Int J Oncol 48: [Related article:] 2310-2320, 2016; DOI:
10.3892/ijo.2016.3445
Following the publication of the above paper, it was
drawn to the Editor's attention by a concerned reader that, for the
scratch-wound assay experiments shown in Fig. 6 on p. 2318, the
'control siRNA/24 h' and 'podoplanin siRNA/48 h' panels contained
an overlapping section of data; such that these data, which were
intended to show the results from differently performed
experiments, appeared to have been derived from the same original
source. Upon analyzing the data independently in the Editorial
Office, it came to light that, in addition to control blots, the
podoplanin blots were duplicated in Fig. 2A and B, and also in Fig.
3A and B, although it wasn't clear whether this was simply the way
in which the authors had chosen to arrange the data in these
figures, as the reported experimental conditions were the same in
the respective figure parts.
The authors were contacted by the Editorial Office
to offer an explanation for these possible anomalies in the
presentation of the data in this paper, although up to this time,
no response from them has been forthcoming. Owing to the fact that
the Editorial Office has been made aware of potential issues
surrounding the scientific integrity of this paper, we are issuing
an Expression of Concern to notify readers of this potential
problem while the Editorial Office conitnues to investigate this
matter further.
