For authors

Figures, Tables & Supplements

Figures

• Photographic images: TIFF, JPEG or PNG at a minimum of 300 dpi.
• Combination artwork: minimum 600 dpi.
• Line art: preferably 1,000–1,200 dpi.
• Vector graphics: editable EPS or PDF.
• Use labels, symbols or patterns in addition to colour; figures must remain interpretable for readers with colour-vision deficiency.
• Do not perform undisclosed or scientifically misleading image manipulation.
• Obtain permission and credit the source for reused material.

Tables

• Submit editable tables, not screenshots.
• Number tables in order of citation and provide a concise title.
• Define all abbreviations and statistical measures in footnotes.
• Do not duplicate information in both a table and figure without justification.

AI-generated images

Generative-AI images must not be presented as primary scientific data. Any permitted illustrative use must be disclosed in the methods and caption, with provenance and rights information.

Supplementary materials

Supplementary files may include complete searches, excluded-study lists, extraction forms, datasets, risk-of-bias tables, GRADE/CERQual profiles, analytic code, additional figures and protocol amendments.