Review for 10.1186/s12876-019-0930-3 (2019)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Role of colonic microbiota in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis  
 
Version: 1 Date: 08 Jul 2018  
 
Reviewer: Andrew Day  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
This is an interesting piece of work  
 
Specific Comments  
1. The abstract mentions mouse model of UC, but does not specify. please give these details  
 
2. The INTRODUCTION is much too long. Please revise, shorten and enhance focus of this 
section  
 
3. The preparation of the inner mucous layer is not detailed (the met hods only lists the scraping 
of the outer layer and the preparation of the remaining tissue)  
 
4. The appropriate p values should be listed using a whole number or using a less than sign  
 
5. How did the inflammatory process affect the mucous layers?  
 
6. The DI SCUSSION is also way too long, and should be shortened to enhance readability and 
focus.  
 
7. Most of the Figure/Tables titles/legends are inadequate (too short and don't provide adequate 
information). These should be enhanced to give more independence of th ese parts of the 
manuscript  
 
8. There are numerous errors of English word usage/grammar/language. these need correction.  
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
 
  
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, ple ase specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscri pt or would you recommend an  
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects require further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I recommend additional statistical review  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Not suitable for publication unless extensively edited  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
 
1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an  
organisation that may in any way gain or lose financially from the publication of this  
manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stock s or shares in an organisation that may in any way gain or lose  
financially from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the  
manuscript?  
 
4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that 
holds  or has applied for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?  
 
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
 
6. Do you have any non -financial competing  interests in relation to this paper?  
 
If you can answer no to all of the above, write 'I declare that I have no competing interests' 
below.  If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal. I understand that my name will be included  
on my report to the authors and, if the manuscript is accepted for publication, my named report  
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to the editors, which will not be published.  
 
I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal