Before You Start

Journal of Ulcers (JU) publishes peer reviewed open access research on peptic ulcers, pressure injuries, diabetic foot ulcers, and mucosal wound healing across clinical and translational settings. We publish original research, clinical trials, reviews, case reports, and brief communications related to ulcer pathogenesis and care.

Ensure your manuscript aligns with the journal scope and highlights how the findings advance ulcer prevention, diagnosis, or treatment.

Manuscript Types

We consider the following submission categories. Choose the type that best matches your study design and reporting goals.

• Original Research and Clinical Trials
• Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses
• Case Reports and Case Series
• Technical Notes and Methods Papers
• Brief Reports and Clinical Communications

Manuscript Structure

Use a clear structure with title page, abstract, keywords, main text, references, and tables or figures.

Include a concise abstract that states objectives, methods, results, and conclusions in clinically accessible language.

• Title page with author names, affiliations, and corresponding author details
• Abstract with structured headings where appropriate
• Three to six keywords that reflect ulcer type, method, or clinical focus
• Main text with Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion

Formatting and Style

Use clear, concise language and define abbreviations at first use. Ensure consistent terminology across ulcer types and patient cohorts.

Number pages and use standard units. Provide full details for drug dosages, devices, and intervention protocols.

Figures and Tables

Submit high resolution figures with descriptive captions. Tables should be editable and clearly labeled.

Ensure images are not manipulated in ways that alter meaning. Provide scale bars and units where applicable.

References

Cite current and relevant literature, including clinical guidelines and foundational ulcer research.

Provide DOIs where available to improve citation tracking and verification.

Ethics and Consent

All studies involving human participants, patient samples, or animal models require documented ethics approval.

Provide informed consent statements and trial registration details when applicable.

Data Availability and Reporting

Include a data availability statement describing where data and code can be accessed, or explain restrictions.

Follow reporting guidelines such as CONSORT, STROBE, or PRISMA where appropriate to your study type.

Authorship and Contributions

Authorship should reflect substantive contributions to study design, data collection, analysis, or interpretation.

Include a contribution statement and confirm that all authors approve the submission.

Conflicts and Funding

Disclose funding sources, grants, and potential conflicts of interest. Transparency supports trust in clinical findings.

Submission Checklist

Confirm these items before submission to avoid delays.

• Manuscript file in editable format
• Cover letter describing scope fit
• Ethics approvals and consent statements
• Data availability statement
• Figures and tables labeled clearly
• Conflict of interest and funding disclosures

After Submission

Manuscripts undergo editorial screening followed by peer review. Expect clear decision letters with required revisions.

Respond to reviewer comments point by point and highlight changes to accelerate re review.

Language and Clarity

If English is not your first language, consider language editing before submission. Clear writing improves reviewer focus on scientific merit.

Supplementary Files

Provide appendices, protocols, or additional data as supplementary material. Label files clearly for reviewer access.

Clinical Trial Registration

For clinical trials, include registration identifiers and registry names to support transparency and compliance.

Title Page Details

Include full author names, affiliations, ORCID IDs where available, and complete corresponding author contact information.

Abstract and Keywords

Use a structured abstract when possible and select keywords that reflect ulcer type, study design, and clinical setting to improve discovery.

Statistical Reporting

Report confidence intervals, effect sizes, and significance thresholds clearly. Explain handling of missing data and adjustments for multiple comparisons.

Clinical Reporting Standards

Use CONSORT for randomized trials, STROBE for observational studies, and PRISMA for systematic reviews. Submit checklists when applicable.

Images and Patient Privacy

Remove identifying information from images and obtain consent for clinical photographs. Note consent in the manuscript where relevant.

Abbreviations and Units

Define abbreviations at first use and use standard units consistently throughout text, tables, and figures.

Preprints and Prior Posting

Preprints are allowed when disclosed at submission. Indicate the preprint DOI or link in the cover letter.

Cover Letter Guidance

Summarize the clinical importance of your findings and explain why the manuscript fits JU scope. Mention any related manuscripts. If the work builds on prior dissemination or conference abstracts, state this clearly and explain how the submission offers new evidence.

Revision Responses

Provide a detailed response letter that addresses each reviewer comment. Highlight changes in the manuscript to speed reassessment.

Authorship Changes

Any changes to authorship after submission must be approved by all authors and explained to the editorial office.

Methods Detail

Describe inclusion and exclusion criteria, recruitment settings, and ulcer classification methods so reviewers can assess applicability.

Interventions and Comparators

Specify treatment protocols, dosages, device settings, and comparator details. Clear reporting improves reproducibility and clinical relevance.

Outcomes and Endpoints

Define primary and secondary outcomes clearly, including healing time, recurrence, or complication rates where applicable.

Randomization and Blinding

For trials, describe randomization procedures, allocation concealment, and blinding methods to reduce bias.

Adverse Events

Report adverse events and safety outcomes with sufficient detail to support clinical decision making.

Funding Role

Disclose the role of sponsors in study design, analysis, and manuscript preparation to maintain transparency.

Case Report Requirements

For case reports, include patient consent, clinical timeline, and relevant imaging or lab data to support educational value.

Data Deposition

Provide repository links and accession numbers if data or code are deposited. This improves verification and reuse.

Systematic Reviews

Systematic reviews and meta analyses should follow PRISMA guidance and include search strategies, eligibility criteria, and risk of bias assessment.

Ulcer Classification

Describe ulcer staging or classification systems used, such as pressure injury staging or Wagner grades for diabetic foot ulcers.

Animal Studies

Animal research must include ethics approvals, housing conditions, and humane endpoints. Report the species, strain, and sample size justification.

Discussion and Limitations

Discuss clinical implications and limitations clearly. Explain generalizability and how findings may inform future research or practice.

Acknowledgements

Recognize contributors who do not meet authorship criteria and disclose any professional writing or editorial assistance.

ORCID and Profiles

Providing ORCID IDs improves author identification and helps link your work across platforms and funder systems.

Study Setting

Describe the clinical setting, including inpatient, outpatient, or community context. This helps readers assess generalizability and implementation.

Device and Product Reporting

If you evaluate devices, dressings, or biologics, provide manufacturer details, model numbers, and usage protocols for clarity.

Software and Tools

Report software names and version numbers used for analysis. This supports reproducibility and transparency.

Retrospective Studies

State whether ethics approval or exemption was obtained for retrospective analyses and explain data protection measures.

Tables and Supplementary Materials

Submit editable tables and consider supplementary files for extensive datasets or protocols. Clear labeling helps reviewers navigate files efficiently.

Drug and Device Naming

Use generic names for medications when possible and provide manufacturer details for devices or proprietary products. This improves clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Vulnerable Populations

If your study involves vulnerable populations, describe additional safeguards and consent processes to meet ethical expectations.

Limitations and Future Work

Explain study limitations and propose next steps. This helps readers understand clinical applicability and research gaps.

Data Availability Examples

When data cannot be shared publicly, describe access conditions such as institutional review, data use agreements, or controlled access repositories.

Funding Statements

List funding sources and grant numbers in a dedicated statement. If no funding was received, state that explicitly.

Clinical Photography

Obtain written consent for clinical photographs and ensure images are anonymized. Note consent in the manuscript text.

Data Integrity

Maintain original data files and analysis outputs. Editors may request clarification if questions arise during review.

Corresponding Author Responsibilities

The corresponding author is responsible for communication with the journal, ensuring coauthor approval, and managing revisions and proofs on time.

Clinical Scales and Measures

Report wound assessment scales or staging criteria clearly and define any scoring systems used to support clinical interpretation.

Proofing and Publication

After acceptance, authors review proofs for accuracy. Timely responses help ensure rapid publication and indexing. Final articles receive DOIs and metadata updates to support citation tracking. Authors should review figures and tables carefully for accuracy and consistency across captions.