Findings of Research Misconduct, 5454 [2013-01454]

Download as PDF 5454 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 17 / Friday, January 25, 2013 / Notices Obtaining Copies of Proposals: Requesters may obtain a copy of the information collection documents from the General Services Administration, Regulatory Secretariat (MVCB), 1275 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20417, telephone (202) 501–4755. Please cite OMB Control No. 9000–0083, Qualification Requirements, in all correspondences. Dated: January 18, 2013. William Clark, Acting Director, Federal Acquisition Policy Division, Office of Governmentwide Acquisition Policy, Office of Acquisition Policy, Office of Governmentwide Policy. [FR Doc. 2013–01557 Filed 1–24–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820–EP–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Office of the Secretary Findings of Research Misconduct Office of the Secretary, HHS. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice is hereby given that the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) has taken final action in the following case: Rao M. Adibhatla, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin: Based on the report of an investigation conducted by the University of Wisconsin (UW) and additional analysis conducted by ORI in its oversight review, ORI found that Dr. Rao M. Adibhatla, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery, UW, engaged in research misconduct by falsifying results in two publications supported by National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), grant R01 NS042008 and in three unfunded applications that Dr. Adibhatla submitted to NINDS, NIH, as R01 NS042008–05, –05A1, and –05A2. The questioned papers are: mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with SUMMARY: 1. Adibhatla, R.M., Hatcher, J.F., Larsen E.C. et al. ‘‘CDP-choline Significantly Restores Phoshatidylcholine Levels by Differentially Affecting Phospholipase A2 and CTP:Phosphocholine Cytidylyltransferase after Stroke.’’ J. Biol. Chem. 281:6718– 6725, 2006 (hereafter referred to as the ‘‘JBC paper’’), as the sPLA2-IIA, CCTa, and PLD2 data in Figures 1B, 2A, and 3A, respectively 2. Adibhatla, R.M., & Hatcher, J.F. ‘‘Secretory phospholipase A2 IIA is Up-regulated by TNF-a and IL-1a/b after Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rat.’’ Brain Research 1134:199–205, 2007 (hereafter referred to as the ‘‘Brain Research paper’’), as the sPLA2-IIA data in Figures 2A and 2C. VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:39 Jan 24, 2013 Jkt 229001 ORI found that Respondent committed research misconduct by falsifying Western blot images as well as quantitative and statistical data obtained from purported scans of the films. The research studied the effect of cerebral ischemia on phospholipid homeostasis in an experimental animal model (SHR rat) of stroke during the course of reperfusion of the ischemic cortex. The falsified Western blot images and derivative quantitative data describe changes in levels of sPLA2-IIAA, CCTa, and of PLD2 during reperfusion in the ischemic cortex. Specifically, the Respondent: • Falsified the Western blot data demonstrating sPLA2 expression in a time course after ischemia in Figure 1B of the JBC paper and Figure 2A and 2C of the Brain Research paper by rearranging the bands such that the labels do not accurately portray what is in the lanes. He perpetuated the falsification by presenting the quantification of the single falsified Western blot in a bar graph as the average of five (5) replicate Western blots. The result in the paper cannot be substantiated by the actual experiments. • Falsified the Western blot data demonstrating CCTa expression in a time course assay after ischemia in Figure 2A of the JBC paper by rearranging the bands such that the labels do not accurately portray what is in the lanes. He perpetuated the falsification by presenting the quantification of the single falsified Western blot in a bar graph as the average of four (4) replicate Western blots and the six (6) hour time point was further falsified to make the results look better. The result in the paper cannot be substantiated by the actual experiments. • Falsified the quantification of a Western blot demonstrating PLD2 expression in a time course after ischemia in Figure 3A of the JBC paper by claiming a bar graph quantifying a single Western blot is the average of four Western blots. • Submitted the same falsified Western blot images and bar graph data in three unfunded grant applications: NS042008–05, NS042008–05A1, and NS042008–05A2. Specifically: < the falsified sPLA2-IIA data were submitted as Figures 3, 8, and 12 in the respective NS042008–05, –05A1, and –05A2 applications < the falsified CCTa data appeared as Figures 10, 15, and 16 in the respective –05, –05A1, and –05A2 applications < The falsified PLD2 bar graph data and associated statistical claims appeared as Figures 8 and 13 in the –05 and –05A1 applications respectively. PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Dr. Adibhatla has entered into a Voluntary Exclusion Agreement and has voluntarily agreed: (1) To exclude himself voluntarily for a period of two (2) years from the effective date of the Agreement from any contracting or subcontracting with any agency of the United States Government and from eligibility or involvement in nonprocurement programs of the United States pursuant to HHS’ Implementation (2 CFR part 376 et seq.) of OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension, 2 CFR Part 180 (collectively the ‘‘Debarment Regulations’’); (2) To exclude himself voluntarily from serving in any advisory capacity to PHS including, but not limited to, service on any PHS advisory committee, board, and/or peer review committee, or as a consultant for a period of three (3) years beginning on December 18, 2012; and (3) To request retraction of the following papers: • J. Biol. Chem. 281:6718–6725, 2006 • Brain Research 1134:199–205, 2007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Director, Office of Research Integrity, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 750, Rockville, MD 20852, (240) 453–8200. David E. Wright, Director, Office of Research Integrity. [FR Doc. 2013–01454 Filed 1–24–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4150–31–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Solicitation of Nominations for Organizations To Serve as Non-Voting Liaison Representatives to the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee (CFSAC) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: Authority: 42 U.S.C. 217a, section 222 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, as amended. The committee is governed by the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App 2), which sets forth standards for the formation and use of advisory committees. The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is soliciting nominations from qualified organizations to be considered for nonvoting liaison representative positions SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\25JAN1.SGM 25JAN1

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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 17 (Friday, January 25, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 5454]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01454]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary


Findings of Research Misconduct

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Office of Research Integrity 
(ORI) has taken final action in the following case:
    Rao M. Adibhatla, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin: Based on the 
report of an investigation conducted by the University of Wisconsin 
(UW) and additional analysis conducted by ORI in its oversight review, 
ORI found that Dr. Rao M. Adibhatla, Assistant Professor, Department of 
Neurological Surgery, UW, engaged in research misconduct by falsifying 
results in two publications supported by National Institute of 
Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health 
(NIH), grant R01 NS042008 and in three unfunded applications that Dr. 
Adibhatla submitted to NINDS, NIH, as R01 NS042008-05, -05A1, and -
05A2. The questioned papers are:

1. Adibhatla, R.M., Hatcher, J.F., Larsen E.C. et al. ``CDP-choline 
Significantly Restores Phoshatidylcholine Levels by Differentially 
Affecting Phospholipase A2 and CTP:Phosphocholine 
Cytidylyltransferase after Stroke.'' J. Biol. Chem. 281:6718-6725, 
2006 (hereafter referred to as the ``JBC paper''), as the 
sPLA2-IIA, CCT[alpha], and PLD2 data in Figures 1B, 2A, 
and 3A, respectively
2. Adibhatla, R.M., & Hatcher, J.F. ``Secretory phospholipase A2 IIA 
is Up-regulated by TNF-[alpha] and IL-1[alpha]/[beta] after 
Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rat.'' Brain Research 1134:199-
205, 2007 (hereafter referred to as the ``Brain Research paper''), 
as the sPLA2-IIA data in Figures 2A and 2C.

    ORI found that Respondent committed research misconduct by 
falsifying Western blot images as well as quantitative and statistical 
data obtained from purported scans of the films. The research studied 
the effect of cerebral ischemia on phospholipid homeostasis in an 
experimental animal model (SHR rat) of stroke during the course of 
reperfusion of the ischemic cortex. The falsified Western blot images 
and derivative quantitative data describe changes in levels of 
sPLA2-IIAA, CCT[alpha], and of PLD2 during reperfusion in 
the ischemic cortex.
    Specifically, the Respondent:
     Falsified the Western blot data demonstrating 
sPLA2 expression in a time course after ischemia in Figure 
1B of the JBC paper and Figure 2A and 2C of the Brain Research paper by 
rearranging the bands such that the labels do not accurately portray 
what is in the lanes. He perpetuated the falsification by presenting 
the quantification of the single falsified Western blot in a bar graph 
as the average of five (5) replicate Western blots. The result in the 
paper cannot be substantiated by the actual experiments.
     Falsified the Western blot data demonstrating CCT[alpha] 
expression in a time course assay after ischemia in Figure 2A of the 
JBC paper by rearranging the bands such that the labels do not 
accurately portray what is in the lanes. He perpetuated the 
falsification by presenting the quantification of the single falsified 
Western blot in a bar graph as the average of four (4) replicate 
Western blots and the six (6) hour time point was further falsified to 
make the results look better. The result in the paper cannot be 
substantiated by the actual experiments.
     Falsified the quantification of a Western blot 
demonstrating PLD2 expression in a time course after ischemia in Figure 
3A of the JBC paper by claiming a bar graph quantifying a single 
Western blot is the average of four Western blots.
     Submitted the same falsified Western blot images and bar 
graph data in three unfunded grant applications: NS042008-05, NS042008-
05A1, and NS042008-05A2. Specifically:
    < the falsified sPLA2-IIA data were submitted as Figures 
3, 8, and 12 in the respective NS042008-05, -05A1, and -05A2 
applications
    < the falsified CCT[alpha] data appeared as Figures 10, 15, and 16 
in the respective -05, -05A1, and -05A2 applications
    < The falsified PLD2 bar graph data and associated statistical 
claims appeared as Figures 8 and 13 in the -05 and -05A1 applications 
respectively.
    Dr. Adibhatla has entered into a Voluntary Exclusion Agreement and 
has voluntarily agreed:
    (1) To exclude himself voluntarily for a period of two (2) years 
from the effective date of the Agreement from any contracting or 
subcontracting with any agency of the United States Government and from 
eligibility or involvement in nonprocurement programs of the United 
States pursuant to HHS' Implementation (2 CFR part 376 et seq.) of OMB 
Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension, 2 
CFR Part 180 (collectively the ``Debarment Regulations'');
    (2) To exclude himself voluntarily from serving in any advisory 
capacity to PHS including, but not limited to, service on any PHS 
advisory committee, board, and/or peer review committee, or as a 
consultant for a period of three (3) years beginning on December 18, 
2012; and
    (3) To request retraction of the following papers:
     J. Biol. Chem. 281:6718-6725, 2006
     Brain Research 1134:199-205, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Director, Office of Research 
Integrity, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 750, Rockville, MD 20852, (240) 
453-8200.

David E. Wright,
Director, Office of Research Integrity.
[FR Doc. 2013-01454 Filed 1-24-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-31-P

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