Review for 10.1186/s12876-017-0607-8 (2017)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: The relationship of serum alanine aminotransferase normal -range levels to arterial 
stiffness and metabolic syndrome in non -drinkers and drinkers: a Chinese community -based 
analysis  
 
Version: 0 Date: 23 Jan 2017  
 
Reviewer: Arif Cosar  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
The manuscript prepared by Shih ui Fu et.al, is a wWell -thought -out study, so thank you very 
much.  
But I have few criticisms:  
It has a very complex design.  
The relationship between the working parameters and the result / comment is unclear.  
The hypothesis of the research and the interpre tation of the result is unclear.  
The comparative groups and parameters are not clearly interpreted and expressed:  
Drinkers vs non -drinkers, the quartiles of serum ALT levels, patients with or without mets, 
cfPWV results, etc  
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supporte d by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
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 spec ify what aspects require further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I recommend additional statistical review  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Needs some language corrections before being publis hed 
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
 
1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an  
organisation that may in any way gain or lose financially from the publication of this  
manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation that may in any way gain or lose  
financially from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the  future?  
 
3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the  
manuscript?  
 
4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that 
holds  or has applied for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?  
 
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
 
6. Do you have any non -financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
 
If you can answer no to all of the above, write 'I  declare that I have no competing interests' 
below.  If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
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on my  report to the authors and, if the manuscript is accepted for publication, my named report  
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