[Retracted] MicroRNA253p regulates human nucleus pulposus cell proliferation and apoptosis in intervertebral disc

Zhifang Zhao1, Jie Zheng1, Youchen Ye1

  • 1Department of Orthopedics, No. 903 Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, P.R. China.

Insights

This study is retracted due to concerns about duplicated flow cytometry data. The data appeared similar to previously published findings from other institutions.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Research
  • Scientific Publishing Ethics

Background:

  • Concerns were raised regarding potential data duplication in published research.
  • Specifically, flow cytometry data in Figs. 3D and 5D were noted as strikingly similar to previously published data.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address concerns of data duplication and plagiarism.
  • To maintain the integrity of scientific literature.

Main Methods:

  • Review of submitted manuscript data.
  • Comparison with previously published data from other research institutes.

Main Results:

  • Flow cytometry data in the paper showed striking similarities to previously published data.
  • The data appeared to have been published prior to submission to Molecular Medicine Reports.

Conclusions:

  • The paper has been retracted from Molecular Medicine Reports due to data duplication concerns.
  • Authors did not provide an explanation when asked.

Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
4.2K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After...
24.6K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
5.4K
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
9.1K