Circular RNA hsa_circ_0011946 promotes cell growth, migration, and invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma by upregulating PCNA
Authors: D-X Qiang
S Wang
Y Meng
E-Y Zhao
L-J Bi
Y Zhou
L Shi
L-Y Jiang
Journal: European review for medical and pharmacological sciences (2020)
Discipline: PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
Keywords: Circular RNAs; hsa_circ_0011946; Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC); Cell proliferation; Migration
Affiliations: Department of Stomatology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China. .

Abstract:  Objective: The importance of circular RNAs in malignant tumors has been well concerned nowadays. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is diagnosed prevalently in the world. Our study aims to uncover the potential functions of hsa_circ_0011946 in OSCC development. Patients and methods: Real Time-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to determine the level of hsa_circ_0011946 in OSCC tissues and cell lines. Hsa_circ_0011946 was knocked down in OSCC cells. Biological functions of hsa_circ_0011946 in OSCC were identified by performing cell proliferation assay, colony formation assay, wound healing assay, and transwell assay. The underlying mechanism of hsa_circ_0011946 in regulating OSCC progression was explored by RT-qPCR and Western blot assay. Results: Hsa_circ_0011946 was highly expressed in OSCC tissues compared with adjacent samples. It was also upregulated in OSCC cell lines. The knockdown of hsa_circ_0011946 inhibited cell growth, migration, and invasion in OSCC. The expression of PCNA was reduced via knockdown of hsa_circ_0011946. Furthermore, the expression of PCNA in tumor tissues was positively correlated to the expression of hsa_circ_0011946. Conclusions: Hsa_circ_0011946 could promote cell growth, migration, and invasion of OSCC by upregulating PCNA, which may offer a new therapeutic intervention for OSCC patients. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 This paper is one of a set of 121 papers that all contain images from the same library of about 100 photos and plots. This is unexpected, because each paper has different authors and different affiliations, with little to no overlap, and describes different cancer types and molecules. It would be very hard to explain how authors from different labs would all obtain the same photo. Therefore, the papers might have all be derived from the same source, such as a paper mill that sells ready-to-be-published papers. This  Stock Photo paper set has been described in more detail on my blog post, https: scienceintegritydigest.com 2020 07 05 the-stock-photo-paper-mill and in a Wall Street Journal article by Eva Xiao (currently behind a paywall): https: www.wsj.com articles chinese-research-papers-raise-doubts-fueling-global-questions-about-scientific-integrity-11593939600 The vast majority (113 121) of the papers were published in the same journal, European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences (ERMPS). A link to the full set of papers can be found here: https: docs.google.com spreadsheets d 172RWS18w1lTNJ9Nnj80fuXXTqTm4fGkoK0sdYyvKE3g edit?usp=sharing All papers have been reported to the journal editors on July 2, 2020. , 
 https: www.europeanreview.org article 22214 Since this article has been suspected of research misconduct and the corresponding authors did not respond to our request to prove originality of data and figures, u201cCircular RNA hsa_circ_0011946 promotes cell growth, migration, and invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma by upregulating PCNA, by Y. Meng, E.-Y. Zhao, Y. Zhou, D.-X. Qiang, S. Wang, L. Shi, L.-Y. Jiang, L.-J. Bi, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2020; 24 (3): 1226-1232u2013DOI: 10.26355 eurrev_202002_20175u2013PMID: 32096152u201d has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. , 
 http: www.most.gov.cn zxgz kycxjs kycxgzdt 202201 t20220127_179206.html Google Translated Date: January 27, 2022 14:44 Source: Ministry of Science and Technology u3000u300029. The paper  Circular RNA hsa_circ_0011946 promotes cell growth, migration, and invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma by upregulating PCNA in which Meng Yan is the first author and Bi Liangjia is the corresponding author, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University. After investigation, it was found that the thesis had behaviors of buying and selling papers, ghostwriting, and improper signature. Meng Yan was dealt with as follows: order to withdraw his manuscript, exhort him to talk about scientific research integrity, cancel his application for science and technology plans (special projects, funds, etc.) projects and award qualifications for 5 years, cancel his qualification for promotion as a postgraduate tutor for 4 years, and cancel his qualification for promotion to professional title for 3 years ; The following measures were taken to Bi Liangjia: the scientific research integrity admonishment conversation, the cancellation of his application for science and technology plans (special projects, funds, etc.) projects and award qualifications for 3 years, the cancellation of academic degree graduate admission qualifications for 3 years, and the research on other members of the research group within a time limit of 1 year Do self-examination to avoid the same thing from happening. u3000u3000(Notification link: https: www.hrbmu.edu.cn kyc info 1026 1322.htm) ,