PREPARATION OF MANUSCRIPT
All manuscripts must be submitted through the JBPT Online Journal System (OJS) as a Microsoft Word document. JBPT follows the ICMJE Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals.
Submission Document Form
All submissions to JBPT must be accompanied by a separate submission document form (available on JBPT’s website/can be submitted via email). The submission document form should contain the full title of the article (not exceeding 16 words), the names of all authors with their academic designations, departmental and institutional affiliations, and email address. Corresponding author must confirm that all listed authors have reviewed and approved the manuscript for submission and agree with the authorship sequence.
The author(s) must also declare that the manuscript is original, has not been published previously, is not under consideration elsewhere, and does not contain plagiarized material. Any additional disclosures, including prior dissemination or use of preprints, should be clearly stated. Conflicts of interest and sources of funding, including grants, equipment, drugs, or other support, must also be disclosed.
Manuscript Formatting
Manuscripts should be prepared using Times New Roman font, with a font size of 14 for the article title and 10 for the main text. Line spacing must be single throughout the document, with justified alignment. Page numbers and continuous line numbers must be included. Each major section—abstract, keywords, introduction, methods, results, conclusion, references, tables, and figures—should begin on a new page. Tables and figures must be placed within relevant text and numbered consecutively.
Title Page and Anonymity
The title page should include the article title, article category, abstract word count, manuscript word count, total number of references, and the number of tables and figures. Authors must not include names, affiliations, or contact details anywhere in the manuscript. Such information should be provided only through the OJS and the submission statement form. JBPT follows a double-blind peer-review process, and author identities are not disclosed to reviewers.
Article Title
The article title must be clear, concise, and informative, and should not exceed 16 words. The study design or article category should be included in the title when relevant, particularly for randomized trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, audits, and case reports or series, and should appear after a colon. Titles should be written in sentence case, avoid abbreviations, and capitalize proper nouns only.
Abstract and Keywords
Authors must state the abstract word count, excluding keywords. A set of keywords (5-9) should be provided after the abstract, and these must be selected from Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) to ensure accurate indexing and discoverability.
Article Category and Words Counts
Authors must select the appropriate article category at submission. The manuscript word count should include only the main text and exclude the abstract, acknowledgments, references, tables, and figure legends. The total number of references, figures, and tables must also be stated to ensure completeness of submission.
Language Requirements
Manuscripts must be written in clear, concise British English, using past tense and third-person narrative where appropriate. Submissions with significant grammatical, scientific, or typographical errors may be returned or rejected without review. Authors are strongly encouraged to seek professional language editing prior to submission to ensure clarity, accuracy, and readability.
TYPES OF ARTICLES
1. ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Title of the Article
(Concise, informative, and reflective of the study content)
Abstract
(Structured; maximum 250 words. Without citable material cite references. Minimize abbreviations.)
· Background:
Briefly describe the scientific context and objective of the study.
· Method:
Summarize the study design, setting, participants/materials, and analytical methods used.
· Results:
Present the principal findings with key quantitative outcomes.
· Conclusions:
State the main conclusions and potential implications of the study.
Keywords
(five to ten keywords selected from MeSH terms, NCBI)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/
Introduction
This section should describe the background and rationale of the study, clearly outlining its objectives. Provide a concise overview of relevant and recent literature to justify the research question. Emphasize the novelty and importance of the work. It is recommended not to cite more than 10 references in this section.
Method
Describe the study design and sampling procedure (e.g., human participants, animals, or laboratory materials, including controls). Clearly specify age, sex, and other relevant characteristics. The name of the ethical review committee and approval details must be included where applicable.
Provide sufficient methodological detail, including references, equipment (manufacturer name and address in parentheses), and procedures to allow reproducibility. Statistical methods must be clearly stated.
Statistical Analysis
Provide name for each statistical test used (cite references for uncommon tests). Exact p-values and confidence intervals (CI) should be reported. All percentages must be accompanied by absolute numbers in N(%) format.
Result
Present the findings clearly and logically, highlighting key observations. Results may be described using text, tables, and figures.
Tables must include titles and footnotes and be placed within the text.
Figures and photographs should include appropriate legends.
A maximum of 06 tables and/or figures is permitted.
Avoid interpretation in this section.
Discussion
Discuss only the new and significant findings of the study. Avoid repetition of data already presented in the Results section. Interpret the findings in the context of existing literature, discuss limitations, and highlight implications for future research using relevant and recent references.
Conclusion(s)
Clearly state the main conclusions of the study and explain their scientific relevance. Conclusions must directly correspond to the stated objectives of the research.
List of Abbreviations
Define all abbreviations at first mention in the text and list them alphabetically in this section.
Declarations
(If any subsection is not applicable, include the heading and state “Not applicable.”)
Acknowledgements
Acknowledge individuals or organizations that contributed to the work but do not meet authorship criteria.
Example:
“I would like to acknowledge the hospital staff and laboratory personnel for their support during this study.”
Conflict of Interest
All authors must declare any potential conflicts of interest, including financial or non-financial relationships.
If none:
Write “None” in this section
Ethics Approval / Disclosure
· For human studies: Include a statement on ethics approval, name of the ethics committee, and reference number (if applicable), along with consent procedures.
· For animal studies: Include a statement on ethics approval.
· If waiver issued or not applicable: “Provide reference letter”
Funding
State all sources of financial support, including grants, institutions, or companies.
If none:“None.”
Patient Consent
State whether informed consent was obtained from patients or guardians, where applicable.
Authors’ Contributions
Specify the individual contributions of each author using initials.
Example:
“SN conceived the study and designed the experiments. FC performed data analysis. RH drafted the manuscript. All authors reviewed and approved the final version.”
References
JBPT follows the Vancouver reference style. Authors must ensure that references are accurate, complete, and formatted exactly as illustrated below.
A total of 25–30 references should be cited for Original Articles.
At least 50–70% of references must be from the last five years from the date of manuscript submission.
References should be numbered consecutively in the order in which they appear in the text and cited using Arabic numerals.
Reference Style Examples (Vancouver Style)
Journal Article
Ahmed Z, Khan M, Roberts L. Global trends and disease burden associated with chronic hepatitis C infection. J Hepatol Res. 2019 Mar;18(3):145–154. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2018.11.012.
Book Reference
Goodman LS. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents. In: Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Education; 2018.
Book Chapter
Hussain R, Malik A. Endocrine disorders of the thyroid and adrenal glands. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, Eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2022: p.1432–1489.
URL (Webpage)
Congenital anomalies of the anterior chamber. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne.
Available from: http://ophthalmology.unimelb.edu.au/resources/anterior-chamber-anomalies
(Accessed on 12/04/2024).
E-citations (Online-only / Open Access Material)
Online publications and open-access resources must include the complete and correct URL at the end of the reference.
Cardiac imaging characteristics in dilated cardiomyopathy [Internet]. Available from:
https://www.openmedicalimaging.org/resources/dcm-echocardiography
[cited 15 January 2024].
Important Points to Remember
All references must be verified against the original source documents prior to submission.
List all authors if there are six or fewer; for more than six authors, list the first six followed by et al. (italicized).
Journal titles must be abbreviated according to Index Medicus / MEDLINE standards.
Access dates are mandatory for all online references.
Punctuation and formatting must be strictly follow the examples provided above.
References should be consistent, complete, and error-free.
2. REVIEW ARTICLE
Scope and General Requirements
Review articles should present a comprehensive, critical, and up-to-date synthesis of a clearly defined research area. A review article must include an unstructured abstract of no more than 200 words, an introduction of approximately 200 words, and a discussion section of up to 2000 words. Authors are required to cite between 40 and 60 references. The inclusion of tables, flow charts, or diagrams is strongly encouraged to facilitate better understanding and presentation of data.
Review articles published in JBPT may include systematic and substantial syntheses of specific research areas, evaluations of progress in defined scientific fields, and critical assessments addressing current issues or controversies.
Abstract
The abstract must be unstructured and should not exceed 200 words. Authors should minimize the use of abbreviations and must not cite references in the abstract. The abstract should clearly describe the literature search strategy, including the databases or search engines used and the time span of the literature reviewed.
Keywords
Authors should provide 5 - 10 keywords representing the main content of the article. Keywords must be selected from the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) available on the NCBI website.
Introduction
The introduction should describe the background and objectives of the review, outline the rationale for selecting the topic, and summarize the search strategy used to identify relevant literature. The issue under discussion should be clearly defined.
Discussion
The discussion section forms the main body of the review article. It may be divided into subsections with short, informative headings to improve clarity and readability.
Conclusion(s)
The conclusion should clearly summarize the principal findings of the review and explain their relevance and importance to the field.
List of Abbreviations
If abbreviations are used, they must be defined at first mention in the text, and a complete list of abbreviations should be provided after the conclusion.
Declarations
All review articles must include a Declarations section prepared in accordance with the requirements described for Original Articles.
References
References must follow the Vancouver reference style. The majority of cited references should be from the last five years, and a total of 40 to 60 references must be included.
3. CASE REPORT
Scope and General Requirements
Case reports submitted to JBPT should present concise and focused descriptions of clinical cases, clinical experiences, drug trials, or adverse drug effects. Submissions must contain genuinely new and clinically relevant information. The total manuscript length must not exceed 2000 words and should include 10 to 15 references, one table, or up to two illustrations.
Manuscript Structure
Case reports should be organized under the following headings: Title, Abstract, Introduction, Case Presentation, Discussion, and References. A review of the literature should not be included.
Abstract
The abstract must be unstructured and should not exceed 150 words. Authors should minimize abbreviations and must not cite references in the abstract.
Keywords
Keywords (5 - 10) must be provided and selected from MeSH terms listed on the NCBI website.
Introduction
The introduction, limited to approximately 100 words, should briefly describe the background, rationale, and objectives of the case report.
Case Presentation
The case presentation section, with a maximum length of 500 words, should include relevant demographic details, medical history, clinical signs and symptoms, diagnostic findings, treatment or intervention provided, outcomes, and follow-up information.
Discussion
The discussion section, limited to approximately 1000 words, should emphasize the key findings of the case and compare them with existing knowledge. Repetition of detailed data should be avoided. The focus should remain on the novel and clinically significant aspects of the case.
Conclusion(s)
The conclusion should clearly state the main lessons learned from the case and explain their relevance to clinical practice.
List of Abbreviations
All abbreviations must be defined at first mention and listed alphabetically.
4. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSES
Scope and General Requirements
JBPT welcomes submissions of systematic reviews and meta-analyses that provide a transparent, reproducible, and comprehensive synthesis of evidence on topics relevant to biomolecular science, disease pathogenesis, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
Manuscripts must adhere to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines and follow PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome) principles wherever applicable.
Abstract
The abstract must not exceed 250 words and should be structured. The abstract should include background information describing the context and objectives of the review, a methods section detailing data sources, eligibility criteria, participants, interventions, and statistical methods, a results section summarizing the main findings and strength of evidence, and a conclusions section highlighting implications for research, policy, or practice.
Keywords
Authors must provide 5 - 10 keywords selected from MeSH terms.
Introduction
The introduction should clearly justify the need for the meta-analysis, outline its objectives, and state the review questions with reference to participants, interventions, outcomes, and study design.
Methods
The methods section must provide sufficient detail to ensure transparency and reproducibility of the review process.
Protocol Registration
Authors should state whether the review protocol was registered in a public registry such as PROSPERO and must provide the registration number, if available.
Eligibility Criteria
Clear inclusion and exclusion criteria for study selection must be specified, including study design, population characteristics, interventions or exposures, comparators, and outcomes.
Information Sources and Search Strategy
Authors must list all databases searched, the date ranges covered, and the search terms or strategies used to identify relevant studies.
Study Selection
The process for screening and selecting studies should be described in detail, including the number of reviewers involved and the method used to resolve disagreements.
Data Extraction
The data extraction process should be clearly outlined, including the variables collected and the approach used to ensure accuracy and consistency.
Risk of Bias Assessment
Methods used to assess study quality and risk of bias must be described, including the tools applied, such as the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool or equivalent instruments.
Data Synthesis
Authors must clearly explain how data were synthesized. For meta-analyses, this includes specification of effect measures, statistical models used, assessment of heterogeneity, and any sensitivity or subgroup analyses performed. For qualitative syntheses, the approach to data integration must be described.
Ethical Considerations
Ethical approval is generally not required for systematic reviews and meta-analyses based on published data. However, authors must ensure adherence to ethical standards in reporting and data interpretation.
Methodological Compliance
Authors must confirm that the PICO elements are clearly defined, PRISMA reporting standards are followed, eligibility criteria are explicitly stated, search strategies and databases are reported, study selection and data extraction methods are described, risk of bias assessment tools are specified, and statistical synthesis methods are adequately detailed.
Result
The results section should report the number of studies identified and included at each stage of screening, supported by a flow diagram consistent with reporting guidelines such as PRISMA. Study quality assessment, identified biases, confidence in results, and, where applicable, quantitative synthesis and meta-analysis should be presented. Evidence of effectiveness and the strength of the evidence base must be critically evaluated.
Discussion
The discussion should interpret the findings, explore potential sources of heterogeneity, address limitations related to the search strategy and included studies, and identify gaps in the literature.
Conclusion(s)
The conclusion should clearly summarize the main findings and explain their implications for policy, management, and future research, including any uncertainty surrounding the outcomes.
List of Abbreviations
If abbreviations are used, they must be defined at first mention and listed alphabetically.
Declarations
All meta-analyses must include a Declarations section prepared in accordance with Original Article guidelines.
References
References must be formatted in Vancouver style. Preference should be given to recent literature from the last five years, and a minimum of 25 references must be cited.
5. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Scope and General Guidelines
JBPT accepts systematic reviews employing a narrative synthesis approach on topics relevant to biomolecular science, disease mechanisms, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Manuscripts must follow PRISMA reporting standards and apply the PICO framework where appropriate.
Abstract
A structured abstract of no more than 250 words is required. It should briefly state the background, objectives, data sources, inclusion criteria, main narrative findings, and conclusions. References must not be cited in the abstract.
Keywords
Provide 5 - 10 keywords selected from Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) or accepted scientific terminology.
Introduction
The introduction should justify the need for the review, define the research question using the PICO framework where applicable, and state the objectives clearly.
Methods
The methods section must describe the search strategy and databases used, eligibility criteria, study selection process, data extraction approach, and quality or risk-of-bias assessment. If protocol registration was performed, the registration details should be provided. The narrative synthesis method used to summarize findings must be briefly described.
Results
Results should follow PRISMA guidance and include a study selection summary supported by a PRISMA flow diagram, a table summarizing key study characteristics, and a structured narrative synthesis of findings. Redundant presentation of data should be avoided.
Discussion
The discussion should interpret findings in the context of existing literature, highlight strengths and limitations of the evidence, and outline implications for research or practice.
Conclusion
The conclusion should concisely summarize the key findings in relation to the research question and present evidence-based take-home messages.
References
References must be cited consecutively and formatted in Vancouver style. The majority of references should be from the last five years.
Additional Requirements
A completed PRISMA checklist must be submitted as a supplementary file with the manuscript.
6. CLINICAL TRIALS
Registration and Reporting Standards
Clinical trials submitted to JBPT must be registered in a recognized public clinical trial registry, and proof of registration must be provided at submission. All randomized controlled trials must comply with the CONSORT statement. Manuscripts reporting unregistered trials will not be considered for publication. Authors should follow the manuscript preparation guidelines for Original Articles. Registration should comply with the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform.
7. SHORT COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMENTARY
General Requirements
Short communications and commentaries should include an unstructured abstract of no more than 150 words. Manuscripts may include up to two tables or illustrations and should not cite more than 15 references.
8. EDITORIAL
Editorials present expert opinions on timely scientific issues, emerging concepts, or recently published work relevant to biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences. Submissions are usually invited, though unsolicited editorials of high relevance may be considered.
Editorials should be concise, generally not exceeding 1,000–1,200 words. No abstract is required. The text may be written as a continuous narrative, with optional subheadings where clarity is improved.
References should be limited, relevant, and formatted according to the Vancouver referencing style, cited consecutively in the order of appearance. Figures or tables should be included only if they add clear value to the discussion.
Authors must declare any conflicts of interest and disclose funding sources, if applicable. Editorials are subject to editorial review and, where necessary, external peer review at the discretion of the Editorial Board.
9. STUDENT’S CORNER
Scope and Format
Submissions from CHS research students are welcomed. Manuscripts should follow the general structure of an Original Article and contain approximately 1000 to 1500 words.
10. MEDICAL EDUCATION
Manuscript Preparation
Manuscripts submitted under the Medical Education category should follow the same instructions as Original Articles.
11. Letter To the Editor
Format and Length
Letters to the Editor should be concise and focused, with a maximum length of 450 words and no more than 10 references.
Tables
Preparation and Presentation
Tables should supplement the text and must not duplicate information already presented. Tables should be numbered consecutively in the order cited. Legends for tables and illustrations should be typed on the same page. When graphs or similar visual elements are submitted, the underlying numerical data must also be provided.
S.I. Units
Measurement Standards
All measurements must be reported using the International System of Units (SI). Imperial units are not acceptable.
Figures and Photographs
Technical Requirements
Figures, photographs, X-rays, CT scans, MRI images, and photomicrographs must be submitted in digital format with a minimum resolution of 3.2 megapixels in JPEG or TIFF format. Scanned images should have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi for color, 600 dpi for grayscale, and 1200 dpi for line art, with minimal formatting to preserve authenticity. Images must be sharply focused with a neutral, preferably white background. Images captured using mobile phone cameras generally do not meet publication standards and are not acceptable. All figures must be cited in the text in consecutive order.
Galley Proof Reading
Author Responsibility
The final version of the manuscript will be sent to the corresponding author for galley proof reading prior to publication. Authors must carefully review the proofs and communicate any corrections clearly to the editor via email.
