Conflict of Interest/Competing Interests

The authors should indicate any conflicts of interest and sources of financial support. A conflict of interest exists when an author (or the authors‘ institution), reviewer, or editor has financial or personal relationships that inappropriately influence (bias) his or her actions. The potential for conflict of interest can exist whether or not an individual believes that the relationship affects his or her scientific judgment. Financial relationships (such as employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, patents and paid expert testimony) as well as personal relationships, and academic competition must be declared. Readers should be informed about who has funded research and on the role of the funders in the research.