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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.
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AIM: Describe the results of the first national census of radiotherapy in Mexico in order to make a situational diagnosis of radiotherapy availability, offer more accurate information to radiation oncologists, and promote an adequate scientific based investment for the country. BACKGROUND: According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the density of radiotherapy (RT) machines per million habitants in Mexico is approximately 1.7-1.8. Other international organizations such as DIRAC-IAEA report 1.15 per million habitants. National organizations collect data indirectly and previous surveys had a low accrual rate (32.5%). Therefore, a precise census is required. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Mexican Radiation Oncology Certification Board (CMRO for its acronym in Spanish) conducted a nationwide census from January through November 2019. Gathered information was combined with CMRO database for sociodemographic information and human resources. RESULTS: The study included 103 RT centers [95.1% answered the survey], with a median of 2 centers by state (ranging from 0 in Tlaxcala to 20 in Mexico City) and with a report of only 1 center in 11 states (34.4%). Fifty-six (54.3%) of the centers are public. Fourteen centers (13.6%) have residency-training programs. The total number of RT machines is 162 [141 clinical and linear accelerators (87%) and 21 radionuclide units (13%)] with a median of 3 machines by state (0 in Tlaxcala to 46 in Mexico City) and with ≤3 machines in 18 states (56.25%). The overall calculated density of RT machines per million habitants is 1.32, varying from 0 in Tlaxcala to 5.16 in Mexico City. The density of linear and clinical accelerators per million population is 1.19. The total number of brachytherapy units is 66, with a median of 1 center with brachytherapy unit per state and 29 states with ≤3 centers with a brachytherapy unit (90.6%). Thirty-seven brachytherapy units (56.1%) have automated afterload high-dose rate. The overall rate of brachytherapy units per million inhabitants is 0.55, varying from 0 in 5 states (15.6%), 0.1-0.49 in 8 states (25%), 0.5-0.99 in 13 states (40.6%), 1-1.49 in 5 states (15.6%) and 1.5-1.99 in Mexico City (3.1%). The Mexican CMRO has 368 radiation oncologists certified (99 women and 269 men), of whom only 346 remain as an active part of Mexico's workforce. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first time the CMRO conducts a national census for a radiotherapy diagnostic situation in Mexico. The country currently holds a density of clinical and linear accelerators of 1.19 per million habitants. Brachytherapy density is 0.55 devices per million habitants, and 57% of radiotherapy centers have brachytherapy units.
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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.