PONE-D-22-26715Risk Factor of Elevated Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3)  G ene E xpression in Synovial Fluid In Knee Osteoarthritis WomenPLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Delmi Sulastri,

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Reviewers' comments:

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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?

The PLOS Data policy requires authors to make all data underlying the findings described in their manuscript fully available without restriction, with rare exception (please refer to the Data Availability Statement in the manuscript PDF file). The data should be provided as part of the manuscript or its supporting information, or deposited to a public repository. For example, in addition to summary statistics, the data points behind means, medians and variance measures should be available. If there are restrictions on publicly sharing data—e.g. participant privacy or use of data from a third party—those must be specified.

Reviewer #1: Yes

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4. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English?

PLOS ONE does not copyedit accepted manuscripts, so the language in submitted articles must be clear, correct, and unambiguous. Any typographical or grammatical errors should be corrected at revision, so please note any specific errors here.

Reviewer #1: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

Please use the space provided to explain your answers to the questions above. You may also include additional comments for the author, including concerns about dual publication, research ethics, or publication ethics. (Please upload your review as an attachment if it exceeds 20,000 characters)

Reviewer #1: General comments

This manuscript aims at analyzing the risk factors associated with the expression of the MMP3 gene rs679620 in knee synovial fluid in osteoarthritis patients. Despite several minor issues detailed below (which, however, need to be addressed), authors manage to fulfill sufficiently their aim.

Minor comments

(Title and elsewhere throughout MS, as well) Please, do not use acronyms in headings;

(Abstract, Introduction) Methods;

(References) 1. … N. Classifications in Brief: Kellgren-Lawrence Classification of Osteoarthritis…

(Introduction, 7th paragraph and elsewhere throughout MS, as well) please, do not start sentences with acronyms;

… growth factors activity...

(10th par) please, check for font size;

(Materials and Methods, 3rd par) The CT method…

(Age with MMP 3 Gene Expression rs679620, 1st-2nd par) please, check for correct in-text referencing;

ref Komosinska-Vassev et al. not in References;

(3rd par) is aggrecan an advanced glycation end product? Please, explain;

(Polymorphism with MMP 3 Gene Expression rs679620, 1st par) please, introduce CEU;

(2nd÷5th par) please, check for correct in-text referencing;

Almeida et al. (2014)≠(30);

(Levels of IL-1β and TNF-α with MMP3 Gene Expression rs679620, 1st-2nd par) please, check for correct in-text referencing;

… in OA. Under…

(Menopause Status with MMP 3 Gene Expression rs679620, 2nd par) please, check for correct in-text referencing.

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Reviewer #1: No

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Risk Factor of Elevated Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 Gene Expression in Synovial Fluid In Knee Osteoarthritis Women

PONE-D-22-26715R1

Dear Dr. Delmi Sulastri,

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,

Ewa Tomaszewska, DVM Ph.D

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. If the authors have adequately addressed your comments raised in a previous round of review and you feel that this manuscript is now acceptable for publication, you may indicate that here to bypass the “Comments to the Author” section, enter your conflict of interest statement in the “Confidential to Editor” section, and submit your "Accept" recommendation.

Reviewer #1: All comments have been addressed

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2. 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

**********

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

Reviewer #1: Yes

**********

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

The PLOS Data policy requires authors to make all data underlying the findings described in their manuscript fully available without restriction, with rare exception (please refer to the Data Availability Statement in the manuscript PDF file). The data should be provided as part of the manuscript or its supporting information, or deposited to a public repository. For example, in addition to summary statistics, the data points behind means, medians and variance measures should be available. If there are restrictions on publicly sharing data—e.g. participant privacy or use of data from a third party—those must be specified.

Reviewer #1: Yes

**********

5. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English?

PLOS ONE does not copyedit accepted manuscripts, so the language in submitted articles must be clear, correct, and unambiguous. Any typographical or grammatical errors should be corrected at revision, so please note any specific errors here.

Reviewer #1: Yes

**********

6. Review Comments to the Author

Please use the space provided to explain your answers to the questions above. You may also include additional comments for the author, including concerns about dual publication, research ethics, or publication ethics. (Please upload your review as an attachment if it exceeds 20,000 characters)

Reviewer #1: General comments

I do not have any further particular concerns to express about the manuscript. Authors addressed sufficiently all points raised by me.

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7. PLOS authors have the option to publish the peer review history of their article (what does this mean?). If published, this will include your full peer review and any attached files.

If you choose “no”, your identity will remain anonymous but your review may still be made public.

Do you want your identity to be public for this peer review? For information about this choice, including consent withdrawal, please see our Privacy Policy.

Reviewer #1: No

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