Correction: Evaluation of the Profile and Treatment Results for Allergic Children

Abstract

This corrects "Evaluation of the Profile and Treatment Results for Allergic Children." Adv. Life Sci. 2023 Oct;10S(1):19–24. doi: 10.62940/als.v10i0.1981.

Following the publication of this article, an internal audit — conducted in response to quality concerns raised by Web of Science — identified concerns regarding the adequacy of the peer review process, prompting an Editorial Expression of Concern on 20 June 2025. A subsequent detailed post-publication review identified significant ethical, methodological, and analytical shortcomings, including the retrospective analysis of clinical data from 422 pediatric patients without documented institutional ethical approval or informed consent, alongside multiple internal contradictions in reported findings. These concerns led to the initiation of a formal retraction process on 26 June 2025 in accordance with COPE guidelines and established publishing standards. However, following receipt of detailed justifications from the authors — including the provision of an institutional ethical approval statement and point-by-point responses addressing the methodological and analytical concerns — the Editorial Expression of Concern was rescinded on 23 July 2025. The article has additionally undergone minor corrections related to language and units. The earlier published copy of this article is available on request at als.editor@als-journal.com.

The Advancements in Life Sciences Editorial Office regrets that these issues were not identified prior to publication.

History of the correction process

Editorial Expression of Concern

20 June 2025: Following publication of this paper, the internal audit (consequent to concerns on quality raised by Web of Science) notified Advancements in Life Sciences about insufficient peer review. By this Editorial Expression of Concern, we alert the scientific community of this incidence as we assess if the reported scientific findings are reliable.

Retraction in Process

26 June 2025: Following a detailed post-publication review, significant ethical, methodological, and analytical concerns have been identified in this article. Specifically, the study retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 422 pediatric patients without any declaration of institutional ethical approval or documentation of informed consent, which constitutes a serious breach of ethical standards for human subject research. In addition, multiple methodological and statistical deficiencies were observed including but not limited to internal contradictions in reported findings (e.g., sex-based prevalence). These deficiencies make the findings scientifically unreliable. A formal retraction process has therefore been initiated in accordance with COPE guidance and established publishing standards. The retraction process will conclude upon receiving responses from the corresponding authors. In the meantime, the full text of the article shall remain inaccessible for citation. A show cause notice has also been issued to the responsible editorial team member for the evident oversight during the peer-review and editorial decision process.

Rescinded: Editorial Expression of Concern

23 July 2025: Editorial expression of concern issued on 20 June 2025 is hereby rescinded on account of authors' following justifications of the found technical shortcomings in light of COPE guidelines. An institutional ethical approval statement has also been provided by the authors to address research ethics concern.

1. Justification for the Retrospective Study Design
2. Justification for Limited Generalizability
3. Justification for Sex and Location Differences
4. Justification for Feeding Type Analysis
5. Justification for Using Total IgE and Eosinophil Counts
6. Justification for Outcome Classification
7. Justification for the Role of Environmental Factors and Viral Triggers
8. Justification for Use of Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS) as Primary Therapy
9. Justification for Small Sample in Some Subgroups (e.g., Sulfonamide Reactions)
10. Justification for Limitations

Editorial Note

23 July 2025: You are viewing the latest version of this article having language and unit corrections.