Information for Authors
Overview
JLIVE (Journal of Longevity and Integrated Vitality Evidence) is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access publication dedicated to advancing evidence-based research across the full spectrum of longevity science, healthy aging, vitality, preventive medicine, lifestyle interventions, nutrition, microbiome science, regenerative medicine, precision health, integrative medicine, and digital health innovations.
JLIVE journals are highly visible and widely accessible; manuscripts published in JLIVE undergo a rigorous, constructive, and efficient double-blind peer review process. As an innovative pioneer in open access publishing, our core mission is to facilitate the rapid dissemination of and increase global access to relevant, reproducible, and impactful research.
We serve scholars from across the globe and from a wide variety of interdisciplinary backgrounds. To deepen our understanding of and strengthen our support for research communities, we maintain the highest standards of scientific rigor, ethical publishing, and open science transparency.
Useful Resources for Authors
- JLIVE Manuscript Template: Download the official Microsoft Word template formatted to journal specifications.
- CRediT Contributor Roles Taxonomy: Standardized author contribution definitions required for all co-authors.
- ICMJE Reporting Standards: Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals.
- Nature-Style Reference Guide: Sequential numeric citation conventions with mandatory DOIs.
- Article Processing Charge (APC) Information: Transparent pricing policies, institutional memberships, and waiver programs.
- FAIR Data Principles: Guidelines for depositing raw datasets in recognized open-access repositories prior to acceptance.
- Pre-Submission Checklist: 18-point verification checklist to streamline editorial screening and accelerate peer review.
Journal Mission & Core Editorial Principles
All manuscripts submitted to JLIVE must demonstrate compliance with our core editorial principles:
Scientific Rigor
Methodologically sound study design with appropriate controls, sample sizes, and replication.
Transparency
Full disclosure of study design, analytical decisions, and potential sources of bias.
Reproducibility
Sufficient methodological detail to enable independent replication of findings.
Ethical Conduct
Strict compliance with Declaration of Helsinki, ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines, and institutional approvals.
Statistical Appropriateness
Exact p-values, standardized effect sizes, confidence intervals, and multiple-testing corrections.
Responsible Interpretation
Conclusions strictly grounded in empirical data without overstatement or unwarranted speculation.
Manuscript Types and Word Limits
Word count limits apply to the main manuscript text and exclude the abstract, references, figure legends, and supplementary materials.
| Article Type | Max. Words | Max. Abstract | Max. References | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original Research Article | 3,000 | 300 | 60 | Includes all primary empirical studies; structured abstract required |
| Systematic Review | 3,500 | 300 | Unlimited | PRISMA checklist mandatory; flow diagram required |
| Meta-Analysis | 3,000 | 300 | Unlimited | PRISMA-MA checklist; GRADE assessment strongly encouraged |
| Narrative Review | 3,500 | 300 | 80 | Scope and rationale for review approach must be clearly stated |
| Mini Review | 1,500 | 150 | 40 | Focused synthesis of emerging breakthroughs or niche longevity topics |
| Commentary Article | 1,500 | 150 | 30 | Scholarly perspective or critical discussion on published work |
| Editorial Commentary | 1,000 | N/A | 20 | Invited; typically accompanies a landmark research paper |
| Case Report | 1,500 | 150 | 30 | CARE checklist mandatory; signed patient consent required |
| Protocol Paper | 2,500 | 250 | 50 | Prospective trial registration required; SPIRIT checklist |
| Letter to the Editor | 600 | N/A | 10 | Response to a published JLIVE article within 6 weeks of publication |
Manuscript Preparation
Language and Style
Manuscripts must be written in clear, concise, and grammatically sound English. British or American spelling conventions may be used consistently throughout; mixed conventions are not permitted. Authors whose primary language is not English are encouraged to seek professional language editing prior to submission.
File Format
- Main manuscript: Microsoft Word (.docx) or LaTeX (.tex with compiled PDF).
- Figures: TIFF, PNG, or EPS at ≥ 300 dpi (≥ 600 dpi for line art); high-resolution vector originals preferred.
- Supplementary files: Standard formats (PDF, Excel, CSV, MP4); clearly labeled as Supplementary Table S1, Figure S1, etc.
- Cover letter: Uploaded separately as a PDF or Word document during portal submission.
Title Page & Author Information
The title page must be prepared with the following elements:
- Article Title: Concise, informative (max 20 words); should specify population, intervention, comparison, and outcome (PICO) where applicable.
- Author List: List all authors in contribution order, separated by commas. Affiliation format: Department, Institution, City, Postal Code, Country.
- Corresponding Author: Identified with an asterisk (*); include full name, academic degree, institutional postal address, phone, and official email.
- Equal Contributions: Authors contributing equally should be marked with (#): "These authors contributed equally to this work."
- Running Title: Abbreviated title of ≤ 60 characters (including spaces).
Abstract Structure
Abstracts must be formatted in a single continuous paragraph without subheadings, incorporating:
2. Objective: Explicit statement of the primary aim or hypothesis.
3. Methods: Study design, population, intervention/exposure, primary outcomes, and statistical tests.
4. Results: Key quantitative findings with effect sizes, 95% confidence intervals, and exact p-values.
5. Conclusions: Concise evidence-based implications without overstatement.
(Word limit: 300 words for Research Articles/Reviews; 150 words for Mini Reviews/Case Reports. No citations or undefined abbreviations).
Manuscript Structure & Detailed Section Requirements
- 1. Introduction: Establish state-of-the-art context; identify critical gaps; state rationale, objectives, and testable hypotheses. (Aim for 3–5 paragraphs).
- 2. Materials and Methods: Full replication detail; ethics committee approvals and IRB numbers; Declaration of Helsinki compliance; informed consent details; clinical trial registry ID (e.g. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT#); statistical software versions, exact tests, and power calculations.
- 3. Results: Objective data reporting; sequential citation of figures and tables; exact p-values (p = 0.023); effect sizes with 95% CIs. No subjective interpretation.
- 4. Discussion: Interpretation in context of existing literature; biological mechanisms; translational significance; explicit study limitations; future directions.
- 5. Conclusion and Future Perspectives: Synthesis of principal findings; specific actionable research priorities (avoid generic "more research is needed").
Data Rigor & Research Integrity
JLIVE screens all submitted manuscripts using iThenticate plagiarism software and automated image integrity analysis. Selective enhancement, artificial contrast alteration, duplicated bands or lanes in Western blots, and signal amplification are strictly prohibited and constitute grounds for immediate rejection and institutional notification.
Figures, Tables & Graphical Abstract
Graphical Abstract (Mandatory)
A visual summary of the main finding must accompany all Research Articles and Reviews. Dimensions: 1,100 × 560 px minimum (2,200 × 1,120 px max) at ≥ 300 dpi. Text within the image should not exceed 20 words.
Figures & Tables
Figures must be numbered sequentially (Figure 1, Figure 2). Multi-panel figures should be labeled A, B, C. Color figures are published free of charge. Tables must be submitted in editable Word format with concise titles above the table and statistical notes below.
Authorship & CRediT Taxonomy
JLIVE enforces the ICMJE guidelines for authorship. All listed authors must have substantially contributed to: (1) conception or design, (2) drafting or critical revision, (3) final approval, and (4) accountability for all aspects of the research.
Individual author contributions must be declared using the 14 standard CRediT roles: Conceptualization, Methodology, Software, Validation, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Resources, Data Curation, Writing – Original Draft, Writing – Review & Editing, Visualization, Supervision, Project Administration, Funding Acquisition.
Mandatory Disclosures
- Funding Statement: Explicitly name funding agencies, grant numbers, and state the funder's role (or lack thereof) in study design and publication decisions.
- Conflict of Interest: Declare all potential financial, consultancy, patent, or personal competing interests. If none: "The authors declare no competing financial or personal interests."
- AI & Generative AI Tools: Authors must disclose any use of LLMs (e.g. ChatGPT) for manuscript preparation or data analysis. AI tools cannot be credited as authors.
- Data Availability Statement: Mandatory for all articles. Provide direct public repository links (DOI/accession number) or state access procedures.
References (Nature Style)
References must be numbered sequentially in order of appearance in the text using superscript Arabic numerals. All citations must include complete article titles and DOIs.
1. Smith, J. A., Johnson, B. C. & Williams, D. E. Gut microbiota composition and longevity in centenarians: a prospective cohort study. Nat. Aging 4, 312–328 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43587-024-XXXXX-X
Publication Ethics & COPE Compliance
JLIVE adheres to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) standards. Plagiarism screening with iThenticate is performed on all submissions; manuscripts with a similarity index exceeding 15% will be returned without review. Redundant or duplicate submissions are strictly rejected.
Open Science & Data Repositories
JLIVE requires data deposition in FAIR-compliant repositories prior to final acceptance. Recommended repositories include:
| Repository | URL | Suitable Data Types |
|---|---|---|
| NCBI GEO | ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo | Genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics |
| SRA | ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sra | Raw next-generation sequencing data |
| Zenodo | zenodo.org | Multidisciplinary datasets, code, software |
| Dryad | datadryad.org | General scientific and clinical research data |
| Open Science Framework (OSF) | osf.io | Pre-registrations, trial protocols, analysis scripts |
Submission Process & Pre-Submission Checklist
Manuscripts must be submitted through the online JLIVE Author Portal accompanied by a comprehensive Cover Letter stating originality, significance, suggested reviewers, and author certifications.
Peer Review Process & Timeline
JLIVE operates an efficient, rigorous double-blind peer review system with clear timelines:
| Editorial Stage | Standard Timeline | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Screening | Within 5 business days | Scope, plagiarism, and technical verification by Section Editor |
| Peer Review Period | 21–28 days | Evaluation by at least two independent expert reviewers |
| First Editorial Decision | Within 5 business days of reviews | Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, or Reject |
| Author Revision Window | 14 days (minor) / 28 days (major) | Point-by-point rebuttal and revised manuscript submission |
| Production to Publication | Within 10 business days | Copy editing, typesetting, DOI registration, and online release |
Information for Reviewers
Peer reviewers are the cornerstone of academic excellence, methodological rigor, and scientific integrity at the Journal of Longevity & Integrated Vitality Enhancement (JLIVE). We deeply value the time, scholarly expertise, and commitment of our international reviewer community.
1. Core Reviewer Responsibilities
- Privileged Confidentiality: All submitted manuscripts, unpublished datasets, figures, and author communications are strictly confidential. Reviewers must not disclose, share, quote, or upload manuscripts to third-party generative AI platforms.
- Conflict of Interest (COI): Reviewers must immediately declare any personal, financial, or academic competing interests. Recusal is mandatory if you have collaborated with any author within the past 3 years or share active grant funding.
- Constructive Evaluation: Reviews should be impartial, professional, objective, and supported by scholarly evidence. Detail methodological, statistical, or conceptual concerns alongside constructive recommendations for improvement.
- Timeliness: To ensure prompt editorial communication, reviews are expected within 21 calendar days of invitation acceptance. If an extension is required, please notify the editorial office promptly.
2. Peer Review Evaluation Rubric
| Evaluation Dimension | Key Questions for the Reviewer |
|---|---|
| Novelty & Scope | Does the research deliver original mechanistic discoveries, translational advances, or significant methodological breakthroughs in longevity, geroscience, or cellular/lifestyle vitality? |
| Methodological Rigor | Are biological models, controls, assay protocols, and blinding procedures described with sufficient clarity to permit independent experimental replication? |
| Statistical Validity | Are sample cohorts (n) adequately powered? Are appropriate statistical tests employed, with exact p-values and corrections for multiple testing? |
| Data Availability & FAIR | Are primary data, high-resolution imaging sets, and computational scripts deposited in accessible public repositories (e.g., NCBI, Dryad, Zenodo)? |
| Ethical Standards | Are human ethical approvals (IRB / Declaration of Helsinki) or animal welfare statements (IACUC / ARRIVE 2.0) explicitly stated with valid protocol numbers? |
3. Recommendation Categories
- Accept without Revision: Manuscript meets all scientific, ethical, and formatting standards with no revisions required.
- Minor Revisions: Conceptually robust; requires minor textual adjustments, additional citations, or slight figure polish (14-day author revision window).
- Major Revisions: Shows strong merit but requires essential validation experiments, statistical re-evaluation, or substantial restructuring (28-day author revision window).
- Reject: Critical methodological deficiencies, fundamentally unsupportable conclusions, lack of novelty, or severe ethical infringements.
Information for Editors
JLIVE Section Editors and Editorial Board members oversee the scholarly direction, peer review governance, and academic integrity of the journal. Editors serve as trusted stewards of rigorous and impartial scientific publishing.
1. Editorial Governance & Manuscript Triage
- Initial Screening (Triage): Within 5–7 business days of submission, assess manuscripts for scope relevance, basic formatting compliance, plagiarism check (Crossref Similarity Check), and ethical documentation prior to assigning peer reviewers.
- Desk Rejection: Submissions that fall entirely outside journal scope, exhibit fatal methodological flaws, or contain unacceptable text recycling may be desk-rejected with constructive feedback.
- Reviewer Assignment: Assign a minimum of two qualified, independent external reviewers per manuscript, ensuring zero institutional or co-authorship conflicts of interest.
2. Decision Authority & COPE Principles
- Adherence to COPE: All editorial workflows and decisions strictly adhere to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Code of Conduct.
- Editorial Independence: Final decisions rest solely on scientific merit, empirical soundness, and relevance to longevity science—independent of commercial or institutional considerations.
- Arbitration of Conflicting Reviews: When peer review reports diverge substantially, editors may engage an adjudicating third reviewer or provide an authoritative editorial synthesis.
- Appeals & Retractions: Author appeals against rejection are handled objectively by the Editor-in-Chief. Post-publication corrections or retractions follow COPE flowcharts.
3. Editorial Resources & Access
Board members receive continuous administrative and technical support from the JLIVE Editorial Office.