The Immunohistochemical Expression of MCM-3, -5, and -7 Proteins in the Uterine Fibroids
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
very interesting topic
well written and presented
to be published as is
Comments for author File: 
Comments.doc
Author Response
Thank you for your kind comments on our paper.
Reviewer 2 Report
I recommend avoiding self-citations. Also, the article is very long, it could be shortened.
Author Response
Thank you for for your kind comments on our paper.
I decided to leave those 2 positions in references which in regard to 109 citations are not that many. Moreover, if the editorial office will suggest so I may shorten the paper, whereas it was prepared in such length due to existing no word limit policy, I suppose.
Best regards.
Reviewer 3 Report
In the manuscript, the authors analyzed uterine fibroid cells and assessed their proliferation potential by monitoring Ki67 and MCM proteins. They have found that uterine fibroid cells indeed have a higher proliferation potential compared to the control myometrial cells. But, that is the only experimental finding presented in the manuscript. One might even argue the novelty of the study since fibroid cells are generally expected to have higher proliferative ability. Therefore, I think this manuscript in its current form is not suitable for publication as an article.
Author Response
Thank you for your kind comments on our paper.
"In the manuscript, the authors analyzed uterine fibroid cells and assessed their proliferation potential by monitoring Ki67 and MCM proteins. They have found that uterine fibroid cells indeed have a higher proliferation potential compared to the control myometrial cells. But, that is the only experimental finding presented in the manuscript."
In my opinion this is not true. We verified expression of MCM-3, MCM-5, MCM-7 and correlated received results with steroid receptor and well-known Ki-67 antigen expression. So this is much more work to do. Subsequantly, we checked IHC expression in regard to really many clinical data of our patients.
While high proliferation potential monitored by Ki-67 is fact. The aim of the study was to verify potential of MCM usage instead of Ki-67, whats new. And those findings are expressed in conclussions.
Moreover this is the first study which analyzed potential use of tested markers in perspective of uterine fibroids. What for sure is the element of novelty.
"One might even argue the novelty of the study since fibroid cells are generally expected to have higher proliferative ability."
As stated above.
"Therefore, I think this manuscript in its current form is not suitable for publication as an article."
Thank you for your opinion. In my perspective presented manuscript fullfils all expected requirements for scientific papers.
Round 2
Reviewer 3 Report
I understand the sincere efforts of the authors. And I agree partially with their explanation in support of their manuscript. But still I do not feel that this manuscript is suitable for publication in its current format. At best, it can be published as a short communication or report, after a substantial reduction of its text length.
Author Response
Thank you for your time and support.
According to your suggestion I have added to the title of the work "preliminary report". I have to admit that without taking into account the number of markers and numerous clinical data, the number of cases corresponds to the preliminary study.
Moreover as you suggested I have shortened the paper; approx 25%. Mostly in introduction part, whereas due to many points of study less is rather impossible, and interesting data might be lost.
Best regards,
thanks for advices,
Christopher Kobierzycki
Round 3
Reviewer 3 Report
I would like to thank the authors for considering my suggestions. I believe they can continue their research on this finding and find new information to increase our knowledge of uterine neoplasm. I recommend the current manuscript for publication in this journal.
To the editor: Please consider changing the type of publication from 'Article' to 'Preliminary Report' or any similar type, and also removing the phrase 'Preliminary Report' from the title.
