Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0024523 (malabsorption)
 7,319 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The polyglandular autoimmune syndromes (PGA) are well known and are distinguished into type I, type II and type III. PGAI, also called APECED (autoimmune polyendocrinopathy, candidiasis and ectodermal dystrophy), is an autosomal recessive disorder, appearing in childhood and typically characterized by hypoparathyroidism (unusual in PGAII and PGAIII) and adrenal insufficiency. In APECED, autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic beta cells with development of insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes is possible, but less frequent than in the other PGAs, especially PGAII. The pathogenesis of this unique autoimmune disease is unknown. No HLA association seems to exist and genetic studies have assigned the autosomal APECED locus to chromosome 21. The case of a 28-years-old female suggesting the diagnosis of APECED, is presented, characterized by psycho-somatic abnormal development, teeth alterations, post-puberal gonadal failure with dystrophic hypoplasia of external genitalia, previous vaginal candidiasis, a slowly developing juvenile brittle diabetes. Intestinal malabsorption induced by Giardia lamblia occurred (probably resulting, like candidiasis, from immunological anergy). A strong familiarity linked to female sex was noticed (the mother, a sister, the little nice and some maternal female cousins being affected) while the father and a brother were healthy. Diabetes seems to be characterized by early onset and severe complications. In this patient no organo-specific antibodies were detected and the only immunologic disorder was a small decrease of CD3 and CD4/CD8 ratio, both CD4 and CD8 being at the lower normal range. This patient (and her female maternal relatives) needs a long-term follow-up in order to evaluate the function of endocrine glands and to initiate early treatment for hormonal deficits, as well as to detect the non-endocrine components of disease.
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PMID:[A rare case of juvenile diabetes mellitus associated with APECED (autoimmune poly-endocrinopathy, candidiasis and ectodermal dystrophy) with strong X-linked familial inheritance]. 930 48

Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1 (APS-1) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, autoimmune hypoparathyroidism, and primary adrenal insufficiency. It has recently been associated with mutations of a single gene found on chromosome 21, designated AutoImmune Regulator (AIRE). We report two patients with APS-1 referred to our hospital for evaluation. The first patient was an 11-year-old girl with hypoparathyroidism, infectious or immunological malabsorption, and autoimmune hepatitis. Hypoparathyroidism associated with other processes with a probable autoimmune origin suggested APS-1. Genetic study was performed revealing deletion of 13 base pairs in exon 8 of the AIRE gene. The second patient was a 17-year-old girl with autoimmune hepatitis, hypoparathyroidism, mucocutaneous candidiasis, nail dystrophy, and obliterating bronchiolitis with a probable autoimmune origin. We suspected APS-1 and genetic study was performed. The only finding was an AIRE gene polymorphism. In conclusion, the presence of a single disease criterion is sufficient to suspect APS-1 and to indicate genetic study. Further studies are required to confirm the involvement of other genes in the development of this disease.
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PMID:[AIRE gene mutation in polyglandular syndrome type 1]. 1679 67

Down syndrome (DS) is one of the more commonly occurring genetic disorders, where mental retardation is combined with nutritional diseases. It is caused by having a third copy of chromosome 21, and there exist 3 forms; Simple Trisomy 21, Translocation Trisomy and Mosaic Trisomy. Symptoms include intellectual disability/mental retardation, early onset of Alzheimer's disease and the appearance of various phenotypic features such as narrow slanted eyes, flat nose and short stature. In addition, there are other health problems throughout the body, consisting in part of cardiac defects and thyroid function abnormalities along with nutritional disorders (ie. overweight, obesity, hypercholesterolemia and deficiencies of vitamins and minerals). Those suffering DS have widespread body frame abnormalities and impaired brain development and function; the latter leading to impaired intellectual development. Many studies indicate excessive or deficient nutrient uptakes associated with making inappropriate foodstuff choices, food intolerance, (eg. celiac disease) or malabsorption. DS persons with overweight or obesity are linked with a slow metabolic rate, abnormal blood leptin concentrations and exhibit low levels of physical activity. Vitamin B group deficiencies and abnormal blood homocysteine levels decrease the rate of intellectual development in DS cases. Zinc deficiencies result in short stature, thyroid function disorders and an increased appetite caused by excessive supplementation. Scientific advances in the research and diagnosis of DS, as well as preventing any associated conditions, have significantly increased life expectancies of those with this genetic disorder. Early dietary interventions by parents or guardians of DS children afford an opportunity for decreasing the risk or delaying some of the DS associated conditions from appearing, thus beneficially impacting on their quality of life.
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PMID:Down syndrome--genetic and nutritional aspects of accompanying disorders. 2640 Jan 13