Title: A combined prediction model for biliary tract cancer using the prognostic nutritional index
and pathological findings: a single-center retrospective study
Version: 2 Date: 07 Jul 2021
Reviewer's report:
The authors analyzed 117 patients of resectable? biliary tract cancers and tried to identify
independent prognostic factors for overall survival and they described PNI, LN metastasis, and
tumor differentiation would be a prognostic factor and the formula of combined prediction model
were calculated. For publication quality, reviewer have some comments.
1. The authors investigated overall survival after surgical resection.  The observation period is
better to be over five years, or should be over three years. (Study period was from July 2010 to
March 2021.  The end of follow up was March 2021. The shortest period was 0 month.)
2. Please show recurrence free survival.  Because the chemotherapies after recurrence were
varied between 2010 and 2020.
3. The author did not compare the other nutrition/inflammation indices with PNI.  The author
should comment on superiority of PNI (reason for use of PNI).
4. Many study regarding PNI and BTC including meta-analysis were published.  Please show
the advantages of this manuscript compared with the previous reports.
5. Clavian-Dindo classification would be Roman numerals?
6. In table 2 and 3, primary disease and type of surgery should be included. (Only ICC
was included; the authors should show no connection between survival and primary disease
(perihilar, distal bile duct cancers, gall bladder cancers) )
7. Perioperative death would be excluded from the full analysis set.
8. Please the formula of combined prediction model at Figure 2 legend for easy identification of
the formula (in the current form, it was difficult to identify the formula).
9. No red line (count 0) in Figure 2b
Title: A combined prediction model for biliary tract cancer using the prognostic nutritional index
and pathological findings: a single-center retrospective study
Version: 2 Date: 07 Jul 2021
Reviewer's report:
The authors analyzed 117 patients of resectable? biliary tract cancers and tried to identify
independent prognostic factors for overall survival and they described PNI, LN metastasis, and
tumor differentiation would be a prognostic factor and the formula of combined prediction model
were calculated. For publication quality, reviewer have some comments.
1. The authors investigated overall survival after surgical resection.  The observation period is
better to be over five years, or should be over three years. (Study period was from July 2010 to
March 2021.  The end of follow up was March 2021. The shortest period was 0 month.)
2. Please show recurrence free survival.  Because the chemotherapies after recurrence were
varied between 2010 and 2020.
3. The author did not compare the other nutrition/inflammation indices with PNI.  The author
should comment on superiority of PNI (reason for use of PNI).
4. Many study regarding PNI and BTC including meta-analysis were published.  Please show
the advantages of this manuscript compared with the previous reports.
5. Clavian-Dindo classification would be Roman numerals?
6. In table 2 and 3, primary disease and type of surgery should be included. (Only ICC
was included; the authors should show no connection between survival and primary disease
(perihilar, distal bile duct cancers, gall bladder cancers) )
7. Perioperative death would be excluded from the full analysis set.
8. Please the formula of combined prediction model at Figure 2 legend for easy identification of
the formula (in the current form, it was difficult to identify the formula).
9. No red line (count 0) in Figure 2b
Please review this paper.
user
Title: A combined prediction model for biliary tract cancer using the prognostic nutritional index
and pathological findings: a single-center retrospective study
Version: 2 Date: 07 Jul 2021
Reviewer's report:
The authors analyzed 117 patients of resectable? biliary tract cancers and tried to identify
independent prognostic factors for overall survival and they described PNI, LN metastasis, and
tumor differentiation would be a prognostic factor and the formula of combined prediction model
were calculated. For publication quality, reviewer have some comments.
1. The authors investigated overall survival after surgical resection.  The observation period is
better to be over five years, or should be over three years. (Study period was from July 2010 to
March 2021.  The end of follow up was March 2021. The shortest period was 0 month.)
2. Please show recurrence free survival.  Because the chemotherapies after recurrence were
varied between 2010 and 2020.
3. The author did not compare the other nutrition/inflammation indices with PNI.  The author
should comment on superiority of PNI (reason for use of PNI).
4. Many study regarding PNI and BTC including meta-analysis were published.  Please show
the advantages of this manuscript compared with the previous reports.
5. Clavian-Dindo classification would be Roman numerals?
6. In table 2 and 3, primary disease and type of surgery should be included. (Only ICC
was included; the authors should show no connection between survival and primary disease
(perihilar, distal bile duct cancers, gall bladder cancers) )
7. Perioperative death would be excluded from the full analysis set.
8. Please the formula of combined prediction model at Figure 2 legend for easy identification of
the formula (in the current form, it was difficult to identify the formula).
9. No red line (count 0) in Figure 2b
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