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Query: UMLS:C0025362 (mental retardation)
 15,878 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In 1930 adenosine triphosphate appeared in the literature from W. A. Engelhardt's work on avian erythrocytes. This was an early example of oxidative phosphorylation in intact cells, and it required methylene blue and oxygen. Both Belitser and I realized that the use of Warburg manometers for aeration was critical in order to generate oxidative phosphorylation of glucose in tissue preparations. Test tube techniques did not work. In 1956 we were able to describe a human type of diabetes called "galactose diabetes," in which consumption of human or cows' milk provokes mental retardation. Replacement of human or cows' milk products with "vegetable milk" formula in early infancy can prevent retardation. We determined that the disease results from a defect of galactose-one-phosphate uridylyl-transferase, a hereditary enzyme. This type of enzyme defect, if discovered and treated in early infancy, is a benign molecular disease. Regulation of transport systems in mammalian cell cultures are frequently complex energized systems. Perhaps my greatest surprise in this regard was the mere fact that an all-cis "odd" hexose-D-allose turned out to be a highly intense down-regulator of the hexose transport system. Additions of inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation (such as oligomycin or di-nitrophenol) arrested the allose-mediated down-regulation. We have reason to suspect that the strong down-regulator is a phosphorylated form of D-allose. Thus ends my story about oxidative energized biological phosphorylation systems.
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PMID:50 years of biological research--from oxidative phosphorylation to energy requiring transport regulation. 188 94

Galactose is a hexose essential for production of energy, which has a prebiotic role and is essential for galactosylation of endogenous and exogenous proteins, ceramides, myelin sheath metabolism and others. The inability to metabolize galactose results in galactosemia. Galactosemia is an autosomal recessive disorder that affects newborns who are born asymptomatic, apparently well and healthy, then develop serious morbidity and mortality upon consuming milk that contains galactose. Those with galactosemia have a deficiency of an enzyme: classic galactosemia (type 1) results from severe deficiency of galactose-1-uridylyltransferase, while galactosemia type II results from galactokinase deficiency and type III results from galactose epimerase deficiency. Many countries include neonatal screening for galactosemia in their national newborn screening program; however, others do not, as the condition is rather rare, with an incidence of 1:30,000-1:100,000, and screening may be seen as not cost-effective and logistically demanding. Early detection and intervention by restricting galactose is not curative but is very rewarding, as it prevents deaths, mental retardation, liver cell failure, renal tubular acidosis and neurological sequelae, and may lead to resolution of cataract formation. Hence, national newborn screening for galactosemia prevents serious potential life-long suffering, morbidity and mortality. Recent advances in communication and biotechnology promise facilitation of logistics of neonatal screening, including improved cost-effectiveness.
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PMID:Screening for galactosemia: is there a place for it? 3121 78