Title: The evaluation of MMP-2/TIMP-1 ratio in peptic ulcer and its association with refractory
helicobacter pylori infection Running head: MMP-2/TIMP-1 in PUD and H. pylori infection
Version: 1 Date: 12 Jun 2023
Reviewer's report:
Dear Respected Editor,
The authors have highlighted a very interesting clinical topic related to H. pylori. The authors
have demonstrated that assessment of serum MMP-2 level through 95 patients with H. pylori
induced peptic ulcer disease can be a potential predictive marker for refractory H. pylori
infection. The obtained results could help in tailoring the H. pylori treatment and overcome
antibiotic resistance related to H. pylori.  However, several modifications in different parts of
the manuscript need to be considered.
I would advise to take in consideration the following major and minor comments in your next
resubmission.
Major comments:
1. Elaborate more in the introduction on the role of Metalloproteases and tissue inhibitors of
matalloproteinases in the presence of H. pylori infection.
2. Line 59: the stool antigen is an efficient and common tool for this purpose. Therefore, explain
briefly why assessing the MMP-2/TIMP-1 would present more advantages in confirming the
eradication of H. pylori.
3. In the exclusion criteria (line 90-91), please provide a short explanation why these diseases
were excluded.
4. Line 110: what about the obtained significant differences of alcohol ( p=0.02)  among the
three study groups ?
5. Figure legends need to be reconsidered. Include a, b and c in the figure legend. Replace
o.oo1 (o letter) with 0.001. Change the group name of `` patient`` into H. pylori PUD group
for example.
Minor comments:
1. Please write the name of all the H. pylori bacteria in italic starting from the title to the whole
manuscript.
2. The name of the MMP-2 and TIMP-1  Elisa kit was not mentioned.
3. Divide the material and methods part into : Study design, Samples preparation, ethical
approval and statistical analysis.
4. Please check the statistical analysis (line 102-103), and select the suitable applied test.
5. Line 107: 95 patients instead of 115 patients
Title: The evaluation of MMP-2/TIMP-1 ratio in peptic ulcer and its association with refractory
helicobacter pylori infection Running head: MMP-2/TIMP-1 in PUD and H. pylori infection
Version: 1 Date: 12 Jun 2023
Reviewer's report:
Dear Respected Editor,
The authors have highlighted a very interesting clinical topic related to H. pylori. The authors
have demonstrated that assessment of serum MMP-2 level through 95 patients with H. pylori
induced peptic ulcer disease can be a potential predictive marker for refractory H. pylori
infection. The obtained results could help in tailoring the H. pylori treatment and overcome
antibiotic resistance related to H. pylori.  However, several modifications in different parts of
the manuscript need to be considered.
I would advise to take in consideration the following major and minor comments in your next
resubmission.
Major comments:
1. Elaborate more in the introduction on the role of Metalloproteases and tissue inhibitors of
matalloproteinases in the presence of H. pylori infection.
2. Line 59: the stool antigen is an efficient and common tool for this purpose. Therefore, explain
briefly why assessing the MMP-2/TIMP-1 would present more advantages in confirming the
eradication of H. pylori.
3. In the exclusion criteria (line 90-91), please provide a short explanation why these diseases
were excluded.
4. Line 110: what about the obtained significant differences of alcohol ( p=0.02)  among the
three study groups ?
5. Figure legends need to be reconsidered. Include a, b and c in the figure legend. Replace
o.oo1 (o letter) with 0.001. Change the group name of `` patient`` into H. pylori PUD group
for example.
Minor comments:
1. Please write the name of all the H. pylori bacteria in italic starting from the title to the whole
manuscript.
2. The name of the MMP-2 and TIMP-1  Elisa kit was not mentioned.
3. Divide the material and methods part into : Study design, Samples preparation, ethical
approval and statistical analysis.
4. Please check the statistical analysis (line 102-103), and select the suitable applied test.
5. Line 107: 95 patients instead of 115 patients
Please review this paper.
user
Title: The evaluation of MMP-2/TIMP-1 ratio in peptic ulcer and its association with refractory
helicobacter pylori infection Running head: MMP-2/TIMP-1 in PUD and H. pylori infection
Version: 1 Date: 12 Jun 2023
Reviewer's report:
Dear Respected Editor,
The authors have highlighted a very interesting clinical topic related to H. pylori. The authors
have demonstrated that assessment of serum MMP-2 level through 95 patients with H. pylori
induced peptic ulcer disease can be a potential predictive marker for refractory H. pylori
infection. The obtained results could help in tailoring the H. pylori treatment and overcome
antibiotic resistance related to H. pylori.  However, several modifications in different parts of
the manuscript need to be considered.
I would advise to take in consideration the following major and minor comments in your next
resubmission.
Major comments:
1. Elaborate more in the introduction on the role of Metalloproteases and tissue inhibitors of
matalloproteinases in the presence of H. pylori infection.
2. Line 59: the stool antigen is an efficient and common tool for this purpose. Therefore, explain
briefly why assessing the MMP-2/TIMP-1 would present more advantages in confirming the
eradication of H. pylori.
3. In the exclusion criteria (line 90-91), please provide a short explanation why these diseases
were excluded.
4. Line 110: what about the obtained significant differences of alcohol ( p=0.02)  among the
three study groups ?
5. Figure legends need to be reconsidered. Include a, b and c in the figure legend. Replace
o.oo1 (o letter) with 0.001. Change the group name of `` patient`` into H. pylori PUD group
for example.
Minor comments:
1. Please write the name of all the H. pylori bacteria in italic starting from the title to the whole
manuscript.
2. The name of the MMP-2 and TIMP-1  Elisa kit was not mentioned.
3. Divide the material and methods part into : Study design, Samples preparation, ethical
approval and statistical analysis.
4. Please check the statistical analysis (line 102-103), and select the suitable applied test.
5. Line 107: 95 patients instead of 115 patients
assistant