We, the Editors and Publisher of the journal Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology, have retracted the following article:
Tao Chen, Shixiu Shao, Wenxian Li, Yong Liu & Yanwei Cao (2019) The circular RNA hsa-circ-0072309 plays anti-tumour roles by sponging miR-100 through the deactivation of PI3K/AKT and mTOR pathways in the renal carcinoma cell lines. Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology, 47(1), 3638–3648, DOI: 10.1080/21691401.2019.1657873
Since publication, concerns have been raised about the integrity of the data in the article. When approached for an explanation, the authors have been unable to verify their original data. In particular, they were unable to provide full western blots, where the molecular weight markers are indicated. In addition, the authors did not have a record of the full blot, before cutting it into strips. We are therefore retracting this article and the corresponding author listed in this publication has been informed.
We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions.
The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as “Retracted”.