Review for 10.1186/s12876-016-0416-5 (2016)

Reviewer’s report  
Title: Altered expression levels of occludin, claudin -1 and myosin light chain kinase in the 
common bile duct of pediatric patients with pancreaticobiliary maljunction  
 
Version: 1 Date:  16 Nov 2015  
 
Reviewer:  Kenitiro  Kaneko  
Reviewer’s rep ort: 
I understand that expression of tight junction associated proteins is altered in PBM. But, I would 
like to know what role these changes play in pathophysiology of PBM.  H ow do up -regulated 
occludin and claudin -1 proteins act to destroy the epithelial barrier?  Or up -regulation is the 
result of  disrupted epithelial barrier? Some kind of interpretation of these changes would help 
readers to understand the value of this article.  
 
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, please 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 comm ents 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 further 
assessment in your c omments to the editors.  
 
I am able to assess the statistics  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
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