New Date for 3rd Annual Valborg Tollefsrud Education Event

Medical and Research Library News               
May 2024

Training opportunities

The webinars and online classes listed here are shared solely as opportunities to learn more information of interest to public health personnel. All times listed are
in Central Time.

 

May 9, 2024; 12–1:30 p.m. Relationship Between Parental Mental Health and Child Development.

This webinar from the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living and presented by Catherine Monk, PhD, will cover: Dr. Monk's extensive research into the relationship between maternal pre & postnatal mental health and early development; the postnatal depression prevention protocol Practical Resources for Effective Postpartum Parenting (PREPP).

 

May 21, 2024; 1–2 p.m. Beyond Borders: Understanding Oldways Heritage Diets and Reducing Health Disparities.

This presentation from the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) will explore the essential components of nutritionally balanced culturally-relevant diets, spotlighting their significance in promoting overall health and well-being. Moreover, the discussion will examine the culinary landscapes of the African Diaspora, Asia, Latin America, and the Mediterranean, unveiling the key characteristics of healthy traditional diets unique to each region. Through this exploration, attendees will better understand the diverse foods and flavors that contribute to these culinary traditions.

 

May 29, 2024; 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Navigating Multidimensional Strain and Identifying Mitigation Strategies in Rapidly Growing 'Hot Cities'.

This webinar is offered by the DSHS Office of Practice and Learning Grand Rounds program. DSHS Grand Rounds explores the science and evidence-based practice of population health and awards continuing education credits/contact hours for various disciplines. Visit the Grand Rounds calendar to see information on upcoming sessions. Held monthly on the fourth Wednesday, sessions last 90 minutes with the final 20 minutes for Q&A.

 

May 30, 2024; 1–2 p.m. Burning Contagion: Organized Arson in Response to Quarantine Facilities and Pest Houses, 1858-1901.

Throughout the 19th century, communities in the United States committed arson against healthcare facilities that housed the diseased. Local and national newspapers often described the resulting damage as the actions of a “lawless mob.” A closer reading of these incidents reveals local communities put at risk by facilities that actively caused them harm while benefitting other parties. This talk sponsored by the National Library of Medicine’s History of Medicine Division suggests that these events were organized acts of self-defense borne of medical knowledge, rather than rash mobs acting through fear or ignorance, and will highlight two such incidents, one in Staten Island, New York and another in Orange, New Jersey.

 

Websites and reports on trending topics

 

AGRICOLA - A bibliographic resource from the National Agricultural Library with millions of citations relating to the field of agriculture for journal articles, book chapters, theses, patents, and technical reports to support agricultural research.

 

Concentration of Healthcare Expenditures and Selected Characteristics of Persons With High Expenses, United States Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population, 2018-2021 - In this statistical brief from Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's MEPS-HC are used to describe the overall concentration of healthcare expenditures across the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population in 2021 compared with 2018, 2019, and 2020. The most commonly treated conditions among persons in the top expenditure groups are identified, and the shares of expenses by age group, race/ethnicity, type of medical service, and source of payment are illustrated for 2021.

 

eCLIPSE Ultimate Access - This MRL resource provides access to The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute’s (CLSI) full library of standards. eCLIPSE Ultimate Access is an enhanced, premium platform with advanced features to help you access standards quickly and easily. Please contact the DSHS library if you need assistance accessing this resource.

 

Portal to Texas History Created and maintained by the University of North Texas Libraries, the Portal of Texas History offers a digital gateway to rich collections held in Texas libraries, museums, archives, historical societies, and private collections and includes agency produced annual reports, newsletters, and pamphlets.

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Journal articles of note

Mayfield H, Davila V, Penedo E. Coccidioidomycosis-related hospital visits, Texas, USA, 2016-2021. Emerg Infect Dis. 2024;30(5):882-889. doi:10.3201/eid3005.231624

Abstract

We analyzed hospital discharge records of patients with coccidioidomycosis-related codes from the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, Clinical Modification, to estimate the prevalence of hospital visits associated with the disease in Texas, USA. Using Texas Health Care Information Collection data for 2016-2021, we investigated the demographic characteristics and geographic distribution of the affected population, assessed prevalence of hospital visits for coccidioidomycosis, and examined how prevalence varied by demographic and geographic factors. In Texas, 709 coccidioidomycosis-related inpatient and outpatient hospital visits occurred in 2021; prevalence was 3.17 cases per 100,000 total hospital visits in 2020. Geographic location, patient sex, and race/ethnicity were associated with increases in coccidioidomycosis-related hospital visits; male, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic patients had the highest prevalence of coccidioidomycosis compared with other groups. Increased surveillance and healthcare provider education and outreach are needed to ensure timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment of coccidioidomycosis in Texas and elsewhere.

 

Sandoval MN, McClellan SP, Pont SJ, et al. Prozone masks elevated SARS-CoV-2 antibody level measurements. PLoS One. 2024;19(3):e0301232. Published 2024 Mar 28.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0301232

Abstract

We report a prozone effect in measurement of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibody levels from an antibody surveillance program. Briefly, the prozone effect occurs in immunoassays when excessively high antibody concentration disrupts the immune complex formation, resulting in a spuriously low reported result. Following participant inquiries, we observed anomalously low measurement of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibody levels using the Roche Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S immunoassay from participants in the Texas Coronavirus Antibody Research survey (Texas CARES), an ongoing prospective, longitudinal antibody surveillance program. In July, 2022, samples were collected from ten participants with anomalously low results for serial dilution studies, and a prozone effect was confirmed. From October, 2022 to March, 2023, serial dilution of samples detected 74 additional cases of prozone out of 1,720 participants' samples. Prozone effect may affect clinical management of at-risk populations repeatedly exposed to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein through multiple immunizations or serial infections, making awareness and mitigation of this issue paramount.

 

Schraw JM, Rudolph KE, Shumate CJ, Gribble MO. Direct potable reuse and birth defects prevalence in Texas: An augmented synthetic control method analysis of data from a population-based birth defects registry. Environ Epidemiol. 2024;8(2):e300. Published 2024 Mar 18. doi:10.1097/EE9.0000000000000300

Abstract

Background: Direct potable reuse (DPR) involves adding purified wastewater that has not passed through an environmental buffer into a water distribution system. DPR may help address water shortages and is approved or is under consideration as a source of drinking water for several water-stressed population centers in the United States, however, there are no studies of health outcomes in populations who receive DPR drinking water. Our objective was to determine whether the introduction of DPR for certain public water systems in Texas was associated with changes in birth defect prevalence.

Methods: We obtained data on maternal characteristics for all live births and birth defects cases regardless of pregnancy outcome in Texas from 2003 to 2017 from the Texas Birth Defects Registry and birth and fetal death records. The ridge augmented synthetic control method was used to model changes in birth defect prevalence (per 10,000 live births) following the adoption of DPR by four Texas counties in mid-2013, with county-level data on maternal age, percent women without a high school diploma, percent who identified as Hispanic/Latina or non-Hispanic/Latina Black, and rural-urban continuum code as covariates.

Results: There were nonstatistically significant increases in prevalence of all birth defects collectively (average treatment effect in the treated = 53.6) and congenital heart disease (average treatment effect in the treated = 287.3) since June 2013. The estimated prevalence of neural tube defects was unchanged.

Conclusions: We estimated nonstatistically significant increases in birth defect prevalence following the implementation of DPR in four West Texas counties. Further research is warranted to inform water policy decisions.

 

Shah M, Dansky Z, Nathavitharana R, et al. NTCA guidelines for respiratory isolation and restrictions to reduce transmission of pulmonary tuberculosis in community settings. Clin Infect Dis. Published online April 18, 2024. doi:10.1093/cid/ciae199

These guidelines are intended to be used by individuals within TB public health programs to make decisions related to community-based RIR for public health purposes and may include but are not limited to clinicians, health officers, or other designated practitioners at state or local health departments. Guidance for the prevention of TB in healthcare settings and high-risk congregate living facilities has been provided elsewhere. TB programs are encouraged to update or develop local guidelines and practices and involve physician and public health consultants with TB expertise, to ensure local practices reflect current scientific evidence and concepts and recommendations outlined in this work.

 

For more information, employees may email the Medical and Research Library at library@dshs.texas.gov to receive research assistance, learn how to access electronic materials, or to obtain the full text of articles mentioned in this month’s news.

 

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