South Texas Research Articles

Baseline Biodiversity Assessment of South Texas Small Mammals and Host-Associated Hard Ticks with No Detection of Selected Tick-Borne Pathogens

Los estudios de biodiversidad son necesarios para evaluar la diversidad de organismos a través de escalas espaciales y temporales. Estas evaluaciones pueden ser particularmente útiles para el monitoreo de cambios en la diversidad de organismos y la propagación de patógenos en respuesta al cambio climático. Los artrópodos vectores, como las garrapatas, son susceptibles a cambiar su rango geográfico con un clima más cálido, resultando potencialmente en la expansión de áreas de riesgo para las enfermedades transmitidas por vectores. Los datos de biodiversidad para el sur de Texas son deficientes, lo que es particularmente preocupante dada la abundancia de vida silvestre y ganado, ya que pueden ser importantes en el mantenimiento de poblaciones de garrapatas y patógenos. Se llevo a cabo un estudio de biodiversidad de pequeños mamíferos, garrapatas y patógenos transmitidos por garrapatas en el sur de Texas, combinando trabajo de campo, material de colecciones y técnicas moleculares. Registramos 19 especies de mamíferos pequeños y 3 especies de garrapatas y no detectamos patógenos transmitidos por garrapatas pertenecientes a los géneros Borrelia o Rickettsia en las garrapatas o mamíferos. Debido a la continua aparición de enfermedades transmitidas por garrapatas, recomendamos hacer colaboraciones con colecciones de museos y dueños de propiedades privadas interesados en la administración de terrenos. Esto permitirá que los investigadores desarrollen estudios para entender mejor la diversidad cambiante de mamíferos, garrapatas y patógenos con implicaciones en la salud humana y veterinaria en esta región de Texas.

Community Health Worker-Led mHealth-Enabled Diabetes Self-management Education and Support Intervention in Rural Latino Adults: Single-Arm Feasibility Trial.

BackgroundLatinos living in rural South Texas have a higher prevalence of diabetes, but their access to diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) is limited.ObjectiveWe aimed to test the feasibility of a community health worker-led, mobile health (mHealth)-based DSMES intervention to reduce disparities in accessing DSMES in underserved rural Latino residents in South Texas.MethodsThis 12-week, single-arm, pre-post trial was delivered by trained community health workers to 15 adults with type 2 diabetes. The intervention consisted of digital diabetes education, self-monitoring, a cloud-based connected platform, and community health worker support. Feasibility was evaluated as retention, actual intervention use, program satisfaction, and barriers to implementation. We also explored the intervention’s effect on weight loss and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c).ResultsAll 15 participants were Latino (mean age 61.87 years, SD 10.67; 9/15 female, 60%). The retention rate at posttest was 14 of 15 (93%). On average, the participants completed 37 of 42 (88%) digital diabetes education lessons with 8 participants completing all lessons. Participants spent 81/91 days (89%) step tracking, 71/91 days (78%) food logging, 43/91 days (47%) blood glucose self-monitoring, and 74/91 days (81%) weight self-monitoring. The level of program satisfaction was high. On average, participants lost 3.5 (SD 3.2) kg of body weight (P=.001), while HbA1c level remained unchanged from baseline (6.91%, SD 1.28%) to posttest (7.04%, SD 1.66%; P=.668).ConclusionsA community health worker-led mHealth-based intervention was feasible and acceptable to improve access to DSMES services for Latino adults living in rural communities. Future randomized controlled trials are needed to test intervention efficacy on weight loss and glycemic control.

Modeling the Impact of Climate Change on Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease in Semi-Arid South Texas.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a spongiform encephalopathy disease caused by the transmission of infectious prion agents. CWD is a fatal disease that affects wild and farmed cervids in North America with few cases reported overseas. Social interaction of cervids, feeding practices by wildlife keepers and climate effects on the environmental carrying capacity all can affect CWD transmission in deer. Wildlife deer game hunting is economically important to the semi-arid South Texas region and is affected by climate change. In this paper, we model and investigate the effect of climate change on the spread of CWD using typical climate scenarios. We use a system of impulsive differential equations to depict the transmission of CWD between different age groups and gender of cervids. The carrying capacity and contact rates are assumed to depend on climate. Due to the polygamy of bucks, we use mating rates that depend on the number of bucks and does. We analyze the stability of the model and use simulations to study the effect of harvesting (culling) on eradicating the disease, given the climate of South Texas. We use typical climate change scenarios based on published data and our assumptions. For the climate indicator, we calculated and utilized the Standard Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). We found that climate change might hinder the efforts to reduce and effectively manage CWD as it becomes endemic to South Texas. The model shows the extinction of the deer population from this region is a likely outcome.

Centering the Voices of Queer Youth in Defining Resilience

Scholars have investigated the myriad ways lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth display resilience but often fail to incorporate youth's explicit definition of the concept. In this paper, we analyze the definitions of resilience used by youth we interviewed, mostly Black persons, Indigenous persons, and People of Color (BIPOCs) LGBTQ+ people in South Texas. We argue that centering the voices of LGBTQ+ youth is critical to the scholarly understanding of resilience. The LGBTQ+ youth in this project defined resilience as collective, as rebelliousness, as emotional intelligence, and as logistical resilience.

Occurrence and phylogeny of the endangered Texas endemic Echinocereus fitchii subsp. albertii

Echinocereus fitchii subsp. albertii (L.D.Benson) W.Blum & Mich.Lange, also known as Echinocereus reichenbachii var. albertii L.D.Benson, is a south Texas, USA endemic. The plant, commonly called black lace cactus, is listed as a federally endangered species in the United States. The objectives of this study are to 1 – survey populations of black lace cactus to determine current occurrence status, 2 – examine habitat and morphological features of black lace cactus across occurrences and 3 – examine the phylogeny of the E. reichenbachii-fitchii species complex to decipher the closest evolutionary relatives of black lace cactus. We photo-documented E. fitchii subsp. albertii individuals and confirmed extant populations in Kleberg, McMullen, and Refugio counties, Texas. Our study identified additional populations extending the sub-species' distributional range into Atascosa and La Salle counties, Texas. Flower colour of E. fitchii subsp. albertii is characteristic of the E. fitchii group. Central spines are absent to rare in E. fitchii subsp. albertii individuals in most populations, with only plants growing in the Kleberg Co. population commonly exhibiting central spines. We used genome skimming and assembly of nuclear ribosomal regions and nearly complete chloroplast genomes to examine phylogenetic relationships of fifteen taxa of Echinocereus. The most significant finding emerging from this phylogenetic study is that two distinct chloroplast genome lineages can be distinguished in E. fitchii subsp. albertii. One lineage includes individuals from Refugio Co. and McMullen Co. populations which are most closely related to E. reichenbachii subsp. caespitosus. The other lineage includes individuals from Atascosa and Kleberg Cos., which are most closely related to E. fitchii subsp. fitchii. These two lineages are not defined by geographic proximity.

Distribution and phenology of monarch butterfly larvae and their milkweed hosts in the South Central US

South Central US milkweeds (Asclepias) are critical adult nectar and larval food resources for producing the first spring and last summer/fall generations of declining eastern migratory monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus). This study addresses multiple gaps in assessment of monarch conservation priorities for the South Central US through analyses of monarch larval host selectivity, phenology, and spatial density, as well as the phenology, niche modeled distribution, and land cover selectivity of important milkweed hosts. Results are synthesized to estimate seasonal milkweed resource areas. About 70% of monarch larval activity occurred from mid-March to mid-July (early season) and 30% from mid-August to late November (late season). Twenty-six wild milkweed (Apocynaceae) hosts were mapped, including four new records for North America. Important hosts included Asclepias a. ssp. capricornu, A. viridis, and A. oenotheroides, that were utilized more frequently during early season, and Asclepias latifolia, utilized more frequently during late season. Landscape host selectivity was positive for A. viridis and A. a. ssp. capricornu in late and early seasons, respectively, and negative for A. oenotheroides in late season. Milkweed land cover selectivity was positive for Developed-Open Space and Grassland Herbaceous, and negative for Cultivated Crops and Shrub/Scrub. Seasonal milkweed resource areas and larval spatial densities resolved interior and coastal corridors providing functional connectivity for monarch spring and fall migrations. A potential gap in milkweed resource areas was identified in South Texas. The novel merging of milkweed niche models with larval phenology, host selectivity, milkweed phenology, and land cover selectivity informs conservation assessment.

Identifying the geographic origins of invasiveMegathyrsus maximusin the United States using molecular data

AbstractMegathyrsus maximusis nonnative in the neotropics, with a tall form that is commonly used as a forage grass and a smaller-statured form that is considered invasive in south Texas, USA. Biological control researchers are challenged to find an agent that will attack the short form, but not the desirable tall form in other parts of the neotropics. We conducted molecular analyses on 155Megathyrsus maximussamples from its native range in Africa and compared them with U.S. short-form samples to help determine the geographic origins of its invasion. We found eight distinct genotypes in 34 short-form samples from Texas and Florida, USA. The highest genetic similarity of invasive samples was with plants from South Africa, while highest matches for the desirable tall form were from Kenya, Uganda, Ivory Coast, and Zambia. Ongoing biological control agent exploration and research has found agents from Kenya that are associated with anM. maximusgenotype not well matched to the invasive short form, thus leading to a lack of rearing success. Two eriophyoid mite agents from the genetic match locality in South Africa have been evaluated but are not sufficiently host specific, as they develop on both the short and tall forms. Additional exploration is needed at the genetic match populations in South Africa to discover and evaluate potential biological control agents for the invasive form ofM. maximus.

Guinea Grass Establishment in South Texas Is Driven by Disturbance History and Savanna Structure

Non-native grass invasion is a leading driver of biodiversity loss and degradation of rangeland ecosystem services. The reproductive mode and output of alien species mediate invasion, and their differential propagule pressure has implications for management outcomes. Propagule success, however, is context dependent. Resource availability promotes invasion and is heavily influenced by disturbance regimes. This study measured the reproductive phenology and establishment of Guinea grass's vegetative and seed-based reproduction in the field and the greenhouse. We asked how differences in vegetation type (woodland vs. grassland), disturbance history (brush management), and their interaction mediate the invasion process of Guinea grass. We documented differences in reproductive phenology as a function of vegetation type and disturbance history in the field. We measured seedling emergence and establishment in the greenhouse by fully crossing environmental variables with soils from two different disturbance levels. Finally, we estimated propagule pressure across vegetation types and disturbance history using data collected from the field and greenhouse trials.We found that areas associated with higher soil nutrients (under nitrogen-fixing mesquite trees and soil disturbance) had higher seed and stolon propagule pressure. Conversely, low disturbance and grassland areas had lower propagule pressure and were associated with lower nutrients. In the greenhouse, seedling establishment interacted with vegetation and disturbance. Seedlings growing in soils from mottes in a high-disturbance pasture had higher biomass and shoot length. However, the low disturbance pasture's specific root length was highest in mottes, indicating a higher allocation to roots, investing toward resource capture. Subsequently, we posit a hypothesis for Guinea grass spread in South Texas. Our findings suggest potential management steps, including treating Guinea grass under wooded cover to reduce overall propagule pressure and minimize soil disturbance during brush management of partially invaded woodlands.

Revisiting paleoenvironmental analyses and interpretations of organic-rich deposits: The importance of TOC corrections

Methods for reconstructing present-day TOC values to their original values are widely used in petroleum systems analysis. However, the importance of making these corrections appears to be underappreciated when TOC is used for paleoenvironmental interpretation. In this paper we demonstrate how differences between present-day TOC (TOCPD) values (e.g., as measured via LECO and similar methods) and those at the time of deposition (TOCO) can materially affect paleoenvironmental interpretations that use TOC as a variable. The difference between those two values depends on the thermal maturity of the deposits and the original kerogen type. We illustrate the effects of restoring and using TOCO values on samples from the Upper Cretaceous Eagle Ford Formation of South Texas and the Upper Devonian Lower Bakken Shale of North Dakota. Making this correction requires programmed pyrolysis (“Rock-Eval”) data rather than simple TOC measurements. We use plots of molybdenum and sulfur versus TOCPD and TOCO to illustrate the effects of restoring TOC, but any analysis that involves TOC as a variable will be affected. There are uncertainties associated with defining the original organic matter type, and other unknowns that can affect TOC reconstruction. As such we advocate presentation of a range of possible TOCO values, i.e., deliberately capturing uncertainty, rather than a single value. The method used to restore TOC has minimal impact on the interpretations, at least for the two methods employed herein.

Avian Haemosporidian Diversity in South Texas: New Lineages and Variation in Prevalence between Sampling Sources and Sites

Avian haemosporidian parasites (Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, Plasmodium) in Texas are relatively understudied for such a large geographic area with diverse ecoregions. Our study sites in south Texas, located in two adjacent ecoregions, present the opportunity for investigating patterns and possible causes of infections between habitats, and characterizing the baseline makeup of the avian malaria community. We assessed the avian haemosporidian community using their mtDNA cytb gene in 576 birds, 25.69% of which were infected. The overall detection rate was much higher from blood samples than tissue samples, and the more arid ecoregion had a significantly lower overall prevalence. Findings also revealed significantly lower Plasmodium infections in the more arid ecoregion. We identified 25 novel lineages which included 16 Haemoproteus, 2 Leucocytozoon, and 7 Plasmodium lineages. This information establishes a baseline of prevalence for these ecoregions and provides insight to the disease ecology of resident and migrant birds of this area. We assert that baseline knowledge of this type is necessary for meaningful comparisons to areas of high anthropogenic change, and essential to aiding conservation efforts of birds in future.

Hurricane effects on wild turkey survival, daily movements, and roost fidelity

AbstractEnvironmental disturbances driven by global climate variability continue to increase in both frequency and intensity. Recent studies on wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) have documented both direct and indirect demographic effects of short‐term, climatically driven events; however, only limited information is available on the effects of extreme environmental disturbance events on turkey demography. Thus, we evaluated space use and movements of eastern wild turkeys (M. g. silvestris; n = 20) and Rio Grande wild turkeys (M. g. intermedia; n = 22) during hurricane events in South Carolina and Texas, respectively. Hurricane Matthew occurred over a 3‐day period in October 2016 impacting ongoing turkey research on the Webb Wildlife Management Area Complex in South Carolina, whereas Hurricane Harvey occurred over a 5‐day period in August 2017 impacting an ongoing 6‐county study region in Texas. We documented 1 and 2 direct mortalities during Hurricanes Matthew and Harvey, respectively. Mean core area size used by turkeys decreased by 75% during both hurricane events. We did not document evidence of changes in roost fidelity or distance between daily roost clusters after either hurricane. We documented direct mortality of 5 and 8% of the study population during Matthew and Harvey, respectively, and turkeys exhibited a gradient of behavioral responses dependent on hurricane intensity and duration. Because hurricanes can produce substantive modifications to areas used by wild turkeys, we suggest that managers consider initiatives to document legacy effects of extreme environmental disturbance events on local wild turkey demographics, including loss of nesting, brooding and roosting sites.

If you build it, will they come? A comparative landscape analysis of ocelot roadkill locations and crossing structures

Wildlife-vehicle collisions can have a substantial influence on the mortality rates of many wildlife populations. Crossing structures are designed to mitigate the impact of road mortality by allowing safe passage of wildlife above or below roads, and connect to suitable areas on both sides of the road. Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) are a federally endangered felid in the United States, with remnant populations of <80 individuals remaining in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. Vehicle collisions are the greatest known source of mortality for ocelots in Texas. Crossing structures designed for ocelot use have been implemented throughout South Texas since the 1990s, however, ocelots rarely use them. We compared landscape characteristics between ocelot crossing structures and ocelot-vehicle collision sites. We quantified the spatial distribution of woody and herbaceous cover types surrounding ocelot crossing structures (n = 56) and ocelot-vehicle collision sites (n = 26) at multiple spatial extents and compared landscape metrics between these location types. The landscape surrounding ocelot crossing structures had 17–22% more open herbaceous cover >1,050 m from the road, and 1.2–5.8 ha larger herbaceous patches >450 m from the road compared to ocelot-vehicle collision sites. Additionally, many crossing structures installed during the 1990’s are situated >100 km away from an extant ocelot population. Results from this study can guide conservation planners to place future road crossing structures in areas more likely to be used by ocelots. Our results also emphasize that reliable scientific data must be used for effective mitigation efforts. In the absence of data, post-installation assessments can improve the placement of future structures.

Modeling, Planning Allow Successful Implementation of South Texas U-Turn Lateral

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 208801, “Successful Planning and Implementation of First South Texas U-Turn Lateral,” by Riley Schultz and Joe Kiefner, Chesapeake Energy. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Legacy fields require innovative solutions for developing capitally efficient projects within highly developed acreage blocks. As another tool to improve well economics, a U-turn lateral strategy was implemented in the Eagle Ford Shale. This wellbore trajectory resulted in capturing a 9,200-ft equivalent lateral length well in a 5,000-ft-wide lease space. This successful U-turn trajectory test has created new economic project opportunities for the company and has increased optionality within challenged lease spaces across the field. Well Overview In a single U-turn well, the horizontal wellbore turns 180° to create two parallel laterals in a map-view U shape. The successful U-turn project detailed in the complete paper was the first drilled in south Texas (Fig. 1). This resulted in significantly improved economics by using a horizontal turn as a hydrocarbon pathway, rather than an additional vertical section from a new well to gain the equivalent treatable lateral length. This well followed operator standards for south Texas Eagle Ford two-casing-string well design. A 9⅝-in. casing was set to protect shallow water zones, and an 8¾-in. production section was drilled for the remainder of the well (using 5½-in. drillpipe). 5½-in. production casing was then run to total depth (TD). 8¼-in. centralizers were placed on each joint of the casing, freely floating between the collars. The production section was drilled with oil-based mud, and a standard cement job was pumped. Conventional directional tools were used for the entirety of the drilling phase. The decision was made early in the planning phase of the well to forgo fracturing the turn portion of the wellbore and instead drill into the adjacent unit to conduct the turn to maximize the amount of optimally oriented lateral footage in the unit to be produced.

Effects of Peer Tutoring on Preservice Teachers’ Performance on Practice Content Exams in South Texas, USA

To become a teacher in the United States, teaching candidates must demonstrate understanding of good teaching practices and appropriate content knowledge in the subject to be taught (Kowarski, 2021). Teacher preparation programs are trying to balance TCs needs to learn material, engage in quality field experiences, and perform on high-stakes tests assessing content and pedagogy. This quasi-experimental study explored the impact of various interventions on teacher candidate’s performance on practice content exams. The participants of the study included 30 elementary teacher candidates and 7 secondary teacher candidates enrolled in a teacher preparation program in south Texas, USA. Elementary participants were divided into a control group (N=13) using only the online modules and an experimental group (N=17) using online modules and receiving tutoring as interventions between tests. Secondary participants’ interventions consisted of preparing and presenting content-specific tutoring for elementary candidates. Data were collected through pretest scores prior to intervention and posttest scores after intervention. Findings show a statistically significant difference in pre-post exam scores in all groups, but no statistical difference between posttest scores in the elementary control and experimental groups. It was concluded that all intervention methods between tests were effective however the various methods of intervention did not provide statistical differences in outcomes. This research was supported by the SERA Early Career Faculty Mentoring Initiative Grant. Keywords: teacher candidate, high-stakes tests, test preparation, teacher preparation DOI: 10.7176/JEP/13-14-05 Publication date: May 31 st 2022

Disparities in Cancer Genetic Testing and Variants of Uncertain Significance in the Hispanic Population of South Texas.

Racial and ethnic disparities have included a lack of access to both genetic testing and research, resulting in poor understanding of the genomic architecture in under-represented populations. The South Texas population is primarily of Hispanic background and has been largely devoid of genetic services. We extended access to this underserved population and uncovered genetic variants previously not observed, emphasizing the need to continually improve both genomic databases and clarification of variant significance to provide meaningful patient counseling. This study consisted of a retrospective cohort review of patients seen through a cancer genetics education and service program across 24 counties in South Texas. In total, 1,595 individuals were identified as appropriate for cancer genetic counseling and 1,377 completed genetic testing. Eighty percent of those receiving genetic counseling self-identified as Hispanic, 16% as non-Hispanic White (NHW), 3% as African American, and 1% as other race/ethnicity. Of reported variants, 18.8% were pathogenic and 13.7% were reported as a variant of uncertain significance (VUS). VUS was reported in 17.2% of the Hispanic individuals compared with 9% NHW (P = .005). Individuals of Hispanic ethnicity were significantly more likely to harbor a VUS compared with NHW. The extended reach into our regional communities revealed a gap in the ability to accurately interpret genomic variation with implications for advising patients on screening, prevention, and management strategies. A higher percentage of VUS also emphasizes the challenge of continued follow-up amid existing barriers that led to disparities in access. As understanding of the variants develops, hopefully gaps in knowledge of the genomic landscape will be lessened with increased clarity to provide accurate cancer risk assessment and recommendations for implementing prevention initiatives.

A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of a Community Health Worker Led Asthma Education Program in South Texas

PurposeThis paper examines the cost-effectiveness of an asthma-related education program.Materials and MethodsUsing a pre and post approach, the paper calculates first changes in cost due to variations in outcome (from baseline to follow-up). We also estimate cost-effectiveness ratios for each of the eight outcomes (numbers of asthma attacks, hospital, and ER visits, and physical and emotional health, and activity levels of both children and family members).ResultsThe intervention saved the household around $36 per day. Cost-effectiveness ratios ranged between less than $2.2 for children and family members’ physical and emotional health, and activity levels to between $4.1 and $82.8 for asthma attacks and hospital visits. Cost-benefit results showed minimal benefit due to conservative estimates. We could not quantify the economic value of physical and emotional health improvement seen based on the measures.ConclusionCost savings and ratios suggest that such a program could reduce health disparities due to improved knowledge, decreasing exposure to asthma triggers, enhancing health outcomes, and improving the quality of life of the children with asthma and their whole family.

Apostles of Change: Latino Radical Politics, Church Occupations, and the Fight to Save the Barrio

Apostles of Change: Latino Radical Politics, Church Occupations, and the Fight to Save the Barrio

The People's Revolt: Texas Populists and the Rise of American Liberalism

The People's Revolt: Texas Populists and the Rise of American Liberalism

A cadaveric study on the origins of the uterine artery

The uterine artery (UA) is a visceral branch from the anterior division of the internal iliac artery (IIA). Knowledge of the variant origins of this artery is critical during radiologic and surgical procedures of the pelvis, especially those involving the uterus, where managing blood flow is vital. Though its path and destination are well agreed upon, the origin of the UA differs notably, and has led many anatomists to create numerous descriptions for the distinctive variation. This project investigated the origin of the UA in the unique South Texas population of female cadavers donated to the UT Health San Antonio and established a fundamental and comprehensive classification system of the origin of this vessel which readily accommodates previous systems while improving its descriptive terminology. As the UA was identified, its origin was classified into three different ranks—primary, secondary, or tertiary. Primary‐ranked vessels originated directly from the internal iliac artery (IIA) and took three different formations as a separate branch, bifurcation with another vessel, or trifurcation with two other vessels. Secondary‐ranked UAs originated from primary vessels and tertiary‐ranked vessels originated from secondary vessels. 58.97% (23/39) of the UAs studied arose from the IIA as a primary‐ranked vessel, 38.5% (15/39) as a secondary rank, and 2.6% (1/39) as a tertiary rank. 21.7% (5/23) of primary‐ranked UAs took origin from IIA as a separate branch, 56.5% (13/23) as bifurcation with another vessel and 21.7% (5/23) as trifurcation with two other vessels. The UA originated as a bifurcation with the umbilical artery (UmbA) in 13/13 cases. UA origin as a trifurcation was observed in 3 different patterns: 40% (2/5) with the UmbA and the superior vesical artery (SVA); 40% (2/5) with the UmbA and vaginal artery (VA); 20% (1/5) with SVA and the internal pudendal artery (IPA). 93.3% (14/15) of secondary‐ranked UA arose from the UmbA and 6.7% (1/15) from the IPA. We observed a single tertiary ranked UA arising from the vaginal artery (VA), which took origin from the UmbA, a branch of the anterior division of the IIA. It is imperative that the prevalence of these primary‐ranked UA bifurcations and trifurcations be further established since permanent occlusion at the vessel’s origin may subsequently lead to necrosis of unintended tissues. Larger sample sizes amongst differing populations may lead to the discovery of uncommon bifurcation and trifurcation patterns, or with similar vessels in differing proportions. It would also be important to translate the evaluation criteria used in this study into 3D and 4D digital subtraction angiography or cone‐beam computed tomography software for clinical studies. Increasing awareness of the variant origins of the UA will ultimately improve patient treatment outcomes, particularly for female reproductive health.

Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Top Concerns in Pregnant Women at a South Texas Clinic [A128

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 vaccination rates among pregnant women remain low, despite increased risk of COVID-19-related illness and death and demonstrated vaccine safety and efficacy in this population. Continued research is needed to better understand and characterize the vaccine-hesitant pregnant population. METHODS: Following institutional review board approval, a cross-sectional cohort study was conducted from August to September 2021 surveying pregnant women at an urban South Texas clinic to identify predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Variables collected included: demographics, COVID-19 beliefs, Tdap/influenza vaccine hesitancy, and primary vaccine concerns. Fisher’s exact test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to identify variables predicting vaccine hesitancy. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to analyze sub-cohorts of unvaccinated participants. RESULTS: A total of 109 participants completed the survey, 35 vaccinated and 74 unvaccinated, with a response rate of 91.6%. Patients in the vaccine-hesitant cohort had greater odds of being younger (28.0 versus 31.0 years; OR, 0.90; P&lt;.004) and further along in pregnancy (210 versus 140 days; OR, 1.01; P=.001). They also were more likely to report vaccine hesitancy for influenza (OR, 0.1, P&lt;.001; OR, 0.11, P&lt;.001) and Tdap (OR, 0.13, P&lt;.001; OR, 0.29, P&lt;.03). Furthermore, they had greater odds of believing they did not have enough information to confidently make their decision (OR, 0.15, P&lt;.01; OR, 0.23, P&lt;.01). Primary concerns with COVID-19 vaccines included short- and long-term side effects on the pregnancy, personal long-term side effects, and harmful ingredients in the vaccine. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that public health strategies aimed at increasing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in pregnant women should focus on younger women, addressing broader hesitancy with vaccines in general and COVID-19 vaccine safety concerns.