Author Instruction

Last Updated: April 2026

Authors are expected to adhere strictly to the following protocols to facilitate a rigorous peer review and efficient publication cycle. These guidelines ensure that all submissions meet the scholarly standards required for international indexing and academic integrity.

Blind Peer Review

To maintain the integrity of the double-blind peer review process, manuscripts must be entirely devoid of author identities, institutional affiliations, or identifiable metadata. Any breach of this anonymity will result in an immediate administrative return of the document for correction prior to formal review.

Statements regarding funding sources, ethical approvals, and data availability must not be included within the manuscript text. These disclosures are to be managed exclusively through the journal's online submission portal to preserve the impartiality of the reviewers.

Manuscript Template

The Editorial Board strongly encourages authors to utilize the provided Universal Template, which is standardized across all ETFLIN journals. This document, available as a Microsoft Word file (.docx), incorporates the precise typographical styles required for academic publication. It is mandatory that all manuscripts be submitted in .docx format; PDF submissions will not be accepted for the editorial workflow.

Download manuscript template: Universal-Template.docx

While the journal allows for initial submissions that do not strictly adhere to the layout of the template, specific non-negotiable criteria must be met at the outset. Authors must ensure that all identifying information is removed from the manuscript to facilitate a blind review. Furthermore, all citations and the final bibliography must strictly follow the Vancouver referencing style.

Structural Requirements

The organizational structure of the manuscript varies according to the article type. Research articles must fundamentally include an Introduction, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, and References. Authors are permitted to use professional alternatives for section headings, such as "Background" in place of "Introduction," or "Materials and Methods" as an alternative to "Methodology."

The Introduction and Conclusion sections are mandatory for all submission types, with the exception of Letters to the Editor, Retractions, and Corrections. For empirical research, the Methodology and Results sections—the latter of which may be integrated into a "Results and Discussion" section—are compulsory. Title, Abstract, Keywords, and References are  required components of every manuscript submitted to the journal.

Authors may incorporate supplemental sections to enhance the depth of their work, such as Limitations, Future Perspectives, or Author Perspectives. These additions are particularly encouraged when they provide critical context or summarize "Take Home Messages" for the readership.

Title, Abstract, and Keywords

The title of the manuscript serves as the primary identifier for the research and should be articulated with maximum brevity while maintaining descriptive clarity. Authors must ensure the title is original and has not been utilized in prior publications. The inclusion of non-standard abbreviations within the title is strictly prohibited to ensure indexing accuracy. This title must be clearly displayed within the submitted manuscript file.

Every submission, regardless of article type, must be accompanied by an abstract and a set of keywords, both of which are required in the online metadata and the manuscript itself. The abstract must be composed as a single, cohesive paragraph not exceeding 250 words. To maintain a scholarly flow, authors should avoid the use of subheadings or structured sections within the abstract.

Keywords should consist of specific terms or phrases that represent the core themes or the most prominent aspects of the study. Each manuscript must include a minimum of three and a maximum of six keywords or phrases. These identifiers are critical for enhancing the visibility of the work within academic databases and should be selected based on their relevance to the manuscript's primary findings.

Font Style and Size

While the journal permits the use of various font type/family during the initial submission phase, authors are cautioned against selecting fonts with ambiguous character designs. Certain typefaces may obscure the distinction between similar characters, such as "a" and "o," which significantly diminishes legibility. Such stylistic choices may negatively impact the editorial evaluation and the peer-review process by impeding the clarity of the scholarly discourse.

The body text of the manuscript must maintain a consistent font size between 11 pt and 12 pt across all paragraphs to ensure professional uniformity. A clear visual hierarchy should be established through the strategic use of headings. The primary title must be formatted as Heading 1 at 18 pt, while major sections such as the Abstract, Introduction, and Methodology should utilize Heading 2 at 14 pt. Both Heading 1 and Heading 2 require a bold weight to distinguish structural transitions. All headings must use Title Case style.

Further organizational layers should be delineated using Heading 3 for subsections at 13 pt bold. For more granular divisions, Heading 4 and subsequent levels should be set at 12 pt using an italicized bold style. This systematic approach to heading levels ensures that the internal logic of the manuscript remains accessible to both editors and readers throughout the technical review.

Textual elements within tables and figures should ideally mirror the font size used in the main body paragraphs. However, the journal allows for a reduction in font size within these visual aids if necessitated by space constraints or complex data presentation. In such instances, authors must prioritize legibility to ensure that all data points and labels remain clearly decipherable upon publication.

Figures

All figures must be integrated directly into the manuscript and positioned immediately following the paragraph in which they are first referenced. It is a mandatory requirement that every figure is explicitly cited within the relevant textual discourse. In instances where figures are excessively large, numerous, or voluminous, authors should relocate them to a separate file to be uploaded as supplemental data, adhering to the journal's specific protocols for such materials.

Technical specifications for imagery require files to be submitted in JPG, JPEG, or PNG formats with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi to ensure sharpness and clarity. Manuscripts containing blurred or low-quality visual representations will be returned to the author for remediation. Furthermore, any text contained within an illustration must align with the language of the manuscript. Figure titles must not be embedded within the image itself but should be provided as editable text. The caption must be placed immediately below the figure, utilizing Sentence case formatting as demonstrated: 

Figure 1. Example of a figure caption.

Tables

Consistent with the protocols for figures, tables must be situated within the manuscript text immediately after the paragraph of first mention. Extremely lengthy tables that disrupt the narrative flow should be moved to the supplemental data section. This ensures the primary manuscript remains concise and readable for the editorial and review teams.

The titling convention for tables differs from that of figures; table titles must be positioned above the respective table and formatted in Sentence case. To maintain professional clarity, each table must feature distinct headers that are rendered in bold weight. These structural requirements are essential for the accurate interpretation of data and the overall technical integrity of the publication.

Tables must be constructed exclusively as editable text elements and are strictly prohibited from containing embedded images. Any visual content, such as chemical structures, diagrams, or complex symbols that cannot be rendered as text, should be extracted from the table and presented as a separate, clearly labeled figure.

Furthermore, authors must not submit tables as static images or screenshots within the manuscript. All tables must be generated using the native "Insert Table" functionality within Microsoft Word.

Equations

Mathematical equations must be integrated into the manuscript as editable text rather than as embedded static images. To ensure professional clarity and technical accuracy, authors are required to utilize the native Microsoft Word Equation editor for all mathematical expressions.

Every equation presented in the manuscript must be numbered sequentially using Arabic numerals enclosed in parentheses—for example, (1)—positioned at the right-hand margin. Authors must provide explicit definitions for every symbol used within an equation immediately following its first appearance in the text.

To adhere to international scientific standards, all alphabetic variables such as $x$, $y$, and $z$ must be italicized within both the equations and the main body text. In contrast, standard functions (e.g., $\sin$, $\cos$, $\log$), chemical symbols, and numerical values should be set in regular (roman) font. Greek characters, such as $\alpha$, $\beta$, and $\gamma$, as well as mathematical operators like $\sum$ and $\int$, should be sourced from the standard Insert menu or the equation tool to maintain character integrity across different software platforms.

Graphical Abstract

A graphical abstract serves as a visual summary of the manuscript’s core findings, designed to provide readers with an immediate, holistic understanding of the research at a glance. By distilling complex methodologies or conceptual frameworks into a single illustrative representation, authors can significantly enhance the accessibility and impact of their work.

The inclusion of a graphical abstract offers substantial professional benefits. Such articles are prominently featured on the ETFLIN homepage, which serves to increase visibility and the potential for citation. Furthermore, eligibility for prestigious designations, such as "Featured Article" or "Editor’s Choice," is strictly contingent upon the presence of a high-quality graphical abstract. Consequently, the Editorial Board strongly recommends that authors prioritize the creation of this visual component.

While authors may employ Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the generation of graphical abstracts, they must strictly adhere to the following technical and ethical requirements:

• Ethical Disclosure: Any use of AI in the creation of the graphical abstract must be explicitly declared within the Acknowledgments section of the manuscript.

• Design Composition: The abstract should emphasize illustrations or study flows rather than dense textual descriptions.

• Technical Dimensions: Images must maintain a 16:9 aspect ratio and a minimum resolution of 300 dpi to ensure professional clarity.

• File Compatibility: Visuals must be submitted in JPG, JPEG, or PNG formats.

Standardized Units and Terms

To maintain scientific precision and international readability, all manuscripts must adhere to standardized systems of measurement and terminology. The journal requires the exclusive use of the International System of Units (SI) for all quantitative data. When presenting measurements, authors should ensure a single space remains between the numerical value and the unit, except in the case of degrees, minutes, and seconds of arc.

Non-standard abbreviations and acronyms must be defined at their first mention within the main text. Once defined, the abbreviation should be used consistently thereafter. Authors are advised to avoid the use of abbreviations within the title or abstract unless they are universally recognized within the specific discipline. This practice prevents ambiguity and ensures that the research remains accessible to a multi-disciplinary audience.

Latin and Scientific Terms

The use of Latin nomenclature is required for biological classifications, including genus and species names. These terms must be rendered in italics to distinguish them from the surrounding text (e.g., Escherichia coli). After the first mention of a biological entity, the genus name may be abbreviated to its initial letter followed by a period, provided no ambiguity with other mentioned genera is created.

Common Latin expressions used in academic discourse, such as in vivo, in vitro, et al., and via, should also be italicized. This stylistic distinction aids in the visual organization of the manuscript.

Consistency in Technical Terminology

Accuracy in terminology extends to the use of chemical nomenclature and symbols. Chemical compounds should be identified by their IUPAC names, although common names may be used if they are more prevalent in the relevant field of study. Authors must ensure that all symbols and variables are used consistently throughout the manuscript, including within figures, tables, and equations.

When utilizing specialized technical terms, authors should verify their alignment with established discipline-specific dictionaries or lexicons. Inconsistent terminology or the use of colloquialisms in place of formal scientific language can detract from the perceived rigor of the study and may lead to requests for significant revision during the editorial review phase.

References

To ensure technical precision and minimize manual formatting errors, the Editorial Board highly recommends that authors utilize professional reference management software such as Mendeley, Zotero, or EndNote. The use of these tools facilitates the seamless organization of citations and ensures that the bibliography remains dynamically linked to the in-text citations throughout the revision process.

For authors employing Mendeley or Zotero, a customized bibliographic style has been developed specifically for the ETFLIN journal suite. This style automatically implements the required Vancouver variations, including the use of parentheses and the specific author-listing rules.

Download citation style: ETFLIN CSL

The journal mandates the use of the Vancouver referencing style for all submissions. To ensure typographical consistency with the journal's layout, citations within the text must be enclosed in parentheses, for example (1), rather than square brackets or the use of superscript and subscript formatting. This numerical system must correspond to a sequentially numbered reference list at the end of the manuscript, organized in the order in which the sources first appear in the text.

In instances of multiple authorship, authors should list the first six contributors followed by the abbreviation "et al." if the total number of authors exceeds six. For sources with six or fewer authors, all names must be listed in full. Authors are responsible for the accuracy of all bibliographic data; providing digital object identifiers (DOIs) is strongly encouraged for all journal articles to facilitate digital cross-referencing.

Authors should refer to the following templates when constructing the final reference list:

Journal Article

Halpern SD, Ubel PA, Caplan AL. Solid-organ transplantation in HIV-infected patients. N Engl J Med. 2002;347(4):284-7.

Authored Book

Murray PR, Rosenthal KS, Kobayashi GS, Pfaller MA. Medical microbiology. 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby; 2002.

Book Chapter

Meltzer PS, Kallioniemi A, Trent JM. Chromosome alterations in human solid tumors. In: Vogelstein B, Kinzler KW, editors. The genetic basis of human cancer. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2002. p. 93-113.

Web Page

World Health Organization. Hypertension [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 Jan 15]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension

Plagiarism

The journal maintains a rigorous stance on academic integrity, and all submitted manuscripts undergo a comprehensive screening for originality. To qualify for peer review, a submission must not exceed a maximum cumulative similarity index of 15%. Furthermore, the journal enforces a strict threshold for individual sources; no single primary source may contribute more than 1% to the total similarity score of the manuscript.

While the editorial team conducts independent verification using specialized software, authors are encouraged to perform their own similarity checks prior to submission. The resulting plagiarism report may be included as a supplementary document during the submission process to demonstrate transparency. However, please be advised that the editorial office will perform a definitive re-evaluation, and the internal findings will serve as the final metric for determining the manuscript's eligibility for publication.

Supplemental Data

Authors may provide additional figures, tables, or complex mathematical derivations that exceed the practical scope of the main manuscript as Supplemental Data. These elements should be compiled into a single document and labeled specifically to distinguish them from primary manuscript content—for example, Supplemental Table 1 or Supplemental Figure 1. The numbering for supplemental materials is independent of the main text; therefore, the sequence must begin anew at 1 for each category of media.

Within the supplemental file, every table, figure, or equation must be accompanied by a descriptive title formatted in Sentence case. To ensure professional clarity, these titles should follow the standard naming convention: 

Supplemental Table 1. Example of a supplemental table title.

When citing these materials within the main body of the manuscript, authors must explicitly include the "Supplemental" prefix to prevent confusion with the primary data. This applies to all references, whether directed toward a Supplemental Figure, Supplemental Table, or Supplemental Equation.

Supplemental data should be submitted in universally accessible formats, such as .docx or .xlsx. In instances where the supplemental materials comprise multiple files or diverse data formats, authors are required to consolidate these items into a single ZIP or RAR archive. This archive must be uploaded to the submission system under the designated "Supplemental Data" category to ensure it is properly linked to the primary manuscript throughout the editorial workflow.

For further details regarding our academic standards, authors are encouraged to review the comprehensive Editorial Policies page. This resource provides in-depth information on peer review workflows, conflict of interest disclosures, and the ethical responsibilities of both contributors and reviewers.

Furthermore, we strongly recommend that authors consult the official Publishing Policies of ETFLIN. This section outlines essential protocols concerning copyright transfer, open-access licensing, and the journal's long-term preservation and archiving strategies.