Review for 10.1186/s12876-016-0432-5 (2016)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Retinoid and Carotenoid Status in Serum and Liver Among Patients at High -Risk for Liver 
Cancer  
 
 
Version: 0 Date: 03 Dec 2015  
 
 
Reviewer: Paul Kelly  
 
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
This is a very interesting article. The analysis of retinoids has been thoughtfully done, inclu ding 
attempted correction by CRP (even though that was found paradoxically to fall with increasing 
stage of disease) and measurements of multiple retinoid molecules.  
 
 
There are only two criticisms. The introduction makes a great deal of the important of 
hepatocellular carcinoma, but the paper does not deal with HCC and I found myself looking for 
data which are not present. The introduction is therefore a little bit misleading and the 
overemphasis on HCC could be softened.  
 
Also several abbreviations, and t he significance of a -SMA, were not explained in the 
introduction. This should be corrected.  
 
 
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 a dditional 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:  
 
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, fees, funding, or salary from 
an organisation that may in any way gai n or lose financially from the publication of this  
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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 fu ture?  
 
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 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 yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I dec lare that I have no competing interests.  
 
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