Particulate matter and atherosclerosis: a bibliometric analysis of original research articles published in 1973-2014.
BACKGROUND
Epidemiological and experimental studies have suggested that exposure to particulate air pollution may promote progression of atherosclerosis.


METHODS
In the present study, the characteristics and trends of the research field of particulate matter (PM) and atherosclerosis were analyzed using bibliometric indicators. Bibliometric analysis was based on original papers obtained from PubMed/MEDLINE search results (from 1973 to 2014) using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms. A fully-detailed search strategy was employed, and articles were imported into the Thomson Data Analyzer (TDA) software.


RESULTS
The visualizing network of the collaborative researchers was analyzed by Ucinet 6 software. Main research topics and future focuses were explored by co-word and cluster analysis. The characteristics of these research articles were summarized. The number of published articles has increased from five for the period 1973-1978 to 89 for the period 2009-2014. Tobacco smoke pollution, smoke and air PM were the most studied targets in this research field. Coronary disease was the top health outcome posed by PM exposure. The aorta and endothelium vascular were the principal locations of atherosclerotic lesions, which were enhanced by PM exposure. Oxidative stress and inflammation were of special concern in the current mechanistic research system. The top high-frequency MeSH terms were clustered, and four popular topics were further presented.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the quantitative analysis of bibliographic information and MeSH terms, we were able to define the study characteristics and popular topics in the field of PM and atherosclerosis. Our analysis would provide a comprehensive background reference for researchers in this field of study.
Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.|State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China.
Feifei
F
Wang
Institute of Medical Information & Library, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, 100020, China.
Xiaofeng
X
Jia
State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China.
Xianliang
X
Wang
Department of Toxicology, Baotou Medical College of Public Health, Baotou, 014040, China.
Yongdong
Y
Zhao
Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China. whao@bjmu.edu.cn.
Weidong
W
Hao
D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D015706:Bibliometrics; D018450:Disease Progression; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012106:Research
D052638:Particulate Matter
Atherosclerosis; Bibliometric analysis; Particulate matter; Popular topics; Research tendency