Brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in dorsal root ganglion neurons in response to reanastomosis of the distal stoma after nerve grafting
Authors: Hanjiao Qin
Shusen Cui
Jian Wang
Mingzhu Xu
Wei Yu
Journal: Neural Regeneration Research (2012)
Discipline: NEUROSCIENCE & BEHAVIOR
Keywords: brain-derived neurotrophic factor; distal stoma; dorsal root ganglion; neural regeneration; orthotopic nerve grafting
Affiliations: Department of Hand Surgery, China Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130033, Jilin Province, China., Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China., Department of Nephrology, China Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130033, Jilin Province, China., Norman Bethune Medical College, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China.

Abstract:  Studies have shown that retreatment of the distal stoma after nerve grafting can stimulate nerve regeneration. The present study attempted to verify the effects of reanastomosis of the distal stoma, after nerve grafting, on nerve regeneration by assessing brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in 2-month-old rats. Results showed that brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in L2-4 dorsal root ganglia began to increase 3 days after autologous nerve grafting post sciatic nerve injury, peaked at 14 days, decreased at 28 days, and reached similar levels to the sham-surgery group at 56 days. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in L2-4 dorsal root ganglia began to increase 3 days after reanastomosis of the distal stoma, 59 days after autologous nerve grafting post sciatic nerve injury, significantly increased at 63 days, peaked at 70 days, and gradually decreased thereafter, but remained higher compared with the sham-surgery group up to 112 days. The results of this study indicate that reanastomosis of the distal stoma after orthotopic nerve grafting stimulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in L2-4 dorsal root ganglia. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 This paper belongs to a set of over 400 papers (as per February 2020) that share very similar Western blots with tadpole-like shaped bands, the same background pattern, and striking similarities in title structures, paper layout, bar graph design, and - in a subset - flow cytometry panels. Despite these similarities, these papers are authored by researchers from different departments and institutes, with almost no overlap in authors. The list of these papers is available here: https: docs.google.com spreadsheets d 1KXqTAyl4j-jVorFPMD2XRpr76LcIKJ0CVyIvRj0exYQ edit?usp=sharing A more detailed description of this set of papers, suspected to all be generated by a common source, a paper mill , can be found here: * https: forbetterscience.com 2020 01 24 the-full-service-paper-mill-and-its-chinese-customers (January 2020) * https: scienceintegritydigest.com 2020 02 21 the-tadpole-paper-mill (February 2020) The same paper mill has been described in these papers: * Jana Christopher - Systematic fabrication of scientific images revealed - FEBS Letters (2018) - https: febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com doi full 10.1002 1873-3468.13201 * Jennifer A Byrne and Jana Christopher - Digital magic, or the dark arts of the 21st centuryu2014how can journals and peer reviewers detect manuscripts and publications from paper mills? - FEBS Letters (2020) - https: febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com doi full 10.1002 1873-3468.13747 , 
 Retracted [4 June 2021] . -------------------- The above article, published online on 15 February 2019 in Wiley Online Library , has been retracted by agreement between the journal s Editor in Chief, Prof. Dr. Gregg Fields, and Wiley Periodicals LLC. The retraction has been agreed following an investigation based on allegations raised by a third party. Several flaws and inconsistencies between results presented and experimental methods described were found, the editors consider the conclusions of this article to be invalid. The authors collaborated in the investigation initially, but were not available for a final confirmation of the retraction. , 
 From the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People s Republic of China:  [Results of the investigation and handling of medical research integrity cases in some educational and medical institutions](http: www.most.gov.cn zxgz kycxjs kycxgzdt 202203 t20220318_179892.html) (March 17, 2022) . Thanks Google Translate. ---------------------- 24. The paper  Ras-PI3K-AKT signaling promotes the occurrence and development of uveal melanoma by downregulating H3K56ac expression with Yin Dexin and Sun Weixuan from the Sino-Japanese Friendship Hospital of Jilin University as the corresponding authors and Li Yaping from the Second Hospital of Jilin University as the first author. After investigation, the paper has the behavior of fabricating the research process. Li Yaping (merged with the other 3 papers) shall be dealt with as follows: Circulate criticism, cancel the application qualifications for scientific and technological projects (special projects, funds, etc.) for 8 years, cancel the qualifications for various awards and evaluations for 2 years, cancel the effective declaration of job title and professional title promotion Qualification once, post allowance deducted for 24 months, prohibited from participating in postgraduate admissions qualification review for 2 years; for Yin Dexin (merged with the other 6 papers), the following treatment will be made: Circulate criticism, cancel the application of science and technology plan projects (special projects, funds, etc.) for life Qualifications, cancel the qualifications for various awards and evaluations for 2 years, cancel the qualification for valid application for job title promotion once, withhold the post allowance for 24 months, be prohibited from participating in the postgraduate enrollment qualification review for 3 years, and revoke the positions of deputy chief physician and associate professor; Combined with the other 3 papers), the following processing will be made: as a current graduate student, the student will be given a sanction of academic probation. u3000u3000(Notification link: http: jluxfjs.jlu.edu.cn content.jsp?urltype=news.NewsContentUrl wbtreeid=1021 wbnewsid=1453) ,