Cyprus International University

ObjectivesSubstance abuse among adolescents is a major concern not only in developing countries but also worldwide. Datura metel (D. metel), commonly known as Datura or Devil’s Trumpet, is a plant containing several toxic compounds, including alkaloids (such as scopolamine, hyoscyamine, and atropine). However, consuming D. metel or its derivatives can significantly impact the brain, though its mechanism remains elusive. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of D. metel and alcohol cocktail on the hepato-prefrontal-cortical axis.MethodsThirty-five male Sprague Dawley rats were divided randomly into five groups (A–E). Group A received distilled water, Group B received 300 mg/kg of D. metel, and Group C received 700 mg/kg of alcohol. Group D received 300 mg/kg of D. metel + 700 mg/kg of alcohol, while Group E received 150 mg/kg of D. metel + 350 mg/kg of alcohol. Tissues from the liver and prefrontal cortex (PFC) were collected for morphological, histological, and immunohistochemical studies.ResultsThere was a significant increase in body weight in control group A compared to other experimental groups. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed a mild attenuation in the cytoarchitecture of the liver and PFC with increased necrosis, apoptosis, vacuolation, and neuronal death in experimental groups compared to control group A. Increased microglial activity was observed in groups B–E, whereas group A showed normal neuronal arrangement with the NeuN antibody compared to experimental groups. Serum liver function biomarkers (alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, and aspartate aminotransferase) were statistically significantly higher in Groups C and D when compared to Group A.ConclusionCombined D. metel and alcohol negatively impact the liver and PFC of experimental rats.

ABSTRACT Climate change is a serious issue that threatens environmental stability all around the world and puts more responsibility on the countries of the European Union (EU) to promote sustainable development goals. This paper examines the relationships between energy intensity, research and development (R&D) expenditure, industrialization, economic growth, and CO 2 emissions for EU countries from 1995 to 2022. The study uses novel panel econometric methods, such as the Method of Moment Quantile Regression (MMQR) and Dumitrescu and Hurlin causality tests, as well as other estimators to capture distributional heterogeneity and dynamic interdependencies among the variables, thereby enhancing robustness. The empirical results show that a high level of energy intensity increases CO 2 emissions across most quantiles, whereas R&D expenditure, industrialization, and economic growth reduce emissions, indicating that economic growth and environmental degradation move in opposite directions. Furthermore, one can find direct causal relationships in both directions between the main variables, indicating their interdependence in determining the environmental outcome. These findings indicate that the EU has been supported by structural change towards energy‐efficient, innovation‐driven economic activities in the mitigation of emissions. The study highlights the importance of strategic energy‐saving policies, continued investment in innovation, and environmentally responsive industrial policies to balance economic growth and environmental sustainability, thereby supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 7, 8, and 13.

This study investigates the relationship between psychological resilience and burnout among parents of children attending special education institutions. Prolonged stress in these parents often leads to burnout and depression, adversely affecting both parental well-being and child outcomes. The research involved 155 participants (103 mothers, 52 fathers), who completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Psychological Resilience Scale (PRS). The analysis focused on how resilience subdimensions self-perception, social competence, structural style, family cohesion, future perception, and social resources predict burnout components: emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Results revealed that psychological resilience subdimensions collectively accounted for 15% of the variance in emotional exhaustion (R² = .146, p<.01), with social resources emerging as the sole significant individual predictor (p<.01). For depersonalization, resilience subdimensions explained 30% of the variance (R² = .298, p < .001), with structural style, family cohesion, social competence, and social resources serving as significant predictors (p<.05 to p< .001). These findings underscore psychological resilience as a protective factor against burnout, particularly highlighting the role of social resources in mitigating emotional exhaustion and multiple resilience components in reducing depersonalization. The study aligns with existing literature, emphasizing that enhancing parents’ resilience especially through strengthening social networks, family cohesion, and adaptive coping strategies can buffer against burnout. Interventions targeting these resilience factors may improve parental mental health, thereby fostering more supportive environments for children with special needs. These insights advocate for integrating resilience-building programs into support systems for families in special education contexts, addressing both individual and relational dimensions of well-being.

The increasing burden of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance underscores the urgent need for alternatives to conventional therapeutics. Although Eucalyptus essential oils (EOs) are well recognized for their broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties, their relatively high volatility and limited physicochemical stability restrict their practical applications. In this study, a systematic, design-driven comparative approach was employed to develop nanoemulsions containing Eucalyptus globulus, E. citriodora, and E. radiata EOs, with the aim of improving their stability and biological efficacy. Initially, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was performed to identify species-specific chemotypes, which guided rational formulation design. A Box-Behnken design enabled the precise optimization of critical colloidal parameters, resulting in nanoemulsions with droplet sizes below 200 nm, polydispersity indices below 0.3, and ζ-potentials of approximately -22 mV. Comprehensive structural characterization by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, together with stress testing, confirmed the robust physical stability of the formulations. In-vitro antimicrobial evaluations against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae revealed up to a 4-fold enhancement in antimicrobial activity and up to 80% inhibition of biofilm compared to the corresponding unformulated essential oils. The enhancements are most likely attributable to enhanced dispersion, increased interaction with greater microbial interfaces, and nanoscale stabilization of volatile bioactive constituents. Collectively, the optimized Eucalyptus nanoemulsions constitute reproducible, chemically well-defined nanocarrier systems with markedly improved antibacterial and antibiofilm performance, highlighting their promise as next-generation delivery systems for phytopharmaceutical applications. Further comprehensive biological and toxicological investigations are required to support the safe and effective translation of essential oil-containing nanocapsulations into practical use.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by synovial hyperplasia, persistent inflammation, and joint destruction. Targeted inhibition of intracellular signaling pathways, such as JAK-STAT, has improved RA treatment outcomes, though safety and selectivity remain as concerns. Brepocitinib, a dual TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor, has shown clinical efficacy in the management of autoimmune diseases, yet its mechanistic impact on synoviocytes remains underexplored. To investigate the molecular and functional effects of brepocitinib on MH7A and RA-FLS synoviocytes, a key effector cell type in RA pathogenesis. MH7A and RA-FLS cells were treated with brepocitinib (0.5 µM, 1 µM, and 5 µM) for 24 hours. Cell viability was assessed. Western blotting was used to examine phosphorylation of TYK2, JAK1, STAT1/3, and apoptotic markers (BAX, BCL-2, caspase-3). Quantitative PCR and ELISA were performed to evaluate mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ. Wound healing assays measured synoviocyte migration. Brepocitinib maintained ≥ 85% cell viability across all doses, compared with ~20% viability in doxorubicin-treated controls. At 5 µM, phosphorylation of JAK1 and STAT3 was suppressed by > 80%, while TYK2 and STAT1 inhibition reached ~70%. IL-6 and TNF-α transcripts were reduced by > 80% and IFN-γ by ~70%, with corresponding decreases in secreted cytokines (IL-6: 100 pg/mL to 20 pg/mL; TNF-α: 150 pg/mL to 15 pg/mL; IFN-γ: 41 pg/mL to 11 pg/mL). Brepocitinib shifted the BAX/BCL-2 ratio fourfold in favor of apoptosis and increased cleaved caspase-3 levels to ~80% of maximal response. Functionally, it reduced wound closure from ~75% in controls to ~20% at 5 µM, confirming potent inhibition of synoviocyte migration. Brepocitinib exerts multi-faceted effects on RA synoviocytes by simultaneously inhibiting inflammatory signaling, suppressing cytokine expression, restoring apoptotic sensitivity, and reducing migratory potential. These findings provide mechanistic support for brepocitinib as a targeted therapeutic agent in RA.

Purpose This study aims to identify and analyze the barriers hindering the effective implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act (2022) and to determine the causal relationships among them to provide actionable insights for policymakers. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (fuzzy DEMATEL) methodology. Data was collected from ten experts within the Nigerian innovation policy and startup ecosystem through a pairwise comparison questionnaire. The experts evaluated the influence of ten pre-identified barriers, which were subsequently analyzed using fuzzy set theory to map a cause–effect network. Findings The analysis identifies four key barriers as causal factors that drive the system: insufficient funding, bureaucratic bottlenecks, policy incoherence and low awareness of the Act. These root causes significantly influence six dependent barriers: lack of inter-agency coordination, inadequate technical capacity, low stakeholder engagement, resistance to change, data scarcity and limited monitoring and evaluation systems. Bureaucratic bottlenecks were found to be the most central and influential barrier within the network. Originality/value This study is among the first to apply the fuzzy DEMATEL method to analyze innovation policy implementation in Africa. It moves beyond descriptive barrier identification to provide an empirical model of their causal interdependencies, offering a novel and strategic perspective for overcoming the design-implementation gap in developing economies.

Mentha spicata L. (Lamiaceae) has been used in traditional medicine to cure indigestion, stomach aches, and diarrhea. This research aims to synthesize silver nanoparticles from aqueous extract of M. spicata and to investigate its antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer activities. The plant was extracted using maceration with water, and Mentha spicata-silver nanoparticles (MAgNPs) were prepared using a 5 mM silver nitrate solution. The antioxidant activity was assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays. Antibacterial analysis was done through the agar disk diffusion method. The anticancer potential was evaluated using the cytotoxicity and MTT assays. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids and other phenolic compounds. The aqueous extract and silver nanoparticles scavenged the DPPH and hydrogen peroxide free radicals, with IC50 values of 1.556 mg/mL and 1.695 mg/mL, respectively. The bacterial strains were susceptible to the extract and silver nanoparticles, with inhibitory zones ranging from 4 to 11 mm. The zeta analysis revealed a size of 70.08 nm and a potential of -13.17 mV. The XRD showed a crystalline structure of silver nanoparticles. The FTIR revealed a characteristic N-H stretching frequency. The extract and nanoparticles exhibited cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects in vitro against MDA-MB-231 cancer cells, with a significant difference among means (p < 0.05). There is an urgent need to screen and standardize medicinal plants with medicinal benefits and less toxicity, which also serve as chelating agents in drug delivery. The ability of the extract to scavenge free radicals and inhibit bacterial growth may be due to its chemical constituents. MAgNPs may be a viable option for potential application and development in cancer therapy.