JerMa88/BMC_Gastroenterology_Peer_Reviews huggingface dataset:
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-13 (2002)

Reviewer's report
 The plasma membrane carbonic anhydrase in murine hepatocytes identified as isozyme XIV Title:
Authors:
Seppo Parkkila (seppo.parkkila@uta.fi )
Antti J Kivela (akivela@paju.oulu.fi )
Kari Kaunisto (kari.kaunisto@oulu.fi )
Anna-Kaisa Parkkila (akparkkila@hotmail.com )
Jukka Hakkola (jukka.hakkola@oulu.fi )
Hannu Rajaniemi (hannu.rajaniemi@oulu.fi )
Abdul Waheed (waheeda@slu.edu )
William S Sly (slyws@slu.edu )
 1  8 May 2002 Version: Date:
 Claudiu Supuran Reviewer:
 not specified Level of interest:
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication:
Recommendation: PUBLISH with minor revision 
Comments: This is an interesting work regarding the identification of the isozyme type responsible for 
CA activity in the hepatocyte plasma membranes. Up to now it was considered that this is due to 
iszoyme CA IV, but the present authors clearly show that this is due to the recently isoalted isozyme CA 
XIV. The experimental techniques described are straightforward and properly described. 
Furtermore: 
1. Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown: 
Yes, they are. 
2. Are sufficcient details provided to allow replication of the work or comparison with related analyses: 
Yes. 
3. Does the manuscript adhere to the relevant standards for reporting and data deposition: 
yes. 
4. Is the writing acceptable? 
No, references provided are insufficient. For example, in several recent reviews, the cellular distribution 
and physiological functions of the various CA isozymes have been extensively discussed. These works 
must be cited, such as for example: C.T. Supuran, A. Scozzafava, Exp. Opin. Ther. Patents 2002, 12, 217-242. 
C.T. Supuran, A. Scozzafava, Exp. Opin. Ther. Patents 2000, 10, 575-600. 
Competing interests:
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-13 (2002)

Reviewer's□report 
□The□plasma□membrane□carbonic□anhydrase□in□murine□hepatocytes□identified□as□isozyme□XIV Title: 
Authors: 
Seppo□Parkkila□( seppo.parkkila@uta.fi )
Antti□J□Kivela□( akivela@paju.oulu.fi )
Kari□Kaunisto□( kari.kaunisto@oulu.fi )
Anna-Kaisa□Parkkila□( akparkkila@hotmail.com )
Jukka□Hakkola□( jukka.hakkola@oulu.fi )
Hannu□Rajaniemi□( hannu.rajaniemi@oulu.fi )
Abdul□Waheed□( waheeda@slu.edu )
William□S□Sly□( slyws@slu.edu )
□1□ □12□May□2002 Version: Date: 
□Dr□Kiyoshi□Mori Reviewer: 
□A□paper□of□considerable□general□medical□or□scientific□interest Level□of□interest: 
□Accept□after□discretionary□revisions Advice□on□publication: 
The□present□work□by□S.□Parkkila□et□al.□describes□the□cellular□and□subcellular□localization□of□carbonic□ 
anhydrase□(CA)□XIV□in□the□mouse□liver.□The□methods□applied□are□straight□forward□and□the□results□are□ 
well□described.□These□findings□bring□new□insight□into□our□understanding□of□physiological□roles□of□CA,□ 
especially□CA□XIV,□in□the□liver.□ 
(Major□point)□The□description□about□hepatic□distribution□of□membrane-bound□CA□activity,□obtained□by□ 
previous□histochemical□stainings,□should□be□given□more□clearly,□since□reference□(6)□is□not□accessible□ 
easily□for□general□readers.□The□comparison□of□histochemical□analysis□and□the□present□ 
immunohistochemical□work□should□be□discussed□in□detail.□ 
(Minor□points)□ 
1)□In□the□authorsaETM□previous□work,□the□anti-CA□XIV□antibody□recognized□recombinant□full-length□ 
mouse□CA□XIV□expressed□in□CHO□cells□as□54□kD□protein,□whereas□in□the□present□study□as□44/46□kD.□ The□authors□should□provide□explanation.□ 
2)□Results□of□immunohistochemistry□for□colon□or□jejunum□should□be□shown□to□serve□as□negative□control.□ 
Competing□interests: 
None□declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-11 (2002)

Reviewer's report
 Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection in South-East Europe: the changing prevalence during a Title:
ten-year period and its antigenic profile.
Authors:
Periklis Apostolopoulos (periklisapo@yahoo.com )
Irene Vafiadis (i.vafiadis@grmedia.gr )
Michael Tzivras (pola@med.uoa.gr )
Dimitrios Kourtessas (akorba@med.uoa.gr )
Nicolaos Katsilambros (laennec@techlink.gr )
Athanasios Archimandritis (aarchim@hotmail.com )
 1  27 Dec 2001 Version: Date:
 Dr Angel Lanas Reviewer:
 A paper of limited interest Level of interest:
 Unable to decide on acceptance or rejection until the authors have responded Advice on publication:
to the compulsory revisions
COMMENTS 
The authors of this article evaluate the changes of H. pylori prevalence in 
Greece during a ten-year period. They also evaluate the antigenic profile of 
this infection regarding CagA and VacA status. They found a significant 
decrease of H. pylori infection in Greece between 1987 and 1997. Data support the birth cohort phenomenon for the infection. They also found a high prevalence of type I H. pylori strains in Greece. 
The results of this study agree with previous studies that had already 
reported a similar outcome. It is of interest to note that the study has been carried out in a Mediterranean country where the prevalence of H. 
pylori infection is high. 
COMPULSORY REVISIONS 
1. Patients were obtained from a Gastroenterology clinic rather than from a 
general population sample. Patients suffering from some digestive diseases may have a higher prevalence of H. pylori infection than that found in the general population. The authors should address this issue and describe the 
type of populations analysed. Although they had used 2 different populations 
in 1997 and found no differences between them , there is no subgroup of patients for those older than 65 in the BD-patients group. It would be also of interest to have a similar group (BD ) in 1987. 
2. In order to better define the antigenic profile of H. pylori infection 
and the evolution of this profile with time, it would be important to 
evaluate both CagA and VacA in serum samples obtained in 1987. 
3. This study does not evaluate and does not compare samples from a 
Mediterranean country with those obtained in Scandinavian or other western 
countries. Therefore, the last part of the last paragraph (aim of the study) 
in the background section should be modified. 
4. More information should be provided regarding the statistical methods 
used. Software and type of tests used in the different types of data and 
questions evaluated. They also should address the reason/s for choosing the sample size used in the study. 
5. Spelling errors have been detected in the core text and references. 
Competing interests:
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-11 (2002)

Reviewer's report
 Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection in South-East Europe: the changing prevalence during a Title:
ten-year period and its antigenic profile.
Authors:
Periklis Apostolopoulos (periklisapo@yahoo.com )
Irene Vafiadis (i.vafiadis@grmedia.gr )
Michael Tzivras (pola@med.uoa.gr )
Dimitrios Kourtessas (akorba@med.uoa.gr )
Nicolaos Katsilambros (laennec@techlink.gr )
Athanasios Archimandritis (aarchim@hotmail.com )
 2  20 Feb 2002 Version: Date:
 Dr Angel Lanas Reviewer:
 A paper of limited interest Level of interest:
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication:
I have reviewed the revised manuscript and found that it has improved. I feel comfortable with the 
response given to the most part of my criticisms. 
However I think that the statistical section of Methods should be improved. Authors have not added anything new and I believe that they should include the calculations they made in order to estimate the sample size. Three tables are focused on logistic regression analysis, but the authors do not provide 
any description of how these analysis were performed. 
Competing interests:
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-11 (2002)

Reviewer's□report 
□Helicobacter□pylori□(H□pylori)□infection□in□South-East□Europe:□the□changing□prevalence□during□a□ Title: 
ten-year□period□and□its□antigenic□profile. 
Authors: 
Periklis□Apostolopoulos□( periklisapo@yahoo.com )
Irene□Vafiadis□( i.vafiadis@grmedia.gr )
Michael□Tzivras□( pola@med.uoa.gr )
Dimitrios□Kourtessas□( akorba@med.uoa.gr )
Nicolaos□Katsilambros□( laennec@techlink.gr )
Athanasios□Archimandritis□( aarchim@hotmail.com )
□3□ □29□Apr□2002 Version: Date: 
□Dr□Angel□Lanas Reviewer: 
□A□paper□whose□findings□are□important□to□those□with□closely□related□research□interests Level□of□interest: 
□Accept□after□discretionary□revisions Advice□on□publication: 
I□have□noporblems□with□the□manuscript.□I□still□think□they□need□to□include□1-2□sentences□in□the□Statistics□ 
saying□how□they□estimated□the□sample□size. 
Competing□interests: 
None□declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-12 (2002)

Reviewer's□report 
□13C-Urea□Breath□Test□Threshold□Calculation□and□Evaluation□for□the□Detection□of□Helicobacter□ Title: 
pylori□Infection□in□Children 
Authors: 
Ralf□Herold□( ralf.herold@charite.de )
Michael□Becker□( michael.becker@charite.de )
□2□ □7□May□2002 Version: Date: 
□Prof□Francois□Mion Reviewer: 
□A□paper□whose□findings□are□important□to□those□with□closely□related□research□interests Level□of□interest: 
□Accept□without□revision Advice□on□publication: 
My□original□criticisms□have□been□taken□into□account□by□the□authors.□ 
I□think□this□paper□is□now□acceptable□for□publication.□ 
Competing□interests: 
This□reviewer□was□a□member□of□the□European□BIOMED□project□which□funding□helped□for□the□realisation□ 
of□this□study.□ 
This□reviwer□was□however□not□involved□in□the□design,□realisation□or□interpretation□of□this□work.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-10 (2002)

Reviewer's□report 
□man_populate□failed:□bmc_article_lists.single_article□returned□1 Title: 
Authors: 
Java□Exception error□'800a0d5d'
Application□uses□a□value□of□the□wrong□type□for□the□current□operation. 
/commhead.asp ,□line□308
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-10 (2002)

Reviewer's□report 
□Colonic□Tuberculosis□mimicking□Crohn's□disease;□Report□of□a□case Title: 
Authors: 
Constantinos□Chatzicostas□( matrix01gr@yahoo.gr )
Ioannis□E□Koutroubakis□( ktjohn@her.forthnet.gr )
Maria□Tzardi□( tzardi_maria@yahoo.co.uk )
Maria□Roussomoustakaki□( rousso@med.uoc.gr )
Panagiotis□Prassopoulos□( gournick@med.uoc.gr )
Elias□A□Kouroumalis□( kouroum@med.uoc.gr )
□1□ □17□Apr□2002 Version: Date: 
□Prof□S.P.□Misra Reviewer: 
□A□paper□of□limited□interest Level□of□interest: 
□Accept□after□discretionary□revisions Advice□on□publication: 
1.□The□authors□report□a□patient□with□colonic□tuberculosis□(a□rare□ 
disease□ 
in□the□West)□who□was□wrongly□diagnosed□as□having□Crohn's□disease□ 
(a□ 
relatively□common□occurrence□in□the□West).□ 
The□case□in□discussion□is□important□because□more□and□more□patients□ 
having□ abdominal□tuberculosis□are□being□reported□from□the□developed□ 
countries□and□ 
the□case□highlights□the□importance□of□considering□colonic□ 
tuberculosis□as□a□ differential□diagnosis.□ 
The□main□problem□with□the□paper□is□the□language□and□I□strongly□ 
suggest□that□ the□authours□take□help□of□an□English-speaking□editor.□ 
Compulsory□Revisions:□ 
The□conclusion□is□not□relevant.□TB□should□be□however,□considered□ as□a□ 
differential□diagnosis□in□patients□suspected□of□having□a□tumourous□ 
lesion□on□ colonoscopy□and□in□patients□suspected□of□having□Crohn's□disease.□ (see□J□ 
Gastroenterol□Hepatol□1999;□14:□723-9).□ 
Background:□anti-tuberculous□rather□than□tuberculostatic□ 
Case□report:□but□stopped□drinking□five□years□ago.□He□did□not□smoke□ 
and□ 
worked□as-----□ 
E.□histolytica□(in□italics)□rather□than□amoebiasis□ 
epithelioid□and□not□epitheliod□ 
g/d□rather□than□gr/d□ 
Bronchoscopy□ 
Please□mention□the□duration□of□follow-up.□ 
References□are□not□in□the□Vancouver□style.□ 
Competing□interests: 
None□declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-10 (2002)

Reviewer's□report 
□Colonic□Tuberculosis□mimicking□Crohn's□disease;□Report□of□a□case Title: 
Authors: 
Constantinos□Chatzicostas□( matrix01gr@yahoo.gr )
Ioannis□E□Koutroubakis□( ktjohn@her.forthnet.gr )
Maria□Tzardi□( tzardi_maria@yahoo.co.uk )
Maria□Roussomoustakaki□( rousso@med.uoc.gr )
Panagiotis□Prassopoulos□( gournick@med.uoc.gr )
Elias□A□Kouroumalis□( kouroum@med.uoc.gr )
□2□ □7□May□2002 Version: Date: 
□Prof□S.P.□Misra Reviewer: 
□A□paper□of□limited□interest Level□of□interest: 
□Accept□after□discretionary□revisions Advice□on□publication: 
The□paper□has□been□revised□extensively.□It□may□be□published.□However,□in□the□ 
background□(Introduction),□line□7□(More□than□200□cases□of□intestinal---)□may□ 
be□deleted□and□modified.□This□is□not□true□as□there□are□several□large□reports□ 
of□tuberculosis□which□have□not□been□quoted□by□the□authors.□What□the□authors□ 
have□done□is□that□they□have□added□the□number□of□cases□published□in□ 
references□1-5□and□9.□Even□in□the□case□report□they□have□quoted□other□ 
articles□such□as□reference□15,□16,□17,□19,21.□I□know□of□several□other□ 
reports□and□therefore□the□number□of□200□is□a□gross□underestimate. 
Competing□interests: 
None□declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-9 (2002)

Reviewer's report
 Melatonin reduces cytokine induced expression of MAdCAM-1: Implications for IBD therapy. Title:
Authors:
Makotoh Sasaki MD (msasak@lsuhsc.edu )
Paul Jordan MD (pjorda1@lsuhsc.edu )
Takashi Joh MD (jalexa@lsuhsc.edu )
Makotoh Itoh MD (jalexa@lsuhsc.edu )
Michael Jenkins (michael.jenkins@virgin.net )
J. Steven Alexander PhD (jalexa@lsuhsc.edu )
 1  3 Mar 2002 Version: Date:
 Dr Soichiro Miura Reviewer:
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research interests Level of interest:
 Unable to decide on acceptance or rejection until the authors have responded Advice on publication:
to the compulsory revisions
In this manuscript authors found that melatonin significantly attenuated endothelial MAdCAM-1 
expression induced by TNF-a in vitro. 
This is a concise paper that includes an interesting effect of melatonin, but it does not directly indicate that melatonin may exert therapeutic activity in IBD. Moreover the attenuating mechanism of melatonin on MAdCAM-1 upregulation is only speculative. I have several concerns as follows: 
1) This study does not show a direct evidence that melatonin exert therapeutic activity in IBD. Recently 
Cuzzocrea S. et al. reported that melatonin reduces dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis (J. Pineal Res 30: 1-12, 2001). Therefore, implication of melatonin for IBD therapy itself should not be 
stressed throughout this paper, especially must not be appeared in the title. 
2) Instead, the concentrations of melatonin by which MAdCAM-1 was inhibited must be discussed more 
in detail comparing the previous reports of in vivo effect of melatonin on intestinal injury. In addition is 
this concentration more than 100 uM safe and well-tolerated dose in in vivo situation? 
3) Because the inhibitory effect of melatonin on MAdCAM-1 is the main finding of this paper, its 
mechanism of action is only speculative. Authors should show whether MAdCAM-1 expression is mediated through the NF-kB system as they did in the paper by Oshima et al. 
Minor point: 
1) Method-Western analysis. Rat anti MAdCAM-1 mAb should be Rat anti- mouse MAdCAM-1 mAb. 
Competing interests:
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-9 (2002)

Reviewer's□report 
□Melatonin□reduces□cytokine□induced□expression□of□MAdCAM-1:□Implications□for□IBD□therapy. Title: 
Authors: 
Makotoh□Sasaki□MD□( msasak@lsuhsc.edu )
Paul□Jordan□MD□( pjorda1@lsuhsc.edu )
Takashi□Joh□MD□( jalexa@lsuhsc.edu )
Makotoh□Itoh□MD□( jalexa@lsuhsc.edu )
Michael□Jenkins□( michael.jenkins@virgin.net )
Kevin□Pavlick□PhD□( kpavli@lsuhsc.edu )
Alireza□Minagar□MD□( kaminag@lsuhsc.edu )
J□Steven□Alexander□PhD□( jalexa@lsuhsc.edu )
□4□ □9□Apr□2002 Version: Date: 
□Dr□Soichiro□Miura Reviewer: 
□A□paper□whose□findings□are□important□to□those□with□closely□related□research□interests Level□of□interest: 
□Accept□after□discretionary□revisions Advice□on□publication: 
The□Authors□well□corresonded□my□comments,□and□satisfactory□revised□the□ 
manuscript.□ 
Only□one□point:□Ref.□6□is□same□as□Ref.□15. 
Competing□interests: 
None□declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-9 (2002)

Reviewer's report
 Melatonin reduces cytokine induced expression of MAdCAM-1: Implications for IBD therapy. Title:
Authors:
Makotoh Sasaki MD (msasak@lsuhsc.edu )
Paul Jordan MD (pjorda1@lsuhsc.edu )
Takashi Joh MD (jalexa@lsuhsc.edu )
Makotoh Itoh MD (jalexa@lsuhsc.edu )
Michael Jenkins (michael.jenkins@virgin.net )
Kevin Pavlick PhD (kpavli@lsuhsc.edu )
Alireza Minagar MD (kaminag@lsuhsc.edu )
J Steven Alexander PhD (jalexa@lsuhsc.edu )
 4  9 Apr 2002 Version: Date:
 Wayne Patton Reviewer:
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research interests Level of interest:
 Reject Advice on publication:
The revised manuscript was for the most part unresponsive to the reviewer's 
previous critique. Compulsory revisions 3 and 5-10 were not addressed in the 
revised manuscript. Criticism 4 was only partially addressed, it is important 
to explicitly state that the cell line is "an SV-40 transformed mouse lymphoid 
endothelial cell line". None of the other compulsory corrections were made at 
all. Without incorporation of the changes outlined in the previous review, I 
strongly recommend rejection of the manuscript. 
Competing interests:
The reviewer has no financial competing interests with regard to the paper. From 1987-1989, the 
reviewer did serve in the same academic laboratory as the senior author of the paper. This laboratory 
investigated cytoskeletal regulation of endothelial cell inflammation.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-9 (2002)

Reviewer's report
 Melatonin reduces TNF-a induced expression of MAdCAM-1 via inhibition of NF-kB. Title:
Authors:
Makotoh Sasaki MD (msasak@lsuhsc.edu )
Paul Jordan MD (pjorda1@lsuhsc.edu )
Takashi Joh MD (jalexa@lsuhsc.edu )
Makotoh Itoh MD (jalexa@lsuhsc.edu )
Michael Jenkins (michael.jenkins@virgin.net )
Kevin Pavlick PhD (kpavli@lsuhsc.edu )
Alireza Minagar MD (aminag@lsuhsc.edu )
J Steven Alexander PhD (jalexa@lsuhsc.edu )
 8  18 Apr 2002 Version: Date:
 Wayne Patton Reviewer:
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research interests Level of interest:
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication:
The latest version is much 
improved over the other two and is responsive to my original criticisms. The 
abstract in the current version is a bit raw, but with minor English editing 
should be fine. Specifically, line 3 should have a comma after injury models, 
line three should end with "has" or "may have" instead of "have", line 5 should 
begin with "levels" or "expression", line 6 needs "was" after "expression", line 
7 needs the "m" in "um" capitalized, and line 9 should end in "expression". On page 2, line 5, "to" is required between "appears" and "promote" 
Under reagents on page 2 (line19), the Laemmli sample buffer should be 
referenced. 
On page 3, line 6, the ECL reagent is referred to for a second time. The city and state is different from the first mention on page 2, which has the correct 
information. I recommend deleting "(Amersham, La Jolla, CA)" on page 3. 
Competing interests:
The reviewer has no financial competing interests with regard to the paper. From 1987-1989, the 
reviewer did serve in the same academic laboratory as the senior author of the paper. This laboratory investigated cytoskeletal regulation of endothelial cell inflammation.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-8 (2002)

Reviewer's report
 Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Studies Of Intestinal Homogenates From Title:
NSAIDs Treated Rats.
Authors:
Sivagurunathan Somasundaram (sivasoma@med.unc.edu )
Jasvinder Shergill (j_shergill@kcl.ac.uk )
John Wrigglesworth (john-wrigglesworth@kcl.ac.uk )
Sue Rafi (s_rafi@kcl.ac.uk )
Ingvar Bjarnason (ingvar_bjarnason@kcl.ac.uk )
 2  14 Mar 2002 Version: Date:
 Prof H Sakurai Reviewer:
 not specified Level of interest:
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication:
The submitted manuscript by Somasundaram et al reports the mechanistic study of NSAIDs in terms of 
inhibition of electron transport on the basis of the experiments on EPR, permeability and morphology. 
The obtained results are interesting to understand the pharmacological activity and toxicity of 
indomethacin in relation to the mitochondrial respiratory chain, suggesting that NO plays an important 
role. However, in the sections of Materials and Methods, Results, and Discussion, many questions 
arose as follows. 
1) The title of the manuscript does not appear to reflect the results of the investigation. 
2) When the authors isolated the submitochondrial fraction, did they check the purity of the fraction by 
some enzyme activities such as succinate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphatase? 3) Did the authors test the other types of inhibitors of iNOS in the experimental stages. 
4) The expression of, for example, 90 uL of submitochondrial particles is not suitable, instead, the 
authors should use the expression such as protein amounts or contents in an EPR tube. 
5) The measurement conditions for EPR should be described in detail in the Materials and Methods section. 
6) In Results, more detail explanations are needed, especially in the figures 3, 4, and 5. 
7) It might be natural to consider that the center S3 reacts with NO generated in the system. Why the intensities of EPR signal due to g=2.02 are almost the same between the systems for indomethacin, indomethacin plus DAHP, and control? 
8) Many spell errors are found in the manuscript. 
Then the manuscript is recommended to accept in the journal, however, the authors should extensively 
improve and revise the manuscript before the publication. 
Competing interests:
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-8 (2002)

Reviewer's report
 Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Studies Of Intestinal Homogenates From Title:
NSAIDs Treated Rats.
Authors:
Sivagurunathan Somasundaram (sivasoma@med.unc.edu )
Jasvinder Shergill (j_shergill@kcl.ac.uk )
John Wrigglesworth (john-wrigglesworth@kcl.ac.uk )
Sue Rafi (s_rafi@kcl.ac.uk )
Ingvar Bjarnason (ingvar_bjarnason@kcl.ac.uk )
 2  18 Mar 2002 Version: Date:
 Dr BL Tepperman Reviewer:
 A paper of limited interest Level of interest:
 Unable to decide on acceptance or rejection until the authors have responded Advice on publication:
to the compulsory revisions
I have a few concerns with the present study. 
1) The data are achieved using only single dosage regimens of indomethacin. If as the authors 
maintain, doses of indomethacin higher than 500 uM inhibit electron transport, then this should be also 
shown for the intestine. 
2) The role of NO is inferred from the use of an iNOS inhibitor. NO should be measured or at least the 
effect confirmed using a standard NO scavenger. The formation of nitrosy complexes could be 
confirmed using nitrotyrosine staining. 
3)Is it possible to quantify the EPR spectra. Examination of the spectra in Figures 1-5 is quite difficult especially without any scale and for a non-expert in the field. THis is the only way a reader may 
appreciate the impact of the procedure on electron transport in response to NSAID treatment. 
Competing interests:
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-8 (2002)

Reviewer's□report 
□2,□4-Diamino-6-□hydroxy□pyrimidine□inhibits□NSAIDs□induced□Nitrosyl-complex□EPR□signals□and□ Title: 
ulcer□in□rat□jejunum 
Authors: 
Sivagurunathan□Somasundaram□( sivasoma@med.unc.edu )
Sue□Rafi□( S_rafi@kcl.ac.uk )
Jasvinder□Shergill□( j_shergill@kcl.ac.uk )
John□Wrigglesworth□( john_wrigglesworth@kcl.ac.uk )
Ingvar□Bjarnason□( ingvar_bjarnason@kcl.ac.uk )
□4□ □9□Apr□2002 Version: Date: 
□Dr□BL□Tepperman Reviewer: 
□A□paper□of□limited□interest Level□of□interest: 
□Accept□without□revision Advice□on□publication: 
The□manuscript□is□now□acceptable□for□publication 
Competing□interests: 
None□declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-8 (2002)

Reviewer's□report 
□2,□4-Diamino-6-□hydroxy□pyrimidine□inhibits□NSAIDs□induced□Nitrosyl-complex□EPR□signals□and□ Title: 
ulcer□in□rat□jejunum 
Authors: 
Sivagurunathan□Somasundaram□( sivasoma@med.unc.edu )
Sue□Rafi□( S_rafi@kcl.ac.uk )
Jasvinder□Shergill□( j_shergill@kcl.ac.uk )
John□Wrigglesworth□( john_wrigglesworth@kcl.ac.uk )
Ingvar□Bjarnason□( ingvar_bjarnason@kcl.ac.uk )
□4□ □11□Apr□2002 Version: Date: 
□Prof□H□Sakurai Reviewer: 
□not□specified Level□of□interest: 
□Accept□without□revision Advice□on□publication: 
Thank□you□for□your□sending□of□the□revised□manuscript□of□Somasundaram□et□al.□I□am□happy□to□inform□you□ 
that□the□manuscript□is□acceptable□for□publication□in□this□form.□ 
Competing□interests: 
None□declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-7 (2002)

Reviewer's□report 
□Effect□of□interleukin-1beta□on□proliferation□of□gastric□epithelial□cells□in□culture Title: 
Authors: 
Ian□L.□P.□Beales□( i.beales@uea.ac.uk )
□1□ □7□Jan□2002 Version: Date: 
□Dr□Lars□Eckmann Reviewer: 
□A□paper□whose□findings□are□important□to□those□with□closely□related□research□interests Level□of□interest: 
□Accept□after□discretionary□revisions Advice□on□publication: 
This□paper□shows□that□IL-1□and□GM-CSF□stimulates□proliferation□of□AGS□human□gastric□epithelial□cells.□ 
The□IL-1□effect□is□partially□mediated□by□GM-CSF.□The□study□is□technically□well□done□and□convincing,□if□ not□entirely□novel,□since□a□previous□study□had□shown□that□GM-CSF□stimulates□proliferation□in□gastric□ 
epithelial□cells□(Dippold□et□al.,□Immunol.□Res.□10:258,□1991).□Furthermore,□other□studies□have□reported□ 
growth-inhibitory□effects□of□IL-1□on□these□cells□(Nakamura□et□al.,□Dig.□Dis.□Sci.□43:476,□1998;□Tominaga□ et□al.,□Digestion□61:30,□2000),□which□is□opposite□to□the□present□findings.□As□a□minimum,□the□previous□ papers□should□be□cited□and□discussed.□Better□would□be□to□attempt□to□resolve□the□issues□around□the□IL-1□ 
effects□(Cell□line□specific?□Experimental□protocol?). 
Competing□interests: 
None□declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-6 (2002)

Reviewer's□report 
□Gastric□adenocarcinoma□in□a□patient□re-infected□with□H.□pylori□after□regression□of□MALT□lymphoma Title: 
with□successful□anti-H.□pylori□therapy□and□gastric□resection 
Authors: 
Uday□C□Ghoshal□( ghoshal@sgpgi.ac.in )
Debashish□Guha□( sanjayguha@vsnl.net )
Santu□Bandyopadhyay□( santu@cal2.vsnl.net.in )
Chiranjib□Pal□( santu@cal2.vsnl.net.in )
Srikanta□Chakraborty□( uday_ujjala@yahoo.com )
Ujjala□Ghoshal□( ujjala@sgpgi.ac.in )
Bhaskar□B□B□Pal□( pkb@123.india.com )
Prabir□K□Banerjee□( pkb@123.india.com )
□3□ □5□Jan□2002 Version: Date: 
□Dr□Shobna□Bhatia Reviewer: 
□A□paper□whose□findings□are□important□to□those□with□closely□related□research□interests Level□of□interest: 
□Accept□without□revision Advice□on□publication: 
I□have□gone□through□the□replies□of□the□authors□and□feel□that□the□queries□ 
have□been□answered□satisfactorily.□ 
Competing□interests: 
None□declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-4 (2002)

Reviewer's report
 Evidence For Modulation Of Pericryptal Sheath Myofibroblasts In Rat Descending Colon By Title:
Transforming Growth Factor b And Angiotensin II.
Authors:
Jay R Thiagarajah (jaythiagarajah@hotmail.com )
Nina M Griffiths (nina.griffiths@ipsn.fr )
kevin C pedley (K.C.Pedley@massey.ac.nz )
Richard J Naftalin (richard.naftalin@kcl.ac.uk@kcl.ac.uk )
 2  11 Dec 2001 Version: Date:
 Jehan-Francois Desjeux Reviewer:
 not specified Level of interest:
 Other (see below) Advice on publication:
This is a well-presented and well-documented article dealing with the important general issue of water 
and electrolyte handling by the colon. It is an extension of previous work suggesting that the regulation of sodium absorption is not only at the amiloride-sensitive electrogenic sodium epithelial channel. The 
authors extend the previous exploration of the role of the myofibroblast network present in the 
descending colon of the rat. They use sodium deprivation (leading to measured hyperaldosteronism) , irradiation and appropriate pharmacological tools to modulate sodium absorption in the descending colon. 
They very convincingly (and nicely) show that proteins whose expression is directly or indirectly 
modulated by aldosterone levels in different tissues is also modulated at the myofibroblast level. The data obtained by immunocytochemistry coupled to confocal microscopy are convincing when examining the nice micrographs and generated quantitative data obtained in different groups of 
animals. 
One may be disappointed by the absence of functional counterpart to immunocytochemistry. But the present group of experiments should be placed in the general context, which is well-presented in the introduction and well-documented in the reference list. 
Competing interests:
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-4 (2002)

Reviewer's□report 
□Evidence□For□Modulation□Of□Pericryptal□Sheath□Myofibroblasts□In□Rat□Descending□Colon□By□ Title: 
Transforming□Growth□Factor□b□And□Angiotensin□II. 
Authors: 
Jay□R□Thiagarajah□( jaythiagarajah@hotmail.com )
Nina□M□Griffiths□( nina.griffiths@ipsn.fr )
kevin□C□pedley□( K.C.Pedley@massey.ac.nz )
Richard□J□Naftalin□( richard.naftalin@kcl.ac.uk )
□4□ □11□Feb□2002 Version: Date: 
□Dr□Jack□Groot Reviewer: 
□A□paper□whose□findings□are□important□to□those□with□closely□related□research□interests Level□of□interest: 
□Accept□after□discretionary□revisions Advice□on□publication: 
The□corresponding□authors□has□revised□the□ms□considerably□so□that□goals□and□ 
perspective□are□much□better□visible.□The□patho-physiological□relevance□of□ the□change□in□pericryptal□sheath□(especially□in□LS)□however□is□not□yet□very□ 
clearly□discussed□and□the□authors□may□consider□to□add□a□few□words□ 
I□have□a□few□small□suggestions□left:□ 
p□4□para□2□can□be□shortened□ 
p□4□para□3:□why□use□"repair"□this□can□be□left□out□or□otherwise□should□be□ 
explained□ p□5□para□2:□again□repair.□this□para□should□be□added□to□ACE□inhibitors□p□7□ p□6□para□2□last□sentence□should□be□deleted□ 
p□8□state□whether□animals□were□fasted□or□fed□ad□lib□before□iradiation.□ 
Thank□you□for□letting□me□read□this□interesting□work.□ 
Competing□interests: 
None□declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-3 (2002)

Reviewer's□report 
□A□comparative□study□of□gallstones□from□children□and□adults□using□FTIR□spectroscopy□and□ Title: 
Fluorescence□microscopy 
Authors: 
oleg□kleiner□( finaly@bgumail.bgu.ac.il )
jagannathan□ramesh□( jram@bgumail.bgu.ac.il )
mahmoud□huleihel□( mahmoudh@bgumail.bgu.ac.il )
beny□cohen□( bcohen@bgumail.bgu.ac.il )
keren□kantarovich□( kerenk@bgumail.bgu.ac.il )
chen□levi□( chenle@bgumail.bgu.ac.il )
boris□polyak□( polyak@bgumail.bgu.ac.il )
robert□s□marks□( rsmarks@bgumail.bgu.ac.il )
jacov□mordehai□( mordehai@bgumail.bgu.ac.il )
zahavi□cohen□( zahavic@bgumail.bgu.ac.il )
shaul□mordechai□( shaulm@bgumail.bgu.ac.il )
□5□ □14□Jan□2002 Version: Date: 
□Judith□Mourant Reviewer: 
□A□paper□whose□findings□are□important□to□those□with□closely□related□research□interests Level□of□interest: 
□Accept□after□discretionary□revisions Advice□on□publication: 
These□are□comments□on□the□revised□manuscript.□ 
In□general□the□authors□have□addressed□the□comments□I□made□in□the□first□review.□Below□are□a□few□further□ 
suggestions□ 
3rd□paragraph□of□the□discussion□section:□ 
Replace□the□first□sentence□with□something□like□the□following.□"None□of□the□black□stones□from□children□ contained□as□much□cholesterol□as□the□Type□II□black□stones□from□adults.□Therefore,□we□hypothesize□that□ 
children□do□not□have□as□many□stones□with□a□high□percentage□of□cholesterol."□ 
It□was□not□obvious□what□the□column□"percentage□of□stone"□in□Table□1□means.□Please□clarify□this□in□the□ 
table□caption. 
Competing□interests: 
None□declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-2 (2002)

Reviewer's report
 
 Utility of the Mayo End-Stage Liver Disease(MELD) score in assessing Title:
prognosis of patients with alcoholic hepatitis
Authors:
Milan Sheth (msheth@swmail.sw.org )
Mark Riggs ( mriggs@swmail.sw.org )
Tushar Patel (tpatel@medicine.tamu.edu )
 2  26 Dec 2001 Version: Date:
 Dr Yoshiyuki Ueno Reviewer:
 A paper of considerable general medical or scientific interest Level of interest:
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication:
In this report, the authors examine the validity of the Model for End-Stage Liver 
Disease (MELD) score as a disease severity index for patients with alcoholic 
hepatitis. This model was originally developed to assess the short-term prognosis of 
patients with cirrhosis undergoing the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt 
(TIPS) procedure. While its development was based on a highly selected subgroup of patients with cirrhosis, the model is able to provide a reliable estimate of short-term survival over a wide range of liver disease severity and diverse etiology. 
While the previous model to evaluate prognosis of patients with alcoholic hepatitis 
was discriminant function (DF), which utilize prothrombin time (PT). As authors 
mentioned, the PT is not universal value and tends to be replaced by INR. Thus it is 
important to evaluated the efficacy of MELD in patients with alcoholic hepatitis. 
Moreover, the authors' major findings: i) close co-relation between MELD and DF, ii) 
simple clinical observation - the presence of both ascites and an elevated bilirubin 
greater than 8 mg/dL indicated poor clinical outcome, are quite useful in clinical decision making. Hence, this important report will provide quite important information
for hepatologists in not only transplant center but also in usual hepatobiliary clinic of 
medical urgency who require a more refined model that accurately represents disease severity. 
Very few further information will provide more strength of this reports such as: 1) 
patients' disease backgrounds (i.e. how many percentage of patients were acute alcoholic hepatitis and same for acute exacerbation of chronic alcoholic hepatitis?), 2) percentage of patients undergoing liver biopsy and the results of pathological 
findings. 
Apart from these questions, I believe this study will provide strong rationale for the usage of MELD in stead of DF, which was introduced almost twenty years ago whenother etiologies such as hepatitis C could not be ruled out. 
Competing interests:
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-2-1 (2002)

Reviewer's report
 Assessing Health-Related Quality Of Life In Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease, In Crete, Title:
Greece.
Authors:
Athanasios G Pallis (sebax@med.uoc.gr )
Ioannis G Vlachonikolis (socmed@edu.uch.gr )
Ioannis A Mouzas (mouzas@med.uoc.gr )
 1  13 Dec 2001 Version: Date:
 Dr maurice russel Reviewer:
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research interests Level of interest:
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication:
This is an interesting paper on HRQoL in Greece. I have some comments to the authors. 
compulsory revisions 
1. Aim of the study was to assess HRQoL in a population of unselected Greek patients: please clarify in 
the methods the method used to guarantee that these patients were unselected, I can not make this up 
from the methods. Looking at the male to female ratio the rates are different compared to publications from this area in Greece and I think this needs some explanation. 
2. Furthermore also variables influencing HRQoL were studied which should be mentioned in the 
methods. 
3. Methods Questionnaires: it should be explicitly mentioned how the diverse forms were used: 
interviewer, who was the interviewer (treating physician/nurse/ .... or whether it was a postal questionnaire in some or all patients. 
4. Disease activity: how was it decided to use these cut off points for severe symptoms and no or minor 
symptoms. 
Results: 
5. There is quite some overlap between tables and text which could be avoided. 
6. I would leave out on page 8 the line starting with "It would be interesting if we would.." which fits 
better in the discussion. 
7. Table 5 also fits better in the part discussion, explain here whether statistics are used to back up your
statement that comparison between the De Boer Study and yours yielded highly significant differences 
(any statistics done?). Probably no statistics needed here and avoid the word significance here. 
8. Discussion: 
Bottom line page 11 leave out "and" 
discretionary revisions: 
9.I would suggest to leave out table 6 and the part on Fishers linear discriminant function at the end of 
the results section. 
10. Page 12 Smoking has a negative impact in CD on disease activity whereas this effect might be 
opposite in UC, this could mean that influences on QoL are found because of the effect of smoking on disease activity. This aspect might be added to the discussion. 
11. The conclusion: IBD has a negative impact on HRQoL of Greek patients is probably true but there is
no golden standard. I would conclude that a higher disease activity has a negative impact on HRQoL 
which was shown in this study. 
12. Table 1 duration of IBD include sd 
Competing interests:
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-1-14 (2001)

Reviewer's□report 
□Changes□in□Anti-Viral□Effectiveness□of□Interferon□After□Dose□Reduction□in□Chronic□Hepatitis□C□ Title: 
Patients:□a□Case□Control□Study 
Authors: 
Frank□C□Bekkering□( fcbekkering@hotmail.com )
Avidan□U□Neumann□( neumann@mail.biu.ac.il )
Johannes□T□Brouwer□( brouwer@mdl.azr.nl )
Rachel□S□Levi-Drummer□( drummer@mail.biu.ac.il )
Solko□W□Schalm□( schalm@mdl.azr.nl )
□1□ □19□Oct□2001 Version: Date: 
□Prof□Stefan□Zeuzem Reviewer: 
□A□paper□whose□findings□are□important□to□those□with□closely□related□research□interests Level□of□interest: 
□Accept□without□revision Advice□on□publication: 
This□paper□investigates□the□changes□in□antiviral□effectiveness□of□interferon□after□dose□reduction.□The□ 
authors□investigated□a□small,□somewhat□heterogenous□cohort□of□patients□with□chronic□hepatitis□C□who□ 
either□received□high□dose□induction□therapy□plus□ribavirin□or□standard□combination□therapy.□Not□ 
surprisingly,□the□data□show□that□the□second□phase□viral□decline□slope□was□impaired□by□the□dose□ reduction.□The□data□suggest□that□induction□therapy□should□be□continued□at□least□until□HCV□RNA□ becomes□undetectable.□ 
The□paper□is□well□written,□methods□including□mathematical□modeling□are□appropriate,□and□the□results□are 
discussed□adequately.□The□manuscript□provides□additional□data□for□our□understanding□of□ 
interferon-based□treatment□in□patients□with□chronic□hepatitis□C. 
Competing□interests: 
None□declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-1-14 (2001)

Reviewer's report
 Changes in Anti-Viral Effectiveness of Interferon After Dose Reduction in Chronic Hepatitis C Title:
Patients: a Case Control Study
Authors:
Frank C Bekkering (fcbekkering@hotmail.com )
Avidan U Neumann (neumann@mail.biu.ac.il )
Johannes T Brouwer (brouwer@mdl.azr.nl )
Rachel S Levi-Drummer (drummer@mail.biu.ac.il )
Solko W Schalm (schalm@mdl.azr.nl )
 1  13 Nov 2001 Version: Date:
 Dr Alan Perelson Reviewer:
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research interests Level of interest:
 Accept without revision Advice on publication:
Nice paper. p. 11 HCVRNA -> HCV RNA, virussuppressive -> virus suppressive
Competing interests:
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-1-13 (2001)

Reviewer's report
 Early bronchopulmonary involvement in Crohn disease. A case report. Title:
Authors:
Enrico Valletta (hwwval@tin.it )
Marina Bertini (bertinimarina@hotmail.com )
Luciano Sette (lucseven@infinito.it )
Cesare Braggion (cbraggion@qubisoft.it )
Ugo Pradal (cfc@linus.univr.it )
Marina Zannoni (marina.zannoni@mail.azosp.vr.it )
 1  24 Oct 2001 Version: Date:
 Prof Sender Miszputen Reviewer:
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research interests Level of interest:
 Accept without revision Advice on publication:
It is a good and actual paper, that may interest gastroenterologists dedicated to inflammatory 
bowel diseases study. 
The text is well written, clear and contains all details about this Crohn's disease complication. 
I think the paper major message is to alert specialists about pulmonary disease associated with CD, even without symptoms. This complication may not be so rare and further pulmonary investigation will demonstrate its real frequency. 
Competing interests:
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-1-12 (2001)

Reviewer's□report 
□The□diagnostic□value□of□liver□biopsy Title: 
Authors: 
Claudia□Spycher□( claudia.spycher@lycos.com )
Arthur□Zimmermann□( zimmerma@patho.unibe.ch )
Juerg□Reichen□( reichen@ikp.unibe.ch )
□1□ □1□Oct□2001 Version: Date: 
□Mrs□Francoise□Degos Reviewer: 
□A□paper□whose□findings□are□important□to□those□with□closely□related□research□interests Level□of□interest: 
□Accept□after□revision,□which□I□do□not□need□to□see Advice□on□publication: 
Good□paper□providing□data□on□the□persisting□need□for□liver□biopsy,□for□important□diagnostic□purposes.□ 
These□data□are□of□main□interrest□since□several□authors□presently□claim□that□liver□biopsy□coulfd□be□ replaced□by□serological□tests.□ 
One□of□the□main□point□in□this□paper□is□to□underline□that□in□1/2□of□the□cases□liver□biopsy□gave□an□added□ 
diagnosis□to□that□of□HCV□infection,□the□most□common□disease□in□hepatology□departments□at□present.□ The□authors□should□comment□on□the□discrepancies□between□the□prerequisites□in□Berne□and□those□ published□by□the□English□society□in□Gut□1999,□which□are□more□complicated.□ 
The□results□concerning□the□33□patients□with□negative□markers□of□liver□disease□should□be□detailed.□ 
The□recent□papers□(Grant□and□Neuburger□,□Gut□1999,□and□Bismut,□Lancet□2001)□should□be□addded□to□the 
references 
Competing□interests: 
None□declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-1-12 (2001)

Reviewer's□report 
□The□diagnostic□value□of□liver□biopsy Title: 
Authors: 
Claudia□Spycher□( claudia.spycher@lycos.com )
Arthur□Zimmermann□( zimmerma@patho.unibe.ch )
Juerg□Reichen□( reichen@ikp.unibe.ch )
□1□ □29□Oct□2001 Version: Date: 
□Prof□Wolfgang□E.□Fleig Reviewer: 
□A□paper□of□limited□interest Level□of□interest: 
□Accept□after□revision,□which□I□do□not□need□to□see Advice□on□publication: 
This□paper□is□of□some□interest□to□hepatologists,□gastroenterologists□and□internists□as□well□as□general□ 
practiotioners.□The□data□mainly□confirm□the□findings□of□others,□indicating□that□liver□biopsy□may□add□to□or□ 
even□chance□the□pre-biopsy□diagnosis□in□a□significant□proportion□of□patients.□The□conclusions□are□sound□ and□of□clinical□relevance.□ However,□a□few□minor□points□must□be□considered:□ 
1.□It□is□well□known□that□alcoholic□liver□disease□is□a□frequent□second□diagnosis□complicating□chronic□ 
hepatitis□C,□and□this□can□be□clearly□diagnosed□on□histological□grounds.□What□was□the□specific□ contribution□of□liver□biopsy□in□adding□the□diagnosis□"autoimmune□liver□disease"□to□the□pre-bipopsy□ diagnosis□"hepatitis□C"□(Table□3)?□ 
2.□"Kupffer□cell□siderosis"□is□not□a□disease□entity,□it□simply□describes□the□predominant□localization□of□iron□ 
deposits□in□the□early□stages□of□both,□primary□and□secondary□iron□overload.□Therefore,□this□term□should□ not□be□used□as□a□diagnosis.□ 3.□How□was□the□pre-biopsy□diagnosis□of□hemochromatosis□(transferrin□saturation□>□45%,□ferritin□ 
elevated;□C282Y□analyzed?)□ruled□out□by□histology?□Absence□of□significant□iron□deposits□may□also□result 
from□previous□venaesection□or□chronic□bleeding.□ 4.□Cholestasis□is□a□sign□of□liver□disease□characterized□by□elevated□laboratory□parameters□rather□than□a□ specific□disease□entity.□Therefore,□the□identification□of□toxic□liver□injury,□alcoholic□hepatitis□and□ 
autoimmune□hepatitis□(histology□can□only□diagnose□chronic□hepatitis□but□not□the□autoimmune□ 
pathogenesis□of□inflammation)□as□the□underlying□disease□may□not□be□regarded□as□a□"change"□in□ diagnosis!□This□is,□at□best,□some□specification□of□diagnosis,□much□as□in□the□case□of□PSC,□biliary□ obstruction□or□autoimmune□cholangiopathy□(Table□2).□ 
5.□Typo's:□Page□3,□line□7:□"sizable"□instead□of□"seizable";□page□7,□line□13:□"procedures"□instead□of□ 
"procederes". 
Competing□interests: 
None□declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-1-10 (2001)

Reviewer's report
 Ileal Mucosal Bile Acid Absorption is Increased in Cftr Knockout Mice Title:
Authors:
Matthias Stelzner (stelzner@u.washington.edu )
Sivagurunathan Somasundaram (siva_somasundaram@med.unc.edu )
Sum P Lee (splee@u.washington.edu )
Rahul Kuver (kuver@u.washington.edu )
 4  1 Oct 2001 Version: Date:
 Dr Jacqueline Hardcastle Reviewer:
 not specified Level of interest:
 Accept after revision, which I do not need to see Advice on publication:
I have read through the revised version of this paper. The authors have addressed the majority of the 
points that I raised in the original review and the inclusion of the passive uptake data is useful. There are still however, a few minor changes that are required before the paper can be considered acceptablefor publication and these are detailed below. 
METHODS 
Presumably all groups of animals received the same standard liquid diet, not just the CF homozygotes. 
This could be made more explicit by stating "All mice had been kept on a standard liquid diet ...". 
RESULTS 
An n number should be provided for each value (mean+/-sem) stated in the text. Presumably n = 
number of animals in each group as stated in the Methods, but it should be included with the values 
cited. 
The value for taurocholate uptake in CF homozygotes (212 pmol/mm2) lacks a sem. 
The number of observations should be provided for each experimental group in Figs 1 and 3. 
It is not clear from the legends to Figs 1 and 3 exactly what statistical comparisons have been made. 
Does # compare CF homozygotes with wild-type and ** CF homozygotes with heterozygotes? This requires clarification. 
The P values in the legends to Figs 1 and 3 differ from those in the text (Results). Are different 
comparisons being made? 
The second columns of the 2cm group in Fig 1A and all groups in Fig 1B are incorrectly shaded. 
DISCUSSION 
What evidence is there for bile acid malabsorption in CF mice (Discussion para6)? I may have missed 
it, but I cannot find any reference to support this statement. Malabsorption has been reported in human 
patients, but I am not aware of an equivalent study in mice. Unless a suitable reference is available this 
paragraph still requires modification. 
Competing interests:
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-1-9 (2001)

Reviewer's report
 Electrolytic Ablation Of The Rat Pancreas: A Feasibility Trial. Title:
Authors:
Beverley G Fosh (foshy@hotmail.com )
Jonathon G Finch (guy@guyfinch.fsnet.co.uk )
Adrian A Anthony (Adrian.Anthony@nwahs.sa.gov.au )
Michael Texler (Michael.Texler@IMVS.sa.gov.au )
Guy J Maddern (guy.maddern@adelaide.edu.au )
 1  19 Jul 2001 Version: Date:
 Dr David Owen Reviewer:
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research interests Level of interest:
 Accept after revision, which I do not need to see Advice on publication:
METHODS: 
The grading system for the histology of the pancreatic lesions is adapted from a paper published by 
Sporman et al (ref 14). More details of this system should be provided so that a reader does not have to 
refer to the original article which was published in 1989. 
RESULTS: 
A more detailed description of the gross appearances of the pancreatic lesions would be interesting. 
Specifically, size and size range, color, texture and circumscription could be documented. 
If possible an illustration of the histology of the necrotic lesions should be provided. Failing this a more 
complete description should be available. DISCUSSION: The lesions produced in these rats were small. Pancreatic tumors in humans are large. The authors 
may care to add a paragraph here detailing their experience with large hepatic tumors to show how the 
technique can accomodate this size of lesion. FIGURES: Figure 3 should ideally contain a size marker. 
Figure 4 is missing a notation on the y axis and possibly also a footnote to indicate that this graph 
relates current to tissue damage. Note that it is possible to interpret this graph as indicating that damage
is maximal at 6 coulomb and that greater amounts of power actually produce less damage!
Competing interests:
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-1-8 (2001)

Reviewer's report
 Is it Crohn's disease? A severe systemic granulomatous reaction to sulfasalazine in patient with Title:
rheumatoid arthritis 
Authors:
Leonard G Quallich III (lquall@umich.edu )
Joel K Greenson (facjkgmd@umich.edu )
Hilary M Haftel (hils@umich.edu )
Robert J Fontana (rfontana@umich.edu )
 2  3 Aug 2001 Version: Date:
 Dr Jonathan Alexander Reviewer:
 A paper of considerable general medical or scientific interest Level of interest:
 Accept without revision Advice on publication:
This is an interesting report on SSZ sensitivity which would be of general interest to both clinicians and 
scientists 
working in the field of IBD. Although this is a rare occurrence, the good clinical review would be helpful 
for future 
reference.
Competing interests:
None declared.