• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 2018

Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs) are a group of rare inherited metabolic disorders caused by specific lysosomal enzyme deficiencies leading to the sequential degradation of glycosaminoglycans, causing substrate accumulation in various cells and tissues and progressive multiple organ dysfunction. The rare disease medical care team at Mackay Memorial Hospital in Taiwan has been dedicated to the study of MPSs for more than 20 years. Since 1999, more than 50 academic papers focusing on MPSs have been published in international medical journals. Topics of research include the following items regarding MPSs: incidence, natural history, clinical manifestations, gene mutation characteristics, cardiac function, bone mineral density, sleep studies, pulmonary function tests, hearing assessments, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, anesthetic experience, imaging analysis, special biochemical tests, laboratory diagnostics, global expert consensus conferences, prenatal diagnosis, new drug clinical trials, newborn screening, and treatment outcomes. Of these published academic research papers, more than half were cross-domain, cross-industry, and international studies with results in cooperation with experts from European, American and other Asian countries. A cross-specialty collaboration platform was established based on high-risk population screening criteria with the acronym "BECARE" (Bone and joints, Eyes, Cardiac and central nervous system, Abdomen and appearance, Respiratory system, and Ear, nose, and throat involvement). Through this platform, orthopedic surgeons, rheumatologists, ophthalmologists, cardiologists, rehabilitation physicians, gastroenterologists, otorhinolaryngologists, and medical geneticists have been educated with regards to awareness of suspected cases of MPSs patients to allow for a further confirmative diagnosis of MPSs. Because of the progressive nature of the disease, an early diagnosis and early multidisciplinary therapeutic interventions including surgery, rehabilitation programs, symptom-based treatments, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and enzyme replacement therapy, are very important.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.178-181
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• 2014

Hunter syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis type II, MPS II) is a X-linked lysosomal storage disease caused by a deficiency in the lysosomal enzyme, iduronate-2-sulfatase (IDS), leading to accumulation of glycosaminoglycans within lysosomes of many organs and tissues. Since the enzyme replacement therapy was approved and available in the treatment of MPS I, II, VI, early diagnosis and early therapy can bring the better prognosis of disease and the better quality of life in patients. We described a 2.5 year old child presented with frequent otitis media and developmental delay including speech impairment, who was diagnosed as Hunter syndrome with IDS NM_000202.5:c. 263G>A(p.Arg88His) mutation.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.33-33
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• 2017

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.28-32
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• 2017

Lipoid congenital adrenal hyperplasia (LCAH) is the severe form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia and is characterized by adrenal insufficiency with hyperpigmentation and female external genitalia irrespective of genetic sex. The steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) is required for the transport of cholesterol into the mitochondria for steroidogenesis, and defects in the StAR gene account for the majority of LCAH cases. In this report, we present a two-day-old hyperpigmented infant with phenotypical female genitalia. With consideration of the clinical and laboratory findings, the infant was suspected of having adrenal insufficiency due to LCAH and treated with glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid, and sodium chloride. Karyotyping revealed 46, XY. Upon pelvis ultrasonography, adrenal hyperplasia with abdominal masses (thought to be the testicles) was reported. Molecular analysis with targeted exome sequencing revealed the homozygote mutation of c.772C>T ($p.Q258^*$) in exon 7 of the StAR gene. The early detection and treatment of adrenal insufficiency in infants with hyperpigmentation can prevent clinically apparent adrenal crises. During follow-up, the patient had a good clinical condition and maintained normal electrolyte and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels with medication.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.44-48
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• 2015

Body fat distribution in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is characterized by reduce lean body mass (LBM), increased total body fat mass (FM), and lower percentage of visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Individuals with PWS seem to have a lower risk for insulin resistance with high levels of adiponectin, an anti-atherogenic adipocytokine that is decreased in visceral fat hypertrophy subjects compared to simple obese subjects, both in children and in adults. The mechanism of the reduction in visceral adiposity in PWS is still unclear. It might be related to qualitative intrinsic characteristics of adipocyte or novel genetic influences on the control of fat distribution. However, obesity remains a critical problem, and obesity status plays a crucial role in individual metabolic risk clustering and development of metabolic syndrome (Mets) in PWS children and adults. Long-term growth hormone (GH) treatment after cessation of skeletal growth improved body composition, with an increase in lean body mass and a reduction in total body fat and subcutaneous and visceral fat in PWS adults. Thus, the role of GH is important after childhood because it might attenuate obesity and Mets in PWS adult by adipocyte modification.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.35-39
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• 2015

Sleep problems occur frequently among patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). The most common problem is excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) that are closely related to of sleep-related breathing disorder (SRBD) such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and congenital hypoventilation syndrome. Obesity, craniofacial dysmorphism and muscular hypotonia of patients with PWS may increase the risk of SRBD. Sleep apneas can interrupt the continuity of sleep, and these disruptions result in a decrease in both the quality and quantity of sleep. In addition to SRBD, other sleep disorders have been reported, such as hypersomnia, a primary abnormality of the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and narcolepsy traits at sleep onset REM sleep. Patients with PWS have intrinsic abnormalities of sleep-wake cycles due to hypothalamic dysfunction. The treatment of EDS and other sleep disorders in PWS are similar to standard treatments. Correction of sleep hygiene such as sufficient amount of sleep, maintenance of regular sleep-wake rhythm, and planned naps are important. After comprehensive evaluation of sleep disturbances, CPAP or surgery should be recommended for treatment of SRBD. Remaining EDS or narcolepsy-like syndrome are controlled by stimulant medication. Bright light therapy might be beneficial for disturbed circadian sleep-wake rhythm caused by hypothalamic dysfunction.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.21-25
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• 2018

Fabry disease is a hereditary lysosomal storage disorder caused by the reduction or absence of lysosomal enzyme alpha-galactosidase A and the accumulation of glycosphingolipids, such as globotriaosylceramide (Gb3), in various organs, including the heart. The prevention of cardiac involvement in Fabry disease can only be achieved by enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), and the method of assessing the efficacy of ERT should be confirmed. Changes in the electrocardiogram, such as the shortening of PQ interval, prolongation of QTc and repolarization abnormalities as well as left ventricular hypertrophy in voltage criteria, can be used to identify Fabry disease patients; however, the usefulness of electrocardiograms for evaluating the efficacy of ERT is limited. The assessment of left ventricular hypertrophy using echocardiography has been established to evaluate the efficacy of ERT during long-term period. A new technique involving speckled tracking method might be useful for detecting early cardiac dysfunction and identifying the effect of ERT for a relatively short period. The estimation of left ventricular hypertrophy using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is also useful for assessing the efficacy of ERT. Identifying late gadolinium enhancement in CMR may affect the effectiveness of ERT, and the new technique of T1 mapping might be useful for monitoring the accumulation of Gb3 during ERT. Histopathology in cardiac biopsy specimens is another potentially useful method for identifying the accumulation of GB3; however, the use of histopathology to evaluate of the efficacy of ERT is limited because of the invasive nature of an endomyocardial biopsy.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.7-10
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• 2018

Rare diseases are life threatening or chronically debilitating diseases with a low prevalence (less than 2,000 people in a population), which includes lysosomal storage diseases. These diseases are often seen as unimportant especially in developing countries, such as Indonesia, due to small number of patients. National Rare Disease Center in Indonesia was pioneered almost 20 years ago and officially established in 2017 by the Indonesian Minister of Health. Lysosomal storage disease become the most commonly found inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) in Indonesia due to easily accessible diagnostic facilities. Currently there are 7 patients receiving ERT in this mixed-donation scheme, one patient with Gaucher disease and 6 patients with MPS type II. Few challenges for ERT in Indonesia include importation through special access scheme, preparation of ERT infusion in intensive care settting, and cost of treatment. Even with limited resources, healthcare professionals in Indonesia have been giving the best care possible for rare disease patients, especially to provide diagnostic facilities through collaboration and treatment options for treatable rare diseases. Improvements in care for rare disease patients are still needed.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.8-12
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• 2016

Mucolipidosis (ML) is a kind of skeletal dysplasia. Characteristic X-ray findings of the bone may contribute to the early diagnosis and treatment of ML II/III. Skeletal radiographs show distinctive patterns at different ages: neonatal hyperparathyroidism, osteodystrophy (similar to chronic osteitis fibrosa cystica), and dysostosis multiplex. Patients with ML II/III show a mixture of osteodystrophic bone changes and atypical changes of dysostosis multiplex: proximal pointing of the metacarpals in the wrist, dysplastic changes in the lower third of the ilia, marked broadening of the ribs becoming oar-shaped, and beaking of the lower thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. In ML II, the osteodystrophy has clinical and radiographic features of neonatal hyperparathyroidism. In some neonatal subjects, chemical hyperparathyroidism is also demonstrated. After transient hyperparathyroidism in newborns, the progressive osteitis fibrosa cystica develops from 3-6 months of age. Patients with ML III show prominent skeletal involvement, particularly the destruction of vertebral bodies and the femoral heads. Intravenous pamidronate treatment is well tolerated, and it can produce clinical effects, with a reduction in bone pain and improvements in mobility in patients with ML III. In this review, the skeletal manifestations of ML II and III are investigated.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.31-31
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• 2016

Purpose: To describle clinical features and enzyme activity of Vietnamese patients with Mucolipidosis type II. Methods: Clinical features, laboratory and plasma lysosom enzyme activity by 4 MU-Fluorometric assay was studied from 2014-2015 at the Northern referral center of Pediatrics - National Children's Hospital. Results: 16 cases (7 girls and 9 boys) were diagnosed with I-cell bases on clinical symptoms and enzyme activities studies. Diagnosis age was $5.93{\pm}4.28$ years, onset age was recognised from birth to 4 years (median 1.25) with the feature of joint stiffness and bone deformation. All cases presented with the feature of joint stiffness, chest deformation and kyphoscoliosis; Fifteen cases (93.7%) had coarse facial features. No patients had hepatosplenomegaly on abdominal ultrasound, 5/15 patients had heart valves disease. Enzyme assay showed ${\alpha}$-Hexosaminidase of $1,885.9{\pm}338.7$ (nmol/mg plasma/17 hrs), ${\alpha}$-Iduronate sulfatase of $4,534.8{\pm}1,062.9nmol/mg$ plasma/4 hrs). Conclusion: Mucolipidosis II seriously affected the life of the patients with skeletal deformities, contractures develop in all joints and cardiac involvement.