Review for 10.1186/s12876-016-0540-2 (2016)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: The dual role of Escherichia coli in t he course of ulcerat ive colitis  
 
Version: 0 Date: 23 Dec 2015  
 
Reviewer: Akira Imoto  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
Major  
 
 
1. The authors examine Escherichia coli only from the site of inflammation this time. How 
about in the non -inflammation site (the non -inflammatory mucosa of the acute phase or 
healing mucosa of the remission)? Why does this mechanism act only at inflammati on 
site? Is it the cause that Fe increases? Authors should examine that responses to Fe of 
Escherichia coli isolated from the non -inflammation site are the same as them of 
Escherichia coli isolated from the inflammation site and there is more quantity of 
Escherichia coli than non -inflammation site than the inflammation site.  
 
 
 
2. Do Fe and the H2O2 actually increase in the site of inflammation? Authors should 
measure and confirm them.  
 
 
 
3. Please show that other bacteria do not increase in inflammation site.  
 
 
 
4. KatE gene does not increase even when Fe2+ are loaded. Please write down the reason 
why HPII is not involved in this system a little in detail.  
 
 
 
 
Minor  
 
5. Do you completely adjust the type and the Mayo score of the UC patients who offer 
specimens? Ple ase describe the details if you match them.  
 
 
 
 
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 d ata 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 o f 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 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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