Publications by authors named "Clarissa Lee"

Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to evaluate changes in MRI-based biomarkers after surgeries for upper extremity lymphedema, specifically looking at vascularized lymph node transplant (VLNT) and debulking lipectomy.
  • Data from 33 patients with pre- and postoperative MRIs were analyzed, focusing on edema scores and subcutaneous thickness (ST) across 16 anatomical segments of the arm and forearm.
  • Results showed a significant decrease in ST in most segments after surgery, but edema scores increased in several segments, indicating mixed outcomes in lymphedema treatment effectiveness.
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Introduction: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) stage 1 (early stage) upper extremity lymphedema is characterized by fluid infiltration in the subcutaneous tissues that does not exceed 50% of the extremity circumference at any level. The spatial fluid distribution in these cases has not been detailed and may be important to help determine the presence and location of compensatory lymphatic channels. The aim of this study is to determine whether there was a pattern of distribution of fluid infiltration in patients with early-stage lymphedema that could correspond to known lymphatic pathways in the upper extremity.

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Article Synopsis
  • Immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) has changed cancer therapy, but only some patients experience long-term benefits, highlighting the need for new targets and treatments.* -
  • Researchers utilized the 23andMe database to find a genetic signature linking variations that affect both cancer and immune disease risks, discovering key genes like CD200 and CD200R1.* -
  • They developed a high-affinity antibody (23ME-00610) that inhibits the CD200:CD200R1 interaction, which enhances T-cell activity and reduces tumor growth in mouse models of melanoma.*
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CD73 (ecto-5'-nucleotidase) has emerged as an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy of many cancers. CD73 catalyzes the hydrolysis of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) into highly immunosuppressive adenosine that plays a critical role in tumor progression. Herein, we report our efforts in developing orally bioavailable and highly potent small-molecule CD73 inhibitors from the reported hit molecule to lead molecule and then finally to compound .

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This essay considers the development of the nuclear science programme in Malaysia from a transnational perspective by examining the interactions between state agents and other external nuclear-knowledge/technology related actors and agents. Going beyond the model of knowledge diffusion that brings together concerns articulated in Harris's (2011) geographies of long distance knowledge and Reinhardt's (2011) role of the expert in knowledge transfer, the proposed three-phase model of knowledge transfer theorises the pathways undertaken by a late-blooming participant of modern science and technology as the latter moves from epistemic dependency to increasing independence despite the hurdles encountered, and the underdevelopment of many areas of its technoscientific economy. The model considers tensions stemming from the pressures of expediency for meeting national developmental goals on the one side, and the call to support the objectives of basic science on the other.

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Leucine-rich repeat-containing 8 (LRRC8) proteins have been identified as putative receptors involved in lymphocyte development and adipocyte differentiation. They remain poorly characterized, and no specific function has been assigned to them. There is no consensus on how this family of proteins might function because homology searches suggest that members of the LRRC8 family act not as plasma membrane receptors, but rather as channels that mediate cell-cell signaling.

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The development of forward genetic screens in human haploid cells has the potential to transform our understanding of the genetic basis of cellular processes unique to man. So far, this approach has been limited mostly to the identification of genes that mediate cell death in response to a lethal agent, likely due to the ease with which this phenotype can be observed. Here, we perform the first reporter screen in the near-haploid KBM7 cell line to identify constitutive inhibitors of NF-κB.

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Meiotically heritable epigenetic changes in gene regulation known as paramutations are facilitated by poorly understood trans-homolog interactions. Mutations affecting paramutations in maize (Zea mays) identify components required for the accumulation of 24-nucleotide RNAs. Some of these components have Arabidopsis thaliana orthologs that are part of an RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway.

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Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are essential components of the innate immune system. Accessory proteins are required for the biosynthesis and activation of TLRs. Here, we summarize recent findings on TLR accessory proteins that are required for cell-surface and endosomal TLR function, and we classify these proteins based on their function as ligand-recognition and delivery cofactors, chaperones and trafficking proteins.

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Toll-like receptors (TLRs) activate the innate immune system in response to pathogens. Here we show that TLR9 proteolytic cleavage is a prerequisite for TLR9 signaling. Inhibition of lysosomal proteolysis rendered TLR9 inactive.

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Several types of cellular responses to ionizing radiation, such as the adaptive response or the bystander effect, suggest that low-dose radiation may possess characteristics that distinguish it from its high-dose counterpart. Accumulated evidence also implies that the biological effects of low-dose and high-dose ionizing radiation are not linearly distributed. We have investigated, for the first time, global gene expression changes induced by ionizing radiation at doses as low as 2 cGy and have compared this to expression changes at 4 Gy.

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