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D R Synkowski

Publications and source records attributed to D R Synkowski.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

The immunobiology of basal cell carcinoma: an in situ monoclonal antibody study.

A semi-quantitative, immunoperoxidase monoclonal antibody technique was used to study the mononuclear cells surrounding 32 basal cell carcinoma specimens from 30 patients. Tumours were analysed in subgroups based on recurrence, size and ulceration. T cell counts were high (greater than 3 out of 4) for all groups while T helper/inducer and T suppressor/cytotoxic cell counts were equal (approx. 2). Macrophage counts were low for all groups, about I X 2, while B cell and Ia positive cell counts were high (greater than 3). T/B cell and T helper/suppressor cell ratios approached one for the tumours as a whole as well as the sub-groups. The relative importance and contribution of cell mediated vs. humoral immunity in keeping basal cell carcinomas in check is discussed.

Adult

Industrial exposure to organophosphorus compounds. Studies of a group of workers with a decrease in esterase-staining monocytes.

When an automated counting instrument using an esterase stain was employed, decreased monocyte counts were observed in a group of process workers exposed to organophosphate esters. Their monocyte counts were not found to be depressed with manual counting or with an automated counter using another staining method. The apparent depression was transient. In these workers and a comparison group, theoretical adverse consequences of decreased monocyte esterase and also possible changes in other esterases were explored. No anergy was seen with mumps or staphylococcal phage lysate hypersensitivity skin tests. Histology of the mumps reaction was similar in both groups. The depressed monocyte counts were significantly associated with a mild reduction in erythrocyte cell acetylcholinesterase, but no reduction was seen in plasma pseudocholinesterase or lymphocyte neurotoxic esterase.

Adult

Urticaria.

Urticaria/angioedema is very common and usually not very serious. The main diagnostic task is the history, asking about pharmaceutical agents, foods, focuses of infection, physical agents, and psychogenic factors as well as inhalants, insect bites, internal diseases, immune complex diseases, contactants, and genetic factors. The main therapeutic tool is to eliminate the offending agent. If this cannot be done, therapy should begin with an H1 antihistamine pushed to tolerance or clearing. Life-threatening laryngeal edema and/or anaphylactic shock are extremely rare. Laryngeal edema is usually a component of hereditary angioedema. In such cases, subcutaneous epinephrine is the drug of choice. Laboratory investigation in chronic urticaria should include CBC, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and a serum multiphasic analysis. A myriad of laboratory tests can be done in chronic urticaria, but some cost-yield effective ones are a test for antinuclear antibodies and x-rays of the sinuses and dentition.

Female

Urticaria. An immunofluorescence and histopathology study.

Fourteen randomly chosen patients with "garden variety" urticaria were studied for the presence of vasculitis and immunoglobulins and complement. Results of direct immunofluorescence (DIF) of the involved skin were negative, although two patients had immunoglobulins and complement demonstrable in the cytoplasm of the epidermal cells. Results of DIF of uninvolved skin were also predominantly negative. Findings from serum samples tested by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) were negative, except for one positive in low titer (1:10, the basement membrane zone). Serum C3 and C4 levels were normal in five patients, both levels were low in two, and the C4 level was low in one patient. No skin-reactive immunoglobulins were found in these three patients by DIF or IIF. The ESR was measured and found to be elevated in four patients. Results of immunofluorescence proved negative in these cases. Of the 12 patients studied by hematoxylineosin staining to determine histology, none exhibited vasculitis. We believe that vasculitis with antigen-antibody reactions is not the rule in "garden variety" urticaria.

Adult