Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Tissue-specific miRNA Expression Profiling in Mouse Heart Sections Using In Situ Hybridization
Published on: September 15, 2018
[Retracted] Effects of miRNA‑455 on cardiac hypertrophy induced by pressure overload
Chuntao Wu1, Shimin Dong1, Yongjun Li2
1Intensive Care Unit, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editor's attention by a concerned reader that, in addition to a pair of data panels showing images of myocardial fibrosis in Fig. 5A on p. 897 having an overlapping section, western blots data featured in Fig. 6B for the '2 weeks' experiments on p. 898 were strikingly similar to data that had already been submitted to the journal PLoS One in a paper that was written by different authors at different research institutes. Given that the abovementioned data had already been submitted for publication before the receipt of this paper at International Journal of Molecular Medicine, the Editor has decided that it should be retracted from the Journal. The authors were asked for an explanation to account for these concerns, but the Editorial Office did not receive a reply. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [International Journal of Molecular Medicine 35: 893‑900, 2015; DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2015.2105].
Insights
This study is retracted due to overlapping data with a previously submitted paper. Concerns were raised regarding myocardial fibrosis images and western blot data, leading to the retraction from the International Journal of Molecular Medicine.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Research
- Molecular Medicine
- Scientific Publishing Ethics
Background:
- Concerns were raised regarding data duplication in a published paper.
- Overlapping image data (myocardial fibrosis) and western blot results were identified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address concerns about data integrity and potential overlap with previously submitted work.
- To evaluate the validity of the published findings in light of new information.
Main Methods:
- Editor's review of reader-submitted concerns.
- Comparison of figures (Fig. 5A, Fig. 6B) with previously submitted data.
- Communication with authors for clarification.
Main Results:
- Identified overlapping data panels in Fig. 5A and Fig. 6B.
- Confirmed that western blot data in Fig. 6B was strikingly similar to data submitted earlier to PLoS One.
- Authors did not provide a satisfactory explanation for the data overlap.
Conclusions:
- The paper is retracted from the International Journal of Molecular Medicine due to data duplication concerns.
- The identified data overlap predates the submission of this manuscript.
- The journal apologizes for any inconvenience caused to the readership.
