Progress in Applied Science and Technology

Fecal Colonization Rate of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales among Volunteers in a Community of Raroeng Subdistrict, Wang Nam Khiao District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand

Sudaluck Thunyaharn — 2024-10-16

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) have emerged as an important global public health problem due to their ability to cause high morbidity and mortality rates. CRE have the potential to spread not only in hospital settings but also in the community. Based on our knowledge, no investigation has been conducted of CRE presence among people in Raroeng Subdistrict, Wang Nam Khiao District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. This study aimed to clarify the CRE colonization status among volunteers in the community. This cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2023. A total of 121 fecal samples were obtained from the volunteers participating in this study. CRE screening, identification and characterization were performed using culture methods, matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and phenotypic and genotypic assays for carbapenemase production. Our results revealed that the fecal colonization rate of CRE was 1.65% (n=2). CRE isolates were identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae. Carbapenemase types were revealed as class B metallo-beta-lactamase and class D serine-carbapenemase, produced by bla_NDM and bla_OXA-48, respectively. Additional antimicrobial resistant genes including beta-lactam resistant genes (bla_CTX-M, bla_SHV, bla_TEM) and an aminoglycoside resistant gene (aac(6’)-Ib), were also found among the CRE isolates. No significant potential factors related to CRE colonization rate were identified. Our study indicated that CRE colonization in this community is worrisome. Surveillance of CRE colonization and strict implementation of infection control practices are required to restrict the spread of CRE in communities.

Data-Driven Business Process Improvement

Poohridate Arpasat — 2024-12-27

This research presents an analytical method to improve organizational workflow efficiency by utilizing data from the organization's information system, which was recorded as event logs from a hospital's outpatient department. Through the application of Process Mining techniques using the Disco tool and Fuzzy Miner algorithm, we created a process model for efficiency analysis. The research results demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method in analyzing outpatient service processes involving 12,836 patients, which revealed 4,293 distinct process variants. This diversity reflects the complexity of medical service delivery. Through frequency and time analysis, our research demonstrates how organizations can optimize resource allocation, establish SLAs, and develop effective staff training plans. The study confirms that Process Mining techniques provide accurate and effective means for improving work processes through the analysis of existing organizational data.

Thai Vegetable Extracts Affecting Human Red Blood Cell Surface Antigens in the ABO Blood Group System

Pollawat Thongsuk — 2024-12-27

Plant proteins capable of agglutinating human red blood cells (RBCs) extend beyond traditional lectins to include ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs), antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), and various defense proteins. While these proteins have been extensively studied in legumes, their presence and activity in common vegetables remain largely unexplored. Understanding their distribution and specificity could reveal novel tools for glycobiology and human ABO blood typing applications. This study aimed to evaluate the agglutination activity of nine Thai vegetable extracts against human red blood cells, determine their ABO blood group specificity, and assess the correlation between protein content and agglutination strength. Additionally, we sought to identify potential plant proteins contributing to the observed agglutination patterns. In this study, crude protein extracts were prepared from nine different vegetables using phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) with pH 7.4. Total protein concentration was quantified using the Biuret method. Agglutination assays were performed using standardized human RBC suspensions from different blood groups. The specificity and strength of agglutination were evaluated using serial dilutions under controlled conditions. Among the nine extracts tested, five demonstrated significant agglutinating activity with varying specificities. Three extracts (L. polychrous mushroom, mulberry leaf, and winged bean) showed non-specific agglutination across all blood groups, suggesting the presence of broadly reactive proteins. Notably, D. biflorus seed and lima bean extracts exhibited specific agglutination against blood group A, indicating potential blood-type-specific proteins. Four extracts (C. serratum leaf, cucumber, L. leucocephala seed and long bean) showed no detectable agglutination activity. This study reveals previously unreported agglutinating activities in common vegetable extracts, with some showing blood group specificity. The diverse agglutination patterns observed suggest the presence of both lectin and non-lectin proteins with distinct binding properties. While these findings indicate potential applications in ABO blood typing and glycobiology research, further protein characterization and improved quantification methods are needed. Future studies should focus on isolating and identifying the specific proteins or lectin responsible for the observed agglutination patterns.