Neotype designation, redescription, biology and distribution of Acanthopsyche alstoni Watt amp; Mann, 1903 (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) from India.

Acanthopsyche alstoni Watt Mann, is a lesser known psychid previously known only from the description of its larval cases collected from Assam, India in 1903. There were no descriptions of the adult moth or biology of the species. During surveys for Psychidae in the human inhabited regions of Kerala State, India, more than 100 larval cases were recovered. They were allowed to hatch and characteristics were recorded. This paper provides a detailed redescription of this species and designation of a neotype.

Relationship of cytomorphology to spirometric findings in cigarette smokers.

The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between sputum cytomorphology and pulmonary function. A cross-sectional correlation analysis of results from pulmonary function testing and eight cytomorphologic indices of inflammation and metaplasia was conducted in 143 smokers registered in a residential smoking-cessation program. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that after adjusting for age and smoking history, lower levels of pulmonary function were related significantly to higher levels of macrophage pigmentation, neutrophils and metaplasia. Higher levels of macrophages were associated with higher levels of pulmonary function. The overall regression coefficient, 0.35, was highly significant (F[5,136] = 14.84, P = .0001). Categorical analyses revealed that smokers with high counts of neutrophils, macrophage pigmentation, columnar cells, spirals and metaplasia were two to three times more likely to have abnormal pulmonary function than were those with low counts. From these results we conclude that elevations in certain cytologic indices are associated with abnormal lung function. These findings may reflect the pathophysiology of obstructive lung disease. Longitudinal studies are required to determine whether cytomorphologic parameters can identify individuals at risk for functional deterioration at a stage amenable to intervention.

Quantitative analysis of sputum cytologic differences between smokers and nonsmokers.

An exploratory analysis of sputum cytology was conducted to determine the extent and nature of cytomorphologic differences between smokers and nonsmokers. Specifically, alveolar macrophages, pigmentation of macrophages, neutrophils, mucus, mucous spirals, columnar cells, metaplastic cells, and dysplastic cells were analyzed and compared in 349 smokers and 93 nonsmokers. Results indicate that smokers have significantly higher scores on all components than do nonsmokers. Pigmentation of macrophages, alveolar macrophages, and mucous spirals were the major components discriminating between smokers and nonsmokers. A comparison of the nonsmoking sample with a different group of smokers (n = 466) revealed similar findings. Using the cytomorphologic parameters as the basis for classification, discriminant function analysis was able to classify correctly 94 percent of the nonsmokers and 91% of the smokers, a finding confirmed in the second group of smokers. These data indicate that smokers differ reliably from nonsmokers with respect to their cytomorphologic profile.

Cytomorphologic features of sputum samples from marijuana smokers.

Histopathologic evidence in recent literature suggests that habitual, heavy marijuana smoking causes changes in the bronchial airways similar to changes seen in older, habitual cigarette smokers. The cytologic effects of marijuana smoking on the bronchial airways were investigated utilizing a quantitative analysis of sputum. Levels of macrophages (pigmented and nonpigmented), neutrophils, mucus, mucous spirals, and columnar and benign metaplastic cells were measured. The presence or absence of dysplasia, "purse" cells, eosinophils, reactive bronchial lining cells, and benign bronchial hyperplasia was noted. Results were compared across three groups of 25 subjects each: never cigarette or marijuana smokers: marijuana only smokers: and in cigarette only smokers. Results indicate that cytomorphologic changes observed in habitual marijuana smokers are similar to changes observed in tobacco smokers and much different than those observed in nonsmokers. These cytologic findings are similar to those described in other studies from specimens obtained at bronchoscopy.

Reliability of a quantitative interpretation of sputum cytology slides.

A sputum cytology method has been developed in which eight cytologic components associated with stimulation of the bronchial airways are quantified. The extent to which cytotechnologists could reliably and consistently utilize this system was measured. In an initial study (study A), four cytotechnologists had an overall intraobserver agreement of 90.2% and an interobserver agreement of 76.3%. There was an overall agreement with the laboratory standard of 85.6%. The most difficult components to consistently rate were mucous spirals and metaplastic, dysplastic and columnar cells. Study B was initiated after the implementation of a training program designed to better define both cytologic criteria and our system of quantitation. Two of the original cytotechnologists and a newly trained cytotechnologist participated in study B. The overall intraobserver agreement increased to 97.8% while the overall interobserver agreement increased to 97.5%. The overall agreement with the laboratory standard was 98.3%. These results indicate that a cytologic rating system employed for quantitative sputum cytology can be taught and applied reliably and consistently.

Discriminant analysis of lower respiratory tract components associated with cigarette smoking, based on quantitative sputum cytology.

Cigarette smoking is the major contributor to chronic bronchial irritation, and tobacco smoke is the most common bronchial carcinogen. A newly developed quantitative sputum cytology test was applied to three-day-pooled, spontaneously produced sputa collected from 349 cigarette smokers and 93 patients who had never smoked; the samples were processed by the Saccomanno technique. In addition to identifying malignant and precancerous cells in sputum, this test identifies eight morphologic parameters of bronchial irritation. Cross-sectional analysis of the cytologic data indicated that, within a 99% confidence interval, cigarette smokers had statistically significantly higher levels of all eight components, producing a unique profile. Discriminant analysis revealed that pigmentation of macrophages, alveolar macrophages and mucous spirals (in that order) were the leading components differentiating smokers from nonsmokers. This new quantitative sputum cytology test correlates with the model of lung carcinogenesis. The detection of proliferative cellular alterations, such as benign and early atypical metaplasia, represent the detection of chronic persistent irritation, which is considered to be a reversible change. The ability to monitor individual responses to toxic inhalants (before the development of irreversible disease) by utilizing a noninvasive test represents a unique opportunity to impact the historic course of lung carcinogenesis.

Quantitative sputum cytologic findings in 109 nonsmokers.

While sputum cytologic findings associated with cigarette smoking have been described, little information is available regarding nonsmokers for comparative analysis. Over a 3-month period, our cytopathology laboratory examined 3-day pooled sputa from 109 never smokers. Eighty-five percent were able to produce satisfactory results without recourse to induction. Ninety of 93 (97%) individuals had negative or reactive sputum cytologic findings. No carcinoma was identified. Two cases showed metaplastic changes and one case revealed dysplasia but all were from symptomatic never smokers. Eight components of stimulation of bronchial epithelium were microscopically quantified on each case and the mean values of each were calculated to produce a profile of an asymptomatic never smoker.