Expression of Concern: Ontological Differences in First Compared to Third Trimester Human Fetal Placental Chorionic Stem Cells

Abstract

Figures

a I-CSC panel and the [Fig 2a](#pone.0329484.g002) panels present composite images. The individual image data used to compile these panels are provided in the S1–6 Files. The corresponding author clarified that the quantified results presented in [Fig 2b](#pone.0329484.g002) were not measured directly from the composite image, but from original raw images of these cells (S4–6 Files). The authors provided an updated [Fig 2](#pone.0329484.g002) presenting representative images used for the cell size quantification. Composite images presenting unmarked grouping of image elements obtained from dif

a](#pone.0329484.g002) - Individual cropped images eCSC (the Editors note that “Picture 3” and “Picture 13” appear similar).(ZIP)

Full text

Following the publication of this article [1], concerns were raised regarding results presented in Figs 1, 2, and 6. Specifically,

Regarding the concerns in Figs 1a and 2a, the corresponding author commented that the Fig 1a I-CSC panel and the Fig 2a panels present composite images. The individual image data used to compile these panels are provided in the S1–6 Files. The corresponding author clarified that the quantified results presented in Fig 2b were not measured directly from the composite image, but from original raw images of these cells (S4–6 Files). The authors provided an updated Fig 2 presenting representative images used for the cell size quantification. Composite images presenting unmarked grouping of image elements obtained from different fields or different parts of the same image is a breach of the PLOS One Image Manipulation guidelines in place at the time this article was submitted.

Regarding the concern with Fig 6B, the corresponding author stated that an incorrect panel was used during the preparation of this figure and provided an updated Fig 6.

The originally published Fig 6b I-CSC TRA-1–60 panel reports material from [2,3] published in 2012 by Elsevier, which is not offered under a CC BY license and is therefore excluded from this article’s [1] license.

The PLOS One Editors issue this Expression of Concern to notify readers of the above concerns and to relay the available data provided by the corresponding author.

Supporting information

S1 FileOriginal image data underlying Figs 1a-d.(ZIP)

S2 FileUnderlying data Fig 2a - Individual cropped images eCSC (the Editors note that “Picture 3” and “Picture 13” appear similar).(ZIP)

S3 FileUnderlying data Fig 2a - Individual cropped images ICSC.(ZIP)

S4 FileUnderlying data Fig 2a - l-CSC full collection of raw images part 1.(ZIP)

S5 FileUnderlying data Fig 2a - l-CSC full collection of raw images part 2.(ZIP)

S6 FileUnderlying data Fig 2a - l-CSC full collection of raw images part 3.(ZIP)

S7 FileIndividual level data underlying Figs 2b–e.(ZIP)

S8 FileOriginal image data underlying Fig 6b.(ZIP)