Animal and Human Research Participants: Clinical Trials, Nomenclatures, and Abbreviations

Clinical Trials of Animal and Human Research Participants:
Promoting transparency in clinical research is a core value of the journal. For publishing an article in this journal, authors must demonstrate unwavering commitment to ethical standards while upholding the dignity and rights of individual participants, associated individuals and communities, human and non-human life, and the environment.

To conduct clinical trials of animals and human participants, authors must comply with local, national, international, and ethical regulations and adhere to necessary licensing arrangements. Authors must register their clinical trials in a publicly accessible database (e.g., Arrive) and enclose the registration numbers at the end of the abstract, which apprises their outcomes. It ensures transparency and facilitates access to critical information for stakeholders, including the scientific community and patients. Adhering to this practice is an essential component of responsible research conduct, and it promotes trust and accountability in the clinical trial process [1][2].

The journal recommends adhering to the industry’s best standards for accurate and effective research reporting, including the following guidelines [3]:

Authors should ensure that there are no personal details while sharing information. In situations where maintaining anonymity is a concern, obtaining informed consent from all parties is highly recommended. This approach ensures that all individuals are fully aware of the nature and purpose of the research or project and can provide their consent or opt out of participation. By prioritising informed consent, businesses and academic institutions can uphold ethical standards and promote transparency in their work. The journal recommends that authors verify the absence of identifying information within their work. At the same time, editors are encouraged to recognise that such removal does not compromise the scientific validity of the material [4].

Nomenclature and Abbreviations for Gene, Chemical, and Biological:
When examining genes, it is of utmost importance to adhere to the approved nomenclature for gene symbols and to utilise the abbreviated symbol rather than the full name in italics. E.g., use “Ttn” instead of “titin”. The journal recommends the following nomenclature databases but not limited:

The journal suggests adhering to systematic nomenclature regarding chemical compounds and biomolecules whenever possible. Authors are encouraged to utilise the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) guidelines whenever possible to ensure consistency and precision. 

References:

  1. WAME – Study Design and Ethics for Animal
  2. COPE- Ethical Standards in Animal Research
  3. Word Medical Association (WMA) – Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects
  4. International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) – Protection of Research Participants