Aims & Scope
Journal of Body Fluids (JBF) publishes mechanistic research on the physiology, biochemistry, and regulation of body fluid systems—from molecular transport mechanisms to whole-organism homeostasis.
Research Scope
Fluid Homeostasis & Regulation
- Osmotic pressure regulation mechanisms
- Acid-base balance in body fluid compartments
- Electrolyte transport and distribution
- Hormonal regulation of fluid balance (vasopressin, aldosterone, ANP)
- Renal mechanisms of fluid conservation and excretion
- Thirst and drinking behavior physiology
"Aquaporin-2 trafficking mechanisms in response to vasopressin signaling in collecting duct principal cells"
Body Fluid Compartments & Dynamics
- Intracellular and extracellular fluid distribution
- Interstitial fluid formation and reabsorption
- Plasma volume regulation
- Lymphatic fluid dynamics and transport
- Transcapillary fluid exchange (Starling forces)
- Cerebrospinal fluid production and circulation
"Mathematical modeling of fluid shifts between vascular and interstitial compartments during exercise"
Specialized Body Fluid Physiology
- Saliva secretion mechanisms and composition
- Sweat gland function and thermoregulation
- Tear film physiology and ocular surface homeostasis
- Synovial fluid biomechanics and lubrication
- Amniotic fluid dynamics during development
- Serous cavity fluid formation (pleural, peritoneal, pericardial)
"Ion channel regulation in eccrine sweat gland secretory cells during thermal stress"
Molecular & Cellular Mechanisms
- Ion channel and transporter physiology
- Membrane water permeability and aquaporin function
- Cell volume regulation mechanisms
- Epithelial transport in fluid-secreting organs
- Protein trafficking in fluid homeostasis
- Signal transduction in osmosensing pathways
"NKCC1 cotransporter regulation during regulatory volume increase in mammalian cells"
Comparative Physiology
Body fluid regulation across species, evolutionary adaptations to osmotic stress, and comparative mechanisms of water conservation.
Developmental Physiology
Ontogeny of fluid compartments, maturation of regulatory systems, and fetal-maternal fluid exchange mechanisms.
Environmental Physiology
Physiological responses to dehydration, heat stress, altitude, and extreme environments affecting fluid balance.
Exercise Physiology
Fluid shifts during physical activity, sweat rate regulation, and cardiovascular adjustments to fluid loss.
Computational Modeling
Mathematical models of fluid distribution, systems biology approaches to homeostasis, and predictive physiological modeling.
Methodological Innovations
Novel techniques for measuring fluid compartments, bioimpedance analysis methods, and imaging approaches for fluid dynamics.
Omics Approaches
Proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics of body fluids when focused on understanding physiological mechanisms rather than biomarker discovery.
Microbiome Interactions
Microbial influences on body fluid composition and homeostasis, limited to mechanistic physiological studies.
Biosensor Technology
Wearable devices and sensors for real-time fluid monitoring, when validated against physiological principles.
AI & Machine Learning
Computational approaches for modeling fluid dynamics and predicting physiological responses, with experimental validation.
Out of Scope
- Clinical Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine Diagnostic test development, clinical laboratory protocols, disease screening methods, and diagnostic accuracy studies. Rationale: These focus on clinical application rather than physiological mechanisms.
- Disease Treatment & Patient Management Therapeutic interventions, clinical trials, treatment outcomes, fluid resuscitation protocols, and patient care strategies. Rationale: Clinical management is outside our physiological scope.
- Biomarker Discovery for Disease Diagnosis Studies identifying biomarkers in body fluids for cancer, infectious diseases, or other conditions without mechanistic physiological insight. Rationale: Biomarker studies are diagnostic rather than mechanistic.
- Pharmacology & Drug Development Drug effects on body fluids, pharmacokinetics in body fluid compartments, and therapeutic drug monitoring. Rationale: Pharmacological studies belong in specialized pharmacology journals.
- Pathology & Disease Mechanisms Disease-specific pathological changes in body fluids, cancer biology, infectious disease progression, and autoimmune pathology. Rationale: Pathological processes are distinct from normal physiological function.
Article Types & Priorities
Expedited Review (14-21 days)
- Original Research Articles (mechanistic studies)
- Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
- Methods & Protocols (novel techniques)
- Registered Reports (pre-registered studies)
Regular Review (28-35 days)
- Short Communications (rapid findings)
- Data Notes (datasets with physiological context)
- Perspectives & Commentaries
- Technical Notes (methodological advances)
Selective Review
- Case Reports (only if exceptional mechanistic insight)
- Opinion Pieces (by invitation only)
- Hypothesis Articles (must be testable and grounded)
Editorial Standards
Reporting Guidelines
ARRIVE (animal studies), CONSORT (interventions), STROBE (observational), PRISMA (reviews). Compliance required for submission.
Data Transparency
Raw data deposition in public repositories (Dryad, Figshare, OSF) required. Data availability statement mandatory.
Ethics Approval
IRB/IACUC approval required for human and animal studies. Ethics statement must include approval numbers and consent procedures.
Preprint Policy
Preprints welcomed (bioRxiv, medRxiv). Does not affect consideration. Must be disclosed at submission.
Reproducibility
Detailed methods, statistical analysis plans, and reagent information required. Encourage pre-registration of studies.
Conflict of Interest
Full disclosure of financial and non-financial conflicts required. Funding sources must be stated explicitly.
Decision Metrics
Ready to Submit?
Ensure your research aligns with our physiological focus and mechanistic approach. Review our author guidelines for detailed submission requirements.
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