Review for 10.1186/s12876-017-0665-y (2017)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: p53 expression in patients with ulcerative colitis - associated with dysplasia and 
carcinoma: a systematic meta -analysis  
 
Version: 0 Date: 31 May 2017  
 
Reviewer: Jun Sheng  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
Xiaohong and colleagues provided a meta -analysis for p53 expression in patients with ulce rative 
colitis - associated with dysplasia and carcinoma. This is an interesting paper with clinical 
significance. However, this paper needs minor revision.  
1. The major defect is that the author should define this paper as specific meta -analysis or 
system  review. Because the paper includes studies with large heterogeneity, the type of this 
paper may be system review although some kind of meta -analysis is used in this paper.  
2. Due to the heterogeneity of enrolled studies, the authors need include subgroup analysis in 
addition to the ethnicity.That is, the authors should included novel aspects in this meta -
analysis to reduce the statistic bias for the whole meta -analysis.  
3. The definition for "different types of UC is not so accurate. Does this definition stands for 
Mentreal Classification? Or the authors need to use other statement.  
4. The language needs minor modification by English -native colleagues.  
Are the methods appro priate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
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 supported 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 i s recommended, please specify what aspects require further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I am able to assess the statistics  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Needs some language corrections before being published  
 
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 p ublication 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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