Review for 10.1186/s12876-019-1009-x (2019)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Histopathological features of the proper gastric glands in FVB/N -background mice 
carrying constitutively -active aryl -hydrocarbon receptor  
 
Version: 0 Date: 01 Sep 2017  
 
Reviewer: RONG JUN GUO  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
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This is a good study and the manuscript is basically well written.   I think basically the study 
showed that 1) consi tutively active ary -hydrocarbon receptor in FVB/N mice induced alteration 
in the stomach mimicking gastritis cystic profunda; 2) decreased parietal and chief cells and 3) 
elongated surface and foveolar glands.   
I am concerned about the interpretation for intestinal metaplasia.   The author utilized PAS -
Alcian blue stain.   On H.&E. and PAS alcian blue stain,   the most objective evidence of 
intestinal metaplasia is the presence of goblet cells, which I could not see on the provided 
pictures.    The alcian blue stain on wild -type gastric mucosa was overall lighter to my eyes than 
on transgenic mice.    To make the data more compelling.   I would suggest to provide one or 
both of the following lines of evidence 1) e lectric microscopic observation of intestinal 
microvilli and/or 2) immunohistochemical stain for CDX2 protein on the wild type and 
transgenic mice.  
In addition, there are a couple of spelling/grammar errors: in the last paragragh of the abstract, 
the "gas tritis" is misspelled as "gastrtiritis".  In line 48, there is a grammar error.   In line 139, the 
"reagents" is misspelled as "regents"  
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work inc lude 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 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 further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I recommend addi tional statistical review  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Needs some language corrections before being published  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
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