[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 236 (Tuesday, December 9, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68627-68628]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-30535]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary


Findings of Scientific 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) and the Acting Assistant Secretary for Health have taken final 
action in the following case:
    Jianhua (James) Xu, M.S., University of Alberta: Based on the 
University of Alberta (UA) Report, the respondent's admissions, and 
additional analysis conducted by ORI in its oversight review, the U.S. 
Public Health Service (PHS) found that Jianhua (James) Xu, M.S., former 
technician at UA, engaged in scientific misconduct in research funded 
by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National 
Institutes of Health (NIH), grant R01 HL61751-01.
    Mr. Xu performed experiments on the enzyme lipid phosphate 
phosphatase-1 (LPP-1) from a family of enzymes that affect signal 
transduction by glycerolipid and sphingolipid phosphate esters as 
second messengers. A typical experiment involved the investigation of 
the effects on various glycerolipids, sphingolipids, and other related 
effector compounds on the activity of LPP-1 either in tissue culture 
cells or isolated enzyme preparations. Mr. Xu falsified data by adding 
vanadate to inhibit the enzyme LPP-1, in experiments that purported to 
show that the inhibition was the result of adding natural lipid 
effectors. He was also observed deliberately falsifying other 
colleagues' experiments in a similar manner.
    Mr. Xu admits that he alone was responsible for the falsification.
    Specifically, Mr. Xu committed scientific misconduct by falsifying 
data for Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, 2B, 2D, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8A that he 
published in: James Xu, et al. ``Lipid phosphate phosphatase-1 and 
Ca2+ control lysophosphatidate signaling through EDG-2 
receptors.'' Journal of Biological Chemistry 275:27520-27530, 2000. The 
paper was retracted in Journal of Biological Chemistry 278:38104, 2003.
    Due to the falsified data, Manuscript C0007049 by Xu, et 
al. entitled ``Transactivation of platelet-derived growth factor 
receptors by lysophosphatidate causes tryrosine phosphorylation of 
lipid phosphate phosphatase-1 and feedback inhibition of EDG-2 receptor 
activation'' was withdrawn. Also, ORI concluded Mr. Xu committed 
scientific misconduct by deliberately falsifying experiments of other 
colleagues in the laboratory by adding vanadate to their experiments 
without the authorization or knowledge of his colleagues.

[[Page 68628]]

    Mr. Xu provided the following in an admission statement dated March 
23, 2003:
    For the purpose of disposition of this matter by the Office of 
Research Integrity (``ORI'') of the U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services, I confirm that I began falsifying results of experiments, 
relating to the inhibition of the enzyme lipid phosphate phosphatase 
(LPP-1), in which I was initially involved. The falsification consisted 
of the addition of vanadate to tubes containing certain substances. In 
order to cover up my initial falsification, I also falsified the 
experiments of others who were doing related experiments. I only 
falsified these subsequent experiments to the extent necessary to cover 
up the original falsification and did not falsify any other 
experiments.
    The research misconduct was significant because the research 
focused on the study of signal transduction by lipid messenger 
molecules, which play an important role in regulating cellular 
processes as diverse as wound repair, regeneration of injured corneal 
tissues, adipocyte growth obesity, and cell division potentially 
involved in the development of cancers.
    Mr. Xu has entered into a Voluntary Exclusion Agreement (Agreement) 
in which he has voluntarily agreed for a period of four (4) years, 
beginning on November 10, 2003:
    (1) To exclude himself 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 Government 
referred to as ``covered transactions'' as defined in the debarment 
regulations at 45 CFR part 76; and
    (2) to exclude himself 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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Director, Division of Investigative 
Oversight, Office of Research Integrity, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 
750, Rockville, MD 20852, (301) 443-5330.

Chris B. Pascal,
Director, Office of Research Integrity.
[FR Doc. 03-30535 Filed 12-8-03; 8:45 am]
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