Title: Evaluating the Diagnostic Accuracy of Heat Shock Proteins and their Combination with
Alpha-Fetoprotein in the Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis
Version: 1 Date: 27 Nov 2023
Reviewer's report:
1. Before the evaluation of diagnostic efficiency of HSPs, this study must identify what are the
index text and reference test?
2. The QUADAS-2 contains four domains as follows: patient selection, index test, reference
standard and flow and trimming. What the “trimming” means?
3. Regarding the diagnostic accuracy of the single or combined use of target
biomarkers, a table will the better format to summarize their findings.
4. Although the Spearman correlation coefficient and P-value were -0.238 (P = 0.570), -0.238
(P = 0.570) and -0.800 (P = 0.200) for HSPs, AFP and combination of both, respectively, which
are not statistically significant, the authors still interpreted these findings with caution.
5. What is the GALAD score?
6. Our results confirmed that the combination of HSPs and AFP has better diagnostic
performance than other biomarkers alone or combination. Because HSPs are a family of various
proteins, which one is the best significant HSP identified in this study?
Title: Evaluating the Diagnostic Accuracy of Heat Shock Proteins and their Combination with
Alpha-Fetoprotein in the Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis
Version: 1 Date: 27 Nov 2023
Reviewer's report:
1. Before the evaluation of diagnostic efficiency of HSPs, this study must identify what are the
index text and reference test?
2. The QUADAS-2 contains four domains as follows: patient selection, index test, reference
standard and flow and trimming. What the “trimming” means?
3. Regarding the diagnostic accuracy of the single or combined use of target
biomarkers, a table will the better format to summarize their findings.
4. Although the Spearman correlation coefficient and P-value were -0.238 (P = 0.570), -0.238
(P = 0.570) and -0.800 (P = 0.200) for HSPs, AFP and combination of both, respectively, which
are not statistically significant, the authors still interpreted these findings with caution.
5. What is the GALAD score?
6. Our results confirmed that the combination of HSPs and AFP has better diagnostic
performance than other biomarkers alone or combination. Because HSPs are a family of various
proteins, which one is the best significant HSP identified in this study?
Please review this paper.
user
Title: Evaluating the Diagnostic Accuracy of Heat Shock Proteins and their Combination with
Alpha-Fetoprotein in the Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis
Version: 1 Date: 27 Nov 2023
Reviewer's report:
1. Before the evaluation of diagnostic efficiency of HSPs, this study must identify what are the
index text and reference test?
2. The QUADAS-2 contains four domains as follows: patient selection, index test, reference
standard and flow and trimming. What the “trimming” means?
3. Regarding the diagnostic accuracy of the single or combined use of target
biomarkers, a table will the better format to summarize their findings.
4. Although the Spearman correlation coefficient and P-value were -0.238 (P = 0.570), -0.238
(P = 0.570) and -0.800 (P = 0.200) for HSPs, AFP and combination of both, respectively, which
are not statistically significant, the authors still interpreted these findings with caution.
5. What is the GALAD score?
6. Our results confirmed that the combination of HSPs and AFP has better diagnostic
performance than other biomarkers alone or combination. Because HSPs are a family of various
proteins, which one is the best significant HSP identified in this study?
assistant