Authors submitting to a special issue should review the thematic scope and follow JSLR submission standards. Special issues follow the same peer review and production workflow as regular submissions.

• Confirm scope fit with the special issue theme
• Prepare data and code availability statements
• Document diagnostic criteria and staging methods
• Ensure figures and tables are publication ready
• Prepare a cover letter referencing the special issue

Clearly indicate the special issue title in the cover letter and manuscript metadata. This helps editors route the submission to the correct guest editor team.

All special issue submissions undergo initial screening for scope fit, ethical compliance, and data transparency. Submissions that do not align with the theme may be redirected to the regular journal track.

• Define the clinical or translational gap the special issue addresses.
• Provide a rationale for guest editor expertise and topic coverage.
• Specify anticipated article types and approximate submission volume.
• Outline peer review timelines and editorial decision workflows.
• Describe outreach plans to hepatology and gastroenterology communities.
• Identify data reporting standards required for submissions.
• Clarify whether cross disciplinary submissions are in scope.
• List any planned invited contributions or consortium partners.
• Provide proposed metrics for impact or clinical relevance.
• Describe data harmonization requirements for multicenter submissions.
• Specify expected submission window and targeted publication date.
• Note any patient safety or regulatory considerations for topic areas.
• Specify how guest editors will manage conflicts of interest.
• Outline plans for an editorial introduction or summary article.
• Describe collaboration with clinical societies or networks.
• Provide criteria for invited versus open submissions.
• Include data reporting checklists for multicenter studies.
• State plans for dissemination or webinar promotion.
• Provide anticipated geographic or population coverage.
• Describe integration with ongoing research consortia.
• Define expected peer reviewer pool and recruitment strategy.
• Describe data sharing expectations for special issue contributors.
• Specify interdisciplinary scope across hepatology, surgery, and radiology.
• Outline plan for patient safety or ethics oversight in invited topics.
• Provide expected timeline for revisions and final acceptance.
• Identify metrics for success such as citations or clinical adoption.
• State whether a preprint policy will be highlighted in the call.
• Include communication plan for targeted author outreach.
• Note if a conference partnership supports the special issue.
• Provide guidance on thematic keywords for submissions.
• Specify editorial support for data harmonization across cohorts.
• Describe plans for webinar promotion or community engagement.
• Identify target regions or populations for the special issue focus.

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.