Title: The role of m6A regulators mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in
chronic hepatitis B: A novel Diagnostic and prognostic indicator
Version: 1 Date: 09 Feb 2025
Reviewer's report:
This manuscript presents a well-structured and comprehensive study on the role of m6A
regulators in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with chronic hepatitis B
(CHB). Below are some suggestions to further enhance the manuscript:
1. The introduction provides a solid background on CHB and m6A modification; however,
it would benefit from a clearer articulation of the research gap. Specifically, emphasizing the
novelty and significance of investigating m6A regulators in PBMCs rather than liver tissue
would strengthen the rationale.
2. Consider briefly discussing the limitations of current biomarkers (e.g., ALT, AST) and how
m6A regulators could serve as complementary or superior alternatives.
3. The study includes 101 CHB patients and 18 healthy controls, which is a reasonable sample
size. However, providing a power analysis would help justify the sample size and confirm
whether it is sufficient to detect significant differences.
4. The inclusion of the GEO dataset (GSE267808) is a strength of the study. Adding more details
on the dataset's analysis and how it complements the primary data would enhance the clarity
and reproducibility of the findings.
5. The correlation analysis is well-presented, but discussing potential biological mechanisms
underlying these correlations, particularly METTL3’s negative correlation with NLR and PLR
would provide deeper insight into its clinical relevance.
6. The authors appropriately acknowledge the retrospective nature of the study and the lack of
direct m6A methylation level assessment. Expanding on how these limitations might impact the
interpretation of the results and outlining specific steps to address these issues in future studies
would strengthen the discussion.
Title: The role of m6A regulators mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in
chronic hepatitis B: A novel Diagnostic and prognostic indicator
Version: 1 Date: 09 Feb 2025
Reviewer's report:
This manuscript presents a well-structured and comprehensive study on the role of m6A
regulators in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with chronic hepatitis B
(CHB). Below are some suggestions to further enhance the manuscript:
1. The introduction provides a solid background on CHB and m6A modification; however,
it would benefit from a clearer articulation of the research gap. Specifically, emphasizing the
novelty and significance of investigating m6A regulators in PBMCs rather than liver tissue
would strengthen the rationale.
2. Consider briefly discussing the limitations of current biomarkers (e.g., ALT, AST) and how
m6A regulators could serve as complementary or superior alternatives.
3. The study includes 101 CHB patients and 18 healthy controls, which is a reasonable sample
size. However, providing a power analysis would help justify the sample size and confirm
whether it is sufficient to detect significant differences.
4. The inclusion of the GEO dataset (GSE267808) is a strength of the study. Adding more details
on the dataset's analysis and how it complements the primary data would enhance the clarity
and reproducibility of the findings.
5. The correlation analysis is well-presented, but discussing potential biological mechanisms
underlying these correlations, particularly METTL3’s negative correlation with NLR and PLR
would provide deeper insight into its clinical relevance.
6. The authors appropriately acknowledge the retrospective nature of the study and the lack of
direct m6A methylation level assessment. Expanding on how these limitations might impact the
interpretation of the results and outlining specific steps to address these issues in future studies
would strengthen the discussion.
Please review this paper.
user
Title: The role of m6A regulators mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in
chronic hepatitis B: A novel Diagnostic and prognostic indicator
Version: 1 Date: 09 Feb 2025
Reviewer's report:
This manuscript presents a well-structured and comprehensive study on the role of m6A
regulators in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with chronic hepatitis B
(CHB). Below are some suggestions to further enhance the manuscript:
1. The introduction provides a solid background on CHB and m6A modification; however,
it would benefit from a clearer articulation of the research gap. Specifically, emphasizing the
novelty and significance of investigating m6A regulators in PBMCs rather than liver tissue
would strengthen the rationale.
2. Consider briefly discussing the limitations of current biomarkers (e.g., ALT, AST) and how
m6A regulators could serve as complementary or superior alternatives.
3. The study includes 101 CHB patients and 18 healthy controls, which is a reasonable sample
size. However, providing a power analysis would help justify the sample size and confirm
whether it is sufficient to detect significant differences.
4. The inclusion of the GEO dataset (GSE267808) is a strength of the study. Adding more details
on the dataset's analysis and how it complements the primary data would enhance the clarity
and reproducibility of the findings.
5. The correlation analysis is well-presented, but discussing potential biological mechanisms
underlying these correlations, particularly METTL3’s negative correlation with NLR and PLR
would provide deeper insight into its clinical relevance.
6. The authors appropriately acknowledge the retrospective nature of the study and the lack of
direct m6A methylation level assessment. Expanding on how these limitations might impact the
interpretation of the results and outlining specific steps to address these issues in future studies
would strengthen the discussion.
assistant