Specific inhibition of mTOR pathway induces anti-proliferative effect and decreases the hormone secretion in cultured pituitary adenoma cells.

There are some evidences that pituitary tumors may be sensitive to the anti-proliferative effects of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, while the mechanism and effects remains unclear, it is necessary to find if a specific mTOR inhibition, including the blocking of both mTOR function and expression, generate any effects on pituitary adenoma cells. The object of this study was to examine if specific inhibition of mTOR induced anti-proliferative effect and decreased the GH and PRL hormones secretion in GH3 and MtT/E pituitary adenoma cells by using a kind of mTOR shRNA lentiviral vector. The in vitro experiments results showed mTOR shRNA transfection robustly reduced the GH3 and MtT/E cells viability in all durations (1-6 days) we performed, also specifically decreased both GH and PRL hormones external secretion in GH3 cells.

Recurrent gain-of-function USP8 mutations in Cushing's disease.

Cushing's disease, also known as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting pituitary adenomas (PAs) that cause excess cortisol production, accounts for up to 85% of corticotrophin-dependent Cushing's syndrome cases. However, the genetic alterations in this disease are unclear. Here, we performed whole-exome sequencing of DNA derived from 12 ACTH-secreting PAs and matched blood samples, which revealed three types of somatic mutations in a candidate gene, USP8 (encoding ubiquitin-specific protease 8), exclusively in exon 14 in 8 of 12 ACTH-secreting PAs.

Transsphenoidal pituitary macroadenomas resection guided by PoleStar N20 low-field intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging: comparison with early postoperative high-field magnetic resonance imaging.

Objective: To evaluate the applicability of low-field intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) during transsphenoidal surgery of pituitary macroadenomas.

Methods: Fifty-five transsphenoidal surgeries were performed for macroadenomas (modified Hardy's Grade II-IV) resections. All of the surgical processes were guided by real-time updated contrast T1-weighted coronal and sagittal images, which were acquired with 0.

Microsurgical treatment for giant and irregular pituitary adenomas in a series of 54 consecutive patients.

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the clinical significance of the various optional surgical approaches for giant and irregular pituitary adenomas and to summarize the optimal surgical protocols for the adenomas in terms of different growth morphologies. Fifty-four cases with giant and irregular pituitary adenomas were treated by studying their clinical features and image examinations, designing the specific surgical protocols, and choosing the optimal approaches according to the various growth morphologies. Neuro-endoscope and neuronavigation-assisted techniques were applied intraoperatively.

A novel gene mutation (1292 deletion) in a Chinese family with cerebral cavernous malformations.

Objective: Hereditary cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are characterized by focal abnormalities of small blood vessels in the brain and consequent hemorrhage and seizures. Previous studies of this type of CCM have mainly reported on this disorder in Hispanic and Caucasian cases. Here, we report on hereditary CCM in a Chinese family further characterized by a novel CCM1 gene mutation.

Treatment of pituitary adenomas with a transsphenoidal approach.

Objective: To evaluate the overall therapeutic effectiveness of transsphenoidal microsurgery for pituitary adenomas and explore the surgical technique, application of new technology, and postoperative follow-up.

Methods: The clinical presentation, imaging features, endocrine examination, pathological types, conditions of operation, postoperative complications, and follow-up of 4050 patients with pituitary adenomas who had undergone transsphenoidal microsurgery from December 1981 to January 2004 were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: During the past 6 years, total tumor resection (under microscope) has been achieved in 97.

[Identification of a novel inheritable CCM1 gene mutation of 671del AT in a Chinese family with cerebral cavernous malformation].

Objective: To investigate the hereditary characters of familial cerebral cavernous malformation (FCCM) and the novel gene mutation in a Chinese family.

Methods: Head MRI examination and clinical neurological check were performed on a Chinese family with one proband of FCCM, female, 27 years old, and 16 family members, 9 males and 12 females, and 19 controls, including patients with sporadic CCM and other diseases and healthy persons. DNA was extracted from the white blood cells of the peripheral blood of the subjects.

[The clinical evaluation of patients with pituitary adenomas undergone transsphenoidal microsurgery].

Objective: To evaluate the overall effect of transsphenoidal microsurgery for pituitary adenomas in recent 5 years and to discuss the surgical technique, application of new technology and postoperative follow-up results.

Methods: The clinical presentation, image characteristics, endocrinal findings, pathological types, tumor removal percentage, postoperative complication and follow-up of 1 462 patients with pituitary adenomas who underwent the transsphenoidal microsurgery from 1997 to 2002 were analysed retrospectively.

Results: Total rate of tumor removal for the patients achieved 97.