PONE-D-24-26062Associations between dietary patterns and intestinal inflammation among HIV-infected and uninfected adults: a cross-sectional study in TanzaniaPLOS ONE

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Reviewers' comments:

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Reviewer #1: Partly

Reviewer #2: Yes

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

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: This manuscript explores a relevant topic of the link between diet and inflammatory markers. What is especially important is that it analyses diet as dietary patterns instead of individual nutrients and food groups which better reflects actual eating patterns and this is commendable. My biggest issue or point for clarification is the fact the authors make a distinction between HIV infected and uninfected individuals in the title, however this then not addressed in the manuscript. I would appreciate if the authors could clarify.

Introduction:

This section would benefit from a better explained rationale that is followed by the aims of the study. This can then be followed by a hypothesis but the aim should not be omitted.

Also, the title clearly makes a distinction between HIV infected and uninfected individuals but this is not addressed in the introduction. There should also be a rationale provided for this.

Methods and results:

I do not see any distinctions or analyses made to explore if there would be differences in results between HIV+ and HIV- participants, apart from Table 3. If this is indeed one of the objectives, then it should be addressed. This should then also be highlighted in discussion.

Reviewer #2: The present study titled “Associations between dietary patterns and intestinal inflammation among HIV-infected and uninfected adults: a cross-sectional study in Tanzania” has been conducted. Inflammatory diseases has unfortunately become a common disease and nutritional research in this field is my interest.

The authors have written well to present their findings.

- Please provide a table of how many food groups were included in the PCA and RRR ? And what were the components of each group?

- Please provide a table of factor loading of food groups in each pattern, like the reference below:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-022-13166-0

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Reviewer #1: Yes: Leta Pilic

Reviewer #2: No

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Associations between dietary patterns and intestinal inflammation among HIV-infected and uninfected adults: a cross-sectional study in Tanzania

PONE-D-24-26062R1

Dear Dr. Malindisa,

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.

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Kind regards,

Sepiso K. Masenga, PhD

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Reviewers' comments: