Review for 10.1186/s12876-016-0534-0 (2016)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
 
Title: Cirrhosis related functionality characteristic of the fecal microbiota as revealed by a  
metaproteomic approach  
 
 
Version: 0 Date: 11 Feb 2016  
 
 
Reviewer: Alessandro Vitale  
 
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
 
This is an interesting study exploring functionality characteristic of the fecal microbiota in 
cirrhotic patients with different degrees of liver dysfunction (Child A, B, and C).  
 
 
The aim of this study and the applied methodology (metaproteomic approach)  are extremely 
original.  
 
 
The paper is well written.  
 
 
However, I have one major concern after reading this paper:  
 
 
Although I'm not an expert on microbiota studies, I have the impression that the sample si ze 
enrolled is too small. I understand that the methodology and costs are complex, but I think that 
when we studied a very complex biological reality as the microbiota more patients should be 
enrolled.  
 
 
The authors should enroll more patients or, as alterna tive, well explaining (also reporting some 
examples from the literature) that the number of patients enrolled is appropriate.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.  
 
Unable to assess  
 
Are you able to assess any st atistics 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 statisti cs 
 
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 y ears received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an  
organisation that may in any way gain or lose financially from the publication of this  
manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation that may i n 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, fund ing, 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.  
 
None  
 
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