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The article discusses the retraction of research articles in the British Journal of Pharmacology (BJP) between the years 2000-2023. The frequency of retracted papers has been steadily increasing, with more than 0.2% of articles being retracted in 2023. The reasons for retraction include errors in the published article, failure to conform to editorial policies, and research misconduct such as data fabrication or falsification. Of the 18 retractions in BJP, 11 were due to proven fraud or strong indications of such practices. In some cases, authors associated with fraud-related retractions have been linked to multiple retractions, suggesting serial cases of fraud. The article suggests several measures to address this issue, including sharing information among journals, flagging individuals involved in fraud cases, and producing clear retraction notes to protect innocent authors. The author emphasizes the importance of cleaning up the scientific record and preventing future fraudulent publications through various approaches. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the issue of predatory journals, which prioritize profit over quality scholarship and compromise the integrity of scientific discourse. It highlights a symposium held at Semmelweis University, where editors in chief from top journals discussed topics such as detecting publication fraud, combating paper mills, and the importance of robust submission and review processes. The participants emphasized the need for collaboration and community-building to uphold scientific integrity. They also discussed the role of AI and open science in improving publication standards. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of non-predatory journals working together to combat unethical publications and maintain high standards in scientific research. [Extracted from the article]

The chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic properties of soy and soy‐derived compounds, especially isoflavones, have been extensively studied in recent years. However, in contrast to their anticancer effects, such as cell growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction, isoflavones have also been found to promote the growth of cancer cells. Therefore, the aim of this comprehensive review article is to present the current state of knowledge regarding the molecular mechanisms by which soy‐derived isoflavones target multiple cellular signalling pathways in cancer cells. Our findings indicate that soy‐derived isoflavones act as, among other things, potent modulators of HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR)/SWI/SNF‐related matrix‐associated actin‐dependent regulator of chromatin subfamily B member 1 (SMARCB1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/C–X–C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12)/C–X–C motif chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), 17‐β‐oestradiol (E2)/oestrogen receptor‐α (ERα)/neuroglobin (NGB) and sonic hedgehog signalling pathways, epigenetic modulatory agents (i.a. miR‐155, miR‐34a and miR‐10a‐5p) and cancer stem cells and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition inhibitors. The paper also discusses the latest epidemiological studies and clinical trials and provides an insight into recent extensive research on the chemo‐preventive and therapeutic potential of soy‐derived isoflavones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver disease constitutes a significant global health concern, particularly in China where it has distinctive characteristics. China grapples with a staggering 300 million cases, predominantly due to hepatitis B and metabolic non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease. Additionally, hepatocellular carcinoma has become a prevalent which is a lethal type of cancer. Despite the scarcity of innovative treatment options, Chinese hepatologists and researchers have achieved notable breakthroughs in the prevention, diagnosis, management and treatment of liver diseases. Traditional Chinese medicines have found widespread application in the treatment of various liver ailments owing to their commendable pharmacological efficacy and minimal side effects. Furthermore, there is a growing body of research in extracellular vesicles, cell therapy and gene therapy, offering new hope in the fight against liver diseases. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the epidemiological characteristics of liver diseases and the diverse array of treatments that Chinese scholars and scientists have pursued in critical field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite increasing awareness of the need to study both sexes, only two papers (one each in 2020 and 2021) discussed the limitations of using only one sex or implied that the findings might not generalise from one sex to the other. Also, when the use of a single sex was accepted by the editors, we asked that the manuscript should include a statement in the discussion, to acknowledge that the research findings might not generalise across both sexes and to consider what the findings might mean for the other sex. For instance, if only one sex were used, then they can ensure that (1) the justification has scientific merit; (2) the title and abstract specify the sex of the subjects that were used; and (3) the limitations of using only one sex are discussed fully. [Extracted from the article]

In 2021, we reached the 50th anniversary of the publication of Sir John Vane's seminal paper in Nature New Biology describing the experiments supporting his mechanistic hypothesis that inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis might explain the main pharmacological effects of aspirin and aspirin‐like drugs, that is, reduction in pain, fever and inflammation. Bengt Samuelsson's subsequent discoveries elucidating the cyclooxygenase pathway of platelet arachidonic acid metabolism motivated my research interest towards measuring platelet thromboxane A2 biosynthesis as a tool to investigate the clinical pharmacology of cyclooxygenase inhibition by aspirin in health and disease. What followed was a long, winding road of clinical research leading to the characterization of low‐dose aspirin as a life‐saving antiplatelet drug that still represents the cornerstone of antithrombotic therapy. Having witnessed and participated in these 50 years of aspirin research, I thought of providing a personal testimony of how things developed and eventually led to a remarkable success story of independent research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction to an article titled "RTP801 is a critical factor in the neurodegeneration process of A53T α-synuclein in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease under chronic restraint stress." The correction states that there were accidental mistakes during the preparation of the article, specifically in Figure 8e. The images of the A53T+ RTP801 shRNA+ CRS group in Figure 8e were incorrect, but the rest of the data in Figure 8e remain unchanged. The correction does not affect the interpretation of the results or the conclusions of the paper. The British Pharmacological Society apologizes for this error. [Extracted from the article]