Instructions for Authors
Comprehensive guidelines for preparing and submitting your transplant research manuscript.
Publication Excellence Starts Here
The Journal of Organ Transplantation maintains the highest standards of scientific publishing. Following these guidelines ensures rapid processing and positions your research for maximum impact within the transplant community.
Questions? Contact our editorial team at [email protected]
Original Articles
- Full-length research studies
- Maximum 5,000 words body text
- Structured abstract 250 words
- Up to 50 references
- 6 figures/tables combined
- Supplementary data welcome
Review Articles
- Comprehensive topic surveys
- Maximum 7,000 words body text
- Unstructured abstract 250 words
- Up to 100 references
- Tables and figures encouraged
- Systematic reviews welcome
Case Reports
- Unique clinical presentations
- Maximum 2,500 words body text
- Unstructured abstract 150 words
- Up to 15 references
- Clinical images encouraged
- Learning points required
Language and Format
Submit in clear English using Microsoft Word format. Double-space text with consecutive page numbers. Use Times New Roman 12pt or Arial 11pt font consistently throughout the manuscript.
Title Page
Include full title, running title max 50 characters, all author names with affiliations, corresponding author contact details with email and phone, ORCID identifiers for all authors, and total word count.
Abstract
Structured abstract max 250 words with Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusions sections for original research. Unstructured abstracts permitted for reviews and case reports.
Keywords
Provide 4-6 keywords using Medical Subject Headings terminology for optimal indexing and discoverability in bibliographic databases and search engines.
Original Research: Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusions, References
Review Articles: Abstract, Introduction, Main Body with descriptive subheadings, Conclusions, References
Case Reports: Abstract, Introduction, Case Presentation, Discussion, Conclusions, Learning Points, References
- Provide sufficient detail to allow independent replication of experiments
- Identify all drugs by generic names with manufacturer information
- Describe statistical methods precisely with software version used
- Include sample size calculations and power analysis justification
- Specify equipment manufacturers with model numbers and locations
- Reference previously published methods rather than repeating
Sample Size
Report power calculations and sample size justification. Explain how the study was designed to detect clinically meaningful differences with adequate statistical power.
Precision
Report exact P-values rather than thresholds. Include 95% confidence intervals for all primary outcome comparisons and effect sizes.
Variability
Present measures of central tendency with appropriate variability measures based on data distribution characteristics.
Software
Identify statistical software and version. Describe specific tests applied, assumptions verified, and adjustments for multiple comparisons where applicable.
Clinical Studies
- IRB or Ethics Committee approval required
- Declaration of Helsinki compliance
- Written informed consent documented
- Patient confidentiality protection
- Clinical trial registration if applicable
Preclinical Studies
- IACUC approval mandatory
- ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines followed
- Housing conditions described
- Anesthesia protocols detailed
- Humane endpoints defined
Conflicts
- Financial relationships disclosed
- Speaking fees and consulting
- Stock ownership reported
- Intellectual property interests
- Funder involvement explained
Prospective interventional clinical studies must be registered in an ICMJE-approved registry before enrollment of the first participant. Include the registration number prominently in the abstract. Report all pre-specified primary and secondary outcomes. Explain any protocol deviations or amendments that occurred during the study. Provide a CONSORT flow diagram showing participant flow through all stages of the trial.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses should be registered prospectively in PROSPERO and follow PRISMA 2020 reporting guidelines. Include a completed PRISMA checklist as supplementary material. Submit a flow diagram showing the study identification, screening, eligibility assessment, and inclusion process with numbers at each stage. Assess risk of bias using validated tools such as Cochrane RoB 2 for randomized trials, ROBINS-I for non-randomized studies, or Newcastle-Ottawa for observational research.
- Resolution: Minimum 300 dpi for all images. Use TIFF, PNG, or high-quality JPEG formats.
- Color: RGB color mode for online publication. CMYK available on request for print applications.
- Legends: Each figure requires a standalone caption explaining all elements, abbreviations, and symbols.
- Tables: Submit as editable text not images. Include title and footnotes explaining all abbreviations.
- Microscopy: Include scale bars and magnification. State staining methods used and imaging equipment.
- Patient Images: Ensure complete anonymity. Obtain written consent for any potentially identifiable photographs.
JOT follows ICMJE authorship criteria. All listed authors must have made substantial contributions to: conception or design of the work, or acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data; AND drafting the article or critically revising it for important intellectual content; AND final approval of the version to be published; AND agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work. Contributors who do not meet all four criteria should be listed in the Acknowledgments section with their specific contribution described.
Mandatory Disclosure: Use of AI-assisted writing tools must be disclosed in the Methods section. AI tools cannot be listed as authors. Authors remain fully responsible for all content, including accuracy of AI-generated text, validity of references, and originality.
Use AMA American Medical Association citation style. Number references consecutively in order of first citation in text. Include DOIs when available. Verify accuracy of all citations before submission. Cite primary sources rather than review articles when possible.
- Cover letter addressed to Editor-in-Chief stating novelty and significance
- Title page with all author details, affiliations, and ORCID identifiers
- Blinded manuscript file with no author information in body text
- Structured abstract with keywords following required format
- High-resolution figures with descriptive captions as separate files
- Editable tables with titles and footnotes explaining abbreviations
- Ethics approval documentation confirming IRB or IACUC approval
- Conflict of interest declarations from all authors
- Reporting guideline checklist (CONSORT, STROBE, PRISMA as applicable)
- Data availability statement describing access to underlying research data
Upon acceptance, you will receive page proofs for review within 5-7 business days. Carefully review for typographical errors, figure quality, table formatting accuracy, and reference correctness. Return proofs within 48 hours to avoid publication delays. Only minor corrections are permitted at proof stage. Article processing charges become due at proof stage with invoices issued to corresponding author or designated institution.
Begin Your Submission
Choose your preferred pathway and share your transplant research with the world.