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Question 1
Correct
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Which hormone secreting cell of the human anterior pituitary gland secretes growth hormone?
Your Answer: Somatotroph
Explanation:Somatotroph cells are responsible for the production of growth hormone. Somatotrophs occupy nearly 40% of the total surface area of the anterior pituitary, and they are acidophilic in nature.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 2
Incorrect
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Where does one find the thyroid receptors?
Your Answer: Mitochondria
Correct Answer: Cell nucleus
Explanation:Unlike many of the steroid receptors, inactive receptors for T3 are located in the nucleus. T4 is first converted into T3 within the cytoplasm of the cell, T3 then enters the nucleus and binds to its receptor. The hormone-receptor complex can now bind to DNA and activate specific genes.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 3
Incorrect
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To which of the following plasma proteins is T4 most bound in plasma?
Your Answer: Albumin
Correct Answer: Thyroxine-binding globulin
Explanation:Thyroxine-binding globulin, also known as TBG, is one of the three transport proteins responsible for carrying T4 and T3 through the circulatory system. It carries most of the T4 present in plasma, which it binds to strongly, shielding the hydrophobic hormones from the aqueous surroundings.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 4
Correct
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Which of the following is least recognised as a potential complication of acromegaly?
Your Answer: Mental retardation
Explanation:Acromegaly is a condition that results from excess growth hormone (GH) after the growth plates have closed. It is typically due to the pituitary gland producing too much growth hormone. In more than 95% of people the excess production is due to a benign tumour, known as a pituitary adenoma. The condition is not inherited.Complications:Severe headacheArthritis and carpal tunnel syndromeEnlarged heartLiver fibrosis and bile duct hyperplasiaHypertensionDiabetes mellitus (excess of GH leads to insulin resistance)Heart failureKidney failureColorectal cancerCompression of the optic chiasm leading to loss of vision in the outer visual fields (typically bitemporal hemianopia.)Increased palmar sweating and sebum production over the face (seborrhoea) are clinical indicators of active GH-producing pituitary tumours.hypertensiondiabetes (>10%)cardiomyopathycolorectal cancer
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 5
Incorrect
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Where do the portal hypophysial vessels arise?
Your Answer: Pituitary fossa
Correct Answer: Median eminence
Explanation:The hypothalamic-hypophysial portal system connects the brain to the anterior pituitary. It is made up of two capillary beds, one in the median eminence and the other in the anterior pituitary. Blood from the plexus of the median eminence is carried by portal veins, draining into the cavernous and posterior intercavernous sinuses. This system delivers hypothalamic hormones to their target cells.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 6
Correct
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Which of the following factors is most likely to lead to an increase in serum cortisol levels?
Your Answer: Severe emotional stress
Explanation:Cortisol is widely known as the stress hormone. Alterations in cortisol levels have been found in relation to mood disorders, illness, trauma, pain, fear, exertion, and anxiety, amongst other stimuli.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 7
Correct
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The residual cleft of the intermediate lobe of the pituitary is lined by follicles resembling which human gland?
Your Answer: Thyroid
Explanation:The cells located between the two main pituitary lobes form what is known as the intermediate pituitary. This area secretes melanocyte-stimulating hormone and it is only a few cell layers thick. It is rich in follicles filled with colloid, and lined by basophilic cells. This configuration resembles that of another important gland: the thyroid.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 8
Correct
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Which of the flowing plasma proteins has the greatest affinity for T4?
Your Answer: Thyroxin-binding globulin
Explanation:There are three principal plasma thyroid hormone-binding proteins, thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), transthyretin (TTR), and albumin. TBG is synthesized in the liver and due to its relatively high affinity for iodothyronines, binds and carries approximately 70–75% of circulating T4 and T3.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 9
Correct
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Which one of the following will increase an individual’s appetite?
Your Answer: Ghrelin
Explanation:Ghrelin is a hormone which exerts a strong influence on hunger and energy balance. It helps regulate appetite by being secreted when the stomach is empty, to stimulate hunger. When the stomach is filled, its secretion stops.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 10
Incorrect
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The action of progesterone on different organs/systems includes:
Your Answer: Thermoregulation: decrease in basal body temperature
Correct Answer: Breasts: stimulation of lobular and alveolar development
Explanation:Progesterone is a sex hormone which affects mainly the reproductive system. In the breasts, it mediates the lobuloalveolar maturation to allow for milk production; this is done in conjunction with prolactin. It acts to maintain female reproductive and sex characteristics.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 11
Correct
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Which of the following structures lie in close proximity to the thyroid?
Your Answer: All of the options
Explanation:The thyroid gland receives its blood supply from the inferior and superior thyroid arteries. The recurrent laryngeal nerves emerges from the superior thoracic outlet bounded in part by the thyroid lobe. Two pairs of parathyroid glands lie near the thyroid. The common carotid artery splits into its external and internal branches at the upper border of the thyroid cartilage; these branches are separated by the gland.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 12
Incorrect
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On which chromosome is the gene for insulin located?
Your Answer: Chromosome 3
Correct Answer: Chromosome 11
Explanation:Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, and usually, two pairs of copies of chromosome 11. It is one of the most complex, gene-rich chromosomes in the human genome, and it is associated with a number of diseases. Studies have shown they the human insulin gene is located on the short arm of chromosome 11.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 13
Correct
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Which one of the following is not part of the WHO diagnostic criteria for the metabolic syndrome?
Your Answer: High LDL
Explanation:The World Health Organization 1999 criteria require the presence of any one of diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose or insulin resistance, AND two of the following:
- Blood pressure: ≥ 140/90 mmHg
- Dyslipidaemia: triglycerides (TG): ≥ 1.695 mmol/L and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ≤ 0.9 mmol/L (male), ≤ 1.0 mmol/L (female)
- Central obesity: waist: hip ratio > 0.90 (male); > 0.85 (female), or body mass index > 30 kg/m2
- Microalbuminuria: urinary albumin excretion ratio ≥ 20 µg/min or albumin: creatinine ratio ≥ 30 mg/g
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 14
Incorrect
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To which protein is T3 mostly bound in the serum?
Your Answer: Thyroglobulin
Correct Answer: Thyroxin-binding globulin
Explanation:In a normal person, approximately 0.03 per cent of the total serum T4, and 0.3 per cent of the total serum T3 are present in free or unbound form. The major serum thyroid hormone-binding proteins are: 1) thyroxine-binding globulin [TBG or thyropexin], 2) transthyretin [TTR or thyroxine-binding prealbumin (TBPA)], and 3) albumin (HAS, human serum albumin). TBG has highest affinity for T4, which is 50-fold higher than that of TTR and 7,000-fold higher that of HSA. As a result TBG binds 75% of serum T4, while TTR and HSA binds only 20% and Albumin 5%, respectively.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 15
Incorrect
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Which of the following stimuli increase growth hormone secretion?
Your Answer: Somatostatin
Correct Answer: Ghrelin
Explanation:Ghrelin is a hormone which serves as an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor. It acts on the pituitary and the hypothalamus by affecting the vagus nerve. It acts on the somatotrophs of the anterior pituitary, GHRH-secreting neurons, and on GHIH-secreting neurons in the hypothalamus, causing a time-dependent and pulsatile stimulation over the secretion of growth hormone.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 16
Correct
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Calcium is transported over the brush border in the gut, via which transporter / channel?
Your Answer: TRPV 6
Explanation:Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 6 or TRPV 6 is a calcium channel located in the cell membrane which is present in a variety of organs, including small intestine, oesophagus, stomach, colon, placenta, kidney, and uterus. In the intestine, it is located in the apical brush-border membrane of the enterocyte, regulating the entry of calcium into the cell.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 17
Incorrect
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Which of the following hormones cause negative feedback on the CRH/ACTH axis?
Your Answer: All of the options
Correct Answer: Cortisol
Explanation:The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, also known as HPA axis is a set of interactions that regulate the secretion of several hormones through negative feedback. Cortisol, for example, is produced by the adrenal cortex, binds to its receptors in the hypothalamus and adenohypophysis and inhibits secretion of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). The drop in CRH secretion leads to a decrease in ACTH secretion, which in turn causes less cortisol to be secreted.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 18
Correct
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Which of the following hormones would stimulate secretion of TSH?
Your Answer: TRH
Explanation:Thyrotropin-releasing hormone, also known as TRH, thyrotropin-releasing factor, TRF is a hormone produced by the hypothalamus. It functions as a releasing hormone, promoting the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone or thyrotropin and prolactin.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 19
Correct
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In a newly diagnosed acromegaly patient, which of the following would you not expect to find?
Your Answer: Hypohidrosis
Explanation:Features of acromegaly may include:
- Soft tissue swelling visibly resulting in enlargement of the hands, feet, nose, lips and ears, and a general thickening of the skin
- Soft tissue swelling of internal organs, notably the heart with associated weakening of its muscularity, and the kidneys, vocal cords (resulting in a characteristic thick, deep voice and slowing of speech)
- Generalized expansion of the skull at the fontanelle, frontal bossing, prognathism with associated macroglossia (enlargement of the tongue) and teeth spacing.
- Hypertrichosis, hyperpigmentation and hyperhidrosis (not hypohidrosis) may occur in these patients as well as carpal tunnel syndrome and impotence.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 20
Correct
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Which cells secrete insulin?
Your Answer: B cells of the pancreatic islets
Explanation:Insulin is synthesised and stored by the B cells of the pancreatic islets (70% of islet cells), glucagon is synthesised and stored in the A cells (20%) and somatostatin is synthesised and stored in the D cells (10%).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 21
Incorrect
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Endotoxin will typically act on which one of the following cells, to produce endogenous pyrogens?
Your Answer: T lymphocytes
Correct Answer: Monocytes
Explanation:Endotoxin, also known as lipopolysaccharides or lipoglycans, are molecules that consist of a lipid and a polysaccharide. They bind to many cell types, but especially to monocytes, promoting the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, acting as a pyrogen.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 22
Incorrect
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Which enzyme is responsible for the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone?
Your Answer: 11β-hydroxylase
Correct Answer: 5α-reductase
Explanation:The enzyme 5α-reductase synthesizes DHT from testosterone in the prostate, testes, hair follicles, and adrenal glands. This enzyme reduces the 4,5 double-bond of the testosterone. Relative to testosterone, DHT is much more potent as an agonist of the androgen receptor.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 23
Incorrect
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In the menstrual cycle, ovulation is triggered by:
Your Answer: A pituitary FSH surge due to the positive feedback effect of oestrogens
Correct Answer: A pituitary LH surge due to the positive feedback effect of circulating oestrogens
Explanation:FSH and LH are secreted to start the development of a follicle at the start of each menstrual cycle. A surge in oestrogen causes a positive feedback in the LH cells of the pituitary; this causes ovulation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 24
Incorrect
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The febrile response to PGE2 will be impaired with the knockout of which one of the following prostaglandin receptors?
Your Answer: Ep5
Correct Answer: Ep3
Explanation:Prostaglandin EP3 receptor is a receptor for prostaglandin E2. Fever occurs as a result of the action of prostaglandin E2 and requires EP3 receptors in the preoptic area. Therefore, if there is an absence of EP3 receptors, fever caused by prostaglandin E2 will not occur.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 25
Correct
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The onset of puberty is triggered by
Your Answer: Increase in pulsatile GNRH secretion from hypothalamus
Explanation:The onset of puberty is associated with high GNRH pulsing, which precedes the rise in sex hormones. Brain tumours which increase GNRH output may also lead to premature puberty. The cause of the GNRH rise is unknown.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 26
Incorrect
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Select the correct statement regarding the macro anatomy of the thyroid gland.
Your Answer: It arises embryologically from the 3rd and 4th brachial pouches.
Correct Answer: It surrounds the trachea at the front of the neck.
Explanation:The thyroid is located around the trachea, in the anterior portion of the neck. It is formed by two lobes which are connected by an isthmus. The presence of a pyramidal lobe, or third lobe, is considered to be a normal anatomical variant. It originates from the primitive pharynx and the neural crest and has a rich vascular supply.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 27
Incorrect
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What is the effect of oxytocin on the breast?
Your Answer: Milk formation
Correct Answer: Milk ejection
Explanation:Oxytocin is a peptide hormone and neuropeptide, produced by the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary. It causes the milk ejection or let-down reflex, causing the milk to be transported to the subareolar sinuses, allowing it to be released through the nipple. This response is initiated by the act of suckling by the baby, but it can be conditioned to be triggered by different stimuli.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 28
Incorrect
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Which of the following biochemical profiles is seen in a normal 65 year old female? (in comparison to a normal 24 yr. old female)
Your Answer: Decreased FSH, LH; decreased oestrogen, progesterone
Correct Answer: Increased FSH, LH; decreased oestrogen, progesterone
Explanation:During menopause, a woman’s number of ovarian follicles becomes depleted; as a result, oestrogen and progesterone levels drop, and LH and FSH levels increase. One of the criteria to diagnose menopause is the absence of menstrual period for a year, along with a serum FSH level increased to 30 mIU/ml or higher. LH also rises with the onset of menopause.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 29
Incorrect
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In terms of relative steroid potency, how much prednisone is equivalent to 100mg hydrocortisone?
Your Answer: 200mg
Correct Answer: 25mg
Explanation:Different corticosteroids have varying degrees of potency. 1 mg of prednisone is equivalent to 4 mg of hydrocortisone. Therefore, 25 mg of prednisone are equivalent to 100 mg of hydrocortisone.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 30
Incorrect
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Which one of the following is most likely to be seen in a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type I?
Your Answer: RET gene
Correct Answer: Insulinoma
Explanation:Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1 syndrome) or Wermer’s syndrome is part of a group of disorders, the multiple endocrine neoplasias, that affect the endocrine system through development of neoplastic lesions in the ‘three P’s’:Parathyroid (>90%): hyperparathyroidism due to parathyroid hyperplasiaPituitary (15-42%)Pancreas (60-70%, e.g. insulinoma, gastrinoma)
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
