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Heavy metals, a major source of pollution in the environment, pose a substantial threat due to their non‐biodegradability and ability to accumulate in living organisms, causing health problems. Recently, researchers have been searching for cost‐effective and safe ways to remove heavy metals from polluted waterways using agricultural waste substitutes. The present study focused on the low‐cost treatments for the reduction of chromium Cr+6 metal from the effluent, wherein it has been found that chemically and bacterially treated agro‐waste had increased heavy metal ion adsorption capabilities. A sequential optimization of the process parameters was attempted using Plackett–Burman design (PBD) and central composite design of response surface methodology (CCD‐RSM) for the maximum reduction of the chromium metal from the effluent. A total of eight parameters were screened out using a 12‐run PBD experiment. Out of the eight parameters, time, HCl, NaOH, and bacterial treatments were found to be significantly affecting the maximum reduction of Cr+6 from the effluent. To investigate the interactions' effects of the chosen parameters, they were evaluated using CCD‐RSM. Maximum 74% Cr+6 reduction was achieved under the optimum treatment to rice husk of HCl 4.52 N, NaOH 3.53 N, bacterial suspension 7.41%, and with an interaction time 14.32 min using 30 run CCD‐RSM experiment. A scanning electron microscope was used to confirm the effects of selected variables on the agro‐waste for the Cr+6 reductions, as well as a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is an uncommon pathological condition, which leads to weakening and fracture of the affected part of the bone. Radio logically, ABC is an eccentric, metaphyseal, expansile, lytic and non-neoplastic lesion of the bone, giving blown-out/ballooned/soap-bubble appearance. Though benign, malignant transformation is reported. It accounts for 1-6% of all primary bone tumours with incidence rate of 0.14% annually. Usually occurs during second decade of life and most common sites for the lesions are the tibia, femur, vertebra, pelvis, humerus and fibula. The various treatment modalities include selective arterial embolisation, en-bloc/wide marginal resection and curettage with phenol, liquid nitrogen, etc., use of sclerosing agents and use of autogenic/allogenic bone graft or polymethylmethacrylate, with or without osteosynthesis. There exists controversy regarding optimum treatment of ABC as recurrence rate ranges from 5-40% depending upon the treatment method used. Use of non-vascularised fibular strut graft yields good results as per many studies especially in large lesions. Hereby, we present four cases of ABC, treated by extended curettage or En bloc excision of lesions and reconstruction using fibular strut graft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]