Review for 10.1186/s12876-021-01685-w (2021)

Reviewer’s report
Title: 
Development and validation of a simple-to-use nomogram to predict liver
metastasis in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms: a large cohort
study
Version: 
0 
Date: 
31 Jul 2020
Reviewer's report:
Liver metastasis is an important prognostic factor for pancreatic neuroendocrine
neoplasms(pNEN). This study establish and validate an easy-to-use nomogram
to predict livermetastasis in patients with pNEN. Nomogram has a good ability
to predict liver metastasis of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms.The study is
nicely presented.I have the following comments.
1, The authors reported tumor site was an independent risk factor of patients with
pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasmsbut tumor site was shown in the
nomogram
2, The authors reported patients with no liver metastasis were excluded in the
studyLine 89), but also reported there were respectively 419(21.2%) and
222(22.5%) pNEN patients with liver metastases in
the training group and validation group.(Line 129)
3The authors should present detail information of surgical margin, 
R0 or R1?
Which may be an important prognostic factor for the liver metastasis of pNEN.
4, Importantly, details of how to construct the nomogram should be showed. e.g.,
how to allocate a score for each factor?
5, Details of how to construct the nomogram should be showed. e.g., how to
draft the Decision curve (DCA)?
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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