JerMa88/BMC_Gastroenterology_Peer_Reviews huggingface dataset:
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-50 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:A retrospective study showing Maintenance treatment options for paediatric
CD in the first year following diagnosis after induction of remission with EEN:
supplemental enteral nutrition is better than nothing!
Version:2Date:10 January 2014
Reviewer: Kristina Norman
Reviewer's report:
This is an interesting retrospective report on the 'real-life' situation in children with
CD after EEN.
I only have some minor remarks (Minor Essential Revisions):
1) are the groups (MEN+azathioprine; MEN only, azathioprine only, nothing)
comparable in age, sex or disease location or nutritional status? in order to
evaluate the findings this would be important to know. Do the authors have any
data on why parents/children chose to continue with the respective treatment?
2) how was intake evaluated retrospectively? did parents/children keep diaries,
or was it merely estimated at follow up visits?
3) the discussion is somewhat lengthy and appears slighlty repetitive.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-49 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Determination of the Discriminant Score of Intestinal Microbiota as a
Biomarker of Disease Activity in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis.
Version: 1Date:5 October 2013
Reviewer: yasuo suzuki
Reviewer's report:
Determination of the Discriminant Score of Intestinal Microbiota as a Biomarker
of Disease Activity in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis.'
Katsuyuki Fukuda and Yoshiyuki Fujita
This paper is very interesting and valuable for IBD clinical and basic research.
So I will recommend publication.
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
'I declare that I have no competing interests
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-49 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Determination of the Discriminant Score of Intestinal Microbiota as a
Biomarker of Disease Activity in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis.
Version:1Date:8 February 2014
Reviewer: Abbi Saniabadi
Reviewer's report:
This is a well written manuscript containing clinically relevant data. Although not
a blinded study, the work has been well designed and diligently conducted
involving extensive, and complicated assays and laboratory undertakings. I have
no further comments for the authors.
Level of interest: An article of outstanding merit and interest in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-48 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Peritoneal metastatic adenocarcinoma possibly from Gastric duplication
cyst: A case report and literature review
Version: 3Date:27 July 2013
Reviewer: mehmet Y yilmaz
Reviewer's report:
Minor Essential Revisions
Level of interest: An exceptional article
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-48 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Peritoneal metastatic adenocarcinoma possibly from Gastric duplication
cyst: A case report and literature review
Version:3Date:29 October 2013
Reviewer: Jeremy French
Reviewer's report:
Major
The authors comments that gastric duplication cysts should be managed as a
malignant lesion. But they did not manage it as such with a sub-optimal resection
(R2). This is not to be advised. if they had done this the patient could have been
cured.
Their summation that there was malignancy in the section of the cyst that wasn't
removed is speculative. Their arguments that there was are circumstantial.
The major message from this case is that it has been mismanaged and could
well be a cases for litigation.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-47 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Hepatitis C virus core antigen, an earlier and stronger predictor on
sustained virological response in patients with genotype 1 HCV infection
Version:1Date:20 January 2014
Reviewer: Munechika Enjoji
Reviewer's report:
Earlier kinetics of HCVcAg and its predictive value of SVR were investigated in
this study, and #HCVcAg at 144 h was an earlier and stronger predictor than
RVR. This study includes novel findings which may be helpful for clinical
investigation of chronic hepatitis C. Then, this report has enough potential for
publication, I think.
Comments
1. [Abstract] Medical treatment regimen and duration should be presented
concretely.
2. [Table 4] Why 1 log was selected as a cutoff line of #HCVcAg?
3. Please check spelling and grammatical errors. For example; peglated
(Introduction; page 6, line 16).
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: Yes, but I do not feel adequately qualified to assess the
statistics.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-47 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Hepatitis C virus core antigen, an earlier and stronger predictor on
sustained virological response in patients with genotype 1 HCV infection
Version:1Date:28 January 2014
Reviewer: Muhammad Zubair Yousaf
Reviewer's report:
Article is well written. I would like to suggest that authors need to cite some
closely related articles more and compare the current findings with the previously
reported work in tabulated expression for clear comparative analysis and a better
future direction for further improvements.
Level of interest: An article of outstanding merit and interest in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-46 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Orthotopic liver transplantation in situs inversus adult from an
ABO-incompatible donor with situs inversus
Version:3Date:19 November 2013
Reviewer: salvatore gruttadauria
Reviewer's report:
This is unique case of re transplantation of the iver from a donor with SI for a
recipient with SI;
i would stress it better in the title, otherwise the case report is ok and in my
opinion is of interest for the redears of a GI Journal.
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-46 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Orthotopic liver transplantation in situs inversus adult from an
ABO-incompatible donor with situs inversus
Version:3Date:22 November 2013
Reviewer: Cuneyt Kayaalp
Reviewer's report:
Very interesting and rare case. I just wanted to learn about whether the authors
expected any obstacle for ABO incompability for liver transplantation with situs
inversus grafts? Do situs inversus has a special immunity that cares for
transplantation? If the answer is no, so is there any need for the comment as
"ABO-incompatible is not an obstacle for donor allocation in cases that both
donor and recipient are situs inversus.”?
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-45 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Confocal laser endomicroscopy in prediction of relapse in patients with
ulcerative colitis
Version:1Date:28 November 2013
Reviewer: Takafumi Ando
Reviewer's report:
This paper concluded activity assessment and relapse prediction by CLE for
patients with UC are accurate compared with conventional histology, and
confirmed the former paper (Watanabe et al.) that had reported 'Images obtained
with confocal microendoscope provided information that was equivalent to
conventional histology.'
So now CLE is comparable to conventional histology in predicting relapse in
patients with UC. It's interesting and intriguing. However, it needs some language
corrections before being published.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: Yes, but I do not feel adequately qualified to assess the
statistics.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-45 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Use of confocal laser endomicroscopy to predict relapse of ulcerative colitis
Version:2Date:9 January 2014
Reviewer: Karel geboes
Reviewer's report:
This paper is a well designed, well written and nicely illustrated study of the value
of CLE for follow up of ulcerative colitis
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I have no competing interests
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-44 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Hepatoprotective role of liver fatty acid binding protein in acetaminophen
induced toxicity
Version: 2Date:15 July 2013
Reviewer: akif alt&#305;nbas
Reviewer's report:
The authors investigated the role of FABP1 in acetominophen treated Chang cell
line. Why Chang cell has no FAPP1 expression, it seems to be ideal in assesing
the exact role of FABP1 in AAP induced liver injury in cell cultere model.
Moreover, the crucial pathogenesis of AAP related liver injury is thought to be
related qith oxidant stress, and FABP1 was shown to have anti-axidant
properties.
The authors investigated not only cell viability, but also the degree of cell lysis by
LDH measurement, and apoptosis by BAX measurement, a pr-apoptotic protein,
in different doses of AAP treated cell lines. They have founded that with FABP1
treatment, the cell death process, in the begining apoptosis and the latter phases
necrosis, was improved in different stages, both in early and late stages.
I do not have any major or minor criticism.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-44 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Hepatoprotective role of liver fatty acid binding protein in acetaminophen
induced toxicity
Version: 2Date:12 August 2013
Reviewer: Hartmut Jaeschke
Reviewer's report:
The authors evaluated the potential role of fatty acid binding protein in a cellular
model of acetaminophen toxicity. The findings are novel but a number of issues
need to be addressed:
Major Compulsory Revisions:
1. The authors need to explain what Chang cells are and what the relevance
might be in evaluating APAP toxicity in these cells.
2. Abstract: The authors refer to LDH release as an apoptosis assay. This is
incorrect and needs to be changed.
3. Results and related discussion. The authors argue that an increase in Bax
protein expression is evidence for apoptosis. However, Bax expression is less of
an issue than Bax translocation to the mitochondria. Did FABP1 prevent Bax
translocation to the mitochondria?
4. Even Bax translocation to the mitochondria is not specific for apoptosis. The
role of Bax in acetaminophen-induced cell death (necrosis) has been
investigated (Bajt et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2008 Jan;324(1):8-14.). In
addition, the authors need to consider that APAP causes necrosis not apoptosis
in mouse hepatocytes in vitro, mouse livers in vivo, in a human hepatocyte cell
line (HepaRG) in vitro and in humans. Thus, it appears highly unlikely that APAP
will cause apoptosis in Chang cells if the mechanism of cell death in this cell line
is relevant for humans.
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I have no competing interests.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-44 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Hepatoprotective role of liver fatty acid binding protein in acetaminophen
induced toxicity
Version:3Date:20 February 2014
Reviewer: Hartmut Jaeschke
Reviewer's report:
The authors addressed the comments and the manuscript has improved. I am
still concerned about the interpretation of a minor increase in Bax protein
expression as evidence for apoptotic cell death. The increase in Bax protein
levels shows a similar response to APAP overdose as seen in mouse
hepatocytes during necrosis. However, this is not a parameter for apoptotic cell
death. The authors are encouraged to correct this mistake.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
No competing interests.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-43 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Two patients with intestinal failure requiring home parenteral nutrition, a
NOD2 mutation and tuberculous lymphadenitis
Version:3Date:24 December 2013
Reviewer: Michael Zasloff
Reviewer's report:
The report by Shäffler et al describes two patients who developed tuberculous
lymphadenitis while receiving HPN in the setting of intestinal failure. Each patient
was subsequently demonstrated to carry one of the prevalent CD associated
NOD2 mutations. Although the association could be coincidental it is worth noting
in the literature.
I found the report well-written and factually correct.
Minor revision: The authors should clarify whether Patient 2 was homozygotic at
the mutant NOD2 locus.
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-43 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Two patients with intestinal failure requiring home parenteral nutrition, a
NOD2 mutation and tuberculous lymphadenitis
Version:3Date:31 December 2013
Reviewer: Zahra Babaei
Reviewer's report:
In this manuscript, the authors report two patients with intestinal failure who had
mutations in the NOD2 gene, receiving long term home parenteral nutrition. Both
patients were found to develop typical symptoms of an infection. Evidence was
highly suggestive of tuberculosis lymphadenitis. The authors concluded that
mutations in the NOD2 gene could be considered a risk factor for TB infections
as well as increasing the intestinal failure after surgical resection .
This is an Interesting manuscript and can be considered for publication in BMC
Gastroenterology after further revision.:
1-Since first patient received low doses of steroids for a long period of time, it
would be useful if the authors can include in the Discussion a potential link
between the steroid therapy and the relapse or the activation of TB some
infections. How the authors ruled out the possibilities of reactivating a
pre-existing infection rather than acquiring a new infection?
2- Under “Case Presentation”, Patient 1 ; line6 , “ the clinical course was
dominated by numerous infections complications …” the infections” did not
demonstrated . This sentence is vague. Please clarify.
3- Some abbreviations used such as IF and CD were not used in the manuscript
and must be deleted in abbreviations section .
4- References will need to be formatted according to BMC Gastroenterology
guidelines.
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-42 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Patient-centered barriers impede serologic screening for celiac disease in
clinically high prevalence populations
Version:3Date:10 January 2014
Reviewer: Francesco Valitutti
Reviewer's report:
The manuscript by Barbero et al. pictures for the first time patient-centered
barriers in the diagnosis of celiac disease (CD). Among 119 adults of San Diego
County theoretically at risk for CD and recruited in the study , they found that two
significant obstacles in getting tested for patients are “not knowing they were at
risk” and “not knowing where to get tested”. The paper also underscores that
difficult access to healthcare due to low annual income and lack of health
insurance represents another barrier which hinders the policy of case-finding with
regards to CD.
Increased medical and social awareness on CD can definitely improve CD
diagnostic rates. Papers strengthening this issue still deserve the attention of the
largest medical community (primary care physicians, internal medicine doctors,
gastroenterologists, pediatricians).
The manuscript is well written. Statistical analysis is flawless. Limitations due to
sampled population have been already disclosed in the discussion part.
I invite the authors to stress also, both in the abstract conclusion and in the
discussion, that raising awareness among patients should always be coupled to
raising awareness among primary care physicians: in fact, it is hardly acceptable
an health care scenario in which patients completely bypass their general
practitioners for diagnosing any medical condition.
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: Yes, and I have assessed the statistics in my report.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-42 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Barriers impeding serologic screening for celiac disease in clinically high
prevalence populations
Version:4Date:20 February 2014
Reviewer: Jeremy Woodward
Reviewer's report:
This study of individuals from three higher risk categories for Coeliac disease -
those with symptoms, those with affected family members and those with
autoimmune conditions - demonstrates that there was a lack of knowledge
relating to their risk for Coeliac disease and also how and where to be tested.
I am happy that my previous concerns have been addressed by the authors in
their revision.
Level of interest: An article of limited interest
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-41 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Short-term surgical and long-term survival outcomes after laparoscopic
distal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer
Version: 1Date:22 September 2013
Reviewer: HUANG Chang-Ming
Reviewer's report:
Major compulsory revisions
Level of interest: An article of limited interest
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-40 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Changes in Gut Bacterial Populations and Their Translocation into Liver
and Ascites in Alcoholic Liver Cirrhotics
Version:1Date:4 November 2013
Reviewer: Gourdas Choudhuri
Reviewer's report:
.The manuscript is interesting, addresses an important scientific issue, is
thoughtfully planned and conducted, and provides results which aid
understanding of the pathogenesis and alcoholic liver cirrhosis.
.Despite limitations such as small numbers, analyzing samples obtained from
post-mortem examinations conducted at variable time gaps after death and
adequacy of information obtained only from files and charts, the study offers
insights into an important aspect of causation of liver cirrhosis, and its possible
management strategies.
Minor revisions
1. table 1 and Fig 1 are same. Suggest deleting one of them.
2. I could not find the legend for Fig 6.
3. The legend for Fig 2 needs a little more explanation.
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: Yes, but I do not feel adequately qualified to assess the
statistics.
Declaration of competing interests:
'I declare that I have no competing interests'
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-40 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Changes in Gut Bacterial Populations and Their Translocation into Liver
and Ascites in Alcoholic Liver Cirrhotics
Version:2Date:12 January 2014
Reviewer: Marko Kalliomäki
Reviewer's report:
No further comments.
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-40 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Changes in Gut Bacterial Populations and Their Translocation into Liver
and Ascites in Alcoholic Liver Cirrhotics
Version:2Date:17 January 2014
Reviewer: Anne Salonen
Reviewer's report:
1. For C. leptum, please add term “group” also to the abstract, figure legends and
figures.
2. After a genus name, when referring to multiple species, abbreviation spp.
instead of singular sp. should be used.
I have no further requests for this article.
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-39 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:The relationship between hepatic resistin overexpression and inflammation
in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Version:1Date:3 December 2013
Reviewer: Ali Canbay
Reviewer's report:
Major Compulsory Revisions
1. Did the authors check for M30/M65 in this cohort? This parameter would add
information on the disease state of the presented patients.
2. The authors need to discuss the low number of patients, especially for protein
analyses. The findings are interesting but need to be validated in a larger cohort.
This should be pointed out clearly in the discussion!
3. Did the authors investigate the possible connection between resistin and fetuin
A? At least fetuin A as possible damage markers should be discussed and
appropriate current studies cited (i.e. PMID: 23627434).
Minor Essential Revisions
1. Some prior works have suggested resistin to be associated with NAFLD, the
authors could point to these in their discussion (i.e. reviewed in PMID:
21042023).
2. Scoring of liver damage should be done by the currently accepted system
described by Kleiner et al (NAS) instead of Brunt classification.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-39 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:The relationship between hepatic resistin overexpression and inflammation
in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Version:2Date:21 January 2014
Reviewer: ALEXANDER WREE
Reviewer's report:
Reviewer’s comment:
The manuscript by Shen et al. that describes the relationship between hepatic
resistin overexpression and inflammation in patients with non-alcoholic
steatohepatitis has improved significantly during the review process. Authors
were able to answer most questions raised in response to the first submission.
Minor comments:
1. The authors use multiple abbreviations in the text. Even if they are all properly
explained within the text one would expect a list of abbreviations.
With the suggested minor comment the manuscript by Shen et al. appears to be
acceptable for publication in BMC Gastroenterology.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-39 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:The relationship between hepatic resistin overexpression and inflammation
in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Version:2Date:21 January 2014
Reviewer: Ali Canbay
Reviewer's report:
The authors adressed my concerns sufficiently. No further revisions.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-38 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:How well do Italian family paediatricians approach and manage celiac
disease? A cross-sectional study in Puglia Region, 2012
Version: 2Date:29 September 2013
Reviewer: Lars Stenhammar
Reviewer's report:
Enclosed please find a file with my comments.
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare I have no competing interests
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-38 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:How well do Italian family paediatricians approach and manage celiac
disease? A cross-sectional study in Puglia Region, 2012
Version: 2Date:5 October 2013
Reviewer: Olof Sandström
Reviewer's report:
Comments to “How well do Italian family paediatricians approach and manage
celiac disease? A cross-sectional study in Puglia Region, 2012” by Fortunato et
al.
This is an attempt to evaluate the care given to CD patients in the region of
Puglia in Italy by approaching family pediatricians (FPs) with a web-based
questionnaire. The questionnaire includes questions on gluten introduction,
symptoms of CD, how to diagnose CD and a self-estimation by the FPs on their
knowledge of CD. One aim was to assess the FPs approach to diagnosis and
management of CD and with the plan to in the future use this information to
improve the quality in of care.
Major Compulsory Revisions
1) One main problem with the study is that 68% of FPs doesn’t participate in the
study. This gives the study less scientific significance which is not discussed
enough.
2) To study the quality of care given to CD patients is important but not original
and the paper would have been more interesting for readers of this journal if the
results had led to an implementation to improve the care and the report from a
later follow-up.
Minor Essential Revisions
3) The manuscript needs to be worked through thoroughly:
a) Important to use similar significant digits through out the manuscript.
Examples: Abstract “…Of them, 54.5% were female and 45% were aged 5-10
years.”. In Table 1 44.8% is used instead. Another example is Table 1 Clinical
presentation where several different significant digits are used.
b) The language in the manuscript need improvement.
4) FP should be used consistently after first time in introduction.
Questionnaire
It would have been valuable with instructions to FPs what is considered Low,
Medium and High knowledge and also for readers of the manuscript.
Abstract
5) Methods: Add abbreviation (FP).
6) Software not relevant in abstract.
Introduction
7) No gluten challenge biopsy is recommended to children <2 years in the new
ESPGHAN guidelines (Husby 2012).
8) Research question and aim of the study should be motivated and clearer.
Results
9) A more structured presentation, maybe with sub headings would be valuable
making it easier for the reader to follow.
10) The results from questionnaire data should be reported in a descriptive way
and analyses of OR don’t seem relevant.
Discussion
11) Discussion of the high number of not participating FPs is important, how
could this have affected the results?
Level of interest: An article of limited interest
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: Yes, but I do not feel adequately qualified to assess the
statistics.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-38 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:How well do Italian family paediatricians approach and manage celiac
disease? A cross-sectional study in Puglia Region, 2012
Version:3Date:30 December 2013
Reviewer: Lars Stenhammar
Reviewer's report:
No further comments or objections.
Level of interest: An article of limited interest
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-38 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:How well do Italian family paediatricians approach and manage celiac
disease? A cross-sectional study in Puglia Region, 2012
Version:3Date:6 January 2014
Reviewer: Anna Myleus
Reviewer's report:
1. Regarding the knowledge of CD among the FPs.
I agree with the authors that the knowledge of CD is self-reported (with the
inherent limitations of self-report) and the changes made to the manuscript
highlighting this are good. Still, I disagree with the authors regarding the
interpretation (Answer A1). Even if the study showed that the FPs were the first
to suspect CD in patients with atypical symptoms as well, I think the study
suggests that the FPs are missing the CD diagnose in some children with
atypical symptoms since the proportion of children typical symptoms is higher
than what has been shown in screening studies. Thus, I think that the FPs might
be overestimating their knowledge on CD, making the initiative by the authors to
educate and inform even more important. This could be put forward more clearly.
2. Results paragraph 7, please check the result given the relation between
knowledge and number of consultancies (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 0.9-5.2 p<0.0001 –
Table 7), since the CI suggests that the finding is non-significant but the given
p-value is very low.
3. Abbreviations are still not used consequently (for example CD is sometimes
written as celiac disease and sometimes CD, tTG, FP similarly).
4. In the abstract and then separately in the manuscript, make sure abbreviations
are written out the first time they appear.
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-38 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:How well do Italian family paediatricians approach and manage celiac
disease? A cross-sectional study in Puglia Region, 2012
Version:3Date:11 January 2014
Reviewer: Olof Sandström
Reviewer's report:
There is still inconsistency in the level of accuracy of significant digits. Could be
i.e 54%, 5.4% and 0.54% and used consistently through the paper.
Level of interest: An article of limited interest
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: Yes, but I do not feel adequately qualified to assess the
statistics.
Declaration of competing interests:
No conflict of interest.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-37 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Acute gastric dilatation due to a superior mesenteric artery syndrome : an
autopsy case
Version: 1Date:3 May 2013
Reviewer: Yong Sung Kim
Reviewer's report:
This paper reported unusual case of acute gastric dilatation.
It was very interesting case, however there were several issues to be pointed.
Major
1. Please comment that there was no other possible cause of death in the
autopsy. When she was found dead, a large amount of dark brown vomit was
found on the floor around her. As a clinician, I supect the possibility of asphyxia
by vomitus. Is there any evidence of asphyxia in the autopsy?
2. Authors described that "For the cause of the gastric dilation, intestinal
occlusion by the SMA at the third portion of duodenum was suspected."
However, she had never complained symptoms suggesting SMA syndrome. And
duodenum distal to SMA seemed to somewhat dilated in figure 2.
So I think that excessive eating of large food was main cause of gastric dilatation
and the narrowing duodenum (not occlusion) could be a aggravation factor for
gastric dilatation, not leading cause.
I agree wiht author's summary "an excessively large mass of food in the
narrowed duodenal lumen also promoted the development of acute gastric
dilatation in this case of SMA syndrome"
3. Authors described that "The root of the mesentery was thickened and adhered
to the duodenum, which also reduced the duodenal motility (Fig.2). In addition to
these findings, a reduction of peristalsis in the duodenum might have enhanced
gastric dilatation in this case."
Howevere, it cannot be assumed whether "motility" or "peristatlsis" was really
impaired by thickened mesentery by only autopsy finding in this patient .
In addition, she had no previous gastrointestinal symptoms and was well
nourished.
Autopsy finding just showed narrowing of duodenum by thickened mesentery and
SMA.
Thank you
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I have no competeing interests
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-37 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Acute gastric dilatation due to a superior mesenteric artery syndrome : an
autopsy case
Version: 1Date:6 July 2013
Reviewer: Sanjay Marwah
Reviewer's report:
The author has reported an interesting case of acute gastric dilatation due to a
superior mesenteric artery syndrome. However, the explanation of cause of
death doesn’t match with the case findings.
Major Compulsory Revisions
1. First paragraph of case presentation mentions that “the patient was found
dead lying on her back with large amount of dark brown vomit on the floor around
her”. This description suggests choking due to aspiration of large amount of
vomitus that could be a possible cause of death in this case. However autopsy
findings of the lungs including trachea-bronchial tree are not mentioned.
2. Second paragraph of case presentation mentions that “left proximal part of
greater curvature was gray colored and necrotic (Fig. 1)”. However, the greater
curvature appears normal in the photograph. The author should include closer
view of greater curvature, cut section of stomach and histopathological findings
showing transmural gastric necrosis to prove this point.
3. Second paragraph of conclusion mentions that “We suspected that past
intrinsic peritonitis may have been the cause of the pathological changes”. The
author has highlighted it as first case report of SMA syndrome due to intrinsic
peritonitis. However, neither there is any term like “intrinsic peritonitis” in the
literature nor any cross reference has been provided in the text for this term.
Minor Essential Revisions
1. The heading of conclusion should be replaced as discussion.
Level of interest: An article of limited interest
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
'I declare that I have no competing interests'
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-37 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Acute gastric dilatation due to a superior mesenteric artery syndrome : an
autopsy case
Version: 1Date:14 July 2013
Reviewer: Yusuke Okuyama
Reviewer's report:
Comments to the Author:
This paper reports on an autopsy case report of acute gastric dilatation due to a
superior mesenteric artery syndrome.
The manuscript is well written and there are no ethical matters. However, there
are few things new and edicational to report with this autopsy case only.
major comments
What characteristics caused the lethal gastric dilatation through the SMA
syndrome ?. Please refer previous leathal case reports about acute gastric
dilataion through the SMA syndrome and authors should discuss more.
minor comments
1)The authors should show the microscopic findings of gastric necrosis in more
detail.
2)The authors should comment whethere there were focal necrotic change in the
duodenum or jejunum and thrombosis in the SMA and Celiac artery in the case
presentaion.
Level of interest: An article of limited interest
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
'I declare that I have no competing interests
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-37 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Acute gastric dilatation due to a superior mesenteric artery syndrome : an
autopsy case
Version: 2Date:12 October 2013
Reviewer: Yong Sung Kim
Reviewer's report:
Authors reply for my major comment 3 is not appropriate.
I think whether patient have reduced motility or peristalsis cannot be assessed by
autopsy finding. Motility abnormality should be assessed by functinal test.
In present case, in clinically, she showed no eveidence for decreased motility
because she had no previous gastrointestinal symptoms and was well nourished.
So it cannot be definitely stated as she have impaired motility.
In addition, SMA syndrome is a anatomical disease, not a motility disorder.
So it is better to write like as "The root of the mesentery was thickened and
adhered to the duodenum, which reduced duodenal diameter. By this luminal
narrowing, excessive food bolus obstruct duodenum easily, which enhance
gastric dilation and cause sudden obstructive symptom . "
- My English is not good, so you can rewrite above sentence.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
'I declare that I have no competing interests'
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-37 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Acute gastric dilatation due to a superior mesenteric artery syndrome : an
autopsy case
Version: 2Date:16 October 2013
Reviewer: Yusuke Okuyama
Reviewer's report:
The manuscript has been revised well. I think this manuscript will be acceptable
in this version.
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-37 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Acute gastric dilatation due to a superior mesenteric artery syndrome : an
autopsy case
Version:2Date:25 October 2013
Reviewer: Sanjay Marwah
Reviewer's report:
The author has revised the report as per objections except for the term “intrinsic
peritonitis”.
Major Compulsory Revisions
1. The author still mentions that circumscribed peritoneal dense fibrosis,
periduodenal scarring and pulled up root of mesentery were due to “intrinsic
peritonitis”. It is again emphasized that neither there is any term like “intrinsic
peritonitis” in the literature nor any cross reference has been provided in the text
for this term. Instead, these pathological findings can be explained on the basis
of long standing partial obstruction of 3rd part of duodenum due to SMA
syndrome leading to hypertrophy, fibrosis and periduodenal scarring. The eating
of large meal of roast meat and vegetables might have precipitated the acute
obstruction and consequent acute gastric dilatation.
Minor Essential Revisions
In reference section, for reference number 7 and 8 only first page of the article
has been mentioned.
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
'I declare that I have no competing interests'
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-37 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Acute gastric dilatation due to a superior mesenteric artery syndrome : an
autopsy case
Version:3Date:23 December 2013
Reviewer: Yong Sung Kim
Reviewer's report:
This manuscript was revised well in this time.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
none
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-37 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Acute gastric dilatation due to a superior mesenteric artery syndrome : an
autopsy case
Version:3Date:30 December 2013
Reviewer: Sanjay Marwah
Reviewer's report:
The revised version is satisfactory.
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
'I declare that I have no competing interests'
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-36 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Screening for celiac disease in 1st degree relatives: a 10-year follow-up
study
Version: 3Date:15 May 2013
Reviewer: Federico Biagi
Reviewer's report:
In this paper Rosa Harumi Uenishi et al. studied the incidence of coeliac disease
(CD) in first-degree relatives (FDR) of coeliac patients. Due to the high
prevalence of CD in the general population and among FDR, this is a very import
issue that, however, has been addressed only by few studies. I have got the
following comments:
1. The statistical analysis can be improved. Binomial 95% confidence interval for
prevalence and incidence are necessary. Annual incidence needs to be
indicated.
2. I assume demographic characteristics of the FDR studied are in the annexed
table 1 but I could not open it. Anyway, this is a very important point and I would
provide sex and age of the FDR in the methods section.
3. The authors studied both children and adult FDR of coeliac patients. Since the
incidence of CD among FDR could be different in different age groups (Biagi F, J
Clin Gastroenterol 2009;43:3-4), I would love to see whether there is any
differences between children and adult FDR.
4. I would indicate in the methods section that FDR found to be positive to TTG
ab were underwent upper GI endoscopy with duodenal biopsies.
5. English must be improved and spelling must be checked.
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: Yes, and I have assessed the statistics in my report.
Declaration of competing interests:
'I declare that I have no competing interests'
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-36 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Screening for celiac disease in 1st degree relatives: a 10-year follow-up
study
Version: 3Date:25 May 2013
Reviewer: C M Frank Kneepkens
Reviewer's report:
From 634 relatives of 186 CD patients, 450 consented to participate in a study for
CD screening in first-degree relatives and 205 did so again after 1-10 years. The
first round yielded 19 new CD patients, the second round another 5. As,
however, 2 of these 5 had Marsh 1 mucosa and are therefore not biopsy-proven,
the real harvest might be considered lower. This study confirms what is already
known with regard to CD risk of first-degree relatives, but provides no new
information.
Major compulsory revisions
1. There is no information on ages of the 186 index patients at the time of the
study. This is interesting in view of the surprisingly low numer of relatives (634 =
3,5 per patient, 450 = 2,5 per patient), although one patient had I believe 15
first-degree relatives. Also , the demographic data of the 184 subjects who did
not participate should be compared to the 450 who did.
2. Table 1 reveals the details of the 8 who tested positive in the second round,
but I think those of the 19 first-round patients should be given as well.
Minor essential revisions
3. The algorithm the authors ask for has been published a few years ago (JS
Fraser et al. An algorithm for family screening for coeliac disease. World J
Gastroenterol 2006;12:7805-9). This may not be what they were looking for, but
they should have included it in the reference list.
4. There also lacks a previous Brazilian study: Martins R de C, et al. Serologic
screening and genetic testing among brazilian patients with celiac disease and
their first degree relatives. Arq Gastroenterol. 2010;47:257-62.
Discretionary revisions
5. Was the twin sister in Table 1 a monozygotic or dizygotic twin? It should be
noted that she does not (yet) qualify as CD patient given the negative endomysial
antibody test.
Level of interest: An article of limited interest
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-14-36 (2014)

Reviewer's report
Title:Screening for celiac disease in 1st degree relatives: a 10-year follow-up
study
Version: 4Date:23 September 2013
Reviewer: Edgardo Smecuol
Reviewer's report:
I have reviewed the corrections made by the authors. I saw that my doubts and
comments on the study were answered.