Evaluation of Inner Bark Extract of Barberry Stem and Its Synergy with Propiconazole, EDTA, BHT, and their Combinations against the White-rot Fungus Trametes versicolor

The synergistic action of water-methanol (1:1 v/v) inner bark extract of barberry (IBEB) stem and biocide, propiconazole (PCZ), and non-biocidal additives, EDTA, BHT, and their combinations with various concentrations (50, 150, 250, 350, and 450 ppm) against the white-rot fungus, Trametes (Coriolus) versicolor was investigated. Results obtained herein demonstrated that IBEB by itself did not exhibit antifungal property, and enhanced protection was further observed by combining it with PCZ. BHT and PCZ showed inhibition percentages of 54.3% and 43.6%, respectively, against the growth of T. versicolor, which reached 75% with BHT at 50 ppm. A synergistic effect was found by introducing PCZ to IBEB when tested against T. versicolor in vitro, with an inhibition percentage of 62% at 150 ppm. No synergistic action was exhibited from the combination treatment of IBEB+EDTA+BHT, and the activity was enhanced by introducing PCZ to this combination treatment (50% at 350 ppm). Significant synergistic action between each of factors of IBEB+PCZ, EDTA+PCZ, and BHT+PCZ was found with inhibition percentages of 49.7%, 48.6%, and 52.7%, respectively. In conclusion, it is advised that IBEB and PCZ be used clinically at the same time

Hepatoprotective effect of Acantholimon bracteatum (Girard) Boiss. on formaldehyde-induced liver injury in adult male mice

Background and objectives: Acantholimon bracteatum (Girard) Boiss (Plumbaginaceae) is used in variety of diseases including hepatic ailments in the west regions of Iran. In the present study, the hepatoprotective effect of the methanol extract (ME) of A. bracteatum on formaldehyde (FA) induced liver injury has been investigated in adult male mice. Methods: Fifty six adult male mice were divided into 8 groups. The control group received normal saline. Group II (E2) was treated with formaldehyde 10 mg/kg. Group III to VIII (E3-E8) were treated with both FA (10 mg/kg) and the metanol extract at doses of 5, 10, 15, 20, 50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively. All animals were treated for 2 weeks (once every other day). At the end of the morphology, histopathology of liver and serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were evaluated. Results: Formaldehyde induced liver damage both in histology and function. The levels of ALT, AST and ALP enzymes had significantly increased in FA treated group. Administration of ME in all experimental groups significantly reduced serum levels of ALP (p= 0.02); however, AST was reduced significantly just in groups III (E3) and IV(E5) (

Microstructure, resistivity, and shear strength of electrically conductive adhesives made of silver-coated copper powder

Electrically conductive adhesives were made using silver-coated copper powders (filler) and epoxy. Resistivity, microstructure and shear strength of prepared adhesives were studied using two-point resistance measurements, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and universal tensile tests, respectively. Effect of filler concentration (70-85 wt%), silver concentration (10-50 wt%), particles morphology (flake or spherical) and addition of graphite (2-15 wt%) were investigated on prepared adhesives properties. Results showed that by increasing the filler percentage from 70 to 85 wt%, the electrical resistivity decreases from 6.2 x 10(-3) to 3 x 10(-3) Omega.cm. Furthermore, the electrical resistivity of adhesives is proportional to the silver content of the filler particles. Regarding the morphological effect of filler particles, it was found that by replacing 40 wt% of the flake with spherical particles in the adhesive with a filler content of 75 wt%, the electrical resistivity of the adhesive reduces from 5.6 x 10(-3) to 4.5 x 10(-3) Omega.cm, while the electrical resistivity of the adhesive containing 50 wt% of the spherical particles reached to 1.1 x 10(-2) Omega.cm. Graphite addition to adhesive formula in concentrations less than 6 wt%, slightly lowered the resistivity of the adhesives. Increasing the graphite addition from 6 to 15 wt% enhanced the electrical resistivity from 2.8 x 10(-3) to 1.7 x 10(-2) Omega.cm. The shear strength of the adhesives is inversely proportional to the filler percentage in the adhesives