Publications by authors named "John Harper"

Background: Human acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) remain the most used matrices in prosthetic breast reconstruction. However, the availability and cost of ADMs limit their use in prepectoral reconstruction-which requires large amounts of ADM-and alternative matrices are therefore being explored.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of human-porcine ADM constructs via clinical outcomes and histologic evidence of graft integration.

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Pathological fibrosis is a significant complication of surgical procedures resulting from the accumulation of excess collagen at the site of repair which can compromise the tissue architecture and severely impede the function of the affected tissue. Few prophylactic treatments exist to counteract this process; however, the use of amniotic membrane allografts has demonstrated promising clinical outcomes. This study aimed to identify the underlying mechanism of action by utilizing relevant models that accurately represent the pathophysiology of the disease state.

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Article Synopsis
  • Neuroblastoma is a common pediatric cancer characterized by poor clinical outcomes and chemotherapy resistance, prompting a need to better understand patient tumor variability and preclinical models.
  • Researchers used single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze neuroblastoma cell lines, patient-derived xenografts, and genetically engineered mouse models, employing a machine learning approach to compare gene expression profiles.
  • The study revealed a weakly expressed mesenchymal-like gene program in some high-risk patient tumors that may be chemotherapy-induced, highlighting a potential escape mechanism from treatment and improving the understanding of tumor diversity in neuroblastoma.
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Neuroblastoma is a common pediatric cancer, where preclinical studies suggest that a mesenchymal-like gene expression program contributes to chemotherapy resistance. However, clinical outcomes remain poor, implying we need a better understanding of the relationship between patient tumor heterogeneity and preclinical models. Here, we generated single-cell RNA-seq maps of neuroblastoma cell lines, patient-derived xenograft models (PDX), and a genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM).

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The reparative properties of amniotic membrane allografts are well-suited for a broad spectrum of specialties. Further enhancement of their utility can be achieved by designing to the needs of each application through the development of novel processing techniques and tissue configurations. As such, this study evaluated the material characteristics and biological properties of two PURION processed amniotic membrane products, a lyophilized human amnion, intermediate layer, and chorion membrane (LHACM) and a dehydrated human amnion, chorion membrane (DHACM).

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Adoption of electronic identification ear tags (EID) and DNA testing by commercial range sheep producers in the Western United States has been low, despite the availability of these technologies for over a decade. Jointly, these technologies offer an approach to provide individual animal performance data to improve flock health, genetic and reproductive management. This project involved a collaboration with five California sheep producers representing a broad geographic range, varying levels of pre-project EID adoption, and diverse operational practices.

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Background: Ichthyosis defines a group of chronic conditions that manifest phenotypically as a thick layer of scales, often affecting the entire skin. While the gene mutations that lead to ichthyosis are well documented, the actual signalling mechanisms that lead to scaling are poorly characterized; however, recent publications suggest that common mechanisms are active in ichthyotic tissue and in analogous models of ichthyosis.

Objectives: To determine common mechanisms of hyperkeratosis that may be easily targeted with small-molecule inhibitors.

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Background: Central venous access devices (CVAD) are commonly employed in the management of cancer patients. While having several benefits they are associated with significant risks.

Aim: To review the incidence and risk factors for catheter-related thrombosis (CRT) in cancer patients with a CVAD.

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Importance: Systemic treatments for severe childhood atopic dermatitis have limited evidence and/or are unlicensed. Despite the efficacy of anti-IgE medication (omalizumab) in the treatment of atopy, no large randomized studies in childhood atopic dermatitis have been published.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of omalizumab in treating severe atopic dermatitis in children.

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Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is a forage and amenity grass species widely cultivated in temperate regions worldwide. As such, perennial ryegrass populations are exposed to a range of environmental conditions and stresses on a seasonal basis and from year to year. One source of potential stress is limitation on water availability.

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Background: Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Syndrome (BRBNS) is a rare, severe, sporadically occurring disorder characterized by multiple venous malformations.

Aims: To present and analyze a case series of pediatric patients with BRBNS and to describe diagnostic approaches and management options applied.

Patients And Methods: Multicenter, retrospective study, evaluating the diagnosis and management of children with BRBNS.

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Netherton syndrome (NS) is a rare autosomal recessive skin disorder caused by mutations in . It is a debilitating condition with notable mortality in the early years of life. There is no curative treatment.

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The incorporation of new sophisticated phenotyping technologies within a crop improvement program allows for a plant breeding strategy that can include selections for major root traits previously inaccessible due to the challenges in their phenotype assessment. High-throughput precision phenotyping technology is employed to evaluate root ontogeny and progressive changes to root architecture of both novel amphiploid and introgression lines of over four consecutive months of the growing season and these compared under the same time frame to that of closely related perennial ryegrass () varieties. Root imaging using conventional photography and assembled multiple merged images was used to compare frequencies in root number, their distribution within 0-20 and 20-40 cm depths within soil columns, and progressive changes over time.

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Alien chromosome introgression is used for the transfer of beneficial traits in plant breeding. For temperate forage grasses, much of the work in this context has focused on species within the ryegrasses (Lolium spp.) and the closely related fescues (Festuca spp.

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Supernumerary 'B' chromosomes are non-essential components of the genome present in a range of plant and animal species-including many grasses. Within diploid and polyploid ryegrass and fescue species, including the forage grass perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), the presence of B chromosomes has been reported as influencing both chromosome pairing and chiasma frequencies.

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Background And Aims: Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) has been through a severe genetic bottleneck as a result of its evolution and domestication. It is therefore essential that new sources of genetic variation are generated and utilized. This study aimed to generate genome-wide introgressed segments from Aegilops speltoides.

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Article Synopsis
  • Pressure-injectable peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are commonly used for injecting contrast during CT scans, and while they are typically safe, complications can occur.
  • This case review highlights three instances where PICC tips migrated after contrast pressure injections, with some migrating into the pleural cavity, leading to complications.
  • The report aims to raise awareness about this specific complication, which had not been previously identified at the institution, and is classified as a Level 4 evidence case series.
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The terminal domains of suprabasal keratins of the skin epithelium are very resistant to evidence-based structural analysis because of their inherent flexibility and lack of predictable structure. We present a model for the structure and interactions of the head and tail domains of epidermal keratins 1 and 10, based on all-atom 3D simulations of keratin primary amino acid sequences, and tyrosine phosphorylation predictions, extracted from published databases. We observed that keratin 1 and 10 end domains are likely to form a tetrameric terminal domain complex incorporating a reversibly extendable region potentially acting as a molecular spring.

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Background: Upregulation of kallikreins (KLKs) including KLK5 has been reported in atopic dermatitis (AD). KLK5 has biological functions that include degrading desmosomal proteins and inducing proinflammatory cytokine secretion through protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2). However, due to the complex interactions between various cells in AD inflamed skin, it is difficult to dissect the precise and multiple roles of upregulated KLK5 in AD skin.

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