The impact of physical restriction measures imposed during the two waves of COVID-19 on chlamydia and gonorrhea diagnoses in Belgium. Results of an sexually transmitted infection clinic

Background: During the first two waves of COVID-19, several physical restriction measurements were imposed in Belgium. Our aim was to explore the impact of these restriction measures on the number of tests and positivity rate of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) /Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) before, during, and after the two lockdowns in Belgium. Methods: Chlamydia trachomatis/Neisseria gonorrhoeae molecular data of a Belgian STI clinic were extracted for 2019 and 2020, and both years were divided into four periods (pre-lockdown 1, lockdown 1, after lockdown 1, and lockdown 2). Weekly testing rates and positivity rate for both STIs were estimated, and mixed-effects logistic regression was used to explore statistical significant changes between both years, and the different periods were compared with the corresponding time period in 2019. The same analysis was done for pre-exposure prophylaxis(PrEP) users only. Results: No overall significant changes in positivity rate were found for either CT (8.0% in 2019 and 7.8% in 2020) or NG (4.5% in 2019 and 5.5% in 2020). Besides a significant drop in the number of CT/NG tests during lockdown 1 (decrease of 87%) and a subsequent increase in NG positivity rate ( p > 0.05), no changes in CT/NG positivity rate were found in the other periods. The highest positivity rate for either CT or NG was found in lockdown 2 (15.1% vs 12.4% in 2019). The number of CT/NG tests in lockdown 2 was still 25% lower than 2019 levels. Subanalysis of only PrEP users revealed the same trend; however, the number of CT/NG tests in lockdown 2 was exactly the same as in 2019. Conclusion: Despite a significant decline in absolute CT or NG cases in lockdown 1, which was most likely a consequence of both physical distancing and reduced testing, CT/NG testing and positivity rates returned to pre-corona levels in lockdown 2, which may depict physical distancing fatigue.

Bounded finite-time stabilization of the prey – predator model via Korobov’s controllability function

The problem of finite-time stabilization for a Leslie-Gower prey – predator system through a bounded control input is solved. We use Korobov’s controllability function. The trajectory of the resulting motion is ensured for fulfilling a physical restriction that prey and predator cannot achieve negative values. For this purpose, a certain ellipse depending on given data and the equilibrium point of the considered system is constructed. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed control methodology.

Caracterização da restrição física de pacientes em unidades de cuidados intensivos de hospital geral

Objetivos: caracterizar a restrição física de pacientes em unidades de cuidados intensivos de um hospital geral. Método: pesquisa quantitativa, descritiva realizada em unidades de terapia intensiva de hospital geral em 2019. Foram observados 80 episódios de restrição física em 33 pacientes. Utilizou-se um instrumento estruturado para coletar os dados, que foram analisados por estatística simples. Resultados: todas as restrições mecânicas estavam aplicadas nos membros superiores com a utilização de pulseiras, das quais 77,5% eram de ataduras de crepe com compressa cirúrgicas; 86,3% dos casos tinham restrição parcial dos movimentos. Do total das restrições, 96,2% ocorreram em pacientes com sonda nasogástrica/enteral, 67,5% em pacientes sob ventilação mecânica; 53,9% dos casos os pacientes estavam sob sedação; 33,3% apresentavam agitação psicomotora. Houve somente 5,2% de registros de enfermeiros e 42,5% de técnicos de enfermagem no prontuário do paciente, contudo inexistia a prescrição médica ou de enfermagem do procedimento. Conclusões: identificou-se a falta de critérios definidos para o uso da restrição física dos pacientes. A inexistência de prescrição de enfermagem ou médica e baixa qualidade e quantidade de registros sobre o procedimento interferiu na compreensão da justificativa do emprego da restrição física.Descritores: Enfermagem; Cuidados de enfermagem; Restrição física; Unidades de terapia intensiva; Hospitais gerais. CHARACTERIZATION OF PHYSICAL RESTRICTION OF PATIENTS IN INTENSIVE CARE UNITS IN A GENERAL HOSPITALObjectives: to characterize the physical restriction of patients in intensive care units of a general hospital. Method: quantitative, descriptive research conducted in intensive care units of a general hospital in 2019. The researchers observed eighty episodes of physical restriction in 33 patients. A structured instrument was used to collect the data, which were analyzed using simple statistics. Results: all mechanical restrictions were applied to the upper limbs with the use of bracelets, of which 77.5% were made of crepe bandages with surgical compresses; 86.3% of the cases had partial movement restriction. Of the total restrictions, 96.2% occurred in patients with a nasogastric/enteral tube, 67.5% in patients on mechanical ventilation; 53.9% of the cases the patients were under sedation; 33.3% had psychomotor agitation. There were only 5.2% of nurses' records and 42.5% of nursing technicians in the patient's health charts, however there was no medical or nursing prescription for the procedure. Conclusions: it was identified the lack of defined criteria for the use of the' physical restrictions. The lack of a nursing or medical prescription and low quality and quantity of records on the procedure interfered with the understanding of the justification for the use of physical restriction.Descriptors: Nursing; Nursing care; Physical restriction; Intensive care units; General hospitals. CARACTERIZACIÓN DE LA RESTRICCIÓN FÍSICA DE PACIENTES EN UNIDADES DE CUIDADOS INTENSIVOS EN UN HOSPITAL GENERALObjetivos: caracterizar la restricción física de pacientes en unidades de cuidados intensivos de un hospital general. Método: investigación cuantitativa y descriptiva realizada en unidades de cuidados intensivos de un hospital general en 2019. Se observaron 80 episodios de restricción física en 33 pacientes. Se utilizó un instrumento estructurado para recopilar los datos, que se analizaron mediante estadísticas simples. Resultados: todas las restricciones mecánicas se aplicaron a las extremidades superiores con pulseras, de las cuales el 77,5% estaban hechas de vendas con compresas quirúrgicas; el 86,3% de los casos tenían restricción de movimiento parcial. Del total de restricciones, el 96.2% ocurrió en pacientes con sonda nasogástrica / enteral, el 67.5% en pacientes con ventilación mecánica; El 53,9% de los casos los pacientes estaban bajo sedación; El 33,3% tenía agitación psicomotora. Solo había 5,2% de los registros de las enfermeras y el 42,5% de los técnicos de enfermería en la historia clínica del paciente, sin embargo, no hubo prescripción médica o de enfermería para el procedimiento. Conclusiones: se identificó la falta de criterios definidos para el uso de las restricciones físicas de los pacientes. La falta de una receta médica o de enfermería y la baja calidad y cantidad de registros en el procedimiento interfirieron con la comprensión de la justificación para el uso de restricción física.Descriptores: Enfermería; Atención de enfermería; Restricción física; Unidades de cuidados intensivos; Hospitales generales.

GPI-anchored SKU5/SKS are maternally required for integument development in Arabidopsis

ABSTRACTGlycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) play crucial roles in various processes in eukaryotes. In Arabidopsis, SKS1, SKS2, SKS3 and SKU5 from SKU5/SKS gene family could encode GPI-anchored proteins, and they were recently reported to regulate cell polar expansion and cell wall synthesis redundantly in roots. Here, we report that, they are also redundantly crucial for seed production and seed morphogenesis in Arabidopsis through regulating maternal integument development. Their loss-of-functions resulted in disrupted development of integuments that failed to protect embryo sacs from exposure to external space due to physical restriction, and lead to female gametophytic abortion. Interestingly, those less defective ovules could be fertilized and develop into seeds normally, however, their seed morphogenesis was largely affected.Our research made SKS1, SKS2, SKS3 an SKU5 be not only the first class of GPI-anchored proteins that could regulate maternal integument development, but also the first class of proteins that could regulate cell polar expansion in both root and integument cells besides several MAPK cascade components. Our study also underlined the regulation by integument development in reproductive processes.

Functional Expansion of Music Education Technologies (through the example of music rehabilitation therapy of neurology ward patients)

This article presents a research of the possibility to apply music education activities for rehabilitation of patients with neurodegenerative disease.The purpose of this work was development of a music psychotherapy program for rehabilitation of patients with Parkinson’s neurodegenerative disease.We suggested “target objects” for music rehabilitation therapy at all levels of manifestation of symptoms of illness:1) physical restriction and rigidness which includes well-aimed work with breathing and movement symptoms, loss of control, lack of coordination, inflexibility, tremor;2) emotional deprivation (realization and expression of emotions and feelings) through plastics of movements to music and singing – seeking catharsis through vivified contact with oneself and intensification of feelings;3) social deprivation: well-aimed work on resocialization of the patient.Сonclusions:Results we obtained contribute to further understanding and wider application of music education methods, technologies and approaches that may add to rehabilitation practices.

Functional Expansion of Music Education Technologies (through the example of music rehabilitation therapy of neurology ward patients)

This article presents a research of the possibility to apply music education activities for rehabilitation of patients with neurodegenerative disease.The purpose of this work was development of a music psychotherapy program for rehabilitation of patients with Parkinson’s neurodegenerative disease.We suggested “target objects” for music rehabilitation therapy at all levels of manifestation of symptoms of illness:1) physical restriction and rigidness which includes well-aimed work with breathing and movement symptoms, loss of control, lack of coordination, inflexibility, tremor;2) emotional deprivation (realization and expression of emotions and feelings) through plastics of movements to music and singing – seeking catharsis through vivified contact with oneself and intensification of feelings;3) social deprivation: well-aimed work on resocialization of the patient.Сonclusions:Results we obtained contribute to further understanding and wider application of music education methods, technologies and approaches that may add to rehabilitation practices.