title: Transplantation of neural stem cells, Schwann cells and olfactory ensheathing cells for spinal cord injury : A Web of Science-based literature analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify global research trends in transplantation of neural stem cells, Schwann cells and olfactory ensheathing cells for spinal cord injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a bibliometric analysis of studies on transplantation of neural stem cells, Schwann cells and olfactory ensheathing cells for spinal cord injury published from 2002 to 2011 and retrieved from the Web of Science, using the key words spinal cord injury along with either neural stem cell, Schwann cell or olfactory ensheathing cell.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  (a) peer-reviewed published articles on neural stem cells, Schwann cells or olfactory ensheathing cells for spinal cord injury indexed in the Web of Science; (b) original research articles, reviews, meeting abstracts, proceedings papers, book chapters, editorial materials and news items; and (c) published between 2002 and 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  (a) articles that required manual searching or telephone access; (b) documents that were not published in the public domain; and (c) corrected papers.
  
  
  METHODS
  (1) Annual publication output, distribution by journal, distribution by institution and top-cited articles on neural stem cells; (2) annual publication output, distribution by journal, distribution by institution and top-cited articles on Schwann cells; (3) annual publication output, distribution by journal, distribution by institution and top-cited articles on olfactory ensheathing cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This analysis, based on articles indexed in the Web of Science, identified several research trends among studies published over the past 10 years in transplantation of neural stem cells, Schwann cells and olfactory ensheathing cells for spinal cord injury. The number of publications increased over the 10-year period examined. Most papers appeared in journals with a focus on neurology, such as Journal of Neurotrauma, Experimental Neurology and Glia. Research institutes publishing on the use of neural stem cells to repair spinal cord injury were mostly in the USA and Canada. Those publishing on the use of Schwann cells were mostly in the USA and Canada as well. Those publishing on the use of olfactory ensheathing cells were mostly in the UK, the USA and Canada.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On the basis of the large number of studies around the world, cell transplantation has proven to be the most promising therapeutic approach for spinal cord injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Spine Surgery, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Xing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Spine Surgery, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.affiliation: Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Spine Surgery, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Dongxu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Spine Surgery, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Gu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathogenobiology, Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University; Jilin University Mycology Research Center (JUMRC), Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Department of Spine Surgery, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Qingsan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhu
keywords: Schwann cell; genetic engineering; nerve fiber; neural regeneration; neural stem cell; neuron; olfactory ensheathing cell; spinal cord; tissue engineering; transplantation