Review for 10.1186/s12876-020-01545-z (2020)

Reviewer’s report
Title: 
Investigation of the clinical significance and pathological features of
lanthanum deposition in the gastric mucosa
Version: 
0 
Date: 
12 Oct 2020
Reviewer's report:
PEER REVIEWER ASSESSMENTS: 
OBJECTIVE - Full research articles: is there a clear objective that addresses a
testable research question(s) (brief or other article types: is there a clear
objective)?
Yes - there is a clear objective
DESIGN - Is the current approach (including controls and analysis protocols)
appropriate for the objective?
Yes - the approach is appropriate
EXECUTION - Are the experiments and analyses performed with technical rigor
to allow confidence in the results?
Yes - experiments and analyses were performed appropriately
STATISTICS - Is the use of statistics in the manuscript appropriate?
Yes - appropriate statistical analyses have been used in the study
INTERPRETATION - Is the current interpretation/discussion of the results
reasonable and not overstated?
Yes - the author's interpretation is reasonable
OVERALL MANUSCRIPT POTENTIAL - Is the current version of this work
technically sound? If not, can revisions be made to make the work technically
sound?
Yes - current version is technically sound
PEER REVIEWER COMMENTS: 
GENERAL COMMENTS: The authors show that, although the existence of the
lanthanum mucosal deposits was not necessarily linked to any measurable
pathological consequences, the likelihood of observable deposition was
statistically dose lanthanum-dependent. They also reasonably concluded that the
observable features were associated with normal histological response
mechanisms, rather than a pathological process. A study of relatively niche
interest but which adds novel information and may well be of interest within its
field.
This is a relatively small but well-conducted study into the histological
significance of lanthanum 
depositions in the gastric mucosa of patients
undergoing dialysis. It was an observational study, but it was well conceived and
well written. The study design, although limited by relatively small numbers of
patients, was appropriate, as was the use of statistics. The results were relatively
clear and the final conclusions were not extended beyond of the scope of the
study or data.
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Declaration of competing interests
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Is the study design appropriate to answer the research question (including the use
of appropriate controls), and are the conclusions supported by the evidence
presented?
Yes
Are the methods sufficiently described to allow the study to be repeated?
Yes
Is the use of statistics and treatment of uncertainties appropriate?
Yes
Is the presentation of the work clear?
Yes
Are the images in this manuscript (including electrophoretic gels and blots) free
from apparent manipulation?
Yes