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Boeck B, Westmark CJ. Bibliometric Analysis and a Call for Increased Rigor in Citing Scientific Literature: Folic Acid Fortification and Neural Tube Defect Risk as an Example. Nutrients 2024; 16:2503. [PMID: 39125384 PMCID: PMC11313885 DOI: 10.3390/nu16152503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The health benefits of vitamin B9 (folate) are well documented, particularly in regard to neural tube defects during pregnancy; however, much remains to be learned regarding the health effects and risks of consuming folic acid supplements and foods fortified with folic acid. In 2020, our laboratory conducted a population-based analysis of the Food Fortification Initiative (FFI) dataset to determine the strength of the evidence regarding the prevalence of neural tube defects (NTD) at the national level in response to mandatory fortification of cereal grains with folic acid. We found a very weak correlation between the prevalence of NTDs and the level of folic acid fortification irrespective of the cereal grain fortified (wheat, maize, or rice). We found a strong linear relationship between reduced NTDs and higher socioeconomic status (SES). Our paper incited a debate on the proper statistics to employ for population-level data. Subsequently, there has been a large number of erroneous citations to our original work. The objective here was to conduct a bibliometric analysis to quantitate the accuracy of citations to Murphy and Westmark's publication entitled, "Folic Acid Fortification and Neural Tube Defect Risk: Analysis of the Food Fortification Initiative Dataset". We found a 70% inaccuracy rate. These findings highlight the dire need for increased rigor in citing scientific literature, particularly in regard to biomedical research that directly impacts public health policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brynne Boeck
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA;
| | - Cara J. Westmark
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA;
- Molecular Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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Abstract
This research evaluates the prevalence of inadequate folate status in early pregnancy, the pattern of prenatal folic acid (FA) supplementation and associated factors in Spanish pregnant women from the ECLIPSES study, which included 791 participants prior gestational week 12. A cross-sectional evaluation of erythrocyte folate levels was performed at recruitment and used to calculate the prevalence of folate deficiency (erythrocyte folate < 340 nmol/l) and insufficiency (erythrocyte folate < 906 nmol/l). Sociodemographic and lifestyle data as well as information on prenatal FA supplementation were recorded. Descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses were performed. The prevalence of folate deficiency and insufficiency were 9·6 % and 86·5 %, respectively. Most of women used prenatal FA supplements, but only 6·3 % did so as recommended. Supplementation with FA during the periconceptional period abolished folate deficiency and reduced folate insufficiency. Prenatal FA supplementation with ≥1000 µg/d in periconceptional time and pregnancy planning increased erythrocyte folate levels. The main risk factor for folate insufficiency in early pregnancy was getting prenatal FA supplementation out of the periconceptional time (OR 3·32, 95 % CI 1·02, 15·36), while for folate deficiency they were young age (OR 2·02, 95 % CI 1·05, 3·99), and smoking (OR 2·39, 95 % CI 1·30, 4·37). In addition, social and ethnic differences according to folate status were also identified. As conclusion, periconceptional FA use is crucial for achieving optimal folate levels in early pregnancy. Pregnancy planning should focus on young women, smokers, those with low consumption of folate-rich foods, low socio-economic status or from ethnic minorities.
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Isaković J, Šimunić I, Jagečić D, Hribljan V, Mitrečić D. Overview of Neural Tube Defects: Gene–Environment Interactions, Preventative Approaches and Future Perspectives. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10050965. [PMID: 35625701 PMCID: PMC9138472 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10050965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the second most common congenital malformations of humans, characterized by impaired development of the central nervous system. Even though the etiology of most birth defects remains undetermined, genetic and environmental risk factors in the background of NTDs have been identified and extensively reported. On top of genetic and nutritional risks which include mutations in both coding and non-coding regions and maternal folate status, respectively, recent years have seen a rise in the identification of a variety of teratogens that could be implicated in NTD development. These include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, arsenic, pesticides, maternal hyperthermia and antibiotics as well as pain and seizure medication. With an increase in understanding of teratogens leading to NTD formation, preventative and treatment approaches have witnessed great advances throughout the years. While the most common preventative approach includes folic acid food fortification as well as suggested inositol supplementation, treatment and management approaches differ greatly depending on the developmental stage and the site of the lesion and include prenatal surgery, stem cell transplantation and postnatal surgery. Because NTDs still represent a large health and financial burden for the patient and society as a whole, it is crucial to investigate potential risk factors and develop novel approaches in order to fully prevent this category of disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmina Isaković
- Omnion Research International Ltd., Heinzelova 4, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.J.); (V.H.); (D.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Iva Šimunić
- Laboratory for Stem Cells, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Denis Jagečić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.J.); (V.H.); (D.M.)
- Laboratory for Stem Cells, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Valentina Hribljan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.J.); (V.H.); (D.M.)
- Laboratory for Stem Cells, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Dinko Mitrečić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.J.); (V.H.); (D.M.)
- Laboratory for Stem Cells, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
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Zou L, Tan WK, Du Y, Lee HW, Liang X, Lei J, Striegel L, Weber N, Rychlik M, Ong CN. Nutritional metabolites in Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis var. parachinensis (choy sum) at three different growth stages: Microgreen, seedling and adult plant. Food Chem 2021; 357:129535. [PMID: 33892360 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.129535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Choy sum is a commonly consumed Asian green leafy brassica vegetable. A comprehensive spectrum of nutritional important metabolites, including amino acids, plant sugars, essential minerals, vitamins (A, B9, E, and K1) and glucosinolates were systematically quantified using LC-QQQ-MS, GC-QQQ-MS and ICP-MS. Significant metabolic profile shifts were observed during the three major developmental stages (microgreen, seedling and adult) studied. Primary metabolites, especially essential amino acids decreased while most plant sugars increased from microgreens to seedlings. Carotenoids, such as violaxanthin, neoxanthin, together with vitamin K1 were higher in the seedlings whereas CHO-folate vitamers and β-cryptoxanthin were much lower in adult plants. Most essential minerals were concentrated in the microgreens, while sodium increased in adult plants. Aliphatic glucosinolates in microgreens were converted to indolic glucosinolates in the seedlings and further to aromatic glucosinolates in the adults. Overall findings reveal that most of the nutritional metabolites were concentrated either in the microgreens or seedlings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zou
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Tahir Foundation Building #11-01, 12 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117549, Singapore
| | - Wee Kee Tan
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab #02-01, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411, Singapore
| | - Yuanyuan Du
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab #02-01, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411, Singapore
| | - Hui Wen Lee
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab #02-01, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411, Singapore
| | - Xu Liang
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab #02-01, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411, Singapore
| | - Jiajia Lei
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab #02-01, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411, Singapore
| | - Lisa Striegel
- Chair of Analytical Food Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Max-von-Imhof Forum 2, DE-85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Nadine Weber
- Chair of Analytical Food Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Max-von-Imhof Forum 2, DE-85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Michael Rychlik
- Chair of Analytical Food Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Max-von-Imhof Forum 2, DE-85354 Freising, Germany; Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4069, Australia
| | - Choon Nam Ong
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Tahir Foundation Building #11-01, 12 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117549, Singapore; NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab #02-01, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411, Singapore.
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