Review for 10.1186/s12876-019-0951-y (2019)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Hepatic Sonic Hedgehog Protein Expressio n Measured by Computer Assisted 
Morphometry  Significantly Correlates with Features of Non -Alcoholic Steatohepatitis  
 
Version: 0 Date: 26 Nov 20 18 
 
Reviewer: Yuichi Yoshida  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
In this pape r, the authors examined hepatic expression of Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) protein in the 
liver sections of NASH patients. Using the measurement by computer -assisted morphometry, the 
authors showed that hepatic SHH expression was correlated with histological featu res 
(ballooning degeneration and fibrosis) and serum expression of NASH markers, such as M30 or 
M65. However, so far, there have been several reports regarding the hepatic expression of SHH 
in NASH/NAFLD patients. (Rangwala F, Guy CD, Lu J, Suzuki A, Burch ette JL, Abdelmalek 
MF, Chen W, Diehl AM. Increased production of sonic hedgehog by ballooned hepatocytes. J 
Pathol.2011 Jul;224(3):401 -10.  Machado MV, Michelotti GA, Pereira TA, Xie G, Premont R, 
Cortez -Pinto H, Diehl AM. Accumulation of duct cells with activated YAP parallels fibrosis 
progression in non -alcoholic fatty liver disease. J Hepatol. 2015 Oct;63(4):962 -70. Ref #16) 
Therefore, despite the data presented here, thi s paper seems to lack novelty.  
 
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 supported 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 specify 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:  
 
Not suitable for publication unless extensively edited  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
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