Submited on: 30 May 2012 07:15:54 PM GMT
Published on: 31 May 2012 07:07:09 PM GMT
 
Good Start, but Weak Article
Posted by Mr. Naga Venkatesh Jayanthi on 23 Jun 2012 05:41:59 AM GMT

  • What are the main claims of the paper and how important are they?

    Claims to elucidate risk factors of gastric cancer in Nepal. The aim of the paper is exciting and interesting. Most of the data in the published literature comes either from West or from far East. Data from South Asia will be very interesting indeed. However, the authours do not attempt to elucidate this aspect despite a very exciting title.


  • Are these claims novel? If not, please specify papers that weaken the claims to the originality of this one.

    The points presented in the paper regarding the ethnic variability in incidence & prevelance of gastric cancer in Nepalese population are interesting and novel. However, the rest of the paper is disappointing. 


  • Are the claims properly placed in the context of the previous literature?

    The authors do not present with convincing numbers.


  • Do the results support the claims? If not, what other evidence is required?

    No results presented in this paper


  • If a protocol is provided, for example for a randomized controlled trial, are there any important deviations from it? If so, have the authors explained adequately why the deviations occurred?

    Not applicable


  • Is the methodology valid? Does the paper offer enough details of its methodology that its experiments or its analyses could be reproduced?

    There is no methodology in the review.


  • Would any other experiments or additional information improve the paper? How much better would the paper be if this extra work was done, and how difficult would such work be to do, or to provide?

    There are a number of things the authors can do to improve the article. First of all, the facts in the introduction need to be corrected. Cancers from hormone producing cells are called neuro-endocrine tumours and carcinoid tumours are a kind of NET. And GISTs do not arise from nervous tissue.  Ethnic variability in a particular cancer is an interesing and intriguing concept and can potentially elucidate the mechanisms involved in development of that cancer. While the authors elude to the lack of statistics in Nepal, they have not attempted to analyse the population that they treat. For example, statistics of gastric cancers that have presented to their hospital would be an interesting read. Furthermore, they allude to H Pylori infection / infestation to increase the chances of gastric cancer. However, the vast majority of South Asian population's stomach are 'colonised' by H Pylori, so much so that eradication by Triple therapy is seldom attempted in South Asia.


  • Is this paper outstanding in its discipline? (For example, would you like to see this work presented in a seminar at your hospital or university? Do you feel these results need to be incorporated in your next general lecture on the subject?) If yes, what makes it outstanding? If not, why not?

    Not at all


  • Other Comments:

    The authors make a very valid point in highlighting the need to proper database for gastric cancer in Nepal. They have a huge oppurtunity on hands to analyse their population and present some real figures / statistics instead of a speculative article. This paper was disappointing after an eexciting title. I will be very interested in learning more about gastric cancer in Nepalese population.

  • Competing interests:
    None
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    I am a gastro-intestinal surgeon with specialist interest in gastro-oesophageal cancers.

  • How to cite:  Jayanthi N .Good Start, but Weak Article[Review of the article 'Risk Factors for the Development of Gastric Cancer, and their Awareness Among the General Public in Nepal: A Necessary Enquiry ' by Ninan J].WebmedCentral 2012;3(6):WMCRW001963
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Gastric Cancer in Nepal
Posted by Anonymous Reviewer on 12 Jun 2012 12:06:37 AM GMT

  • What are the main claims of the paper and how important are they?

    The paper claims to identify the need for more research of the epidemiology of Gastric Cancer in Nepal. This is important for any country wishing to improve cancer care.


  • Are these claims novel? If not, please specify papers that weaken the claims to the originality of this one.

    Yes for this country.


  • Are the claims properly placed in the context of the previous literature?

    Yes


  • Do the results support the claims? If not, what other evidence is required?

    There really are no results as this is a call for action.


  • If a protocol is provided, for example for a randomized controlled trial, are there any important deviations from it? If so, have the authors explained adequately why the deviations occurred?

    Not applicable.


  • Is the methodology valid? Does the paper offer enough details of its methodology that its experiments or its analyses could be reproduced?

    Not applicable.


  • Would any other experiments or additional information improve the paper? How much better would the paper be if this extra work was done, and how difficult would such work be to do, or to provide?

    I would improve on


  • Is this paper outstanding in its discipline? (For example, would you like to see this work presented in a seminar at your hospital or university? Do you feel these results need to be incorporated in your next general lecture on the subject?) If yes, what makes it outstanding? If not, why not?

    No, not outstanding. It is a good expose on a situation of need.


  • Other Comments:

    An interesting look at the demographics of Gastric CA in Nepal, but little is offered on what does actually exist there or perhaps the benefits derived from developing such a research effort. Where are patients being cared for now and what are the outcomes? Include lessĀ general knowledge and more specifics to Nepalese infrastructure already in place.

  • Competing interests:
    No
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:
    I am a Surgical Oncologist.
  • How to cite:  Anonymous.Gastric Cancer in Nepal[Review of the article 'Risk Factors for the Development of Gastric Cancer, and their Awareness Among the General Public in Nepal: A Necessary Enquiry ' by Ninan J].WebmedCentral 2012;3(6):WMCRW001909
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  • What are the main claims of the paper and how important are they?

    The importance of this specific article is its direct link to nutri-genomics and GI cancers in Nepal.


    Authors are lacking being specific, which makes the article scientifically weaker.
    Revision:
    1.  This article needs quantitative statements
    2. Please mention regional (at least with few sentences) experiments (i.e., PCR analysis and its conclusions ) on the subject.
    3. This article needs to be specific-i.e., diet-changing life styles and eating habits-please be specific. What are the regional foods available to cure or prevent the cancer? Second example-anti H.pylori and COX treatment have been applied?-this statement is too general-please give details
    4. Introduction-please re-write the introduction, this should look Professional (types of stomach cancer….this section looks like a text book page).
    5. References-please go over references very carefully-there are multiple errors. Please choose one format and ONLY use that chosen one.

     

    Conclusion: Please revise the study carefully. Major changes are necessary.

     


  • Are these claims novel? If not, please specify papers that weaken the claims to the originality of this one.

    Similar topics has been stated before by two different groups (1, 2).

     

    REFERENCES
    1. Hart AR, Mann R, Mayberry JF. (1992) Gastric and colorectal cancer in the rural Indian subcontinent: a survey of patients attending mission hospitals. Digestion. 51(2):110-4.
    2. Gupta RK, Agrawal CS, Yadav R, Bajracharya A, Sah PL. (2011) Intussusception in adults: institutional review. Int J Surg. 9(1):91-5.


  • Are the claims properly placed in the context of the previous literature?

    n/a


  • Do the results support the claims? If not, what other evidence is required?

    n/a


  • If a protocol is provided, for example for a randomized controlled trial, are there any important deviations from it? If so, have the authors explained adequately why the deviations occurred?

    n/a


  • Is the methodology valid? Does the paper offer enough details of its methodology that its experiments or its analyses could be reproduced?

    please see the answer of the first question.


  • Would any other experiments or additional information improve the paper? How much better would the paper be if this extra work was done, and how difficult would such work be to do, or to provide?

    n/a


  • Is this paper outstanding in its discipline? (For example, would you like to see this work presented in a seminar at your hospital or university? Do you feel these results need to be incorporated in your next general lecture on the subject?) If yes, what makes it outstanding? If not, why not?

    no


  • Other Comments:

    none

  • Competing interests:
    no
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    Yes
  • References:

    all my papers are related with nutrition and cancer. Please see Guzey et al.

  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:
    None
  • How to cite:  Guzey M .Risk Factors for the Development of Gastric Cancer, and their Awareness Among the General Puplic in Nepal: A Necessary Enquiry[Review of the article 'Risk Factors for the Development of Gastric Cancer, and their Awareness Among the General Public in Nepal: A Necessary Enquiry ' by Ninan J].WebmedCentral 2012;3(6):WMCRW001859
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  • What are the main claims of the paper and how important are they?

    The main causeation factor for gastic cancer in the developing world is Helicobacter pylori infection. This is an important but novel observation, but some other risk factors for this cancer like gastitis (not bacterial induced), smoking, genetics and so on) are not discussed.


  • Are these claims novel? If not, please specify papers that weaken the claims to the originality of this one.

    This central claim is not very novel.


  • Are the claims properly placed in the context of the previous literature?

    Yes


  • Do the results support the claims? If not, what other evidence is required?

    As this is a review there are no results, but unfortunately an analysis of the importance of this bacterial infection with respect to gastric carcinoma and different ethnic groups in the developing world (another claim in the abstract) did not come through. This should be firmed up and may make the paper more interesting.


  • If a protocol is provided, for example for a randomized controlled trial, are there any important deviations from it? If so, have the authors explained adequately why the deviations occurred?

    This is a review hence there are no trials.


  • Is the methodology valid? Does the paper offer enough details of its methodology that its experiments or its analyses could be reproduced?

    This is a review hence no methodology is mentioned.


  • Would any other experiments or additional information improve the paper? How much better would the paper be if this extra work was done, and how difficult would such work be to do, or to provide?

    This is a review and so no experiments are involved.


  • Is this paper outstanding in its discipline? (For example, would you like to see this work presented in a seminar at your hospital or university? Do you feel these results need to be incorporated in your next general lecture on the subject?) If yes, what makes it outstanding? If not, why not?

    If the analysis of the importance of different gastric cancer risk factors were presented and their relative improtance in different ethnic groups were presented in a much more complete way then the importance of this paper would be vastly improved.


  • Other Comments:

    FIX TYPOS! There are many in this manuscript.

  • Competing interests:
    None
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    I have published in different cancers not yet in the gastric field.

  • How to cite:  Anonymous.Studies on risk factors for Gastic cancers with respect to different ethnic groups could contribute important information.[Review of the article 'Risk Factors for the Development of Gastric Cancer, and their Awareness Among the General Public in Nepal: A Necessary Enquiry ' by Ninan J].WebmedCentral 2012;3(6):WMCRW001853
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Review on article by Sathian et al
Posted by Dr. Ashok Kumar on 02 Jun 2012 08:59:49 PM GMT

  • What are the main claims of the paper and how important are they?

    Sathian et al has reviewed the literature on types of gastric cancer and geographical distributions. Further, they have reviewed the risk factors for gastric cancer in Nepalese population and they emphasize on creating awareness among Nepalese population.

    This study is relevant to the subject area.


  • Are these claims novel? If not, please specify papers that weaken the claims to the originality of this one.

    Yes


  • Are the claims properly placed in the context of the previous literature?

    Yes


  • Do the results support the claims? If not, what other evidence is required?

    NA


  • If a protocol is provided, for example for a randomized controlled trial, are there any important deviations from it? If so, have the authors explained adequately why the deviations occurred?

    NA


  • Is the methodology valid? Does the paper offer enough details of its methodology that its experiments or its analyses could be reproduced?

    NA


  • Would any other experiments or additional information improve the paper? How much better would the paper be if this extra work was done, and how difficult would such work be to do, or to provide?

    There are some typographical/syntax errors, these need to be fixed. Classification of gastric cancer should be strenghened by references.

     


  • Is this paper outstanding in its discipline? (For example, would you like to see this work presented in a seminar at your hospital or university? Do you feel these results need to be incorporated in your next general lecture on the subject?) If yes, what makes it outstanding? If not, why not?

    NO


  • Other Comments:

    NO

  • Competing interests:
    NO
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    NA

  • How to cite:  Kumar A .Review on article by Sathian et al [Review of the article 'Risk Factors for the Development of Gastric Cancer, and their Awareness Among the General Public in Nepal: A Necessary Enquiry ' by Ninan J].WebmedCentral 2012;3(6):WMCRW001851
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  • What are the main claims of the paper and how important are they?

    I am a strong believer that the education of a population on health matters is the most important tool to achieve the necessary results n the public health. To find the best way to do so, thid kind of enquiry is very profitable. This paper is very important because it highlights the points in a very common asian disease.


  • Are these claims novel? If not, please specify papers that weaken the claims to the originality of this one.

    These are novel claims in this population. I think that is important to know how is the way the diseases go in every single part of the world. As Nepal is a developing country and its needs are bigger than the first worl, this kind of contribution is very wellcome.


  • Are the claims properly placed in the context of the previous literature?

    Yes. The claims follow international literature on the subject


  • Do the results support the claims? If not, what other evidence is required?

    The results are very clear.


  • If a protocol is provided, for example for a randomized controlled trial, are there any important deviations from it? If so, have the authors explained adequately why the deviations occurred?

    No problem with it


  • Is the methodology valid? Does the paper offer enough details of its methodology that its experiments or its analyses could be reproduced?

    Teh methodology was very well applied.


  • Would any other experiments or additional information improve the paper? How much better would the paper be if this extra work was done, and how difficult would such work be to do, or to provide?

    The paper could compare its results to others of the same region as an additional information


  • Is this paper outstanding in its discipline? (For example, would you like to see this work presented in a seminar at your hospital or university? Do you feel these results need to be incorporated in your next general lecture on the subject?) If yes, what makes it outstanding? If not, why not?

    Yes, because it represents a common problem in a special country


  • Other Comments:

    Although it seems a small work at first glance it is a  very outstanding paper and it is important for all that work with any kind of cancer and for the general population as well.

  • Competing interests:
    No
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    I am a Dermatology professor with a Master Science Degree in skin neoplasias and a Doctorate in melanoma

  • How to cite:  Bedin V .Risk Factor for Development of Gastric Cancer and their awareness among general public in Nepal: A necessary enquiry[Review of the article 'Risk Factors for the Development of Gastric Cancer, and their Awareness Among the General Public in Nepal: A Necessary Enquiry ' by Ninan J].WebmedCentral 2012;3(6):WMCRW001850
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