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Background and objectives :Epidemic dysentery, which can be caused by different organisms, is a major problem in developing countries. The cause variability and drug resistance make the treatment difficult. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Shigella in Isfahan reference laboratory. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study,200 stool samples referred to Isfahan Reference Laboratory were examined to detect possible microorganisms and their antibiotic sensitivity. Results:The Shigella and Salmonella infections rates were 17% and 0.5%. Shigella which is the most frequent cultured organism(97% of bacterial samples) includes: 79% Sd1, 15% Shigella Flexneri and 5% Shigella Sunnei. None of the samples was infected by Ecoli O157H7 or Entamoeba histolitica. The most effective ntibioticwas Ciprofloxacin (no resistance was seen to this antibiotic). Conclusion: The most important cause of bacterial dysentery in this study was shigellosis (sd1). Antibiotic resistance to ampicillin, Amoxiclav and Cotrimoxasole was quite high. This necessitates avoiding to empirical treatment of dysentery. Keywords: Dysentery, Antibiotic resistance, Salmonella, Shigella, Ecoli

Objective. To determine the relationship between serum vitamin A and E and apolipoprotein levels in type 2 diabetic patients. Setting. Shariati Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Subjects and methods. One hundred and seventeen eligible type 2 diabetic patients who attended the Endocrine Research and Metabolism Center between 2002 and 2004 were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were collected after a 12 - 14-hour overnight fast for the measurement of serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), apolipoprotein (apo) A1 and apoB, and vitamins A and E. Anthropometric indices were determined by physical examination. Data were analysed statistically using Pearson's coefficient, multiple regression, and partial and bivariate correlations. Results. The mean body mass index (BMI) of the subjects was 27.4 ± 3.7 kg/m2. The mean (± standard deviation (SD)) serum levels of vitamins A and E were 0.5 ± 0.1 μg/ml and 9.5 ± 2.6 μg/ml, respectively. There were no significant differences in the plasma levels of vitamins A and E in males and females. Mean serum levels of vitamins A and E were within the normal range for both sexes. Serum lipid levels (total cholesterol, triglyceride and apoB) correlated with serum levels of vitamin E (p < 0.05). Serum levels of vitamins A and E were also correlated (p < 0.05). Standardised vitamin E levels showed significant negative correlation with most studied lipid profiles (p < 0.05). Conclusion. This study found that mean serum levels of the natural antioxidants vitamin E, and especially vitamin A, were close to the lower end of the normal range of these antioxidants in type 2 diabetics. Also, serum vitamin E and standardised vitamin E levels were important predictors of serum apoA1 levels in these patients. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition Vol. 19(1) 2006: 39-44

Background Although child abuse, sexual violence and suicide after disasters have been studied, remaining sorts of violence as well as prevention measures are still neglected. Aims To set up a comprehensive model to assess incidence rate, risk factors and effective prevention measures regarding post disaster violence among risk group and victims, as well as Rescue/Recovery Workers. Methods Besides WHO reports and CDC regarding violence and disasters, most relevant scientific articles in Pubmed and Embase were reviewed. Results To assess incidence rate and risk factors of post disaster violence, two methods are appropriate: firstly, comparison of severely and less severely exposed/unexposed groups. Secondly, one-group pre test-post test. Starting fieldwork within a few weeks post disaster and then for intermediate and long term is important. Education, environmental change, and law enforcement in different levels are recommended based on incidence rate, risk factors of different kinds of violence as well as disasters. To evaluate the impact and outcome of violence prevention measures, quasi experimental study would be the most appropriate. Besides data registry system, survey and interviews are secure for short and even long term after disasters. Moreover, triangulation is useful by multiple employments of various sources of data. Not only chaos of the settings but also logistical barriers of geographical distance and lack of pre-existing interpersonal networks are expected limitations. Contribution to the Field Recognition and prevention of post disaster violence can be carried out by systematic plan with different steps and levels according to multiple sources of data. This is an abstract of a presentation at Safety 2012, the 11th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, 1-4 October 2012, Michael Fowler Center, Wellington, New Zealand. Full text does not seem to be available for this abstract.