Spencer Academy: the Choctaw "Harvard", 1842-1900

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Oklahoma, 1965.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-123

Chronicles of Oklahoma

Article describes the need for and establishment of Spencer Academy in the Choctaw Nation. W. David Baird explores the leadership behind the institution, its religious connections, events during the Civil War, and the rebuilding of the academy after it burned down

Craniocervical Junction Syndrome: Anatomy of the Craniocervical and Atlantoaxial Junctions and the Effect of Misalignment on Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow

The craniocervical junction (CCJ) is comprised of the inferior surface of the skull, the atlas and axis, as well as muscles and connective tissues that attach the skull to the cervical spine. The CCJ encloses the central nervous system (CNS), encephalic vasculature and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) system. The CCJ spans the brainstem to the spinal cord, including the vascular system as well as connecting the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cisterns within the skull to the CSF channels in the spinal canal. Malformation and misalignment of the craniocervical junction can cause a constellation of cerebral and other neurological signs and symptoms collectively called craniocervical syndrome (CCS). The signs and symptoms of craniocervical junction syndrome may be due to mechanical strain causing deformation of dura mater, vasculature and other structures of the cranial vault resulting in irritation of and dysfunction of affected tissues. Deformation of the CCJ may also obstruct blood and CSF flow. Chronic ischemia, edema and hydrocephalus can cause degenerative cascades that can in turn lead to neurodegenerative diseases

Effects of colour-coded compartmentalised syringe trays on anaesthetic drug error detection under cognitive load

oai:repository.derby.ac.uk:q4qv7Background Anaesthetic drug administration is complex, and typical clinical environments can entail significant cognitive load. Colour-coded anaesthetic drug trays have shown promising results for error identification and reducing cognitive load. Methods We used experimental psychology methods to test the potential benefits of colour-coded compartmentalised trays compared with conventional trays in a simulated visual search task. Effects of cognitive load were also explored through an accompanying working memory-based task. We hypothesised that colour-coded compartmentalised trays would improve drug-detection error, reduce search time, and reduce cognitive load. This comprised a cognitive load memory task presented alongside a visual search task to detect drug errors. Results All 53 participants completed 36 trials, which were counterbalanced across the two tray types and 18 different vignettes. There were 16 error-present and 20 error-absent trials, with 18 trials presented for each preloaded tray type. Syringe errors were detected more often in the colour-coded trays than in the conventional trays (91% vs 83%, respectively; P=0.006). In signal detection analysis, colour-coded trays resulted in more sensitivity to the error signal (2.28 vs 1.50, respectively; P<0.001). Confidence in response accuracy correlated more strongly with task performance for the colour-coded tray condition, indicating improved metacognitive sensitivity to task performance (r=0.696 vs r=0.447). Conclusions Colour coding and compartmentalisation enhanced visual search efficacy of drug trays. This is further evidence that introducing standardised colour-coded trays into operating theatres and procedural suites would add an additional layer of safety for anaesthetic procedures

Mechanisms of tricuspid regurgitation in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome undergoing tricuspid valvuloplasty

ObjectivesTricuspid regurgitation (TR) remains a risk factor for morbidity and mortality through staged palliation in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Reports on the mechanisms associated with TR in patients with HLHS are limited. Thus, we sought to describe our experience with tricuspid valve (TV) repair in these patients, focusing on the mechanisms of TR and corresponding surgical techniques.MethodsWe performed a retrospective single-center review (January 2000 to December 2012) of patients with HLHS undergoing TV repair and completing Fontan circulation. We evaluated the pre- and postoperative echocardiograms, intraoperative findings, and surgical techniques used.ResultsA total of 53 TV repairs were performed in 35 patients with HLHS completing staged palliation. TV repairs were performed at stage II in 15, between stage II and III in 4, at stage III in 27, and after stage III in 7. The surgical techniques for valvuloplasty included annuloplasty (38%), anteroseptal (AS) commissuroplasty (66%), anterior papillary muscle repositioning (11%), multiple commissuroplasties (9%), septal-posterior commissuroplasty (9%), and fenestration closure (4%). The predominant jet of TR emanated along the AS commissure in 68% of the cases. All patients survived the procedure and were discharged. Preoperative echocardiography showed a dilated TV annulus on the lateral dimension, anteroposterior dimension, and area that was significantly reduced after TV repair (P < .0001). The preoperative mean TR, as assessed by lateral (P = .002) and anteroposterior (P = .005) vena contracta, was also significantly reduced after TV repair. TV repair did not significantly affect right ventricular systolic function immediately after surgery (P = .17) or at the most recent follow-up visit (P = .52). Patients with anterior leaflet prolapse were at increased risk of worse outcomes, including moderate or greater right ventricular dysfunction (P = .02). Patients requiring reoperation for TV repair were younger (6.3 vs 28.1 months, P < .0001) at the initial operation. One patient died of heart failure. Freedom from TV replacement and transplant-free survival were both 97% at the most recent follow-up point.ConclusionsTR in patients with HLHS commonly emanates from the AS commissure. The associated mechanisms are often annular dilatation and anterior leaflet prolapse. Preoperative anterior leaflet prolapse was associated with worse outcomes. Annuloplasty, closure of the AS commissure, and repositioning of the anterior papillary muscle are effective in addressing TR in the short- and mid-term in this challenging population

Nitrogen and water dynamics in farming systems – multi-year impact of crop sequences

Take home messages • Grain legumes have utilised soil mineral nitrogen (N) to the same extent as cereal crops and have higher N export which often offsets N fixation inputs • Additional applied N reduced the depletion of background soil mineral N status at most sites; we are recovering a high percentage (>50%) in soil mineral pool. • Application of ~50 t/ha of compost or manure (10 t/ha OC) coupled with N fertiliser rates for 90th percentile yield potential has dramatically increased the soil mineral N in four years • Decreasing cropping frequency has reduced N export and so stored more N over the longer fallows, which has reduced N fertiliser requirements for following crops • Long fallows are mineralising N and moving N down the soil profile even under some very dry conditions • Most excess N is not lost in the system rather it is moved down the soil profile for future crops • The marginal WUE of crops (i.e. the grain yield increase per extra mm of available water) is lower when crops have less than 100 mm prior to planting. Hence, waiting until soil moisture reaches these levels is critical to maximise conversion of accumulated soil moisture into grain • The previous crop influences the efficiency of fallow water accumulation with winter cereals > sorghum > pulses. Long fallows are also less efficient than shorter fallows (<8 months). This has implications for assuming how much soil moisture may have accumulated during fallows

Temporally resolved interactions between antigen-stimulated IgE receptors and Lyn kinase on living cells

Upon cross-linking by antigen, the high affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E (IgE), FcɛRI, is phosphorylated by the Src family tyrosine kinase Lyn to initiate mast cell signaling, leading to degranulation. Using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), we observe stimulation-dependent associations between fluorescently labeled IgE-FcɛRI and Lyn-EGFP on individual cells. We also simultaneously measure temporal variations in the lateral diffusion of these proteins. Antigen-stimulated interactions between these proteins detected subsequent to the initiation of receptor phosphorylation exhibit time-dependent changes, suggesting multiple associations between FcɛRI and Lyn-EGFP. During this period, we also observe a persistent decrease in Lyn-EGFP lateral diffusion that is dependent on Src family kinase activity. These stimulated interactions are not observed between FcɛRI and a chimeric EGFP that contains only the membrane-targeting sequence from Lyn. Our results reveal real-time interactions between Lyn and cross-linked FcɛRI implicated in downstream signaling events. They demonstrate the capacity of FCS cross-correlation analysis to investigate the mechanism of signaling-dependent protein–protein interactions in intact, living cells

Early onset airway obstruction in response to organic dust in the horse

Equine recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) has been used as a naturally occurring model of human asthma. However, it is unknown whether there is an early-phase response in RAO. The aim of this study was to determine whether exposure to organic dust induces immediate changes in lung function in RAO-affected horses, which could be mediated by airway mast cells. Six RAO-affected horses in remission and six control horses were challenged with hay-straw dust suspension by nebulization. Total respiratory resistance at 1 Hz, measured by forced oscillation, was increased from 0.62 +/- 0.09 cmH(2)O.l(-1).s (mean +/- SE) to 1.23 +/- 0.20 cmH(2)O.l(-1).s 15 min after nebulization in control horses (P = 0.023) but did not change significantly in the RAO group. Total respiratory reactance at 1 Hz (P = 0.005) was significantly lower in the control horses (-0.77 +/- 0.07 cmH(2)O.l(-1).s) than in the RAO group (-0.49 +/- 0.04 cmH(2)O.l(-1).s) 15 min after nebulization. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) histamine concentration was significantly elevated 10 and 20 min postnebulization in control horses but not in RAO horses. Minimum reactance at 1 Hz in the early postnebulization period significantly correlated with both prechallenge BALF mast cell numbers (r = -0.65, P = 0.02) and peak BALF histamine concentration postnebulization (r = -0.61, P = 0.04). In conclusion, RAO horses, unlike human asthmatic patients, do not exhibit an early-phase response. However, healthy control horses do demonstrate a mild but significant early (<20 min) phase response to inhaled organic dust. This response may serve to decrease the subsequent dose of dust inhaled and as such provide a protective mechanism, which may be compromised in RAO horses