The mechanisms by which maternal nutrient restriction (MNR) causes reduced fetal growth are poorly understood. We hypothesized that MNR inhibits placental mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and insulin/IGF-I signaling, down-regulates placental nutrient transporters, and decreases fetal amino acid levels. Pregnant baboons were fed control (ad libitum, n=11) or an MNR diet (70% of controls, n=11) from gestational day (GD) 30. Placenta and umbilical blood were collected at GD 165. Western blot was used to determine the phosphorylation of proteins in the mTOR, insulin/IGF-I, ERK1/2, and GSK-3 signaling pathways in placental homogenates and expression of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1), taurine transporter (TAUT), sodium-dependent neutral amino acid transporter (SNAT), and large neutral amino acid transporter (LAT) isoforms in syncytiotrophoblast microvillous membranes (MVMs). MNR reduced fetal weights by 13%, lowered fetal plasma concentrations of essential amino acids, and decreased the phosphorylation of placental S6K, S6 ribosomal protein, 4E-BP1, IRS-1, Akt, ERK-1/2, and GSK-3. MVM protein expression of GLUT-1, TAUT, SNAT-2 and LAT-1/2 was reduced in MNR. This is the first study in primates exploring placental responses to maternal undernutrition. Inhibition of placental mTOR and insulin/IGF-I signaling resulting in down-regulation of placental nutrient transporters may link maternal undernutrition to restricted fetal growth.

INTRODUCTIONIn the world wide pediatric age group urinary tract infection remains as silent yet very frequently faced infection. It produces significant mortality and morbidity among pediatric population due to inconspicuous clinical manifestations. It results in significant morbidity by producing irreversible damage to renal system that can never be salvaged if not recognized and treated early. Hence early recognition of subtle symptoms and signs will definitely provide good outcome among patients suffering from urinary tract infection.The etiology that predisposes to UTI is not very clear as not much studies are available worldwide to find the exact risk factors.1 If exact risk factors are known knowledge about prevention of risk factors help in the management of urinary tract infection as well as prevent recurrence. The risk factors of UTI depend on socioeconomic status and cultural habits like perineal cleaning methods and diaper usage.2-4 So, it is better to analyse the risk factors in specific cultural groups of different places so that the risk factors which is differing from population to population can be identified and different strategies can be formed for population with Copyright: © the author(s), publisher and licensee Medip Academy. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License, which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. ABSTRACTBackground: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the common infections occurring in children causing significant morbidity and mortality. The knowledge about the risk factors helps in the management as well as preventing the recurrence of urinary tract infection. Hence this study aims to assess the various risk factors and profile of UTI. Methods: In this prospective case control study conducted in tertiary care centre between July 2011 to August 2012, children with signs and symptoms suggestive of urinary tract infection and urine culture positive for UTI were included. Age and sex matched asymptomatic children were taken as control. Preformed questionnaire was given to each patient and the results were analysed. Results: Among the 214 cases studied, 111 boys were not circumcised constituting 86.7%. Whereas the other risk factors like recent hospitalisation, recent catheterisation, common toilet usage, cleaning perineum from back to front, constipation, usage of tight underclothing, diaper usage, worm infestation, neurological abnormality, voluntary withholding of urine, reduced water intake constitute 9.3%, 0.5%, 19.6%, 17.4%, 18.2%, 0.9%, 7.9%, 26.2%, 3.7%, 33.6% and 34.6% respectively. Conclusions: Recurrent infection was most often due to unresolved bacteriuria or persistent bacteriuria than reinfection. Signs like supra pubic tenderness and hypertension are very rare. Common organisms causing urinary tract infection in our study population are E. coli followed by Klebsiella, Proteus and Pseudomonas....

Background: Urinary tract infection (UIT) is common in infants and children causing significant morbidity and long- term complications. In infants and young children symptoms and signs of UTI tend to be non-specific A presumptive diagnosis can be supported with a microscopic examination of a urine specimen. Definitive diagnosis requires a semi-quantitative culture of urine. There has been growing interest in developing efficient technology, that can rapidly and accurately diagnose UTIs and guide the clinician on antibiotic preference for maximum therapeutic benefit.Methods: This prospective hospital-based study was conducted in patients from 2-12 years in a tertiary care hospital. Screening and confirmation of urinary tract infections by urine microscopy and urine culture and comparison, with an analysis of the bacterial strains and antibiotic sensitivity patterns was also done.Results: Among the 214 culture positive patients analysed in the study 64 were 2-5years of age and 150 belonged to 5 -12 years. 128 (59.5%) were boys and 86 (40.2%) were girls. Proteinuria was observed in 68 children (31.8%). Significant pus cells of >5/hpf was present in 77 (36%). E. coli was the commonest organism in 98 children (45.8%) with 100% of organisms were sensitive to amikacin.Conclusions: Over the years, the causative organisms of UTI in India have remained fairly constant but drug sensitivity has changed according to antibiotic usage. In the present era, the emergence of resistant strains poses a significant threat that can be ameliorated by rational and judicious antibiotic use.