Review for 10.1186/s12876-020-01243-w (2020)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Increased circulating total bile acid levels were associated with  organ failure in patients 
with acute pancreatitis  
 
Version: 1 Date: 08 Mar 2020  
 
Reviewer: Ali Alex ander Aghdassi  
 
Reviewer's report:  
The authors have clarified the reviewers queries. They also commented on the predictive effect 
of early measurement of TBA levels (i.e. within the first 24 hours) regarding organ failure and 
made a separate analysis. The manus cript is written more clearly and the quality could be 
improved.  
 
 
 
 
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.  
 
Unable to assess  
 
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 speci fy what aspects require further 
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I am abl e 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 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 al l 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 tha t I have no competing interests  
 
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on my report to the authors and, if the manuscript is accepted f or publication, my named report 
including any attachments I upload will be posted on the website along with the authors' 
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to the editors, which will n ot be published.  
 
I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal