Reviewer's report 
 Gene Expression Changes Associated with Barretts Esophagus and Barretts-Associated Title: 
Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines After Acid or Bile Salt Exposure 
 1  13 February 2007 Version: Date: 
 Alan Casson Reviewer: 
Reviewer's report: 
General 
This study addresses an important area related to esophageal carcinogenesis, and further clarifies a number of issues regarding in vitro models. However, the following minor revisions would enhance this 
work. 
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Major Compulsory Revisions (that the author must respond to before a decision on publication can be reached) 
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Minor Essential Revisions (such as missing labels on figures, or the wrong use of a term, which the author can be trusted to correct) 1) Regarding the cell lines used, especially Seg-1, it is possible that with increasing numbers of passages, 
response to exogenous stimuli and gene expression changes with time. The authors should document (esp. 
for Seg-1) what passage number (if known) these cell lines were used, and whether any temporal changes 
were noted. 
2) Regarding the six patients and respective tissues, it would be clearer to include this number at the outset 
(under Tissue samples). Were there any unique characteristics related to this patient group in light of these 
results. ie. did these patients have a history of GERD (and if so, how severe, duration etc) and did any have 
objective measures of acid/ and or bile exposure by 24hr pH/Bilitec 
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Discretionary Revisions (which the author can choose to ignore) 
 Accept after minor essential revisions What next?: 
 An article of importance in its field Level of interest: 
 Acceptable Quality of written English: 
 No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician. Statistical review: 
Reviewer's report 
 Gene Expression Changes Associated with Barretts Esophagus and Barretts-Associated Title: 
Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines After Acid or Bile Salt Exposure 
 1  13 February 2007 Version: Date: 
 Alan Casson Reviewer: 
Reviewer's report: 
General 
This study addresses an important area related to esophageal carcinogenesis, and further clarifies a number of issues regarding in vitro models. However, the following minor revisions would enhance this 
work. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Major Compulsory Revisions (that the author must respond to before a decision on publication can be reached) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Minor Essential Revisions (such as missing labels on figures, or the wrong use of a term, which the author can be trusted to correct) 1) Regarding the cell lines used, especially Seg-1, it is possible that with increasing numbers of passages, 
response to exogenous stimuli and gene expression changes with time. The authors should document (esp. 
for Seg-1) what passage number (if known) these cell lines were used, and whether any temporal changes 
were noted. 
2) Regarding the six patients and respective tissues, it would be clearer to include this number at the outset 
(under Tissue samples). Were there any unique characteristics related to this patient group in light of these 
results. ie. did these patients have a history of GERD (and if so, how severe, duration etc) and did any have 
objective measures of acid/ and or bile exposure by 24hr pH/Bilitec 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Discretionary Revisions (which the author can choose to ignore) 
 Accept after minor essential revisions What next?: 
 An article of importance in its field Level of interest: 
 Acceptable Quality of written English: 
 No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician. Statistical review: 
Please review this paper.
user
Reviewer's report 
 Gene Expression Changes Associated with Barretts Esophagus and Barretts-Associated Title: 
Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines After Acid or Bile Salt Exposure 
 1  13 February 2007 Version: Date: 
 Alan Casson Reviewer: 
Reviewer's report: 
General 
This study addresses an important area related to esophageal carcinogenesis, and further clarifies a number of issues regarding in vitro models. However, the following minor revisions would enhance this 
work. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Major Compulsory Revisions (that the author must respond to before a decision on publication can be reached) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Minor Essential Revisions (such as missing labels on figures, or the wrong use of a term, which the author can be trusted to correct) 1) Regarding the cell lines used, especially Seg-1, it is possible that with increasing numbers of passages, 
response to exogenous stimuli and gene expression changes with time. The authors should document (esp. 
for Seg-1) what passage number (if known) these cell lines were used, and whether any temporal changes 
were noted. 
2) Regarding the six patients and respective tissues, it would be clearer to include this number at the outset 
(under Tissue samples). Were there any unique characteristics related to this patient group in light of these 
results. ie. did these patients have a history of GERD (and if so, how severe, duration etc) and did any have 
objective measures of acid/ and or bile exposure by 24hr pH/Bilitec 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Discretionary Revisions (which the author can choose to ignore) 
 Accept after minor essential revisions What next?: 
 An article of importance in its field Level of interest: 
 Acceptable Quality of written English: 
 No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician. Statistical review: 
assistant