Cultivable Microbiome Approach Applied to Cervical Cancer Exploration.

Traditional microbiological methodology is valuable and essential for microbiota composition description and microbe role assignations at different anatomical sites, including cervical and vaginal tissues; that, combined with molecular biology strategies and modern identification approaches, could give a better perspective of the microbiome under different circumstances. This pilot work aimed to describe the differences in microbiota composition in non-cancer women and women with cervical cancer through a culturomics approach combining culture techniques with Vitek mass spectrometry and 16S rDNA sequencing. To determine the possible differences, diverse statistical, diversity, and multivariate analyses were applied; the results indicated a different microbiota composition between non-cancer women and cervical cancer patients. The Firmicutes phylum dominated the non-cancer (NC) group, whereas the cervical cancer (CC) group was characterized by the predominance of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria phyla; there was a depletion of lactic acid bacteria, an increase in the diversity of anaerobes, and opportunistic and non-typical human microbiota isolates were present. In this context, we hypothesize and propose a model in which microbial composition and dynamics may be essential for maintaining the balance in the cervical microenvironment or can be pro-oncogenesis microenvironmental mediators in a process called Ying-Yang or have a protagonist/antagonist microbiota role.

SARS-CoV-2: Challenges in Reconverting Diagnostic Laboratories to Combat the Pandemic.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first detected in Mexico in February 2020. Even though health authorities did not perceive then the value of viral detection tests, we anticipated the demand for them. We set up to develop an expeditious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) molecular diagnostic service through the implementation of standardized protocols for biospecimen sampling, transportation, biobanking, preanalytical validation, and nucleic acids (NA) testing (NAT). Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs collected in a special transportation medium were the biospecimens from which NAs were purified either manually or automatically. Viral RNA genome presence was determined using commercial SARS-CoV-2 detection kits (based on reverse transcription coupled with real-time PCR [RT-PCR]). Improvements in laboratory processing speed and reliability resulted from semi-automatizing laboratory processes and adopting a quality control/quality assurance system (QC/QA), respectively. NAs that were purified, either manually or automatically, were validated by preanalytical spectrophotometric characterization. Automated purification was less prone to contamination and reduced the processing time. The following six RT-PCR kits were evaluated for their convenience, specificity, sensitivity, time consumption, and required materials (in order, starting with the kit with the best results): RIDA gene and Viasure (tied), Vircell, LightMix, 1copy, and Logix Smart. Redesigning the laboratories' working areas, equipment, fluxes of personnel and material, and personnel skills, and overemphasizing biosafety safeguards were major challenges encountered in the middle of the sanitary crisis. Adopting a QC/QA system, utilizing automatization processes, and working closely with health authorities were key factors in our success. IMPORTANCE Rearranging our diagnostic laboratories to improve the fight against a new unexpected, unpredictable, and sudden public health threat demanded that we move quickly to redesign not only the laboratory processes but also the distribution of space, personnel activities, and fluxes of material coming in and out. We also had to work closely with governmental health authorities to gain their trust in our technical competence. Gaining the confidence of the clients, i.e., mainly individuals, the human resource departments of factories and corporations sending employees for testing, and medical institutions, and implementing as much automatization as possible of processes, in which only officially approved reagents (for extraction and analysis of NA) were used to generate opportune trustable testing results, were key factors. Our laboratories have gathered a considerable amount of experience and significant number of solutions, considering our geographic contexts alongside this continuously morphing pandemic, validating many techniques that might help other laboratories find a better and more precise workflow.

Novel approach in using ultrasound in treating acute limb ischemia.

BACKGROUND: It is imperative to gain safe access into the occluded targeted vessel and begin treating acute extremity limb ischemia. Often the origin of the targeted native artery or bypass graft will have a flush occlusion making it difficult to cannulate. This paper looks at the novel use of portable ultrasound to evaluate the origin of the artery or bypass graft to help facilitate the start of thrombolysis. METHODS: We reviewed our last 2 years of acute limb ischemia in our patients with high risk factors and comorbidities. We reviewed the use of ultrasound in these cases from the initial use of gaining femoral access to real time ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance into the targeted native artery or bypass graft to begin needed thrombolysis. RESULTS: We had 26 acute limb ischemia in 10 patients with native arterial circulation and in 16 patients with either saphenous or prosthetic bypass grafts. Ultrasound was used in gaining safe access with no complications in 22 contralateral and 2 antegrade femoral and 4 direct-graft accesses. Ultrasound was used in 6 of these cases to help gain access in the occluded graft (4 cases) and saphenous veins (2 cases). It was successful in all cases but one case which had bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound is increasing in its application including acute limb ischemia with flush occlusions of native arteries and bypass grafts.

A non-invasive tool for detecting cervical cancer odor by trained scent dogs.

BACKGROUND: Cervical Cancer (CC) has become a public health concern of alarming proportions in many developing countries such as Mexico, particularly in low income sectors and marginalized regions. As such, an early detection is a key medical factor in improving not only their population's quality of life but also its life expectancy. Interestingly, there has been an increase in the number of reports describing successful attempts at detecting cancer cells in human tissues or fluids using trained (sniffer) dogs. The great odor detection threshold exhibited by dogs is not unheard of. However, this represented a potential opportunity to develop an affordable, accessible, and non-invasive method for detection of CC. METHODS: Using clicker training, a male beagle was trained to recognize CC odor. During training, fresh CC biopsies were used as a reference point. Other samples used included cervical smears on glass slides and medical surgical bandages used as intimate sanitary pads by CC patients. A double-blind procedure was exercised when testing the beagle's ability to discriminate CC from control samples. RESULTS: The beagle was proven able to detect CC-specific volatile organic compounds (VOC) contained in both fresh cervical smear samples and adsorbent material samples. Beagle's success rate at detecting and discriminating CC and non-CC odors, as indicated by specificity and sensitivity values recorded during the experiment, stood at an overall high (>90%). CC-related VOC in adsorbent materials were detectable after only eight hours of use by CC patients. CONCLUSION: Present data suggests different applications for VOC from the uterine cervix to be used in the detection and diagnosis of CC. Furthermore, data supports the use of trained dogs as a viable, affordable, non-invasive and, therefore, highly relevant alternative method for detection of CC lesions. Additional benefits of this method include its quick turnaround time and ease of use while remaining highly accurate and robust.

Renal aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms.

Pseudoaneurysms and aneurysms are abnormal dilatations of the vessel lumen. Pseudoaneurysm is a perfused hematoma contained by the adventitia and perivascular tissues that is in communication with the lumen of an adjacent artery or vein. Aneurysm is a dilatation of the vessel lumen involving all three layers of the blood vessel wall. Renal artery aneurysms (RAA) are uncommon but the widespread use of cross-sectional imaging and incidental detection of RAA may result in an increasing number of cases diagnosed. Renal artery pseudoaneurysms are suspected in bleeding patients after penetrating renal trauma. Imaging plays a major role in the detection of renal pseudoaneurysms and aneurysms and diagnoses aneurysm rupture and active bleeding. Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, and digital subtraction angiography can characterize lesion size, shape, and location and identify other aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms, helping to narrow the differential diagnosis and to understand the vascular anatomy for guiding proper treatment. Endovascular treatments have contributed considerably in the management of renal pseudoaneurysms and aneurysms. The use of coil embolization or covered stent placement prevents the mortality and mobility of surgery. The article describes imaging features and the endovascular therapies to treat these vascular processes and their possible complications.

In vitro study assessing the technical feasibility of using 3-F inner dilators for imaging.

PURPOSE: The 3-F inner dilators from three brands of micropuncture kits with slightly different designs were studied to identify the maximal flow rate of contrast medium infusion in hopes of identifying a safe range for the delivery of contrast media. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The inner dilators from three micropuncture kit manufacturers were tested. To assess maximum flow rates, each inner dilator was subjected to repeated contrast medium infusions at sequentially higher flow rates until it failed or reached maximal rate limits of the autoinjector. After a thorough inspection of each failed dilator, results for flow rates and pressures at failure were collected. RESULTS: All inner dilators were capable of achieving flow rates of at least 6 mL/sec at an average pressure of 258 psi. None of the inner dilators ruptured or resulted in a distal embolic event in our vessel model. Two dilators from the same manufacturer reached maximal rate limits of the autoinjector and did not fail. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the inner dilators from these micropuncture kits for nonselective angiography at rates at or less than 6 mL/sec appears technically feasible. Although it appears to offer angiographers and patients a quicker and perhaps safer alternative than conventional upsizing to catheters with larger lumens, additional experimental and clinical trials are necessary to fully endorse this in clinical practice.

Operación de Williams en el tratamiento de la ausencia congénita de vagina / Williams operation in the treatment of congenital abscense of vagina

Se presentan siete casos de ausencia congénita de vagina estudiados en el INper, en el lapso comprendido de enero de 1986 a diciembre de 1987. El estudio incluyó investigación de cariotipo, ultrasonido, laparoscopía y urografía excretora. Una de ellas presentó riñón pélvico. En todos se otorgó apoyo psicológico y corrección quirúrgica del defecto vaginal, con la técnica de Williams. Se explican los pasos principales de ella y se exponen los resultados concluyendo que por su sensillez debe tenerse presente en el tratamiento de la ausencia congénita de vagina.

La anestesia: medio para conservar la homeostasis en la cirugía de aneurisma de aorta abdominal / Anesthesia: it's influence in the corporal homeostasis during abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery

Revisamos retrospectivamente los expedientes de pacientes sometidos a cirugía de aeurisma de aorta abdominal, encontrando 8 pacientes en un periodo de 5 años. El objetivo de este trabajo fue el analizar los camibos que sufre la homeostasis corporal en el periodo transoperatorio y sus complicaciones, así como la influencia de la anestesia como mecanismo conservador de la misma. La mortalidad atribuida a la anestesia fue nula, y la quirúrgica electiva fue comparable a la de otros centros. Las alteraciones observadas en el perfil hemodinámino durante el pinzamiento aórtico, mostraron el riesgo que tienen estos pacientes de sufrir un infarto agudo al miocardio. La protección renal resultó ser indispensable, independientemente del tiempo de pinzamiento aórtico.

El efecto hemodinámico de la combinación propranolol y nifedipina en la paciente sometido a revascularización coronaria / Haemodinamyc effect with propranol-nifedipine treatment in the patient undergoing coronary bypass surgery

Se estudiaron 24 pacientes programados para revascularización coronaria. La técnica anestésica empleada fue Fentanil-Enflurano-Oxígeno-Pancuronio. Se comparó el comportamiento hemodinámico durante el período previo a la circulación extracorpórea en un grupo de pacientes bajo tratamiento con dinitrato de isosorbide y propranolol, un grupo bajo tratamiento con nifedipina y propranolol y un grupo control únicamente con dinitrato de isosorbide. La escasa literatura existente sugiere que la suspensión de la nifedipina antes de la cirugía disminuye la necesidad de emplear inotrópicos. El continuar con ella se ha asociado a un aumento en los requerimientos de vasodilatadores. En nuestro estudio no encontramos diferencia significativa entre ninguno de los 3 grupos estudiados. La literatura existente y los resultados obtenidos sugieren que no existe razón para suspender la nifedipina antes de la cirugía.

Complicaciones del uso del cateter de flotación pulmonar en cirugía cardiovascular: estudio prospectivo / Complications of use of pulmonary flotation catheter in cardiovascular surgery: prospective study

Debido a numerosos informes existentes en la literatura media relacionados con las complicaciones del catéter de Swan-Ganz, efectuamos este estudio prospectivo de 120 inserciones de este catéter en 119 pacientes que ameritaron monitorización hemodinámica trans y postoperatoria en cirugía cardiovascular. En todos los casos, la colocación del catéter se efectuó inmediatamente después de la inducción anestésica por punción percutánea de la vena yugular interna usando la técnica de Seldinger modificada, tomando como referencia las curvas de presión intracavitarias hasta llegar a la posición de cuña pulmonar. Se investigó el tiempo de coloración, tiempo de uso, complicaciones de la punción, dificultad y complicaciones en la inserción, complicaciones torácicas y pulmonares, asa y nudo del catéter, infección en el sitio de punción y septicemia por el catéter. Resultados: múltiples punciones en 15 casos (12.5%); punción de carótida en 8 (6.6%); hematoma 14 (11.6%); dificultad para canular ventrículo derecho 8 (6.6%) y arteria pulmonar 32 (26.6%); imposibilidad para obtener posición de cuña 13 (10.8%); formación de asa del catéter 3 (2.5%); extrasístoles auriculares 30 (25%); taquicardia auricular 4 (3.3%); extrasístoles ventriculares 73 (60.8%); incidencia de arritmia en general 67.5%, ninguna de gravedad. Todas estas complicaciones fueron menores, sin peligro para la vida del paciente. Sólo en 2 casos (1.6%) hubo una complicación mayor (infarto pulmonar ambos, que tampoco comprometieron la vida del paciente) hubo 20 casos (16.6%) que cursaron sin complicación alguna. No hubo mortalidad por el catéter. Los resultados de este estudio demuestran que las complicaciones del uso del catéter de flotación pulmonar son mínimas en relación con los beneficios obtenidos en el manejo de estos pacientes