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Ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN)-initiated graft copolymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) onto sodium salt of partially carboxymethylated tamarind kernel powder (Na-PCMTKP, DS = 0.15) was studied in an aqueous medium by solution polymerization technique. The growth of the graft reaction was monitored gravimetrically. The role of various synthesis variables on the grafting yields was examined to achieve the maximum graft yields (%G = 278.27, %GE = 94.38, %Hp = 5.62) and the influence of the synthesis variables in the graft copolymerization has been discussed. The reactivity of methyl acrylate (MA) towards graft copolymerization was compared with that of acrylonitrile (AN) on the basis of the results obtained from the earlier studies and plausible explanation was furnished for the observed reactivity of both the monomers towards grafting. The evaluated optimized reaction conditions were utilized to study the effect of reaction medium on grafting and it was found that reaction medium plays an important role in graft copolymerization. In order to ascertain the grafting, characterization of the samples made by FTIR, TGA and SEM was conducted. The synthesized novel graft copolymer may find potential application to be used as metal adsorbents.

Background: Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most versatile emerging crops having wider adaptability under varied agro-climatic conditions. Nitrogen though an expensive input is very important as it is intimately involved in the process of photosynthesis and directly reflected in the total dry matter production. Phosphorus is involved in a wide range of plant processes from permitting cell division to the development of a good root system and for ensuring timely and uniform ripening of the crop. Potassium plays a vital role as macronutrient in plant growth and sustainable crop production. The current study aimed to study the effect of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on yield, quality, nutrient content and uptake on hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) under south Gujarat condition. Methods: A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of the year 2019-20 to study the effect of different levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on yield, quality, nutrient content and uptake by hybrid maize (Zea mays L.). In this experiment twelve treatment combinations consisting of three levels of nitrogen fertilizer, two levels of phosphorus fertilizer and two levels of potassium fertilizer were tried in factorial randomized block design with three replications. The protein content and nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium content and their uptake by seed and stover and available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium status in the soil after harvest of the crop were determined by different methods. Result: The result showed that quality parameter viz., crude protein content, crude protein yield, nutrient content and uptake by grain and straw of hybrid maize were increased with the increased in nitrogen (180 kg N ha-1), phosphorus (60 kg P2O5 ha-1) and potassium (30 kg K2O ha-1) level.

Objective: To report the clinical and pathologic features of an elderly patient with a unilateral orbital swelling and proptosis caused by Juvenile Xanthogranuloma diagnosed and confirmed by orbital biopsy.Design: Interventional case report.Participants: One patient.Intervention: Steroids (Medrol dose pack) and radiation.Main Outcome Measures: Unusual clinical presentation and pathological features of Juvenile Xanthogranuloma in the orbit.Conclusions: Juvenile Xanthogranuloma affecting one orbit is very rare with unilateral involvement in an elderly patient. Steroids and radiation therapy were very effective in treatment and provided impressive results.

Aims Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a rare, locally aggressive and potentially recurrent synovial disease. We present the largest single-centre experience of knee PVNS. Our aim was to evaluate our tertiary hospital's experience in the management of knee PVNS. Patients and methods Retrospective data collection of consecutive cases of knee PVNS from 2002 to 2015. Results In total, 214 cases of knee PVNS were identified which represented 53.4% of all PVNS (12.1% were recurrent at presentation). 100 were localised PVNS (LPVNS), 114 diffuse PVNS (DPVNS) and two malignant PVNS. Knee PVNS was more likely to occur in females with a mean age of 39. Following surgery, 47.6% had recurrence with DPVNS as opposed to 8.6% with LPVNS. In LPVNS, there was no significant difference in recurrence between open and arthroscopic synovectomy (8.7% vs 9.1%, P >0.05). However, in DPVNS, there was a significantly higher risk of recurrence with arthroscopic compared to open synovectomy (83.3% vs 44.8%, RR =1.86 95% CI 1.32–2.62, P =0.0004). Conclusion PVNS can be difficult to treat. We found no difference in local recurrence rates between open and arthroscopic treatment of LPVNS but significantly increased rates of recurrence for DPVNS following arthroscopic treatment. We would therefore recommend open synovectomy for DPVNS.