James Joyce and alcoholism

This paper will zoom-in upon one of the greatest modernist writers and influential figures of the twentieth century, James Joyce. In this way, following his life’s developments, from his troubled childhood to his frantic life abroad with Nora Barnacle, his literary work and his inspirational sources, we will try to establish whether alcohol consumption hindered or aided his creative process. In order to do so, this article will present events that might have triggered the drinking, the rituals and ‘customs’ of the process, as they seem to be in some kind of interrelation. These facts will be rendered while using close textual analyses of his literary works in the context of addiction

Non-Linear Behaviours in the Dynamics of Some Biostructures

Various differentiable models are frequently used to describe the dynamics of complex systems (see the kinetic models, fluid models, etc.). Given the complexity of all the physical phenomena involved in the dynamics of such systems, it is required to introduce the dynamic variable dependencies both on the space-time coordinates and on the scale resolutions. Therefore, in this case an adequate theoretical approach may be the use of non-linear physical models either in the form of the Scale Relativity Theory or of the Extended Scale Relativity Theory, i.e., the Scale Relativity Theory with an arbitrary constant fractal dimension. In the framework of the Extended Scale Relativity Theory, fractal velocity field is described both by topological solitons of kink type and by non-topological soliton varieties of breather type. Applications for the blood flow are proposed. The results revealed the directional flow toward the walls, which can explain the thickening effect which is one of the source of arteriosclerosis

Dynamics of Biostructures on a Fractal/Multifractal Space-Time Manifold

A theory of space-time is built on a fractal/multifractal variety. Thus, considering that both the spatial coordinates and the time are fractal/multifractal, it is shown that both the energy and the non-differentiable mass of any biostructure depend on both the “state” of the biostructure and a speed limit of constant value. For the dynamics on Peano fractal/multifractal curves and Compton scale resolutions, it is shown that our results are reduced to those of Einstein relativity. In such a context, it has been shown that the “chameleon effect” of cholesterol corresponds to the HDL-LDL state transfer dictated by the spontaneous symmetry breaking through a fractal/multifractal tunnel effect. Then both HDL and LDL become distinct states of the same biostructure as in nuclear physics where proton and neutron are distinct states of the same nucleon

General aspects regarding the phenomenon of alcoholism in literature

In this paper we followed the links that are established between alcohol consumption and writing, and especially on how creativity and alcohol consumption are related. Thus, we will discuss the effects of drinking, as demonstrated until now, on the creative flow, and we will try to provide a substantial number of case examples of brilliant creative minds, that had been either diagnosed as being alcoholics or just known to be heavy drinkers. Our article will also comment on the general and particular theories that refer to this much discussed and somewhat controversial subject

Sinonasal inverted papilloma; recurrence, malignant transformation and risk factors

Sinonasal inverted papilloma is a rare benign epithelial tumor. Its three main clinical characteristics are the tendency of recurrence, the destructive ability of nearby structures and malignant transformation. The primary manifestations of this tumor include nasal obstruction, headaches, runny nose, hemorrhage and impaired sense of smell. The diagnosis is based on the clinical and endoscopic examination completed by CT or MRI scans and biopsy of the lesion. Allergies, chronic inflammation, nicotinism and viral infections such as HPV infection are considered possible causes of pathogenesis and potential risk factors for relapse and malignancy. The treatment for this condition is the complete removal of the tumor with disease-free margins. Postoperative follow-up is essential for the early detection of recurrence or malignant transformation. One of the most basic and important steps in managing these patients is to acknowledge the presence of the mentioned risk factors and avoid exposure. Due to the high risk of relapse, the follow-up must be aggressive and thorough and always include the endoscopic examination. In our article, we wish to highlight the importance of the proper surgical intervention, but also the difference in the overall outcome of the patient ensured by the correct management of the risk factors, allowing us to prevent recurrence and malignant transformation

Subcutaneous Adipose Stem Cells in Obesity: The Impact of Bariatric Surgery

Adipocyte expansion, which involves adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs), is a critical process with implications in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance associated with obesity. Impaired subcutaneous adipogenesis leads to dysfunctional, hypertrophic adipocytes, chronic low-grade inflammation, and peripheric insulin resistance. Alternatively, it has also been proposed that the preservation of the functionality of subcutaneous adipocyte precursors could contribute to some obese individuals remaining metabolically healthy. Very few studies evaluated the changes in the adipogenic differentiation for human subcutaneous ASCs following bariatric surgery. Weight loss after bariatric surgery involves extensive remodeling of adipose tissue, comprising the hyperplasia-hypertrophy balance. Subcutaneous ASCs may be implicated in the variations of bariatric outcomes, through a different restoration in their proliferative and adipogenic potential. Weight loss induced by bariatric surgery correlates to the subcutaneous ASC functions and could explain the variability of metabolic improvement. Limited research data are available to the present and these data support the importance of diagnosis of subcutaneous ASCs functions as predictors of metabolic improvement after bariatric surgery

Complex Systems with Self‐Elimination of Dissipation with Implication in Bio‐Structural Behavior Via Nondifferentiability

In the present chapter, we show that the use of the nondifferentiable mathematical procedures, developed in the Scale Relativity Theory with constant arbitrary fractal dimension, simplifies very much the dynamics analyses in the case of complex systems. By applying such a procedure to various complex systems dynamics (biological structures, ablation or discharge plasmas, etc.), we are able to observe that it starts from a steady (oscillating state) and as the external factor is varied the system undergoes significant changes. The systems evolve asymptotically through various transition, toward a chaotic regime (like bifurcations or intermittencies), but never reaching it. Another important reveal from the study of the system’s dynamics was the presence of various steady states depending on the resolution scale at which the theoretical investigations are performed

Oxidative Stress Implications in the Affective Disorders: Main Biomarkers, Animal Models Relevance, Genetic Perspectives, and Antioxidant Approaches

The correlation between the affective disorders and the almost ubiquitous pathological oxidative stress can be described in a multifactorial way, as an important mechanism of central nervous system impairment. Whether the obvious changes which occur in oxidative balance of the affective disorders are a part of the constitutive mechanism or a collateral effect yet remains as an interesting question. However it is now clear that oxidative stress is a component of these disorders, being characterized by different aspects in a disease-dependent manner. Still, there are a lot of controversies regarding the relevance of the oxidative stress status in most of the affective disorders and despite the fact that most of the studies are showing that the affective disorders development can be correlated to increased oxidative levels, there are various studies stating that oxidative stress is not linked with the mood changing tendencies. Thus, in this minireview we decided to describe the way in which oxidative stress is involved in the affective disorders development, by focusing on the main oxidative stress markers that could be used mechanistically and therapeutically in these deficiencies, the genetic perspectives, some antioxidant approaches, and the relevance of some animal models studies in this context

Antifungal activity of essential oils and homemade fungicides against Passalora Fulva

Passalora fulva is a pathogen which causes the disease on tomato known as the tomato leaf mold. In the greenhouses, this disease causes big problems during the fall, in early winter and spring, due to the high relative humidity of air and the temperature. The development of the disease is quick, moving from lower to upper leaves so the controlling must be done as soon as possible. The antifungal activity of medicinal plants bioactive compounds has gained a lot of attention within the scientific community. The main factor is the growing problem of multidrug resistance among pathogenic fungi. In addition, medicinal plant oils are the promising sources of antifungal drugs. Based on these facts, the present study emphasizes the importance of plants EOs as an alternative against pathogenic fungi causing tomato leaf mould. The spread of pesticide resistant pathogens is one of the most severe threats to successful treatment of microbial diseases. Renewed recent interest towards EOs utilization has been attributed to several factors, including a general revival in the appeal of ‘natural’ products, the desire for antimicrobial compounds with considerably better safety and toxicity profiles, and more importantly, the need for alternative ways to conventional antimicrobial, since they show reduced susceptibility to many major pathogens. In this paper we have analyzed possible substitutes to synthetic pesticides in controlling the fungus. Since the potential of essential oils (EOs) as antimicrobial agents is well established and farmers around the world already use traditional recipes, we have decided to test a fair amount of essential oils and homemade fungicides against the growth of Passalora fulva mycelium. We have discovered cloves EO kills the fungus at any tested concentration. The next EOs with strong effects are cinnamon, lemongrass, palmarosa, oregano and oil grass. The rest of EOs have shown a medium inhibitory effect