Sono-dispersed MgO over cerium-doped MCM-41 nanocatalyst for biodiesel production from acidic sunflower oil: Surface evolution by altering Si/Ce molar ratios.

In the present work, Mobil Composite Material no. 41 (MCM-41) utilized as the catalyst support for biodiesel production from Waste Cooking Oil (WCO). Different amounts of Si/Ce molar ratios (5, 10, 25, 50 and Ce = 0) introduced to the MCM-41 structure to synthesize the bifunctional nanocatalysts and achieve a modified support of high stability and acidity. Then, ultrasound used to disperse MgO active phase on support surface. The prepared nanocatalysts were investigated using various techniques as follows: XRD, EDX, TEM, FESEM, FTIR and BET. The XRD patterns along with the results of FTIR and BET analysis revealed the MCM-41 framework destruction while increasing the Ce content. The FESEM images of the nanocatalysts illustrated a well distribution and uniform morphology for the Mg/CeM (Si/Ce = 10). The particle size and size distribution of the Mg/CeM (Si/Ce = 10) were subsequently determined by TEM and FESEM images. Biodiesel production carried out under following constant operational parameters to evaluate catalytic performance of synthesized samples: T = 70 °C, catalyst loading = 5 wt%, methanol/oil molar ratio = 9, and 6 h reaction time. Ce substitution in support framework considerably enhanced the biodiesel conversion. The Mg/CeM (Si/Ce = 10) nanocatalyst demonstrated the highest conversion of 94.3%. The reusability of the Mg/CeM (Si/Ce = 10) studied in seven reaction cycles and biodiesel conversion reached to 88.7% at the end of seventh cycle which demonstrated its significant stability.

Sono-dispersion of MgO over Al-Ce-doped MCM-41 bifunctional nanocatalyst for one-step biodiesel production from acidic oil: Influence of ultrasound irradiation and Si/Ce molar ratio.

MCM-41 is a mesoporous silicate with hydrophobic structure which is a good candidate as catalyst support in biodiesel production, with high specific area (more than 1100 m2/g) and high thermal stability. In this study the hydrothermal stability and acidic property of Al-MCM-41 were improved by addition of Ce element into its structure with various amounts of Si/Ce molar ratio. Then it was loaded by magnesium with two different procedures: customary impregnation and Sono-dispersion. The following techniques were utilized to characterize the synthesized nanocatalysts: EDX, FTIR, FESEM, DRS, BET and XRD. The catalytic performance of bifunctional nanocatalysts for biodiesel production from acidic oil was analysed, while four operational parameters were fixed as: catalyst charge equal to 5 wt%, reaction temperature equal to 70 °C, reaction duration equal to 6 h and methanol/oil molar ratio equal to 9. Generally, the obtained results revealed that the conversion and the quality of produced biodiesel were increased significantly by increasing Ce amount of catalysts up to Si/Ce = 25 and also the sonicated sample represented a better reusability compare to non-sonicated one. Among the prepared samples, Mg/ACM-U (Si/Ce = 25) achieved the maximum conversion and high reusability for biodiesel production reaction after fifth cycle.

The effect of a garlic supplement on the pro-inflammatory adipocytokines, resistin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and on pain severity, in overweight or obese women with knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease, which is associated with chronic and disabling pain. The adipocytokines, resistin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), might play a role in OA pathogenesis and outcomes. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was, therefore, to assess the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of a garlic supplement on serum resistin and TNF-α concentrations and on pain severity in overweight or obese women with knee OA. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-design trial. METHODS: In this study, 80 post-menopausal overweight or obese women (25 ≤ BMI ≤ 40 kg/m2, age 50-75 years) with mild to moderate knee OA were enrolled. Patients were randomly divided into two groups to receive twice-daily either garlic tablets (total: 1000 mg) or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measures were fasting serum concentrations of resistin and TNF-α, and pain severity (assessed using 0-10 point visual analogue scale (VAS)). RESULTS: At week 12, resistin concentrations were significantly decreased in the garlic group (6.41 ±â€¯2.40 to 5.56 ±â€¯2.16 ng/ml; P = 0.008). Serum TNF-α levels did not change significantly within or between the two groups. Pain scores were significantly reduced in the garlic (6.8 ±â€¯2 to 5.3 ±â€¯2.3; P = 0.002), but not in the placebo (6.7 ±â€¯2.4 to 6.2 ±â€¯2.5; P = 0.674), group. Pain scores were also significantly lower in the garlic, compared with the placebo, group following supplementation (5.3 ±â€¯2.3 vs. 6.2 ±â€¯2.5; P = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that garlic supplementation for 12 weeks might reduce pain severity in overweight or obese women with knee OA, which may, at least in part, be mediated via a reduction in the pro-inflammatory adipocytokine, resistin.

The effect of 12-week garlic supplementation on symptom relief in overweight or obese women with knee osteoarthritis.

AIMS: Chronic joint pain and stiffness, and functional disability, are the major debilitating features of osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of 12-week supplementation with a garlic supplement on knee osteoarthritis outcomes in overweight or obese women. METHODS: Seventy-six postmenopausal overweight or obese women (25≤BMI≤40 kg/m2 ) with medically diagnosed knee OA participated in this randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-design trial. After randomisation into 2 groups, patients received a daily dose of either 1000 mg odourless garlic tablet, or placebo, for 12 weeks. The total Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), as well as pain, stiffness and physical function subscales, were evaluated pre- and poststudy. Anthropometric parameters and body composition (using bioelectrical impedance analysis) were also assessed. RESULTS: Following 12-week supplementation in overweight or obese women with OA, stiffness (but not pain, function or WOMAC total score) was significantly lower in the garlic group compared with the placebo group (1.4 ± 1.6 vs 2.5 ± 1.9, P = .023). The changes in WOMAC parameters showed no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups. WOMAC total score (38.4 ± 15.9-30.6 ± 15.7, P = .004) and all the subscales, including pain (8.3 ± 3.7-7 ± 4.4, P = .026), stiffness (2.3 ± 1.6-1.4 ± 1.6, P = .013) and physical function (27.7 ± 11.9-22.2 ± 12.4, P = .001) improved significantly in the garlic group postintervention compared with pre-intervention; although pain subscale also decreased in the placebo group (9.6 ± 3.1-6.9 ± 3.7, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Although pre- to postintervention knee OA symptoms were improved in overweight or obese women receiving 12 weeks garlic supplement, there was no significant difference in WOMAC changes compared with the placebo group. Further clinical trials are required to investigate the therapeutic value of garlic ingredients, and the potential role of placebo effect, in the management of OA symptoms.

Sono-sulfated zirconia nanocatalyst supported on MCM-41 for biodiesel production from sunflower oil: Influence of ultrasound irradiation power on catalytic properties and performance.

Sono-sulfated zirconia nanocatalyst supported on MCM-41 was prepared by an ultrasound-assisted impregnation/hydrothermal hybrid method. The effect of irradiation power was studied by changing power of the sonication (30, 60 and 90W) during the synthesis which led to different physiochemical properties of the nanocatalyst. XRD, FESEM, EDX, FTIR and BET analyses exhibited smaller particles with higher surface area and less population of particle aggregates at highly irradiated nanocatalysts. The nanocatalyst irradiated at 90W for 30min showed a very narrow particle size distribution. About 59% of nanocatalyst particles were in the range of 1-30nm. The performance of investigated nanocatalysts in biodiesel production from sunflower oil showed ultrasound-assisted synthesized nanocatalysts had higher conversion in comparison to non-sonicated catalyst. Biodiesel conversion in catalyst with 90W and 30min ultrasonic irradiation exceeded 96.9% under constant condition at 60°C reaction temperature, methanol/oil molar ratio of 9:1 and 5% catalyst concentration. After five cycles, biodiesel conversion of non-sonicated catalyst was well maintained in a high extend (71.4%) while biodiesel conversion of non-sonicated catalyst barely reached to 43.5%. Among sonicated nanocatalysts, with increasing power of irradiation, the nanocatalyst represented higher conversion and reusability.

A 12-week double-blind randomized clinical trial of vitamin D3 supplementation on body fat mass in healthy overweight and obese women.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D concentrations are linked to body composition indices, particularly body fat mass. Relationships between hypovitaminosis D and obesity, described by both BMI and waist circumference, have been mentioned. We have investigated the effect of a 12-week vitamin D3 supplementation on anthropometric indices in healthy overweight and obese women. METHODS: In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial, seventy-seven participants (age 38 ± 8.1 years, BMI 29.8 ± 4.1 kg/m²) were randomly allocated into two groups: vitamin D (25 µg per day as cholecalciferol) and placebo (25 µg per day as lactose) for 12 weeks. Body weight, height, waist, hip, fat mass, 25(OH) D, iPTH, and dietary intakes were measured before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Serum 25(OH)D significantly increased in the vitamin D group compared to the placebo group (38.2 ± 32.7 nmol/L vs. 4.6 ± 14.8 nmol/L; P<0.001) and serum iPTH concentrations were decreased by vitamin D3 supplementation (-0.26 ± 0.57 pmol/L vs. 0.27 ± 0.56 pmol/L; P<0.001). Supplementation with vitamin D3 caused a statistically significant decrease in body fat mass in the vitamin D group compared to the placebo group (-2.7 ± 2.1 kg vs. -0.47 ± 2.1 kg; P<0.001). However, body weight and waist circumference did not change significantly in both groups. A significant reverse correlation between changes in serum 25(OH) D concentrations and body fat mass was observed (r = -0.319, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Among healthy overweight and obese women, increasing 25(OH) D concentrations by vitamin D3 supplementation led to body fat mass reduction.