The journey of ANAMS in dissemination of quality clinical content

It is an honor for me for becoming the President of the National Academy of Medical Science, the institute which has been the torchbearer of setting ethical standards for clinical practice and research in India under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. As the President, of the prestigious institution, it is not only a matter of huge prestige and honor for me, but also it is a situation of huge responsibility, where I must reflect on the past and current matters at hand at the institute and build up on the same to set high standards for the medical fraternity in the years to come. One such goal would be to ensure, that our official journal, Annals of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (ANAMS), finally establishes itself as a highly reputed, indexed and sought-after journal by students, researchers and academicians from all across the country and even from overseas.

The journal has published diversified content in the recent past, which has addressed the latest developments in several clinical categories. As a Pulmonologist, some of the content which recently addressed my area caught my attention. The journal published topics addressing global initiatives for Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.¹ The journal published an interesting but complex investigation discussing the utility of CBNAAT (GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay) in rapid diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis,² besides publishing on an emerging topic of a shift from nebulizers to dry powder inhalers.³ Such topics from young researchers and students related to my specialization fill my heart with joy and excitement, and I would like to encourage students to submit more of such diversified pulmonology topics in the time ahead with us, so that we can take their findings to a large global reader base.

Besides these topics, ANAMS has recently published some extensive reviews, which not only discuss the development of clinical practice and evolving trends in the country but also serve as a teaching material for students and young clinicians who intend to serve in these clinical categories. Some of the engaging reviews have been on topics like allergic rhinitis,⁴ pre-eclampsia,⁵ multiple myeloma,⁶ proton pump inhibitors with associated related rebound hypersecretion,⁷ and role of epigenetics for recovery of memory decline during aging etc.⁸

The journal also brought to its readers, especially students and children, topics that directly address their overall well-being, apart from adding to academic knowledge. These topics hold crucial importance not only for the medical research community but also for the society. Such topics included rehabilitation in children with cerebral palsy,⁹ modulation of sleep quality, cardiac autonomic activity, and cognition by yoga in medical students¹⁰ and perspectives of Indian medical students regarding the competency-based medical education curriculum.¹¹ As the new President of the institution, I can’t feel prouder that our journal has published such sensitive and informative topics.

While the journal has published such topics, on the other end, the journal has also published articles addressing hard-core molecular research and genetics. Topics such as bacterial etiology among diarrheal cases, dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) polymorphisms, Single nucleotide polymorphism of IGF-1R and KCNJ11 gene (rs5219) polymorphism with HOMA-IR and HOMA B values in type 2 diabetes mellitus, found their place in our journal’s issues.^12-15 These are extremely complex molecular studies and reflect how well-organized and focused molecular studies are happening in Indian institutions and universities.

In totality, the Annals of National Academy of Medical Sciences is a fantastic multi-disciplinary journal, which is publishing high-quality content addressing several clinical, social and academic topics. Our journal not only serves as educational material for the medical fraternity but also acts as a guiding factor for students and clinicians alike to shape their respective endeavors. I am proud of the journal and must congratulate the Editor in Chief, Dr. Anil Kumar Jain, for his hard work and his editorial team of admins and reviewers who are working as a great unit to develop the journal. I must also thank our publishers, Scientific Scholar for their excellent output, who have been support to bring our issues for our readers.

Lastly, I must take this opportunity to thank our authors, who have been enriching our journal with such engaging content and I would like to encourage all of them to continue supporting the journal ahead.

Prof. Dr. Digambar Behera (PADMA AWARDEE)

MD(Med), FCCP, FAMS, FNCCP, FICP, FICA, FAPSR, FICS, MNAMS(Med), Dip.NBE (Resp.Med.)

President, National Academy of Medical Sciences (India); Emeritus Professor, Ex-Professor and HOD, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India