WeChat in China\u2019s mobile health: a bibliometric analysis of trends, hotspots, and academic contributions

The rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has attracted worldwide attention. There were also reported gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with COVID-19. This work aims to analyze the global research trends in COVID-19 and digestive disease. The related papers on COVID-19 and digestive disease were identified with Pubmed and web of science core collection on September 3, 2021. Bibliometric visualization was conducted through VOSviewer and CiteSpace. The analytic research was based on original articles and reviews. There were 997 articles found, with citations ranging from 0 to 878. These articles were distributed among 86 countries and 355 journals. The USA mainly contributed (288 articles), where 3 of the top 10 institutions were located. Followed by China (215 articles) and Italy (160 articles). The highest level of scientific collaboration has been formed between the USA to China. The World Journal of Gastroenterology (39 papers) published the most significant number of articles. Concerning the research topic, the colon/small bowel had the largest number of articles, followed by the liver and pancreaticobiliary. "Liver injury," "inflammatory bowel disease," "management," and "endoscopy" were the hotspot keywords. The largest cluster of liver transplantation had offered hints regarding research frontiers. The analytic results showed that the liver, especially liver transplantation, and inflammatory bowel disease were the 2 most influential research topics in COVID-19 and digestive disease.

Stomach cancer is considered the fifth most common cancer worldwide. This study utilized bibliometric analysis to construct a visualization map of the relationship between stomach cancer and exosomes, aiming to reveal research trends and emerging themes, and provide direction for future research. Retrieve relevant literature on gastric cancer exosomes in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) over the past 25 years according to search criteria, and conduct bibliometric and visualization analysis using bibliometric software VOSviewer and CiteSpace. This study included a total of 727 articles, with an overall increasing trend in annual publication output. There were 68 countries involved, with China having the largest number of publications followed by the United States. A total of 957 research institutions were involved, with most of the top 10 institutions in terms of publication output being universities in China. The top 5 journals are Molecular Cancer, Cell death & disease, Cancers, International journal of molecular sciences, and Frontiers in oncology. A total of 4529 authors were involved, with 5 authors having a publication output of no less than 13 articles. A total of 35516 references were cited, with a total number of citations. The top publication is "Exosome-mediated transfer of mRNAs and microRNAs is a novel mechanism of genetic exchange between cells". Over the past 25 years, researchers have been dedicated to studying the field of exosomes related to gastric cancer, and research in this area is currently progressing steadily. Based on previous studies, exosomes in gastric adenocarcinoma serve as biomarkers, potential therapeutic targets, and post-resistance treatment, which represents current hotspots and emerging frontiers in research.

IntroductionDNGR-1 (CLEC9A), a C-type lectin receptor specifically expressed on human BDCA3+ and murine CD8α+/CD103+ conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1), acts as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) receptor that recognizes necrotic cell-derived F-actin and promotes antigen cross-presentation. Despite the growing focus on DNGR-1 in immunotherapy research, no comprehensive, global bibliometric analysis spanning the full research history of DNGR-1 has been reported to date to delineate its global research trends, hotspots, and evolutionary trajectories.MethodsWe retrieved 326 relevant DNGR-1 publications from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) and Scopus databases, covering the period from January 2008 to January 2026. Bibliometric visualization and analysis were performed using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Bibliometrix, with associated clinical trial data retrieved from PubMed to contextualize translational progress.ResultsAnnual publication output in this field has shown a steady upward trend, with the USA, the UK, and China ranking as the top three contributing countries. Monash University was the most productive institution (32 papers), Lahoud MH was the most prolific author (33 papers), and Sancho D was the most frequently co-cited researcher (228 citations). Frontiers in Immunology was the most prolific journal in this field. Thematic evolution in the field has shifted from an early focus on "C-type Lectins" and "myeloid cells" to recent research centered on "Adaptive Immunity", "Spatial Transcriptomics", and "Systems Biology", reflecting a clear evolution from foundational molecular mechanism research to cross-scale translational immunotherapy development.ConclusionThis study presents the first systematic bibliometric analysis of global DNGR-1 research, mapping the knowledge structure, research hotspots, and evolutionary trends of the field over the 18-year study window. Our integrated analysis of publication trends, clinical trial data, and research frontiers highlights the critical role of DNGR-1 in tumor immunotherapy and cDC1 functional regulation, providing theoretical and empirical insights for developing novel immunotherapies targeting the DNGR-1-cDC1 axis.

Background:Depression negatively affects well-being, leading to lower life satisfaction, impaired social and psychological functioning, and greater disability. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been proven effective across various levels and populations of depression. This study employs bibliometric analysis to clarify research trends, summarize historical and current directions, and predict future trends, aiding researchers and policymakers in effectively prioritizing research resources.Methods:To identify publications related to depression and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), we performed a computerized search of the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric analyses were conducted on multiple dimensions – including authors, journals, institutions, countries/regions, keywords, and references – using Excel 365, CiteSpace, Pajek, and VOSviewer.Results:Between 2005 and 2024, 6384 publications were analyzed. Publication trends showed a gradual rise, peaking at 494 publications in 2020, and subsequently experiencing a slow decline. Citations in this field demonstrated annual growth, reaching a peak of 33,882 citations in 2021, followed by a subsequent decline. The United States and the United Kingdom emerged as the leading countries in this research area, ranking highest in both publication output and citation counts. They host institutions that contribute significantly to publications and citations. Notable authors in this area include Gerhard Andersson, Pim Cuijpers, Per Carlbring, and Steven D. Hollon. Key journals publishing research in this area include the Journal of Affective Disorders, Behavior Research and Therapy, Mindfulness, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, and Psychological Medicine. Common keywords within this field are depression, followed by cognitive therapy, anxiety, psychotherapy, cognitive-behavior therapy, meta-analysis, mindfulness, randomized controlled-trial, symptoms, major depression, cognitive-behavioral therapy, efficacy, validation, cognitive behavior therapy, prevention, disorders, prevalence, psychometric properties, quality-of-life, and scale. These keywords indicate a sustained interest among researchers in cognitive interventions, treatment efficacy, preventive measures, and quality of life assessments. Furthermore, these research hotspots indicate that the psychometric properties and validation of treatments for depression are significant directions for future studies.Conclusions:This study employs bibliometric analysis to map research trends in CBT for depression, highlighting emerging trends and providing insights for researchers. It underscores CBT’s efficacy, adaptations, and integration with other therapies, emphasizing the need for continued research and interdisciplinary collaboration.

PurposeUpper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a rare malignant tumor of the urinary tract. Understanding this complex condition requires insights from multiple disciplines, including urology, oncology, molecular biology, genetics, and immunology. The objective of this study was to identify research trends and emerging research hotspots in UTUC research by using bibliometric analysis.MethodsUTUC publications were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) on 8 December 2024 and analyzed with VOSviewer and CiteSpace to assess trends, collaborations, and research hotspots, with emphasis on the top 50 citation bursts.ResultsThis study analyzed 3,226 publications on UTUC from 1998 to 2024, revealing a consistent upward trend in both annual publication output and citation frequency. The United States emerged as the leading country in terms of publication volume, total citations, and international collaboration intensity. Among research institutions, the Medical University of Vienna published the highest number of publications, while the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center achieved the highest H-index. Meanwhile, Pierre and Marie Curie University led in average citations per publication. Shahrokh F. Shariat was identified as the most prolific author, excelling in both citation count and H-index. Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations ranked highest in publication volume, whereas European Urology demonstrated the strongest academic impact. Keyword analysis indicated shifting research hotspots over time, with growing interest in kidney-sparing surgery, biomarker, neo/adjuvant therapies, and multicenter clinical trials, signaling potential future directions for UTUC research.ConclusionOur bibliometric analysis provides an overview of current UTUC research trends and emerging topics, which may help researchers identify areas for further investigation.

Background:Due to the complexity and challenges in the treatment of kidney diseases, it is particularly important to explore new therapeutic approaches, such as natural plant components, to enhance efficacy and reduce toxic side effects. In recent years, quercetin has received widespread attention from researchers in the field of kidney diseases, and a series of clinical and animal experiments have been conducted, resulting in a large number of academic papers and publications. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis to understand the current research status, research hotspots, and development trends of quercetin in kidney diseases, aiming to provide potential research directions for further studies on the treatment of kidney diseases.Methods:Publications were retrieved related to quercetin and the kidney from the Science Citation Index Expanded database within the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric analysis was performed, including annual publication analysis, keyword co-occurrence analysis, collaboration network analysis, and citation analysis, using software such as VOSviewer, CiteSpace, Bibliometrix package based on R software, and Microsoft Excel. The results of the bibliometric analysis were visualized.Results:This study included a total of 1253 literature items related to quercetin and kidney diseases between the years 2000 and 2022. The annual publication output showed an overall exponential growth trend. The most frequent keywords were “quercetin” followed by “oxidative stress.” J Ethnopharmacol was the journal with the highest publication output in this field. Yin Xiaoxing was the most prolific author, and King Saud University was the institution with the highest publication count. As for countries, China had the highest publication count.Conclusion:Through bibliometrics analysis, it has been found that quercetin has received increasing attention from researchers in the field of kidney diseases. The oxidative stress and antioxidant properties of quercetin are the main areas of focus. Diabetic nephropathy is the primary disease being studied. Network pharmacology is an emerging research method, with a particular emphasis on studying the relevant signaling pathways.

ABSTRACTIntroductionSchizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder increasingly recognized for its association with immune responses. This bibliometric analysis aims to systematically evaluate global research trends, emerging themes, and collaborative networks in the study of schizophrenia and immune response.MethodsPublications related to schizophrenia and immune response were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric tools, including VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and the R package “bibliometrix,” were used to analyze keyword co‐occurrence and collaboration networks among countries, institutions, journals, and authors.ResultsA total of 1556 articles were published between 1980 and 2024, with an annual growth rate of 11.39%. The United States led globally in both publication volume (364 articles) and citation count (18,328 citations). The University of California system and Harvard University were the leading institutions, whereas Brain, Behavior, and Immunity was the most influential journal. Maes M. ranked first in publication output with 35 articles. Co‐occurrence analysis of keywords identified five research clusters: neuroinflammation and cellular mechanisms, immune markers and clinical responses, autoimmunity and peripheral immune systems, genetic susceptibility and molecular pathways, and neuroinflammation and stress responses. The keyword “disorder” experienced a sustained citation burst in 2024.ConclusionThis study indicates that research on schizophrenia and immune responses remains focused on mechanistic exploration. Future studies should prioritize integrating clinical manifestations with molecular mechanisms, combining multi‐omics data with clinical phenotypes to deeply investigate the role of immune regulation in disease pathogenesis and treatment, thereby advancing precision medicine.

This study aimed to systematically analyze the research status, hotspots, and trends of oncolytic virotherapy (OV) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from 2000 to mid-2025, scientifically predict future directions, facilitate clinical translation, and provide a reference for subsequent studies in this field. Based on the Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus databases, bibliometric methods were adopted combined with visualization analyses using R software (version 4.5.1), VOSviewer (version 1.6.19), and CiteSpace (version 6.4.R1). A total of 341 publications were retrieved from the WoSCC database and 624 from the Scopus database. Based on the combined analysis of both databases, the field exhibited a continuous upward trend in publication output. The top four countries in both databases were China, the USA, Germany, and Korea. China ranked first globally with 152 publications in WoSCC and 212 in Scopus, but its international co-authorship rates (13.2% and 17.5%, respectively) were markedly lower than those of the USA (34.4% and 34.9%) and Korea (40.0% and 33.3%). Molecular Therapy is the most influential core journal in this field. Research hotspots focus on four main areas: the mechanisms of oncolytic virus therapy for HCC, the evolution of genetically engineered armed vectors, combination therapies involving oncolytic viruses, and the challenges and breakthroughs in clinical translation. Future advances in this field will likely focus on three key directions: (1) optimizing transgene expression to balance antiviral and antitumor immunity; (2) developing personalized therapeutic strategies based on biomarkers such as immune cell subsets; (3) advancing clinical validation and regulatory approval of combination regimens through multicenter clinical studies. OV for HCC has entered a new integrated stage featuring mechanistic innovation, vector optimization, and precise combination therapy. The clear future directions can provide a well-defined roadmap for clinical translation, which is expected to yield more effective novel therapeutic strategies for HCC.

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a precancerous intraepidermal lesion characterized by atypical keratinocyte proliferation. In recent years, research on AK has made continuous progress, but there has been no bibliometric study on it. This study aims to use bibliometric methods to analyze the research and treatment hotspots of AK in recent years, in order to further understand the development direction and frontiers of this field. Core literature related to AK was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. CiteSpace and VOSviewer software were employed to conduct a detailed analysis based on publication output, countries/regions, research institutions, journals, authors, and keywords. A total of 2,796 documents were included in this study. The United States, Germany, and Italy emerged as the leading contributors to AK research, with the University of Copenhagen identified as the most prolific research institution. Among authors, Pellacani G has published the highest number of articles, while the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology ranks as the most influential journal in this field. The main research hotspots and frontiers in the field of AK are as follows: (1) Molecular mechanisms of malignant transformation to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), particularly involving genomic instability (eg, TP53 mutations); (2) Personalized therapies optimized through immune profiling, genetic biomarkers, and lesion morphology; (3) Emerging frontiers include non-invasive diagnostic technologies and treatment monitoring, which are receiving significant attention. This study summarizes the current research status and key areas of focus in AK, providing a foundation for clinical decision-making and guiding future research directions.

Zirconia in dentistry: A 25-year bibliometric analysis of research trends, thematic evolution, and emerging frontiers.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a global disease with high morbidity and mortality. At present, the treatment of AKI still lacks targeted measures. Ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death, plays an essential role in the initiation and progression of AKI. Current evidence proves that targeting ferroptosis is supposed to be a novel potential strategy to cure AKI. In this study, we aim to use bibliometric analysis to identify research trends and hotspots in the field of "ferroptosis in AKI". We chose the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED) index of the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) as the source database for data retrieval. Data were retrieved from the WoSCC on May 24, 2022. Full records and cited references of all the documents in WoSCC were collected. The R software and the Online Analysis Platform of Literature Metrology were used for data analysis and visual analysis. There were 120 documents on "ferroptosis in AKI" in the WOSCC from 2014 to 2022 (May 24, 2022). There was a clear upward trend each year in the number of documents published. According to WoS report, China, the United States, and Germany were the top three countries involved in this research area, the majority of publications were included in the subject area "Cell Biology". Technical University of Dresden contributed the most publications, followed by Central South University and University of Pittsburgh. The Journal of Cell Death and Disease had the highest H-index and contributed the most publications. Linkermann A authored 16 articles and had the highest H-index. Multifactorial analysis of the keywords show that the research field is divided into two clusters. The most contributing publications and the most cited publications were also determined by factorial analysis. This bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive analysis of research trends and hot spots on the topic of "ferroptosis in AKI". The study of ferroptosis-related AKI research remains in its early stages. There will be a dramatically increasing number of publications on this field. Further research should focus on exploring the mechanisms of crosstalk between ferroptosis and other programmed cell deaths, and improves clinical applications and therapeutic effects against AKI.

BackgroundNursing professionals play a crucial role in the rehabilitation of lung transplant patients, and over the past few decades, there have been many reports on this topic. However, a comprehensive analysis of the overarching status and prevailing research trends in lung transplant nursing research has not yet been conducted. Thus, we conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to clarify the current research trends and predict future research hotspots in this field.MethodsScientific publications on lung transplant nursing were systematically retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) from database establishment to 2024. CiteSpace was used to analyze publication output trends, national and institutional collaborations, journals, authors, co-citations of journals and authors, references, and keyword bursts.ResultsIn total, 133 studies focusing on lung transplant nursing were identified. Among the institutions, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth System of Higher Education (PCSHE) had the most prolific publication output, and the United States emerged as the leading contributor among the countries. Current research hotspots include perioperative care, postoperative complication monitoring and prevention, and aspects related to enhancing the quality of life of patients. Long-term priorities in this domain involve treatment adherence and psychological health, particularly anxiety.ConclusionsPresently, lung transplant nursing is in an exploratory phase, characterized by a limited publication volume and overall slow development. Based on the CiteSpace results, we recommend more active collaborations between various countries, institutions, and authors to conduct research related to perioperative care, mental health, and treatment compliance in lung transplantation, to improve the survival and quality of life of patients after lung transplantation.

Liver cancer (LC) is one of the most common malignancies. Currently, nanotechnology has made great progress in LC research, and many studies on LC nanotechnology have been published. This study aims to discuss the current status, hot spots, and research trends in this field through bibliometric analysis. The Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database was searched for papers related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) included from January 2000 to November 2022, and its research hotspots and trends were visualized and analyzed with the help of VOSviewer. In addition, a search was conducted to find LC papers related to nanotechnology. Then we used the visual analysis software VOSviewer and CiteSpace to evaluate the contributions of countries/regions, authors, and journals related to the topic and analyze keywords to understand the research priorities and hot spots in the field as well as the development direction. There are 1908 papers in the highly cited literature on LC, and its research hotspots are pathogenesis, risk factors, and survival rate. The literature on the application of nanotechnology in LC had 921 papers. Among them, China (n=560, 60.8%) and the United States (n=170, 18.5%) were the countries with the highest number of published papers. Wang Yan (n=11) and Llovet JM (n=131) were the first authors and co-cited authors, respectively. The International Journal of Nanomedicine was the most prolific academic journal (n=41). In addition to "hepatocellular carcinoma" and "nanoparticles", the most frequent keyword was "drug delivery". In recent years, "metastasis" and "diagnosis" appeared in the keyword bursts. This indicates that the application of nanoparticles in the early diagnosis and drug delivery of LC (including liver metastasis) has a good prospect. Nanotechnology has received more and more attention in the medical field in recent years. As nanoparticles are easily localized in organelles and cells, they can increase drug permeability in tumor tissues, improve drug delivery efficiency and reduce drug toxicity. Our research results were the first scientific evaluation of the application of nanotechnology in LC, providing scholars with research hotspots and development trends.

Objectives: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) represents a common and severe complication of diabetes, posing a substantial risk factor for amputation. Over the past decade, the number of research publications on DFU has been increasing year by year. A bibliometric analysis was carried out to explore the tendencies, frontiers, and hotspots of global scientific output in DFU research during the past decade. Methods: This study comprehensively retrieved publications and recorded information spanning from 2014 to 2023, utilizing the expansive Science Citation Index (SCI-Expanded) within the prestigious Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), ensuring a comprehensive overview of research trends over the past decade. Utilizing VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and WeChat online tools, we performed a comprehensive bibliometric and visualization analysis, investigating the annual output trends, leading nations, active institutions, journals, prominent authors, co-cited references, and key terms that characterize the overall distribution of research in the field. Results: Overall, we acquired 6775 articles and reviews, with a notable rise in the yearly count of publications dedicated to DFU research over the preceding 10 years. The United States led in both the number of publications and achieved the highest H-index and citation count, showcasing its dominance in the field. Texas University System and the International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds emerged as the most prolific institutions and periodicals, respectively, in terms of output. The 2017 paper by Armstrong DG garnered a total Global Citation Score (GCS) of 1711, securing the top spot among its peers. The most frequently occurring keywords included “diabetic foot,” “diabetic foot ulcer,” “management,” “risk-factors,” and “care.” This study indicates that the publication volume related to DFU is on the rise. The top 3 contributor authors were Armstrong, David G., Lavery, Lawrence A., and Van Netten, Jaap. Emerging research hotspots encompassed “epidermal growth factor,” “wound care,” “nanoparticles,” “ulcer recurrence,” “IWGDF guidance,” and “skin temperature,” indicating the dynamic progress of new technologies and methods in the field of DFU treatment. Conclusions: Our analysis illuminated the prevailing research hotspots and evolving trends in DFU over the last 10 years. Grasping the pivotal indicators (researchers, nations, institutions, journals, etc) and research hotspots in DFU can empower scholars with a deeper understanding of the field and foster insights into prospective research avenues.

BackgroundMedication regimen simplification has gained increasing attention as a strategy to reduce treatment burden and improve medication use. However, the overall development, knowledge structure, and emerging themes of this field have not been systematically mapped, hindering efforts to identify clear research priorities and support strategies that facilitate the translation of simplified approaches into optimized medication management.ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine global research trends, collaboration patterns, and research hot spots in medication regimen simplification.MethodsA bibliometric analysis was conducted to characterize the research landscape of medication regimen simplification. Publications from the Web of Science Core Collection (January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2025) were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 365, VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Bibliometrix in R for publication trends, countries and regions, institutions, authors, cocited references, keyword co-occurrence, clustering, and thematic evolution.ResultsA total of 468 publications were included in this bibliometric analysis. Annual publication output showed an upward trend, although fluctuations occurred across years. The United States ranked first in publication output and total citations, and Monash University was the most productive institution. Collaboration was concentrated in a limited number of country, institutional, and author clusters, with the strongest international links between North America and Europe. Cocitation and keyword analyses showed that the field evolved from a focus on HIV-related regimen optimization and medication adherence to broader themes in chronic disease management, including type 2 diabetes, heart failure, long-term care, and medication regimen complexity.ConclusionsResearch on medication regimen simplification has grown over time, but collaboration remains relatively concentrated. Current hot spots center on its use in specific disease settings and on medication complexity and adherence, whereas recent trends highlight real-world implementation. Future research should further examine the long-term impact and sustainability of simplification strategies.