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Alopecia is a common adverse effect of neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with early breast cancer. While hair typically regrows over time, more than 40% of patients continue to suffer from permanent partial alopecia, significantly affecting body image, psychological well-being, and quality of life. This concern is a recognized reason why some breast cancer patients decline life-saving chemotherapy. It is critical for healthcare professionals to consider the impact of this distressing side effect and adopt supportive measures to mitigate it. Among the various strategies investigated to reduce chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA), scalp cooling has emerged as the most effective. This article reviews the pathophysiology of CIA and examines the efficacy of different scalp cooling methods. Scalp cooling has been shown to reduce the incidence of CIA, defined as less than 50% hair loss, by 50% in patients receiving chemotherapy. It is associated with high patient satisfaction and does not significantly increase the risk of scalp metastasis or compromise overall survival. Promising new scalp cooling technologies, such as cryogenic nitrogen oxide cryotherapy, offer the potential to achieve and maintain lower scalp temperatures, potentially enhancing therapeutic effects. Further investigation into these approaches is warranted. Research on CIA is hindered by significant heterogeneity and the lack of standardised methods for assessing hair loss. To advance the field, further interdisciplinary research is crucial to develop preclinical models of CIA, establish a uniform, internationally accepted and standardised classification system, and establish an objective, personalised prognosis monitoring system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The industrial sector's water consumption is projected to increase by 400% by 2050, placing significant stress on freshwater reserves. To address this challenge, innovative solutions for water management are crucial. This paper proposes a comprehensive framework for Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) in industrial settings, offering a methodology to assess the potential for RWH implementation across EU industrial sites. The framework integrates internal and publicly available datasets, including EU climate change monthly average rainfall data from the Copernicus Climate Data Store, to create current and prospective scenarios for RWH. The methodology evaluates critical parameters co-created with industrial stakeholders, such as catchment area, water quality, and industrial water requirements. This approach allows for site-specific assessments, enabling industries to reduce freshwater consumption and support sustainability goals within the Horizon 2050 framework. Our findings indicate that implementing RWH systems can significantly contribute to a sustainable and circular economy by reducing annual freshwater consumption, promoting resource reuse, and lowering industrial water costs. This framework provides industries with a tool to assess RWH feasibility, supporting their efforts to prepare for increased water demands and contribute to environmental conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]