Knowledge domain and emerging trends in beta-cell research: A bibliometric and knowledge-map analysis

Beta-cell research has advanced significantly in recent years, focusing on understanding the physiology, pathology, and recovery of these critical cells in diabetes treatment. Despite these efforts, a detailed and objective assessment of the current state of beta-cell research has not yet been conducted. Prior studies have explored individual aspects such as beta-cell failure mechanisms and recovery strategies, but no comprehensive overview has been synthesized. This gap motivated the need for a systematic analysis of the global research landscape. Existing literature has established the importance of beta-cell function in metabolic regulation, but no prior work has resolved how these findings are distributed across institutions, countries, or research themes. Understanding the trends in beta-cell research is essential for guiding future studies and identifying emerging areas of interest. Researchers have already demonstrated the role of oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress in beta-cell dysfunction, but the broader context of these findings remains unclear. The lack of a global perspective on beta-cell research has limited the ability to identify key contributors and thematic shifts in the field. This study addresses that limitation by using bibliometric tools to map the evolution and current status of beta-cell research.

The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive and objective analysis of beta-cell research by quantifying the global output and identifying emerging trends. The specific problem addressed was the absence of a detailed overview of the field's current state and future directions. By analyzing publications from the Web of Science Core Collection, the study aimed to map the geographic and institutional contributions to beta-cell research. The motivation for this work stemmed from the need to guide future research efforts and identify key areas of focus. The study sought to highlight the most active countries, institutions, and journals in the field. It also aimed to uncover the thematic evolution of beta-cell research over time. By using bibliometric and knowledge-map analysis, the study provided a structured view of the field's progress and challenges. This approach enabled researchers to identify core concepts and emerging topics in beta-cell research.

The study utilized bibliometric and knowledge-map analysis to evaluate beta-cell research. Data was collected from the Web of Science Core Collection up to August 31, 2022, and included 4098 papers published in 810 journals. Two scientometric tools, CiteSpace 6.1.R3 and VOSviewer 1.6.18, were employed to process and visualize the data. The analysis focused on geographic and institutional contributions, as well as thematic trends in beta-cell research. The study identified the most active countries, institutions, and journals in the field. It also examined citation patterns and co-citation networks to determine influential works and authors. The thematic analysis categorized beta-cell research into four major aspects: pathology, recovery, risk factors, and physiology. The study further identified key topics such as oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and miRNA in beta-cell research. These methods allowed for a detailed mapping of the field's current state and future directions.

The study identified 4098 papers published in 810 journals across 2938 institutions in 83 countries. The United States was the most productive country, followed by other leading nations in beta-cell research. The most active institutions included Universite libre de Bruxelles, University of Toronto, and University of Geneva. The journal *Diabetes* published the highest number of beta-cell-related studies and received the most co-citations. Decio I Eizirik was the most prolific author and had the highest number of co-citations. The analysis revealed that endoplasmic reticulum stress and oxidative stress have been central themes in beta-cell research. Four major research areas were identified: pathology, recovery, risk factors, and physiology of beta cells. Emerging topics included beta-cell dedifferentiation, inflammation, autophagy, miRNA, and lncRNA. The study also highlighted stem cell replacement therapies as a potential avenue for reversing beta-cell failure.

The study provided a comprehensive overview of beta-cell research through bibliometric and visual methods. It identified the most active countries, institutions, and journals in the field. The thematic analysis revealed that endoplasmic reticulum stress and oxidative stress have remained central to beta-cell research. Emerging topics such as beta-cell dedifferentiation, inflammation, and miRNA have gained prominence in recent years. The study also highlighted stem cell replacement therapies as a promising approach for reversing beta-cell failure. The findings suggest that restoring beta-cell mass and function remains a key research goal. The analysis identified influential authors and institutions contributing to the field. The study's results provide a valuable reference for scholars focusing on beta-cell research. By mapping the current state and trends in beta-cell research, the study offers insights into future directions and key areas of focus.