Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 as inflammation markers of Trichinella spiralis and Trichinella pseudospiralis infections in mice.

Trichinella spiralis and Trichinella pseudospiralis exhibit differences in the host-parasite relationship such as the inflammatory response in parasitized muscles. Several studies indicate that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) represent a marker of inflammation since they regulate inflammation and immunity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of gelatinases (MMP-9 and MMP-2) in mice experimentally infected with T. spiralis or T. pseudospiralis, to elucidate the involvement of these molecules during the inflammatory response to these parasites. Gelatin zymography on SDS polyacrilamide gels was used to assess the serum levels and in situ zymography on muscle histological sections to show the gelatinase-positive cells. In T. spiralis infected mice, the total MMP-9 serum level increased 6 days post-infection whereas, the total MMP-2 serum level increased onward. A similar trend was observed in T. pseudospiralis infected mice but the MMP-9 level was lower than that detected in T. spiralis infected mice. Significant differences were also observed in MMP-2 levels between the two experimental groups. The number of gelatinase positive cells was higher in T. spiralis than in T. pseudospiralis infected muscles. We conclude that MMP-9 and MMP-2 are markers of the inflammatory response for both T. spiralis and T. pseudospiralis infections.

Failure of primary breast cancer neoangiogenesis to predict pattern of distant metastasis.

In the present study, the primary tumor neoangiogenesis characteristics of 81 stage IV previously untreated breast cancers with synchronous metastasis to different distant sites (10 patients with soft tissue metastases, 31 with bone metastases, and 40 with visceral metastases) were analyzed. The primary intratumor microvessel density was assessed by immunohistochemical assay on paraffin-embedded primary tumor samples, using a monoclonal anti-CD34 antibody. The mean primary intratumor microvessel density (at 400x fields) was 78 +/- 39 (SD) microvessels per field. The microvessel density was not significantly related to the main clinical/pathological features of the tumor (age, cytohistological grade, DNA ploidy, diameter, and receptor status). The percentage of tumor cases with high primary intratumor microvessel density (cut-off median value of the series 73 +/- 39 microvessels/field) did not significantly differ in patients with bone, soft tissue, or visceral metastatic disease. Analysis of clinical outcome showed a significantly shorter time to progression and overall survival for patients with visceral metastases (P<0.001 and P<0.0002 by log-rank, respectively). Presence of visceral metastases was confirmed to be the only independent prognostic factor related to a worse TTP (hazard risk 2.15, 95% confidence interval 1.14-4.03, P<0.02) and overall survival (hazard risk 1.81, 95% confidence interval 0.98-3.35, P<0.06) by multivariate analysis. In conclusion, the assessment of neoangiogenesis of primary breast cancer by CD34 expression does not provide information predictive of different distant sites of metastasis.

Epidemiology and sequelae of head injury in San Marino Republic.

A study of head injuried patients was carried out in the smallest nation in the world (Republic of San Marino) from January 1981 to December 1982. The results show an epidemiological incidence of 468 cases/10(5) population/year in regards to Hospital admissions, whereas the cases are 694/10(5) population/year when taking into account also patients seen only by Accident and Emergency Department. The consequences of the head injury (Post Traumatic Syndrome, PTS) were studied in 187 patients having comparable features on admission and discharge, and being all residents of the Republic of San Marino. Factors significant in determining a PTS seem to be a history of previous head injuries, the presence of previous neuropsychiatric disturbances and an abnormal E.E.G. on admission. The time of onset of the syndrome, associated with the above mentioned factors, can be important in determining whether the PTS is of neurotic or organic origin.