Publications by authors named "Carlos R Ferreira"

Dysmorphisms, or physical abnormalities in appearance, can vary in frequency and severity among individuals with inherited metabolic disorders (IMD). The prevalence of dysmorphisms in these disorders can range from rare occurrences to more common features, depending on the specific disorder and its genetic characteristics. It is important to note that not all individuals with IMDs will exhibit dysmorphic features, and the presence of such features may vary widely among different types of metabolic disorders.

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  • Researchers studied mutations in a gene that affects a key protein involved in cell signaling, which is linked to severe health issues like impaired immunity in patients.
  • The mutations were found to disrupt normal cell behavior by promoting excessive cell growth and responses to immune signals, specifically T cell receptor stimulation.
  • The mutant protein was shown to interfere with a regulatory protein, leading to heightened activity of important signaling pathways that contribute to cell growth and survival.
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Background: Mineral metabolism is critical for proper development of hard tissues of the skeleton and dentition. The dentoalveolar complex includes the following 4 mineralized tissues: enamel, dentin, cementum, and alveolar bone. Developmental processes of these tissues are affected by inherited disorders that disrupt phosphate and pyrophosphate homeostasis, although manifestations are distinct from those in the skeleton.

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Jansen metaphyseal chondrodysplasia (JMC) is an ultra-rare disorder caused by germline heterozygous variants resulting in constitutive activation of parathyroid hormone type 1 receptor. A description of ocular manifestations of the disease is lacking. Six patients with JMC underwent a detailed ophthalmic evaluation, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT), visual field testing, and craniofacial CT scans.

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Ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1) codes for a type 2 transmembrane glycoprotein which hydrolyzes extracellular phosphoanhydrides into bio-active molecules that regulate, inter alia, ectopic mineralization, bone formation, vascular endothelial proliferation, and the innate immune response. The clinical phenotypes produced by ENPP1 deficiency are disparate, ranging from life-threatening arterial calcifications to cutaneous hypopigmentation. To investigate associations between disease phenotype and enzyme activity we quantified the enzyme velocities of 29 unique ENPP1 pathogenic variants in 41 patients enrolled in an NIH study along with 33 other variants reported in literature.

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  • * The most common symptoms of CDG manifest in the neurological, dysmorphic, skeletal, and ocular systems, affecting up to 81% of patients, while digestive and cardiovascular issues are also noted but less frequently.
  • * The study includes essential laboratory investigations for each CDG type and aims to provide useful information for healthcare providers treating patients with these metabolic disorders.
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  • Arterial calcification due to CD73 deficiency (ACDC) is a rare genetic disorder that causes painful calcium deposits in arteries and joints, and there are currently no standard treatments available.
  • A study was conducted with seven adult ACDC patients to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of etidronate, a potential treatment, over three years, involving regular imaging and clinical assessments.
  • Results suggested that etidronate was safe and well-tolerated, and it may have slowed the progression of vascular calcification, although it did not reverse existing calcifications.
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Purpose: The functionality of many cellular proteins depends on cofactors; yet, they have only been implicated in a minority of Mendelian diseases. Here, we describe the first 2 inherited disorders of the cytosolic iron-sulfur protein assembly system.

Methods: Genetic testing via genome sequencing was applied to identify the underlying disease cause in 3 patients with microcephaly, congenital brain malformations, progressive developmental and neurologic impairments, recurrent infections, and a fatal outcome.

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Many classical inherited metabolic diseases (IMDs) are associated with significant hematological complications such as anemia or thrombosis. While these may not be the prominent presenting feature of these conditions, management of these issues is important for optimal outcomes in people with IMDs. Some disorders that are included in the nosology of inherited metabolic disorders, such as inherited disorders of red cell energy metabolism, have purely hematological features, and have typically been cared for by a hematologist.

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The enzyme ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 () codes for a type 2 transmembrane glycoprotein that hydrolyzes extracellular ATP to generate pyrophosphate (PP) and adenosine monophosphate, thereby contributing to downstream purinergic signaling pathways. The clinical phenotypes induced by ENPP1 deficiency are seemingly contradictory and include early-onset osteoporosis in middle-aged adults and life-threatening vascular calcifications in the large arteries of infants with generalized arterial calcification of infancy. The progressive overmineralization of soft tissue and concurrent undermineralization of skeleton also occur in the general medical population, where it is referred to as paradoxical mineralization to highlight the confusing pathophysiology.

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  • The study offers an extensive review of inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs) where epilepsy is a significant symptom, identifying 256 types linked to various seizure types.
  • It categorizes these disorders based on established medical classifications, specific seizure-related factors, and their treatability.
  • Findings reveal that most inherited metabolic epilepsies manifest in newborns and that around 20% are treatable, mainly in the areas of mineral metabolism and nutrient processing, providing crucial information for healthcare providers.
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Kidney disease is a global health burden with high morbidity and mortality. Causes of kidney disease are numerous, extending from common disease groups like diabetes and arterial hypertension to rare conditions including inherited metabolic diseases (IMDs). Given its unique anatomy and function, the kidney is a target organ in about 10% of known IMDs, emphasizing the relevant contribution of IMDs to kidney disease.

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Background: KBG syndrome is caused by haploinsufficiency of and is characterised by macrodontia of upper central incisors, distinctive facial features, short stature, skeletal anomalies, developmental delay, brain malformations and seizures. The central nervous system (CNS) and skeletal features remain poorly defined.

Methods: CNS and/or skeletal imaging were collected from molecularly confirmed individuals with KBG syndrome through an international network.

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  • Respiratory issues are a significant cause of health problems and increased death rates for people with inherited metabolic diseases (IMDs), with a wide variation in type and severity depending on the specific disorder.
  • Symptoms can arise from different parts of the respiratory system at any time during the illness and can lead to worsening health conditions through a cycle of metabolic decompensation.
  • The text categorizes 181 IMDs linked to respiratory symptoms into seven groups and offers guidance on necessary tests and available treatments for these airway-related issues.
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  • Diastrophic dysplasia (DTD) is caused by mutations in the SLC26A2 gene, affecting sulfate uptake and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) sulfation, and it may benefit from pharmacological treatments as studied in an animal model.
  • In identifying non-invasive biomarkers for DTD, research focused on urinary GAG sulfation and blood levels of collagen X marker (CXM), which are linked to the severity of the condition and growth metrics.
  • Results indicated that DTD patients exhibit undersulfated urinary GAGs and lower than normal CXM levels, suggesting both biomarkers can help evaluate treatment effectiveness and the disorder's metabolism and ossification processes.
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  • Immunological issues are now recognized as common symptoms in many inherited metabolic diseases (IMDs), including autoimmune responses and increased infections.
  • A specific group of IMDs, known as congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG), can even lead to primary immune deficiencies.
  • Out of 171 IMDs examined, the majority show immune dysfunctions, with 84% linked to immunodeficiency and infections, 26% associated with innate immune defects, and 19% related to autoimmunity.
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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to report an unusual case of pseudoxanthoma elasticum presenting with an inflammatory phenotype associated with atypical and rapidly progressive subretinal fibrosis.

Methods: This was an observational case report.

Results: A patient with a history of pseudoxanthoma elasticum presented with rapidly progressive subretinal fibrosis, particularly in the left eye, over the course of one year.

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The "Nosology of genetic skeletal disorders" has undergone its 11th revision and now contains 771 entries associated with 552 genes reflecting advances in molecular delineation of new disorders thanks to advances in DNA sequencing technology. The most significant change as compared to previous versions is the adoption of the dyadic naming system, systematically associating a phenotypic entity with the gene it arises from. We consider this a significant step forward as dyadic naming is more informative and less prone to errors than the traditional use of list numberings and eponyms.

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Inherited metabolic disorders presenting with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are characterized by the dysfunction of the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and pancreas. We have summarized associations of signs and symptoms in 339 inherited metabolic diseases presenting with GI symptoms. Feeding difficulties represent the most common abnormality reported for IMDs with GI involvement (37%) followed by intestinal problems (30%), vomiting (22%), stomach and pancreas involvement (8% each), and esophagus involvement (4%).

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Background: ENPP1 Deficiency-caused by biallelic variants in ENPP1-leads to widespread arterial calcification in early life (Generalized Arterial Calcification of Infancy, GACI) or hypophosphatemic rickets in later life (Autosomal Recessive Hypophosphatemic Rickets type 2, ARHR2). A prior study using the Exome Aggregation Consortium (ExAC)-a database of exomes obtained from approximately 60,000 individuals-estimated the genetic prevalence at approximately 1 in 200,000 pregnancies.

Methods: We estimated the genetic prevalence of ENPP1 Deficiency by evaluating allele frequencies from a population database, assuming Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

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Purpose: Biallelic PIGN variants have been described in Fryns syndrome, multiple congenital anomalies-hypotonia-seizure syndrome (MCAHS), and neurologic phenotypes. The full spectrum of clinical manifestations in relation to the genotypes is yet to be reported.

Methods: Genotype and phenotype data were collated and analyzed for 61 biallelic PIGN cases: 21 new and 40 previously published cases.

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Damages to the ear are very diverse and can depend on the type of inherited metabolic diseases (IMD). Indeed, IMDs can affect all parts of the auditory system, from the outer ear to the central auditory process. We have identified 219 IMDs associated with various types of ear involvement which we classified into five groups according to the lesion site of the auditory system: congenital external ear abnormalities, acquired external ear abnormalities, middle ear involvement, inner ear or retrocochlear involvement, and unspecified hearing loss.

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Metabolic myopathies are characterized by the deficiency or dysfunction of essential metabolites or fuels to generate energy for muscle contraction; they most commonly manifest with neuromuscular symptoms due to impaired muscle development or functioning. We have summarized associations of signs and symptoms in 358 inherited metabolic diseases presenting with myopathies. This represents the tenth of a series of articles attempting to create and maintain a comprehensive list of clinical and metabolic differential diagnoses according to system involvement.

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