Evaluation Of Balance Research Articles

Heart rate variability and vasovagal tone index in brachycephalic dogs.

Brachycephalic breeds of dogs, most of which show signs of the brachycephalic syndrome may have greater parasympathetic stimulation than other breeds, leading to higher values of heart rate variability and vagal tone index. The aim of this study was to establish a computerized electrocardiographic study and an assessment of the vagus sympathetic balance through heart rate variability and vagal tone index of five brachycephalic breeds compared to mesocephalic dogs. Sixty dogs were used, divided into groups made up of Boxers, English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs, Shih-Tzu and no defined breed mesocephalic dogs. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Shapiro-Wilk test, Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's test or ANOVA and Bonferroni (p<0.05). In the evaluation of vagal sympathetic balance among all the dogs, there was a negative correlation between heart rate and HRV 10RR (r = - 0.7678; p < 0.0001), HRV 20RR (r = - 0.8548, p < 0.0001) and VVTI (r = - 0.2770; p = 0.0321). It can therefore be concluded that the dog's breed and morphology did not alter its electrocardiographic parameters or heart rate variability. The vagal tone index, which in other studies differed in brachycephalic dogs, showed no difference when compared separately in brachycephalic breeds.

Smartphone-based evaluation of static balance and mobility in type 2 Diabetes.

It was compared smartphone-based measurements of static balance control and mobility of elderly population with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). The present cross-sectional study investigated 73 participants grouped in a control group (n = 36) and a DM2 group (n = 37). Smartphone's built in inertial sensors were used to record inertial changes of the participants during static balance and mobility (Timed Up and Go test - TUG) tasks. The inertial variations as a function of the time were analyzed and compared between groups. Both groups were matched in age, body mass index, male-female proportion, but DM2 group had significant larger fasting glucose than control group. Additionally, DM2 group had worst static balance control with open and closed eyes than the controls (p < 0.05) as well as they also had longer duration to execute the different events of the mobility test than the controls (p < 0.05). DM2 patients had decline of motor functions compared to controls and the use of bult-in sensors of smartphones was feasible to identify these functional impairments. The easy access of smartphones could be improving the screening of functional impairments in DM2 patients.

Postural Balance Assessment of Wushu Athletes Based on Fuzzy Evaluation Models

Abstract In wushu training, postural balance is crucial for all wushu athletes. In order to realize the quantitative evaluation and analysis of the postural balance of wushu athletes, this paper proposes a fuzzy evaluation model to explore the postural balance of wushu athletes and combines the principle of the index system with the Delphi method to revise and improve the initially selected evaluation index system. After determining the final evaluation index system, the entropy weight method is used to calculate the weights of the evaluation indexes, and the construction of the fuzzy evaluation model is completed by determining the set of evaluation factors and the set of comments. The postural balance of martial arts athletes was evaluated and analyzed using the constructed model. The data show that the fuzzy evaluation results of the three-level evaluation indexes are (0.38782, 0.27512, 0.2084, 0.075, 0.0536), and based on the principle of maximum affiliation, the final fuzzy evaluation results of the postural balance of wushu athletes in a certain province are excellent. This paper’s model accurately assesses the postural balance of wushu athletes, leading to a new height in Chinese wushu development.

Leveraging Mobile Device-Collected Up-Down Hop Test Data for Comprehensive Functional Mobility Assessment

Traditional methods for assessing lower body strength and balance, particularly in older individuals, lack objective and comprehensive analysis. The Up-Down Hop Test is widely used, yet leveraging mobile device sensors, specifically accelerometers and gyroscopes, can enhance the effectiveness of the Up-Down Hop Test by providing an objective evaluation of lower body strength, balance, and neuromuscular control. This study involved attaching mobile devices to participants during the Up-Down Hop Test. Data from the sensors were analyzed to assess patterns of body imbalance and fatigue, focusing on older participants. Integrating mobile sensor data offered insights into the participants' physical performance, revealing specific patterns of imbalance and fatigue. Although traditional assessment methods can observe these patterns, they lack measurability and auditability when evaluating the physical performance of older adults. The experimental results, obtained from analyzing data from mobile device sensors during the Up-Down Hop Test, revealed patterns of imbalance. These findings can be utilized in health monitoring and targeted intervention scenarios, specifically those aimed at enhancing physical performance and preventing injuries.

Evaluation of pro-oxidant antioxidant balance (PAB) in infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and their mothers compared to normal cases

Evaluation of pro-oxidant antioxidant balance (PAB) in infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and their mothers compared to normal cases

Efeito agudo da terapia por ondas de choque na pressão plantar e equilíbrio de indivíduos hemiparéticos

Abstract Introduction: Cerebral vascular accident (CVA) is the second leading cause of death and is one of the diseases that most generate disability Hemiparesis is the most common motor deficit, and one of its characteristics is asymmetry in weight bearing and in the plantar sup-port area, leading to balance deficits. extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT) has been shown to be effective in reducing post-stroke spasticity. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a ESWT session on the distribution of plantar pressure and on the static and dynamic balance of hemiparetic individuals after stroke. Methods: Twelve individuals with hemiparesis as a result of stroke in the chronic stage participated in the study. Data collection was divided into two days. On the first day, anamnesis and tests were performed: timed up and go (TUG), four square step test (FSST), and short physical performance battery (SPPB). After carrying out the tests, the distribution of plantar pressure was evaluated using baropodometry. Also on the first day, participants received ESWT in the muscle belly of the gastrocnemius muscle on the hemiparetic side. At the end of the ESWT session and after 7 days, the individuals were reassessed. Results: The results referring to the static and dynamic balance and baropodometry evaluations performed before, immediately after and one week after the application of ESWT did not show a significant difference between the three evaluations in any of the tests and in any of the moments performed. Conclusion: One ESWT session did not affect plantar pressure distribution and static and dynamic balance of hemiparetic individuals after stroke.

The decline in postural balance has a negative impact on the performance of functional tasks in individuals with Parkinson's Disease

IntroductionAn accurate assessment of balance problems is critical for decreasing the risk of falling in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Reliable diagnostic tools such as Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP) are not feasible for the clinical setting. Therefore, the present study's aim was to assess the correlation between the clinical Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) and CDP. Methods20 male older adults with Parkinson's Disease (PD) were included in this study. Participants first executed the Sit-To-Stand (STS), Step/Quick turn (SQT), and Step Up and Over (SUO) tests on a Balance Master® force platform, followed by a clinical balance evaluation using the BESTest. ResultsFour outcomes of the CDP were negatively correlated with one or more BESTest domains or total BESTest score: STS sway velocity was negatively correlated with the anticipatory postural adjustment (p = 0.02) and sensory orientation (p = 0.01) domains. SQT turn time was negatively correlated with biomechanical restriction (for turns to the left, p = 0.01, and right, p = 0.03, respectively), postural response (p = 0.01, p = 0.01), dynamic balance during gait (p = 0.007, p = 0.001), and total score (p = 0.02, p = 0.01). Step over time to the right in SUP was negatively correlated with the limits of the stability domain (p = 0.002) and total BESTest score (p = 0.020). SUO impact index was negatively correlated with the anticipatory postural adjustment domain (p = 0.01). ConclusionThis study shows that several BESTest domains are significantly correlated with CDP outcomes, demonstrating that the BESTest can be used as a more clinically feasible alternative for computerized posturography, without loss of information.

Precipitation variation and water balance evaluation using different indices

The study evaluates the variability of water balance using different indices for the period 1961–2018 in Cotnari and surroundings, in the middle part of the Moldavian Plateau (MP), Romania. With the aid of statistical analysis and remote sensing, we discovered that the Cotnari's SPEI (Standardized Precipitation and Evapotranspiration Index) variability is characterized by severe values that alternate between significant excess and significant deficits. According to SPEI, between 57.2 and 61.4% of the months were near normal in terms of water balance. There were between 19.3 and 25.1% months with water excess and between 17.1 and 20.8% with water deficit. The links between NDVI and SPEI become stronger as SPEI reaches extreme values (above 1.5 units or below −1.5 units). The water balance indicates a decrease in available water resources.

Moving together-benefits of a 12-week online dance training intervention on static and dynamic postural stability and gait speed in older women: an exploratory pre-post study.

Physical inactivity negatively affects gait performance and postural stability in older adults resulting in a higher risk of fall accidents. Previous research has shown that in-person dance training improves various aspects of balance and lower-extremity function, however, little is known about the potential benefits of dance training delivered online on variables used for fall risk stratification in older adults. We aimed to explore the benefits of a 12-week online dance training intervention on static and dynamic postural stability and gait speed in older women. Forty-five older adults (44 women) were included in this exploratory pre-post study. The 12-week dance intervention consisted of two weekly 60-min classes in contemporary (improvisation) and salsa dance delivered online through Zoom video calls. Static and dynamic postural stability was assessed using the center of pressure (CoP) area and velocity (force platform), and the Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest), respectively. 10-m gait speed was measured using photo gates. Before and after comparisons were performed using paired sample t-tests. Thirty-two older women completed the study. There were no significant changes for static postural stability assessed by CoP area or velocity (P ≥ 0.218, Cohen d ≤ 0.234). The Mini-BESTest total score was significantly improved at post-intervention (23.88 ± 3.01) compared to baseline (22.56 ± 1.41, P = 0.007, d = 0.52). 10-m gait speed was significantly faster at post-intervention (1.68 ± 0.25 m/s) compared to baseline (1.57 ± 0.22 m/s, P < 0.001, d = 0.737). Although some caution is needed due to the uncontrolled study design, the results indicate that online dance training has a small effect on static postural stability but may be beneficial for gait speed and in particular dynamic postural control among older women. While the absolute increase in gait speed suggests limited clinical relevance, the change in Mini-BESTest score may reflect a clinically meaningful enhancement of dynamic postural control.

Development and Balance Evaluation for Land Use and Transport Interaction Using Node‐Place Model and Data Envelopment Analysis

To meet the evolving demands of land use and transport interaction (LUTI) assessment within China’s national territory spatial planning (NTSP) system, this paper introduces the level of development (LoD) and the level of matching (LoM) evaluation models, based on the traffic facility and land use factors. The LoD model, founded on the modified node‐place model, provides a comprehensive assessment of the traffic facility and land use development scales. Conversely, the LoM model, grounded in data envelopment analysis methods, evaluates the relative relationship between transport services and the travel demand generated by land use. The integrated use of LoD and LoM can both reflect the development scale and matching status between traffic services and travel activities, which are crucial contents in the planning works, especially within the NTSP framework. The proposed models are tested in the city of Guangzhou, and the LoD values exhibit peaks in central urban zones, suburban towns, and areas adjacent to railway transit, with a decline observed in rural farmland and ecological regions. In contrast, the LoM distribution performs a distinct pattern, highlighting numerous underperforming areas with congestion or idle problems in urban centers, alongside well‐coordinated regions showcasing a balance between traffic facilities and land uses in rural regions. Furthermore, the LoM scores revealed frequent instances of facility crowding in urban regions and intensive occurrences of facility idleness in rural areas. By marking regions with low LoD scores, the LoD model finds suitable application in determining the urban development border, essential for restricting land development and preserving farmland and ecological areas. Meanwhile, LoM aids in improving urban renewal efforts by assessing and optimizing the balance between intensive land uses and limited traffic facilities. Validated against the existing metrics, the combined use of LoD and LoM efficiently captures the most details of the LUTI process at the lowest computational cost.

Smartphone-based evaluation of static balance and mobility in long-lasting COVID-19 patients.

SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to a variety of persistent sequelae, collectively known as long COVID-19. Deficits in postural balance have been reported in patients several months after COVID-19 infection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the static balance and balance of individuals with long COVID-19 using inertial sensors in smartphones. A total of 73 participants were included in this study, of which 41 had long COVID-19 and 32 served as controls. All participants in the long COVID-19 group reported physical complaints for at least 7 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants were evaluated using a built-in inertial sensor of a smartphone attached to the low back, which recorded inertial signals during a static balance and mobility task (timed up and go test). The parameters of static balance and mobility obtained from both groups were compared. The groups were matched for age and BMI. Of the 41 participants in the long COVID-19 group, 22 reported balance impairment and 33 had impaired balance in the Sharpened Romberg test. Static balance assessment revealed that the long COVID-19 group had greater postural instability with both eyes open and closed than the control group. In the TUG test, the long COVID-19 group showed greater acceleration during the sit-to-stand transition compared to the control group. The smartphone was feasible to identify losses in the balance motor control and mobility of patients with long-lasting symptomatic COVID-19 even after several months or years. Attention to the balance impairment experienced by these patients could help prevent falls and improve their quality of life, and the use of the smartphone can expand this monitoring for a broader population.

Transfer, elimination and accumulation of antibiotic resistance genes in decentralized household wastewater treatment facility treating total wastewater from residential complex

The fate and behavior of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in decentralized household wastewater treatment facilities (DHWWTFs) are unclear. In this study, targeting on a representative DHWWTF that receive all wastewater from a residential complex having 150 households, the transfer, elimination and accumulation of tetG, tetM, sul1, sul2 and intl1 were quantitively studied through real-time PCR-based quantification, mass balance evaluation and the existing state analysis based on size fractionation. Significant abundance changes of the genes were observed in involved biological reactions and the sedimentation process due to microbial growth and decomposition as well as the accumulation of the genes to sludge. tetG and sul1 increased in their fluxes against respective input in the influent. Although substantial portions of the increased genes were found in excess sludge compared to the flux of genes in the influent, those remaining in the discharge were still high, with an average about 3.4 × 1014 copies/d. The abundance of all four genes (tetG, tetM, sul1and sul2) in both water and sludge phases showed a general trend of reduction as sludge accumulated gradually in its storage tank within two months after desludging. Classification of ARGs based on particle sizes (>250 μm, 125–250 μm, 75–125 μm, 25–75 μm, 3–25 μm, <3 μm) indicated that while the major part of ARGs were distributed in particles with larger sizes (125–250 μm), ARGs in smaller particles (3–25 μm) and free ARGs (<3 μm) still existed, which may pose a greater threat to water environment due to their poor settleability. The results of this study can benefit the optimization of on-site maintenance and operation of decentralized wastewater treatment facility for elimination of the transfer of ARGs.

Complications Secondary to the Use Of Sglt2 Inhibitors in Oncological Patients: A Series of 5 Cases.

Adverse events associated with iSGLT2 can lead to serious complications in immunocompromised patients. There have been cases of prolonged admissions with high morbidity and mortality due to bacterial or fungal infections and metabolic acidosis, all of which are side effects derived from their use.In oncology patients, an adequate evaluation of the risk-benefit balance must be conducted before the introduction of new drugs.Studies should be conducted to assess the risk of serious adverse effects in oncology patients undergoing treatment with chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

Evaluation of Water Balance and Water Use Efficiency with the Development of Water-Saving Irrigation in the Yanqi Basin Irrigation District of China

Irrigation water is the main type of water consumption in the Yanqi Basin irrigation district of Xinjiang, which is an oasis-type irrigation district in the arid region of Northwest China. With the continuous expansion of cultivated areas, there is an increasing demand for irrigation water, resulting in an irrigation efficiency paradox and the phenomenon of “the more water-saving, the more water-scarce”. In this study, the water balance method and the improved IWMI (International Water Management Institute) water balance method were used with remote sensing and statistical data from 1980 to 2020 to analyze the changes in the irrigation water supply, consumption, and loss for improvement in irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) in the Yanqi Basin. The results showed that there was an upward trend in the cultivated land area in the irrigation district of Yanqi Basin, as monitored with remote sensing from 1980 to 2020, and the values from the remote sensing data were higher than those from the yearbooks. According to the remote sensing data, the arable land area in the irrigation district increased from 1672 km2 in 1980 to 2494 km2 in 2020, thus showing a trend of expansion. The traditional water use efficiency in the irrigation district showed an increasing trend. The lowest value for the field water-use coefficient was 0.70 in 1998, and it exceeded to 0.81 from 2009 to 2020. The canal water-use coefficient was as low as 0.50 in 1998 and increased from 0.54 in 2009 to 0.82 in 2020. The irrigation water-use coefficient increased from 0.35 in 1998 to 0.68 in 2020, with a general upward trend. In this study, the water consumption ratio indicator DFg (depleted fraction), determined using the improved water balance method, increased from 0.8390 in 1980 to 0.8562 in 2020, although it showed an overall decreasing trend, and the average was 0.8436. Cultivated land’s actual irrigation water consumption per unit area reached the highest value of 8.41 × 106 m3/hm2/a in 2011 and the minimum value of 4.01 × 106 m3/hm2/a in 2020, and from 1980 to 2020 it showed a decreasing trend, while the total water diversion showed an increasing trend due to the continuous expansion of arable land. From 1980 to 2020, water diversion into the irrigation district changed from 1.214 km3 to 1.000 km3, and it reached a maximum of 1.593 km3 in 2000; water diversion into the irrigation district showed an overall upward trend. The positive impact of the post-2000 water conservation phase with the adaptation of water-saving irrigation technology was clear, as the findings showed an increase in IWUE in the Yanqi Basin irrigation district. These results provide a theoretical basis for breaking the paradox of irrigation efficiency, which can be used in the water resource management of irrigation districts.

Translation, Adaptation, and Determining the Intra-Rater Reliability of the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) for Persian Patients with Chronic Stroke.

This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the BESTest to the Persian language and evaluate its intra-rater reliability in Iranian patients with stroke. A forward-backward translation and expert panel review method was followed. Eighteen patients post-stroke (15 men, 3 female) were included which were assessed by a physiotherapist two times with a one-week interval. The mean total score for the test and retest were 83.66 (SD = 11.98) and 82 (SD = 13.23), respectively. There were no floor and ceiling effects. The intra-rater ICC for the total score was 0.88 (95% CI = 0.73-0.95). The ICC for the BESTest sections ranged from 0.55 (95% CI = 0.12-0.80) to 0.89 (95% CI = 0.55-0.96). The standard error of measurement and the smallest detectable change of the BESTest total score were 8.33 and 22.82, respectively. Our findings confirm the intra-rater reliability of the Persian BESTest for balance assessment of patients with chronic stroke.

Evaluation of Balance and Muscle Strength of Upper and Lower Limbs in Rock Climbers

Abstract Introduction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of bouldering on upper and lower limb muscle strength and body balance. Material and Methods. The study group consisted of 22 climbers (aged 27.23 ± 4.81) with at least 2 years of bouldering experience, while the control group consisted of 20 men (aged 23.10 ± 5.28) not practicing rock climbing. The study received approval from the local bioethical commission in Poland. Static and dynamic stabilographic parameters were measured with eyes open (EO) and closed (EC) on the Biodex Balance System SD USA (BBS) platform. Subsequently, the maximum muscle torques of the elbow, hip, knee and ankle joints were measured in isometric conditions. Hand-grip strength (HGS) with and without the thumb was assessed using a handheld dynamometer. Results. Climbers achieved significantly higher values of HGS with the thumb of both hands (p &lt; 0.005), foot extensors strength (FES) in both limbs (p &lt; 0.05) and left hip extensors (HES L) (p &lt; 0.05). They also achieved significantly lower values of all stabilographic parameters, indicating better balance compared to the control group (p &lt; 0.05). An interaction of HES x SIDE across the groups was observed (F(1,40) = 13.588, p &lt; 0.001 η2 = 0.254). Moreover, there was a statistically significant negative correlation of ankle extensors strength with medial-lateral stability index (MLSI EC) (right: r = -0.418; left: r = -0.331) and fall risk index (FRI6-2) (right: r = -0.520; left: r = -0.435). Conclusions. Regular climbing training develops muscle strength, especially FES, HES, HGS, and improves balance. Climbing can be used for prevention of muscle weakness and equilibrium disorders.

Evaluation of mineralization balance in patients with hypoparathyroidism

Aims: Surgical complications play a major role in the etiology of hypoparathyroidism. Calcium and phosphorus metabolisms are disrupted by hypoparathyroidism. As a result, bone mineralization is impaired and may cause many pathologies. In clinical practice, parathyroid transplantation is not possible in every patient. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether it would be possible to prevent the complications caused by hypoparathyroidism with mineral-supplemented medical therapy, even if we could not replace the lost parathyroid tissue. Methods: A total of 79 individuals with hypoparathyroidism (parathormone levels below the reference range for more than one year) secondary to thyroidectomy admitted to our hospital were included in the study. Calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), vitamin D, and creatinine levels were recorded in the last three controls. The relationship between parathormone levels, mineral levels, and ALP, which is an indicator of bone turnover, was analyzed. Results: The mean calcium value was 8.57±0.90 and the mean phosphorus value was 4.46±0.99 in individuals diagnosed as hypoparathyroid with biochemical data. When the relationship between parathormone and the average of the last three calcium values, the relationship between the average phosphorus value, and the relationship between ALP and vitamin D were examined, no significant difference was found (p&lt;0.05). When the relationship between the calcium phosphorus product and its effect on bone mineralization was examined, the mean calcium phosphorus product was 37.64±7.37, and no statistically significant difference was found with parathormone level (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Preservation of parathyroid tissue is important for calcium-phosphorus metabolism. Although loss of parathyroid tissue is irreversible, it may be possible to prevent complications with mineral supplementation. As long as calcium and phosphorus balance are maintained externally, bone turnover will be preserved, along with many pathologies caused by hypocalcemia. No matter how low the parathormone level is, the bone mineralization problem caused by hypoparathyroidism can be reduced or even eliminated with mineral levels normalized with medical treatment.

Key Prognostic Factors in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Follicular Lymphoma: An Evidence Based Systematic Literature and Medical Review

Introduction: A multi-center multi-country retrospective cohort study (FLORA [NCT05338879]), using real-world data (RWD) from electronic medical records (EMRs) and research databases, for patients with relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma grade 1-3a (r/r FL) treated with standard of care is being conducted to contextualize treatment outcomes in a single-arm trial. A systematic literature review (SLR) was carried out to identify baseline prognostic factors that will be evaluated for imbalances between cohorts in the single-arm trial and RWD study. This SLR was followed by an evidence-based clinical expert review and ranking of prognostic variables in order of importance for the FLORA study as described herein. Methods: The approach and methods of the SLR (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews [PROSPERO] CRD42022307561) were informed by guidelines set forth by the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions (Higgins et. al. 2021) and PRISMA (Page et. al. BMJ 2021) and described previously (Hampp et. al. ISPOR 2023). Following the conduct of the SLR, the identified potential prognostic variables were evaluated by the FLORA study team to remove treatment-specific and outcome variables, determine their availability in the single-arm trial and FLORA RWD study, and develop a questionnaire. In the questionnaire, prognostic variables were grouped by type of variable - clinical, laboratory data, or treatment characteristic. Each prognostic variable was reviewed by an international panel consisting of 3 clinical experts in the field of lymphoma who categorized the prognostic impact on treatment response and survival on a 5-point scale ranging from “Very high importance” to “Not important”. The clinicians were asked to consider possible correlation among the variables, possible effect modifiers, specific variable definitions (e.g., chemoresistant), and whether there were any other prognostically important variables not captured in the questionnaire. For each variable the clinical experts categorized the availability within routine care on a 3-point scale ranging from “Readily available” to “Limited availability”. The results of the 3 expert completed questionnaires were reviewed and the top 10 highest ranking variables were determined by summing the clinicians' categorization of prognostic impact and considering variable availability in the event of a tie. Individual interviews with each clinical expert were held to clarify variables and definitions, discuss discrepant categorization, and rank the prognostic variables from 1-10. Following the 3 interviews, the ranking of each variable was summed across the 3 experts to determine the final ranking. Results: Across the 13 studies included, the SLR identified 28 prognostic factors, including patient demographics and clinical characteristics, disease and treatment characteristics, and laboratory data. Seven clinical outcomes with statistically significant associations were identified (most commonly, overall survival [OS], progression-free survival [PFS], and relapse/progression). No additional prognostic factors were identified by the clinical experts. The final ranked list of the 10 most important prognostic variables in descending order of importance includes: progression of disease within 2 years (POD24), chemo-immunorefractory/chemoresistant, refractory to last line of therapy (LoT), number of prior LoTs, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI), age at start of LoT, Ann Arbor disease stage, and refractory to rituximab. Conclusion: SLR-based identification of prognostic factors combined with expert clinical review provides an unbiased evaluation and ranking of the level of evidence to assist in selecting prognostic factors to collect for the FLORA real-world cohort study. The appropriate selection of prognostic factors is critical for valid outcome estimation. These factors will be used for the evaluation of balance with the single-arm trial and for adjustment in a propensity score model. With this approach, the prognostic factors are chosen a priori to enable balancing of baseline covariates prior to outcome estimation.

Water Balance and the Moist Planetary Boundary Layer Driven by Land Use and Land Cover Change across the Amazon Basin

Despite the overall extension of the Amazon Basin (approximately 6,000,000 km2),which encompasses such a complex ecosystem and territories belonging to seven different nations, it is worth mentioning that environmental assessments related to changes in land use and land cover (LULC) in this region are often conducted respecting geopolitical boundaries associated with each country or taking into account the so-called Amazon biome. With the purpose of prospecting the intricate and hidden hydrological patterns, we undertake an in-depth evaluation of the water balance along the 2001–2021 time span across the whole basin, whose behavior depends on the features deriving from the metamorphoses in land use and land cover. To accomplish that task, the influence of the components of the water balance, namely rainfall and evapotranspiration, jointly with the terrestrial topographic mapping, are examined to investigate the interactions among the physical mechanisms that make up the hydrological cycle and the corresponding physical hydrological processes triggered by deforestation and reforestation in the region. More specifically, the modeling approach was rigorously designed to also consider, separately or not, Negro, Solimões, Madeira, Tapajós and Xingu hydrographic sub-basins, which are the most important ones of the Amazon Basin. The results highlight that in the southern region of the Amazon, specifically within the Madeira river sub-basin, the lowest forest coverage is observed (56.0%), whereas in the northern Negro river sub-basin, the most notable forest coverage is observed (85.0%). The most preserved forest areas, such as the Negro and Solimões river sub-basins, with percentages of 81.9% and 74.2%, respectively, have higher annual rates of precipitation and evapotranspiration over time. On the other hand, regions that suffered the most intense deforestation along the time period studied, such as the Madeira, Tapajós and Xingu sub-basins, have lower annual rates of precipitation and evapotranspiration, with preservation percentages of 54.6%, 62.6% and 70.7%, respectively. As the pace of deforestation slowed between 2003 and 2013, annual precipitation rates increased by 12.0%, while evapotranspiration decreased by 2.0%. The hydrological findings of this paper highlight th predominant role of the forest in the context of the global water balance of the Amazon Basin and the potential to also produce distinct impacts within different parts of the basin in terms of having more or less rainfall and evapotranspiration. In addition, those variabilities in the hydrological operational components and mechanisms due to changes in land cover and land use also reveal the potential impacts that could be expected in the surrounding areas, closer or farther, notably beyond the limits of the Amazon Basin.

Does an outdoor virtual environment projected in a head-mounted display affect balance in healthy young adults?

BackgroundVirtual reality head-mounted display (VR-HMD) is increasingly used for balance evaluation and rehabilitation. However, more studies must be conducted on virtual environments (VE) effects. This study aimed to assess the impact of an outdoor VE projected in a high-quality VR-HMD and of the VR-HMD mass on postural stability, postural control and leaning. MethodsThis study involved ten healthy young men who performed five 30-s stabilometric trials. Four experimental conditions were randomly performed: eyes open (EO) or eyes closed (EC), with (VR) or without (No VR) VR-HMD. Postural stability (antero-posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) ranges of the center of pressure (CoP), 90% confidence ellipse area), postural control (CoP velocity (global, AP and ML)) and standard deviation of the CoP mean position), and postural leaning (AP/ML CoP mean position) were assessed. The comparisons between EO VR and EO No VR were used to analyze the VE effects and comparisons between EC VR and EC No VR for the VR-HMD mass effects. ResultsSpatiotemporal parameters that characterised postural stability and postural control, except ML velocity (p > 0.05), were significantly influenced by the simulated VE with higher values in EO VR than EO No VR (p < 0.05), but not by the VR-HMD mass. The mean position of the CoP showed no significant differences between conditions. SignificancePostural stability and postural control modification due to the VE used in this study revealed that this VE could be interesting for VR-HMD rehabilitation and assessment. VR-HMD is not a factor to be considered for stabilometric analysis.