Title: Host cytokine genetic polymorphisms in a selected population of persons living with
hepatitis B virus infection in the Central Region of Ghana
Version: 6 Date: 22 Aug 2024
Reviewer's report:
The second version of the manuscript “Report on Host cytokine genetic polymorphisms in a
selected population of persons living with hepatitis B virus infection in the Central Region of
Ghana” is improved but still needs improvement.
Abstract
• Line 50 and 51 combine as “Over the past decades, it has been noted that the natural course
of HBV in persons infected is taking a worse turn, leading to liver conditions such as cirrhosis
and cancer. “
• Under methods section, mention study design and period
• Under result section, state main findings those statistically significant (p<0.05)
Introduction
• Line 96, the word “in Eastern”, as Eastern is also part of Sub-Saharan
Methods
• The sample size calculation still needs revision. Using Raosoft software, with an average
patient population of 1000, a confidence interval of 95%, 5% margin of error and a 5% provision
for contingency the sample size is 278 not 166. Even with 5% contingency it is 174 not 207.
• The authors argue that this is not a protocol paper; however, in scientific articles the method is
the most important parts that show the research integrity. Hence, I suggest the authors to revise
the laboratory analysis. How did you do the RT-PCR? Which region of the HBV genome do
the Cobas TaqMan (CAP/CTM) HBV test kits target? The RT-PCR amplification profile? The
controls (positive, negative, and internal) were used in the experiment. For cytokine genotyping,
show the agarose gels with the different genotype bands.
Results
• A p-value less than 0.05 are typically considered to be statistically significant, depending on
the parameters you want to test. Accordingly, the interpretation of results in Table 1-4 with p
value < 0.05 should be describe in statement in body of the manuscript. For instance, male is
significantly predisposed to HBV infection than female (P <0.001), and so on. If the significance
of the p values is not meaningful, dealt from the tables.
• In the multivariate analysis, age group of 40-59 is risk factors for HBV DNA levels and FIB-4
score? If so, elaborate it.
Discussion
Line 363, replace the word “outcome” with “objective”
Line 368-369, delete the sentence “The total sample size for the study was 227 out of which 176
was selected for genotyping based on HBV DNA levels, AST/ALT levels and FIB score.”
Line 375, Table 5 is not presenting about Variant allele, consider other reference.
Title: Host cytokine genetic polymorphisms in a selected population of persons living with
hepatitis B virus infection in the Central Region of Ghana
Version: 6 Date: 22 Aug 2024
Reviewer's report:
The second version of the manuscript “Report on Host cytokine genetic polymorphisms in a
selected population of persons living with hepatitis B virus infection in the Central Region of
Ghana” is improved but still needs improvement.
Abstract
• Line 50 and 51 combine as “Over the past decades, it has been noted that the natural course
of HBV in persons infected is taking a worse turn, leading to liver conditions such as cirrhosis
and cancer. “
• Under methods section, mention study design and period
• Under result section, state main findings those statistically significant (p<0.05)
Introduction
• Line 96, the word “in Eastern”, as Eastern is also part of Sub-Saharan
Methods
• The sample size calculation still needs revision. Using Raosoft software, with an average
patient population of 1000, a confidence interval of 95%, 5% margin of error and a 5% provision
for contingency the sample size is 278 not 166. Even with 5% contingency it is 174 not 207.
• The authors argue that this is not a protocol paper; however, in scientific articles the method is
the most important parts that show the research integrity. Hence, I suggest the authors to revise
the laboratory analysis. How did you do the RT-PCR? Which region of the HBV genome do
the Cobas TaqMan (CAP/CTM) HBV test kits target? The RT-PCR amplification profile? The
controls (positive, negative, and internal) were used in the experiment. For cytokine genotyping,
show the agarose gels with the different genotype bands.
Results
• A p-value less than 0.05 are typically considered to be statistically significant, depending on
the parameters you want to test. Accordingly, the interpretation of results in Table 1-4 with p
value < 0.05 should be describe in statement in body of the manuscript. For instance, male is
significantly predisposed to HBV infection than female (P <0.001), and so on. If the significance
of the p values is not meaningful, dealt from the tables.
• In the multivariate analysis, age group of 40-59 is risk factors for HBV DNA levels and FIB-4
score? If so, elaborate it.
Discussion
Line 363, replace the word “outcome” with “objective”
Line 368-369, delete the sentence “The total sample size for the study was 227 out of which 176
was selected for genotyping based on HBV DNA levels, AST/ALT levels and FIB score.”
Line 375, Table 5 is not presenting about Variant allele, consider other reference.
Please review this paper.
user
Title: Host cytokine genetic polymorphisms in a selected population of persons living with
hepatitis B virus infection in the Central Region of Ghana
Version: 6 Date: 22 Aug 2024
Reviewer's report:
The second version of the manuscript “Report on Host cytokine genetic polymorphisms in a
selected population of persons living with hepatitis B virus infection in the Central Region of
Ghana” is improved but still needs improvement.
Abstract
• Line 50 and 51 combine as “Over the past decades, it has been noted that the natural course
of HBV in persons infected is taking a worse turn, leading to liver conditions such as cirrhosis
and cancer. “
• Under methods section, mention study design and period
• Under result section, state main findings those statistically significant (p<0.05)
Introduction
• Line 96, the word “in Eastern”, as Eastern is also part of Sub-Saharan
Methods
• The sample size calculation still needs revision. Using Raosoft software, with an average
patient population of 1000, a confidence interval of 95%, 5% margin of error and a 5% provision
for contingency the sample size is 278 not 166. Even with 5% contingency it is 174 not 207.
• The authors argue that this is not a protocol paper; however, in scientific articles the method is
the most important parts that show the research integrity. Hence, I suggest the authors to revise
the laboratory analysis. How did you do the RT-PCR? Which region of the HBV genome do
the Cobas TaqMan (CAP/CTM) HBV test kits target? The RT-PCR amplification profile? The
controls (positive, negative, and internal) were used in the experiment. For cytokine genotyping,
show the agarose gels with the different genotype bands.
Results
• A p-value less than 0.05 are typically considered to be statistically significant, depending on
the parameters you want to test. Accordingly, the interpretation of results in Table 1-4 with p
value < 0.05 should be describe in statement in body of the manuscript. For instance, male is
significantly predisposed to HBV infection than female (P <0.001), and so on. If the significance
of the p values is not meaningful, dealt from the tables.
• In the multivariate analysis, age group of 40-59 is risk factors for HBV DNA levels and FIB-4
score? If so, elaborate it.
Discussion
Line 363, replace the word “outcome” with “objective”
Line 368-369, delete the sentence “The total sample size for the study was 227 out of which 176
was selected for genotyping based on HBV DNA levels, AST/ALT levels and FIB score.”
Line 375, Table 5 is not presenting about Variant allele, consider other reference.
assistant