Reviewer's report
Title:The overexpression of Sterol Carrier Protein 2 gene in patients of
hereditary cholesterol gallstones
Version: 6Date:5 October 2010
Reviewer: Silvana Zanlungo
Reviewer's report:
This is a good descriptive study in which authors analyze the hepatic expression
levels of SCP2 in hereditary, non-hereditary and non-cholesterol gallstone
patients. The most important contribution of this work is undoubtedly the analysis
of human samples. The manuscript is the continuation of previous studies
looking to analyze whether the expression of SCP2 may correlate with
cholesterol biliary lithiasis in humans. The methodology for measuring SCP2
mRNA levels should be improved. The presentation of the manuscript could be
improved. The English of the manuscript requires modifications. Figures can be
improved to make them more informative and friendly.
Major compulsory revisions
I suggest changing your method for analyzing mRNA levels of SCP2 for a more
quantitative method: semi quantitative methods that include competimer
technology or Real Time PCR. This is a crucial point for this manuscript and is
needed for make it stronger.
Minor Essential Revisions
Title
Please check if with or of is used for “patients of/with hereditary cholesterol
gallstones”
Abstract
Improve English.
Introduction
Improve English. Change and update references for cholesterol gallstones,
authors should use reviews instead of SCP2 specific references (for example for
references 1 and 2).
Results
Improve English. For example, what does it mean “To explore the potential
mechanisms of SCP2 gene”?
Figure 1: Improve English of the legend. Include liver or hepatic expression.
Clearly indicate in the figure the significant differences. “SCP2 mRNA” in the y
axis should be “SCP2 mRNA relative levels (SCP2/GAPDH)”
Figure 2: Include liver or hepatic expression in the legend. Is this a representative
Western blot? Were all samples analyzed by Western blot?
Figure 3: Y axis: bile lipid concentrations; x axis; Control instead of cotrol
Discussion
Improve English and references cited. The paragraph that proposes different
mechanisms for SCP2-mediated cholesterol increase in bile and lithogenicity is
not well written and referenced.
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Not suitable for publication unless extensively edited
Statistical review: Yes, but I do not feel adequately qualified to assess the
statistics.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Reviewer's report
Title:The overexpression of Sterol Carrier Protein 2 gene in patients of
hereditary cholesterol gallstones
Version: 6Date:5 October 2010
Reviewer: Silvana Zanlungo
Reviewer's report:
This is a good descriptive study in which authors analyze the hepatic expression
levels of SCP2 in hereditary, non-hereditary and non-cholesterol gallstone
patients. The most important contribution of this work is undoubtedly the analysis
of human samples. The manuscript is the continuation of previous studies
looking to analyze whether the expression of SCP2 may correlate with
cholesterol biliary lithiasis in humans. The methodology for measuring SCP2
mRNA levels should be improved. The presentation of the manuscript could be
improved. The English of the manuscript requires modifications. Figures can be
improved to make them more informative and friendly.
Major compulsory revisions
I suggest changing your method for analyzing mRNA levels of SCP2 for a more
quantitative method: semi quantitative methods that include competimer
technology or Real Time PCR. This is a crucial point for this manuscript and is
needed for make it stronger.
Minor Essential Revisions
Title
Please check if with or of is used for “patients of/with hereditary cholesterol
gallstones”
Abstract
Improve English.
Introduction
Improve English. Change and update references for cholesterol gallstones,
authors should use reviews instead of SCP2 specific references (for example for
references 1 and 2).
Results
Improve English. For example, what does it mean “To explore the potential
mechanisms of SCP2 gene”?
Figure 1: Improve English of the legend. Include liver or hepatic expression.
Clearly indicate in the figure the significant differences. “SCP2 mRNA” in the y
axis should be “SCP2 mRNA relative levels (SCP2/GAPDH)”
Figure 2: Include liver or hepatic expression in the legend. Is this a representative
Western blot? Were all samples analyzed by Western blot?
Figure 3: Y axis: bile lipid concentrations; x axis; Control instead of cotrol
Discussion
Improve English and references cited. The paragraph that proposes different
mechanisms for SCP2-mediated cholesterol increase in bile and lithogenicity is
not well written and referenced.
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Not suitable for publication unless extensively edited
Statistical review: Yes, but I do not feel adequately qualified to assess the
statistics.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Please review this paper.
user
Reviewer's report
Title:The overexpression of Sterol Carrier Protein 2 gene in patients of
hereditary cholesterol gallstones
Version: 6Date:5 October 2010
Reviewer: Silvana Zanlungo
Reviewer's report:
This is a good descriptive study in which authors analyze the hepatic expression
levels of SCP2 in hereditary, non-hereditary and non-cholesterol gallstone
patients. The most important contribution of this work is undoubtedly the analysis
of human samples. The manuscript is the continuation of previous studies
looking to analyze whether the expression of SCP2 may correlate with
cholesterol biliary lithiasis in humans. The methodology for measuring SCP2
mRNA levels should be improved. The presentation of the manuscript could be
improved. The English of the manuscript requires modifications. Figures can be
improved to make them more informative and friendly.
Major compulsory revisions
I suggest changing your method for analyzing mRNA levels of SCP2 for a more
quantitative method: semi quantitative methods that include competimer
technology or Real Time PCR. This is a crucial point for this manuscript and is
needed for make it stronger.
Minor Essential Revisions
Title
Please check if with or of is used for “patients of/with hereditary cholesterol
gallstones”
Abstract
Improve English.
Introduction
Improve English. Change and update references for cholesterol gallstones,
authors should use reviews instead of SCP2 specific references (for example for
references 1 and 2).
Results
Improve English. For example, what does it mean “To explore the potential
mechanisms of SCP2 gene”?
Figure 1: Improve English of the legend. Include liver or hepatic expression.
Clearly indicate in the figure the significant differences. “SCP2 mRNA” in the y
axis should be “SCP2 mRNA relative levels (SCP2/GAPDH)”
Figure 2: Include liver or hepatic expression in the legend. Is this a representative
Western blot? Were all samples analyzed by Western blot?
Figure 3: Y axis: bile lipid concentrations; x axis; Control instead of cotrol
Discussion
Improve English and references cited. The paragraph that proposes different
mechanisms for SCP2-mediated cholesterol increase in bile and lithogenicity is
not well written and referenced.
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Not suitable for publication unless extensively edited
Statistical review: Yes, but I do not feel adequately qualified to assess the
statistics.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
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