Review for 10.1186/s12876-017-0706-6 (2017)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Helicobacter -induced Gastric Inflammation Alters the Properties  of Gastric Tissue 
Stem/Progenitor Cells  
 
Version: 0 Date: 26 Jun 2017  
 
Reviewer: Soumita Das  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
The paper by Shibata et al studied the possible mechanism of gastric carcinogenesis mediated by 
chronic inflammation after Helicobacter felis infection. They showed that the infection increased 
the number of tissue s tem/progenitor cells, which acquired stemness properties, and altered the 
direction of differentiation toward intestinal metaplasia to cancer. Interestingly, they used three 
mice models. Also, the addition of organoids in this work has added an extra advan tage. The 
authors responded point by point to the reviewers' comments. This manuscript is important to 
know the mechanism of gastric cancer. The authors should consider the following topics:  
1) H. felix infection is low in human compared to H. pylori infec tion. They should discuss in 
the paper about the physiological relevance of this work in human diseases and after H. 
pylori infection  
2) The culture condition of the strain of Helicobacter felis should be included  
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 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 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 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 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 receiv ed 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 i n 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 competing interests'  
 
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