Author Guidelines

Information for Authors

The first three consecutive issues of the Journal of Tehran University Heart Center were published under the title of the Journal of Tehran Heart Center with ISSN: 1735-5370. From the fourth issue onward, however, the journal has been entitled the Journal of Tehran University Heart Center with ISSN: 1735-8620.

Article Categories

The Journal of Tehran University Heart Center accepts the following categories of articles.

Original Article

Clinical and pre-clinical papers based on either normal subjects or patients and the result of cardiovascular pre-clinical research will be considered for publication provided they have an obvious clinical relevance.

The Journal of Tehran University Heart Center publishes a limited number of scholarly, comprehensive reviews which aims are to summarize and critically evaluate research in the field addressed and identify future implications. Reviews should not exceed 5000 words.

Letter to editor

Letters to the editor must not exceed 500 words and should focus on a specific article published in “the Journal of Tehran University Heart Center” within the preceding 12 weeks. No original data may be included. Authors will receive pre-publication proofs, and the authors of the article cited invited to reply. 

Also Brief communication, Case reports & Review Articles will be accepted.

Submission of Manuscripts

Papers should typed in double spaced on A4 paper size. The cover letter should be prepared & subjected to journal Editor in Chief, Professor Abbas Karimi. Photocopies or good reproductions of illustrations are acceptable only on the spare copies. Included also should be a set of the electronic files of the manuscript on floppy- disk or CD-ROM. For preparation of electronic files , see the instructions herein below.

Also, manuscripts should be submitted electronically via the journal’s website: http://jthc.tums.ac.ir. Online submission allows the manuscript to be handled in electronic forms throughout the review process.

Review of manuscripts

All manuscript correctly submitted to will first be reviewed by the Editors. Some manuscripts will be returned to authors at this stage if the paper is deemed inappropriate for publication in “Journal of Tehran University Heart Center”, if the paper does not meet submission requirements, or if the paper is not deemed to have a sufficiently high priority. All papers considered suitable by the Editors to progress further in the review process will undergo appropriate peer review and all papers provisionally accepted for publication will undergo a detailed statistical review. 

Preparation of manuscripts

All submitted manuscript must not exceed 5000 word, including References, Figure Legends and Tables. The number of tables, Figures and References should be appropriate to the manuscript content and should not be excessive. Authors should comply with the manuscript formatting and the ethical conventions of the ”Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals” issued by the international committee of Medical Journal Editors (http://www.icmje.org)

Style and spelling

Authors whose first language is not English are requested to have their manuscripts checked carefully before submission. This will help expedite the review process and avoid confusion. Abbreviations of standard SI units of measurement only should be used.

Declaration of Helsinki

The authors should state that their study complies with the Declaration of Helsinki that the locally appointed ethics committee has approved the research protocol and that informed consent has been obtained from the subjects (or their guardians).

Clinical Trials

Authors should comply with the clinical trial registration statement from the ICMJE. More information can be found at www.icmje.org. Clinical trial reports should also comply with the consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) and include a flow diagram presenting the enrollment, intervention allocation, follow–up, and data analysis with number of subjects for each (www.consort–statement.org). Please also refer specifically to the CONSORT Checklist of items to include when reporting a randomized clinical trial.

Section of the manuscripts

Original articles should be divided into the following section: (1) Title page,(2) Abstract and Keywords, (3) Introduction, (4) Methods, (5) Results, (6) Discussion, (7) Conclusion, (8) Acknowledgements, (9) References. (10) Figure legends, (11) Tables & (12) Figures.

General format

Prepare your manuscript text using a word processing package. Submissions of text in the form of PDF files are not permitted. Manuscript should be double – spaced, including text, tables, legends and references. Number each page. Please avoid footnotes; use instead, and as sparingly as possible, parenthesis within brackets. Enter text in the style and order of the Journal. Type references in the correct order and style of the journal . Type unjustified, without hyphenation, except for compound words. Type headings in the style of the journal. Use the TAB key once for paragraph indents. Where possible use times New Roman for the Text font and Symbol for the Greek and Special Characters. Use the Word Processing formatting features to indicate Bold, Italic, Greek, Maths, Superscript and subscript characters. Clearly identify unusual symbols and Greek letters, Differentiate between the letter o and zero, and the letters I and I and the number 1 Mark the approximate position of each figure and table. Check the final copy of your paper carefully, as any spelling mistakes and errors may be translated into the typeset version.

Title page

The title page should include the following:

  1. Title of the Article

    • The title should be concise and descriptive, reflecting the content of the article.

  2. Authors’ Names and Degrees

    • List the name(s) of the authors along with their highest academic degrees.
    • No more than 12 authors are acceptable for an article, while a maximum of 6 authors is allowed for case reports.
    • Provide the degrees of all authors (e.g., MD, PhD).

    Example:

    Masih Tajdini, MD1,2*, Amir Hossein Behnoush, MD-MPH1, Amirmohammad Khalaji, MD1 , Satish R Raj, MD3

 

  • Institution(s) Where Work Was Performed

    • Clearly indicate the institutions where the research was conducted.

  • Institution and Location of All Authors

    • Provide the institution and location (city, country) for each author.

    Example:
    1Tehran Heart Center, Cardiovascular Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

    2Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.

    3Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

  • ORCID of All Authors

    • Include the ORCID identifier for each author to enhance the visibility and proper attribution of their work.

  • Corresponding Author Information

    • Provide the following details for the corresponding author:
      1. Full name of the corresponding author
      2. Academic title (e.g., Professor, Associate, Assistant)
      3. Institution/organizational affiliation
      4. Complete postal address of the hospital (including postal code)
      5. City
      6. Country
      7. Phone number
      8. Fax number
      9. Email address

    Example:
    *Corresponding Author: Mohammad Ali Boroumand, Professor of Pathology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Tehran Heart Center, North Kargar Street, Tehran, Iran. 1411713138. Tel: +98 21 88029256. Fax: +98 21 8029257. E-mail: borumand@sina.tums.ac.ir

 

Abstract

All abstracts may not contain more than 250 words and should also be submitted as a separate file, the abstract should be formatted with the following heading: (1) Background, (2) Methods, (3) Results & (4) Conclusion.

Keywords
All Keywords should be available at MeSH (Medical Subject Headings).
A Maximum of six Keywords may be submitted.

Formatting Requirements for Figures

  1. Numbering and Titles

    • Each figure must be numbered sequentially using Arabic numerals (e.g., Figure 1, Figure 2).
    • Figures should have a concise title that summarizes their content.

  2. Figure Legends

    • Include a detailed legend for each figure within the manuscript file, explaining the figure’s content and context.
    • All symbols and abbreviations used in the figure must be defined in the legend.

  3. Image Quality

    • Figures should be high resolution, with a minimum size of 13 cm × 18 cm (5" × 7").
    • Avoid reducing figures to fit the publication layout; submit them in their original size.
    • Photographs should maintain high quality regarding detail, contrast, and fineness of grain to withstand loss of quality during printing. Indicate the magnification using a ruler on the photograph.

  4. File Format

    • Submit each figure as an individual image file in formats such as .tif, .jpg, or .png.
    • For multipanel figures, combine all panels into a single file and label each panel (A, B, C, etc.) in the upper-left corner.

  5. Accessibility

    • Provide alternative text (alt text) descriptions for figures to enhance accessibility for individuals using screen readers.

  6. Submission Guidelines

    • Figures should not be embedded in the manuscript text; submit them as separate files.
    • Ensure that all figures are clearly referenced in the manuscript.
    • On a separate manuscript sheet, group the figure legends under the heading “Legends” following the References.

  7. Figure Details
    For each figure, please include the following items:
    a) Explain the content of the figure.
    b) Describe the perspective or view depicted in the figure.
    c) Name all important landmarks in the figure using abbreviations and define them in the legend.
    d) Indicate the most important findings in the figure using arrow(s).
    e) Clearly explain what the figure demonstrates.
    f) Provide the original version of your figure without any edits.

Electronic Submission of Figures

  • Figures should be saved in TIFF format at a resolution of at least 300 pixels per inch for color figures and photographs, and 1200 pixels per inch for black-and-white line drawings.
  • While some other formats may be converted into TIFF by the publisher, this conversion can alter the tones, resolution, and contrast.
  • Digital color art should be submitted in CMYK rather than RGB format, as the printing process requires colors to be separated into CMYK. Conversions from RGB to CMYK can change the intensity and brightness of colors. Authors should verify that colors appear accurately in CMYK on both screen and in print before submission.
  • Please note that colors can appear differently on various screens and printers. Failure to follow these guidelines could lead to complications and delays in the publication process.

 

Tables

  • Tables should be submitted in portrait layout whenever possible, rather than landscape. Each table should be numbered sequentially using Arabic numerals. Additionally, each table must have a title above and an explanatory footnote below. All abbreviations should be defined in the footnote.
  1. Numbering and Referencing
    All tables must be consecutively numbered (e.g., Table 1, Table 2) and referenced in the text.
  2. Placement
    Tables should be placed at the end of the main text, following the references.
  3. Editable Format
    Tables must be submitted in an editable Word format and should not be embedded as image files.
  4. Title and Description
    Each table should have a clear and descriptive title that summarizes its content.
  5. Column Headings
    • Use clear and informative headings that indicate what each column represents.
    • Include units of measurement where applicable.
  6. Data Presentation
    Present data in a straightforward manner, ensuring that all statistical information is accurate and relevant. Use appropriate statistical measures (e.g., means, medians, standard deviations).
    • For reporting p-values, provide three decimal digits (e.g., P=0.130).
    • For reporting percentages, provide one decimal digit (e.g., 80.0%).
    • For reporting means±SDs, provide two decimal digits (e.g., means±SDs: 12.62±8.10).
    • For reporting 95% CIs, provide two decimal digits (e.g., 95% CI: 0.80–0.91).
    • For reporting ORs and AUCs, provide two decimal digits (e.g., OR: 1.20; AUC=0.87).
    • Insert the measurement scale where applicable.
  7. Handling Empty Cells
    • Use specific characteristics or notations to fill empty cells (e.g., “N/A” for not applicable, “0” for no occurrence) to clarify why data is absent.
  8. Footnotes
    Include footnotes to clarify abbreviations or any special conditions related to the data presented.
  9. Formatting Consistency
    Maintain consistent formatting throughout all tables in terms of font size, alignment, and style.

Acknowledgements

All sources of approved and supported, and substantive contributions of individuals, should be noted in the Acknowledgements, positioned before the list of references.
(This study was approved and supported by ... )

Reference format

All references must be available on PubMed and formatted according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) style.

1. Citation Format

  • References should adhere to the NLM style, which is based on ANSI/NISO Z39.29-2005 (R2010) standards. This includes using a specific structure for various types of publications such as journal articles, books, and web pages.

2. Numbering

  • References should be numbered sequentially in the order they are cited in the text. Use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.) for this purpose.

3. Journal Article Format

  • The basic format for citing a journal article is as follows:

    Author(s). Title of article. Abbreviated Journal Title. Year; Volume: Page numbers. PubMed PMID: [number].

Example:
Freedman SB, Adler M, Seshadri R, Powell EC. Oral ondansetron for gastroenteritis in a pediatric emergency department. N Engl J Med. 2006 Apr 20;354(16):1698-705. PubMed PMID: 16625009.

4. Book Chapter Format

  • The format for citing a book chapter is as follows:

    Author(s) of the chapter. Title of chapter. In: Main author(s) of the book (eds.). Title of book. Edition. Place of publication: Publisher; Year. p. Page numbers.

Example:
Chapter citation example: 2.Nichols WW, O’Rourke MF. Aging, high blood pressure and disease in humans. In : Arnold E, ed. McDonald’s Blood Flow in Arteries: Theoretical, Experimental and Clinical Principles. 3rd ed. London/Melbourne/Auckland: Lea and Febiger; 1990.p.398-420

 

5. Webpage Format

  • The format for citing a webpage is as follows:
     Author(s). Title of webpage. Site Name. URL (Access date).

Example:
Panteghini M. Recommendations on use of biochemical markers in acute coronary syndrome: IFCC proposals. eJIFCC. http://www.ifcc.org/ejifcc/vo114no2/1402062003014n.htm (Accessed 28 May 2004).
 

Note

  • Ensure that the references are complete and provide all necessary information for readers to locate the cited works easily.

 

Statistics

All manuscript selected for publication will be reviewed for the appropriateness and accuracy of the statistical methods used and the interpretation of statistical results. All papers submitted should provide in their Methods section a subsection detailing the statistical methods, including the specific method used to summarize the data, the methods used to test their hypothesis testing and (if any) the level of significance used for hypothesis testing.

Conflict of interest

At submission, the editors require authors to disclose any financial association that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article. All sources of funding for the work should be acknowledged in a footnote on the title page and in the Acknowledgements within the manuscript, as should all the institutional affiliations of the authors (including corporate appointments). Other kinds of associations, such as consultancies, stock ownership or other equity interest or patent – licensing arrangements should be disclosed to the editors in the cover letter at the time of the of submission. If no conflict of interest exists, please state this in the cover letter.

Proofs

Page proofs will be sent to the corresponding author. Please provide an e-mail address to enable page proofs to be sent as PDF files via e-mail. These should be checked thoroughly for any possible changes or typographic errors. Significant alterations instigated at this stage by the author will be charged to the author. It is the intention of the Editor to review, correct and publish your article as quickly as possible. To achieve this it is important that all of your corrections are returned to us in one  all-inclusive mail or fax. Subsequent additional corrections will not be possible, so please ensure that your first communication is complete. 

 

Submission Preparation Checklist

As part of the submission process, authors are required to check off their submission's compliance with all of the following items, and submissions may be returned to authors that do not adhere to these guidelines.

  1. The submission has not been previously published, nor is it before another journal for consideration (or an explanation has been provided in Comments to the Editor).
  2. The submission file is in OpenOffice, Microsoft Word, RTF, or WordPerfect document file format.
  3. Where available, URLs for the references have been provided.
  4. The text is single-spaced; uses a 12-point font; employs italics, rather than underlining (except with URL addresses); and all illustrations, figures, and tables are placed within the text at the appropriate points, rather than at the end.
  5. The text adheres to the stylistic and bibliographic requirements outlined in the Author Guidelines, which is found in About the Journal.
  6. If submitting to a peer-reviewed section of the journal, the instructions in Ensuring a Blind Review have been followed.

 

Privacy Statement

The names and email addresses entered in this journal site will be used exclusively for the stated purposes of this journal and will not be made available for any other purpose or to any other party. 

Focus and Scope

The Journal of Tehran University Heart Center aims to publish the highest quality material, both clinical and scientific, on all aspects of cardiovascular Medicine. It includes articles related to research findings. Technical evaluations, and reviews. In addition, it provides a forum for the exchange of information on all aspects of Cardiovascular Medicine, including educational issues. “ the journal of Tehran University Heart Center” is an International, English language, peer reviewed journal concerned with Cardiovascular Medicine. It is an official Journal of the Cardiovascular Research Center of the Tehran University of Medical Sciences (in collaboration with the Iranian Society of Cardiac Surgeons) and is published quarterly. Papers submitted to this journal which do not adhere to the Instructions for Authors will be returned for appropriate revision to be in line with the instructions for authors. They may then be resubmitted. Submission of an article implies that the work described has not been published previously (except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture or academic thesis), that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere, that its publication is approved by all authors and tacitly or explicitly by the responsible authorities where the work was carried out, and that, if accepted, it will not be published elsewhere in the same form. In English or in any other language, without the written consent of the publisher. 

Open Access Policy

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.