[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 117 (Tuesday, June 20, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28078-28079]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12744]


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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:
    Brandi M. Baughman, Ph.D., National Institutes of Health (NIH): 
Based on Respondent's admission and analysis conducted by ORI, ORI 
found that Dr. Brandi M. Baughman, former Intramural Research Training 
Awardee, National Institute of Environmental and Health Sciences 
(NIEHS), NIH, engaged in research misconduct in research supported by 
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 
(NIDDK), NIH, grant R01 DK101645 and the NIEHS, NIH, Postdoctoral 
Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA).
    ORI found that falsified and/or fabricated data were included in 
eleven (11) figures in PLoS One 11(10):e0164378, 2016 (hereafter 
referred to as ``PLoS One 2016'').
    ORI found that Respondent falsified and/or fabricated data and text 
published in PLoS One 2016, in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, S1, S2, S3, 
S4, and S5, by claiming that a screening strategy of the kinase focused 
libraries, PKIS and 5K, was performed, when original data do not exist 
to support the claims. Respondent also claimed that three (3) 
inhibitory compounds for the inositol phosphate kinase, PPIP5K, were 
identified from the 5K library, when these compounds, UNC10112646, 
UNC10225354, and UNC10225498, were not part of the data set for the 5K 
library. Specifically, Respondent falsified and/or fabricated the 
characterization of the inhibitor compounds in:
     Figures 2 and 3 results for Z'-factor, %CV, 
signal:background ratio, and a 10-point dose response titration 
experiment for inhibitor UNC10225354
     claims in the text of PLoS One 2016 that eight molecules 
from the PKIS library and fifteen molecules from the 5K library 
inhibited PPIP5K activity by >50%
     Figure 4D results for the inhibition by UNC10112646, 
UNC10225354, and UNC10225498, in dose response assays against the 
kinase domain of PPIP5K
     Figures 5A and 5B results for isothermal titration 
calorimetry (ITC) assays for quantifying intermolecular interactions 
between PPIP5K and the inhibitors, UNC1011264 and UNC10225498, and 
Figure S5 for UNC10225354
     Figure 6 results for the analysis of the mechanisms of 
inhibition of PPIP5K by UNC10112646 and UNC10225498
     Figures 8A and 8B results for high performance liquid 
chromatography (HPLC) analysis for the effects of UNC10112646 or 
UNC10225498 on PPIP5K activity and IP6K activity
     Figures S1-S4 for experimental results further 
characterizing UNC10112646, UNC10225498, and other inhibitors, when the 
results were not supported by the experimental records.
    As a result of Respondent's admission, NIH recommended that the 
PLoS One 2016 paper be retracted.
    Dr. Baughman has entered into a Voluntary Settlement Agreement with 
ORI, in which she voluntarily agreed:
    (1) To have her research supervised for a period of three (3) years 
beginning on May 17, 2017; Respondent agreed to ensure that prior to 
the submission of an application for U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) 
support for a research project on which Respondent's participation is 
proposed and prior to Respondent's participation in any capacity on 
PHS-supported research, Respondent shall ensure that a plan for 
supervision of Respondent's duties is submitted to ORI for approval; 
the supervision plan must be designed to

[[Page 28079]]

ensure the scientific integrity of Respondent's research contribution; 
Respondent agreed that she will not participate in any PHS-supported 
research until a plan for supervision is submitted to and approved by 
ORI; Respondent agreed to maintain responsibility for compliance with 
the agreed upon supervision plan;
    (2) that for a period of three (3) years beginning on May 17, 2017, 
any institution employing her shall submit, in conjunction with each 
application for PHS funds, or report, manuscript, or abstract involving 
PHS-supported research in which Respondent is involved, a certification 
to ORI that the data provided by Respondent are based on actual 
experiments or are otherwise legitimately derived and that the data, 
procedures, and methodology are accurately reported in the application, 
report, manuscript, or abstract;
    (3) to exclude herself 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 May 17, 2017; and
    (4) as a condition of the Agreement, to the retraction or 
correction of PLoS One 11(10):e0164378d, 2016 (PMID: 27736936).

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

Kathryn M. Partin,
Director, Office of Research Integrity.
[FR Doc. 2017-12744 Filed 6-19-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-31-P