SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Potential and Policy Changes in South Carolina, February 2020 - January 2021.

Introduction: We aimed to examine how public health policies influenced the dynamics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) time-varying reproductive number ( ) in South Carolina from February 26, 2020, to January 1, 2021.

Methods: COVID-19 case series (March 6, 2020, to January 10, 2021) were shifted by 9 d to approximate the infection date. We analyzed the effects of state and county policies on using EpiEstim.

Spatially refined time-varying reproduction numbers of SARS-CoV-2 in Arkansas and Kentucky and their relationship to population size and public health policy, March - November 2020.

Purpose: To examine the time-varying reproduction number, R, for COVID-19 in Arkansas and Kentucky and investigate the impact of policies and preventative measures on the variability in R.

Methods: Arkansas and Kentucky county-level COVID-19 cumulative case count data (March 6-November 7, 2020) were obtained. R was estimated using the R package 'EpiEstim', by county, region (Delta, non-Delta, Appalachian, non-Appalachian), and policy measures.

Time-varying Reproduction Numbers of COVID-19 in Georgia, USA, March 2, 2020 to November 20, 2020.

Background: In 2020, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 impacted Georgia, USA. Georgia announced a state-wide shelter-in-place on April 2 and partially lifted restrictions on April 27. We estimated the time-varying reproduction numbers (R) of COVID-19 in Georgia, Metro Atlanta, and Dougherty County and environs from March 2, 2020, to November 20, 2020.

Nocturnal intermittent hypoxia is independently associated with pain in subjects suffering from sleep-disordered breathing.

Background: On the basis of experimental and clinical evidence, the authors hypothesized that nocturnal hypoxemia would be associated with pain reports in subjects suffering from sleep-disordered breathing, independently of sleep fragmentation and inflammation.

Methods: After obtaining institutional approval and access to the Cleveland Family Study phenotype and genotype data, the authors used proportional odds regression to examine the association between arterial desaturation and four different types of pain, as well as their composite measure, sequentially adjusted for: (1) clinical characteristics and (2) sleep fragmentation and inflammation. The authors also examined the association of selected candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms with pain reports.

Influence of 10 wk of soy consumption on plasma concentrations and excretion of isoflavonoids and on gut microflora metabolism in healthy adults.

Background: Little information is currently available on the role of the gut microflora in modulating isoflavone bioavailability or on sex differences in isoflavone metabolism and bioavailability.

Objective: We sought to determine whether chronic soy consumption influences isoflavone bioavailability as judged by plasma isoflavone concentrations and modified gut microflora activities [beta-glucoside hydrolysis and equol and O-desmethylangolensin (O-DMA) production]. We also examined whether sex differences in isoflavone metabolism exist.

A hospital care pathway for alcohol.

Inappropriate placing of alcohol misusers on gastroenterology wards spurred the two ward managers into leading a campaign for better diagnosis, placement and treatment of these patients.

Ontogeny of bone and the role of heterochrony in the myobatrachine genera Uperoleia, Crinia, and Pseudophryne (anura: Leptodactylidae: Myobatrachinae).

Descriptive data are provided for ontogeny of bone to metamorphosis in the myobatrachine species Uperoleia trachyderma; in pre- and postmetamorphic specimens of U. lithomoda, Crinia signifera, and Pseudophryne bibroni; and in postmetamorphic specimens of U. laevigata.