Review for 10.1186/s12876-022-02160-w (2022)

Reviewer’s report
Title: 
m1A methylation modification patterns and metabolic characteristics in
hepatocellular carcinoma
Version: 
0 
Date: 
29 Dec 2021
Reviewer: 
Nazmul Huda
Reviewer's report:
The manuscript entitled 'm1A methylation modification patterns and metabolic
characteristics in hepatocellular carcinoma' prepared by Tong et al. has
demonstrated presence of modifications in some regulators of m1A in
hepatocellular carcinoma.They also reported distinct metabolic characteristics in
different m1A modification patterns in HCC. They developed a m1Ascore
system using principal component analysis. In addition, they suggested a
therapeutic solution for the HCC with high-risk group.However, m1A-related
regulatory genes expression, its relationship with clinical prognosis in HCC had
been investigated by different group, previously (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-
020-72178-1). This reviewer would suggest following points to improve the
quality of the manuscript:
1) The expression and functional roles of m1A-related regulatory genes in HCC
need to be discussed
2) Are the modifications to m1A-related regulatory genes are common in HCC?
3) How are these modifications in the regulatory genes of m1A corelated with
the pathophysiology and metabolic alterations in HCC?
4) Authors should change the color and weight of the bars in all of the figures as
the lines in the bars disappears when printed.
5) Authors should provide a schematic of m1A-related regulatory genes and
relationship to metabolic pathways and also showing the site of the therapeutic
targets.
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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?
Yes
Is the use of statistics and treatment of uncertainties appropriate?
Yes
Is the presentation of the work clear?
Yes
Are the images in this manuscript (including electrophoretic gels and blots) free
from apparent manipulation?
Yes