Review for 10.1186/s12876-020-01412-x (2020)

Reviewer’ s report
Title: Analysis of β-catenin Association with Obesity in African Americans with Premalignant
and Malignant Colorectal Lesions
Version: 0Date: 20 May 2020
Reviewer: Andrzej Wincewicz
Reviewer's report:
In the first words of abstract of the paper (numbered BMGE-D-20-00480 titled Analysis of β-
catenin Association with Obesity in African Americans with Premalignant and MalignantColorectal Lesions), there is statement that as African Americans acquire some of disease-inducing habits of American Society (as physical inactivity, diet oriented on obesity and metabolicsyndrome etc.) they also experience increase in the risk of CRC to approximate the level of thatrisk for the rest of American Society. The study is well-designed and aimed on examination of betacatenin immunoreactivity in premalignant and malignant colorectal lesions as the proof ofactivation of a common WNT/beta catenin signaling on the pathway of carcinogenesis. The studyhas its value because it shows WNT/beta catenin signaling participates in colorectalcarcinogenesis also in population of African Americans. The intensity of beta catenin expressiongrow gradually from normal normal via advanced adenoma to colorectal cancer in that population( this manner of growth of beta-catenin in mechanism of colorectal carcinogenesis is similar toPolish, German or French population). Colorectal cancer has no racial borders but any ethnicgroup can be similarly affected as incidence of colorectal cancer is based on modifiable habitualand environmental factors. However, beta catenin expression was not significantly higher incomparison of obese to non-obese patients. Thus, the authors have not proved existence of
statistical significant relationship between BMI and beta-catenin expression on the way of
colorectal carcinogenesis. The study group was large enough for this kind of evaluation. Thequality of staining look very good. The conclusions are based on results. However, as the topic isworth further investigation, this paper encourages to extend such research on thousands of AfricanAmericans (as demographic studies on really large populations are needed to really excluderelation of BMI and beta catenin expression in African Americans).
Are the methods appropriate and well described?
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.
YesDoes the work include the necessary controls?
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YesAre 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 manuscript or would you recommend an
additional statistical review?If an additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects require furtherassessment in your comments to the editors.
I am able to assess the statistics
Quality of written English
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AcceptableDeclaration of competing interests
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