2022: A Challenging Year for LIMUJ

2022 was a transition year for the Libyan International Medical University Journal (LIMUJ). The transfer process from our old publisher (Medknow) to our new publisher (Thieme) was not smooth and took longer than expected. Besides, we were faced with many difficulties at the beginning that resulted in a loss of communication with many of our authors, readers, and referees; we apologize to them for any inconveniences they faced in reconnection with LIMUJ. However, our train now is back on track, and we hope for a smooth fast ride toward our goals.[1] With Thieme, we have received 16 articles (excluding the editorials), 3 were rejected before review, two were rejected after review, and 11 articles were accepted after review with an acceptance rate of approximately 69%. The average review time from the first submission to the final decision was 33.6 days, and the average handling time after acceptance till article publication was 32.7 days. One of our short-term goals is to improve these indicators, the time for the reviewing process, and the time of production after acceptance.

The articles accepted were from different countries including Libya (seven articles), Turkey (two articles), India (one article), and the United States (one article). The subjects of the accepted articles were of different diversities of the medical sciences, including coronavirus disease 2019 related complications like lung abscess,[2] pulmonary mycosis,[3] and vaccination status of healthcare workers in Turkey.[4] In an ophthalmological study, different ocular parameters in Libyan subjects were reported.[5] Another study was performed to examine the effect of intramuscular injection of vitamin D on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, glycemic control, and liver enzymes in Libyan patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus with vitamin D deficiency.[6] Animal studies included evaluation of the protective effects of doxycycline against vanadium-induced hepatoxicity in rats,[7] and central nervous system effects of the methanolic extract of the leaves of Capparis spinosa L.[8] A clinicopathological characteristics of prostate lesions in surgical specimens of Libyan patients were prescribed in a retrospective study,[9] and a review article provided information on the current state of antimicrobial resistance in Libya.[10] Another original research article reported the magnitude of burnout among physicians in Benghazi-Libya,[11] and a letter to the editor describing the 8th Libyan Cardiac Society Congress Recommendations.[12]

Publication in LIMUJ is still free, charging no processing or publication fees. It is open access under the terms of the Creative Commons permitting copying and reproduction so long as the work is properly cited.

I always say that perfection is slow in onset but long in duration. We are aiming for near perfection, and we hope we can reach this aim with your help as an author, reader, and reviewer. Wishing you all a happy, healthy new year.

Publication History

Article published online:
03 February 2023

• References

• 1 Elhwuegi AS. Libyan International Medical University Journal: new phase of development. Libyan Int Medical Univ J 2022; 7 (01) 1-2
• 2 Uzer F, Oner S, Cilli A. Pulmonary abscess as a complication of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Libyan Int Medical Univ J 2022; 7 (01) 3-6
• 3 Swain S, Sharma K, Ray A. et al. Post-COVID-19-invasive pulmonary mycosis. Libyan Int Medical Univ J 2022; 7 (01) 7-11
• 4 Uzer F, Yesil O, Gokmen Y, Sayan MR, Cengiz M. Knowledge, levels, attitudes, and behaviors of health care professionals regarding COVID-19 vaccines. Libyan Int Medical Univ J 2022; 7 (01) 12-16
• 5 Bukhatwa SA, Suliman M. Axial length, anterior chamber depth, and lens thickness in normal Libyan eyes; measured by the Aladdin ocular biometer. Libyan Int Medical Univ J 2022; 7 (01) 17-21
• 6 Alemam HM, ElJilani MM, Bashein AM. Effect of intramuscular injection of vitamin d on 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, glycaemic control, and liver enzymes in Libyan patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Libyan Int Medical Univ J 2022; 7 (01) 22-27
• 7 Gassar ES, Mohamed NAE, Emtawel FA, Elfakhri RM, Haider SS. Doxycycline: an antibiotic attenuates oxidant stress, perturbation of lipid metabolites, and antioxidants against vanadium toxicity in rat hepatocytes. Libyan Int Medical Univ J 2022; 7 (01) 28-36
• 8 Dugani AM, Khasheba SS, Auzzi AA. Preliminary investigation into the anticonvulsant, sedative and muscle relaxant effects of the methanolic extract of Capparis spinosa L. leaves in mice. Libyan Int Medical Univ J 2022; 7 (02) 57-62
• 9 Garalla HM, Darraz KM, Maggdi MA. A retroprospective clinicopathological study of prostatic lesions in surgical specimens. Libyan Int Medical Univ J 2022; 7 (02) 51-56
• 10 Hosien B, Belhaj H, Atia A. Characteristics of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in Libya based on different source of infections. Libyan Int Medical Univ J 2022; 7 (02) 39-44
• 11 Alsaeiti KD, Elkadiki A, Hamedh MA, Ezwaie RM, Younis SM, Elfigih SO. Burnout among physicians at medical departments in Benghazi-Libya. Libyan Int Medical Univ J 2022; 7 (02) 45-50
• 12 Smer A, Bheleel O, Ellafi K, Neihoum A, Alrabte H, Msalam O. The 8th Libyan Cardiac Society Congress recommendations. Libyan Int Medical Univ J 2022; 7 (02) 63-65