Use this checklist before finalizing a new or revised submission. Complete reporting helps the editor determine whether the study can proceed to scientific assessment.

Eligibility and authorship

• The article addresses a question within Aims & Scope and uses an appropriate article type.
• All authors have approved the manuscript and submission, and authorship and contributions are accurate.
• The work is not under consideration elsewhere. Related papers, overlapping datasets, preprints and prior dissemination are disclosed.
• Funding, sponsor roles and financial or non-financial competing interests are declared.

Files and scientific reporting

• A separate title page contains complete names, affiliations, countries and corresponding author details.
• The review manuscript is anonymized, with identifying acknowledgments and file properties removed.
• The abstract accurately represents the design and findings; keywords and all submission metadata are complete.
• Methods identify experimental units, biological replication, exclusions, controls, statistical procedures and study limitations.
• Figures and tables are cited, legible and accompanied by complete legends; required source images are available.
• The appropriate reporting checklist, flow diagram, protocol or analysis plan is supplied.
• A data and code availability statement identifies repositories or justified access restrictions.

Ethics and permissions

• Human or animal research includes the approving body and reference number, or a documented explanation of exemption.
• Participation consent and publication consent are addressed separately when relevant.
• Clinical trials provide an acceptable registry identifier and registration timing.
• Cell lines and research materials have documented provenance, authentication and relevant contamination testing.
• Reused material has appropriate permission or a compatible license; sources and third-party restrictions are identified.
• AI-assisted work is disclosed as required, and human authors have verified references, data and text.

Charges and revised submissions

The corresponding author has reviewed the standard APC of USD 350 for an accepted article and raised any request for financial assistance. Payment has no role in peer review. For a revision, include a point-by-point response, identify changes and explain any request that could not be addressed. Contact the Editorial Office if an ethical or technical requirement needs clarification.