December 2009

New Toxicology Tutorial Available

ToxLearn, a new NLM resource, is now available.   http://toxlearn.nlm.nih.gov  

ToxLearn is a multi-module online learning tool that provides an introduction to toxicology. It can be used as an ancillary curriculum to a first-level undergraduate toxicology course, and can provide users of NLM’s toxicology databases with a working knowledge of basic toxicology principles. ToxLearn modules will be made available as they are completed. Module 1 covers “Toxicology and Dose Response.”

ToxLearn is an update of NLM ToxTutor, which was designed to provide a basic understanding of toxicology as an aide for users of toxicology literature contained in the National Library of Medicine’s toxicological and chemical databases. http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/enviro/toxtutor.html 

ToxLearn will update and expand on the ToxTutor effort.

Disaster Information Management Research Center (DIMRC)

The NLM Disaster Information Management Research Center (DIMRC) has added and updated several pages.

        Medical and scientific literature on disaster medicine and public health (updated list of relevant journals indexed for PubMed):

http://disasterinfo.nlm.nih.gov/dimrc/medscilit.html

• List of disaster glossaries:

http://disasterinfo.nlm.nih.gov/dimrc/glossaries.html

• MeSH Terms used in indexing disaster-related journal articles:

http://disasterinfo.nlm.nih.gov/dimrc/mesh_disaster.html

TOXMAP

A significantly new version of TOXMAP is expected to be released in 2010. This update will feature a completely new underlying Geographical Information System (GIS).  Maps will be more intuitive and will provide mouse-based dynamic pan-and-zoom, click to pop-up feature details, satellite and topographic overlays, and additional geospatial query capabilities.  TOXMAP will still contain links to NLM chemical and environmental health resources, as well as to the EPA and CDC.

http://toxmap.nlm.nih.gov

Tox Town

Tox Town has added “Endocrine Disruptors” to its list of over 30 chemicals. Information on this group of substances, which may interfere with human hormones, is available in both English and Spanish. http://www.toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/text_version/chemicals.php?id=65

On August 13, 2009, Tox Town was awarded the MERLOT Health Sciences Classics Award, which recognizes exemplary online learning resources.

http://www.toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/text_version/whatsnew.php

REMM (Radiation Event Medical Management)

http://www.remm.nlm.gov/

The NLM Radiation Event Medical Management resource (REMM) has updated/added:

http://www.remm.nlm.gov/whatsnew.htm  

REMM is produced by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Office of Planning and Emergency Operations, in cooperation with the National Library of Medicine, Division of Specialized Information Services, with subject matter experts from the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and many US and international consultants.

REMM provides:

• Guidance for health care providers, primarily physicians, about clinical diagnosis and treatment during mass casualty radiological/nuclear (rad/nuc) events
• Just-in-time, evidence-based, usable information with sufficient background and context to make complex issues understandable to those without formal radiation medicine expertise
• Web-based information that is also downloadable in advance, so that it would be available during an event if the internet is not accessible.

Class Opportunity: TOXNET® and Beyond

The TOXNET® and Beyond class covers using the National Library of Medicine's Environmental Health and Toxicology Portal. 

http://nnlm.gov/ntcc/classes/schedule.html#class5

This full-day class is designed to convey the basics of searching the NLM's TOXNET, a web-based system of databases in the areas of toxicology, environmental health, and related subjects. Students learn the content and structure of files covering toxicology data, toxicology literature, toxic releases, and chemical searching and nomenclature. Among the databases highlighted are TOXLINE®, the Hazardous Substances Data Bank, the Integrated Risk Information System, the Toxic Release Inventory, and ChemIDplus. This class is for U.S. domestic searchers. There are no fees for training but students must cover their own travel and lodging. Classes are held throughout the United States. The training schedule and other details are available from the National Training Center and Clearinghouse. http://nnlm.gov/ntcc

The TOXNET class is awarded six MLA continuing education credits.  http://nnlm.gov/ntcc/classes/schedule.html#class5

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