Extraction and Characterization of Natural Dye from Green Walnut Shells and Its Use in Dyeing Polyamide: Focus on Antibacterial Properties

Extraction of dyes from walnut using Soxhlet apparatus has been studied. The color components extracted and isolated from walnut shells were characterized by column chromatography, thin layer chromatography (TLC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectroscopy (MS), and infrared (IR) techniques. Natural dye extract obtained from the walnut was used in dyeing polyamide fabrics with different mordants. The dyed fabrics were evaluated for antibacterial activity against pathogenic strains of Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. As such, the relationship between antibacterial activity and dye concentration is investigated. Durability of antibacterial activity to laundering is also discussed. Results indicate that the polyamide dyed with walnut displayed excellent antibacterial activity in the presence of ferric sulfate, cupric sulfate, and potassium aluminum sulfate and exhibited good and durable fastness properties

Implementing Non-Repetitive Designs on Upholstery Fabrics

In this study, a new method has been introduced for the production of upholstery fabric, with a single design feature such as designs without repetition of color features to avoid  uniformity in the furniture. In this regard, single fabric design with colors appropriate to sofa structure is considered. The aim is to study the different upholstery fabrics and to reach the starting point for upholstery fabric design. The design can provide feeling of relaxation and comfort for human beings. In today’s stressful life, humans are concerned with the need to see and touch elegancy and simplicity in their surroundings, despite the lack of diversity in upholstery fabric design that cannot fulfill their wishes. Therefore, designs need to be consistent with the theme so that they are integrated in the field and lead the viewer’s sight to the surrounding, as if the design is ongoing.

Genotyping of Hepatitis B Virus in HBsAg Positive Individuals Referred to the Health Centers of Shahrekord, Iran

Background & aim: Hepatitis B Virus is one of the most important viral hepatitis which includes eight genotypes based on genetic variations in the gene encoding virus RNA polymerase. Clinical picture, treatment response and prognosis of HBV infection is genotype dependent. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the HBV genotypes in HBsAg-positive individuals. . Methods: This experimental study was conducted on one hundred and sixteen HBsAgpositiveindividuals referred to the health centers of Shahrekord, Iran, in 2011. Firstly, the viral nucleic acid was extracted from serum samples and subsequently, the samples were subjected to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Finally, genotyping was carried out on the positive samples, using Real-time PCR with type specific primers and probes. The data were analyzed using the chisquare test. Results: 23 out of 116 (19.8%) of the HBsAg-positive individuals were positive for HBV DNA. 17 out of 23 (73.9%) and 6 out of 23 (26.1%) of the patients were found to be infected with HBV genotypes of D and C, respectively. Conclusion: Same as other regions of Iran, genotype D, , is the dominate genotype of HBV in Shahrekord, Iran. However, genotype C may be one of the other common genotypes in this region

Tie Design using Electrical Conductive Fabrics

One of the clothing requirements, especially for men, is the tie that was initially used by the ancient Iranians. The designing of ties without an Iranian design on them, despite the fact that they are originated out of Eastern traditions, is one of weaknesses of fabric and clothes design. One of the new methods to create designs on textiles is the use of new technology; in this research light was used for tie design. Due to the replica tie designs on the market, this study attempts to use original Iranian designs, through conductive fabrics, to produce light and to create a new design. This study uses graphene oxide for the production of conductive fabrics. Finally, the tie design by passing electric current through the tie has been simulated and a set of tie designs are provided.

Antibacterial and self-cleaning properties of cotton fabric treated with TiO2/Pt

This study explores a new nanocomposite to produce a cotton fabric with superior self-cleaning and antibacterialproperties. The platinum loaded nano titanium dioxide (nanocomposite) has been synthesized through wet impregnationusing Pt precursor. The nanocomposite has been applied on cotton fabric and the fabric characteristics such as self-cleaningperformance, antibacterial and UV blocking activities are examined. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, energydispersiveX-ray spectroscopy and X-ray mapping are utilized to characterize the surface morphology and elementalanalysis of the treated cotton fabrics. The chemical composition of the nanocomposite has been investigated using X-rayphotoelectron spectroscopy and crystallinity of coatings by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. Whiteness index, tensilestrength, flexibility and wettability of treated fabrics are also assessed. Results show that the photocatalytic self-cleaningperformance of the cotton treated with TiO2/Pt nanocomposite is superior to the cotton treated with nano-titanium dioxidealone. Also, adding platinum to nano-TiO2 shows the most promising antibacterial activities against both Staphylococcusaureus and Escherichia coli bacteria

Determination of antioxidant activity, phenolic contents and antiviral potential of methanol extract of Euphorbia spinidens Bornm (Euphorbiaceae)

Purpose: This study was aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the methanol extract of Euphorbia spinidens Bornm (Euphorbiaceae) and its effect on Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) replication. Methods: The methanol extract of aerial parts of E. spinidens collected from Khorasan State in North- Eastern part of Iran was used in this study. Total phenolic, flavonoid contents and the antioxidant activity were evaluated using Folin-Ciocalteu method, aluminum chloride colorimetric method and β- carotene-linoleate model system, respectively. Both the cytotoxic and antiviral effects of the crude extract on Vero cell line were determined by quantifying the viability of Vero cells using 3-(4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay. Results: Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of E.spinidens were 70 ± 1 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g of dry extract (mg GAE/g extract) and 49.66 ± 1.00 mg rutin equivalent/g of dry extract (mg RTN/g extract), respectively. Antioxidant activity was 44 ± 1 % compared with the standard, buthylated hydroxytuloene (BHT). The 50 % cytotoxic concentration (CC50) of the extract on Vero cells was 5.072 ± 0.063 mg/ml and its antiviral concentration of 50 % effectiveness (EC50) value was 0.34 ± 0.003 mg/ml. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that the methanol extract of E. spinidens has high content of phenolic and flavonoid compounds with good antioxidant activity. Furthermore, this extract has significant antiviral effect on HSV-1 probably due to the inhibition of viral replication. © Pharmacotherapy Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, 300001 Nigeria. All rights reserved

The Inhibitory Effects of Eucalyptus Extract on Herpes Simplex Virus-1 Replication in Baby Hamster Kidney Cells

Background and Objectives: In recent years, following the increasing of drug resistant strain of viruses, there has been an increasing interest in the use of natural substances with antiviral activity and low side effects. One of these herbal medicines, Eucaliptus, has shown some therapeutic effects including antibacterial and antiviral activities. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration of hydroalchoholic extract of Eucaliptus on Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) in vitro. Methods: In this experimental study, the hydroalchoholic extract of Eucalyptus leaves was prepared using 70% ethanol through maceration method. Baby Hamster Kidney (BHK) cells were grown in monolayer culture with Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) supplemented with 5% fetal calf serum and plated onto 48-well culture plates. 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50%) of the extract on BHK cells was determined, and subsequently 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50%) of the herbal extract on replication of HSV-1 both in extracellular and intracellular cases was assessed. Results: Based on Probit analysis, CC50% of the extract was 0.650mg/ml. Significant relationships between the concentration of the extract and cell death in the cell studied were shown using the Probit model (p<0.01). IC50s of the extract on the virus before cellular attachment and after entering the cells were 456.82µg/ml and 180.75µg/ml, respectively. Based on the model, with increasing the extract concentration, the percentage of inhibition of cytopathic effect (CPE) in both stages was increased (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, hydroalchoholic extract of Eucaliptus could be probably an appropriate anti herpetic herbal medicine

Combination of mesoporous titanium dioxide with MoS2 nanosheets for high photocatalytic activity

This study presents a facile approach for the preparation of MoS2 nanosheet decorated by porous titanium dioxide with effective photocatalytic activity. Mesoporous titanium dioxide nanostructures first synthesized by a hydrothermal process using titanium (III) chloride and then the MoS2/TiO2 were prepared through mixing of MoS2 nanosheet with mesoporous titanium dioxide under ultrasonic irradiation. The synthesized nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. The results showed that the nanocomposite has mesoporous structure with specific surface area of 176.4 m2/g and pore diameter of 20 nm. The as-prepared MoS2/TiO2 nanocomposites exhibited outstanding photocatalytic activity for dye degradation under sunlight irradiation, which could be attributed to synergistic effect between the molybdenum disulfide nanosheet and mesoporous titanium dioxide. The photocatalytic performance achieved is about 2.2 times higher than that of mesoporous TiO2 alone. It is believed that the extended light absorption ability and the large specific surface area of the 2D MoS2 nanosheets in the nanocomposite, leading to the enhanced photocatalytic degradation activity

Extraction and Characterization of Natural Dye from Green Walnut Shells and Its Use in Dyeing Polyamide: Focus on Antibacterial Properties

Extraction of dyes from walnut using Soxhlet apparatus has been studied. The color components extracted and isolated from walnut shells were characterized by column chromatography, thin layer chromatography (TLC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectroscopy (MS), and infrared (IR) techniques. Natural dye extract obtained from the walnut was used in dyeing polyamide fabrics with different mordants. The dyed fabrics were evaluated for antibacterial activity against pathogenic strains of Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. As such, the relationship between antibacterial activity and dye concentration is investigated. Durability of antibacterial activity to laundering is also discussed. Results indicate that the polyamide dyed with walnut displayed excellent antibacterial activity in the presence of ferric sulfate, cupric sulfate, and potassium aluminum sulfate and exhibited good and durable fastness properties

Preparation Of Melt Spun Electroconductive Fine Fibres Containing Carbon Nanotubes

Preparation of electroconductive fine fibres containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by melt spinning was the main goal of the present study. In this regard, the influence of the main operating parameters such as type of polymer used (polyester, polypropylene and polyamide), type and concentration of the CNTs on conductivity, and mechanical and thermal properties of the melt spun fibres was studied. The conductivity of melt spun fibres was measured based on the method developed by Morton and Hearl. The morphologies of the CNTs–polymer composite fibres were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Thermal behaviours and mechanical properties of the CNTs–polymer composite fibres were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry and tearing tester, respectively. The results reveal that using CNTs had tangible effect on electrical, thermal and mechanical properties of the melt spun fibres. Also, polyamide had a better dispersion of CNTs and correspondingly lower surface resistivity