Publications by authors named "PIlar Quijada-Fraile"

We report the case of a Spanish pediatric patient with developmental delay, hypotonia, feeding difficulties, visual problems, and hyperkinetic movements. Whole-exome sequencing uncovered a new heterozygous Synaptotagmin 1 missense variant, NM_005639.3:c.

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We report the cases of two Spanish pediatric patients with hypotonia, muscle weakness and feeding difficulties at birth. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) uncovered two new homozygous VAMP1 (Vesicle Associated Membrane Protein 1) splicing variants, NM_014231.5:c.

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We report a 9-year-old Spanish boy with severe psychomotor developmental delay, short stature, microcephaly and abnormalities of the brain morphology, including cerebellar atrophy. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) uncovered two novel de novo variants, a hemizygous variant in CASK (Calcium/Calmodulin Dependent Serine Protein Kinase) and a heterozygous variant in EEF2 (Eukaryotic Translation Elongation Factor 2). CASK gene encodes the peripheral plasma membrane protein CASK that is a scaffold protein located at the synapses in the brain.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) are rare diseases present in 1 in every 1000 newborns, and next-generation sequencing is improving diagnosis rates, but it’s not always 100% accurate.
  • - This study utilized a personalized multi-omics approach (metabolomic, genomic, transcriptomic) and functional genomics to help diagnose six unresolved IEM cases, including disorders like galactosemia and maple syrup urine disease.
  • - Researchers identified eight novel genetic variants that affect gene splicing and expression, demonstrating that combining different omics technologies can effectively resolve complex clinical cases.
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Objectives: We present the results of our experience in the diagnosis and follow up of the positive cases for propionic, methylmalonic acidemias and cobalamin deficiencies (PA/MMA/MMAHC) since the Expanded Newborn Screening was implemented in Madrid Region.

Methods: Dried blood samples were collected 48 h after birth. Amino acids and acylcarnitines were quantitated by MS/MS.

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Background and objectives: Glycerol phenylbutyrate (GPB) has demonstrated safety and efficacy in patients with urea cycle disorders (UCDs) by means of its clinical trial program, but there are limited data in clinical practice. In order to analyze the efficacy and safety of GPB in clinical practice, here we present a national Spanish experience after direct switching from another nitrogen scavenger to GPB. Methods: This observational, retrospective, multicenter study was performed in 48 UCD patients (age 11.

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Article Synopsis
  • Hyperammonaemia is a serious metabolic issue that can lead to brain damage and death, often seen in small children due to genetic disorders but more commonly in adults as a result of liver disease, medications, or dehydration.
  • The protocol aims to guide healthcare professionals on how to treat this condition effectively by emphasizing close monitoring, nutritional support, and timely use of medications and treatments.
  • It recommends starting haemodialysis for ammonia levels above certain thresholds: >200−350 µmol/L for children under 18 months and >150−200 µmol/L for older patients.
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Objectives: Identify the efficacy variables collected in the literature for therapies used in lysosomal storage diseases (LDS), evaluate the quality of this evidence, and know the effectiveness and safety of these treatments.

Material And Methods: Retrospective observational study that included patients with LDS treated with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) or substrate reduction therapy (SRT). Published clinical trials (CT) and LDS treatment guidelines were reviewed to select efficacy variables.

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The determination of acylcarnitines (AC) in dried blood spots (DBS) by tandem mass spectrometry in newborn screening (NBS) programs has enabled medium-chain acyl-coA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD) to be identified in presymptomatic newborns. Nevertheless, different confirmatory tests must be performed to confirm the diagnosis. In this work, we have collected and analyzed the NBS results and confirmatory test results (plasma AC, molecular findings, and lymphocyte MCAD activity) of forty individuals, correlating them with clinical outcomes and treatment, with the aim of obtaining useful diagnostic information that could be applied in the follow-up of the patients.

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Purpose: This paper aims to report collective information on safety and efficacy of empagliflozin drug repurposing in individuals with glycogen storage disease type Ib (GSD Ib).

Methods: This is an international retrospective questionnaire study on the safety and efficacy of empagliflozin use for management of neutropenia/neutrophil dysfunction in patients with GSD Ib, conducted among the respective health care providers from 24 countries across the globe.

Results: Clinical data from 112 individuals with GSD Ib were evaluated, representing a total of 94 treatment years.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study analyzes the outcomes of diagnosing inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) in newborns following the implementation of Expanded Newborn Screening from 2011 to 2019, where over 592,000 children were screened.
  • Among those screened, 902 had abnormal results, and 222 confirmed cases of IEM were identified, including various conditions like aminoacidopathies, fatty acid oxidation (FAO) defects, and organic acidurias.
  • Only 8.5% of the affected infants showed symptoms at the time of the newborn screening, and genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis in all except two cases of hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA).
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Background: Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) IVA or Morquio A syndrome is a progressive and disabling disease characterized by a deficiency of the enzyme N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulphate sulphatase. Its clinical presentation is very heterogeneous and poorly understood in adults. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical manifestations of MPS IVA in adult patients in Spain and to assess their health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

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Human mitochondrial RNase P (mt-RNase P) is responsible for 5' end processing of mitochondrial precursor tRNAs, a vital step in mitochondrial RNA maturation, and is comprised of three protein subunits: TRMT10C, SDR5C1 (HSD10), and PRORP. Pathogenic variants in TRMT10C and SDR5C1 are associated with distinct recessive or x-linked infantile onset disorders, resulting from defects in mitochondrial RNA processing. We report four unrelated families with multisystem disease associated with bi-allelic variants in PRORP, the metallonuclease subunit of mt-RNase P.

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Article Synopsis
  • Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) has been used since 2011 in the Community of Madrid for newborn screening, detecting metabolic disorders from dried blood samples, covering 13 conditions related to amino acids and fatty acids.
  • Over 592,000 newborns were screened between 2011 and 2019, resulting in 901 positive cases, with 230 diagnosed with 30 different inborn errors of metabolism, leading to an overall positive predictive value of 25.6%.
  • The screening program was successful in identifying 93% of cases in the presymptomatic stage, demonstrating its effectiveness as a public health initiative.
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Urea cycle disorders (UCDs) are an unusual genetic condition that may lead to hyperammonemia in catabolic situations such as surgery, infections or chemotherapy administration. Without specific treatment, it causes life-threatening encephalopathy. We present the case of a young woman, heterozygous carrier of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD) with breast cancer, who was treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy while following a protocol to minimize the risk of metabolic decompensation due to her condition.

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Background: Urea cycle disorders are congenital metabolism errors that affect ammonia elimination. Clinical signs and prognosis are strongly influenced by peak ammonia levels. Numerous triggers associated with metabolic decompensation have been described with many of them, including fasting or stress, being related to the perioperative period.

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Congenital lactic acidosis (CLA) is a rare condition in most instances due to a range of inborn errors of metabolism that result in defective mitochondrial function. Even though the implementation of next generation sequencing has been rapid, the diagnosis rate for this highly heterogeneous allelic condition remains low. The present work reports our group's experience of using a clinical/biochemical analysis system in conjunction with genetic findings that facilitates the taking of timely clinical decisions with minimum need for invasive procedures.

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Purpose: Salts of phenylacetic acid (PAA) and phenylbutyric acid (PBA) have been used for nitrogen elimination as a treatment for hyperammonaemia caused by urea cycle disorders (UCD). A new analytical method for PBA measurement in urine which helps to evaluate the drug adherence has been implemented.

Methods: Urine specimens from UCD patients receiving PBA were analysed by tandem mass spectrometry to measure urine phenylacetylglutamine (PAGln).

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study emphasizes the importance of genetic analysis as a follow-up to suspected metabolic disorders found in newborns during screening in Spain, by utilizing advanced sequencing techniques like next-generation sequencing.
  • - Out of 141 DNA samples tested, 59% confirmed the suspected metabolic diseases, while other cases either showed single variants or no variants, and 11 false positives were recorded.
  • - The findings suggest that combining genetic analysis with biochemical tests enhances the diagnosis accuracy for metabolic disorders in newborns, potentially confirming more cases than traditional methods alone.
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D-lactic acidosis is an infrequent complication, mainly reported in patients with short bowel syndrome. It is characterized by recurrent episodes of encephalopathy with elevated serum D-lactic acid, usually associating metabolic acidosis. The presence of D-lactate-producing bacteria is necessary for the development of this complication.

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Whole-exome sequencing was used to identify the disease gene(s) in a Spanish girl with failure to thrive, muscle weakness, mild facial weakness, elevated creatine kinase, deficiency of mitochondrial complex III and depletion of mtDNA. With whole-exome sequencing data, it was possible to get the whole mtDNA sequencing and discard any pathogenic variant in this genome. The analysis of whole exome uncovered a homozygous pathogenic mutation in thymidine kinase 2 gene ( TK2; NM_004614.

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We report the clinical and biochemical findings from two unrelated patients who presented with a novel syndrome: encephalopathy, intellectual disability, severe hypotonia, chorea and optic atrophy. Whole exome sequencing (WES) uncovered a homozygous mutation in the ATP8A2 gene (NM_016529:c.1287G > T, p.

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We report the clinical and genetic findings in a Spanish boy who presented MEGDEL syndrome, a very rare inborn error of metabolism. Whole-exome sequencing uncovered a new homozygous mutation in the serine active site containing 1 (SERAC1) gene, which is essential for both mitochondrial function and intracellular cholesterol trafficking. Functional studies in patient fibroblasts showed that p.

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Background: Carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase (CACT) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disease in the mitochondrial transport of long-chain fatty acids. Despite early diagnosis and treatment, the disease still has a high mortality rate.

Methods: Clinical symptoms, long-term follow-up, and biochemical and molecular results of four cases are described and compared with the reviewed literature data of 55 cases.

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