Review for 10.1186/s12876-022-02496-3 (2022)

Reviewer’s report
Title: 
Mutational and transcriptional alterations and clinicopathological factors
predict the prognosis of stage I hepatocellular carcinoma ---Prediction of stage I
HCC prognosis
Version: 
0 
Date: 
20 Jun 2022
Reviewer's report:
The study is interesting as it proposes to evaluate the mutational status of
specific genes to define the prognosis of patients with epatocellular carcinoma.
In detail, the study aims to analyze "stage I" patients. However, the definition of
"stage I" is not clear, considering that the staging systems used for hepatocellular
carcinoma are many (TMN, BCLC, CUPI, CLIP, OKUDA, ...) as reported by the
authors themselves. Since the tumor characteristics (size, lymphnode
involvement, alpha-fetoprotein values, ...) of the patients considered in the study
are not indicated in detail, perhaps it would be better to define the stage of the
patients in the study as generically "early stage", modifying it both in the title
and in the text. Alternatively it should be indicated which classification system
the authors refer to.
Many details of the acronyms used in the text are absent (eg: TMB, BCLC, AFP,
DCP and all the genes mentioned in the manuscript of which it would be
desirable to report in full name if possible).
Also in the tables and graphs there is no legend of the terms used.
Materials & methods, Line 62: "wide type group (WT)" is probably to be
replaced with "wilde type group"
Unless requested by the Editor, I do not understand the need to add the
abbreviated version of the title "Prediction of stage I HCC prognosis".
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Is the study design appropriate to answer the research question (including the use
of appropriate controls), and are the conclusions supported by the evidence
presented?
Yes
Are the methods sufficiently described to allow the study to be repeated?
No
Is the use of statistics and treatment of uncertainties appropriate?
Yes
Is the presentation of the work clear?
No
Are the images in this manuscript (including electrophoretic gels and blots) free
from apparent manipulation?
Yes