Notalgia Paresthetica Review: Update on Presentation, Pathophysiology, and Treatment.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Notalgia paresthetica (NP) is a chronic cutaneous neuropathy primarily characterized by localized pruritus and associated dysesthesias, including sensations of pain, numbness, and tingling. The sensory neuropathy characteristic of NP is thought to result from spinal nerve entrapment caused by degenerative changes in the spine or musculoskeletal compression. This review summarizes the current medical literature with a focus on the past five years regarding NP, its pathophysiology, presentation, and current treatment options. RECENT FINDINGS: Though treatments exist with varying efficacy, to date, there exists no definitive treatment for NP. Treatment options for NP are varied and range from topical and oral agents to interventional procedures and physical therapy. Of the treatments evaluated, topical capsaicin remains the most efficacious treatment for NP. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of established treatment guidelines makes treating NP complicated as it dramatically affects patients' quality of life. Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to evaluate better the most effective treatment and dosing regimen for patients afflicted with NP.

Meralgia Paresthetica Review: Update on Presentation, Pathophysiology, and Treatment.

Purpose of Review: Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is a condition characterized by paresthesias, neuropathic pain, and alterations in sensorium of the anterolateral thigh secondary to impingement of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). MP is generally diagnosed by clinical history and is often a diagnosis of exclusion. When diagnosis remains a challenge, diagnostic modalities such as ultrasound, MRI, electromyography, and nerve conduction studies have been utilized as an adjunct. This review summarizes the most recent medical literature regarding MP, its pathophysiology, presentation, and current treatment options. Recent Findings: Treatment options for patients with MP range from lifestyle modifications and conservative management to surgical procedures. Initial management is often conservative with symptoms managed with medications. When conservative management fails, the next step is regional blocks followed by surgical management. The conflicting data for treatment options for MP highlight how the evidence available does not point to a single approach that's universally effective for treating all patients with MP. Summary: Despite the apparent success at treating MP with regional blocks and surgical interventions, much remains to be known about the dosing, frequency, and optimal interventions due to the inconclusive results of current studies. Further research including randomized controlled trials are needed to better understand the most optimal treatment options for MP including studies with a larger number of participants.

Exogenous GDF11, but not GDF8, reduces body weight and improves glucose homeostasis in mice.

Insulin resistance is associated with aging in mice and humans. We have previously shown that administration of recombinant GDF11 (rGDF11) to aged mice alters aging phenotypes in the brain, skeletal muscle, and heart. While the closely related protein GDF8 has a role in metabolism, limited data are available on the potential metabolic effects of GDF11 or GDF8 in aging. To determine the metabolic effects of these two ligands, we administered rGDF11 or rGDF8 protein to young or aged mice fed a standard chow diet, short-term high-fat diet (HFD), or long-term HFD. Under nearly all of these diet conditions, administration of exogenous rGDF11 reduced body weight by 3-17% and significantly improved glucose tolerance in aged mice fed a chow (~30% vs. saline) or HF (~50% vs. saline) diet and young mice fed a HFD (~30%). On the other hand, exogenous rGDF8 showed signifcantly lesser effect or no effect at all on glucose tolerance compared to rGDF11, consistent with data demonstrating that GFD11 is a more potent signaling ligand than GDF8. Collectively, our results show that administration of exogenous rGDF11, but not rGDF8, can reduce diet-induced weight gain and improve metabolic homeostasis.

Microorganismos causantes de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad / Microrganismos que causam pneumonia adquirida na comunidade no município de Guantánamo / Microorganisms that cause pneumonia acquired in the community in Guantanamo

Introducción: la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad (NAC) es una de las infecciones más frecuentes en el ámbito mundial, su incidencia es variable y está relacionada con la edad, presencia de enfermedades concomitantes y algunos factores de riesgo específicos como tabaquismo y abuso de alcohol. Objetivo: identificar los microorganismos causantes de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad a partir de la muestra de esputo expectorado. Método: se realizó un estudio descriptivo y trasversal de enero a junio de 2016. El universo de estudio estuvo formado por 88 pacientes, lo que también constituyó la muestra, con diagnóstico clínico y radiológico de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad realizado por el médico de familia. Se aplican procedimientos de laboratorio descritos en literatura de reconocido prestigio internacional. Resultados: se identifican 72 (81,8 por ciento) muestras de esputo productivo, de las cuales son positivas al cultivo bacteriológico 56 (77,7 por ciento) muestras. Predominaron las´Pseudomonasa eruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus y Streptococcus pneumoniae. Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae, Achromobacter y Aspergillus spp. se encontraron en menor medida. Conclusiones: se identifican Klebsiellap neumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influezae y Achromobacter sp. como microorganismos productores de neumonía en la comunidad, mostrando marcada resistencia a diversos antimicrobianos(AU)

Introduction: community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the most frequent infections in the world; its incidence is variable and is related to age, presence of concomitant diseases and some specific risk factors such as: smoking and alcohol abuse. Objective: to identify the microorganisms that cause pneumonia acquired in the community from the expectorated sputum sample. Method: a descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out from January to June 2016. The studied universe was compound by 88 patients, who also constituted the sample, with clinical and radiological diagnosis of pneumonia acquired in the community by the family doctor. Laboratory procedures were applied described in literature and were recognized internationally. Results: 72 (81.8 percent) sputum samples were identified, of which 56 (77.7 percent) samples are positive for bacterial culture. Pseudomonas eruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumonia were more found than Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae, Achromobacter and Aspergillus spp. Conclusions: Klebsiellap pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influezae and Achromobactersp are identified as microorganisms that produce pneumonia in the community, showing marked resistance to various antimicrobials(AU)

Introdução: a pneumonia adquirida na comunidade (PAC) é uma das infecções mais comuns em todo o mundo, a sua incidência é variável e está relacionada com a idade, presença de doenças concomitantes e alguns fatores de risco específicos, tais como tabagismo e etilismo. Objetivo: identificar organismos causadores de pneumonia adquirida na comunidade a partir de amostra de expectoração. Método: um estudo descritivo transversal de janeiro foi realizada de junho de 2016. O grupo de estudo consistiu de 88 pacientes, que também constituíram a amostra com diagnóstico clínico e radiológico de pneumonia adquirida na comunidade pelo médico de família. Procedimentos laboratoriais descritos em literatura de reconhecido prestígio internacional são aplicados. Resultados: foram identificadas 72 (81,8 por cento) amostras de escarro, das quais 56 (77,7 por cento) amostras são positivas para cultura bacteriana. Pseudomonasa eruginosa predominante, Staphylococcus aureus e Streptococcus pneumoniae. Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae, Achromobacter e Aspergillus spp. eles foram encontrados em menor grau. Conclusões: Klebsiellap pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae e Achromobactersp foram identificado. como microrganismos que produzem pneumonia na comunidade, mostrando uma resistência acentuada a vários antimicrobianos(AU)

Klebsiella pneumoniae aisladas de pacientes con neumonía adquirida en la comunidad / Klebsiella pneumoniae isolada de pacientes com pneumonia adquirida na comunidade / Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from patients with community-acquired pneumonia

Introducción: la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad (NAC) constituye un importante problema de salud en el ámbito mundial y en Cuba. Su incidencia y letalidad hacen de esta afección un verdadero reto para los servicios asistenciales. Objetivo: identificar la incidencia de Klebsiella pneumoniae aislada de muestras de esputo en pacientes con neumonía adquirida en la comunidad. Método: se realizó un estudio descriptivo y trasversal en el laboratorio de microbiología del Centro Provincial de Higiene, Epidemiología y Microbiología de Guantánamo de enero a junio del 2016. El universo de estudio estuvo formado por 88 pacientes. Se aplicó el procedimiento de laboratorio propuesto por Expósito et al. Resultados: se identificaron 72 muestras de esputo productivo, de las cuales fueron positivas al cultivo bacteriológico 56 muestras, de ellas en 34 se aísló Klebsiella pneumoniae, que resultaron la muestra en estudio, mostrando resistencia marcada a amoxicilina y ceftriaxona. Se enmarcó este microorganismo como un patógeno que emergió como responsable de la etiología de infecciones respiratorias adquiridas en la comunidad. Conclusiones: Klebsiella pneumoniae por su frecuencia de aislamiento, por los mecanismos patogénicos y de resistencia que presenta, se considera un patógeno oportunista que emerge como responsable de la etiología de infecciones respiratorias adquiridas en la comunidad(AU)

Introduction: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major health problem worldwide and in Cuba. Its incidence and lethality make this desease a real challenge for healthcare services. Objective: to identify the incidence of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from sputum samples in patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Method: a descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in the microbiology laboratory of the Provincial Hygiene, Epidemiology and Microbiology Center of Guantanamo from January to June 2016. The universe of study consisted of 88 patients. The laboratory procedure proposed by Expósito et al. Results: 72 samples of productive sputum were identified, of which 56 samples were positive for bacterial culture, Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated in 34, which resulted in the study sample, showing marked resistance to amoxicillin and ceftriaxone. This microorganism was framed as a pathogen that emerged as responsible for the etiology of respiratory infections acquired in the community. Conclusions: Klebsiella pneumoniae, due to its frequency of isolation, due to its pathogenic and resistance mechanisms, is considered an opportunistic pathogen that emerges as responsible for the etiology of respiratory infections acquired in the community(AU)

Introdução: A pneumonia adquirida na comunidade (PAC) é um grande problema de saúde em todo o mundo e em Cuba. Sua incidência e letalidade tornam essa doença um verdadeiro desafio para os serviços de saúde. Objetivo: identificar a incidência de Klebsiella pneumoniae isolada de amostras de escarro em pacientes com pneumonia adquirida na comunidade. Método: um estudo descritivo e transversal foi realizado no laboratório de microbiologia do Centro Provincial de Higiene, Epidemiologia e Microbiologia em Guantánamo, de janeiro a junho de 2016. O grupo de estudo consistiu de 88 pacientes. O procedimento laboratorial proposto por Expósito et al. Resultados: 72 amostras de expectoração, que eram positivos para a cultura bacteriana 56 amostras, 34 deles em Klebsiella pneumoniae, que estavam a amostra em estudo, mostrando marcada resistência à amoxicilina e ceftriaxona foi isolado identificado. Esse microrganismo foi enquadrado como um patógeno que emergiu como responsável pela etiologia das infecções respiratórias adquiridas na comunidade. Conclusões: Klebsiella pneumoniae por isolamento frequência por mecanismos patogénicos e de resistência presente, é considerado um agente patogénico oportunista que surge como responsável pela etiologia das infecções respiratórias adquiridas na comunidade(AU)