United States Chess Federation

About: United States Chess Federation is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Frontotemporal dementia & non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The organization has 63 authors who have published 52 publications receiving 1620 citations. The organization is also known as: USCF & US Chess.

Consensus criteria for the diagnosis of frontotemporal cognitive and behavioural syndromes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Abstract: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is increasingly recognized to be a multisystem disorder which includes both clinical and neuropathological features of a frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). In order to provide a common framework within which to discuss the characteristics of the cognitive and behavioural syndromes of ALS, and with which to conduct clinical and neuropathological research, an international research workshop on frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and ALS was held in London, Canada in June 2007. The recommendations arising from this research workshop address the requirement for a concise clinical diagnosis of the underlying motor neuron disease (Axis I), defining the cognitive and behavioural dysfunction (Axis II), describing additional non-motor manifestations (Axis III) and identifying the presence of disease modifiers (Axis IV).

Stress-inducible protein 1 is a cell surface ligand for cellular prion that triggers neuroprotection

Abstract: Prions are composed of an isoform of a normal sialoglycoprotein called PrP(c), whose physiological role has been under investigation, with focus on the screening for ligands. Our group described a membrane 66 kDa PrP(c)-binding protein with the aid of antibodies against a peptide deduced by complementary hydropathy. Using these antibodies in western blots from two-dimensional protein gels followed by sequencing the specific spot, we have now identified the molecule as stress-inducible protein 1 (STI1). We show that this protein is also found at the cell membrane besides the cytoplasm. Both proteins interact in a specific and high affinity manner with a K(d) of 10(-7) M. The interaction sites were mapped to amino acids 113-128 from PrP(c) and 230-245 from STI1. Cell surface binding and pull-down experiments showed that recombinant PrP(c) binds to cellular STI1, and co-immunoprecipitation assays strongly suggest that both proteins are associated in vivo. Moreover, PrP(c) interaction with either STI1 or with the peptide we found that represents the binding domain in STI1 induce neuroprotective signals that rescue cells from apoptosis.

Behavioral features in semantic dementia vs other forms of progressive aphasias.

Abstract: Objective: To compare the behavioral profiles in different variants of primary progressive aphasia (PPA). Methods: We classified 67 patients with PPA into three clinical variants: semantic dementia (SEMD), progressive nonfluent aphasia (PNFA), and logopenic progressive aphasia (LPA), and we compared the severity of behavioral dysfunction, as measured by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory, in these groups and patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer disease (AD). Results: SEMD was associated with significantly more socioemotional behavioral dysfunction than the other two variants of PPA and than AD, specifically more disinhibition, aberrant motor behavior, and eating disorders—behaviors that are typical of FTD. In contrast, PNFA and LPA did not differ from each other or from AD in the type or severity of behavioral dysfunction. Behavioral abnormalities increased in severity with disease duration in SEMD, but this association was not detected in PNFA or LPA. Conclusions: Semantic dementia is associated with significantly more behavioral dysfunction than other variants of primary progressive aphasia, specifically behavioral features typical of frontotemporal dementia.

Assessment and prognostic significance of the epidermal growth factor receptor vIII mutation in glioblastoma patients treated with concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide radiochemotherapy.

Abstract: The epidermal growth factor receptor vIII mutant (EGFRvIII) is found in ~50% of all EGFR-amplified glioblastomas and constitutes a tumor-specific therapeutic target. To assess molecular testing approaches and the prognostic role of EGFRvIII in patients treated according to current standards of care, we compared different EGFRvIII detection methods and correlated EGFRvIII status with outcome in a prospective patient cohort of the German Glioma Network. In total, 184 newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients were investigated for EGFR amplification and for expression of EGFR and EGFRvIII by immunohistochemistry. Further, the EGFRvIII status was additionally studied by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis and reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). Immunohistochemistry demonstrated EGFRvIII in 34 of 184 patients (18%). RT-PCR or MLPA analysis detected four additional EGFRvIII-positive patients. Overall, RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were more sensitive for EGFRvIII detection than MLPA. EGFRvIII status was not associated with progression-free and overall survival. EGFRvIII also had no prognostic significance in the subgroup of patients who were free from progression after concomitant radiochemotherapy and thus would be eligible for the ongoing ACT IV EGFRvIII vaccination trial. Age, extent of resection and O⁶-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status appeared to be less prognostic in EGFRvIII-positive patients. Thus, EGFRvIII positivity is not a major negative prognostic factor in glioblastoma patients treated according to current standards of care. Data from phase II EGFRvIII-targeted vaccination trials compare favorably with the present contemporary results, supporting the further exploration of EGVRvIII vaccination in newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

Western Trauma Association Critical Decisions in Trauma: Management of the mangled extremity

Abstract: Background The operative management of mangled extremities after trauma remains controversial. We have sought to develop an evidence-based algorithm to help guide practitioners when faced with these relatively infrequent but very challenging clinical dilemmas. Methods The Western Trauma Association Critical Decisions Committee queried the literature to identify high-quality managements that would help guide the care of mangled extremities. When good data were not available, the Committee relied on expert opinions, either from the literature or from our senior members. Results Virtually, all the scoring systems used to guide therapy have not been proven to be valid. Hemodynamically unstable patients who failed to respond to initial resuscitation should be taken to the operating room for exploration and vascular control. Those who are stable should undergo a stepwise vascular and neurologic evaluation process. A comprehensive evaluation of factors that may help predict the appropriateness of limb salvage should be done in the operating room. Patients who are not candidates for salvage should undergo primary amputation. Those who are should undergo attempts at limb salvage. Conclusions Patients with mangled extremities remain a significant management challenge. This algorithm represents a guideline based on the best evidence available in the literature and expert opinion. It does not establish a standard of care. It should provide a framework for treating physicians and other healthcare professionals to guide therapy, considering individual patients' clinical status and institutional resources.