Geng Report: Concerns Regarding Methodological Plausibility and Reagent Attribution in 'Diallyl Disulfide Attenuates Ionizing Radiation-Induced Migration and Invasion by Suppressing Nrf2 Signaling in Non–small-Cell Lung Cancer' (DOI: 10.1177/15593258211033114)

Academic fraud report · Geng Detector

Summary

This report assigns a rating of 'highly suspicious' to the 2021 publication in Dose-Response by Shuai Xu et al. (DOI: 10.1177/15593258211033114). Three principal textual concerns are identified. First, the Materials and Methods section states that 1×10^6 (1,000,000) cells were seeded into the upper chamber of a Transwell invasion assay, a quantity that is biologically implausible for a standard 24-well insert (typically 2×10^4 to 5×10^4 cells). Second, the β-actin antibody is attributed to Abcam with catalog number AP0060, which is not an Abcam format (Abcam uses 'ab' prefix, e.g., ab8226); AP0060 corresponds to other vendors such as Proteintech, suggesting misattribution. Third, the methods describe both MTS and CCK-8 assays for viability/proliferation without justification, an unusual design choice. Image-based and statistical analyses could not be performed because high-resolution figures and raw numerical data were unavailable. Confidence is high for the methodological implausibility findings (text-only, direct quotes); image forgery cannot be confirmed or excluded from the current evidence.

Verdict

🟠 Highly suspicious. Multiple internal inconsistencies and biologically implausible specifications in the Materials and Methods section raise serious concerns about the reliability and authenticity of the reported experiments. Image-based and statistical forensic analyses could not be completed.

Key findings

Implausible cell seeding density in Transwell assay. The methods state that 1×10^6 (1,000,000) cells were seeded into the upper chamber. Standard 24-well Transwell inserts (8 μm pore, <0.5 cm² membrane area) are routinely loaded with 2×10^4 to 5×10^4 cells. A 1×10^6 cell load would produce immediate overcrowding, nutrient depletion, and massive cell death or physical drop-through, invalidating the assay.
Incorrect reagent attribution for β-actin antibody. The antibody is assigned to Abcam (Cambridge, MA, USA) with catalog number AP0060. Abcam catalog numbers use the 'ab' prefix (e.g., ab8226 for β-actin). AP0060 is not an Abcam catalog number and is associated with other suppliers, indicating a misattribution likely arising from careless copying.
Contradictory proliferation/viability assays. The methods describe both the MTS assay and the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay for parallel proliferation experiments without explaining the switch. Laboratories typically standardize on a single assay; this inconsistency suggests the methods section may be compiled from heterogeneous sources.
Inability to assess image integrity. Western blot bands and bar-graph figures could not be examined for pixel-level duplication, splicing, or reuse. No underlying numerical tables were available for last-digit or other statistical forensic tests.

Evidence highlights

Direct textual statement from Materials and Methods: "1 × 10^6" cells seeded in Transwell invasion assay (pp. 2–3).
Antibody list attributes all primary antibodies (Nrf2, HO-1, NQO-1, MMP-2/9, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, β-actin) to Abcam, with β-actin listed as (AP0060).
Methods state: "The MTS assay was performed… Proliferation assays were performed using the cell counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) kit."
DOI: 10.1177/15593258211033114; Journal: *Dose-Response*, 2021.

Notes

All findings above are derived solely from the textual content of the article; no figure-level or data-level forensic analyses were possible with the materials provided.
The 1×10^6 cell figure may reflect a typographical error (off by 1–2 orders of magnitude), but the absence of any correction or clarification, combined with the antibody misattribution, undermines confidence in the methods as written.
A formal editorial or institutional investigation is warranted, particularly if original Transwell images, cell-counting records, and antibody purchase invoices can be obtained.
This automated assessment is intended for academic discussion and does not constitute a determination of misconduct.