Special Issues & Supplements Policy

Journal of Heart and Lung Research (abbreviated as JHLR) publishes Special Issues/Supplements based on Supplements, Theme Issues, and Special Series by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) and Journal Supplements in MEDLINE by NLM guidance.

A special issue is a collection of papers gathering specific research, critical analysis, or comprehensive overview, of unique and innovative topics in currently hot research areas. It is published as a part of a regular issue in the journal. Guest editors are typically authoritative international experts on a particular topic, responsible for ensuring the content and quality of publications in Special Issues.

A supplement is a collection of papers concerning customized topics, meeting special requirements of a journal in a certain period. It is published as a separate issue of the journal or as a part of a regular issue. The issues of Supplements have an additional "S" symbol relative to the regular editorial issues.

  1. Publication Process for Special Issues/Supplements
  2. Peer Review
  3. Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

1. Publication Process for Special Issues/Supplements

Please contact the editorial office for applications of special issue proposals.

1.1. Core aspects of submitted proposals

⋄ The guest editor's name, institution, and contact information;

⋄ Appropriate description of the proposal scope and significance (about 200-350 words);

⋄ Resume of the guest editor(s) (including their research area);

⋄ Concise information about the other contributors ,including their institutional affiliation;

⋄ A tentative schedule for preparing the special issue;

⋄ Adherence to the instructions for the preparation of manuscripts  (details available at For Authors on the official website).

The editorial office, whose commission is to review the proposal, is in full charge of relevant policies, practices, and content of Special Issues/Supplements (e.g., selection of authors, recruitment of peer reviewers, content for special issues/supplements, etc.). All manuscripts proposed for Special Issues/Supplements are subject to initial review to determine if they meet the minimum editorial standards and fit the scope of suggested topic. Once approval, they will be sent for peer review. Guest editors are in charge of assisting the initial review and administration of Special Issues. The final approval of any proposal will be decided by the journal’s academic editors.

1.2. Core aspects of a proposal's acceptance or rejection

⋄ Whether the proposed idea can arouse the interest of substantial identifiable readers worldwide and be relevant to their research areas?

⋄ Does the elaboration of this topic integrate international insights and theoretical developments in the corresponding area?

⋄ Is the research protocol involved in manuscripts carefully and appropriately designed?

⋄ Are the logic and content of the proposal clear and reasonable enough to recruit the proposer as a guest editor?

⋄ Are there any researchers in the list of contributors owning high reputation in their field?

⋄ Is this special issue likely to make a significant contribution to further research?

A general introduction must be provided and clearly stated in the manuscripts submitted to Special Issues/Supplements, including but not limited to the contents, such as the sources of ideas, funding and any funded products involved in the work. Details on Advertising in Supplements are available at Advertising Policy.

For all manuscripts submitted to Special Issues/Supplements, peer review is necessary to maintain the quality of content within the coverage of the journal. Usually, the guest editor can make final decision on the manuscript based on reviewers' and academic editors’ comments, unless conflicts of interest exist. Under such circumstance, the rights for the final decision regarding acceptance or rejection are owned by the Editor-in-Chief or another suitable editorial board member, who will comply with the Editorial Policy of JHLR.

2. Peer Review

⋄ Peer Review Policy and Editorial Policy are applicable to the manuscripts submitted for Special Issues/Supplements.

⋄ All manuscripts for Special Issues/Supplements undergo the standard peer review process managed by the editorial office and supervised by the Editor(s)-in-Chief.

3. Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

⋄ Guest editors, who are commissioned after rigorous consultation with the Editor(s)-in-Chief, have an obligation to declare any potential conflicts of interests concerning the manuscripts for special issues/supplements.

⋄ Conflicts of interest in manuscripts for Special Issues/Supplements should be disclosed in light of the following guidance: Supplements, Theme Issues, and Special Series by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE); Journal Supplements in MEDLINE by the NLM guidance.

⋄ A clarification statement should be contained in "Conflicts of Interest" section, in case that any product from sponsors has been involved in the manuscripts for special issues/supplements sponsored by a for-profit organization.

⋄ Source of funding for publication should be stated in the manuscript.

⋄ Any financial relationships involved with the editors, authors and sponsors, should be declared.