Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry based identification of Edwardsiella ictaluri isolated from Vietnamese striped catfish (Pangasius hypothalamus)

Edwardsiella (E.) ictaluri is a major bacterial pathogen that affects commercially farmed striped catfish (Pangasius hypothalamus) in Vietnam. In a previous study, 19 strains of E. ictaluri collected from striped catfish were biochemically identified with an API-20E system. Here, the same 19 strains were used to assess the ability of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS; applied using a MALDI Biotyper) to conduct rapid, easy and accurate identification of E. ictaluri. MALDI-TOF MS could directly detect the specific peptide patterns of cultured E. ictaluri colonies with high (> 2.0, indicating species-level identification) scores. MALDI Biotyper 3.0 software revealed that all of the strains examined in this study possessed highly similar peptide peak patterns. In addition, electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and subsequent immuno-blotting using a specific chicken antibody (IgY) against E. ictaluri revealed that the isolates had highly similar protein profiles and antigenic banding profiles. The results of this study suggest that E. ictaluri isolated from striped catfish in Vietnam have homologous protein compositions. This is important, because it indicates that MALDI-TOF MS analysis could potentially outperform the conventional methods of identifying E. ictaluri.

Characteristics and factors affecting the job satisfaction of community health survey interviewers / 農村醫學 地域保健

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to suggest factors related with the job satisfaction of interviewers who participated in Community Health Survey (CHS) in Jeonbuk province. METHODS: An interview survey was carried out, targeting all 70 interviewers who were working at Jeonbuk CHS from Oct. 20 to Oct. 31. 2011. RESULTS: As a result of carrying out a univariate analysis of job satisfaction factors by general characteristics, this study found out that interviewers at the age below 40 showed a higher emotional factor-related score than interviewers at the age over 40, and interviewers having participated a statistic survey more than 6 times showed a higher emotional factor-related score than interviewers having participated a statistic survey less than 5 times. As a result of carrying out a multiple regression analysis of factors by general characteristics, this study found out that as interviewers were older, they showed a lower emotional factor-related satisfaction score and job performance factor-related satisfaction score, and their job satisfaction score was higher when a single interviewer conducts a survey than when more than 2 interviewers conduct a survey. CONCLUSIONS: The interviewer's job satisfaction score was relatively low. This results strongly suggest that it is necessary to understand their job performance environment and work environment most of all. It is expected that the results of this study will be used as basic data needed to increase the job satisfaction of interviewers from CHS and improve the quality of survey data.

Development of a multiplex PCR assay to detect Edwardsiella tarda, Streptococcus parauberis, and Streptococcus iniae in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

A multiplex PCR protocol was established to simultaneously detect major bacterial pathogens in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) including Edwardsiella (E.) tarda, Streptococcus (S.) parauberis, and S. iniae. The PCR assay was able to detect 0.01 ng of E. tarda, 0.1 ng of S. parauberis, and 1 ng of S. iniae genomic DNA. Furthermore, this technique was found to have high specificity when tested with related bacterial species. This method represents a cheaper, faster, and reliable alternative for identifying major bacterial pathogens in olive flounder, the most important farmed fish in Korea.

Necessity of Education for Emergency Medical Technicians to Improve Awareness of Early Symptoms of Stroke and Assessment of Stroke Patients / 農村醫學 地域保健

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to reconsider the necessity of stroke-related educational programs by investigating early symptoms of stroke that emergency medical technicians (EMTs) may experience. METHODS: An interview survey was carried out, targeting all EMTs 298 people who were working at 119 fire safety centers and local units in Jeollabuk-do province, from April 1 to 30, 2011. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain data on ETMs' demographic characteristics, educational level on stroke, and awareness level about early symptoms of stroke and treatment-related characteristics of stroke patients. RESULTS: The results showed that 63.2% of those surveyed had completed the required educational programs on stroke during the past year. The level of awareness about early symptoms of stroke and assessment of stroke patients' condition was relatively high for women, those who were 30 years under, low position people, emergency service practitioners, emergency medical technicians, and people who have completed education, respectively. It was also turned out that 82.8% of those surveyed took stroke patients to the nearest hospitals first so that they could receive appropriate treatment. The level of awareness about early symptoms of stroke and assessment of stroke patients' condition in people who have completed education were higher than non-complete. The level of awareness about early symptoms of stroke was positively correlated with confidence, satisfaction and appropriateness in treatment of stroke patients. CONCLUSIONS: These results strongly suggest that it is necessary to operate specialized educational programs to enhance EMTs' appropriate awareness of the early symptoms of stroke and assessment of stroke patient's condition.