This article surveys topic distributions of the academic literature that employs the terms bibliometrics, scientometrics, and informetrics. This exploration allows informing on the adoption of those terms and publication patterns of the authors acknowledging their work to be part of bibliometric research. We retrieved 20,268 articles related to bibliometrics and applied methodologies that exploit various features of the dataset to surface different topic representations. Across them, we observe major trends including discussions on theory, regional publication patterns, databases, and tools. There is a great increase in the application of bibliometrics as science mapping and decision-making tools in management, public health, sustainability, and medical fields. It is also observed that the term bibliometrics has reached an overall generality, while the terms scientometrics and informetrics may be more accurate in representing the core of bibliometric research as understood by the information and library science field. This article contributes by providing multiple snapshots of a field that has grown too quickly beyond the confines of library science.

Depression can trigger an inflammatory response that affects the immune system, leading to the development of other diseases related to inflammation. Xiao-Yao-San (XYS) is a commonly used formula in clinical practice for treating depression. However, it remains unclear whether XYS has a modulating effect on the inflammatory response associated with depression. The objective of this study was to examine the role and mechanism of XYS in regulating the anti-inflammatory response in depression. A chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mouse model was established to evaluate the antidepressant inflammatory effects of XYS. Metabolomic assays and network pharmacology were utilized to analyze the pathways and targets associated with XYS in its antidepressant inflammatory effects. In addition, molecular docking, immunohistochemistry, Real-Time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR), and Western Blot were performed to verify the expression of relevant core targets. The results showed that XYS significantly improved depressive behavior and attenuated the inflammatory response in CUMS mice. Metabolomic analysis revealed the reversible modulation of 21 differential metabolites by XYS in treating depression-related inflammation. Through the combination of liquid chromatography and network pharmacology, we identified seven active ingredients and seven key genes. Furthermore, integrating the predictions from network pharmacology and the findings from metabolomic analysis, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA) and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ (PPARG) were identified as the core targets. Molecular docking and related molecular experiments confirmed these results. The present study employed metabolomics and network pharmacology analyses to provide evidence that XYS has the ability to alleviate the inflammatory response in depression through the modulation of multiple metabolic pathways and targets.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented a challenge to the global research community as scientists rushed to find solutions to the devastating crisis. Drawing expectations from resilience theory, this paper explores how the trajectory of and research community around the coronavirus research was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Characterizing epistemic clusters and pathways of knowledge through extracting terms featured in articles in early COVID-19 research, combined with evolutionary pathways and statistical analysis, the results reveal that the pandemic disrupted existing lines of coronavirus research to a large degree. While some communities of coronavirus research are similar pre- and during COVID-19, topics themselves change significantly and there is less cohesion amongst early COVID-19 research compared to that before the pandemic. We find that some lines of research revert to basic research pursued almost a decade earlier, whilst others pursue brand new trajectories. The epidemiology topic is the most resilient among the many subjects related to COVID-19 research. Chinese researchers in particular appear to be driving more novel research approaches in the early months of the pandemic. The findings raise questions about whether shifts are advantageous for global scientific progress, and whether the research community will return to the original equilibrium or reorganize into a different knowledge configuration.

Astragalus mongholicus, Solanum nigrum Linn, Lotus plumule, Ligusticum are widely used traditional herbal medicines for cancer treatment in China. They were typical drugs selected from Gubenyiliu II and series of formula (GYII), which were developed on the foundation of YIQIHUOXUEJIEDU theory. In the present study, four active ingredients (Astragaloside IV, α-solanine, neferine, and 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine) derived from medicines above were applied in combination as SANT.

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne febrile illness. Southeast Asia experienced severe dengue outbreaks in 2019, and over 1000 cases had been reported in Jiangxi, a previously known low-epidemic region in China. However, the emergence of a dengue virus epidemic in a non-epidemic region remains unclear.

Members of the high-affinity potassium transporter (HKT) protein family regulate the uptake and homeostasis of sodium and potassium ions, but little research describes their roles in response to abiotic stresses in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). In this study, we identified and characterized a total of 36 HKT genes from the species comprising the triangle of U model (U-triangle species): B. rapa, B. nigra, B. oleracea, B. juncea, B. napus, and B. carinata. We analyzed the phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, motif compositions, and chromosomal distributions of the HKT family members of rapeseed. Based on their phylogenetic relationships and assemblage of functional domains, we classified the HKT members into four subgroups, HKT1;1 to HKT1;4. Analysis of the nonsynonymous substitutions (Ka), synonymous substitutions (Ks), and the Ka/Ks ratios of HKT gene pairs suggested that these genes have experienced strong purifying selective pressure after duplication, with their evolutionary relationships supporting the U-triangle theory. Furthermore, the expression profiles of BnaHKT genes varies among potassium, phytohormone and heavy-metal treatment. Their repression provides resistance to heavy-metal stress, possibly by limiting uptake. Our results systematically reveal the characteristics of HKT family proteins and their encoding genes in six Brassica species and lay a foundation for further exploration of the role of HKT family genes in heavy-metal tolerance.

Isobavachalcone (IBC) is a natural chalcone compound widely distributed in traditional Chinese medicine Psoralea corylifolia L., and Tibetan medicine Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medik. Etc.. Among them, Psoralea corylifolia has the effect of tonifying the kidney and strengthening Yang, and it is recorded in the Medicinal theory that it can be used in managing rheumatism and arthralgia. In addition, It has been included in many prescriptions in traditional Chinese medicine as the main herb for managing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Similarly, Abelmoschus manihot is a common Tibetan medicinal herb and is a common medicinal material in Tibetan medicine and reported in ancient medicinal books such as Jing Zhu Ben Cao and Si Bu Yi Dian to possess the effect of Ganhuangshui and thus can be used in treating Huangshui diseases (such as RA). Previous research has demonstrated IBC to possess numerous biological activities, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and immunomodulatory. Nevertheless, its efficacy and potential mechanism in treating rheumatoid arthritis are yet to be investigated.

In everyday face-to-face communication, speakers use speech to transfer information and rely on co-occurring nonverbal cues, such as hand and facial gestures. The integration of speech and gestures facilitates both language comprehension and the skill of the theory of mind. Consecutive dialogue interpreting (DI) allows dyads of different linguistic backgrounds to communicate with each other. The interpreter interprets after the interlocutor has finished a turn, so the interlocutor watches the gesture first and hears the target language a few seconds later, resulting in speech-gesture asynchrony. In this study, we used the functional near-infrared spectroscopy hyperscanning technique to investigate the influence of speech-gesture asynchrony on different levels of communication. Twenty groups were recruited for the DI experiments. The results showed that when the interpreter performed consecutive interpreting, the time-lagged neural coupling at the temporoparietal junction decreased compared to simultaneous interpreting. It suggests that speech-gesture asynchrony significantly weakened the ability of interlocutors to understand each other's mental state, and the decreased neural coupling was significantly correlated with the interpreter's interpretation skill. In addition, the time-aligned neural coupling at the left inferior frontal gyrus increased, which suggests that, as compensation, the interlocutor's verbal working memory increases in line with the communication process.

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT) is a classic TCM formula to clear "heat" and "poison" that exhibits antirheumatic activity. Here we investigated the therapeutic mechanisms of HLJDT at protein network level using bioinformatics approach. It was found that HLJDT shares 5 target proteins with 3 types of anti-RA drugs, and several pathways in immune system and bone formation are significantly regulated by HLJDT's components, suggesting the therapeutic effect of HLJDT on RA. By defining an antirheumatic effect score to quantitatively measure the therapeutic effect, we found that the score of each HLJDT's component is very low, while the whole HLJDT achieves a much higher effect score, suggesting a synergistic effect of HLJDT achieved by its multiple components acting on multiple targets. At last, topological analysis on the RA-associated PPI network was conducted to illustrate key roles of HLJDT's target proteins on this network. Integrating our findings with TCM theory suggests that HLJDT targets on hub nodes and main pathway in the Hot ZENG network, and thus it could be applied as adjuvant treatment for Hot-ZENG-related RA. This study may facilitate our understanding of antirheumatic effect of HLJDT and it may suggest new approach for the study of TCM pharmacology.

Urinary stone is conceptualized as a chronic metabolic disorder punctuated by symptomatic stone events. It has been shown that the occurrence of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) during stone formation is regulated by crystal growth modifiers. Although crystallization inhibitors have been recognized as a therapeutic modality for decades, limited progress has been made in the discovery of effective modifiers to intervene with stone disease. In this study, we have used metabolomics technologies, a powerful approach to identify biomarkers by screening the urine components of the dynamic progression in a bladder stone model. By in-depth mining and analysis of metabolomics data, we have screened five differential metabolites. Through density functional theory studies and bulk crystallization, we found that three of them (salicyluric, gentisic acid and succinate) could effectively inhibit nucleation in vitro. We thereby assessed the impact of the inhibitors with an EG-induced rat model for kidney stones. Notably, succinate, a key player in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, could decrease kidney calcium deposition and injury in the model. Transcriptomic analysis further showed that the protective effect of succinate was mainly through anti-inflammation, inhibition of cell adhesion and osteogenic differentiation. These findings indicated that succinate may provide a new therapeutic option for urinary stones.

Herbal pairs are used as a bridge between single herb and polyherbal formulas in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to provide rationale for complicated TCM formulas. The effectiveness and rationality of TCM herbal pairs have been widely applied as a strategy for dietary supplements. However, due to the complexity of the phytochemistry of individual and combinations of herbal materials, it is difficult to reveal their effective and synergistic mechanisms from a molecular or systematic point of view. In order to address this question, UPLC-Q-TOF/MS analysis and System Pharmacology tools were applied to explore the mechanism of action, using a White Peony (Paeoniae Radix Alba) and Licorice (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma)-based dietary supplement. A total of sixteen chemical constituents of White Peony and Licorice were isolated and identified, which interact with 73 liver protection-related targets. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were then performed along with network analysis. Results showed that the synergistic mechanism of the White Peony and Licorice herbal pair was associated with their coregulation of bile secretion and ABC transporter pathways. In addition, Licorice exhibits a specific response to drug and xenobiotic metabolism pathways, whereas White Peony responds to Toll-like receptor signaling, C-type lectin receptor signaling, IL-17 signaling, and TNF signaling pathways, resulting in the prevention of hepatocyte apoptosis and the reduction of immune and inflammation-mediated liver damage. These findings suggest that a White Peony and Licorice herbal pair supplement would have a liver-protecting benefit through complimentary and synergistic mechanisms. This approach provides a new path to explore herbal compatibility in dietary supplements derived from TCM theory.

The People's Republic of China (P.R. China) is the presumptive home range of the rat lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis, a major aetiological agent of human eosinophilic meningitis. We present a study of the genetic variation of A. cantonensis in P.R. China. Our aim was to deepen the current knowledge pertaining to its origin and global spread from a molecular perspective.

Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CP-Kpn) are a major concern for nosocomial infections. We previously reported an intensive care unit (ICU) outbreak of CP-Kpn. This study investigated the transmission pattern and genetic characteristic of CP-Kpn in the hospital during the outbreak period. Whole-genome sequencing was retrospectively performed on 173 CP-Kpn isolates. Pairwise single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) distances were calculated to determine SNP thresholds for clustering. Plasmids and mobile genome elements (MGEs) were identified through short- and long-read sequencing. Strains were classified into three groups, sequence type 11 (ST11) (86.12%), ST15 (9.83%), and other ST. An SNP threshold of 16 revealed a 66.47% clustering rate. ICU admission and meropenem use proportions were significantly higher in clustered patients than in unique patients. MGE distribution was consistent with the phylogenetic tree. Of the isolates, 53.18% were CP-Kpn with hypervirulence genes. We identified five plasmids carrying virulence genes, and four of them have not been previously reported. Clonal transmission was the main cause of CP-Kpn infections in the hospital. Multidrug resistance genes and MGE variations were correlated with clustering. Finally, four novel plasmids carrying virulence genes were identified. The findings highlight the control of CR-Kpn transmission through prevention measures to reduce nosocomial infections. IMPORTANCE In this study, we combined genomic and epidemiological analyses and defined an optimal cutoff value for SNP difference that could be used to aid investigation in tertiary hospital in China. We revealed clonal transmission was the main cause of CP-Kpn infections in the hospital and identified four novel plasmids carrying virulence genes. Our results strongly suggested that dominant CP K. pneumoniae strains lead to outbreaks and described different evolutionary patterns of plasmids carrying multidrug resistance and virulence genes.

Immune cell infiltration is an important indicator of whether tumor patients will benefit from immunotherapy. Gastric cancer is one of the most common tumors in the world, and new indicators of immunotherapy are urgently needed. The aim of this study was to construct ceRNA networks in gastric cancer with different degrees of immune cell infiltration. We analyzed the expression profiles of different gastric cancer with different degrees of immune cell infiltration retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and found differentially expressed lncRNAs, mRNAs, and miRNAs. A ceRNA regulatory network of gastric cancer with different degrees of immune cell infiltration was constructed using functional annotation, RNA-RNA interaction prediction, correlation analysis, survival analysis, and other comprehensive bioinformatics methods. The interaction and correlation between ceRNAs were verified using experiments on tumor tissues and cell lines. Cell line experiments showed a potential RP11-1094M14.8/miR-1269a/CXCL9 axis that was consistent with the ceRNA theory. qRT-PCR results showed that RP11-1094M14.8 knockdown significantly reduced the expression of CXCL9, and RP11-1094M14.8 overexpression had the opposite effect. The results of clinical analysis of gastric cancer samples showed that RP11-1094M14.8 and CXCL9 were highly expressed in hot tumors, and CXCL9 was positively correlated with a better prognosis for patients. The constructed novel ceRNA network and the potential regulatory axis may provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential mechanisms of development in gastric cancer with different degrees of immune cell infiltration. The RP11-1094M14.8/miR-1269a/CXCL9 axis may serve as a potential immune-therapeutic target for gastric cancer with different degrees of immune cell infiltration.

Genetic alternations can occur at noncoding regions, but how they contribute to cancer pathogenesis is poorly understood. Here, we established a mutational landscape of cis-regulatory regions (CREs) in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) based on whole-genome sequencing analysis of paired tumor and germline samples from 24 patients and epigenetic profiling of 16 patients. Mutations occurring in CREs occur preferentially in active enhancers bound by the complex of master transcription factors in APL. Among significantly enriched mutated CREs, we found a recurrently mutated region located within the third intron of WT1, an essential regulator of normal and malignant hematopoiesis. Focusing on noncoding mutations within this WT1 intron, an analysis on 169 APL patients revealed that somatic mutations were clustered into a focal hotspot region, including one site identified as a germline polymorphism contributing to APL risk. Significantly decreased WT1 expression was observed in APL patients bearing somatic and/or germline noncoding WT1 variants. Furthermore, biallelic WT1 inactivation was recurrently found in APL patients with noncoding WT1 variants, which resulted in the complete loss of WT1. The high incidence of biallelic inactivation suggested the tumor suppressor activity of WT1 in APL. Mechanistically, noncoding WT1 variants disrupted MYB binding on chromatin and suppressed the enhancer activity and WT1 expression through destroying the chromatin looping formation. Our study highlights the important role of noncoding variants in the leukemogenesis of APL.