Retraction notice to “Non-neuronal cholinergic system delays cardiac remodelling in type 1 diabetes” [Heliyon 9 (2023) e17434] (Heliyon (2023) 9(6), (S240584402304642X), (10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17434))

Abstract

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. The journal was alerted to an associated PubPeer post in which multiple image similarities had been described in the Western blots within Figure 2A + B, as detailed here: https://pubpeer.com/publications/9D6B23C0DB3B2722359B87B93A4F4B. Independent analysis by the journal confirmed these suspected image duplications. The journal requested the authors to provide an explanation to these concerns and associated raw data. Authors provided raw data files, and close inspection of the uncropped Bcl-2 (4 weeks) blot, shown in Fig. 2B, revealed two additional bands with surrounding rectangular anomalies that appear to be duplicated several times to create some of the remaining blot. The corresponding authors, Dr Fronius and Dr Katare, informed the journal that the original images within the study were provided by the first author as part of their MSc thesis, and stated: “Upon further investigation, with assistance from some of our colleagues at the University, we identified additional potential issues with some of the blots in the student's MSc thesis.“. The Editor-in-Chief assessed the case and decided to retract the article.