Anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of sirolimus on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats

Purpose: Pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating disease with a poor prognosis. Although the diagnosis and pathophysiology of this disease have been better characterized over the past few years, there is no effective therapy for the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of sirolimus (SRL), which is a potential anti-fibrotic agent, by using bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis model in rats. Methods: A single intra-tracheal injection of BLM (2.5 U/kg) was administered and sirolimus (2.5 mg/kg/day) was given orally, beginning either one day before (early SRL) or nine days after (late SRL) the BLM administration. The effect of SRL on fibrosis was studied by analysis of cytokine levels in BAL fluid, measurement of lung tissue hydroxyproline (HPL) content and histopathological examination. Results: Both early and late SRL administrations caused a decrease in the levels of IL-13, PDGF-A and TGF-β1 (p=0.001) and an increase in IFN-γ levels (p=0.001) in BAL fluid. Early and late SRL also caused a decrease in HPL content (p=0.001). Early sirolimus caused a significant decrease in fibrosis score (p=0.001), while late SRL did not. Conclusion: Sirolimus was effective in BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis model, especially in the early phases of the disease

Anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of sirolimus on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats

Purpose: Pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating disease with a poor prognosis. Although the diagnosis and pathophysiology of this disease have been better characterized over the past few years, there is no effective therapy for the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of sirolimus (SRL), which is a potential anti-fibrotic agent, by using bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis model in rats

Numerical assessment of tsunami attack on a rubble mound breakwater using OpenFOAM ®

A numerical assessment study of tsunami attack on the rubble mound breakwater of Haydarpasa Port, located at the southern entrance of the Istanbul Bosphorus Strait in the Sea of Marmara, Turkey, is carried out in this study using a Volume-Averaged Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes solver, IHFOAM, developed in OpenFOAM (R) environment. The numerical model is calibrated with and validated against the data from solitary wave and tsunami overflow experiments representing tsunami attack. Furthermore, attack of a potential tsunami near Haydarpasa Port is simulated to investigate effects of a more realistic tsunami that cannot be generated in a wave flume with the present state of the art technology. Discussions on practical engineering applications of this type of numerical modeling studies are given focusing on pressure distributions around the crown-wall of the rubble mound breakwater, and the forces acting on the single stone located behind the crown-wall at the rear side of the breakwater. Numerical modeling of stability/failure mechanism of the overall cross-section is studied throughout the paper

CoCoNet: towards coast to coast networks of marine protected areas (from the shore to the high and deep sea), coupled with sea-based wind energy potential

This volume contains the main results of the EC FP7 “The Ocean of Tomorrow” Project CoCoNet, divided in two sections: 1) a set of guidelines to design networks of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas; 2) a smart wind chart that will allow evaluating the possibility of installing Offshore Wind Farms in both seas. The concept of Cells of Ecosystem Functioning, based on connectivity, is introduced to define natural units of management and conservation. The definition of Good Environmental Status, as defined in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, is fully embraced to set the objectives of the project, by adopting a holistic approach that integrates a full set of disciplines, ranging from physics to bio-ecology, economics, engineering and many sub-disciplines. The CoCoNet Consortium involved scientist sfrom 22 states, based in Africa, Asia, and Europe, contributing to build a coherent scientific community

CoCoNet: Towards coast to coast networks of marine protected areas (From the shore to the high and deep sea), coupled with sea-based wind energy potential

This volume contains the main results of the EC FP7 "The Ocean of Tomorrow" Project CoCoNet, divided in two sections: 1) a set of guidelines to design networks of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas; 2) a smart wind chart that will allow evaluating the possibility of installing Offshore Wind Farms in both seas. The concept of Cells of Ecosystem Functioning, based on connectivity, is introduced to define natural units of management and conservation. The definition of Good Environmental Status, as defined in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, is fully embraced to set the objectives of the project, by adopting a holistic approach that integrates a full set of disciplines, ranging from physics to bio-ecology, economics, engineering and many sub-disciplines. The CoCoNet Consortium involved scientist sfrom 22 states, based in Africa, Asia, and Europe, contributing to build a coherent scientific community