PONE-D-20-14498

Using lung ultrasound score in establishing timing of intubation of patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia: A retrospective observational study

PLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Lu,

Thank you for submitting your manuscript to PLOS ONE. After careful consideration, we feel that it has merit but does not fully meet PLOS ONE’s publication criteria as it currently stands. Therefore, we invite you to submit a revised version of the manuscript that addresses the points raised during the review process.

the topic is quite interesting as well as the study design. HOwever the manuscript is not so easy to follow and an English revision is needed throughout the manuscript. 

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Chiara Lazzeri

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

The manuscript must describe a technically sound piece of scientific research with data that supports the conclusions. Experiments must have been conducted rigorously, with appropriate controls, replication, and sample sizes. The conclusions must be drawn appropriately based on the data presented.

Reviewer #1: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

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3. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available?

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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Reviewer #1: No

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: Dear Authors

Thank you for the opportunity to read your work.

The article is interesting.

MY-SUGGESTION:

Short title: I suggest "Lung ultrasound score and timing for intubation."

Abstract:

1) M&M: "The patients were intubated after a discussion with the multidisciplinary discussion group that their condition has worsened" this phrase is confusing and need to be re-write.

2) M&M: "The – hypothesis – of this study was …..

3) M&M: the outcome - the last sentence needs to be stated only in the purpose of the study - please delete here.

4) Results: what is T1? What is T2? This need to be explained in the M&M (abstract)

5) Conclusion: ….. with Covid-19 interstitial pneumonia.

TITLE: I suggest to think about: "Lung ultrasound score in establishing the timing of intubation in COVID-19 interstitial pneumonia: A preliminary retrospective observational study."

INTRODUCTION:

1) line 62 the WHO declares a pandemic – data required – XXXX

2) line 65 – a different character for "Some."

3) line 67 – please do not use contract form in the scientific article – they're - but - they are;

4) line 68 – 69 different character for it is hard to decide the;

5) line 78 -79 this affirmation require a reference;

6) line 84 – 85 you need to state that some states are: "hypothesized but not certain" or "demonstrated in other diseases similar to COVID-19, but not yet proven in COVID-19" along with the manuscript, the reader will understand that this is a new disease process incompletely characterized.

7) Line 88: please do not claim to be the first!

8) I suggest this phrase for lines 89 – 91: Our study explore in COVID-19 patient with interstitial pneumonia the clinical application of LUS to assess the timing of intubation.

DISCUSSION:

1) Line 198 – 201, this finding are valid at the moment in non-COVID19 patients, and please be precise.

2) Line 210 – 212 this is the most crucial point of your article and need to be a further highlight.

3) Line 214 – I agree with the authors, I also found some cut-off of 12 in my unpublish data in non-COVID19 patients with ARDS;

4) Line 217 – 219 your statement requires a reference.

5) Line 238, please use the same word everywhere: please change Pulmonary ultrasound with lung ultrasound.

Acknowledgements

I. I think that the manuscript needs extensive Editing for better understanding, I suggest to the authors to upgrade the level of support required.

References

Line 325 – please check the final author's list of reference 19 on PubMed, there was a mistake in a pre-print, thank you.

Finally, I congratulated with the authors for their effort.

I will be happy to revise your manuscript.

Best Regards

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Reviewer #1: No

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Lung ultrasound score in establishing the timing of intubation in COVID-19 interstitial pneumonia: A preliminary retrospective observational study

PONE-D-20-14498R1

Dear Dr. Lu,

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

Within one week, you’ll receive an e-mail detailing the required amendments. When these have been addressed, you’ll receive a formal acceptance letter and your manuscript will be scheduled for publication.

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Kind regards,

Chiara Lazzeri

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Reviewers' comments: