Review for 10.1186/s12876-018-0850-7 (2018)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Improves Chronic Colitis -Associated 
Complications through Inhibiting the Activity of Toll -Like Receptor -4 in Mice  
 
Version: 0 Date: 30 Nov 2017  
 
Reviewer: Dc de Almeida  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
1) General . Methods is very brief, some points need more information, i.e. how MSCs were 
expanded, a description or kits used during Biochemical analysis and others.  
 
2) General. Images and figures need more resolution and distinctness.  
 
3) Results. All figures numbe rs should be fixed, the number, organization and citation in the 
text are wrong, they not correspond to figure description in the body text and have place that 
text description do not have figures. I addition, I believe there are some missing images and 
figures.  
 
4) Results. Also, the legends in the Y axis of each graphs need to be clear and larger.  
 
5) Results. Fig1, for a better understanding, the "area under curve" graph need to be added.  
 
6) Results. Fig2 should be better organized with more clear images d escription of each groups. 
The histopathologic images need clearly showed edema, infiltration of inflammatory cells 
and villus structures.  
 
7) Results. Fig3 A and B. The authors should clearly and correctly describe the organ, in this 
case the images are fr om spleen sections and structures and liver images and their structures 
need to be added. Please review this in the body text.  
 
8) Results. Fig4, 5 and 6. The description of cytokines at mRNA and protein levels is confusing 
and need to be more explored and clarified in the text. The authors should describe the event 
and findings more clearly.  
 
9) Results. Fig6. Calcium levels is not described in the text. ??  
 
10) Results. The "TLR4, TRAF6 and NF -κB" and also "Correlation analysis" data are missing, 
please adju st all images and figures and their respective description in the text.  
 
11) The authors should explore a minimal mechanism that explain bacterial translocation, for 
instance, investigate the levels of tight junctions and adhesion molecules in the intestine . Can 
MSCs improve this markers ?  
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which con trols 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.  
 
Unable to assess  
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or wo uld 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 recommend additional statistical review  
 
Quality of written Eng lish 
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 reimburseme nts, 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 received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an or ganization 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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