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Aims: To investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) in patients who develop local recurrence (LR) after mastectomy., Methods: We analyzed the expressions of MMP-1, -2, -7, -9, -11, -13, -14, TIMP-1, -2, and -3, using immunohistochemical techniques, in primary tumors from patients without tumoral recurrence (n = 50), patients who developed distant metastasis (n = 50), and from patients who develop LRs (n = 25). LRs of the latter group were also analyzed for MMPs expression. All the patients underwent mastectomy., Results: Score values for all MMPs and TIMPs were significantly higher in primary tumors of patients with distant metastasis. Primary tumors from patients with LR have lower expressions of MMPs and TIMPs compared with those from patients who developed distant metastasis, and with patients without recurrence for some MMPs. Remarkably, however, primary tumors from patients with LR showed significantly higher percentage of TIMP-1 and 2 expression in stromal cells compared to primary tumors from patients with distant metastasis or primary tumors from patients without tumoral progression. Furthermore, LRs had significantly higher MMP-9 expression than their corresponding primary tumors., Conclusions: Our data indicate differences in MMPs/TIMPs expression between primary tumors of patients with LRs and of those with distant metastasis, both after mastectomy for breast cancer.

Aims: To evaluate hyaluronan expression at different stages of tumoral progression in primary breast cancer., Methods: Hyaluronan expression was evaluated by histochemical techniques in 42 cases of pure DCIS, in 15 cases of DCIS with a microinvasive component, and in 32 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. Staining results were evaluated by calculating the percentage of stained areas by means of a specific software program., Results: Our results show higher values of hyaluronan expression in invasive breast carcinomas [median of percentage of stained areas 41.1 (range 8-69.2)] and in DCIS with a microinvasive component [48.6 (16.8-62.8)] than in pure DCIS [14.5 (1-44.4)] (p < 0.001, for both)., Conclusions: Our study indicates a proportionally higher area of hyaluronan expression in DCIS with a microinvasive component than in pure DCIS, suggesting a key role of this glycosaminoglycan in the early invasive phase of breast carcinomas. Thus, hyaluronan could play an important function in determining the migratory phenotype of cancer cells. Larger size tumors appear to demonstrate an intricate balance between hyaluronan synthesis and degradation, thus conditioning intratumoral heterogeneity in the hyaluronan metabolism.

In this study, morphological changes which occur in the small intestine of hypothyroid rats are described. Hypothyroidism was induced during the first 24 h postnataly. - Samples from duodenojejunal and ileocecal junctions were taken, and histologic, histomorphometric, and ultrastructural studies were performed. The most prominent feature was the decrease of the villous height and total mucosal thickness. At electron microscopic level, microvillous height was also markedly decreased. These changes probably represent a direct effect of hormonal deprivation upon the intestinal mucosa, combined with the effect that hypothyroidism may have on the villi.