The role of Mediterranean diet on the risk of pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: The Mediterranean diet has been shown to have a beneficial role on various neoplasms, but data are scanty on pancreatic cancer. METHODS: We analysed data from two case-control studies conducted in Italy between 1983 and 2008, including 362 and 326 pancreatic cancer cases and 1552 and 652 hospital-controls, respectively. A Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) summarising major characteristics of the Mediterranean diet was used in the two studies separately and overall. Two further scores of adherence to the Mediterranean diet were applied in the second study only, the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern Adherence Index (MDP) and the Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MAI). RESULTS: Odds ratios (ORs) for increasing levels of the scores (i.e., increasing adherence) were estimated using multiple logistic regression models. Odds ratio for a MDS score ≥6 compared with <3 was 0.57 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.34-0.95) in the first study, 0.51 (95% CI 0.29-0.92) in the second study, and 0.48 (95% CI 0.35-0.67) overall. A trend of decreasing risk was observed also for the MDP and MAI the ORs for the highest vs the lowest quintile being 0.44 (95% CI 0.27-0.73) for MDP and 0.68 (95% CI 0.42-1.11) for the MAI. The results were consistent across strata of age, sex, education, body mass index, alcohol drinking, tobacco smoking, and diabetes. CONCLUSION: Our study provides evidence that a priori-defined scores measuring adherence to the Mediterranean diet are favourably associated with pancreatic cancer risk.

[Masquelet technique for the treatment of large dia- and metaphyseal bone defects]. / Die Masquelet-Technik zur Behandlung großer dia- und metaphysärer Knochendefekte.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment of large dia- and metaphyseal bone defects (> 3 cm) with two surgical interventions with an interval of 4-8 weeks. INDICATIONS: Dia- and metaphyseal bone defects predominantly of the lower extremity. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Intraarticular bone defects, persisting bone infection or osteomyelitis, insufficient soft tissue coverage in the region of the bone defect, osteoporosis. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: First surgical intervention: thorough bone debridement and soft tissue coverage, implantation of a cement spacer into the bone defect for the induction of a synovial foreign-body membrane, internal or external fixation. Second surgical intervention: removal of the cement spacer and filling of the bone defect with autologous cancellous bone graft, optionally internal fixation after initial external fixation. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Partial to full weight-bearing after the first surgical intervention depending on pain. Partial weight-bearing (max. 15 kg) after the second surgical intervention, until radiological signs of a remodeling of the regenerate bone occur. Usually no implant removal. RESULTS: A total of 6 patients (4 men, 2 women) aged 15-66 years with average bone defects of 7 cm (range 4-10 cm) were treated using the Masquelet technique. There were 2 aseptic femoral nonunions and 4 tibial nonunions (2 septic and 2 aseptic nonunions). One case was a periprosthetic tibial bone defect. Bone stabilization after debridement was performed using ring fixators on the tibia and an intramedullary nail and a locking plate on the femur, respectively. The second surgical intervention was performed after 6-9 weeks. In 3 of the 4 tibial cases, internal fixation was performed during this intervention. The iliac crest and the RIA (reamer-irrigator-aspirator) technique were used for cancellous bone grafting. Amputation after breakage of the plate was necessary in the patient with the periprosthetic bone defect. Nonunion at the docking site required cancellous bone grafting in 1 patient. All 5 patients were able to perform full weight-bearing without pain after 6 months. The Ilizarov fixator was removed 5 months after the second surgical intervention in a 15-year-old patient. None of the other implants were removed.

[Effect of an aromatic retinoid on human squamous cell carcinomas in vitro]. / Wirkung eines arosmatischen Retinoids auf menschliche Plattenepithelkarzinome in vitro.

After in vitro incubation of human squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region with aromatic retinoid an increased number of lysosomes can be observed in the tumor cells. It is discussed whether this accumulaion of lysosomes is due to a direct stimulation of lysosomal enzyme synthesis or whether it is consequence of cell damage by the retinoid.