Review for 10.1186/s12876-020-01459-w (2020)

Reviewer’ s report
Title: Liver fibrosis assessments using FibroScan, Virtual-Touch tissue quantification, the FIB-4
index, and Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer levels compared with pathologicalfindings of liver resection specimens in patients with hepatitis C infection
Version: 1Date: 14 Apr 2020
Reviewer's report:
1.I am confused by the sentences to describe the results present in figure 1. Each figure seems to
present the value of each assay in different fibrosis stages determined by META VIR score.However, it is described as "The median METAVIR scores for each method were as follows:FibroScan, F0: 3.9, F1: 7.6, F2: 8.8, F3: 13.1…….", which is different from what we learned fromthe figures. Such confusing sentences were also noted when describing the results in figure 2.Please clarify these issues.2.The authors concluded that FibroScan and VTQ were most strongly correlated with thediagnosis of hepatic fibrosis using liver resection specimens. However, I did not see anycomparison among different assays. For example, any statistical difference of AUROC amongdifferent assays? If not, maybe it is not a good idea to set up such conclusions.3.English should 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.
YesAre the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.
NoAre 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 furtherassessment 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:
Needs some language corrections before being publishedDeclaration of competing interests
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