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

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

The effects of chronic manganese administration on blood pressure in rats

Recently it was observed that several trace elements, including manganese (Mn), can affect the cardiovascular system and have been implicated in certain cardiovascular disease mechanisms. However, to date the effects of Mn on the vascular system, such as in the control of blood flow and blood pressure, are not completely understood. The main objective of the present study was to determine the effects of a 45-day exposure to two different doses of Mn, on blood pressure values of male Wistar rats. Our results show a significant time effect (p<0.001, ANOVA, repeated measures) on blood pressure during the 45 days of chronic Mn treatment with two doses of Mn (3 mg/kg/day; 10 mg/kg/day). Additionally, we observed significant differences in blood pressure, especially on days 2 (p<0.001), 9 (p<0.05), 24 (p<0.05), 28 (p<0.01) and 43 (p<0.05). Further studies are necessary in order to establish the mechanism and relevance of Mn

CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS AS POTENTIAL MARKERS FOR MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AND ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an early stage of cognitive decline that has a significant risk of converting to dementia. Cardiovascular pathology appears to have a major impact in cognitive decline, and it is clear that early identification and correction of cardiovascular morbidity could have a major impact on cognitive functioning. Subjects and methods: Our study was conducted in order to identify some cardiovascular risk factors among patients with cognitive decline (MCI or Alzheimer disease-AD) and to find if there is any correlation with the degree of cognitive decline. We evaluated the body mass index, total cholesterol, hypertension, history of smoking, alcohol consumption and diabetes mellitus in patients with MCI and AD, compared with an age-matched control group. Results: Regarding the body mass index, we observed a progressive decrease in patients with MCI and AD, in comparison with the control group. Similar aspects were also observed in the case of cholesterol levels, only that post hoc analysis revealed no significantly statistical differences between MCI and AD groups. The systolic blood pressure was increased in the patients with MCI and AD. Also, as in the case of cholesterol levels, post hoc analysis revealed no significantly statistical differences between MCI and AD groups. Pearson’s correlation showed significant connections between the cardiovascular risk factors and the results of the cognitive evaluation. Conclusions: Our results constitute additional evidence that cardiovascular risk factors are involved in cognitive regression. This finding could have an important impact on the management of dementia

A study of the levels of glutathione peroxidase in patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a major complication of liver cirrhosis, which is associated with increased mortality. While recent studies have demonstrated the involvement of reactive oxygen species in the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis, the role of oxidative stress in the development of SBP has not yet been completely established. The present study aims to evaluate the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of this complication and also the relevance of the specific treatment on these aspects. We present here some of our preliminary results regarding the specific activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), a very important antioxidant enzyme, from both serum and ascitic fluid of patients with decompensated cirrhosis and SBP, patients diagnosed with decompensated liver cirrhosis with ascites and patients with compensated liver cirrhosis. Our results demonstrate the presence of an increased oxidative stress in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and SBP compared with those without SBS and those with compensated liver cirrhosis, as demonstrated through the significant decrease of the specific activity of GPX. The measurement of these oxidative stress parameters may have an important role in the diagnosis and follow-up of this important liver pathology and the auxiliary treatment

The Neuropathology of Concussion

This review provides a detailed analysis of the pathophysiology involved in traumatic brain injury (TBI), with an emphasis on mild TBI and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). It explains the dynamic interaction between mechanical trauma and the neuroinflammatory response, especially the crucial role of microglia in post-TBI inflammation. Moreover, the review discusses the significance of dendritic and spinal changes as indicators of a regenerative response. The role of transactive response (TAR) DNA-binding protein 43 and tau protein in the pathogenesis of mild TBI and CTE is assessed, with tau protein changes being a potential biomarker for acute and chronic TBI-related conditions. The study also investigates syndromes commonly found in young athletes, such as second impact syndrome and juvenile head trauma syndrome. The review addresses the complex inflammatory response after mild TBI, focusing on pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators, including IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP as potential indicators of injury severity and outcome. The review calls for further research to elucidate the exact relationship of these factors in TBI and its long-term effects

Influence of environmental colors and long-term sex isolation on zebrafish shoaling behavior

Paper description: Zebrafish social behavior is mediated by different means of communication (chemical and visual). The potential influence of environmental coloring on the shoaling preference of Danio rerio has not been studied. Sex-related differences were found. Unlike females, male fish shoaled more with another male and less with a potential sexual partner. We did not find a significant influence of environmental coloring on social preference patterns. These results are an addition to the insufficient literature in this research area, which is generally characterized by underestimation of sex-related differences in the zebrafish social behavior. Abstract: Zebrafish has a complex social behavior and little is known about the role of sexual preference and their environmental social interactions. In this study we investigated the potential influence of environmental colors and shoaling preferences of zebrafish male and female populations, with a focus on visual communication. Males and females were kept for 7 days in gender-isolated tanks, with a specific habitat color for each group: green for males and red for females. After the pre-test period, all the animals were kept separated and 8 noninvasive behavioral tests were conducted in a T-maze, with the application of different visual stimuli. We did not observe any clear influence of environmental coloring on social zebrafish choices. Significant sex-related differences were found in shoaling partner preference (i.e. same sex vs. other sex, one fish vs. three fish) as follows: females showed a tendency to avoid other females and spent more time with males. Male fish did not display a preference between one or three fish stimuli and they shoaled more with another male and less with a potential sexual partner. There was an obvious difference between males and females in responses and selection of shoaling partners. https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS190118015L Received: January 18, 2019; Revised: February 23, 2019; Accepted: March 5, 2019; Published online: March 19, 2019 How to cite this article: Lenzi C, Grasso C, Nicoara M, Savuca A, Ciobica A, Plavan GI, Strungaru SA. Influence of environmental colors and long-term sex isolation on zebrafish shoaling behavior. Arch Biol Sci. 2019;71(2):329-37

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

PRELIMINARY DATA ON SOME BEHAVIORAL CHANGES INDUCED BY SHORT-TERM INTRAPERITONEAL OXYTOCIN ADMINISTRATION IN AGED RATS

Introduction: Oxytocin (OT) is a well-known neuropeptides which together with vasopressin, melatonin, insulin and other hormones can alter both behavior and physiological or neuronal functions. This growing interest on OT roles is also based on the demonstrated beneficial effects as a stress reliever and a social bonding agent. The association between old age and OT was only vaguely studied. Little or few is known on the effect of the OT hormone on the old body. Hereby, we present our preliminary results in the research on behavioral changes regarding the intraperitoneal administration of OT in aged rats. Subjects and methods: OT was administered for 8 days in Wistar aged rats in parallel with saline administration for control group. Behavioral markers were assessed in some specific behavioral tasks, such as the Y-Maze test for short-term working memory, Open Field test, Elevated Plus Maze, and Forced Swim test for anxious and depressive behavior assessment, and Three-chambered Maze test for sociability assessment. Results: Increased mobility and decreased anxiety behaviors were reported for the aged intraperitoneal OT-treated animals, as compared with controls, during FST and OFT, and respectively FST, EPM, and OFT. Also, decreased depressive-like behaviors were observed in the same animal group during FST and ST. Moreover, a decrease in anxiolytic behavior was observed as exposed to stressful stimuli (such as grooming behavior in OFT, and forced grooming behavior in ST), and as exposed to social stimuli (such as grooming behavior in TCT). Similarly, significant differences were obtained regarding the social behavior of the intraperitoneal OT-treated animal as compared to control group, the animals showing increased sociability and social preference for the stranger animal in TCT. However, no significant effects on the working memory (assessed as spontaneous alternation in YMT) were observed. Conclusions: Intraperitoneal administration of OT in aged rats has clear effects on anxious and depressive behavior, but no significant effects on the working memory. Also, several beneficial effects of OT on social preferences and sociability were observed