• Obtain approval from an appropriate ethics committee or institutional review body when required.
• Provide the name of the approving institution where applicable.
• Include an approval number or reference when available.
• Describe relevant ethical procedures in the manuscript.

• Obtain informed consent where required.
• Protect participant identity and confidentiality.
• Minimize unnecessary collection of personal information.
• Store and process sensitive information responsibly.
• Ensure that participants are not exposed to avoidable risks.

Authors should clearly indicate whether ethical approval, informed consent, or other ethical oversight was required. When such approval is not applicable, the manuscript should state this where appropriate and explain the basis for the determination when necessary.