JerMa88/BMC_Gastroenterology_Peer_Reviews huggingface dataset:
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-31 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Cytotoxic isolates of Helicobacter pylori from Peptic Ulcer Diseases decrease K+ -dependent Title: 
ATPase Activity in HeLa cells. 
Authors: 
Shanjana Awasthi ( awasthi@uthscsa.edu )
Archana Ayyagari ( archana@sgpgi.ac.in )
 1  9 Jul 2003 Version: Date: 
 Naibedya Chattopadhyay Reviewer: 
 A paper of considerable general medical or scientific interest Level of interest: 
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication: 
The manuscript by Awasthi and Ayyagari shows that cytotoxic H. pylori is isolated more frequently 
from peptic ulcer compared with gastritis patients. Cytotoxin assessment was made by measuring 
inhibition of a K+-dependent ATPase activity of HeLa cells upon incubation with H. pylori BCF. The study is clinically relevant and also has epidemiological significance. The paper is very well written and data are convincing. However, I would recommend the following minor changes before the 
manuscript is finally accepted. 
1. Please mark H. pylori in Fig 1 (b) and (c). Fig 1(e) is not necessary and should be deleted. 
2. Although the rounding of HeLa cells is visible in Fig 2 (b). It would be very effective if these 
changes are marked inside Fig 2 (b). 
3. Authors mention in Results section that a heat-labile factor was responsible for cytotoxicity. Was any attempt made to identify the proteins in BCFs or H. pylori strains? 
4. Delete lines 9 (In a very recent -----) and 12 (The 
sialyl-chimeric------) on page 13, Discussion section. These lines do not have relevance in context 
with the subject of the manuscript. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-31 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Cytotoxic isolates of Helicobacter pylori from Peptic Ulcer Diseases decrease K+ -dependent Title: 
ATPase Activity in HeLa cells. 
 1  25 September 2003 Version: Date: 
 Anita Mandal Reviewer: 
Reviewer's report: 
The manuscript titled “Cytotoxic isolates of Helicobacter pylori from peptic ulcer diseases decrease 
K+ -dependent activity in Hela cells” by Awasthi,S.and Ayyagari,A. reported the results of case study of patients with gastritis and peptic ulcer, which contained sufficiently organized data from well 
planned experiments. 
Discretionary Revisions (which the author can choose to ignore): Total number of patients are less 
for this study. 
Minor Compulsory Revisions: Authors need to write the heading for Figure 2(b). 
Major Compulsory Revisions (that the author must respond to before a decision on publication can 
be reached): None 
 Accept without revision Advice on publication: 
 A paper of considerable merit and interest in its field Level of interest: 
 Acceptable Quality of written English: 
Declaration of competing interests: 
None
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-30 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix: An incidental imaging finding in a patient with Title: 
adenocarcinomas of the ascending and the sigmoid colon 
Authors: 
Michail S. Pitiakoudis ( mpitiak@med.duth.gr )
Paraskevi I. Argyropoulou ( atsarouc@med.duth.gr )
Dr Alexandra K. Tsaroucha ( tsihrin@otenet.gr )
Panos Prassopoulos ( pprasopo@med.duth.gr )
Constantinos E. Simopoulos ( simop@med.duth.gr )
 1  4 Aug 2003 Version: Date: 
 Teruo sasatomi Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Unable to decide on acceptance or rejection until the authors have Advice on publication: 
responded to the compulsory revisions 
I am interested in this paper, but unfornately, the authors did not submit a figure of pathological 
findings. I think this paper needs macroscopic or microscopic pathological figure, which indicated to tha pathological diagnosis of cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-30 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix: An incidental imaging finding in a patient with Title: 
adenocarcinomas of the ascending and the sigmoid colon 
 1  31 August 2003 Version: Date: 
 Jesse Lachter Reviewer: 
Reviewer's report: 
General 
Discretionary Revisions (which the author can choose to ignore) 
Minor Compulsory Revisions (such as missing labels on figures, or the wrong use of a term, which 
the author can be trusted to correct) 
The conclusion thaty appears as the last sentence in both the abstract and the manuscript text must 
be deleted as it is not true, and doe s not follow from the author's manuscript. Careful evaluation of 
the appendix is not truly warraned for every patient with a colonic neoplasm. If this was so, the paper 
would not be interesting, because the case reported would be trivial. 
There are many small errors in the use of the English language which need correction. Page three 
correct spelling of the word plain leave out A before mucocele, change that is to to be 
spell out the 7 as seven 
change abnormalities to abnormality inswert "the" before "finding in the next to last sentence on the page. page four- 
change invaginated to to invaginated into 
page 5- the authors seeem to mis-read or misrepresent the reference 6 to indicate that 21% of colon cancer patients have appendicieal adenomatous changes, rather than that 21% of a series of appendiceal 
adenomas were associated with colon noeplasia. This seems to be a very serious error needing 
correction if the paper is to be valid. Please check this very carefully. Page six- delete the incorrect final sentence- or try to justify it. 
Major Compulsory Revisions (that the author must respond to before a decision on publication can 
be reached) 
 Unable to decide on acceptance or rejection until the authors have Advice on publication: 
responded to the major compulsory revisions 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Needs some language corrections before being published Quality of written English: 
Declaration of competing interests: 
none
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-30 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix: An incidental imaging finding in a patient with Title: 
adenocarcinomas of the ascending and the sigmoid colon 
 3  18 September 2003 Version: Date: 
 Jesse Lachter Reviewer: 
Reviewer's report: 
General 
NONE Discretionary Revisions (which the author can choose to ignore) 
Minor Compulsory Revisions (such as missing labels on figures, or the wrong use of a term, which 
the author can be trusted to correct) 
Major Compulsory Revisions (that the author must respond to before a decision on publication can 
be reached) 
 Accept without revision Advice on publication: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Acceptable Quality of written English: 
Declaration of competing interests: 
NONE
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-30 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix: An incidental imaging finding in a patient with Title: 
adenocarcinomas of the ascending and the sigmoid colon 
 3  7 October 2003 Version: Date: 
 Teruo sasatomi Reviewer: 
Reviewer's report: 
I accepted their reviced manuscript, and it is enough. 
But if they have microscopic pathological figure (HE), their paper will be more interesting to the readers.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-28 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Anorectal motility in patients with achalasia of the esophegus: recognition of an Title: 
esophago-rectal syndrom 
Authors: 
Prof Ahmed A Shafik ( ashafik@ahmedshafik.org )
 1  22 Apr 2003 Version: Date: 
 Philip Donahue Reviewer: 
 A paper of considerable general medical or scientific interest Level of interest: 
 Other (see below) Advice on publication: 
Anorectal and colonic motility in patients with achalasia can be affected 
by anganglionosis, and this study provides some concrete information about 
a possible association of achalasia of the esophagus with abnormalities of 
the anorectum. While the association of these two conditions is seemingly obvious after this study, there are several issues which require consideration and further interpretation. 
First: the occurrence of this situation in six of nine patients is 
extraordinary, leading us to question whether the patients in this group are typical of other patients with achalasia of the esophagus, in whom the 
incidence of colonic problems is markedly less common that 60-70%. Could 
the authors address this issue, providing further documentation regarding the status of the colon (i.e. calibre, size, general function). 
How do the authors reconcile the low incidence of rectal and anal 
complaints in large series of patients with achalasia of the esophagus from the Western hemisphere including (primarily) South America and North 
America. (In our own group of > 100 patients with achalasia, for example, 
we have not identified a similar patient; of course, a subclinical 
presentation may have avoided recognition). 
The aganglionosis described in this report is of intense interest, however, 
and this paper will stimulate a lot of thought and reinvestigation in 
clinics around the world. I think it is highly interesting, indeed. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-28 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Anorectal motility in patients with achalasia of the esophegus: recognition of an Title: 
esophago-rectal syndrom 
 3  14 August 2003 Version: Date: 
 Andreas J J Eherer Reviewer: 
Reviewer's report: 
Accept without revision 
 Accept without revision Advice on publication: 
 A paper of considerable merit and interest in its field Level of interest: 
 Acceptable Quality of written English: 
Declaration of competing interests: 
None
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-27 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Clinical and Histological Features of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Iranian Patients Title: 
Authors: 
Nasser E Daryani MD ( nebrahim@sina.tums.ac.ir )
Dr Hossein Bahrami MD ( dr_Bahrami@hotmail.com )
Shahram Mirmomen MD ( mirmomen@ams.ir )
Babak Haghpanah MD ( babakhp@myrealbox.com )
Farin Kamangar MD ( farinkamangar@yahoo.com )
Mehdi Djalili MD ( mehdidjalili@yahoo.com )
 4  23 Jul 2003 Version: Date: 
 Claudio C Tiribelli Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Other (see below) Advice on publication: 
I read the answers provided by the Authors. Though the length of the text 
is rather consistent, many of my critiques and points to be clarified have 
remained not fully addressed. I think that we can ask additional info though I fear that the results of this second query will be basically the same of the previous one. Since I think this Ms provides interesting info 
on a series originating from an Islamic Country, I suggest to accept the ms 
as it stands now. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-26 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Botulinum toxin in gastric submucosa reduces stimulated HCl production in rats. Title: 
 3  16 August 2003 Version: Date: 
 Martin Storr Reviewer: 
Reviewer's report: 
The concerns were adressed adequately. 
 Accept without revision Advice on publication: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Acceptable Quality of written English: 
Declaration of competing interests: 
None
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-25 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Mice with targeted disruption of p8 gene show increased sensitivity to lipopolysaccharide and Title: 
DNA microarray analysis of livers reveals an aberrant gene expression response. 
Authors: 
Sophie Vasseur ( vasseur@marseille.inserm.fr )
Albrecht Hoffmeister ( hofa@medizin.uni-leipzig.de )
Andres Garcia-Montero ( angarmon@gugu.usal.es )
Dr Marc Barthet ( MBARTHET@mail.ap-hm.fr )
Laure Saint-Michel ( stmichel@inserm-adr.univ-mrs.fr )
Patrice Berthezene ( berthezene@marseille.inserm.fr )
Fritz Fiedler ( fritz.fiedler@urz.uni-heidelberg.de )
Daniel Closa ( dcabam@iibb.csic.es )
Dr Jean Charles Dagorn ( dagorn@marseille.inserm.fr )
Dr Juan L Iovanna ( iovanna@marseille.inserm.fr )
 2  9 Jul 2003 Version: Date: 
 Gyorgy Hasko Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Accept without revision Advice on publication: 
The manuscript is now acceptable for publication 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-25 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Mice with targeted disruption of p8 gene show increased sensitivity to lipopolysaccharide and Title: 
DNA microarray analysis of livers reveals an aberrant gene expression response. 
 3  14 August 2003 Version: Date: 
 Peter M C Wong Reviewer: 
Reviewer's report: 
General 
This manuscript is now acceptable for publication. 
Discretionary Revisions (which the author can choose to ignore) 
Minor Compulsory Revisions (such as missing labels on figures, or the wrong use of a term, which 
the author can be trusted to correct) 
Major Compulsory Revisions (that the author must respond to before a decision on publication can 
be reached) 
 Accept without revision Advice on publication: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Acceptable Quality of written English:
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-24 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Retreatment of hepatitis C non-responsive to Interferon. A placebo controlled randomized trial Title: 
of Ribavirin monotherapy versus combination therapy with Ribavirin and Interferon in 121 patients in 
the Benelux. 
Authors: 
Bart J. Veldt ( b.veldt@erasmusmc.nl )
Johannes T. Brouwer ( brouwerj@rdgg.nl )
Michael Adler ( madler@ulb.ac.be )
Frederik Nevens ( frederik.nevens@uz.kuleuven.ac.be )
Peter Michielsen ( peter.michielsen@uza.uia.ac.be )
Dr Jean Delwaide ( jacques.belaiche@chu.ulg.ac.be )
Bettina E. Hansen ( b.hansen@erasmusmc.nl )
Prof Solko W. Schalm ( s.schalm@erasmusmc.nl )
 1  11 Jun 2003 Version: Date: 
 Antonio Craxì Reviewer: 
 A paper of limited interest Level of interest: 
 Reject Advice on publication: 
- Data on the ineffectiveness of ribavirin monotherapy, from 8 RCTs, are reviewed in Cochrane 
Database Syst Rev. 2002;(2):CD002234. Update of: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 
2002;(1):CD002234. Ribavirin with or without alpha interferon for chronic hepatitis C. Kjaergard LL, 
Krogsgaard K, Gluud C. - The study was performed between 1992 and 1996. What is the reason why the data have not yet been reported 7 years later? 
- What is the rationale for treating IFN nonresponders with a very weak antiviral such as ribavirin in 
monotherapy? 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-24 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Retreatment of hepatitis C non-responsive to Interferon. A placebo controlled randomized trial Title: 
of Ribavirin monotherapy versus combination therapy with Ribavirin and Interferon in 121 patients in 
the Benelux. 
Authors: 
Bart J. Veldt ( b.veldt@erasmusmc.nl )
Johannes T. Brouwer ( brouwerj@rdgg.nl )
Michael Adler ( madler@ulb.ac.be )
Frederik Nevens ( frederik.nevens@uz.kuleuven.ac.be )
Peter Michielsen ( peter.michielsen@uza.uia.ac.be )
Dr Jean Delwaide ( jacques.belaiche@chu.ulg.ac.be )
Bettina E. Hansen ( b.hansen@erasmusmc.nl )
Prof Solko W. Schalm ( s.schalm@erasmusmc.nl )
 1  24 Jun 2003 Version: Date: 
 Kim Krogsgaard Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Accept without revision Advice on publication: 
This is a very well planned study that during the years 1992 to 1996 included a total of 121 patients 
with chronic hepatitis C. All patients had previously failed IFN monotherapy. In the study patients 
were randomised to 6 moths of i)IFN and ribavirin combination therapy or ii) ribavirin monotherapy or 
iii) ribavirin placebo. 
As the authors phrase it, it is a 'belated' report and it is therefore not surprising that very little is 
added to our understanding of hepatitis C treatment. 
However, it is my firm belief that all well planned, clinical relevant studies should be reported and published. 
Overall this is a clearly written manuscript which includes all necessary information. I have no 
specific comments our suggestions for the authors 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-23 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Influence of rectal prolapse on the asymmetry of the anal sphincter in patients with anal Title: 
incontinence. 
Authors: 
Dr Henri Damon ( henri.damon@wanadoo.fr )
Luc Henry ( luc.henry@chu-lyon.fr )
Sabine Roman ( sroman@ifrance.com )
Xavier Barth ( xavier.barth@chu-lyon.fr )
Prof Francois Mion ( francois.mion@chu-lyon.fr )
 1  24 Apr 2003 Version: Date: 
 Steven Wexner Reviewer: 
 A paper of limited interest Level of interest: 
 Reject Advice on publication: 
undefined 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-23 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Influence of rectal prolapse on the asymmetry of the anal sphincter in patients with anal Title: 
incontinence. 
Authors: 
Dr Henri Damon ( henri.damon@wanadoo.fr )
Luc Henry ( luc.henry@chu-lyon.fr )
Sabine Roman ( sroman@ifrance.com )
Xavier Barth ( xavier.barth@chu-lyon.fr )
Prof Francois Mion ( francois.mion@chu-lyon.fr )
 1  20 Jul 2003 Version: Date: 
 Jesse Lachter Reviewer: 
 A paper of considerable general medical or scientific interest Level of interest: 
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication: 
undefined 
This is a good study which breaks new ground in a highly specialized area. 
The English is substandard- many changes in the flow of the text would make it read better. 
Specific changes necessary include- 1- Omit all abbreviations such as ROC from the abstract 2- Consider writing that symptoms were inquired after rather than looked for. We do not look for 
symptoms, and they are not seen. 
Rather than multiple uses of the term disclosed, consider "revealed". Page five- the stat significance WAS set or predetermined to be 0.05. Page six- the word SAME is mis-spelled. 
Rather than writing against- write versus or vs. 
Page eight- a reference was omitted as question marks left in its place. 
The photos are good. 
The role of ultrasound is underemphasized, but this is a discretionary change. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-22 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Sclerotherapy for the primary prevention of bleeding from esophageal varices. A randomized Title: 
controlled multicentre trial. 
Authors: 
Dr Henk H.R. van Buuren ( vanbuuren@mdl.azr.nl )
Marijke M.C. Rasch ( wpkingma@worldonline.nl )
Piet P.L. Batenburg ( pl@batenburg.be )
Clemens C.J.M. Bolwerk ( cl.bolwerk@wxs.nl )
Jan J.J. Nicolai ( jjnicge@knmg.nl )
Sjoerd S.D.J. van der Werf ( sdjvdwerfmd@hotmail.com )
Joost J. Scherpenisse ( scherp@rdgg.nl )
Lidia L.R. Arends ( arends@epib.fgg.eur.nl )
Jan J. van Hattum ( vanhattum@cs.com )
Erik E.A.J. Rauws ( e.a.rauws@amc.uva.nl )
Solko S.W. Schalm ( schalm@mdl.azr.nl )
 1  28 Jan 2003 Version: Date: 
 Tilman Sauerbruch 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 investigated prophylactic endoscopic sclerotherapy against no treatment for the prevention 
of variceal bleeding. They did not find a beneficial effect of this regimen compared to nonspecific treatment with respect to bleeding rate or mortality and thereby confirm the current consensus that sclerotherapy should not be used for primary prevention of variceal bleeding. 
Assessment: 
This is a well-designed controlled randomized trial. The methods as well as the results are adequately 
described and discussed. The major drawback of the study, however, is that the objective of the study 
is rather outdated since nowadays neither endoscopic sclerotherapy nor nonactive treatment are primary treatment options for patients with high-risk varices. However, this aspect is discussed in the manuscript ("conclusions"). Therefore, this well designed prospective trial should be published. 
Publication allows to further validate meta-analyses on the role of prophylactic sclerotherapy. 
Prior to publication, some minor aspects should be clarified: 
The manuscript title should include the information that sclerotherapy has been compared to nonactive 
treatment. This point should also be clarified in the abstract ("nonactive treatment" instead of "medical regimen"). The exact definition of variceal bleeding that has been applied should be given (in accordance with 
Baveno consensus ?). 
If available, the co-medication should be described, particularly with respect to nitrates or beta-blockers. 
Was this equally distributed between the treatment groups ? 
The authors'names of the references 27, 37 and 39 are missing. 
Table 3: Other causes/unknown should be specified (e.g. in the table's heading). Table 4: Sclerotherapy complications in the control group ? Please explain. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-22 (2003)

Reviewer's□report 
□Sclerotherapy□for□the□primary□prevention□of□bleeding□from□esophageal□varices.□A□randomized□ Title: 
controlled□multicentre□trial. 
Authors: 
Dr□Henk□H.R.□van□Buuren□( vanbuuren@mdl.azr.nl )
Marijke□M.C.□Rasch□( wpkingma@worldonline.nl )
Piet□P.L.□Batenburg□( pl@batenburg.be )
Clemens□C.J.M.□Bolwerk□( cl.bolwerk@wxs.nl )
Jan□J.J.□Nicolai□( jjnicge@knmg.nl )
Sjoerd□S.D.J.□van□der□Werf□( sdjvdwerfmd@hotmail.com )
Joost□J.□Scherpenisse□( scherp@rdgg.nl )
Lidia□L.R.□Arends□( arends@epib.fgg.eur.nl )
Jan□J.□van□Hattum□( vanhattum@cs.com )
Erik□E.A.J.□Rauws□( e.a.rauws@amc.uva.nl )
Solko□S.W.□Schalm□( schalm@mdl.azr.nl )
□1□ □3□Feb□2003 Version: Date: 
□Gennaro□D'Amico Reviewer: 
□A□paper□of□considerable□general□medical□or□scientific□interest Level□of□interest: 
□Accept□after□discretionary□revisions Advice□on□publication: 
a)□Discretionary□revisions□ 
Definitions□ 
Procedure□related□mortality.□ Explain□reasons□to□relate□this□mortality□to□a□time□frame.□Mortality□within□30□days□of□a□sclerotherapy□ 
session□may□occur□independent□on□sclerotherapy,□particularly□in□patients□with□advanced□liver□ 
disease.□ 
Results□ 
Procedures.□ 
The□number□of□patients□achieving□variceal□eradication,□the□number□of□sclerotherapy□sessions□ 
needed□to□achieve□eradication,□the□number□with□variceal□recurrence□and□the□time□from□eradication□to□ 
recurrence□should□be□reported.□ 
Per□protocol□analysis.□ 
Although□this□is□a□post-hoc□analysis□and□must□be□interpreted□with□caution,□some□more□details□might□ 
be□worth□in□the□case□of□this□trial,□given□the□remarkable□proportion□of□patients□not□receiving□the□ 
assigned□treatment□in□the□ES□group.□In□particular□the□number□of□patients□within□each□group□and□those 
in□which□the□outcomes□of□interest□did□occur,□should□be□reported□together□with□the□p□values□for□the□ 
differences.□ 
Mortality.□ 
Per□protocol□analysis□should□be□shown□also□for□mortality.□ 
Child□classess.□ 
While□the□significant□difference□for□survival□between□Child□classes□might□be□predicted□according□to□ 
previous□knowledge,□it□could□be□important□to□report□the□trial□results□(intention□to□treat:□bleeding□and□ 
mortality),□within□Child□classes.□ 
Baseline□risk□and□treatment□effect□ 
There□is□some□misinterpretation□or□misreporting□of□the□literature□data□here.□In□the□quoted□reference□ 
(25),□D'Amico□reported□that□according□to□several□arguments□suggested□by□Thompson□et□al□(reference 
26)□a□Bayesian□approach□would□be□more□appropriate□to□investigate□the□relationships□between□ 
baseline□risk□and□treatment□effect.□It□was□Thompson□to□apply□this□method,□although□he□ended□to□ confirm□the□relationship□previously□reported□between□baseline□bleeding□risk□and□the□efficacy□of□ prophylactic□found□by□a□simple□regression□analysis,□against□which□he□argued.□(Stat□Med□ 
1997;16:2741-2758).□ 
Competing□interests: 
None□declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-22 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Endoscopic sclerotherapy compared with no specific treatment for the primary prevention of Title: 
bleeding from esophageal varices. A randomized controlled multicentre trial. 
Authors: 
Dr Henk H.R. van Buuren ( h.vanbuuren@erasmusmc.nl )
Marijke M.C. Rasch ( wpkingma@worldonline.nl )
Piet P.L. Batenburg ( pl@batenburg.be )
Clemens C.J.M. Bolwerk ( cl.bolwerk@wxs.nl )
Jan J.J. Nicolai ( jjnicge@knmg.nl )
Sjoerd S.D.J. van der Werf ( sdjvdwerfmd@hotmail.com )
Joost J. Scherpenisse ( scherp@rdgg.nl )
Lidia L.R. Arends ( arends@epib.fgg.eur.nl )
Jan J. van Hattum ( vanhattum@cs.com )
Erik E.A.J. Rauws ( e.a.rauws@amc.uva.nl )
Prof Solko S.W. Schalm ( s.schalm@erasmusmc.nl )
 2  20 Jun 2003 Version: Date: 
 Gennaro D'Amico Reviewer: 
 not specified Level of interest: 
 Other (see below) Advice on publication: 
I have re-read the article and examined the authors' point by point answers to the comments. 
In my opinion the article is now acceptable for publication. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-22 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Endoscopic sclerotherapy compared with no specific treatment for the primary prevention of Title: 
bleeding from esophageal varices. A randomized controlled multicentre trial. 
Authors: 
Dr Henk H.R. van Buuren ( h.vanbuuren@erasmusmc.nl )
Marijke M.C. Rasch ( wpkingma@worldonline.nl )
Piet P.L. Batenburg ( pl@batenburg.be )
Clemens C.J.M. Bolwerk ( cl.bolwerk@wxs.nl )
Jan J.J. Nicolai ( jjnicge@knmg.nl )
Sjoerd S.D.J. van der Werf ( sdjvdwerfmd@hotmail.com )
Joost J. Scherpenisse ( scherp@rdgg.nl )
Lidia L.R. Arends ( arends@epib.fgg.eur.nl )
Jan J. van Hattum ( vanhattum@cs.com )
Erik E.A.J. Rauws ( e.a.rauws@amc.uva.nl )
Prof Solko S.W. Schalm ( s.schalm@erasmusmc.nl )
 2  9 Jul 2003 Version: Date: 
 Tilman Sauerbruch Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Other (see below) Advice on publication: 
The authors rebutted sufficiently our minor critical points, and I have no 
objections against the publication of the paper / study. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-20 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Analysis of antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence factors in Helicobacter pylori clinical Title: 
isolates. 
Authors: 
Anita P.O Godoy ( anita@helicobacter.com.br )
Dr Marcelo L Ribeiro ( marceloribeiro@saofrancisco.edu.br )
Yune H.B Benvengo ( yune@helicobacter.com.br )
Lea Vitiello ( lea@helicobacter.com.br )
Maira C.B Miranda ( maira@helicobacter.com.br )
Sergio Mendonca ( sergiomendonca@saofrancisco.edu.br )
Jose Pedrazzoli Jr ( pedrazzoli@saofrancisco.edu.br )
 1  1 Jul 2003 Version: Date: 
 Leen-Jan van Doorn Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication: 
This paper is a nice and comprehensive study on H. pylori isolates in Brazil. The experimental 
design and results are straightforward. Genotyping of the virulence-associated genes has been performed adequately and the results confirm earlier findings. 
I have little comments, except on the high resistance rates observed to amoxicillin and tetracyclin. 
These rates are so high, that I would urge the authors to provide more evidence since they can have 
an important impact on treatment efficacy in the near future in Brazil. Therefore, I would like to 
further support their observations. The following 3 approaches could be used. 
1. Did the authors try to obtain resistant reference strains for each antibiotic resistance. This would 
be very helpful to demonstrate the accuracy of the MIC determinations. 2. Alternative techniques to the agar dilution method could be used, such as the E-test. 3. Since the authors are obviously very capable in genotyping H. pylori strains, I would suggest that 
they analyse some of the resistant strains for the presence of specific mutations. For instance, it 
would be easy to assess the presence of the 23S rDNA mutations in clarithromycin resistant strains. 
Also, some mutations have been described for other resistances. It would be valuable information to 
add to this paper. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-20 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Analysis of antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence factors in Helicobacter pylori clinical Title: 
isolates. 
Authors: 
Anita P.O Godoy ( anita@helicobacter.com.br )
Dr Marcelo L Ribeiro ( marceloribeiro@saofrancisco.edu.br )
Yune H.B Benvengo ( yune@helicobacter.com.br )
Lea Vitiello ( lea@helicobacter.com.br )
Maira C.B Miranda ( maira@helicobacter.com.br )
Sergio Mendonca ( sergiomendonca@saofrancisco.edu.br )
Jose Pedrazzoli Jr ( pedrazzoli@saofrancisco.edu.br )
 1  15 Jul 2003 Version: Date: 
 Dulciene M Queiroz Reviewer: 
 A paper of considerable general medical or scientific interest Level of interest: 
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication: 
The authors investigated if primary resistance of Brazilian H. pylori isolates to metronidazole, 
clarithromycin, amoxicillin, tetracicline and furazolidone was associated with bacterium virulence markers. In accordance with other studies, no association was seen. The authors have also evaluated the association between the presence of virulence markers of the strains and H. pylori 
related diseases.They demonstrated that vacAs1/cagA-positive strains was positively associated 
with peptic ulcer and negatively associated with GERD. Although there are studies on this subject in 
Brazil, since the country has a continental dimension and differences in geographical distribution of 
H. pylori virulence markers have been demonstrated, the study has important data, but it does not 
add new conceptual information to literature. I recommend this article for publication, after some 
corrections: 
1)Abstract, background and aims, : the authors did not performed correlation test, so they have to 
change "correlation" to "association". 
2)Backgound page 3, line 4: change ...superficial gastritis and peptic ulceration. to ...superficial gastritis, peptic ulcertion and gastric cancer. 3)Methods page 5: subtitle H. PYLORI CULTURE...has to be changed to H. pylori CULTURE... 
4)Statistical analysis: The authors have to clarify how have they constructed the logistic model: What 
were the independent variables? How was the adopted p value in univariate analysis? How did they 
evaluate the fitness of the model? 
5)I strongly agree with the authors' conclusions that more virulent H. pylori 
strains(vacAs1/cagA-positive strains) may protect against GERD. However, in all other sections of 
the manuscript, they showed this result in an inverse way (vacAs2/cagA-negative strains positively 
associated with GERD, with a positive OR).They have to repeat the statistical analysis, ammend the 
text and the last phrase, page 8 has to be better discussed. 
6)Results and discussion, page 10: the authors have to modify the discussion of the last paragraph, 
since they evaluated "primary" resistance and so the patients with duodenal ulcer they evaluated 
were not previously treated. Furthermore, they made conclusions based on treatment failure (cited 
references number 15, 35) more than antimicrobial resistance. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-21 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Dapsone induced cholangitis as a part of dapsone syndrome: a case report Title: 
Authors: 
Srivenu Itha ( srivenu@sgpgi.ac.in )
Dr Ashish Kumar ( ashishk@sgpgi.ac.in )
Sadhna Dhingra ( sdhingra@sgpgi.ac.in )
Gourdas Choudhuri ( gourdas@satyam.net.in )
 1  25 Feb 2003 Version: Date: 
 Dan Lipsker Reviewer: 
 A paper of limited interest Level of interest: 
 Other (see below) Advice on publication: 
Dapsone induced cholangitis as part of dapsone syndrome: a case report 
Authors report a 40-year-old patient who developed a typical DRESS syndrome probably related to 
dapsone. This patient also developed jaundice and had slightly elevated AST, ALT and alkaline 
phosphatase levels which the authors interpreted as acute cholangitis on the grounds of a liver 
biopsy. 
Discretionary revisions 
Some minor typographical errors need to be corrected: 
Abstract 
Background, line 2: ....anemia. Cholangitis instead of ....anemia Cholangitis 
Case presentation, line 5 ... injury....instead of ijury. 
Case report 
Line 4: He suffered from urticaria for many years instead of of hehad .... Conclusions Line before last: dermatitis herpetiformis instead of herpatiformis. 
Case report 
Was oedema of head or of hands and feet present (a common finding during the hypersensitivity syndrome)? Absolut value of reticulocyte count should be provided. How was hypoalbuminemia 
explained? Were the other medications (clofazimine and rifampicine) also stopped? Figure 2 is of 
poor quality (at least in this electronic version). 
Compulsory revisions 
This patient had a typical hypersensitivity syndrome, sometimes also called DRESS (drug reaction 
with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, see Dermatol Online J 2002 Jun;8(1):5). Although this is 
probably related to dapsone, the responsibility of clofazimine or rifampicine can not be completely 
ruled out (see Pavithran K. Exfoliative dermatitis after clofazimine. Int J Lepr Other Mycobact Dis. 
1985 Dec;53(4):645-6.). Authors should briefly address this point in the discussion section. The 
denomination DRESS should be included in this manuscript. In the great majority of patients with a hypersensitivity syndrome, a liver biopsy is not performed. Thus, the findings reported here might 
not be uncommon during this syndrome, and this point should also be briefly addressed. Do authors 
consider that it is clinically relevant to distinguish between drug-induced hepatocellular injury and 
drug-induced cholangitis? Briefly comment. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-21 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Dapsone induced cholangitis as a part of dapsone syndrome: a case report Title: 
Authors: 
Srivenu Itha ( srivenu@sgpgi.ac.in )
Dr Ashish Kumar ( ashishk@sgpgi.ac.in )
Sadhna Dhingra ( sdhingra@sgpgi.ac.in )
Gourdas Choudhuri ( gourdas@satyam.net.in )
 1  2 Apr 2003 Version: Date: 
 Regina Helena Costa H Queiroz Reviewer: 
 not specified Level of interest: 
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication: 
1.The manuscript contains original work , which may contribute significantly to BMC 
Gastroenterology. 2.New references must be included in the Background( especially about dapsone and agranulocytosis, a very important hypersensitivity reaction).In the discussion, what the author think 
about the relationship of the hepatic metabolism of dapsone and the cholangitis ? (Michael D. 
Coleman, reported reviews about mechanisms of dapsone toxicity) 3. I recommend a revision of the discussion of this manuscript. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-21 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Dapsone induced cholangitis as a part of dapsone syndrome: a case report Title: 
Authors: 
Srivenu Itha ( srivenu@sgpgi.ac.in )
Dr Ashish Kumar ( ashishk@sgpgi.ac.in )
Sadhna Dhingra ( sdhingra@sgpgi.ac.in )
Gourdas Choudhuri ( gourdas@satyam.net.in )
 3  23 May 2003 Version: Date: 
 Dan Lipsker Reviewer: 
 A paper of limited interest Level of interest: 
 Unable to decide on acceptance or rejection until the authors have Advice on publication: 
responded to the compulsory revisions 
Dapsone-induced agranulocytosis and dapsone syndrome are not synonymous. Most patients with 
dapsone-induced agranulocytosis do not simultaneously have a dapsone syndrome. These are two different side-effects of dapsone. Discussion should be modified accordingly. 
Authors state: " Although the patient also received clofazimine and one dose of rifampicin but these 
drugs cannot be implicated for the constellation of features that our patient had. Clofazimine does 
not usually cause hepatotoxicity and one dose of rifampicin is unlikely to have caused such severe 
reaction." 
Although I agree that it is probably dapsone that induced this DRESS syndrome, the potential role of 
clofazimine can not be excluded since both drugs were introduced on the same day (see Pavithran 
K. Exfoliative dermatitis after clofazimine. Int J Lepr Other Mycobact Dis. 1985 Dec;53(4):645-6.). 
This is of major importance since both drugs should be contra-indicated in this patient. Authors can 
only argue that based on published litterature, it was probably dapsone, rather than clofazimine, that 
induced this syndrome. 
Furthermore, as part of a hypersensitivity or DRESS syndrome, every drug can cause hepatotoxicity. 
DRESS should appear in the abstract. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-21 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Dapsone induced cholangitis as a part of dapsone syndrome: a case report Title: 
Authors: 
Srivenu Itha ( srivenu@sgpgi.ac.in )
Dr Ashish Kumar ( ashishk@sgpgi.ac.in )
Sadhna Dhingra ( sdhingra@sgpgi.ac.in )
Gourdas Choudhuri ( gourdas@satyam.net.in )
 4  11 Jul 2003 Version: Date: 
 Dan Lipsker Reviewer: 
 A paper of limited interest Level of interest: 
 Other (see below) Advice on publication: 
I read this re-revised version of the paper and I now fully agree with its 
publication. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-19 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Over-expression of MEK-MAPK in hepatocellular carcinoma: Its role in tumour progression Title: 
and apoptosis. 
Authors: 
Hung T Huynh ( cmrhth@nccs.com.sg )
Tuyen T.T. Nguyen ( cmrnttt@nccs.com.sg )
Pierce Chow ( gsupc@sgh.com.sg )
Puay Hoon Tan ( gpttph@sgh.com.sg )
Khee Chee Soo ( admskc@nccs.com.sg )
Evelyne Tran ( cmrhth@nccs.com.sg )
 4  20 Jun 2003 Version: Date: 
 Chris Clarke Reviewer: 
 A paper of limited interest Level of interest: 
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication: 
1. This study provides a detailed analysis of the role of the ras/ERK pathway in hepatocellular 
carcinoma. The authors demonstrate a correlation between the overexpression and activation of 
MEK and ERK and a tumour phenotype. Furthermore, they show that an inhibitor of this pathway induces apoptosis in liver derived cell lines and study molecular events associated with this 
phenomenon. Finally, they demonstrate that although the in vitro growth rate of cells is unaffected by 
MEK over expression, growth as a tumour in immune compromised animals is promoted. The 
experiments that have been performed are appropriate for this study and have been well designed and executed. The major criticism of this work is lack of novelty. 
Compulsory Revisions 
2. Over expression of MEK AND MAPK in hepatocellular carcinoma has already been described 
(Schmidt et al 1997). Although a larger number of tumour samples have been tested by these 
authors, the conclusions that they reach are substantially the same. The authors should refer to the 
previous study. 
3. The concept of inducing apoptosis in cells with an activated ras/MAPK pathway is not new. 
Indeed, another MEK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 was shown to induce apoptosis in the same HepG2 cell 
line used by the authors (Mitsui et al 2001). The work performed in these studies has not been acknowledged by the authors and should be referenced. 
4. PARP was one of the earliest caspase substrates to be identified. However, within the apoptosis 
field, cleavage of PARP is considered to be a late biochemical event during apoptosis, not an early event as the authors assert in the results and discussion the text must be amended. Cleavage of caspase 3, caspase 7 and PARP are still good markers of apoptotic cell death although such 
observations have been made late during necrotic death. 
Discretionary Revisions. 
5. Basing conclusions on a single pharmacological agent can occasionally be misleading. Given the 
availability of other specific MEK inhibitors, the paper would be strengthened if some of the 
experiments, were repeated using another unrelated inhibitor. 
6. An introductory sentence added to the first results paragraph referring to Table1 pathologic data 
would clarify this part of the study. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-19 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Over-expression of MEK-MAPK in hepatocellular carcinoma: Its role in tumor progression and Title: 
apoptosis. 
Authors: 
Hung T Huynh ( cmrhth@nccs.com.sg )
Tuyen T.T. Nguyen ( cmrnttt@nccs.com.sg )
Pierce K.H. Chow ( gsupc@sgh.com.sg )
Puay Hoon Tan ( gpttph@sgh.com.sg )
Khee Chee Soo ( admskc@nccs.com.sg )
Evelyne Tran ( cmrhth@nccs.com.sg )
 5  24 Jul 2003 Version: Date: 
 julio Aguirre-Ghiso Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Accept without revision Advice on publication: 
Over-expression of MEK-MAPK in hepatocellular carcinoma: Its role in tumor progression and 
apoptosis. Hung T Huynh, Tuyen T.T. Nguyen, Pierce K.H. Chow, Puay Hoon Tan, Khee Chee Soo and Evelyne Tran 
BMC Gastroenterology 
Comments: 
The concerns of this reviewer have been addressed. This manuscript is now acceptable for 
publication in BMC Gastroenterology. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-19 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Over-expression of MEK-MAPK in hepatocellular carcinoma: Its role in tumor progression and Title: 
apoptosis. 
Authors: 
Hung T Huynh ( cmrhth@nccs.com.sg )
Tuyen T.T. Nguyen ( cmrnttt@nccs.com.sg )
Pierce K.H. Chow ( gsupc@sgh.com.sg )
Puay Hoon Tan ( gpttph@sgh.com.sg )
Khee Chee Soo ( admskc@nccs.com.sg )
Evelyne Tran ( cmrhth@nccs.com.sg )
 5  29 Jul 2003 Version: Date: 
 Chris Clarke Reviewer: 
 A paper of limited interest Level of interest: 
 Other (see below) Advice on publication: 
I have read the revised manuscript and the authors responses to my comments and I am now happy 
for the manuscript to appear in BMC gastroenterology. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-18 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 A case of sigmoid endometriosis difficult to differentiate from colon cancer Title: 
Authors: 
Philippos Dimoulios ( fdimoul@hotmail.com )
Dr Ioannis E Koutroubakis ( ktjohn@her.forthnet.gr )
Maria Tzardi ( tzardi_maria@yahoo.uk )
Dr Pavlos Antoniou ( pantoniou_gr@yahoo.com )
Ioannis M Matalliotakis ( matalliotakis@hotmail.com )
Prof Elias A Kouroumalis ( kouroum@med.uoc.gr )
 1  3 Jun 2003 Version: Date: 
 Jerome B. B Simon Reviewer: 
 A paper of limited interest Level of interest: 
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication: 
This is a well-written, succinct case report pointing out that intestinal involvement with endometriosis 
can simulate other disorders including colorectal malignancy. This point has broad interest for family 
physicians, gynecologists, gastroenterologists, and surgeons. However, this lesson is already 
well-documented in the literature, and the present report merely serves as a reminder without adding 
any new information or presenting a unique aspect of the problem. Nevertheless it is worth 
reiterating this often-overlooked message. 
DISCRETIONARY REVISIONS 
1. The argument that the patient's endometriosis mimicked cancer would be strengthened by 
including a photo of the "filling defect and an extrinsic bowel compression" on barium enema (P.4) 
2. An endoscopic photo of the "extensive polypoid lesion" at colonoscopy (P.4) would also be 
valuable if available. 
3. What is meant by the statement that the initial histology "was not diagnostic" (P.4, L.14)? What 
did the biopsies actually show? 
4. The statement that MRI is the most sensitive imaging technique for intestinal endometriosis 
should be referenced (P.6, L.9). 
5. On P.6, L.19 the authors state that the CT and barium enema findings helped direct the diagnosis 
of endometriosis -- yet earlier they claim the opposite, that these investigations initially suggested 
malignancy and that the diagnosis became clear only after the biopsies from the second colonoscopy. Which was it? 
6. Figure 2 is redundant; one photomicrograph of the endometriosis is sufficient. 
7. The text is lucid, but a few minor errors of spelling and syntax need correction (e.g. a redundant 
"the" in the second line of the Abstract; "dispareunia" on P.5, L.18; "become" instead of "be" on P.6, 
L.8). 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-18 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 A case of sigmoid endometriosis difficult to differentiate from colon cancer Title: 
Authors: 
Philippos Dimoulios ( fdimoul@hotmail.com )
Dr Ioannis E Koutroubakis ( ktjohn@her.forthnet.gr )
Maria Tzardi ( tzardi_maria@yahoo.uk )
Dr Pavlos Antoniou ( pantoniou_gr@yahoo.com )
Ioannis M Matalliotakis ( matalliotakis@hotmail.com )
Prof Elias A Kouroumalis ( kouroum@med.uoc.gr )
 2  17 Jul 2003 Version: Date: 
 Tatsuya Harada Reviewer: 
 A paper of limited interest Level of interest: 
 Other (see below) Advice on publication: 
1) You have to provide the pictures of lower abdominal CT in figures, because you could show two 
interesting findings in this case, bilateral ovarian chocolate cysts and "eccentric wall thickening of the 
sigmoid", which are thought to be important for diagnosis of endometriosis. 
2) Because the choice of treatment method is so important matter, authors have to give more 
particular account of the reason you have chosen GnRHa analogue for treatment of endometriosis in 
this case compared with other treatment methods, danazol therapy, surgical therapy (colorectomy 
etc.) and so on. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-18 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 A case of sigmoid endometriosis difficult to differentiate from colon cancer Title: 
Authors: 
Philippos Dimoulios ( fdimoul@hotmail.com )
Dr Ioannis E Koutroubakis ( ktjohn@her.forthnet.gr )
Maria Tzardi ( tzardi_maria@yahoo.uk )
Dr Pavlos Antoniou ( pantoniou_gr@yahoo.com )
Ioannis M Matalliotakis ( matakgr@yahoo.com )
Prof Elias A Kouroumalis ( kouroum@med.uoc.gr )
 3  6 Aug 2003 Version: Date: 
 Tatsuya Harada Reviewer: 
 A paper of limited interest Level of interest: 
 Accept without revision Advice on publication: 
I think that this manuscript is acceptable for publication, because authors show the sigmoid 
endometriosis case difficult to diagnose and to succeed with the treatment of this disease, and 
provide the reason they have chosen the treatment method for this case. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.