JerMa88/BMC_Gastroenterology_Peer_Reviews huggingface dataset:
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-17 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Differential gene expression profile in the small intestines of mice lacking pacemaker Title: 
interstitial cells of Cajal
Authors: 
Yataro Daigo ( yd206@cam.ac.uk )
Dr Ichiro Takayama ( ichirot@is.icc.u-tokai.ac.jp )
Prof Bruce AJ Ponder ( bajp@mole.bio.cam.ac.uk )
Dr Carlos Caldas ( cc234@cam.ac.uk )
Sean M Ward ( sean@physio.unr.edu )
Kenton M Sanders ( kent@physio.unr.edu )
Masayuki A Fujino ( mfujino@res.yamanashi-med.ac.jp )
 1  4 Apr 2003 Version: Date: 
 Heather Young Reviewer: 
 not specified Level of interest: 
 Other (see below) Advice on publication: 
Comments for authors: 
This study extends an earlier study that identified 8 genes that are differentially expressed in W/Wv 
mice. In the current study, an additional 7 genes were identified, of which 5 are novel transcripts. Differential gene display has the potential to identify important genes involved in the changes associated with loss of specific populations of ICC in the gut, and therefore studies such as that by 
Daigo et al. are important. 
The following points require attention (compulsory revisions): (a) What was the total number of genes found to be differentially expressed between W/Wv and 
wild-type in the original differential gene display? 
(b) Were the 8 genes identified in the previous study (published in "Gut" last year) those that showed 
the biggest differences in levels of expression, and are the 7 genes described in the current study 
also amongst the genes showing the biggest differences in levels of expression? 
(c) How many of the total number of genes found to be differentially expressed are the authors 
intending to identify in the future? 
(d) The last three sentences of the first paragraph of the Results summarize the data published in 
the 2002 "Gut" paper, and hence belong in the "Background" section rather than the "Results". 
(e) The Discussion of the role of the cytokine, LIF, is inadequate. LIF is a multifunctional cytokine 
implicated in various functions. LIF can play a role in neuroimmune reactions, but it also plays an 
important role in aspects of neuronal development, including phenotype determination, survival, and 
in response to nerve injury - these functions are independent of LIF's role in the immune system. In 
the Discussion the authors should have discussed whether LIF-deficient mice have been reported to 
show any gut phenotype, and whether LIF is expressed by the gut, and if so, by what cell types? 
Also there is no reference cited for the statement in the Discussion that "ONZIN was identified 
through a screening of LIF regulated genes". 
Minor points 
(a) should be "showed an increase" in the second last sentence of the Results section of the 
Abstract. 
(b) Should be "Loss of ICC has been reported" in the first sentence of the second paragraph of the 
Background. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-17 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Differential gene expression profile in the small intestines of mice lacking pacemaker Title: 
interstitial cells of Cajal
Authors: 
Yataro Daigo ( yd206@cam.ac.uk )
Dr Ichiro Takayama ( ichirot@is.icc.u-tokai.ac.jp )
Prof Bruce AJ Ponder ( bajp@mole.bio.cam.ac.uk )
Dr Carlos Caldas ( cc234@cam.ac.uk )
Sean M Ward ( sean@physio.unr.edu )
Kenton M Sanders ( kent@physio.unr.edu )
Masayuki A Fujino ( mfujino@res.yamanashi-med.ac.jp )
 2  11 Jun 2003 Version: Date: 
 Thilo Wedel Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Accept without revision Advice on publication: 
The paper in its present form is now acceptable for publication 
Minor comment: page 5, para 6, line 6: "The whole lumen of jejunum..." should be changed into 
"Jejunal segments were resected...", as a lumen per definition does not represent 
any tissue. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-17 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Differential gene expression profile in the small intestines of mice lacking pacemaker Title: 
interstitial cells of Cajal
Authors: 
Yataro Daigo ( yd206@cam.ac.uk )
Dr Ichiro Takayama ( ichirot@is.icc.u-tokai.ac.jp )
Prof Bruce AJ Ponder ( bajp@mole.bio.cam.ac.uk )
Dr Carlos Caldas ( cc234@cam.ac.uk )
Sean M Ward ( sean@physio.unr.edu )
Kenton M Sanders ( kent@physio.unr.edu )
Masayuki A Fujino ( mfujino@res.yamanashi-med.ac.jp )
 2  16 Jun 2003 Version: Date: 
 Heather Young Reviewer: 
 not specified Level of interest: 
 Other (see below) Advice on publication: 
I have read the revised manuscript. The authors have made all of the 
changes I requested, and I believe the manuscript is now suitable for publication. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-16 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Antral hyperplastic polyp causing intermittent gastric outlet obstruction: Case report Title: 
Authors: 
Dr Rasim Gencosmanoglu ( rgencosmanoglu@marmara.edu.tr )
Ebru Sen-Oran ( ebrusenoran@hotmail.com )
Ozlem Kurtkaya-Yapicier ( ozlemky@yahoo.com )
Nurdan Tozun ( nurdantozun@hotmail.com )
 1  10 May 2003 Version: Date: 
 Shinichi Ota Reviewer: 
 A paper of limited interest Level of interest: 
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication: 
Major 
Gencosmanogle et al reported a Helicobacter pylori-negative hyperplastic polyp which was treated by polypectomy. Since hyperplastic polyps causing symptoms such as obstruction or bleeding are usually 
treated by polypectomy, an important point of the present case was if this case was truely 
Helicobacter negative. Examinations relating this point were insufficient. Minor 1. Urea breath test and test for serum Helicobacter pylori should be performed. 
2. Histological examinatin of greater cunvature of antrum and body of stomach should have been 
done to assess gastritis, atrophy, and Helicobacter pylori infection. Since it is well known that Helicobacter pylori does not exist on lesions such as hyperplastic polyp, authors should describe the site of examination in RUT and giemsa staining. 
3. Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in gastric hyperplastic polyp should be reviewed.a 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-16 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Antral hyperplastic polyp causing intermittent gastric outlet obstruction: Case report Title: 
Authors: 
Dr Rasim Gencosmanoglu ( rgencosmanoglu@marmara.edu.tr )
Ebru Sen-Oran ( ebrusenoran@hotmail.com )
Ozlem Kurtkaya-Yapicier ( ozlemky@yahoo.com )
Nurdan Tozun ( nurdantozun@hotmail.com )
 1  16 Jun 2003 Version: Date: 
 Murat Alper Reviewer: 
 A paper of considerable general medical or scientific interest Level of interest: 
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication: 
Title: 'Antral hyperplastic polyp causing intermittent gastric outlet obstruction: Case report' 
Authors: Rasim Gencosmanoglu, Ebru Sen-Oran, Ozlem Kurtkaya-Yapicier, Nurdan Tozun 
Version 1 date 16 June 2003 
Reviewer: Dr. Murat Alper 
Level of interest: A paper of considerable general medicine or scientific interest 
Advice of publication: Accept after minor revision 
Abstract: proper 
Background: proper 
Case presentation: proper Conclusion: proper References: 
a- Twenty one references are too many for this case report. The focus of the paper is intermittent 
gastric outlet obstruction. Therefore many references are not necessary for the relation between gastric cancer and hyperplastic polyp. I suggest to the authors to benefit from the paper "Large pedinculated antral hyperplastic gastric polyp traversed the bulbus causing outlet obstruction and 
iron deficiency anemia: endoscopic removal. World J Gastroenterol. 2003 Mar;9(3):633-4" by Alper 
M, Akcan Y, Belenli O. 
b- In the references section, journal titles should be written in italic type. 
Figures: proper 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-15 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Quality control in colorectal cancer screening: Microbiological investigation of endoscopes in Title: 
the NORCCAP (Norwegian Colorectal Cancer Prevention) trial: a survey 
Authors: 
Dr Michael Bretthauer ( michael.bretthauer@sthf.no )
Anita Jorgensen ( anita.jorgensen@sthf.no )
Bjorn-Erik Kristiansen ( bjorn.erik.kristiansen@telelab.no )
Bjorn Hofstad ( bjorn.hofstad@ioks.uio.no )
Dr Geir Hoff ( hofg@online.no )
 1  27 Apr 2003 Version: Date: 
 Theodore Levin Reviewer: 
 A paper of considerable general medical or scientific interest Level of interest: 
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication: 
No compulsory revisions. 
Discretionary revisions. 
1) I think we need some more detail about the cleaning process used at the 2 NORCCAP facilities and the type of endoscopes used. Which manufacturers, what techniques were recommended by 
written policy, how were endoscope washing personnel trained? What type of endoscope washing 
machines were used? Were they acetic acid or glutaraldehyde-based? 
2) Have the authors instituted any changes in policy as the result of these findings or do they 
consider these results to be validating of the policies currently in place? 
Two minor copy-editing comments: 
Page 5: Line 6, should say "having" rather than "have." 
Page 7: Reference is missing at end of paragraph 1. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-15 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Quality control in colorectal cancer screening: Systematic microbiological investigation of Title: 
endoscopes used in the NORCCAP (Norwegian Colorectal Cancer Prevention) trial
Authors: 
Dr Michael Bretthauer ( michael.bretthauer@sthf.no )
Anita Jorgensen ( anita.jorgensen@sthf.no )
Bjorn-Erik Kristiansen ( bjorn.erik.kristiansen@telelab.no )
Bjorn Hofstad ( bjorn.hofstad@ioks.uio.no )
Dr Geir Hoff ( hofg@online.no )
 2  30 May 2003 Version: Date: 
 Paul Rozen Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication: 
Minor comments 
1. In the abstract, line 10, after the word "samples", add "2%". 
2. Abstract, line 13, in front of "significant" suggest adding the word "clinically". The word "significant" 
usually has statistical meaning and is not true for this paper. 
3. In the methods section, alcohol was added as a rinse through the channels. An advantage of this 
is to dry out the channel which if damp can allow bacteria to grow. This can be mentioned in the 
discussion. 
4. "Methods" usually comes after "Backgound". In this revised version, they were placed at the end of 
the text. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-14 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 DIFFERENTIAL GENE EXPRESSION IN THE MURINE GASTRIC FUNDUS LACKING Title: 
INTERSTITIAL CELLS OF CAJAL 
Authors: 
Yataro Daigo ( yatarod@hotmail.com )
Dr Ichiro Takayama ( ichirot@is.icc.u-tokai.ac.jp )
Sean M Ward ( sean@physio.unr.edu )
Kenton M Sanders ( kent@physio.unr.edu )
Masayuki A Fujino ( mfujino@res.yamanashi-med.ac.jp )
 1  5 Feb 2003 Version: Date: 
 Jan D. Huizinga Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Other (see below) Advice on publication: 
The paper by Daigo et al. used mouse gene arrays to compare fundic tissue from control mice and 
mice that do not have the cell type IC-IM. The objective obviously was to use this technique to learn 
more about the role of IC-IM, and the consequence of the W mutation in general. Several genes 
were found to be upregulated or downregulated and a few of these changes were confirmed by 
semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Unfortunately, the authors could not find yet any physiological relevance 
to any of these changes. 
Since large gene arrays are notoriously unreliable, a point could be made that only those data 
confirmed by RT-PCR are worthy of publishing. 
Although the paper is of limited interest at this moment, it may well be that if more knowledge 
becomes available about the genes that are up or downregulated, our understanding of the WWv 
mouse which is an important model for gut motor function, will increase. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-14 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 DIFFERENTIAL GENE EXPRESSION IN THE MURINE GASTRIC FUNDUS LACKING Title: 
INTERSTITIAL CELLS OF CAJAL 
Authors: 
Yataro Daigo ( yatarod@hotmail.com )
Dr Ichiro Takayama ( ichirot@is.icc.u-tokai.ac.jp )
Prof Bruce AJ Ponder ( bajp@mole.bio.cam.ac.uk )
Dr Carlos Caldas ( cc234@cam.ac.uk )
Sean M Ward ( sean@physio.unr.edu )
Kenton M Sanders ( kent@physio.unr.edu )
Masayuki A Fujino ( mfujino@res.yamanashi-med.ac.jp )
 2  11 Apr 2003 Version: Date: 
 Thilo Wedel Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Other (see below) Advice on publication: 
The authors of the below listed manuscript have adequately responded 
to my remarks. The manuscript has been satisfactorily revised and may be published in your Journal. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-12 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 The addition of locust bean gum but not water delayed the gastric emptying rate of a nutrient Title: 
semisolid meal in healthy subjects 
Authors: 
Dr Gassan Darwiche ( gassandarwiche@yahoo.com )
Ola Bjorgell ( ola.bjorgell@rontgen.mas.lu.se )
Lars-Olof Almer ( Lars-Olof.Almer@medforsk.mas.lu.se )
 2  21 Mar 2003 Version: Date: 
 M Bianchi Reviewer: 
 A paper of limited interest Level of interest: 
 Unable to decide on acceptance or rejection until the authors have Advice on publication: 
responded to the compulsory revisions 
Compulsory revisions 
Abstract in conclusion and full text in discussion: 
When " the results might be important..... functional dyspepsia". 
I don't agree with the conclusions because too wide. The study explore a physiologic response of Gastric motility to a specific and limited kind of meal on healthy volunteers. The authors must 
explain how the study results could add knowledge to the treatment of disordered gastric function 
disorders, including functional dyspepsia and even gastroparesis. 
Full text in measurement of gastric emptying rate and in results: 
The method to calculate gastric emptying rate is considered standardised by authors but I didn't find 
in literature a validation of it with a gold standard such as radioscintigraphy. It would be better to 
express results not only in gastric emptying rate but also in validated variables such as half emptying 
time or total emptying time. Otherwise if the method had been validated you need only to report a 
reference. 
Full text in discussion: 
When :" even if no satiety measurements were carried out ......hunger more rapidly in healthy 
subjects" 
It is not useful to comment data not reported in the results. 
Discretionary revisions 
Abstract in results: 
Though in the full text is explained the meaning of q1 and q3 it would be better to do it also in the 
abstract . 
Full text in introduction and in discussion: 
When: "The addition of viscous ..... have been found to reduce the gastric emptying rate" 
This issue is not evidence based since there are several study that don't confirm this finding . This is 
more evident when low fibre dose are added to a meal like the present study. 
Full text in statistical analysis: 
In general I don't agree with the choice of expressing results in quartiles, this is not a wide population 
study. 
Full text in discussion: 
When:" Previously it has been claimed ...... Similarly , one could expect that the influence of............decreases meal viscosity" 
Need some reference to support the theory of duodenal feedback controlling. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-12 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 The addition of locust bean gum but not water delayed the gastric emptying rate of a nutrient Title: 
semisolid meal in healthy subjects 
Authors: 
Dr Gassan Darwiche ( gassandarwiche@yahoo.com )
Ola Bjorgell ( ola.bjorgell@rontgen.mas.lu.se )
Lars-Olof Almer ( Lars-Olof.Almer@medforsk.mas.lu.se )
 2  2 Apr 2003 Version: Date: 
 Trygve Hausken Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Unable to decide on acceptance or rejection until the authors have Advice on publication: 
responded to the compulsory revisions 
b) Compulsory revisions 
The study is well conducted. On page 9 in Discussion the authors state that the influence of Locust 
been gum on gastric emptying of semisolids has not been studied. However, in an old study (Scand J Gastroenterol 1985 Apr;20(3):330-4) the effect of guar gum on gastric emptying of a semisolid meal has been studied. In this study guar gum caused an accumulation of the meal within the 
proximal stomach. The authors have caluculated gastric emptying by maesuring the antral area. It 
could be that the proximal stomach is important in this context. It needs to be commented. 
Minor comments: 
The manuscript has to be shortened. The Abstract and Discussion are to long. There is duplication 
of paragraphs in Introdcution (page 5) and Discussion (page 11 and 12). 
The authors have included a large number of references. For this small study they need to half the 
number of references. 
The company which produces the basic test meal has to be included. 
Statistical analysis (page 8). The values has to be presented as median and quartiles. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-12 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 The addition of locust bean gum but not water delayed the gastric emptying rate of a nutrient Title: 
semisolid meal in healthy subjects 
Authors: 
Dr Gassan Darwiche ( gassandarwiche@yahoo.com )
Ola Bjorgell ( ola.bjorgell@rontgen.mas.lu.se )
Lars-Olof Almer ( Lars-Olof.Almer@medforsk.mas.lu.se )
 3  15 May 2003 Version: Date: 
 M Bianchi Reviewer: 
 A paper of limited interest Level of interest: 
 Other (see below) Advice on publication: 
Dr. Gassan and coll. satisfied my questions in their revision. I don't have other criticism to raise. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-12 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 The addition of locust bean gum but not water delayed the gastric emptying rate of a nutrient Title: 
semisolid meal in healthy subjects 
Authors: 
Dr Gassan Darwiche ( gassandarwiche@yahoo.com )
Ola Bjorgell ( ola.bjorgell@rontgen.mas.lu.se )
Lars-Olof Almer ( Lars-Olof.Almer@medforsk.mas.lu.se )
 3  3 Jun 2003 Version: Date: 
 Trygve Hausken Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Other (see below) Advice on publication: 
The authors have answered my comments properly. And the manuscript is improved. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-11 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Mediastinitis complicating a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: a case report Title: 
Authors: 
Kalliopi K Papakonstantinou ( akarab@forthnet.gr )
Dr Athanasios Karagiannis ( cava@otenet.gr )
Dr Maria J Tsirantonaki ( saitanis@aua.gr )
Anastasios Konstantinidis ( akarab@forthnet.gr )
Spiros Spirou ( akarab@forthnet.gr )
Ion Skottis ( akarab@forthnet.gr )
Andreas P Karabinis ( akarab@forthnet.gr )
 1  23 Apr 2003 Version: Date: 
 callum B pearce Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication: 
I think this is a good case report, of a case which is worth reporting. In general it is well written and 
interesting. 
I can think of no specific alterations that are needed, although I would not have included the table of 
complications of PEG tube insertion as these have been extensively reported elsewhere and I do not 
feel this adds to the publication as a whole. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-11 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Mediastinitis complicating a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: a case report Title: 
Authors: 
Kalliopi K Papakonstantinou ( akarab@forthnet.gr )
Dr Athanasios Karagiannis ( cava@otenet.gr )
Dr Maria J Tsirantonaki ( saitanis@aua.gr )
Anastasios Konstantinidis ( akarab@forthnet.gr )
Spiros Spirou ( akarab@forthnet.gr )
Ion Skottis ( akarab@forthnet.gr )
Andreas P Karabinis ( akarab@forthnet.gr )
 1  24 Apr 2003 Version: Date: 
 Ioannis Koutroubakis Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication: 
This paper reports on a case of mediastinitis complicating a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy 
(PEG). This is a rare complication of PEG and so far it has not been described in the literature. It is an interesting and well written paper. 
Compulsory revisions: 
A figure with the CT scan findings should be added in order to demonstrate the mediastinitis and its 
relation to gastrostomy tube. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-10 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 A National Survey on the Patterns of Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada Title: 
Authors: 
Dr Robert J Hilsden ( rhilsden@ucalgary.ca )
Dr Marja J Verhoef ( mverhoef@ucalgary.ca )
Allan Best ( abest@vanhosp.bc.ca )
Gaia Pocobelli ( gpocobel@ucalgary.ca )
 1  2 Apr 2003 Version: Date: 
 Jacques Cosnes Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication: 
This is an interesting study givng a photography of a large population of Canadian patients with IBD 
in 2001. The paper is clearly presented and well written. I have only some minor comments: 1degrees I am not sure that the present study did evaluate if responding members of the Canadian 
Association were or were not representative of Canadians with IBD. In fact, there was no 
comparison made between members of the Association and non-members, nor between responders 
to the questionnaire and non responders. As indicated in the discussion, members of an Association 
are usually better-educated and highly motivated; they also may have had a more severe disease 
(needing more operations for example). The pilot study addressed only the point of the proportion of 
members with IBD and did not give much information. 
2degrees The response rate to the questionnaire was 75%, not very high if one considers that it was sent to a very selected population. Do the members of the Association pay an annual subscription? 
In return, do they receive a journal or various informations upon new therapies and so on? We need 
more information on the implication of the members within the Association. 3degrees How was defined the disease activity? during which period of time? I am surprised by the low level of disease inactivity (20-30%), while cohort studies have reported that every year more 
than 50% of the patients are in remission (Munkolm et al Scand J GE 1995; Langholz et al 
Gastroenterology 1994) 4degrees The treatment policy of IBD has changed dramatically during the last decade. Immunosuppressants are used earlier, in a larger proportion of patients, and particularly in young 
patients with the hope to modify the natural history of the disease. I believe this change may explain 
why young patients were receiving immunosuppressants more often. This should be discussed in 
more details. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-10 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 A National Survey on the Patterns of Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada Title: 
Authors: 
Dr Robert J Hilsden ( rhilsden@ucalgary.ca )
Dr Marja J Verhoef ( mverhoef@ucalgary.ca )
Allan Best ( abest@vanhosp.bc.ca )
Gaia Pocobelli ( gpocobel@ucalgary.ca )
 2  26 May 2003 Version: Date: 
 Edward V Loftus Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Accept without revision Advice on publication: 
Dr Hilsden and colleagues have satisfactorily addressed my concerns. They have added sentences 
to the Discussion which point out that although this sample of patients is more representative of the IBD population than a sample from an individual clinic, it should not be construed as being 
representative of the Canadian IBD population as a whole (e.g., higher percentage of Crohn's 
disease patients than expected, high socioeconomic status, etc.). 
Competing interests: 
research support from GlaxoSmithKline, Schering-Plough, AstraZeneca, Procter and Gamble 
consultant for AstraZeneca
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-9 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Spectrum and antibiotic sensitivity of bacteria contaminating upper gut in patients with Title: 
malabsorption syndrome from the tropics 
Authors: 
Dr Ujjala Ghoshal ( ujjala@sgpgi.ac.in )
Uday CHAND Ghoshal ( ghoshal@sgpgi.ac.in )
Piyush Ranjan ( pranjan@sgpgi.ac.in )
Subhash R Naik ( ghoshal@sgpgi.ac.in )
Archana Ayyagari ( archana@sgpgi.ac.in )
 1  11 Feb 2003 Version: Date: 
 Terry Bolin Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication: 
The paper is interesting in that it documents the incidence of SIBO in a group of patients with 
malabsorption syndrome who have various diseases that might affect motility within the small bowel. 
It does not address, however, the very significant number of people in a developing country who 
have malabsorption syndrome without a demonstrable physical cause that might compromise 
motility. The high proportion of SIBO in the patients studied with malabsorption is interesting in that 
previous data have been conflicting and this paper tends to resolve some of that controversy, although there have been previous studies(1) that show that mucosal biopsy is the most reliable technique for validating SIBO. 
The authors indicate in their introduction that studies on the bacterial population contaminating the 
upper gut from developing countries are sparse and there is no study from developing countries on this issue. Such is not the case. Studies from Burma (2,3) were the first to establish the concept of 
SIBO as a cause of general malnutrition in a paediatric population. 
The demonstration of resistance to tetracycline and the high rates of sensitivity to quinolones is of 
significant clinical relevance as treatment until now has been problematic. 
Overall, the methodology is good and there are several points that would be of interest, particularly 
to research workers in the field. 
References 
1. Riordan SM, McIver CJ, Duncombe VM, Bolin TD. Bacteriological analysis of mucosal biopsies for detecting small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Scand J Gastroenterology 1995;30:681-685. 2. Pereira SP, Khin-Maung-U, Bolin TD, Duncombe VM, Nyunt-Nyunt-Wai, Myo-Khin, Linklater JM. 
A pattern of breath hydrogen excretion suggesting small bowel bacterial overgrowth in Burmese 
village children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1991;32-38. 
3. Khin-Maung-U, Bolin TD, Pereira SP, Duncombe VM, Myo-Khin, Nyunt-Nyunt-Wai, Linklater JM. Epidemiology of small bowel bacterial overgrowth and rice carbohydrate malabsorption in Burmese 
(Myanmar) village children. American Journal of Topical Medicine and Hygiene 1992;47:3:298-304. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-9 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Spectrum and antibiotic sensitivity of bacteria contaminating upper gut in patients with Title: 
malabsorption syndrome from the tropics 
Authors: 
Dr Ujjala Ghoshal ( ujjala@sgpgi.ac.in )
Uday CHAND Ghoshal ( ghoshal@sgpgi.ac.in )
Piyush Ranjan ( pranjan@sgpgi.ac.in )
Subhash R Naik ( ghoshal@sgpgi.ac.in )
Archana Ayyagari ( archana@sgpgi.ac.in )
 1  4 Mar 2003 Version: Date: 
 Mark Pimentel Reviewer: 
 not specified Level of interest: 
 Other (see below) Advice on publication: 
Major comments. 
The authors of this paper try to emphasize the relevance of newer 
antibiotics in tropical sprue/bacterial overgrowth. From a gastroenterology standpoint the importance of this paper is the fact that very few researchers study tropical sprue. However, I have some concerns about the 
paper. 
First, the introduction lacks a clear hypothesis. The hypothesis 
(hypotheses) need to be more clearly stated. 
An important methodologic problem is the identification of response. I did 
not get the feeling that there was a systematic approach to evaluating and 
following up on clinical symptoms. The authors defined a clinical response, 
but I am not sure how many of the patients got all the testing and follow up 
that they refer to (ie. Did all the patients get a repeat D-xylose). This also translates into clinical improvement. In the results do not indicate in detail what were the clinical improvements seen. Did stool reduce from 5 a 
day to 2 a day? 
I think the main thrust of the paper is the culture and sensitivity. If the 
authors have more detailed data on clinical response than they already 
discuss, it would be helpful....If not, just exclude the clinical outcomes. 
Minor comments. 
First paragraph of methods (last sentence) there is no "(b)". 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-9 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Spectrum and antibiotic sensitivity of bacteria contaminating upper gut in patients with Title: 
malabsorption syndrome from the tropics 
Authors: 
Dr Ujjala Ghoshal ( ujjala@sgpgi.ac.in )
Uday CHAND Ghoshal ( ghoshal@sgpgi.ac.in )
Piyush Ranjan ( pranjan@sgpgi.ac.in )
Subhash R Naik ( ghoshal@sgpgi.ac.in )
Archana Ayyagari ( archana@sgpgi.ac.in )
 1  12 Mar 2003 Version: Date: 
 Robert M Craig Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication: 
Review. Ghoshal, et al. Spectrum and antibiotic sensitivity of bacteria contaminating upper gut in 
patients with malabsorption syndrome from the tropics 
The authors obtained bacteriologic material from the jejunum in 50 patients with malabsorption 
syndrome and from 12 control patients, with a catheter device that they developed and described previously, inserted through a pediatric colonoscope. Greater that 105 colonies of bacteria were identified in 21 of the 50 patients, but in none of the 12 controls. 34 of the 50 patients had some 
growth. Some uncontrolled observations suggested that quinolone antibiotics were more effective 
than tetracycline. They contend that malabsorption itself may be responsible for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. 
The study does add further information on small intestinal microbiology in malabsorption. Its major 
weakness is the failure to include the bacteriology for each malabsorptive entity. If all 7 patients with 
known small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and the majority of patients with tropical sprue had the 
significant bacterial cultures, > 105, then this does not give support to their contention that small 
intestinal bacterial overgrowth occurs more commonly in malabsorptive syndromes previously not 
known for this process. They should again be congratulated in their success in obtaining 100% collections of jejunal material for culture, an otherwise common problem for many other workers in this field. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-9 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Spectrum and antibiotic sensitivity of bacteria contaminating upper gut in patients with Title: 
malabsorption syndrome from the tropics 
Authors: 
Dr Ujjala Ghoshal ( ujjala@sgpgi.ac.in )
Uday C Ghoshal ( ghoshal@sgpgi.ac.in )
Piyush Ranjan ( pranjan@sgpgi.ac.in )
Subhash R Naik ( ghoshal@sgpgi.ac.in )
Archana Ayyagari ( archana@sgpgi.ac.in )
 4  4 Apr 2003 Version: Date: 
 Mark Pimentel Reviewer: 
 not specified Level of interest: 
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication: 
The changes made by the authors are satisfactory. From my perspective, the 
symptom response of the paper was not adequately done and this has now been 
removed entirely. The main thrust of the paper is now the antibiotic 
sensitivity of organisms in sprue. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-8 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 The Canadian Celiac Health Survey - The Ottawa Chapter Pilot Title: 
Authors: 
Dr Ann B Cranney ( cranneya@kgh.kari.net )
Marion Zarkadas ( czarkadas@sympatico.ca )
Dr Ian ID Graham Dr. ( igraham@ohri.ca )
Connie C Switzer Dr. ( cmswitzer@shaw.ca )
 1  17 Mar 2003 Version: Date: 
 Carlo Catassi Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Unable to decide on acceptance or rejection until the authors have Advice on publication: 
responded to the compulsory revisions 
This is an interesting paper describing the results of a survey performed among members of the 
Ottawa Chapter Celiac Society. Unfortunately some results are not easily interpreted (e.g. on the 
frequency of associated medical conditions in first-degree relatives and on quality of life) due to lack 
of a control group of non-celiac subjects. In my opinion the manuscript could be greatly improved by taking into consideration the following suggestions: 
* An important information is missing: was (or in which percentage was) the diagnosis of celiac 
disease biopsy-based ? If not, patients with non-celiac gluten intolerance could be erroneously included in this survey. A clue to the possible inclusion of gluten intolerant patients is the very high 
percentage of subjects (64 %) reporting symptoms following an accidental ingestion of gluten, which 
is probably more than expected in "true" celiac disease. 
* The discussion section is excessively short. The results of the survey should be discussed in the perspective of (1) the variable awareness of celiac disease in different countries, as shown by 
similar surveys in Europe and North America , e.g. see the excellent Green's paper published on the 
Am J Gastroenterol and quoted as reference 3; (2) the changing situation in Canada, by comparison 
with the 1989 Survey by Davidson and coworkers, reference 11. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-8 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 The Canadian Celiac Health Survey - The Ottawa Chapter Pilot Title: 
Authors: 
Dr Ann B Cranney ( cranneya@kgh.kari.net )
Marion Zarkadas ( czarkadas@sympatico.ca )
Dr Ian ID Graham Dr. ( igraham@ohri.ca )
Connie C Switzer Dr. ( cmswitzer@shaw.ca )
 1  17 Mar 2003 Version: Date: 
 Peter HR Green Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication: 
This paper describes a pilot study of a survey of patients with celiac disease. 
While much of the data will be presented in greater detail when the National survey has been completed the current study has interesting information concerning a good quality of life despite 
difficulties encountered with a gluten-free diet. 
There are some specific questions Page 5 third paragraph 1. How was steatorrhea assessed? To my knowlege the only clinical parameter of steatorrhea is the visualization of fat or oil droplets in stool. Bulky stools has no 
correlate and floating stools are due to their content of gas. 
2. Were there any other comparisons between different time points? Page 7. Table 5. Why is peptic ulcer included? 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-8 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 The Canadian Celiac Health Survey - The Ottawa Chapter Pilot Title: 
Authors: 
Dr Ann B Cranney ( cranneya@kgh.kari.net )
Marion Zarkadas ( czarkadas@sympatico.ca )
Dr Ian ID Graham Dr. ( igraham@ohri.ca )
Connie CM Switzer Dr. ( cmswitzer@shaw.ca )
 3  24 Apr 2003 Version: Date: 
 Carlo Catassi Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication: 
The revised manuscript is greatly improved compared with the original version. I have only some 
minor suggestions: - page 2 introduction line 1: I would prefer to define celiac disease as an immune-mediated rather 
than auto-immune disorder. 
- page 2 introduction line 3: the celiac enteropathy is caused not only by gliadins. Glutenines seem to 
be toxic as well. It is probably better to generically define as toxic the gluten proteins contained in 
wheat, rye and barley. 
- page 5 Demographics: the mean age at diagnosis was quite high (45 yrs)in this study-group. This 
result could deserve a comment in the discussion. Could this be due to lower frequency of typical, early-onset cases of celiac disease? Or is it just a question of study-group selection? 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-7 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 A comparison of Child-Pugh, APACHE II and APACHE III scoring systems in predicting Title: 
hospital mortality of patients with liver cirrhosis 
Authors: 
Constantinos Chatzicostas ( matrix01gr@yahoo.gr )
Dr Maria Roussomoustakaki ( mrousso1@hotmail.com )
Georgios Notas ( chief@med.uoc.gr )
Ioannis G Vlachonikolis ( i.vlachonikolis@surrey.ac.uk )
Demetrios Samonakis ( photein@in.gr )
John Romanos ( romanos@med.uoc.gr )
Emmanouel Vardas ( evardas@hotmail.com )
Prof Elias A Kouroumalis ( kouroum@med.uoc.gr )
 3  17 Mar 2003 Version: Date: 
 Markus Wehler Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication: 
The questions of the reviewers were answered point by point. The proposed goodness of fit statistic 
changed the results of the manuscript completely. The methods are appropriate and well described, 
results adhere to the relevant standards for reporting and data deposition. The discussion points out 
the major problems associated with such research and the conclusions apply to the reported data. 
Discretionary revisions: 
1. The title should indicate that ward patients and not critically ill patients were investigated. 
2. The expression "strata of increasing predicting mortality" (page 2, last para, and page 12) is difficult to understand and should be rephrased. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-7 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 A comparison of Child-Pugh, APACHE II and APACHE III scoring systems in predicting Title: 
hospital mortality of patients with liver cirrhosis 
Authors: 
Constantinos Chatzicostas ( matrix01gr@yahoo.gr )
Dr Maria Roussomoustakaki ( mrousso1@hotmail.com )
Georgios Notas ( chief@med.uoc.gr )
Ioannis G Vlachonikolis ( i.vlachonikolis@surrey.ac.uk )
Demetrios Samonakis ( photein@in.gr )
John Romanos ( romanos@med.uoc.gr )
Emmanouel Vardas ( evardas@hotmail.com )
Prof Elias A Kouroumalis ( kouroum@med.uoc.gr )
 3  1 Apr 2003 Version: Date: 
 Bekele Afessa Reviewer: 
 A paper of considerable general medical or scientific interest Level of interest: 
 Other (see below) Advice on publication: 
The revised manuscript is well written. The authors have satisfied all of my concerns and I believe 
the paper will be a great contribution to the medical literature. I have minimal comments that should not delay the acceptance of the paper. 
1. Page 5, line 1, change "transferal" to "transfer". 
2. Page 18, reference 43, delete "43". 3. A brief explanation (if possible) why 8 DF was used for APACHE III but 6 for APACHE II and CP scores. 
The authors should be congratulated for the excellent revision and tremendous work. 
Thank you. 
Bekele Afessa, MD 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-6 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Gastric tuberculosis- Report of 5 cases Title: 
Authors: 
Deepak N Amarapurkar Dr ( deepakn@bom3.vsnl.net.in )
Nikhil D Patel Dr ( nikhilp@rediffmail.com )
Dr Anjali D Amarapurkar Dr ( anjali_1963@hotmail.com )
 2  10 Jan 2003 Version: Date: 
 Rinaldo Pellicano Reviewer: 
 A paper of considerable general medical or scientific interest Level of interest: 
 Other (see below) Advice on publication: 
Compulsory revisions 
. The title should be changed in-- ^2Primary^2 gastric tuberculosis. Report of 5 cases.- 
. GI scopy should be changed in GI endoscopy 
. Antituberculous treatment should be clarified 
. Case 1. (HERZ) 2 (HR), please specify 
. Case 3. I suggest that authors should provide if the patient has been underwent to upper GI 
endoscopy before surgery 
. Discussion, line 13, the authors should add --which was probably due--- 
. Discussion is very short. I suggest that it would be better that authors cite the following papers, with 
short sentences, to demonstrate other recent experiences: 
Okoro et al. Clin Radiol 1999; 54 : 257-259 
Wig et al. Surg Today 2000; 30 : 921-922 
Jain et al. Acta Cytol 2000; 44 : 987-992 
Chetri et al. Trop Gastroenterol 2000; 21 : 180-181 
Moirangthem et al. Int Surg 2001; 86 : 132-134 
Gheorghe et al. Rom J Gastroenterol 2002; 11 : 149-152 
Petroianni et al. Panminerva Med 2002; 44 : 155-158 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-6 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Gastric Tuberculosis: Primary ? Secondary - Report of 5 cases Title: 
Authors: 
Deepak N Amarapurkar Dr ( deepakn@bom3.vsnl.net.in )
Nikhil D Patel Dr ( nikhilp@rediffmail.com )
Dr Anjali D Amarapurkar Dr ( anjali_1963@hotmail.com )
 3  14 Mar 2003 Version: Date: 
 Rinaldo Pellicano Reviewer: 
 A paper of considerable general medical or scientific interest Level of interest: 
 Other (see below) Advice on publication: 
The changes that the authors have made are in agreement with the questions. Only the title needs 
to be changed to "Primary" gastric tuberculosis. Report of 5 cases. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-5 (2003)

Reviewer's□report 
□Colon□biopsies□for□evaluation□of□Acute□Graft-Versus-Host□Disease□(A-GVHD)□in□allogeneic□ Title: 
bone□marrow□transplant□patients. 
Authors: 
Dr□Vinod□Shidham□( vshidham@mcw.edu )
Chung-Che□Chang□( jcchang@mcw.edu )
Ganesh□Shidham□( gshidham@hotmail.com )
Farrukh□Ghazala□( meh407@aol.com )
Paul□Lindholm□( p-lindholm@northwestern.edu )
Bal□Kampalath□( bkampala@mcw.edu )
Varghese□George□( vgeorge@uab.edu )
Richard□Komorowski□( rkomor@mcw.edu )
□1□ □4□Feb□2003 Version: Date: 
□Danielle□Canioni Reviewer: 
□A□paper□whose□findings□are□important□to□those□with□closely□related□research□ Level□of□interest: 
interests 
□Unable□to□decide□on□acceptance□or□rejection□until□the□authors□have□ Advice□on□publication: 
responded□to□the□compulsory□revisions 
Discretionary□revisions:□the□lesions□described□in□colon□biopsies□of□acute□GVHD□are□interesting□to□ 
described□mainly□for□"regular"□pathologists□since□the□main□histological□criteria□allowing□this□diagnosis□ 
are□already□known□by□pathologists□who□use□to□work□in□teams□dealing□with□bone□marrow□ 
transplantation.□ 
Compulsory□revisions:□1.□there□are□some□typographical□mistakes.□ 
2.□since□cryptic□apoptosis□are□well□known□in□acute□GVHD,□we□think□that□it□would□be□interesting□to□ 
illustrate□the□other□less□known□histological□criteria□(like□pericryptal□apoptosis,□crypts□ abnormalities,decrease□of□plasma□cells□comparing□to□biopsies□of□control□groups... 
Competing□interests: 
None□declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-5 (2003)

Reviewer's□report 
□Colon□biopsies□for□evaluation□of□Acute□Graft-Versus-Host□Disease□(A-GVHD)□in□allogeneic□ Title: 
bone□marrow□transplant□patients. 
Authors: 
Dr□Vinod□Shidham□( vshidham@mcw.edu )
Chung-Che□Chang□( jcchang@mcw.edu )
Ganesh□Shidham□( gshidham@hotmail.com )
Farrukh□Ghazala□( meh407@aol.com )
Paul□Lindholm□( p-lindholm@northwestern.edu )
Bal□Kampalath□( bkampala@mcw.edu )
Varghese□George□( vgeorge@uab.edu )
Richard□Komorowski□( rkomor@mcw.edu )
□1□ □4□Feb□2003 Version: Date: 
□Nirag□Jhala Reviewer: 
□A□paper□of□considerable□general□medical□or□scientific□interest Level□of□interest: 
□Accept□after□discretionary□revisions Advice□on□publication: 
Colon□biopsies□for□evaluation□of□acute□graft□versus□host□disease□(□A-□GVHD)□in□allogeneic□bone□ 
marrow□transplant.□ 
Shidham□VB□et□al.□ 
BMC□Gastroenterology.□ 
This□is□a□timely□and□well□thought□out□manuscript.□It□has□many□strengths□and□would□be□important□to□ 
document□features□of□A-GVHD□in□the□literature□and□would□be□of□interest□to□both□gastroenterologists□ 
as□well□as□pathologists□.□The□study□result□supports□the□conclusion□and□the□morphologic□features□can□ 
be□used□by□others□to□follow.□ 
One□of□the□concerns□is□that□the□authors□use□colon□biopsies□in□patients□who□have□documented□GVHD□ 
of□skin□within□15□days□of□its□detection.□It□might□be□also□be□better□to□document□if□the□therapy□was□ 
started□or□not□before□obtaining□the□colon□biopsy□and□following□diagnosis□of□skin□GVHD□for□the□ present□study.□ 
It□may□also□strengthen□the□study□if□cases□of□colon□biopsies□from□clinically□considered□GVHD□who□did□ 
not□have□skin□GVHD□are□included□in□the□study.□ 
Some□of□the□subjective□parameters□listed□in□the□result□section□need□to□be□elaborated□in□the□material□ 
and□method□section□for□better□understanding□of□the□reader.□ 
In□addition,□following□are□specific□comments□which□need□to□be□considered.□ 
Comments:□ 
Abstract□ 
Page□2□,□lines□11□and□12:□Does□not□make□sense.□The□line□begins□with□a□number,□and□suggests□that□ 
decreased□number□of□lymphocytes□are□noted□when□the□normal□does□not□contain□any.□ 
Page□2,□lines□14□and□15:□It□would□be□difficult□to□understand□what□is□outer□third□of□lamina□propria□a□ 
better□morphologic□definition□would□be□more□appropriate.□ 
Page□2□(Conclusions):□It□would□be□better□if□parameters□listed□in□the□conclusion□are□ 
noted□to□have□been□studied□earlier□in□the□study□design□or□conclusion.□Making□a□statement□in□ 
conclusion□would□suggest□that□these□conclusions□were□drawn□from□subjective□parameters□not□ 
studied□in□depth□by□authors.□ 
Introduction□ 
Page□3□paragraph□2□last□line:□The□relevance□of□the□statement□in□context□of□the□present□study□is□ 
unclear.□ 
Competing□interests: 
None□declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-5 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 Colon biopsies for evaluation of Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease (A-GVHD) in allogeneic Title: 
bone marrow transplant patients. 
Authors: 
Dr Vinod Shidham ( vshidham@mcw.edu )
Chung-Che Chang ( jcchang@mcw.edu )
Ganesh Shidham ( gshidham@hotmail.com )
Farrukh Ghazala ( meh407@aol.com )
Paul Lindholm ( p-lindholm@northwestern.edu )
Bal Kampalath ( bkampala@mcw.edu )
Varghese George ( vgeorge@uab.edu )
Richard Komorowski ( rkomor@mcw.edu )
 2  10 Mar 2003 Version: Date: 
 Lisbet Sviland Reviewer: 
 A paper of limited interest Level of interest: 
 Accept after discretionary revisions Advice on publication: 
I have only a few comments to the revised manuscript. 
1.On page 3 I would still prefer the authors to state that the incidence of A-GVHD after allogeneic transplantation ranges from 30% to 60% with skin as the most commonly affected organ often 
accompanied by intestinal and/or liver involvement. 
2. On page 10 the authors should remove the sentence "These associations included decreased plasma cells in LP...." as their reference to plasma cells has now been deleted from the paper. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-4 (2003)

Reviewer's□report 
□The□course□of□traumatic□pancreatitis□in□a□patient□with□pancreas□divisum:□a□case□report Title: 
Authors: 
Evangelia□G□Chryssou□( gellych@hotmail.com )
Panos□Prassopoulos□( prassop@med.uoc.gr )
John□Mouzas□( mouzas@med.uoc.gr )
Thomas□G□Maris□( tmaris@med.uoc.gr )
Nicholas□Gourtsoyiannis□( gournick@med.uoc.gr )
□1□ □26□Sep□2002 Version: Date: 
□Prof□Miin-Fu□Chen Reviewer: 
□A□paper□of□limited□interest Level□of□interest: 
□Unable□to□decide□on□acceptance□or□rejection□until□the□authors□have□responded□ Advice□on□publication: 
to□the□compulsory□revisions 
1.□I□need□some□bio-chemistry□data,□e.g.□Calcium□level□ 
2.□Endocrine□function,e.g.□parathyroid□function? 
Competing□interests: 
None□declared.
Review for 10.1186/1471-230X-3-4 (2003)

Reviewer's report 
 The course of traumatic pancreatitis in a patient with pancreas divisum: a case report Title: 
Authors: 
Evangelia G Chryssou ( gellych@hotmail.com )
Panos Prassopoulos ( prassop@med.uoc.gr )
John Mouzas ( mouzas@med.uoc.gr )
Thomas G Maris ( tmaris@med.uoc.gr )
Nicholas Gourtsoyiannis ( gournick@med.uoc.gr )
 1  28 Oct 2002 Version: Date: 
 Prof ATILLA ERTAN Reviewer: 
 A paper of limited interest Level of interest: 
 Other (see below) Advice on publication: 
This case report has no original contributions or any merit to be published. 
Competing interests: 
None declared.