Spleen And Liver Research invites high quality submissions that advance hepatology, splenology, and hepatobiliary science. We welcome original research, systematic reviews, and methodological advances that improve diagnosis, management, and outcomes in liver and spleen disorders.

Our editorial focus prioritizes rigorous study design, transparent reporting, and translational relevance for clinical care and population health.

• Viral hepatitis, NAFLD/NASH, and metabolic liver disease
• Cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and decompensation management
• Hepatocellular carcinoma and biliary tract malignancies
• Autoimmune, cholestatic, and genetic liver disorders
• Liver transplantation, graft outcomes, and immunology
• Splenic disorders, hypersplenism, and hematologic interactions
• Advanced imaging, elastography, and biomarker discovery
• Hepatic inflammation, fibrosis, and regenerative medicine
• Pediatric hepatology and congenital biliary conditions
• Clinical trials, real world evidence, and outcomes research
• Microbiome, metabolic pathways, and liver gut axis research
• Public health approaches to liver disease prevention

• Clinical trial reports and interim analyses
• Short communications with high impact findings
• Case series with rigorous diagnostic criteria
• Practice or policy briefs grounded in evidence

Successful submissions present a clear clinical question, robust methodology, and transparent reporting of diagnostic and staging criteria. We value studies that connect mechanistic insights to patient outcomes or measurable clinical impact.

Authors should document cohort characteristics, laboratory and imaging protocols, and outcome definitions to support reproducibility and translation.

• Clear inclusion and exclusion criteria with disease staging
• Validated biomarkers, imaging parameters, or histology scores
• Appropriate statistical analysis and handling of confounders
• Interpretation that links findings to clinical decision making

Submissions undergo editorial screening for scope fit, methodological rigor, and reporting completeness. Qualified manuscripts move to single blind peer review with subject matter experts.

JSLR operates under an open access model to ensure hepatology research is discoverable and reusable. APCs are applied after acceptance and support peer review, production, and archiving services.

Membership options and affordable APC waivers are available for eligible authors. Contact the editorial office at [email protected] for guidance.

• Scope fit confirmed for hepatology or spleen research
• Diagnostic and staging criteria documented
• Data availability statement included
• Ethics approvals and consent described
• Cover letter explains novelty and clinical relevance

• Report etiologic classification and staging criteria for liver or spleen disorders.
• Provide key liver function tests and reference ranges with units.
• Describe imaging modalities and acquisition parameters (ultrasound, CT, MRI, elastography).
• Include histopathology scoring systems used (METAVIR, Ishak, NAS) when applicable.
• Clarify portal hypertension assessments, variceal screening, or hemodynamic measures.
• Report transplant eligibility criteria, waiting list status, and follow up windows.
• Provide splenic size measurements, platelet counts, and immune markers when relevant.
• Describe biomarker assays, limits of detection, and quality control procedures.
• Detail medication exposure, dosing schedules, and adherence monitoring methods.
• Explain inclusion and exclusion criteria, comorbidities, and alcohol use history.
• Define adverse events, safety monitoring, and clinical endpoints clearly.
• Describe handling of missing data, confounders, and subgroup analyses.
• Provide data availability statements and access conditions for sensitive datasets.
• Document ethics approvals, informed consent, and biospecimen governance.
• Report cirrhosis stage, decompensation events, and MELD or Child-Pugh scores.
• Include model validation metrics and calibration details for predictive studies.
• State whether liver biopsy or noninvasive markers were used and why.
• Describe antiviral, immunosuppressive, or antifibrotic therapies and timelines.
• Provide baseline demographic tables with disease duration and comedications.
• Include microbiome or metabolomics protocols when gut-liver axis is studied.
• Clarify transplant graft outcomes, rejection criteria, and survival measures.
• Report imaging reader blinding, inter-rater reliability, or adjudication procedures.
• Describe quality control for laboratory assays and external proficiency testing.
• Include definitions for remission, response, progression, or relapse outcomes.
• Provide statistical power calculations or justification for sample size.
• Report secondary endpoints and exploratory analyses separately.
• Describe patient reported outcome measures and validation sources.
• State regulatory or trial registration identifiers when applicable.
• Provide statements on data sharing, reuse, and repository access.
• Explain limitations and generalizability for clinical implementation.
• Specify sample handling, storage temperatures, and processing timelines for biospecimens.
• Report comorbidity indices and medication interactions that may affect outcomes.
• Describe criteria for treatment response or nonresponse classifications.
• Include protocol for laboratory assay repeatability and inter-lab variation.
• Explain adjustments for confounders such as BMI, diabetes, or alcohol intake.
• Provide patient flow diagrams and attrition details for each study stage.
• Include liver imaging scoring systems and threshold definitions used.
• Report hospitalization, mortality, or readmission outcomes when applicable.
• Clarify rationale for inclusion of control or comparator groups.
• Describe patient monitoring intervals and follow up adherence strategies.
• Explain criteria for noninvasive fibrosis assessment and cutoff values.
• Provide details on imaging contrast agents, timing, and safety monitoring.
• Report surveillance intervals for hepatocellular carcinoma when relevant.
• Describe nutritional assessment methods and sarcopenia measures.
• Include patient education or adherence interventions used in the study.
• Clarify definitions for acute versus chronic presentations.
• Describe criteria for hospitalization or readmission endpoints when measured.

JSLR is committed to rigorous, transparent publishing in hepatology and spleen research. We emphasize reproducible clinical methods, clear reporting of diagnostic criteria, and ethical compliance across all article types.

The editorial office supports authors, editors, and reviewers with clear guidance and responsive communication. For questions about scope or workflow, contact [email protected].

We encourage continuous improvement in reporting practices and share updates that help the community maintain high standards in hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal research.