Review for 10.1186/s12876-016-0429-0 (2016)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: A Hypothesis of Couplet Molecules and Couplet Cells in Gastric Function and an 
Association with Helicobacter pylori  
 
 
Version: 1 Date: 08 Nov 2015  
 
 
Reviewer: Reidar Fossmark  
 
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
 
Localisation of ECL cells and G cells in normal stomachs are relatively easy to examine, after 
having examined longitudinal sections of rodent stomachs for some time I have not found so 
much overlap between the corpus and antrum. It is well known  that some HDC antibodies also 
label G -cells. There is a transition zone between the antrum and corpus, but the hypothesis in the 
manuscript can not be based on that. In altered stomachs due to disease the localisation of ECL 
cells and G cells may be different and should be considered a type of metaplasia.  
 
How neuroendcrine cells communicate with target cells has been studied for some time and if 
you call it diffusion the  distance seem to be short in many instances. The long cytoplasmatic 
extensions of antral cells were described in 1979 (Larsson LI 1979, Science), for other cell types 
more recently (Gustafsson BI 2011, Parietal cell activation by arborization of ECL cell 
cytoplasmic projections).  
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the aut hors.  
 
Unable to assess  
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Unable to assess  
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
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.  
 
Not relevant to this manuscript  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
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none  
 
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