COVID-19 and the scientific publishing system: growth, open access and scientific fields.

Unlabelled: We model the growth of scientific literature related to COVID-19 and forecast the expected growth from 1 June 2021. Considering the significant scientific and financial efforts made by the research community to find solutions to end the COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented volume of scientific outputs is being produced. This questions the capacity of scientists, politicians and citizens to maintain infrastructure, digest content and take scientifically informed decisions.

Reporting preprints in the media during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Preprints have gained prominence in the dissemination of scientific findings. This development has been reinforced by the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to require the rapid dissemination of new scientific information. However, since preprints usually have not undergone peer review, they lack the rigour of other scientific publications such as journal articles.

Fatal pyrrolizidine alkaloid poisoning of infants caused by adulterated Senecio coronatus.

Senecio coronatus (known as izonkozonko and ubulibazi in Zulu) is commonly used in traditional medicine in South Africa as purification purgative and enemas for infants during weaning. We show for the first time that this species does not contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids and that reported cases of fatal hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome in infants were caused by wrongly identified Senecio species containing large amounts of retrorsine-N-oxide. A validated ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for the detection and quantitation of pyrrolizidine alkaloids is described.

The interrelationship between nutrition and the immune system in HIV infection: a review.

Available scientific evidence has revealed that macronutrients and micronutrients are critical for fighting HIV-infection, because they are required by the immune system and major organs to attack infectious pathogens, HIV inclusive. It is believed that weight gain or maintenance might be achieved through good nutrition and has helped to reduce the consequences of wasting in people living with HIV/AIDS. Nutrition has helped to strengthen the immune system and reduce the severity and impact of opportunistic infections in people living with HIV/AIDS.

The interplay between socio-demographic variables, nutritional and immune status of HIV-positive/AIDS patients.

This study examined the association between socio-demographic factors (educational level and employment status) and the nutritional and immune status of 35 HIV-positive/AIDS patients at baseline. Assessment of selected macro-and micronutrient dietary intake was done using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Evaluation of anthropometric profiles (body mass index, waist-hip ratio and percentage of body fat) was also evaluated.