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Article

IMGG: Integrating Multiple Single-Cell Datasets through Connected Graphs and Generative Adversarial Networks

Publicated to:International Journal Of Molecular Sciences. 23 (4): 2082- - 2022-02-01 23(4), DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042082

Authors: Wang, Xun; Zhang, Chaogang; Zhang, Ying; Meng, Xiangyu; Zhang, Zhiyuan; Shi, Xin; Song, Tao

Affiliations

Abstract

There is a strong need to eliminate batch-specific differences when integrating single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets generated under different experimental conditions for downstream task analysis. Existing batch correction methods usually transform different batches of cells into one preselected “anchor” batch or a low-dimensional embedding space, and cannot take full advantage of useful information from multiple sources. We present a novel framework, called IMGG, i.e., integrating multiple single-cell datasets through connected graphs and generative adversarial networks (GAN) to eliminate nonbiological differences between different batches. Compared with current methods, IMGG shows excellent performance on a variety of evaluation metrics, and the IMGG-corrected gene expression data incorporate features from multiple batches, allowing for downstream tasks such as differential gene expression analysis.

Keywords

Batch effectConnected graphsDeep learningGanScrna-seq

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal International Journal Of Molecular Sciences due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2022, it was in position 66/285, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Biochemistry & Molecular Biology.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 3.04, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions Jun 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-06-07, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 8
  • Scopus: 10
  • OpenCitations: 10

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-06-07:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 18.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 18 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 7.346.
  • The number of mentions on the social network X (formerly Twitter): 1 (Altmetric).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: China.

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: Last Author (SONG, TAO).

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been SONG, TAO.