Review for 10.1186/s12876-017-0629-2 (2017)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Alteration of gut microbiota in association with cholesterol gallstone formation in mice  
 
Version: 0 Date: 08 Mar 2017  
 
Reviewer: Aihua Gu  
 
Reviewer's repor t: 
 
The manuscript by Wang et al described changes of gut microbiota in gallstone susceptible mice 
challenged with lithogenic diet which containing high cholesterol and cholic acids. The study 
was interesting and provid ed evidences for the involvement of gut microbiota in association with 
gallstone formation in mice.  
 
 
 
 
Some points need to be addressed:  
 
 
Reference 4, data was from Uighur and Han Chinese population, could it enough to be 
representative?  
 
 
Better to replace Figu re 1 with a table.  
 
 
An error, '278 OTUs shared by both groups'(page 10), however, in figure 4C, it was 287, needs 
to be checked!  
 
 
Panels in Figure 2 should be re -arranged from vertical into horizontal.  
 
 
Supplementary table could be added into the manuscript i f there was no table number limitation.  
Some language error: Line 57: 'bile acid'should be'bile acids'and Line 61, Line 161, 'Final body 
weight' should be 'final body weight'Line 171, 'under LD'should be 'in LD group'; Line 217, 'all 
decreased'should not b e italic.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 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 aspe cts 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:  
 
Acceptable   
 
Declaration of competing interests  
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