No abstract

BackgroundThe idiopathic variety of chronic pancreatitis (CP) in India particularly in Kerala state was earlier called ‘tropical pancreatitis’ with peculiar features: early age of onset, severe malnutrition, diabetes and poor prognosis. A change in disease phenotype and behaviour has been observed recently.ObjectiveTo review the changing profile of CP in India and examine its relationship with environmental influences and socio-economic development.MethodsRelevant studies on CP in India were reviewed along with social and economic parameters in Kerala over the past 4 decades.ResultsThere has been a definite change in the phenotype of CP in India with onset in mid twenties, better nutritional status, and a much better prognosis compared with the reports in 1970s. Genetic susceptibility due to genetic mutations particularly in SPINK1, CFTR, CTRC, and CLDN2/MORC4 genes is the most important factor and not malnutrition or dietary toxins for idiopathic CP suggesting the term ‘tropical pancreatitis’ is a misnomer. We observed a close relationship between socio-economic development and rising income in Kerala with late onset of disease, nutritional status, and better prognosis of CP.ConclusionChanging profile of CP in India and better understanding of risk factors provide evidence for gene–environmental interactions in its pathobiology.

Howard Watson describes how at London Bridge, Keith Williams Architects has produced a permanent home for the Unicorn Theatre for Children with ‘a grown‐up building for kids’. Devoid of primary colours or Disneyesque spectacle, its elegant, intelligent design is tailored to the practical requirements of its audience, but subtly inspires ‘with innovative, surprising touches’. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The internal bremsstrahlung (IB) spectrum of ~43pr is measured in the energy region from-40 to 830 keV by using a multichannel NaI(TI) scintillation spectrometer and a standard geometrical set up and corrections are applied for various factors. The measured intensity of IB in the investigated energy region is compared with the corresponding theoretical values of Ford and Martin (direct and detour). The present experimental values of IB are coinciding with the direct theory from 40 to 130 keV while from 130 to 500 keV, they are agreeing fairly well with the detour theory. Above 500 keV, the results are deviating positively even from the detour theory.

An x-ray fluorescence technique involving a 30 mCi ='Pu as a source of primary radiation and a two-channel thin NaI(T1) crystal spectrometer was developed for the analysis of coal ash samples. The geometry of the source-target-detector assembly is described. The ash content is estimated using an x-ray backscattering method which includes compensation for iron x-ray fluorescence. About 120 Indian coal samples were analysed and the results show that the ash content varies from 10 to 40%.