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PONE-D-20-25326

“Site-specific risk of colorectal neoplasms in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis”

PLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Wang,

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.

We apologize for the delay in the review process. Peer review is under unprecedented pressure due the current COVID-19 pandemic. Your manuscript has received a positive review which will require a minor revision. The following minor comments should be addressed in your resubmission:

1. Line 13: Define OS the first time it is used
2. Line 39: typo in "adipokines"
3. Consider mentioning in the background on NAFLD in the introduction that there is discussion that NAFLD may be better named as Metabolic (dysfunction) associated fatty liver disease.  See: https://www.metabolismjournal.com/article/S0026-0495(20)30277-8/fulltext
4. Line 303: the statement that the specific location of colon tumors in patients with NAFLD was evaluated for the first time is overstated given the current study is a meta-analysis. Rephrase to more accurately reflect the assessment undertaken.
5. Line 323: typo in "conflicts"

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We look forward to receiving your revised manuscript.

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Michael W Greene, Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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

Reviewer #1: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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Reviewer #1: This is an interesting article addressing a clinically relevant issue.

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Reviewer #1: No

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“Site-specific risk of colorectal neoplasms in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis”

PONE-D-20-25326R1

Dear Dr. Wang,

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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If your institution or institutions have a press office, please notify them about your upcoming paper to help maximize its impact. If they’ll be preparing press materials, please inform our press team as soon as possible -- no later than 48 hours after receiving the formal acceptance. Your manuscript will remain under strict press embargo until 2 pm Eastern Time on the date of publication. For more information, please contact onepress@plos.org.

Kind regards,

Michael W Greene, Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments:

Your initial manuscript submission received a favorable review by an external peer reviewer. You have been responsive to the comments from the Academic Editor. Based on these two factors, your revised manuscript has been recommended for acceptance.