PONE-D-19-24597

The Title: Application of CPI Cutoff Value Based on Parentage Testing of Duos and Trios Typed by Four Autosomal Kits

PLOS ONE

Dear Dr Zhang,

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Alexandru Rogobete, Ph.D., M.Sc., Clin Res

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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Reviewers' comments:

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Partly

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Reviewer #1: I Don't Know

Reviewer #2: I Don't Know

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: No

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: The manuscript entitled "Application of CPI Cutoff Value Based on Parentage Testing of Duos and Trios Typed by Four Autosomal Kits" by Hong-mei Gao provides quality results.

I also described some parts that could be improved where the sentences and paragraphs are even more difficult to follow.

In the paragraph "STR loci mutations affect the conclusions of parentage testing with a low CPI value, and more autosomal

STRs should be added to confirm the mutation" can you explain it's not clear written.

When you use abbreviations, for the first time in your manuscript, you have to give details about that.

I recommend that a native speaker of English review the manuscript to improve word choice, sentence structure, and grammar.

The conclusion need to clear and specific, with 3 short conclusion.

Thanks for the opportunity to read the manuscript.

Reviewer #2: The language and structure of the article are so unclear that the merit can't be assessed. Most of the sentences are overly long, complicated, as well as ungrammatical in some instances. Throughout the article the language is neither clear, nor concise. Typographical and spelling errors have also been encountered.

The article gives relations to three cases that are not included in the study groups described in the methods. Therefore part of the article rather looks as a case report (in this case sample sizes are not large enough to produce robust results).

Regarding the tables of this manuscript, they are not all placed directly after the paragrapgh where they were first cited (see Table 2).

The References formatting does not respect the style of the journal (does not list the first six authors followed by et.al.). Some of the title used as references are rather outdated (over 20 years old).

Laboratory protocols were not made fully availabe. Detailed protocols could enhance the reproductibility of the results.

In part the Discussions only repeat the results without interpreting them.

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: No

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Application of CPI Cutoff Value Based on Parentage Testing of Duos and Trios Typed by Four Autosomal Kits

PONE-D-19-24597R1

Dear Dr. Zhang,

We are pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it complies with all outstanding technical requirements.

Within one week, you will receive an e-mail containing information on the amendments required prior to publication. When all required modifications have been addressed, you will receive a formal acceptance letter and your manuscript will proceed to our production department and be scheduled for publication.

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With kind regards,

Alexandru Rogobete, Ph.D., M.Sc., Clin Res

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Dear Authors,

I read your paper carefully and it looks much better.

Thank you

BR,

Reviewers' comments: