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Biomedical subjects

N B Kumar

Publications and source records attributed to N B Kumar.

42 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Megakaryocytes in pleural and peritoneal fluids: prevalence, significance, morphology, and cytohistological correlation.

Over a period of 22 years, 4844 pleural and peritoneal fluids from 3279 patients were examined cytologically. Megakaryocytes were found in the fluids from five patients. The clinical diagnoses in the five patients were agnogenic myeloid metaplasia, chronic myeloid leukaemia, and lymphocytic lymphoma. All of these patients had persistent serous effusions. Megakaryocytes in serous fluids occurred in three forms: (1) a large type with abundant cytoplasm and multilobed nuclei, (2) a smaller type with a high nucleocytoplasmic ratio and unlobed nuclei, and (3) anucleate cytoplasmic masses. Foci of agnogenic myeloid metaplasia found on the serous surfaces at necropsy of two patients contained megakaryocytes similar to those in the corresponding effusions. The clinical course of our patients confirmed that the presence of megakaryocytes in serous fluids signifies an advanced haematopoietic malignancy.

Aged↗

The effect of duration of intervention and locus of control on dietary change.

Scientific evidence supports a relationship between diet and the incidence of cancer. This finding has resulted in dietary recommendations that have been disseminated to the public. To reduce actual cancer incidence, these recommendations must lead to dietary changes among the population. We compared two brief dietary interventions with a longer term intervention and found that all three interventions produced significant reductions of calories, fat, fiber intake, and weight. The duration of the intervention did not significantly affect the magnitude of these reductions. We also found that health locus of control did not affect dietary change. Participants who initially were found to have an internal locus of control, or who subsequently internalized their locus of control during the period of observation, did not demonstrate a significant change in their intake of any of the nutrients measured when compared to participants with an external locus of control. Thus, we suggest a brief dietary intervention as a feasible and effective mechanism to produce progressive incremental dietary changes in a large population.

Adult↗

Diagnosis of prostatic leiomyosarcoma with fine needle aspiration cytology.

A case of prostatic leiomyosarcoma initially diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology is reported. The cytologic findings on prepared smears are described. The value of a cell block preparation of the aspirate in establishing a definite diagnosis is discussed, and the differential diagnosis is briefly discussed.

Adult↗

Pulmonary Hodgkin's disease. Diagnosis by fine needle aspiration.

The cytologic manifestations of pulmonary Hodgkin's disease in transthoracic fine needle aspirates from 13 patients with pulmonary radiologic abnormalities and a previous diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease are described. Classic Reed-Sternberg cells and lacunar cells were present in most cases. The so-called "mononuclear" Reed-Sternberg cells were identified in all cases. A cellular background consisting of variable numbers of histiocytes, eosinophilic and neutrophilic leukocytes and lymphocytes was frequently present. Such a background should stimulate a search for cells diagnostic of Hodgkin's disease. We conclude that the cytologic features of Hodgkin's disease are not only characteristic, but are also diagnostic, in patients with a prior history of Hodgkin's disease in whom pulmonary recurrence is suspected.

Adolescent↗

Cytologic features of ovarian tumors of low malignant potential in peritoneal fluids.

The distinction of ovarian tumors of low malignant potential (OTLMP) from invasive ovarian carcinomas has significant therapeutic and prognostic implications. This study was undertaken to define the cytologic features of OTLMP in peritoneal fluids and to compare them with the cytologic features of invasive carcinomas. Peritoneal fluids from 13 patients with OTLMP and 10 patients with invasive ovarian carcinoma contained neoplastic cells and were reviewed with attention to papillary fragment morphology, cellular pleomorphism and cytoplasmic and nuclear characteristics. Cytologic preparations from patients with OTLMP contained large, cohesive papillary fragments with smooth borders. The neoplastic cells were relatively small and uniform, with high nuclear-cytoplasmic (N/C) ratios (greater than 1:2), few intracytoplasmic vacuoles and inconspicuous nucleoli. Mitotic figures were rare. Peritoneal fluids from patients with invasive ovarian carcinoma contained smaller discohesive papillary fragments with irregular borders. The neoplastic cells were relatively large and pleomorphic, with low N/C ratios (less than or equal to 1:2), abundant intracytoplasmic vacuoles and prominent nucleoli; most preparations contained many single cells and mitotic figures.

Adult↗

Curschmann's spirals in cervicovaginal smears. Prevalence, morphology, significance and origin.

A retrospective examination of 172,119 cervical and vaginal smears was undertaken to study the prevalence, morphology, significance and origin of Curschmann's spirals in such specimens. Spirals morphologically identical to those seen in sputum were found in 101 specimens from 100 patients, for a prevalence of 1 in 1,704 smears. Spirals were found only in patients who had not had their cervices removed. The presence of the spirals could not be correlated with any particular gynecologic or nongynecologic abnormality. Most of the patients had no gynecologic abnormality. The literature contains suggestions that Curschmann's spirals in cervicovaginal smears are a manifestation of orogenital sexual contact or are formed in endocervical mucus, particularly in cigarette smokers. To investigate whether such spirals have an extraneous origin, we examined the smears for dust-containing histiocytes, vegetable cells, skeletal muscle fibers and other extraneous material, none of which was found. We found no correlation between the presence of spirals and cigarette smoking. Moreover, histologic sections of the uterine cervices from some of the patients who had spirals in their smears showed evidence of spiral formation in endocervical mucus. We conclude that Curschmann's spirals in cervicovaginal smears are an uncommon finding with no clinical significance, that they are formed from endocervical mucus and that their presence has nothing to do with orogenital sexual contact or cigarette smoking.

Adolescent↗