Spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) observed in transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a reliable predictor of the risk of future ischemic stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Left atrial strain globally reflects atrial function, remodeling and distensibility. The left atrial appendage (LAA) is a myogenic remnant of the left atrium, which can actively relax and contract. The left atrial appendage (LAA) is an important part of releasing the pressure of the left atrium. The key role of the left atrium is to regulate the left ventricular filling pressure, act as a reservoir for pulmonary venous return during ventricular contraction, and act as a conduit, transferring blood to the Left ventricle during early ventricular diastole. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between left atrial function and left atrial appendage spontaneous echo contrast (LAASEC).A retrospective study of 338 patients with non-valvular AF was conducted. Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography provided the following metrics of LA strain: LA strain during the reservoir phase (LASr), LA strain during the conduit phase (LAScd). LA or LAA has the dense SEC of more than grade 3, which is defined as mud like change or pre thrombosis.n = 81) has lower LASr than those with lower grades of SEC (n = 257) . Multivariate logistic regression model showed that the type of atrial fibrillation (persistent∼), increased heart rate, decreased LASr were independently associated with the dense LAASEC (OR (CI 95%), 5.558 (1.618–19.09), 1.016 (1.006–1.026) 0.002, 1.224 (1.085–1.381), both P < 0.01). Venn Diagram showed that lower CHADVASC2 score groups had dense SEC cases. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used for analyzing results and selecting cut off values. The cut off point for LASr < 8.85% and CHADVASC2 score was >2 scores with sensitivity and specificity were 79% and 85%.Patients with level 3 SEC (Lower LASr is independently associated with the dense LAASEC in NVAF and has incremental values superior to clinical scores. The decrease of LASr may be a potential non-invasive parameter for evaluating the higher risk of LAA thrombosis. Previou2.A total of 338 patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who were admitted to the Department of Cardiology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University from December 1, 2018 to June 10, 2021 were included in the retrospective study. 338 patients with AF included in the study were prepared to undergo radiofrequency catheter ablation. All patients were examined by 12-lead electrocardiogram or 24-hour dynamic electrocardiogram, and the onset of AF was clearly recorded. All of them received Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was defined as AF can recover spontaneously within 7 days or under intervention, and recur at different frequencies; Persistent atrial fibrillation refers to the onset time of continuous AF >7 days. The inclusion criteria were as follows: patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) with adequate image quality and complete clinical data. Informed consent was obtained from each patient. Basic information collected about the patients included age, height, weight, and the type of AF . Previous history of hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, prior stroke, or congenital heart disease was recorded. The exclusion criteria were as follows: patients with congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, thrombocytopenic purpura, severe mitral regurgitation, or tumor, and patients whose data included low-quality images. All patients must undergo TEE and TTE before treatment, each participant signed a written informed consent form. This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (as revised in 2013) and approved by the Ethics Committee of The Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University (No. 225/2022).2.1.Vivid E95 ultrasonic system  equipped with M5S probe was used for imaging. This study was performed in the left recumbent position, connecting with ECG. We selected cardiac cycles with minimal differences and took the average heart rate when obtained images, especially for per-AF. Standard two-dimensional echocardiographic views were obtained, including parasternal long axis and apical four chamber views and apical two chamber views. The Biplane Simpson' method was used to obtain the maximum and minimum left atrial (LA) volumes of the apical four chamber view and the apical two chamber view, and the exponential standardization was performed according to the Body Mass Index (BMI) to calculate the total left atrial emptying fraction (LAEF). The early diastolic flow-velocity peak of the mitral valve (peak E) was measured by pulse Doppler in the apical four-chamber view. Doppler Tissue Imaging (DTI) was used to measure the early diastolic tissue Doppler velocity of the mitral annulus from septal and lateral (E'sep and E'la). The ratio of E to E' (E/e') was then calculated. Simpson's rule was used to measure the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the apical four-chamber view and the apical two-chamber view. The method of evaluating cardiac function according to the current guidelines of the American Society of Echocardiography .2.2.All patients routinely used Vivid E95 echocardiography for TEE, equipped with multiplane 6VT (3.0–8.0 MHz) transducers. All TEE assessments were performed by professional physicians at least different views  should be used to evaluate the left atrial appendage (LAA). The LAA were evaluated comprehensively to find any evidence of SEC or thrombus. During left atrial appendage imaging, pulse Doppler velocity of left atrial appendage forward (emptying) and backward (filling) blood flow was also recorded. Before TEE, lidocaine hydrochloride spray was used for local anesthesia of throat. The left atrial appendage was evaluated from 0° to 180° in the middle of the esophagus. Left atrial appendage ejection fraction (LAAEF) was measured and calculated by 2D Simpson' s method. (LAAEF) = [LAA Vmax—LAA Vmin]/LAAVmax × 100%. When the left atrium or left atrial appendage has the dense SEC of more than grade 3, it will show a jelly like non solid shape that lasts throughout the cardiac cycle and has a tendency to deposit, which is defined as mud like change or pre thrombosis , 12. SEC2.3.EchoPAC  has been used in most studies on the deformation of left atrium (LA) previously, with high feasibility and good consistency. Speckle tracking echocardiography was performed using offline analysis (201 version). The starting point of the QRS wave of in the (electrocardiogram)ECG was used as the zero baseline. 2D-STE is a speckle tracking analysis technique using standard B-mode images. During brief breath holding and stable ECG recording, conventional 2D gray scale echocardiography was used to obtain apical four chamber and two chamber views. Patients with atrial fibrillation measure almost five consecutive cardiac cycles on average, find out and record three average consecutive cardiac cycles. The recommended frame rate setting is 60–80 frames per second. During processing, the left atrial endocardial surface was manually tracked by tracing in two chamber and four chamber views. In order to obtain the region of interest (ROI), the system automatically generates atrial endocardial surface tracking. You can manually adjust the width and shape of the ROI, and then the software divides it into six parts, and the tracking quality of each part is automatically adjusted. For each segment, the software gives the longitudinal strain curve and the average curve of all segments reflecting the pathophysiology of left atrial function. If more than three segments were excluded, subjects were removed from the study. The left atrial strain curves . The lefRepeatability evaluation of measurement parameters.Two imaging cardiologist analyzed the image in the EchoPAC softwear after obtained. Each researcher analyzed the image twice to avoid the intra-group differences. And take the average value of the data collected by two researchers as the final data to avoid inter-group differences.3.t-test or Mann Whitney U-test was used to compare the continuous variables between groups. The χ2-test or Fisher exact test were used to compare the categorical variables between groups. Single factor and multiple factors logistic regression analysis were conducted to determine the independent risk factors of LAASEC. In univariate analysis, variables with P < 0.05 were included in multivariate analysis. Subsequently, variables with P < 0.05 in multivariate analysis were included in the final multiple logistic regression model. Finally, Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was conducted to evaluate the predictive ability of left atrial function indicators and CHADVASC2 scores. Statistical significance was defined as P value <0.05. SPSS software (version 27.0) was used for statistical analysis.Continuous variables of normal distribution were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. The variable of unnormal distribution was expressed as the median (quartile range), and the categorical variable was expressed as the frequency (percentage). The 4.(1)A total of 338 patients with atrial fibrillation were included, 40.2% of whom were female, with an average age of 63.20 ± 10.36. 81 patients (23.96%) with LAASEC above grade 3, all patients' characteristics were recorded in (2)P = 0.003), the proportion of women was higher , and the proportion of persistent atrial fibrillation was higher , Higher incidence of heart failure (26.3% vs. 4.7% P < 0.001), higher diastolic pressure , higher heart rate , higher CHADVASC2 score , larger left atrial size , diastolic left atrial volume index and systolic left atrial volume index were larger , Left ventricular ejection fraction and left atrial emptying fraction decreased , LASr and LAScd were lower , The LAA ostia and LAA depth were larger , LAAEV and LAAFV were lower , and LAAEF was decreased .According to the level of LAASEC, they were divided into two groups : those a(3)Factors associated with LAASECP = 0.006; decreased LASr 1.085–1.381, P = 0.001, higher heart rate, 1.006–1.026, P = 0.002].(4)The ROC curve analysis results showed :Univariate logistic regression identified a variety of clinical TTE, TEE parameters as significant contributors to LAASEC : Age, WoP < 0.001). Using a LASr cut-off value of <8.86% combined with CHADVASC2 cut-off value of 2 scores, patients with dense LAASEC were identified with a Sensitivity and specificity were 79% and 85%.AUCs of CHADVASC2 score incorporated with LASr and LASr + CHADVASC2 were significantly higher than that of CHADVASC2 score Linear relationship :Venn Diagram showed that there were dense SEC cases in the low anticoagulation score group .(5)Liner = 0.651, 0.459, 0.768, P < 0.001,repensively). LASr is negatively correlated with LAD, LAVI (diasoloe), LAVI (sysoloe) .LASr is positively correlated with LAAEV, LAAFV, LAAEF,  is more obvious with the increase of age. The overall strain damage of left atrium and the increase of left atrial volume index are both aging phenomena. Previous research results show that compared with aging men, women may have worse mechanical properties of left atrium . DeterioPrevious reports provided evidence that elevated blood pressure may have a direct impact on left atrial mechanics –22. In aRecent studies have shown that structural and functional abnormalities of the left atrium/left atrial appendage may also lead to stroke/transient ischemic attack. Enlargement of left atrial appendage, SEC and thrombus in left atrium/left atrial appendage, decreased emptying velocity of left atrial appendage (LAAEV) are recognized as stroke risk markers. Anatomical remodeling, atrial fibrosis and left atrial myocardial contractility decline are factors related to left atrial thrombosis/spontaneous echocardiography (LAT/SEC) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) reducing the flow rate of left atrial appendage (LAA). The decrease of LAA flow rate found by transesophageal echocardiography is likely to lead to stroke. The area of left atrial appendage (LAA) accounts for about 10% of the total left atrial volume and plays an important role in left atrial function.With the development of ultrasound technology, researchers gradually understand the structure and function of left atrial appendage. The left atrial appendage (LAA) is a myogenic remnant of the left atrium, which can actively relax and contract. The left atrial appendage (LAA) has much stronger adaptability and blood storage capacity than other areas of the left atrium, so it is an important part of releasing the pressure of the left atrium and ensuring the filling of the left ventricle. Because of the complexity of structure and trabecular muscle, left atrial appendage is the most common site of left atrial thrombosis. Once atrial fibrillation occurs, the left atrium and left atrial appendage lose their contractility, resulting in the inability of blood to be effectively drained and detained, and eventually the SEC or thrombosis of the left atrial appendage is formed. The structural and functional remodeling of left atrium and left atrial appendage during AF, including cavity expansion, endocardial elastic fiber hyperplasia and myocardial function inhibition, are potential markers of left atrial appendage thrombosis (LAAT) and LAASEC –34. In tP wave of ECG and the ejection of LAA , allowing simultaneous assessment of strain and volume changes frame by frame from 3D images. In addition, 3D speckle tracking echocardiography is becoming a clinical reality and is expected to become a clinical device for spatial analysis of local or global strain analysis of left atrium.One of the most significant limitations is the patient population, as small samples may lack statistical capacity to demonstrate significant statistical differences.


To evaluate patient characteristics, risk factors, disease course, and management of cervical vertebral osteomyelitis in patients who had radiation for head and neck cancers.A retrospective cohort study (case series) of patients diagnosed with post-radiation osteomyelitis of the cervical spine between 2012 and 2021. Data were collected from the patient’s medical files.Seven patients  with post-radiation cervical osteomyelitis were reviewed. The median patient age was 64 years. The mean interval between diagnosis of osteomyelitis and the first and last radiotherapy course was 8.3 and 4.0 years, respectively. A medical or surgical event preceded the diagnosis in four patients (57%) by a mean of 46.25 days. Common imaging findings were free air within the cervical structures and fluid collection. Four patients recovered from osteomyelitis during the follow-up within an average of 65 days.Post-radiation osteomyelitis is characterized by a subtle presentation, challenging diagnosis, prolonged treatment, and poor outcome. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for the long-term after radiotherapy. Multidisciplinary evaluation and management are warranted.The study describes post-radiotherapy osteomyelitis of the cervical spine, a rare and devastating complication. Literature data regarding this complication are sparse. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histological type of HNC, accounting for about 90% of patients. Radiotherapy is the mainstay of treatment, with or without chemotherapy or surgery. Variations in the combination and order of treatments depend on tumor site, histology, stage, patient’s medical history, and preference. However, despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, locoregional recurrence occurs in 15–50% of patients, and up to 27% of recovered patients are at risk of secondary primary head and neck tumors.Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the seventh most common malignancy worldwide, with approximately 900,000 new cases and half a million deaths annually. Furthermore, substantially adverse effects may be on cellular physiology, including inhibition of osteoblast and osteoclast activity, vascular injury, cellular metabolic imbalance leading to osteolysis, increased susceptibility to infection, and tissue necrosis.Radiotherapy to the head and neck often causes immunological and vascular changes to the upper aerodigestive mucosa. As a result, it may induce mucosal ulceration, tissue breakdown, and the formation of non-healing wounds and fistulas, through which microorganisms colonizing the irradiated mucosa can penetrate and infect the soft tissue and bone. ORN affects 2% of irradiated patients with HNC, commonly presenting in the mandible and maxillary bones. ORN of the mandible was described in up to 5% of patients after head and neck irradiation and was attributed to the bone density that absorbs a more considerable amount of radiation and less vascular supply than other bones. Conversely, ORN of the cervical spine and skull base is a rare condition. As opposed to the mandible and maxilla, the cervical spine and skull base are deeper beyond anatomical barriers and not in close contact with the contaminated biofilm of the oral cavity mucosa; also, the cervical spine and skull base are rarely positioned within the maximal radiation field, as in the case of oral cavity cancer and the jaws.Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is when an irradiated bone becomes exposed through a wound in the overlying skin or mucosa and persists without healing for 3–6 months.Staphylococcus aureus, which can enter the vertebrae through various routes, including direct trauma, surgery, or bloodstream infections. Osteomyelitis can affect any bone in the body, including the cervical vertebrae. Compared to osteomyelitis, radionecrosis refers to tissue death or damage due to exposure to radiation therapy. It most commonly affects tissues that have been irradiated as part of cancer treatment. Radionecrosis can occur in various body regions, including the head and neck, where the cervical vertebrae are located. To summarize, cervical vertebrae osteomyelitis is an infection and inflammatory condition of the cervical spine bones, usually caused by bacteria. Radionecrosis, conversely, is tissue death or damage resulting from prior radiation therapy, commonly seen in the cervical vertebrae following treatment for HNC.Cervical vertebrae osteomyelitis refers to the infection and inflammation of the bone and bone marrow in the cervical spine (neck region). It is typically caused by bacteria, such as  In addition, radiation may damage the cervical vertebrae and the adjacent ligamentous structures, which are close to the radiation field, resulting in cervical spine deformity and instability and, ultimately, spinal cord compression, neurological deficit, and myelopathy.The treatment of head and neck osteomyelitis may require specific expertise. Besides the tendency for polymicrobial infections, important anatomic considerations are owing to the challenging drainage approach and the proximity of essential major blood vessels and the skull base. In some cases, a prolonged antibiotic regimen may be sufficient, whereas resistant disease often requires additional surgical debridement.Although ORN and osteomyelitis of the cervical spine and skull base are devastating complications of HNC radiation, they have not been thoroughly described in the medical literature. Therefore, this study aims to present a series of those patients and analyze their characteristics, identify potential risk factors, and describe disease course and management.A retrospective case series study was conducted in the tertiary radiation oncology center, Davidoff Cancer Center for the Treatment and Research of Cancer of Rabin Medical Center. The institutional ethics committee approved the study protocol (IRB-XXX 0731–2020). The cohort consisted of patients previously treated with radiation, with or without chemotherapy and surgery, for HNC who presented to the institute’s multidisciplinary head and neck boards (either tumor boards or radiology rounds) between 2012 and 2020 with a diagnosis of osteomyelitis of the cervical spine or skull base region based on a combination of clinical findings, radiological features and a culture positive finding from the infection site without another infectious site. Clinical data for the study were collected from the patient’s medical files: demographics, past medical and surgical history, detailed radiation therapy protocols, clinical presentation, imaging characteristics, clinical course, and management of osteomyelitis. The duration of follow-up was calculated in months from diagnosis to the last follow-up visit. Recovery time was calculated in days from diagnosis to resolution of osteomyelitis, as noted in the discharge form or follow-up report.Categorical variables are presented as absolute values and percentages; continuous variables are presented as median and range.Seven patients were enrolled in the study: five males (71%) and two females of median age of 64 years (range 54–85) at diagnosis. The characteristics and medical history of the patients are detailed in All patients had imaging studies, as detailed in −1 (range 8.06–15.56 K ml−1).Symptoms included dysphagia (71%), cervicalgia (71%), weight loss (29%), cough (14%), and hoarseness (14%). Six patients (86%) were presented with multiple symptoms (two or more). On physical examination, fever was present in two patients (29%), posterior pharyngeal mucosal defects was found in three patients (43%), showing an ulcer with exposed bone tissue. Finally, abnormal reflexes in all four limbs were presented in one patient (14%). Initial blood tests revealed leukocytosis in four patients (57%) and an average leukocyte count of 11.14 K mlIn four patients (57%), a surgical or medical event preceded the diagnosis of osteomyelitis, as detailed in Five patients (71%) died during follow-up; three related to osteomyelitis—two died from septic shock, and one from cervical hemorrhage. Those patients died within 35 days of diagnosis of osteomyelitis (range 11–52 days). The remaining two patients died due to sepsis, unrelated to osteomyelitis: one due to pneumonia and the other urosepsis.Osteomyelitis of the cervical spine and skull base is an infrequent but dangerous head and neck radiation complication. Sparse data are available in the literature. The present case series describes the characteristics and clinical course of seven affected patients treated in a tertiary medical center over 8 years. Notably, in most patients, a medical or surgical event occurred in the months preceding the diagnosis of osteomyelitis. Multidisciplinary treatment was required, including broad-spectrum antibiotics and surgery. Recovery time was long, and outcomes were poor. The mean time in our cohort between the first radiation treatment and diagnosis of osteomyelitis was long and had a wide range, similar to the experience of other centers. Thus, clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion even decades after radiotherapy, alongside regular evaluation for recurrent or persistent squamous cell carcinoma. When post-radiation osteomyelitis is suspected, a thorough evaluation should be conducted, including flexible nasal endoscopy to assess discharge, local swelling, edema, and pharyngeal wall defect, in conjunction with a complete radiological assessment. The radiological assessment may be complex because of significant scar tissue from prior radiotherapy, limiting soft tissue swelling on lateral cervical spine X-rays. MRI is the modality of choice. Hyperintense signals on T2 weighted images indicate infection and hypointensity on T1 images indicates loss of marrow fat signal. Contrast enhancement on T1 may be present with a soft-tissue inflammatory mass or a low-grade infection. However, MRI cannot differentiate infection superimposed on ORN from pure osteomyelitis.Post-radiation osteomyelitis has a variable presentation.In our study, patients were evaluated using MRI, CT, PET-CT, or a combination of those studies, which yielded findings that might indicate active inflammation, which include contrast material enhancement of the vertebral body epidural and meningeal enhancement, fluid collection, free air caused by gas-forming bacteria, and reactive lymphadenopathy. Thus, several imaging modalities may help diagnose active chronic infection, which would require an aggressive treatment approach.  Samples should include the suspected bone and surrounding soft tissue. Some authors advocated transoral instead of CT-guided biopsy via an anterior or transverse approach because CT-guided biopsy poses a risk to vital structures like the carotid triangle. This is especially true in necks that have been irradiated in which the extensive scarring distorts the anatomy.In equivocal cases, bone biopsies can help identify ORN. All patients should undergo biopsies since tumor recurrence is an important differential diagnosis. In our study, most patients required debridement and cervical fusion. In addition, surgical decompression would likely be necessary in the event of spinal cord compression by an epidural abscess. Furthermore, a few case reports have suggested the possible advantages of hyperbaric oxygen, including abscess reduction and improvement in mucosal defect. Thus, due to the potential benefits and relatively minor side-effects, hyperbaric oxygen should be considered in those dreadful complications. Further prospective research should better evaluate the advantages of hyperbaric oxygen.The treatment of osteomyelitis is complex, let alone osteomyelitis of the head and neck central compartment owing to the complicated anatomy and the proximity to critical vascular, parenchymal structures and skull base. It usually includes surgery in addition to long-term broad-spectrum antibiotics. Nevertheless, we believe routine prophylactic antibiotics are not advised because of the complications of prolonged antibiotic use.A critical finding in the present study was that a precedent event in most patients may have triggered osteomyelitis. Invasive procedures and localized infections in irradiated patients might cause temporary bacteremia, leading to infection in the damaged tissue. In addition, prior case reports have described anaerobic bacteremia after tracheostomy that might further complicate osteoradionecrotic tissue causing osteomyelitis in the head and neck central tissues. In our research, the majority of patients who died during follow-up had an osteomyelitis-related death, and others died of severe inflammatory response syndrome due to infection. Cervical spine osteomyelitis is a complication that may cause mortality and indicates a poor patient prognosis since all those patients were malnourished, active, or cured of advanced-stage HNSCC after one or more high-dose radiation treatments with possible concurrent chemotherapy.Cervical spine osteomyelitis is a dreadful complication with devastating short- and long-term outcomes causing high degrees of morbidity, debilitation, and mortality.Given the subtle presentation, challenging differential diagnosis, long treatment duration, and poor outcomes, we suggest an individually tailored management approach for patients with radiation-induced osteomyelitis, carried out by a multidisciplinary team consisting of a head and neck surgeon, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, head and neck-oriented radiologist, nuclear medicine expert, infectious disease specialist, and radiological oncologist. Nevertheless, head and neck radiotherapy poses a high risk of spinal complications requiring careful monitoring of patients.In recent decades, substantial advances have been made in radiotherapy, such as the transition from a two-dimensional to a three-dimensional technique. Additionally, the introduction of stereotactic radiotherapy allows for accurate delivery of high-dose radiation in multiple directions, thereby causing fewer side-effects.This study was limited, first and foremost, by aa small cohort, single-institution experience, and a comparable control group.In addition, due to the retrospective design, the reported data might be incomplete.Midline structure osteomyelitis is a devastating complication of head and neck radiotherapy. Data in the literature remain sparse. Diagnosis may be difficult because symptoms are often delayed and may be subtle. A thorough evaluation, including endoscopic examination, MRI, and possibly biopsy, must be performed in all cases to rule out tumor recurrence or metastasis, and infections should be treated aggressively with antibiotics. Internal stabilization and fusion should be performed in cases of instability and deformity. The present case series highlights the multidisciplinary protocol used in our institute, Rabin Medical Center, to evaluate patients with radiation-induced osteomyelitis to narrow the differential diagnosis, optimize work-up, and initiate prompt appropriate integrative treatment. Its application in various oncology centers worldwide is an attainable goal. We conclude that our initial results merit a continued effort in this direction.


Following publication, concerns were raised regarding the integrity of the images in the published figures. The authors failed to provide a satisfactory explanation during the investigation, which was conducted in accordance with Frontiers’ policies.This retraction was approved by the Chief Editors of Frontiers in Oncology and the Chief Executive Editor of Frontiers. The authors have not responded to correspondence regarding this retraction.”


The journal and Chief Editors retract the 10 July 2019 article cited above.Following publication, concerns were raised regarding the integrity of some of the images in the article. After a corrigendum was published, additional concerns were identified, and a further investigation was conducted in line with Frontiers’ policies. The images were determined to have been manipulated, and the authors were unable to provide the raw data for the images in question. As a result, the data and conclusions of the article have been deemed unreliable and the article is therefore retracted.The retraction of the article was approved by the Chief Editor of Frontiers in Chemistry and the Chief Executive Editor of Frontiers. The authors did not respond to the retraction.


Following publication, concerns were raised regarding the validity of the data in the article. The authors failed to provide a satisfactory explanation during the investigation, which was conducted in accordance with Frontiers’ policies. Given the concerns the editors no longer have confidence in the findings presented in the article.This retraction was approved by the Chief Editors of Frontiers in Immunology- Inflammation and the Chief Executive Editor of Frontiers. The authors agree to respond to correspondence regarding this retraction.


Mycoplasma. It was confirmed by the authors when they tried to repeat their experiments unsuccessfully. The findings and conclusions reported in the article are no longer supported by the data. An investigation was conducted in accordance with Frontiers’ policies that confirmed this; therefore, the article has been retracted.Following publication, the authors contacted the Editorial Office to request the retraction of the cited article, stating that cell lines used in the article were contaminated by This retraction was approved by the Chief Editors of Frontiers in Pharmacology and the Chief Executive Editor of Frontiers. The authors agree to this retraction.


The journal retracts the 5 April 2023 article cited above.Following publication, concerns were raised regarding the scientific validity of the article. An investigation was conducted in accordance with Frontiers' policies. It was found that the complaints were valid and that the article does not meet the standards of editorial and scientific soundness for Frontiers in Public Health; therefore, the article has been retracted.This retraction was approved by the Chief Editors of Frontiers in Public Health and the Chief Executive Editor of Frontiers. The authors did not agree to this retraction.


The journal retracts the 2021 article cited above.Following publication, concerns were raised regarding the validity of the data in the article. The authors failed to provide the raw data or a satisfactory explanation during the investigation, which was conducted in accordance with Frontiers’ policies. Given the concerns, and the lack of raw data, the editors no longer have confidence in the findings presented in the article.This retraction was approved by the Chief Editors of Frontiers in Pharmacology and the Chief Executive Editor of Frontiers. The authors agree to this retraction.


The journal retracts the September 27, 2021 article cited above.Following publication, concerns were raised regarding the integrity of the images in the published figures. The authors failed to provide the raw data or a satisfactory explanation during the investigation, which was conducted in accordance with Frontiers’ policies. Given the concerns about the validity of the data, and the lack of raw data, the editors no longer have confidence in the findings presented in the article.This retraction was approved by the Chief Editors of Frontiers in Oncology and the Chief Executive Editor of Frontiers.The authors agree with this retraction.


The journal retracts the 2021 article cited above.Following publication, concerns were raised regarding the contributions of the authors of the article. Our investigation, conducted in accordance with Frontiers policies, confirmed a serious breach of our authorship policies and of publication ethics; the article is therefore retracted.This retraction was approved by the Chief Editors of Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology and the Chief Executive Editor of Frontiers. The authors do not agree to this retraction.


The journal retracts the 2018 article cited above.Figures 1C, 2B, 6C, E, and 7E. The authors failed to provide a satisfactory explanation during the investigation, which was conducted in accordance with Frontiers’ policies. As a result, the data and conclusions of the article have been deemed unreliable and the article has been retracted.Following publication, concerns were raised regarding the integrity of the images in the published figures. Image duplication concerns were identified in This retraction was approved by the Chief Editors of Frontiers in Pharmacology and the Chief Executive Editor of Frontiers. The authors have not responded to correspondence regarding this retraction.


The journal retracts the 2021 article cited above.Following publication, concerns were raised regarding the contributions of the authors of the article. Our investigation, conducted in accordance with Frontiers policies, confirmed a serious breach of our authorship policies and of publication ethics; the article is therefore retracted.This retraction was approved by the Chief Editors of Frontiers in Medicine and the Chief Executive Editor of Frontiers. The authors do not agree to this retraction.