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Aim: Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) system plays an essential role in the human immune system activity and the expression of some specific HLA antigens could modify the immune response to vaccinations. Celiac disease is included among the diseases associated to specific HLA profiles, principally characterized by the expression of the HLA DQ2 antigen., Methods: Our study was a retrospective study, leaded on a group of celiac children, with the object to evaluate their immunological response to both obligatory and recommended vaccinations in childhood. It was a retrospective study, including 66 patients affected by celiac disease, between 3 and 15 years of age, and a control group of 50 children of the same age. All patients performed both obligatory and recommended vaccinations as indicated in the Italian standard regimen for vaccinations. The immunologic response to each vaccine was analysed and compared in the two groups. Moreover, authors also studied the immunologic response to vaccines in celiac children comparing patients whose diagnosis was made before 18 months of age with those whose disease was diagnosed after 18 months of age., Results: Our results showed that in celiac patients the immunological response to vaccine is similar to that one found in general population, except for HBV vaccine., Conclusion: The evaluation of immunological response to HBV vaccine should be regularly effectuated in celiac children and revaccination should be recommended.

A vaccination cycle cannot always be completed with the same type of vaccine with which it was initiated because the same type of vaccine is not always available at the vaccination centers. For this reason we have verified the possibility of substituting one of two anti hepatitis B DNA-recombinant vaccines [Engerix B (SK&F); Recombivax HB (MSD)] both available in Italy in the vaccination protocol. A study was performed on 480 subjects using both types of DNA recombinant vaccine and on 160 using only one type of vaccine. Our data show that there is no difference in immunogenic potency of the two DNA recombinant vaccines available in Italy and that a cycle begun with one vaccine can be completed with the other with no effect on the percentage of seroconversion or the mean anti-HBs titre.

27 healthy babies born to HBsAg, antiHBs and antiHBc negative mothers were given three doses of hepatitis B vaccine "Recombivax HB" (5 micrograms/dose/0.5 ml) at 3, 5 and 11 months of age (Piazza's protocol). AntiHBs response was highly satisfactory. Since both in terms of seroconversion rate and of mean antiHBs titre immunogenicity of other hepatitis B vaccines given at 3, 5 and 11 months of age was already demonstrated, it is possible to conclude that Piazza's protocol is valid for all hepatitis B vaccines available in Italy and will certainly facilitate the compulsory hepatitis B vaccination in infants in Italy.

Plants of sunflower cultivated in soil enriched in 3,4 benzopyrene produces seeds which are smaller than those obtained from untreated plants. The same effect has been observed if the leaves are sprinkled with BP. The smallest seeds are produced from plants submitted to soil and leaves treatment.

The Authors have investigated the structural property of organic shell matrix from Mytilus galloprovincialis by scanning microscopy. The microscopic investigation shows differences between matrix from nacreous layer or argonite and matrix from outer layer or calcite. The first shows a "cavernous" surface; the other instead shows a "smooth" surface. The Authors conclude that probably these differences may influence the different crystallographic arrangement of biocrystals.

The writers within the context of the research on the biological actions of the unsaponificables in the most common edible oils, have tested the effects produced by such unsaponificables on the culture of E. Coli. The unsaponificables, and those of seed oils of peanuts and sunflowers in particular, aid the doubling of the E. Coli. Similar research on the culture of animal cells (in vitro) and unicellular algae, are at present outstanding.

Purification methods of vegetable extracts have been experienced during our researches on the possible presence of the aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons (particularly 3,4 benzopyrene) in vegetables. The validity of different methods has been determined by IR spectrophotometric analysis using special apparatus (IR-DATA-STATION). Vegetables extracts have been purified efficaciously by column chromatography, saponification and special methods (Grimmer's method). The described method eliminates, nearly entirely, the polluting substances that could alternate the chemical analysis of the vegetable extracts.

During the research concerning biological effects of the most common edible oils (peanuts, sunflower, maize, soya and rectified olive), the Authors have tested the insaponificable fractions on the calf kidney cellular monosurface. The insaponificable of the maize seeds oil determine a net decrease of the speed growth. It has also been noted a very slight increase of the cells development, in the cultures treated with the insaponificables of some other oils, compared with the samples of those not treated. As comparison substance it has been used 3,4 benzpyrene, because his toxic action on the cells is well known.

The cristallographic analysis of the valve of Mytilus galloprovincialis using the scansion microscopy method shows probable inclusions of Cd and Zn in the carbonate calcite layer and probable inclusions of Pb in carbonate aragonite layer. This confirms the supposition of a substitution of Ca ions from heavy metals investigated and the formation of the respective carbonates that precipitate together with calcium carbonate in the process of growth of the valve of the mollusc examined.

The Authors assuming as hypothesis that elements beyond Calcium could be included as carbonate according to crystalline structure of Aragonite and Calcite in the shell of Mytilus g. have verified the selective inclusion of Cr, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu, Cd, Pb in the biocrystals in relation to their ionic radius. Though the ratio of concentrations of these elements in the shell layers: [Me] calcite/[Me] aragonite ( [C]/[A] ) is significatively greater than 1 for Zn and Mg, significatively less than 1 for Cr and Pb and the no-significative distribution of Cu, Fe, Cd do not allow a sure relationship between the ionic radii of Ca and the investigated elements in the process of shell inclusions. However, authors, do not exclude that these elements may be included differently from the relative aragonitic or calcitic crystalline carbonate structures.

A classic case of Ménétrier's disease in an adult male, diagnosed by histological examination of operative biopsy is reported. Stress is laid on the clinical aspects of the disease and on the histological aspects of that particular type of hyperplastic gastropathy that underlies it. Brief mention is also made of the states of pseudohyperplastic gastropathy that may represent a source of diagnostic confusion, particularly from the radiological viewpoint.

The size frequency distribution, the shell weight, the semilogarythmic growth, the carbonic anhydrase activity has been investigated between two populations of mussels from different sampling zones. Significative differences were found in the parameters investigated between the two populations. The authors conclude that the reason of this morphological and biochemical differences may arise from different natural hydrobiological factors and/or from different pollution of their habitat.

A case of primary adenocarcinoma of the duodenum associated with Recklinghausen's disease and Caroli's disease provides the opportunity to review the literature. Malignant tumours of the duodenum are extremely rare and even rarer is their association with R's and Caroli's diseases. It should not be forgotten that in Recklinghausen's disease gastro-intestinal involvement is possible. Caroli's disease is diagnosed anatomopathologically. Surgical resection remains the sole satisfactory treatment when the tumour has not spread locally or at a distance. If it has, treatment must be palliative.

By inserting near the under-axillary gland of the rats Wistar (one month age) compressed material containing g. 0.250 of non-saponificable sunflower seeds oil, it has been noted an increase of the number of the mitosis in the under-axillary gland, in the lung and some mitosis in the liver. Such results are similar to those obtainable by administering, with similar method 0.050 g. of 3,4benzopyrene or 0.100 g. of the hydrocarbon oxidization products. The histological analysis have been effected on the organs of rats sacrificed one month after inoculation.

The Authors investigated on the relations between the amount of Heavy Metals (Me) and free aminoacids (FAA) from tissues of Mytilus galloprovincialis. Similar mussels were collected from three sampling zones of bay of Naples. The analyzed Me were Cr+3, Cd+2, Pb+2. The obtained results show that behaviour of Me and FAA is similar. These data suggested to the Authors that FAA changes have to be related to an attempt to recover their's equilibrium more than a direct influence of Me on mussel's FAA metabolism.

Within the sphere of the researches the biological effects of the most common edible oils (peanuts, sunflower, maize, soya and rectified olive) it has been studied the interaction between the development of the Euglena gracilis unicellular seaweed and the presence of the unsaponifiables examined in their cultures. As a biologically active substance it has been used 3,4-benzopyrene. Spectrophotometric analysis have evidenced that all the unsaponifiables, especially those of the soya seeds, caused a growth decrease of the seaweed culture. A similar effect is found in the cultures treated with aromatic hydrocarbon.

The amounts of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mg were determined in the inner and outer layers of shells of Mytilus g.. Different values significatively between the layers were found only for Mg. The ratio [Me]Calcite/ [Me]Aragonite was calculated and it is not more than one, for all the colonies of different sampling zones. The Authors conclude that perhaps the reason of this behaviour is the different pollution of their habitat.