripts may be published on the website before being included in a regular issue of the journal. This cuts down the time between their acceptance and the publication. The journal is indexed in many databases, though not in PubMed. The editorial board should now take steps to index the journal in PubMed. The journal has a system of notifying readers through e-mail when a new issue is released. Also, the articles are available in both the HTML and the PDF formats. I especially like the new and colorful page format of the journal. Also, the access statistics of the articles are available. The prepublication and the manuscript tracking system are also helpful for the authors.
Areas for improvement: In certain cases, I felt that the peer review process of the manuscripts was not up to international standards and that it should be strengthened. Also, the number of manuscripts in an issue is high and it may be difficult for readers to go through all of them. The journal can consider tightening of the peer review process and increasing the quality standards for the acceptance of the manuscripts. I faced occasional problems with the online manuscript submission (Pre-publishing) system, which have to be addressed.
Overall, the publishing process with JCDR has been smooth, quick and relatively hassle free and I can recommend other authors to consider the journal as an outlet for their work."
Dr. P. Ravi Shankar
KIST Medical College, P.O. Box 14142, Kathmandu, Nepal.
E-mail: ravi.dr.shankar@gmail.com
On April 2011 Anuradha
Dear team JCDR, I would like to thank you for the very professional and polite service provided by everyone at JCDR. While i have been in the field of writing and editing for sometime, this has been my first attempt in publishing a scientific paper.Thank you for hand-holding me through the process.
Dr. Anuradha
E-mail: anuradha2nittur@gmail.com
On Jan 2020
Short Communication
Full Version
Impact of Physical Inactivity Following the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Overall Quality of Life among Cancer Patients
Correspondence Address :
Dr. Kamran Ali,
Associate Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, GD Goenka University, Gurugram-122103, Haryana, India.
E-mail: k.alisportsphysio@gmail.com
The human population’s health, economy, and way of life have been seriously threatened by the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Patients with cancer are one of the special patient groups who faced additional difficulties during COVID-19, with additional problems in their basket. To minimise the sufferings, regular physical activity of any intensity lowers the chance of cancer progression while enhancing survival rates and Quality of Life (QoL). The lengthy indoor stay during the COVID-19 lockdown prompted inactivity among cancer patients, reducing their overall QoL. The purpose of this article is to ascertain how COVID-19-related physical inactivity affected cancer patients and their QoL.
Coronavirus disease, Immune, Physical fitness
The first human case of COVID-19, named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was reported in Wuhan City, China, in December 2019 (1). On January 7, 2020, an identical case was identified in China, and within a span of less than 30 days, on January 30, 2020, a public health emergency of international concern was declared by the World Health Organisation (WHO). According to the WHO, by February 2nd, 2021, more than 100 million people worldwide had been infected with COVID-19 (2). The pandemic came in waves and had several different stages, leading to a severe impact on society and human health. Due to the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic on society and healthcare systems, many countries implemented complete home confinement, which included health monitoring systems and smart lockdowns, in order to reduce the COVID-19 infection curve (3).
COVID-19 in the General Population
Global evidence showed that COVID-19 caused a severe impact on stress, anxiety, and depression levels among the general population during the lockdown period. Complete confinement and quarantine were the main stressors that lead to emotional distress and psychological consequences (4). The nationwide implementation of lockdown policies generated several socio-psychological problems in every segment of people’s lives. Prolonged home isolation lead to the development of cognitive decline, negative feelings, and discomfort, and people also faced personality disorders, which may be particularly vulnerable to the negative psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic (5). In China, during the early stage of COVID-19, a survey was conducted, revealing that 27.9% of the participants had symptoms of depression, while 31.65% experienced anxiety symptoms, leading to increased emotional sensitivity (6). During these particular circumstances, emotional regulation plays an important role in maintaining healthy behaviour. Along with these socio-psychological problems during home confinement, sedentary sitting time and physical inactivity have also increased, hampering the health-related QoL of the people (6).
COVID in Cancer Patients
Concerns erupted worldwide regarding cancer patients following the COVID-19 outbreak. People suffering from cancer were more susceptible to contracting COVID-19, resulting in a higher mortality rate compared to the general population (7). Researchers also found that cancer patients had a significantly higher median age than patients without cancer, indicating that advanced age is associated with poorer COVID-19 outcomes. The main challenge for cancer patients during the COVID-19 epidemic was the lack of access to critical medical services, both in terms of travelling to hospitals and receiving standard medical care once there (7). Many cancer patients reported experiencing tiredness, fatigue, and restlessness during the COVID-19 lockdown, induced by stress and anxiety about their cancer treatment and the potential risk of COVID-19 infection. An analysis revealed that cancer patients living alone experienced severe restrictions on social contacts. Up to 87% of assessed cancer patients reported feeling less secure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a major impact on their overall well-being (7).
Cancer patients constitute a unique population facing additional challenges on a routine basis. Firstly, their weakened immune systems and interruptions in treatment encouraged them to stay indoors and minimise travel. During the pandemic, patients faced a serious dilemma: staying at home could lead to tumour progression, while visiting the hospital for chemotherapy could increase the risk of COVID-19 infection (8). This caused significant concerns among governments, physicians, and patients regarding the impact on healthcare delivery systems. Generally, cancer patients are always at a higher risk of acquiring infections compared to patients with other diseases or conditions. Even a minor introduction of microorganisms can be deadly for a cancer patient, as it can deplete their white blood cells and cause irreversible damage, ultimately leading to death. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted chemotherapy schedules, resulting in delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Importance of Physical Activity among Cancer Patient
When performed on a daily basis, physical activity has always proven its mettle as a therapeutic strategy to directly address physical and psychological concerns emerging among cancer patients. It is an appealing intervention focused on reducing sequelae related to cancer and assisting patients in returning to their original health status after being afflicted with cancer.
The positive benefits of physical activity include reducing the risk and progression of cancer, establishing a positive effect on QoL after cancer diagnosis, including psychological and emotional well-being (self-esteem, mood states, personality functioning, and QoL), as well as functional and physical well-being (muscular strength, body composition, functional capacity, fatigue, nausea, etc.) (9). Additionally, studies also report a positive effect of physical activity on cardiovascular fitness among cancer patients. Experiments promising the effect of resistance exercise, aerobic exercise, and usual care on fitness, body composition, muscular strength, and QoL have been documented in patients in the early, middle, and late stages of cancer (10). Patients in the late stage of cancer show a lower response than those in the early and middle stages, but as a therapist who aims to moderate and improve the activity level and QoL until the last breath, therapeutic interventions are a boon for cancer patients. Several advances have demonstrated that participating in moderate physical recreational activities improves the survival rate in women with breast cancer (10).
Impact of Physical Inactivityon QOL Following COVID-19 among Cancer Patient
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Cancer Society (ACS) advise regular participation in Physical Activity (PA) and exercise. They consider it imperative for cancer patients to improve fitness, performance, and overall health (11). Cancer patients at early, middle, and late stages are encouraged to minimise their sedentary lifestyle and resume a regular active lifestyle to the best of their ability. It is recommended that they engage in at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week to experience significant health benefits. This encompasses a spectrum of advantages, including musculoskeletal, physiological, psychological, personal, and social benefits. If feasible and appropriate, cancer patients are also advised to engage in muscle-strengthening activities of moderate to high intensity, targeting all major muscle groups in the affected and healthy areas at least twice per week to acquire optimal health benefits (11).
Physical inactivity can lead to increased obesity, elevated circulating sex hormones, chronic inflammation, poor immunological regulation, impaired insulin regulation, and dysregulated adipokines. These factors are often associated with cancer mortality (12). The literature reports high levels of distress and anxiety among cancer patients due to the COVID-19 epidemic, along with financial struggles resulting from loss of income, jobs, and/or health insurance. Additionally, social distancing measures and other limitations aimed at preventing COVID-19 have inadvertently led to increased physical inactivity among cancer patients, negatively impacting their QoL (13).
Inactivity is known to be a curse for human health, and COVID-19 has further exacerbated this issue. For cancer patients, inactivity has become a significant threat. The outbreak of COVID-19 has worsened both present and future consequences, causing a delay in their gradual return to normal life. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, which occurred almost 70 years after the previous pandemic, the current generations, regardless of their age or health status, were unprepared to face and cope with the virus and its aftermath. With the accumulation of literature from the past two years and the present review, it is evident that physical activity should be prioritised by the population of various age groups, with a particular focus on cancer patients. Whether it’s a matter of life or death, hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers need to think outside the box and work together to incorporate and encourage physical activity in cancer patients.
DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2023/65195.18530
Date of Submission: May 03, 2023
Date of Peer Review: Jun 26, 2023
Date of Acceptance: Aug 02, 2023
Date of Publishing: Oct 01, 2023
AUTHOR DECLARATION:
• Financial or Other Competing Interests: None
• Was informed consent obtained from the subjects involved in the study? No
• For any images presented appropriate consent has been obtained from the subjects. No
PLAGIARISM CHECKING METHODS:
• Plagiarism X-checker: May 10, 2023
• Manual Googling: Jul 05, 2023
• iThenticate Software: Jul 31, 2023 (6%)
ETYMOLOGY: Author Origin
EMENDATIONS: 5
- Emerging Sources Citation Index (Web of Science, thomsonreuters)
- Index Copernicus ICV 2017: 134.54
- Academic Search Complete Database
- Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
- Embase
- EBSCOhost
- Google Scholar
- HINARI Access to Research in Health Programme
- Indian Science Abstracts (ISA)
- Journal seek Database
- Popline (reproductive health literature)
- www.omnimedicalsearch.com