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Author Guidelines

Aims & scope
21st Century Pathology publishes a diverse range of scholarly contributions, including original research articles, review articles, clinical trials, Editorial, Frontiers, Guidelines, Opinions, Commentaries, Short communications, case reports/case study, Clinical images, and letters to the editor. Our mission is to establish 21st Century Pathology as a truly international journal, both in its perspective and the global diversity of its authors.
By publishing high-quality research, 21st Century Pathology contributes to the worldwide enhancement of medical standards. The publisher welcomes submissions related to medical science and medical care, including clinical and basic medical science, as well as public health. In addition, 21st Century Pathology encourages the exploration of non-clinical studies, such as health policy and expert opinions.
Commitment to Excellence
All unsolicited submissions undergo comprehensive peer review by recognized subject experts, ensuring rigorous scholarly integrity. 21st Century Pathology is published quarterly (January, April, July, and October), maintaining a reliable and consistent platform for groundbreaking research.
Ethical Publishing Standards
Manuscripts must be prepared in accordance with the “Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals” set forth by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).
21st Century Pathology is committed to open-access publishing with no submission fees, ensuring that research remains accessible to all. Join us in shaping the future of medical science through unrestricted knowledge exchange!
Article Types
Article Types Published in 21st Century Pathology
At 21st Century Pathology, we accept a diverse range of scholarly contributions. Once you determine the correct article type for your submission, please review our Manuscript Preparation Guidelines carefully before submitting your work.
Original Research Articles
Original Research articles are written using a clearly defined research methodology based on empirical or secondary data collected, where conclusions are drawn from the study of the data collected. The details must be focused on original study, which adds to the body of knowledge in the field of Publisher. Article(s) should include a vital summary or analysis of the data provided, while at the same time incorporating new and rapidly expanding fields. Must include an abstract of at least 300 words with a minimum of 4 to 8 keywords. The abstract should be divided into Objective, Methods, Results, and Conclusion. Research articles must adhere to an introductory format accompanied by a brief examination of relevant literature, methods used (to collect data), discussion and references, charts, and legends of figures.
Review
Review articles are written mainly based on secondary data that falls in line with the publisher's theme. They are brief, yet critical discussions on a particular aspect of the topic in question. Reviews typically start with a brief abstract of 300 words and a few keywords to state the problem. Introduction usually takes the problem forward to the readers with the aid of necessary tables, graphs, photos and diagrams, accompanied by analytical discussion where necessary. This summarizes the subject with a conclusion. All claims or conclusions in the review articles shall be based on the required citations providing complete reference at the end of the article.
Short Communication
Short Communications are short papers that present original and significant material for rapid dissemination. For example, a Short Communication may focus on a particular aspect of a problem or a new finding that is expected to have a significant impact. Short articles include, but are not limited to: discovery or development of new materials, cutting-edge experiments and theory, novelty in simulation and modelling, elucidation of mechanisms. As Short Communications are expected to have higher than average impact on the field rather than report on incremental research, they will receive prioritized and rapid publication.
Commentaries
Commentaries are opinion articles written mainly on a particular development, recent innovation or research findings by seasoned and experienced writers that fall in line with the publisher's theme. With the title and abstract, they are very brief papers that offer the essence of the subject to be discussed, with few main words. It immediately states the issues and, if necessary, offers a detailed review with the aid of diagrams, graphs and tables. With a brief conclusion, it summarizes the subject, citing the references at the end.
Case report/case study
A case report is a detailed report of the symptoms, signs, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of an individual patient. Case reports usually describe an unusual or novel occurrence and as such, remain one of the cornerstones of medical progress and provide many new ideas in medicine. Cases reports must be brief and follow a clear format such as Cases and Methods Section (That describe the nature of the clinical issue and the methodology adopt to address it), discussion section that analyzes the case and a Conclusion section that sums up the entire case. Doctors are encouraged to contribute interesting case reports.
Concise Communications/ Letters to the Editor
The editor's letters should be limited to comments on previous articles written with special regard to problems and causes related to them. It should be concise, detailed and brief case studies or study findings. A structure such as abstract, subheads, or acknowledgments are not necessary. It is more a reaction or the reader's opinion regarding a specific article published and should meet the editor within 6 months of the publication of the article.
Clinical images
Clinical images are visual representations of Publisher Research and should not surpass a definition of more than 5 figures with not more than 300 words. No references and citations are usually needed here. Only three references would be allowed if needed. Do not apply separate figure legends to clinical images; the figure legend is the entire clinical image text.
Editorial
Members of the Editorial board are invited to comment on an important subject in their field, on its current research status and on future directions to encourage the advancement of this discipline. Editorial office may approach for any such works and authors must submit it within three weeks from the date of receiving invitation.
Frontier
Highly influential scientists are invited to write a Frontier article select a highly cited, cutting-edge original paper of his/her own and summarize the major findings, the problems that have been resolved and remain to be resolved, and the future research directions, in order to help readers, understand his/her important academic point of view and perspectives on the directions of research in their field.
Perspective or Opinion
Perspective or Opinion are scholarly articles expressing or highlighting authors view point on an existing topic or these can be unique ideas/insights on advancing research. These are group of high impact articles which opens new arenas of open discussion forums in scientific research.
Methodology
Demonstrate a novel experimental technique, test, or procedure. The methods mentioned could be wholly new or an improved version of one that already exists. All conceivable tests and outcomes should be demonstrated in the technique.
Rapid communications
Short papers presenting highly significant and original material.
21st Century Pathology is committed to publishing high-quality, impactful research that advances the field of medical science. We encourage authors to carefully select the appropriate article type and adhere to our submission guidelines to ensure a smooth publication process.
Manuscript Preparation
The manuscript preparation guidelines for 21st Century Pathology are based, in part, on the “Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals” published by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Authors should refer to the ICMJE Recommendations for any formatting or reporting details not specifically mentioned in this guideline.
Copyright & Permissions
Authors wishing to include figures, tables, or text passages that have been previously published must obtain permission from the copyright owner(s) for publication in both print and online formats. Proof of permission must be provided when submitting the manuscript.
Language & Editing Requirements
For manuscripts written by non-native English speakers, editing by a native English speaker—preferably with expertise in medical editing—is strongly recommended prior to submission. This ensures clarity, accuracy, and adherence to international academic standards.
Submission Compliance
All manuscripts must adhere to the formatting and submission guidelines outlined by 21st Century Pathology. Submissions that do not fully comply with these requirements will be returned to the corresponding author for technical revision before undergoing peer review.
21st Century Pathology is committed to maintaining high editorial standards to ensure the integrity and impact of published research. We appreciate authors’ attention to these guidelines to facilitate a smooth submission and review process.
General Formatting
All manuscripts must be written in English and formatted according to the specified guidelines. The text should be double-spaced throughout. Each page must include both line numbers and page numbers to facilitate reviewer feedback.
The manuscript should be structured in the following sequence:
Title Page, Abstract, Key Words, Main Text, References, Figure Legends, Table Legends, Tables and Figures
Title Page
The title page should be prepared separately from the main manuscript and must include the following details:

  1. Manuscript Title
  2. Full Names of All Authors
  3. Institutional Affiliations – Provide the names of the institutions associated with each author, including city and country.
  4. Corresponding Author Information – Include the full name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address.
  5. Word Count – Specify the total number of words in the main text.
  6. Figures and Tables – Indicate the number of figures and tables included in the manuscript.
  7. Conflicts of Interest – Declare any potential conflicts of interest.
  8. Funding Sources – List all financial support sources that require acknowledgment.
  9. Author Contributions – Outline the specific contributions of each author. For additional guidance, refer to the ICMJE web
  10. The institutional review board (IRB) approval code, along with the name of the institution(s) that authorized the approval, must be provided. This information ensures ethical compliance and transparency in the research process.
  11. Acknowledgements

*For a sample Title Page, please click
Main Document
Abstract and Keywords
Each manuscript must include an abstract of no more than 300 words, structured according to the article type:
Original Research Article: Structured Abstract (Introduction, Methods, Results, Conclusions)
Review Article: Narrative Review: Unstructured Abstract
Systematic Review: Structured Abstract (Background, Methods, Results, Conclusions)
Clinical Trial: Structured Abstract (Introduction, Methods, Results, Conclusions)
Guideline: Unstructured Abstract
Opinion: Unstructured Abstract
Short Communication: Abstract not required
Images: Abstract not required
Case Report: Unstructured Abstract
Letter to the Editor: Abstract not required
Regardless of the article type, the abstract must include 3-8 keywords. For clinical trials, the abstract must also contain the registration number and the name of the registration database. For additional information on clinical trials, refer to the relevant section below.


Main Text
For each article type, authors must follow the specified structure and format as outlined below:
Original Research Article
Headings: The manuscript should be structured using the following sections:

  • Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion and Conclusion

Word Limit: Up to 5,000 words. Tables: A maximum of 5 tables. Figures: No more than 6 figures

​​​​Frontier
The manuscript should be structured using the following sections:

  • Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion and Conclusion

Word Limit: Up to 5,000 words. Tables: A maximum of 5 tables. Figures: No more than 6 figures.
Review Article
Headings: 

  • Narrative Review: Headings are not required.
  • Systematic Review: The content should be organized into the following sections: Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, and Discussion.

Word Limit: Maximum of 4,000 words. Tables: No more than 10 tables. Figures: No more than 10 figures. References: Limited to 75 citations.
Clinical Trial
Word Limit: Up to 3,500 words. Tables: A maximum of 5 tables. Figures: No more than 6 figures
Guideline
Word Limit: Up to 4,000 words. Tables: A maximum of 7 tables. Figures: No more than 10 figures.
Opinion
Word Limit: Up to 1,500 words. Tables: A maximum of 2 tables. Figures: No more than 3 figures. References: Limited to 5 citations.
Case Report

Headings: The manuscript should be structured using the following sections:

  • Introduction, Case Report, Discussion and Conclusion

Word Limit: Up to 2000 words. Tables: A maximum of 3 tables. Figures: No more than 4 figures. References: Limited to 15 citations.

Short Communication

Word Limit: Up to 1,200 words. Tables: No more than 2 tables. Figures: A maximum of 3 figures. References: Limited to 15 citations.

Commentaries

Word Limit: Up to 1,000 words. Tables: No more than 2 tables. Figures: A maximum of 2 figures. References: Limited to 15 citations.

Clinical Images

Word Limit: Up to 150 words. Figures: No more than 4 figures. References: Limited to 6 citations.

Letter to the Editor

Word Limit: Up to 600 words. Tables and Figures: No more than 1 combined. References: Limited to 6 citations.

Editorials

Word Limit: Up to 1,000 words. Tables: No more than 1 tables. Figures: A maximum of 1 figure. References: Limited to 10 citations.

References
Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of all cited references. The References section should be placed directly after the conclusion of the main text.

  • References must be cited in the order they appear in the text.
  • Citations should be displayed as superscript numbers (e.g., shown in superscript¹).
  • If a reference has more than three authors, list only the first three, followed by “et al.”

Examples:
Journal article
1. Guiot BH, Khoo LT, Fessler RG. A minimally invasive technique for decompression of the lumber spine. Spine. 2002;27(4):432-8.
Journal article in a language other than English
2. Paroussis D, Papaoutsopoulou C. [Porcelain laminate veneers (HI-ERAM)]. Odontostomatol Proodos. 1990;44(6):423-6. Greek.
Online journals
3. Abood S. Quality improvement initiative in nursing homes: the ANA acts in an advisory role. Am J Nurs [Internet]. 2002 Jun [cited 2002 Aug 12];102(6):[about 1 p.]. Available from: http://www.nursingworld.org/AJN/2002/june/Wawatch.htmArticle
Entire book
4. Jenkins PF. Making sense of the chest x-ray: a hands-on guide. New York: Oxford University Press; 2005. 194 p.
Book chapter
5. Riffenburgh RH. Statistics in medicine. 2nd ed. Amsterdam (Netherlands): Elsevier Academic Press; 2006. Chapter 24, Regression and correlation methods; p. 447-86.
Journal Abbreviations and Reference Guidelines
Journal names must be abbreviated according to the standard format listed in the NLM Catalog.
If a journal is not included in the NLM Catalog, refer to the ISSN List of Title Word for standard abbreviations.
If uncertainty exists regarding abbreviation formats, authors should use the full journal name.
For reference styles related to other media formats or additional details, consult Citing Medicine, published by the National Library of Medicine (US).
Additionally, AI-generated material must not be cited as a primary source in references.
Units of Measurement
All measurements for length, height, weight, and volume should be expressed in metric units (e.g., meters, kilograms, or liters) or their decimal multiples. Temperature must be reported in degrees Celsius, and blood pressure should be stated in millimetres of mercury. All measurements must comply with the International System of Units (SI).
Use a capital "L" when indicating liter in text, figures, and tables (e.g., g/dL, mg/dL, IU/L, and mEq/L).
Abbreviations
Abbreviations should not be included in the title. Define each abbreviation upon first use in the text, figures, and tables, then maintain consistent usage throughout the document.
Names of Drugs, Devices, and Other Products
Brand names of drugs, devices, and other products should not be used unless absolutely necessary for the discussion. Instead, use a descriptive name whenever possible.
Tables and Figures
Formats
Figures must be submitted in JPEG (.jpg) or Tagged Image Format (.tiff).
Tables should be provided in MS Word (.doc/.docx) or PowerPoint (.ppt/.pptx). MS Excel and similar spreadsheet software should not be used.
Figures embedded within the main manuscript file or copy-pasted into PowerPoint are not acceptable due to low resolution, which prevents clear reproduction in print and online formats.
Scanned images of line art are not permitted—please provide the original file format.
Tone art and photographic images must be produced at a minimum resolution of 300 dpi. For images obtained via scanning electron microscopes, include a scale bar.
Figure titles and legends must not be embedded within the image itself—these details should be supplied separately in the main manuscript file
Extraneous use of color must be eliminated from figures and tables—color should be used solely for didactic purposes. Backgrounds in line art must not contain color.
Figures and tables must be cited within the text and numbered sequentially in the order they appear.
If a manuscript includes copyrighted or previously published material, whether edited or unchanged, the author must obtain permission from the copyright owner(s) before submission. The source and permissions must be cited in the corresponding Figure or Table caption, following copyright owner requirements.
Figure Legends

  • All figures presented in the manuscript must have accompanying legends.

Figure legends must be listed on a separate page following the References section.
Clinical Trails
In alignment with the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) policy, all clinical trials must be registered in a public trial registry before enrolling the first participant. Clinical trials are defined as research projects that prospectively assign individuals or groups to an intervention—whether or not a comparison or control group is included—to investigate cause-and-effect relationships between health-related interventions and outcomes. These interventions may include, but are not limited to, pharmaceutical treatments, surgical procedures, medical devices, behavioral therapies, educational programs, dietary modifications, quality improvement initiatives, and changes in care processes.
The 21st Century Pathology mandates that clinical trials be registered in publicly accessible databases that are free of charge, open to all prospective registrants, managed by non-profit organizations, equipped with verification mechanisms to ensure data accuracy, and searchable electronically.
Manuscripts submitted to the journal must include the unique registration number within the abstract as proof of registration. Additionally, the name of the registration database must be specified. For details regarding the minimum registration data set, refer to the ICMJE recommendations: ICMJE Clinical Trial Registration.
Accepted registries include, but are not limited to, the following:

Furthermore, authors reporting randomized clinical trials must adhere to the published CONSORT guidelines (CONSORT Statement). The recommended checklist must be completed and submitted with the manuscript. A trial flow diagram should also be included as a figure.
Reporting Guidelines
Different study designs have established reporting guidelines that authors are encouraged to follow. These guidelines help ensure clarity, transparency, and consistency in research reporting. Here are some widely recognized standards:

To find the most appropriate guideline for your study, visit the EQUATOR Network at https://www.equator-network.org/. Following these standards will enhance the quality and impact of your research.
When completing a Reporting Guideline checklist, it is essential to revise your manuscript to ensure it fully addresses the relevant reporting criteria outlined in the checklist. Reporting guidelines are designed not only to help improve the transparency and quality of your research but also to serve as a framework for structuring your manuscript effectively. The checklist should not simply be completed as a formality—it should be actively integrated into the writing process to enhance clarity and completeness. Dedicating time to aligning your manuscript with these reporting standards can significantly strengthen its quality and potentially increase its chances of publication.
Data Sharing
The 21st Century Pathology encourages authors of manuscripts involving clinical trials to share their de-identified research data. This includes, but is not limited to, raw and processed data, software, algorithms, protocols, methods, materials, study protocol, statistical analysis plans, informed consent forms, clinical study reports, and analytic code.
In compliance with ICMJE requirements, all manuscripts reporting clinical trial results must include a data-sharing statement with a link to the trial registration. The statement should specify:

  • Types of available data
  • Documents provided (e.g., study protocol, statistical analysis plan, informed consent form, clinical study report, or analytic code)
  • Availability timeframe
  • Eligible recipients of the data
  • Types of analyses permitted
  • Procedure for requesting the data

This statement is published alongside the manuscript to ensure transparency and facilitate further research. Let me know if you need adjustments!
Online Manuscript Submission
Manuscripts must be submitted electronically through the online system: OAO Submission Portal.
When uploading files, authors should follow this order:

  1. Title Page
  2. Main Document
  3. Tables and Figures (minimum resolution: 300 dpi)

The total file size must not exceed 100 MB. Upon submission, manuscripts undergo automatic plagiarism screening. If the plagiarism rate is 30% or higher, the manuscript may be returned to the corresponding author for revision.
The 21st Century Pathology employs iThenticate to assess text overlap and originality. Authors can find additional information and pre-screening options at iThenticate. All authors listed in the manuscript will receive an email notification upon submission. Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!
Peer Review Process
Peer review plays a crucial role in evaluating manuscripts submitted to the 21st Century Pathology. Every article sent for full peer review undergoes a comprehensive, fair, and unbiased assessment.
Initially, the editors review all submitted manuscripts to determine their eligibility for publication. This evaluation considers:

  • The importance and originality of the research
  • Its suitability and interest for the journal's readership
  • The overall quality of the manuscript

Manuscripts that meet these criteria are typically sent to two field experts for further review. The 21st Century Pathology follows a single-anonymized peer review process, meaning that reviewers remain anonymous while authors' identities are known to them.
Review Process and Ethical Guidelines
The editors carefully assess peer review feedback and decide whether to:

  • Accept the manuscript
  • Request major or minor revisions
  • Reject the submission

The 21st Century Pathology adheres to the Committee on Publication Ethics' Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers. Reviewers must:

  • Maintain strict confidentiality regarding the manuscript's content
  • Refrain from contacting authors directly before, during, or after the review process
  • Avoid publicly discussing or disclosing the manuscript's details to third parties

Reviewer guidelines can be found on the publisher’s homepage.
Once the review is complete, the decision letter—including editorial and peer reviewer comments—will be sent to the corresponding author via email.
Revised Manuscript
Manuscripts requiring revision must be thoroughly updated in accordance with the comments provided by both the reviewers and editors. Authors are required to submit a detailed point-by-point response letter, addressing all feedback received.
The revised manuscript should be submitted within 12 weeks from the date of the prior decision. Before submission, all authors must approve the revisions to ensure accuracy and consensus.
Editors and Journal Staff as Authors
Manuscripts submitted by editors, Editorial Staff members, or journal personnel undergo the same review process as all other submissions. However, these individuals are excluded from any editorial decisions regarding their own manuscript. They do not have access to their submission or any details about the review process beyond what is communicated in the editor’s decision letter.
The ScholarOne submission and peer review system is designed to anonymize any individual in an editor or reviewer role from manuscripts they have authored.
Additionally, manuscripts submitted by editors, Editorial Staff, or journal personnel must include a conflict-of-interest statement, disclosing their personal affiliation with the 21st Century Pathology.
Editorial Policy and Publication Ethics
Overview

  • The 21st Century Pathology upholds the highest standards in academic publishing and adheres to established guidelines and best practices. The 21st Century Pathology follows:
  • Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) (ICMJE Recommendations)

Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing, a joint statement by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), the World Association for Medical Editors (WAME), and the Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association (OASPA) (Best Practice Guidelines)
By adhering to these standards, the 21st Century Pathology ensures integrity, transparency, and excellence in scholarly publishing.
Authorship/Contributor ship
All authors listed in the manuscript must meet the following four criteria, as defined by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) in their recommendations for scholarly publication:

  1. Significant contributions to the research’s conception, design, data acquisition, or analysis.
  2. Involvement in drafting or critically reviewing the manuscript for intellectual content.
  3. Final approval of the version to be published.
  4. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work, ensuring accuracy and integrity in resolving any concerns.

Individuals who do not meet all four criteria should not be listed as authors. Guest or honorary authorship is strictly prohibited.
In line with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), 21st Century Pathology does not recognize Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools—such as ChatGPT or Large Language Models (LLMs)—as authors, as they cannot fulfil the ICMJE authorship requirements.
The corresponding author must ensure that all listed authors read and approve the manuscript before submission. Those who do not meet the authorship criteria may be acknowledged individually or collectively under an “Acknowledgements” section on the title page. Examples of contributions that do not qualify for authorship include funding acquisition, general supervision of a research group, administrative support, writing assistance, technical editing, language editing, and proofreading.
Upon submission, an email will be sent to all authors requesting confirmation of authorship, and each author must respond as per the instructions provided.
Authors must resolve and finalize any disputes regarding the order of authorship before submission. The final author list must be established by the end of the manuscript’s revision phase during peer review. Any authorship modifications—including additions, deletions, or reordering—must be discussed and approved by all authors. Requests for such changes must be documented in a Change of Authorship Request Form, signed by all authors.
After manuscript acceptance, further modifications to author names or order are not permitted.
Utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Powered Tools and Technologies
Based on the guidelines set forth by COPE, WAME, and ICMJE, the 21st Century Pathology does not permit artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted tools or technologies—such as Large Language Models (LLMs), chatbots, or image generators—to be credited as authors or co-authors. Since these AI tools cannot take responsibility for the accuracy, integrity, or originality of a work, they do not fulfil the authorship criteria outlined by ICMJE.
Human authors remain fully accountable for all submitted materials, including any utilization of AI-assisted technologies. AI tools must not be cited as authors, and human authors bear responsibility for preventing plagiarism, whether in textual content or AI-generated imagery. Furthermore, authors must disclose any use of AI-assisted tools upon submission and within the Materials and Methods section (or equivalent). This includes AI’s involvement in manuscript writing, image or graphic creation, as well as data collection and analysis.
Preprint
The 21st Century Pathology welcomes manuscript submissions that have been previously posted on non-profit preprint servers like bioRxiv and medRxiv. Authors submitting such manuscripts must inform the editor and provide details regarding the preprint posting, including the digital object identifier (DOI) of the preprint version.
Exclusive Submission
Manuscripts that have already been published or are under consideration for publication in another journal, regardless of language, will not be accepted. By submitting a manuscript, authors confirm that the work has not been previously published, is not being reviewed elsewhere, and has received approval from all co-authors for submission. The final decision regarding the acceptance of peer-reviewed manuscripts rests with the editors. However, manuscripts posted on non-profit preprint servers are exempt from this restriction.
Confidentiality
All details related to the manuscript, including author information, reviewer identities, editorial comments, and the contents of the decision letter, are treated as confidential and will not be shared with any third parties.
Redundant or Duplicate Publication
The 21st Century Pathology does not consider the prior archiving of manuscripts on non-profit preprint servers before submission as redundant or duplicate publication.
However, manuscripts under consideration for publication in another journal—including advanced publications such as “in-press” or “E-pub ahead of print” articles in any language—may be classified as redundant or duplicate publication.
Authors must formally inform the editor of all submissions and any previous reports that could be deemed redundant or duplicate publications of the same or similar work. Such materials must be properly referenced in the new submission, and copies of the related work should be included. Abstracts or posters presented at scientific conferences do not qualify as prior publications.
If a manuscript is found to be a redundant or duplicate publication without proper disclosure, editorial actions may follow. These actions can include immediate rejection, retraction of published work, issuance of a public notice of violation, and revocation of publishing privileges.
Authors seeking guidance on acceptable secondary publication should refer to the ICMJE Recommendations.
Conflicts of Interest and Sources of Funding
According to the ICMJE Recommendations, a conflict of interest (COI) arises when professional judgment regarding a primary interest, such as patient welfare or research validity, may be influenced by secondary interests, such as financial gain.
All authors must disclose any financial relationships, activities, affiliations, or associations that exist or have existed within the 36 months prior to submission with commercial organizations, institutions, or other entities with an interest in the manuscript's subject matter, materials, or processes. These disclosures include, but are not limited to:
Research support (funding, equipment, or materials), Honoraria (e.g., lecture fees), Consulting roles, Employment, Promotional fees, Advisory or directorial positions, Stock and share ownership, Patent/licensing fees, Travel and accommodation expenses, Any other financial, institutional, or personal relationships.
Authors must disclose any potential COI relevant to the study on the title page under the heading "Conflicts of Interest", using examples such as:
"A (author name) received honoraria from Z (entity name); B holds an advisory role in Y; C is an employee of Company X."
If no conflicts exist, authors should state: "The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest." The provided disclosures will be published as submitted if the manuscript is accepted.
Following submission, all authors will receive an email notification to confirm and complete their COI disclosure forms (e-forms).
Any funding received from government or non-profit organizations relevant to the study must be acknowledged on the title page under "Sources of Funding." Authors must use one of the following formats:

  • "This work was supported by [name of funder], grant number [xxx]."
  • "This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or non-profit sectors."

Authors must ensure full and accurate details of funding sources and grant numbers are included.
Research Ethics
Clinical research involving human subjects or materials of human origin must adhere to the principles set forth in the Declaration of Helsinki. Additionally, the Materials and Methods section must include a statement confirming that the research received approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the authors’ affiliated institutions. This statement should include the IRB approval code and the name of the institution granting the approval. Researchers without access to an ethics review committee should ensure their work aligns with the ethical standards outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki.
Articles presenting data from animal testing must confirm, within the Materials and Methods section, that the testing design has received approval from the affiliated institution’s Animal Care and Use Committee.
For studies reporting new DNA sequences, authors must submit the data to GenBank and provide the corresponding accession number in the article.
For research involving human subjects, the manuscript must explicitly state that written consent has been obtained from all patients (or their parent or legal guardian) for publication, including any photographs.
Personal identifiers such as patient names, initials, hospital identification codes (patient IDs), specific dates, or any other information that could reveal patient identities must not appear anywhere in the manuscript—including Figures and Tables—unless the information is essential for scientific purposes and patient consent has been obtained. Any images should be limited to the affected areas only.
Misconduct and Breach of Publication Ethics
The Editorial Staff of the 21st Century Pathology adheres to the COPE International Standards for responsible research publication, ensuring ethical practices among authors, reviewers, and editors when addressing allegations of misconduct. For further details, please refer to our Ethical Policies.
All manuscripts submitted to the 21st Century Pathology must be original works by the authors and must not duplicate previously published content in any language. Authors must guarantee that their manuscript is not simultaneously submitted to or under consideration by another journal.
Authors bear full responsibility for the originality and accuracy of their submitted manuscripts. All records and data presented must be free from fabrication, manipulation, or falsification.
Authors confirm that a single research study or dataset has not been deliberately divided into multiple parts to increase the number of submissions or publications across the 21st Century Pathology Journal or other journals over time (“salami publication”).
All external sources, including data, text, ideas, or theories, must be appropriately credited and cited in accordance with the References section of the Manuscript Preparation guidelines.
Any identified misconduct is subject to investigation by the Editorial Staff following COPE recommendations. If concerns arise during the inquiry, the author will be contacted to address the issue. In cases of suspicion after publication, the Editors-in-Chief may issue an Expression of Concern.
If publication ethics are violated—regardless of severity—actions may include manuscript retraction, formal notice of misconduct, notification to the author’s institution, and an embargo on future submissions to the 21st Century Pathology.
Proofing and Revision after Acceptance
Once a manuscript is accepted for publication, galley proofs will be provided to authors for minor corrections, such as spelling errors and omitted characters or letters. Any additional revisions after acceptance are not permitted unless requested by the Editorial Staff of the 21st Century Pathology. Authors must complete the proofing process as directed by the Support Office and promptly submit the revised proof via email.
The Editorial Staff reserves the right to revise terminology, phrasing, and other elements of the manuscript without author consent. Sections requiring corrections will be annotated with comments indicating necessary revisions.
Following publication, any further changes or corrections can only be made through an Erratum, which will be hyperlinked to the original article.
Copyright
Copyright for articles and their content published in the 21st Century Pathology is held by OAORIGINALS. However, all works in the 21st Century Pathology are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License. This license allows anyone to download, reuse, copy, reprint, distribute, or modify published articles, provided the original authors and source are properly cited. No prior permission from the publisher is required. The license details can be found on the last page of the published PDF of each article.
Advertisement Policy
To prevent potential conflicts of interest in editorial decision-making, the 21st Century Pathology does not accept advertising from pharmaceutical companies, device manufacturers, or other commercial entities. This policy ensures that advertisements from companies with competing interests do not appear alongside published articles.
Publication Fee and Reprints
21st Century Pathology is an open access, not-for-profit journal without any source of funding and is running for the betterment of the scientific society with a cause to deliver the updates in the scientific society to nook and corner of the world.
The cost covers entire peer review tools and systems, journal development, copy editing, language editing, administration process, online hosting and permanent archiving of article.
Article processing charges will be paid by the authors before publishing their articles in the journal. For any queries regarding article processing charges and invoice details, please email us to editorinchief@21stcenturypathology.com.
Authors have the opportunity to order reprints of their articles with reduced color costs when they receive their article proofs for approval prior to publication.
Post publication promotion
The Publisher is associated with various news outlets. All the published articles will be promoted and marketed through the press releases from affiliated news outlets for enhanced readership and citations. Besides publishing the press releases, these news outlets also involved in article promotion through newsletters. They send out emails to the readers who are particularly involved in the similar research to the published article.