| Cover | 1 |
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| Contents | 6 |
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| Foreword | 8 |
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| Preface | 9 |
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| Cytokines and Genes in PituitaryTumorigenesis: RSUME Role in Cell Biology | 11 |
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| Abstract | 11 |
| The gp130 Cytokines and Their Role in Pituitary | 11 |
| IL-6 Action in Pituitary Adenoma Growth | 13 |
| Cloning of Genes in Pituitary by mRNA Differential Display | 13 |
| RSUME Characterization and Function | 14 |
| Acknowledgements | 15 |
| References | 15 |
| Molecular Mechanisms of Pituitary Adenoma Senescence | 17 |
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| Abstract | 17 |
| Cellular Senescence | 18 |
| Cellular Senescence Machinery | 18 |
| Pituitary Tumor Transforming Gene | 19 |
| Pituitary Tumor Senescence | 20 |
| References | 23 |
| Stem Cells, Differentiation and Cell Cycle Control in Pituitary | 25 |
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| Abstract | 25 |
| Pituitary Stem Cells | 25 |
| Precursors and Differentiation | 27 |
| Cell Cycle Exit in Early Development | 28 |
| Blockade of Cell Cycle Re-Entry in Differentiated Cells | 31 |
| Independent Control of Differentiation and Cell Cycle | 32 |
| Perspective | 32 |
| Acknowledgements | 33 |
| References | 33 |
| Role of Estrogens in Anterior Pituitary Gland Remodeling during the Estrous Cycle | 35 |
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| Abstract | 35 |
| Anterior Pituitary Cell Renewal | 35 |
| Mechanisms of Estradiol Action in Anterior Pituitary Cell Turnover | 36 |
| Rapid Actions of Estrogens in Anterior Pituitary Cells | 37 |
| Concluding Remarks | 39 |
| Acknowledgments | 39 |
| References | 40 |
| Hyperprolactinemia following Chronic Alcohol Administration | 42 |
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| Abstract | 42 |
| Hyperprolactinemia in Humans and Animals | 42 |
| Alcohol Abuse and Hyperprolactinemia | 43 |
| Mechanism of Alcohol Action on Lactotropes | 44 |
| Conclusions | 49 |
| Acknowledgement | 49 |
| References | 49 |
| Experience from the Argentine Pegvisomant Observational Study: Preliminary Data | 52 |
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| Abstract | 52 |
| Objective | 53 |
| Subjects and Methods | 54 |
| Results | 55 |
| Discussion | 57 |
| References | 58 |
| Gender Differences in Macroprolactinomas: Study of Clinical Features, Outcome of Patients and Ki-67 Expression in Tumor Tissue | 60 |
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| Abstract | 60 |
| Subjects and Methods | 61 |
| Results | 62 |
| Discussion | 64 |
| Concluding Remarks | 66 |
| References | 67 |
| Neurotransmitter Modulation of the GHRH-GH Axis | 69 |
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| Abstract | 69 |
| Dopamine and GHRH-GH Regulation | 70 |
| Dopamine in Acromegaly Treatment | 71 |
| Dopamine and Growth | 71 |
| The D2R Knockout Mouse, a Dwarf Mouse | 72 |
| Is There Any Clinical Significance to Our Findings? | 76 |
| Conclusions | 77 |
| Acknowledgements | 77 |
| References | 77 |
| iASPP: A Novel Protein Involved in Pituitary Tumorigenesis? | 80 |
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| Abstract | 80 |
| P53 Tumor Supressor | 81 |
| ASPP Family | 82 |
| NFkappaB | 83 |
| iASPP in Pituitary Tumors | 83 |
| References | 86 |
| Familial Isolated Pituitary Adenoma: Evidence for Genetic Heterogeneity | 87 |
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| Abstract | 87 |
| The 11q13 Locus and the AIP Gene | 90 |
| Additional Susceptibility Genes/loci for FIPA | 91 |
| Modifier Genes in AIP-Mutated Families | 93 |
| Conclusions | 94 |
| Acknowledgements | 94 |
| References | 94 |
| Serum Levels of 20K-hGH and 22K-hGH Isoforms in Acromegalic Patients | 97 |
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| Abstract | 97 |
| Introduction | 97 |
| The 20K-hGH Isoform – Structure and Biological Function | 98 |
| Laboratory Measurement of Growth Hormone Isoforms | 99 |
| Growth Hormone Isoforms in Acromegaly | 101 |
| Conclusions | 101 |
| References | 102 |
| Pituitary Carcinomas | 104 |
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| Abstract | 104 |
| Epidemiology | 105 |
| Pathogenesis | 106 |
| Markers of Tumor Aggressiveness | 108 |
| Diagnosis | 109 |
| Clinical Findings | 110 |
| Treatment | 111 |
| Conclusion | 114 |
| References | 114 |
| Modern Imaging of Pituitary Adenomas | 119 |
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| Abstract | 119 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging | 119 |
| Imaging of Pituitary Adenomas | 120 |
| Postoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging | 123 |
| Intraoperative MR Imaging | 126 |
| Differential Diagnosis | 126 |
| Computerized Tomography | 128 |
| SPECT/PET | 128 |
| Conclusions | 129 |
| References | 129 |
| Pathogenesis of Familial Acromegaly | 131 |
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| Abstract | 131 |
| Isolated Familial Somatotropinoma: From Loss of Heterozygosity at Chromosome Region 11q13 to AIP Gene Mutation | 132 |
| The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Interacting Protein (AIP) Gene | 133 |
| Clinical Features of Families with AIP Mutations | 134 |
| Conclusion | 135 |
| References | 135 |
| Functional Role of the RET DependenceReceptor, GFRa Co-Receptors and Ligands in the Pituitary | 137 |
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| Abstract | 137 |
| RET Receptor, Its Co-Receptors and Its Ligands | 137 |
| GDNF/GFRa1/RET System in the Pituitary | 138 |
| RET as a Member of the Family of Dependence Receptors | 140 |
| To Die of Success: RET Kills through PIT Overexpression | 141 |
| Importance of the RET Pathway in vivo: RET KO Pituitary and Prevention of Tumor Growth | 143 |
| More Questions for Future Answers | 144 |
| Acknowledgements | 146 |
| References | 147 |
| Testing Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults | 149 |
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| Abstract | 149 |
| Conclusions | 153 |
| References | 153 |
| Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Measurement in the Diagnosis and Follow-up of Patients with Acromegaly: Preliminary Data | 155 |
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| Abstract | 155 |
| Objective | 157 |
| Patients and Methods | 157 |
| Results | 157 |
| Discussion | 158 |
| References | 160 |
| Diagnosis of Cure in Cushing’s Syndrome: Lessons from Long-Term Follow-Up | 162 |
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| Abstract | 162 |
| Retrospective Study of Morbidity and Mortality in Our Cohort of Cushing’s Syndrome | 163 |
| Prospective Case-Control Study of Our Patients with Cushing’s Syndrome | 163 |
| Health-Related Quality of Lif
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