Reviewer's report
Title:Commonly used bowel preparations have significant and different effects
upon cell proliferation in the colon: a pilot study
Version: 1Date:29 July 2008
Reviewer: Frank Simmen
Reviewer's report:
The authors have provided an interesting manuscript that suggests a potential
caveat in studies of biopsied colonic mucosa for proliferative status. Namely,
their results suggest that type of laxative used to purge the bowel may itself
affect proliferative status of colonic epithelium.
Major Compulsory Revisions
In general, the results that suggest differences between Klean-Prep and Picolax
are the most convincing; however, it is unclear why either group does not differ
from unprepared controls? One wonders if there was some sort of random bias
introduced during allocation of indviduals to each laxative group that might
explain the results.
Secondly, the manuscript would be strengthened by greater numbers of
individuals per group, greater numbers of crypts per individual, and an
examination of effects of laxatives on a second distinct region of the colon.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: Yes, and I have assessed the statistics in my report.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Reviewer's report
Title:Commonly used bowel preparations have significant and different effects
upon cell proliferation in the colon: a pilot study
Version: 1Date:29 July 2008
Reviewer: Frank Simmen
Reviewer's report:
The authors have provided an interesting manuscript that suggests a potential
caveat in studies of biopsied colonic mucosa for proliferative status. Namely,
their results suggest that type of laxative used to purge the bowel may itself
affect proliferative status of colonic epithelium.
Major Compulsory Revisions
In general, the results that suggest differences between Klean-Prep and Picolax
are the most convincing; however, it is unclear why either group does not differ
from unprepared controls? One wonders if there was some sort of random bias
introduced during allocation of indviduals to each laxative group that might
explain the results.
Secondly, the manuscript would be strengthened by greater numbers of
individuals per group, greater numbers of crypts per individual, and an
examination of effects of laxatives on a second distinct region of the colon.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: Yes, and I have assessed the statistics in my report.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
Please review this paper.
user
Reviewer's report
Title:Commonly used bowel preparations have significant and different effects
upon cell proliferation in the colon: a pilot study
Version: 1Date:29 July 2008
Reviewer: Frank Simmen
Reviewer's report:
The authors have provided an interesting manuscript that suggests a potential
caveat in studies of biopsied colonic mucosa for proliferative status. Namely,
their results suggest that type of laxative used to purge the bowel may itself
affect proliferative status of colonic epithelium.
Major Compulsory Revisions
In general, the results that suggest differences between Klean-Prep and Picolax
are the most convincing; however, it is unclear why either group does not differ
from unprepared controls? One wonders if there was some sort of random bias
introduced during allocation of indviduals to each laxative group that might
explain the results.
Secondly, the manuscript would be strengthened by greater numbers of
individuals per group, greater numbers of crypts per individual, and an
examination of effects of laxatives on a second distinct region of the colon.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: Yes, and I have assessed the statistics in my report.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests
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