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Gastric cancer (GC) is the world's second leading cause of cancer-related mortality, and carries a bad prognosis. In 1994, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a group I carcinogen. There are increasing indications that this infection is associated with both the initiation and progress of gastric carcinoma and lymphoma. Evidence supporting a causal association has been demonstrated by epidemiological data and in experimental animal models. Despite this, there is still lack of final conclusion regarding the association between the infection and the malignancy due both to marked geographic variations and heterogeneity in study designs. Given the high rate of morbidity and mortality associated with GC, any means of reducing the occurrence of the disease or increase its early detection is most desirable. In this paper, the epidemiological aspects on the evidence of a causal relationship between H. pylori and GC are discussed. Prospective cohort studies and interventional trials focused on the effects of H. pylori eradication on lesions predisposing to GC should be performed in order to provide further data.

A case of rapidly progressing glomerulonephritis accompanied by sarcoidosis is presented. The immunological pathogenesis of the underlying disease was shown by the positivity of the reactions for anti-IgA and anti-betal C/beta 1 A globulins and the presence of thick deposits in the mesexential matrix and some parts of the thickened basal membrane. Since generalised sarcoidosis is regarded as the expression of an immunological reaction to an unknown, diffuse antigen, this type of glomerulonephritis may be associated with the particular immunopathological condition observed in sarcoidosis.

Aspecific immunosuppression in neoplasia has long been known, even though all its biological aspects are not yet fully understood. Inhibition of leukocyte migration (LIF) was studied before and after the use of levamisole in vitro to determine whether changes occurred in cell reactivity. The results of the investigation are discussed in the light of modern immunopathological theories.

Data regarding the commonest biohumoral tests of liver function obtained in 53 highly obese women of more or less young age, non-diabetic, non alcolist and without cardiovascular complications are reported. Liver biopsy was carried out in 23 of these patients for the purpose of studying the liver histologically. On the whole, liver function tests gave normal results: specifically, B.S.F. clearance was normal in 91% of the cases and retention at 45' was normal in 77%. Histologically, only 9% showed normal liver parenchyma. The vast majority showed a varying extent of fat infiltration and in 30% this was also fibrosis. No relationship was found to exist between the extent of histological changes and B.S.F clearance and retention values.