Review for 10.1186/s12876-018-0871-2 (2018)

Reviewe r’s report  
Title: Hepatic expression of Yin Yang 1 (YY1) is associated wit h the non -alcoholic fatty liver 
disease (NAFLD) progression in patients undergoing bariatric surgery  
 
Version: 0 Date: 15 Aug 2018  
 
Reviewer: Rafael Bergesch D ’Incao  
 
Reviewer's report:  
Dear author,  
 
the present article achieves its objective in demonstrating the functionality of Yin Yang 1 (YY1) 
as a marker of NAFLD activity and also its correlation with other laboratory exams and 
parameters related to metabolic syndrome.  
 
The methods se emed to me adequate, both with regard to patient selection, and in relation to 
obtaining the material and analyzing it. The selection of a group of patients undergoing bariatric 
surgery is adequate, since it provides a homogeneous sample, but decreases the  external 
validation of these data. Thus, another study with patients with metabolic syndrome would be 
useful.  
 
The language also seemed appropriate to me.  
 
The article seems appropriate for publication.  
 
Regards,  
Rafael Bergesch D'Incao  
 
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 manus cript or would you recommend an 
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects requ ire 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 complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, f ees, funding, or salary from an 
organisation that may in any way gain or lose financial ly from the publication of this 
manuscript, either now or in the future?  
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation t hat 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 applying 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 re lating 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 yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no significant competing financial, professional or personal interests that 
might have influen ced the evaluation of the work described in this manuscript.  
 
I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal. I understand that my name will be included 
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to the editors, which will not be published.  
 
I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal