Review for 10.1186/s12876-016-0520-6 (2016)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Soluble ST2  is a sensitive clinical marker of ulcerative colitis evolution  
 
 
Version: 0 Date: 17 May 2016  
 
 
Reviewer: Osamu Inatomi  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
This manuscript describes prospective analysis of serum ST2 level in active UC patients.  
Although sample size is quite small he findings provide evidence that ST2 may be good 
predictor for the outcome.  
This result is very interesting and it is an  article whose findings are important to those with 
closely related research interests.  
 
Major point  
1. The authors does not mention serum or mucosal level of IL -33. Previous papers showed 
the correlation between IL -33 and the activity of UC. I think that some additional data or 
the convincing reason should be needed.  
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supporte d by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an  
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please spe cify what aspects require further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I am able to assess the statistics  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please comp lete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
 
1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from 
an organisation that may in any way gain or lose financially from the publication of t his 
manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation that may in any way gain or lose  
financially from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
3. Do you hold or are you currently apply ing for any patents relating to the content of the  
manuscript?  
 
4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that 
holds  or has applied for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?  
 
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
 
6. Do you have any non -financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
 
If you can answer no to all of the above, write 'I declare that I have no competing interests' 
below.  If your reply is y es to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
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on my report to the authors and, if the manuscript is accepted for publication, my named report  
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I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal