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In this article, changes occurring in structural steel after exposure to fire are described and discussed. The steel structure before and after fire determines its susceptibility to brittle cracking. The individual phases of cracking are described and interpreted on the basis of a load-displacement graph, directly obtained from the Charpy impact test. The relationship between the intensity of individual fracture energies and the type and appearance of the sample fractures are demonstrated. The program of planned Charpy impact tests and expected hazards after the exposure to fire of selected steel grades are presented. Standard simplified load-displacement graphs are assigned to the steel transition curve. The course of various cracking mechanisms occurring in the case of brittle fractures and plastic fractures are discussed. The aim of this article is to evaluate the possibility of the assessment of structural steel after a fire based on results obtained during the Charpy impact test.

ADAM10 and ADAM17 have a role in inflammation and diseases associated with inflammation, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) or cancer, e.g., colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether ADAM10 and ADAM17 could be biomarkers of CRC. To achieve this goal, CRC tumors and a surgical margin from 72 patients with CRC were collected. The concentration of ADAM proteins was measured by the ELISA method. Results were analyzed statistically and compared with selected clinical parameters. We found that ADAM17 protein concentration in the tumor samples was higher in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) (0.28 vs. 0.2 ng/µg protein; p = 0.01) and in the surgical margin was higher both in patients with coexisting DMT2 (0.22 vs. 0.16 ng/µg protein; p < 0.05) and CVD (0.21 vs. 0.13 ng/µg protein; p < 0.01). The concentration of ADAM10 was higher in the surgical margin than in the tumor (249.34 vs. 228.82 pg/µg protein), and the concentration of ADAM17 was higher in the tumor than in the margin (0.23 vs. 0.18 ng/µg protein), but results were not statistically significant. In conclusion, the results of our study indicate that ADAM10 and ADAM17 may be potential biomarkers in cancer linked with DMT2 and CVD as diseases associated with inflammation.

Abstract Background Recent research has shown the mental health consequence of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, but longitudinal data are relatively scarce. It is unclear whether the pattern of isolation and elevated stress seen at the beginning of the pandemic persists over time. This study evaluates change in social interaction over six months and its impact on emotional wellbeing among older adults. Methods We drew data from a panel study with six repeated assessments of social interaction and emotional wellbeing conducted monthly May through October 2020. The sample included a total of 380 White, Black and Hispanic participants aged 50 and over, of whom 33% had low income, who residing in fourteen U.S. states with active stay-at-home orders in May 2020. The analysis examined how change in living arrangement, in-person interaction outside the household, quality of relationship with family and friends, and perceived social support affected trajectories of isolation stress, COVID worry and sadness. Results While their living arrangements (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.95, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.87, 1.03) and relationship quality (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.82, 1.01) remained stable, older adults experienced fluctuations in perceived social support (linear Slope b = -1.42, s.e. = 0.16, p

Abstract Background Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a group of heterogeneous diseases characterized by epithelial inflammation and tissue eosinophilic infiltration. IL-5, POSTN, and IL-33 are important factors that act as chemoattractants for eosinophils, and a tissue-remodeling protein positively correlated with eosinophils in blood and mediators of eosinophilic infiltration. The aim of the study was to determine the expression of IL-5, POSTN and IL-33, at the gene and protein levels, in eosinophilic CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), and to correlate this expression with clinical severity. Materials and methods The study included 40 CRSwNP patients and 53 CRSsNP patients and 40 control subjects. The expression of IL-5, POSTN and IL-33 mRNA was determined in sinonasal mucosal samples and in nasal polyp tissue by real-time PCR. Protein levels in the serum of CRSwNP patients were measured by ELISA. Computed tomography was evaluated according to Lund–Mackay scores, and visual analog scale scores were assessed. Results NP tissue demonstrated significantly higher IL-5 and POSTN mRNA expression than the sinonasal tissue in the CRSsNP and CRSwNP groups. CRS groups demonstrated elevated IL-33 mRNA expression in comparison to controls irrespective of the presence of NP. No correlation was found between IL-5, POSTN and IL-33 mRNA expression and disease severity. CRSwNP group demonstrated significantly higher serum IL-5, POSTN and IL-33 protein levels than controls, and this corresponds to disease severity. Conclusion Serum IL-5, POSTN and IL-33 levels may be important markers for classification of eosinophilic CRSwNP patients, along with disease severity.

Microbial electrochemical systems provide an environmentally-friendly means of energy conversion between chemical and electrical forms, with applications in wastewater treatment, bioelectronics, and biosensing. However, a major challenge to further development, miniaturization, and deployment of bioelectronics and biosensors is the limited thickness of biofilms, necessitating large anodes to achieve sufficient signal-to-noise ratios. Here we demonstrate a method for embedding an electroactive bacterium, Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, inside a conductive three-dimensional poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) matrix electropolymerized on a carbon felt substrate, which we call a multilayer conductive bacterial-composite film (MCBF). By mixing the bacteria with the PEDOT:PSS precursor in a flow-through method, we maintain over 90% viability of S. oneidensis during encapsulation. Microscopic analysis of the MCBFs reveal a tightly interleaved structure of bacteria and conductive PEDOT:PSS up to 80 µm thick. Electrochemical experiments indicate S. oneidensis in MCBFs can perform both direct and riboflavin-mediated electron transfer to PEDOT:PSS. When used in bioelectrochemical reactors, the MCBFs produce 20 times more steady-state current than native biofilms grown on unmodified carbon felt. This versatile approach to control the thickness of bacterial composite films and increase their current output has immediate applications in microbial electrochemical systems, including field-deployable environmental sensing and direct integration of microorganisms into miniaturized organic electronics.

This paper considers feature selection as a problem of an aggregation of three state-of-the-art filtration methods: Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient, the ReliefF algorithm and decision trees. A new wrapper method is proposed which, on the basis of a fusion of the above approaches and the performance of a classifier, is capable of creating a distinct, ordered subset of attributes that is optimal based on the criterion of the highest classification accuracy obtainable by a convolutional neural network. The introduced feature selection uses a weighted ranking criterion. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the solution, the idea is compared with sequential feature selection methods that are widely known and used wrapper approaches. Additionally, to emphasize the need for dimensionality reduction, the results obtained on all attributes are shown. The verification of the outcomes is presented in the classification tasks of repository data sets that are characterized by a high dimensionality. The presented conclusions confirm that it is worth seeking new solutions that are able to provide a better classification result while reducing the number of input features.

Abstract Continuous flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) outflow graft stenosis constitutes a severe complication. Treatment options include surgical pump exchange, transcatheter procedures, or systemic thrombolysis. We present a case of a spontaneous mechanical twisting of the outflow graft at two distinct points, which was treated by a two‐step percutaneous stent implantation. Self‐expanding stents were used during the first procedure. We also ensured distal bilateral percutaneous neuroprotection against cerebrovascular embolism. During the second, previously unpredicted procedure, we used balloon‐expandable bare‐metal stents to overcome the torque of the graft, because of their higher radial force. It was assumed that the external, self‐expanding layer of the stent might protect the graft from the bare‐metal stents. The effects of the treatment were monitored both clinically and through computed tomography angiography. The check‐up 12 months later revealed nothing of note. Interventional transcatheter procedures are a safe treatment option for outflow graft stenosis, with good long‐term effects. Both self‐expanding and balloon‐expandable stents can be used for transcatheter intervention. Both the incidence of the graft twisting and the radial force of the implanted stent seem to be critical and robust predictors of the long‐term result of percutaneous therapy.

Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is profuse, acyclic bleeding from the genital tract, with or without clots, usually lasting more than 10 days. They are the most common cause of abnormal uterine bleeding in adolescence. The following are used in the treatment: iron preparations, antifibrinolytic drugs, NSAIDs, estrogen-progestagen therapy or progestagen therapy. In cases where the Hb concentration is

Atherosclerosis, underlying coronary artery disease (CAD), is best characterized as a low-grade inflammatory condition, where cholesterol particles – mostly oxidized low-density lipoproteins (ox-LDL) – infiltrating the vessel wall act as an antigen and initiate an inflammatory response [1]. This approach has been explored for many years now but does not allow for a full understanding of the disease. Recently, the actin cytoskeleton and associated regulatory proteins have been gaining attention as contributors to the pathophysiology of CAD [2]. Among these, profilin 1 (Pfn1) is an emerging player in the field [3, 4]. Research showed that Pfn1 was overexpressed in atherosclerotic lesions in comparison to the healthy vessel wall [5]. In mice a deletion of one copy of the PFN1 gene increased the production of nitric oxide, lowered the expression of adhesion molecules and hindered macrophage infiltration, thereby protecting against atherosclerosis [6]. In diabetic atherosclerosis models, Pfn1 was overexpressed in endothelial cells exposed to advanced glycation end-products, accompanied by hallmarks of endothelial dysfunction [7]. Pfn1 was also implicated in the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndromes. It was found within thrombi retrieved from culprit arteries and correlated with symptom duration, as well as final Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction flow [8, 9].

Abstract Calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) expressing neurons in the parabrachial nucleus have been shown to encode danger. Through projections to the amygdala and other forebrain structures, they regulate food intake and trigger adaptive behaviors in response to threats like inflammation, intoxication, tumors and pain. Despite the fact that this danger-encoding neuronal population has been defined based on its CGRP expression, it is not clear if CGRP is critical for its function. It is also not clear if CGRP in other neuronal structures is involved in danger-encoding. To examine the role of CGRP in danger-related motivational responses, we used male and female mice lacking αCGRP, which is the main form of CGRP in the brain. These mice had no, or only very weak, CGRP expression. Despite this, they did not behave differently compared to wildtype mice when they were tested for a battery of danger-related responses known to be mediated by CGRP neurons in the parabrachial nucleus. Mice lacking αCGRP and wildtype mice showed similar inflammation-induced anorexia, conditioned taste aversion, aversion to thermal pain and pain-induced escape behavior, although it should be pointed out that the study was not powered to detect any possible differences that were minor or sex-specific. Collectively, our findings suggest that αCGRP is not necessary for many threat-related responses, including some that are known to be mediated by CGRP neurons in the parabrachial nucleus.

An increasing number of studies show that urbanized areas are habitats of high biological value and ecological significance. Most bee species live in areas altered by man, either in cities - fragmented urban habitats - or in large rural monocultures. Our research is based on three-year observations of population development of the solitary bee Osmia rufa L. in three habitat types: city, suburbs and villages. We compared reproductive parameters and diversity of accompanying nest fauna. Population growth rate was high in all habitats, exceeding five times the number of cocoons placed in the previous year. We found no significant differences in the number of cocoons and brood mortality between areas with different urbanization levels. In nests located in suburbs, parasites and cleptoparasites occupied almost three times more nest chambers than in other habitats. Changes in the habitat structure had a significant impact on the diversity and abundance of accompanying fauna. Our study shows that red mason bees are flexible and easily adapt to new conditions, despite changes caused by urbanization and agriculture.

Abstract The number of satellites equipped with retroreflectors dedicated to Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) increases simultaneously with the development and invention of the spherical geodetic satellites, low Earth orbiters (LEOs), Galileo and other components of the Global Navigational Satellite System (GNSS). SLR and GNSS techniques onboard LEO and GNSS satellites create the possibility of widening the use of SLR observations for deriving SLR station coordinates, which up to now have been typically based on spherical geodetic satellites. We determine SLR station coordinates based on integrated SLR observations to LEOs, spherical geodetic, and GNSS satellites orbiting the Earth at different altitudes, from 330 to 26,210 km. The combination of eight LEOs, LAGEOS-1/2, LARES, and 13 Galileo satellites increased the number of 7-day SLR solutions from 10–20% to even 50%. We discuss the issues of handling of range biases in multi-satellite combinations and the proper solution constraining and weighting. Weighted combination is characterized by a reduction of formal error medians of estimated station coordinates up to 50%, and the reduction of station coordinate residuals. The combination of all satellites with optimum weighting increases the consistency of station coordinates in terms of interquartile ranges by 10% of horizontal components for non-core stations w.r.t LAGEOS-only solutions.

Adriana Hofman,1 Natalia Zajdel,1 Jakub Klekowski,1 Mariusz Chabowski2,3 1Student Research Group No 180, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland; 2Division of Oncology and Palliative Care, Department of Clinical Nursing, Faculty of Health Science, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland; 3Department of Surgery, 4th Military Teaching Hospital, Wrocław, PolandCorrespondence: Mariusz ChabowskiDepartment of Surgery, 4th Military Teaching Hospital, 5 Weigla Street, Wroclaw, 50-981, PolandTel +48 261 660 247Fax +48 261 660 245Email mariusz.chabowski@gmail.comAbstract: Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths in the world. According to the World Health Organization, over 2 million new lung cancer cases were reported worldwide in 2018, and there were 1.76 million deaths from the disease. Due to its non-specific symptoms, the disease is usually detected at an advanced stage, which gives few treatment options and a short survival rate after diagnosis. That is why improving QoL in the last months of a patient’s life is enormously important. The purpose of this study was to analyse original papers in order to determine whether an increase in social support is important in improving QoL for lung cancer patients. Both the direct influence of social support on QoL and indirect influences such as stigma or depression, etc. were taken into consideration. We conducted a review of 22 papers published in English in the period 2005– 2020, which were selected using the following keywords: lung cancer, social support, quality of life. Evidence was found for the connections between the improvement of social support and an increase in the QoL of lung cancer patients. It is crucial, and worth whatever effort is required, to increase social support for lung cancer patients, as it is one of the most important factors in improving QoL. According to the studies, a good QoL and minimalised symptoms of the disease are much more important for lung cancer patients than the length of their life.Keywords: quality of life, lung cancer, social support, stigma, depression

Background The applicable law permits the use of information and communications technology (ICT) media in the process of providing health services, including preventive examinations. The right to perform preventive examinations using ICT should not be identified with an absolute obligation in this respect. An occupational medicine doctor may refuse to perform a preventive examination remotely if the specificity of medical activities and patient safety require personal contact with the doctor. The state of the epidemic prompted the legislator to adopt solutions enabling employees to continue working on the basis of an invalid decision, provided that it expired after March 7, 2020. The obligation to perform preventive examinations has been suspended, as a result of which their conduction during the epidemic is pointless. However, the obligations of the employee and the employer must be fulfilled in this respect immediately, but not later than within 60 days from the date of the epidemic cancellation. Material and Methods The study uses the method of analyzing the currently applicable legal provisions allowing the use of ICT in the provision of health services. In addition, regulations governing the possibility of obliging employees to work remotely during the epidemic were also analyzed, together with the non-performance of preventive examinations and admissibility of work under a decision which had expired before March 7, 2020. Results Current legal regulations are ambiguous and cause interpretation difficulties. The possibility of issuing decisions as a result of preventive examinations is a potential risk of liability for doctors who do not have specialist knowledge in the field of occupational medicine. Conclusions The solutions of the Act on COVID-19 regarding the performance of preventive examinations introduce new rights and obligations for employees and employers as well as doctors. Their implementation is necessary due to the purpose of the newly introduced regulations, whose task is to minimize the risk of the COVID-19 infection. At the same time, it is necessary to adopt a unified position with regard to the rights and obligations of doctors issuing decisions for the purposes specified in the Labor Code. Med Pr. 2021;72(1):19–27

In this work, the first mutual prodrug of 5-fluorouracil and heme oxygenase1 inhibitor (5-FU/HO-1 hybrid) has been designed, synthesised, and evaluated for its in vitro chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis stability. Predicted in silico physicochemical properties of the newly synthesised hybrid (3) demonstrated a drug-like profile with suitable Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (ADME) properties and low toxic liabilities. Preliminary cytotoxicity evaluation towards human prostate (DU145) and lung (A549) cancer cell lines demonstrated that 3 exerted a similar effect on cell viability to that produced by the reference drug 5-FU. Among the two tested cancer cell lines, the A549 cells were more susceptible for 3. Of note, hybrid 3 also had a significantly lower cytotoxic effect on healthy human lung epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) than 5-FU. Altogether our results served as an initial proof-of-concept to develop 5-FU/HO-1 mutual prodrugs as potential novel anticancer agents.

Background Arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs) may remain patent after kidney transplantation (KTx), contributing to maladaptive cardiac remodeling. The flow in AVFs is associated with the diameter of its vessels and thus with the AVF location. The main objective of this study is to assess the influence of AVF location and its patency on the self-reported quality of life (QOL) of kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with past history of hemodialysis. Methods To gain clinical data, during a scheduled visit, 353 KTRs were asked to fill out an anonymous questionnaire. From this group, 284 respondents were found eligible for analysis. The outcome was defined as prevalence of symptoms and health status, measured with the Left Ventricular Dysfunction-36 (LVD-36) Questionnaire in symptomatic patients. Results The hemodialysis patients (n = 243) were divided into two groups according to AVF location, i.e., DAVF – distally located AVF – (n = 174) and PAVF – proximally located AVF – (n = 69). The proportion of patients with heart failure (HF) was higher in PAVF group (24% vs. 12%, p = 0.0482). In the multivariable regression, PAVF, serum creatinine levels, and the presence of HF or coronary artery disease (CAD) remained independent predictors of lower functional capacity. Among patients with heart disease, the presence of active AVF was independently associated with worse functional outcome (higher LVD-36 scores). Conclusions The influence of persistent PAVF in KTRs seems to be unfavorable, especially when coexisting with CAD or HF. Abbreviations: AVF arteriovenous fistula; BMI body mass index; CAD coronary artery disease; D-AVF distally-located arteriovenous fistula; EC exercise capacity; HD hemodialysis; HF heart failure; KTx kidney transplantation; KTR kidney transplant recipient; LVD-36 Left Ventricle Disfunction – 36; LVEF left ventricle ejection fraction; LVH left ventricle hypertrophy; NYHA New York Heart Association; P-AVF proximally located arteriovenous fistula; PD peritoneal dialysis; PRO patient-reported outcomes; QOL quality of life.

The purpose of this work is to analyze the regulatory environment for tobacco use, with particular reference to changes made in the last 10 years. An attempt was made to answer the question of the extent to which the regulatory environment has a real impact on the achievement of the objective set out in the existing legal provisions, which is to protect the health and rights of the persons concerned. An analytical method was used in the work to assess the application of legal principles. A method of analyzing the current line of jurisprudence was also used. In the process of final evaluation of public utilities, certain functional methods were used. The assessment was subjected to Polish law, within the scope of the currently binding Act on Health Protection Against the Consequences of Using Tobacco and Tobacco Products of 1995. The study states that the provisions of this Act are only a formal guarantee of protection. The liability arising from the application of its standard is illusory because the procedure for imposing penalties is ineffective. The pursuit of any property claims related to violation of the rights of related entities, as envisaged in this Act, is complicated. This does not apply to a case which is not affected by the decision. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2020;33(5):599–610

Abstract Cannabis abuse during adolescence confers an increased risk for developing later in life cognitive deficits reminiscent of those observed in schizophrenia, suggesting common pathological mechanisms that remain poorly characterized. In line with previous findings that revealed a role of 5‐HT6 receptor‐operated mTOR activation in cognitive deficits of rodent developmental models of schizophrenia, we show that chronic administration of ∆9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to mice during adolescence induces a long‐lasting activation of mTOR in prefrontal cortex (PFC), alterations of excitatory/inhibitory balance, intrinsic properties of layer V pyramidal neurons, and long‐term depression, as well as cognitive deficits in adulthood. All are prevented by administrating a 5‐HT6 receptor antagonist or rapamycin, during adolescence. In contrast, they are still present 2 weeks after the same treatments delivered at the adult stage. Collectively, these findings suggest a role of 5‐HT6 receptor‐operated mTOR signaling in abnormalities of cortical network wiring elicited by THC at a critical period of PFC maturation and highlight the potential of 5‐HT6 receptor antagonists as early therapy to prevent cognitive symptom onset in adolescent cannabis abusers.

Objectives In the face of inevitably approaching death as well as in the face of changes characteristic for old age which affect the quality of everyday life, older people (sometimes in their full strength) are forced to deal with the developmental crisis. This may lead to thinking about euthanasia, about a worthy departure, without suffering, in the family environment. Whether the family will meet these expectations is another issue, but also a challenge for the law. In this context, it is important how man and his family cope with this great challenge of reconciling themselves to the end of earthly existence and how much they can cope with in order to overcome the developmental crisis of death in a mature and ethical way. The aim of my work was to find an answer: how will we behave in the situation of the challenge of our own death, of the passing away of our loved ones. Material and methods The material was tested on a small sample of 140 individuals with family and children. They were examined with a questionnaire, conclusions were drawn from the declarations of the respondents, without correlation. Results The results may come as a surprise. We think differently about our own going away, and differently about the going away of others. The „possible“ are also an important issue. (hypothetical) decisions in this respect Conclusions The conclusions are multithreaded: they refer to us as people who may be leaving, as well as to our views on the leaving of the closest domestic animals.

Celem przeprowadzonych badań była analiza plonowania i elementów struktury plonu czterech odmian pszenicy ozimej – trzech odmian pszenicy zwyczajnej (Triticum aestivum ssp. vulgare): ‘Laudis’, ‘Patinas’ i ‘Danubius’ i jednej odmiany pszenicy twardej (Triticum durum Desf.) – ‘Lupidur’ – oraz czterech odmian pszenicy jarej – dwóch odmian pszenicy zwyczajnej (Triticum aestivum ssp. vulgare): ‘Nawra’ i ‘Telimena’ i dwóch odmian pszenicy twardej (Triticum durum Desf.): ‘Haristide’ i ‘Floradur’ – uprawianych w systemie rolnictwa konwencjonalnego. Doświadczenie polowe przeprowadzono w latach 2018–2021 w gospodarstwie rolnym w Niedrzwicy Dużej w województwie lubelskim. Warunki uprawy i zabiegi agrotechniczne były jednakowe dla wszystkich gatunków/odmian w kolejnych latach badania. Wyżej plonowały odmiany pszenicy zwyczajnej w porównaniu z odmianami pszenicy Triticum durum Desf., ponadto formy ozime prezentowały wyższy plon niż jare w przypadku obu gatunków. Wykazano odmienne plonowanie porównywanych gatunków w latach badań, szczególnie dla form jarych. W okresach zwiększonych niedoborów wody plon pszenicy durum nie różnił się istotnie od pszenicy zwyczajnej. W latach o bardziej optymalnym rozkładzie opadów plon pszenicy zwyczajnej był wyższy od 18,4% do 28,7%.

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Mechanical ventilators are safety-critical devices that help patients breathe, commonly found in hospital intensive care units (ICUs)—yet, the high costs and proprietary nature of commercial ventilators inhibit their use as an educational and research platform. We present a fully open ventilator device—The People’s Ventilator: PVP1—with complete hardware and software documentation including detailed build instructions and a DIY cost of $1,700 USD. We validate PVP1 against both key performance criteria specified in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Emergency Use Authorization for Ventilators, and in a pediatric context against a state-of-the-art commercial ventilator. Notably, PVP1 performs well over a wide range of test conditions and performance stability is demonstrated for a minimum of 75,000 breath cycles over three days with an adult mechanical test lung. As an open project, PVP1 can enable future educational, academic, and clinical developments in the ventilator space.

Plants are a rich source of secondary metabolites that exhibit numerous desired properties. The compounds may influence the biology of melanocytes, pigment cells that produce melanin, by modulating numerous signaling pathways, including cAMP/PKA, MAPKs and PI3K/AKT. Its downstream target is microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, responsible for the expression of the tyrosinase enzyme, which plays a major role in melanogenesis. Therefore, this literature review aims to provide insights related to melanogenesis modulation mechanisms of plant extracts and isolated plant compounds in B16 cells. Database searches were conducted using online-based library search instruments from 2012 to 2022, such as NCBI-PubMed and Google Scholar. Upregulation or downregulation of signaling pathways by phytochemicals can influence skin hypo- and hyperpigmentation by changing the level of melanin production, which may pose a significant cosmetic issue. Therefore, plant extracts or isolated plant compounds may be used in the therapy of pigmentation disorders.

Cement-based composites (CBCs) are the widely used construction materials, and cement is their main ingredient. The production of cement consumes a considerable amount of energy, releases a substantial quantity of CO2 to the environment, and causes depletion of natural resources. Thus, utilizing sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA) in CBCs in place of cement might be a sustainable approach. In this review, two approaches have been adopted, namely, scientometric analysis and a thorough manual review of the use of SBA in CBCs. A scientometric analysis can deal with huge bibliometric data without complications. This study retrieved journal articles and review articles on SBA utilization in CBCs available at the Scopus database from 2007 to 2021 and performed a scientometric analysis using a suitable software tool. The aim of the scientometric analysis was to ascertain the current state of research and to identify relevant publication fields, sources with the most publications, the most frequently used keywords, the most cited articles and authors, and the countries that have made the greatest contribution to the field of SBA utilization in CBCs. Additionally, the influence of SBA on the fresh and hardened properties as well as durability properties of CBCs are comprehensively discussed. It was found that the top publication source is construction and building materials with 36 publications, the author with most publications is Bahurudeen A with 14 articles, and the country having the highest contribution in the relevant field is India with 110 publications. Furthermore, the addition of SBA in CBCs as cement replacement was found to be beneficial in terms of sustainability aspects and performance of composites. This study also highlighted the limitations associated with SBA utilization in CBCs and reported recommendations for future studies.