Int J Oncol 39: [Related article:] 193-202, 2011; DOI:
10.3892/ijo.2011.1002
Following the publication of the above paper, it was
drawn to the Editor's attention by a concerned reader that the
control β-actin blots shown in Fig. 1D and G on p. 195 appeared to
be very similar, albeit with rotation of one set of the blots
through 180°, and with resizing of the bands. Similarly, certain of
the β-actin protein bands shown in Fig. 1G were strikingly similar
to the control β-actin protein bands shown in Fig. 5A on p. 200,
suggesting that data in these figures may have been assembled
incorrectly.
The authors were contacted by the Editorial Office to
offer an explanation for the apparent anomalies in the presentation
of the data in this paper, and they have subsequently replied to
explain that, unfortunately, they are unable to re-analyze the
original data or repeat the relevant experiments to address these
concerns, as the study was conducted many years ago, the data are
no longer available, and the authors are no longer active in this
field of research. The authors would therefore advise readers of
the above article to interpret the western blots shown in Figs. 1
and 5 with caution. Owing to the fact that the Editorial Office has
been made aware of potential issues surrounding the scientific
integrity of certain of the data this paper, we are issuing an
Expression of Concern to notify readers of this potential
problem.
