Nematode community structure along elevation gradient in high altitude vegetation cover of Gangotri National Park (Uttarakhand), India.

The study was undertaken to understand the dynamics of soil nematode communities association along elevation gradient and associated variables in high-altitude regions of Western Himalaya. The diversity and distribution pattern of soil nematodes were investigated at four elevation ranges (Elv1, Elv2, Elv3, and Elv4 each of 500 m class) along altitudinal gradient (3000-5000 m). The nematode community comprised 58 genera of which 37 genera showed sensitivity towards altitudinal variation and the community structure also varied among elevation classes. It was found that elevation significantly affect the nematodes trophic group, diversity composition, and the nematode indices. Nematode generic richness and evenness index indicated a relatively low biodiversity of soil nematodes is supported at higher altitudes. Moreover, maturity indices reflected lower sustenance of k-strategic nematodes at higher elevations. Structure index depicted fewer connections in the soil food web at higher elevations. Nematode faunal profile showed low nutrient and low disturbance in the region. Carbon footprint of the whole nematode assemblage declined along the elevation. Overall substantial differences in the nematode composition, abundance, trophic structure, and contribution to belowground carbon cycling were observed with change in elevation. These findings could be utilized as useful tool in the long-term monitoring and to understand the region's soil health.

A Survey of Obstetric Healthcare Utilization in the Rural Western Indian Himalayas.

Objectives To determine the socio-economic factors affecting access to antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum healthcare in the rural Western Indian Himalayas over the past 20 years. Methods Face-to-face surveys were conducted with 197 women in Chamoli District, Uttarakhand from October 2011 to May 2012. Participants who gave birth within the past 20 years were included in the final analysis (n = 158). Stratified odds ratios and analysis of variance were calculated. Results Among women who delivered in the prior 7 years, there was a nine-fold increase (95 % CI 4-20.8) in institutionalized births compared to women who delivered 8-20 years before the study. Among women who delivered 7 years prior to the study, low income increased the risk of home delivery (OR 3.07, 95 % CI 1.15-8.54). Low caste (OR 2.79, 95 % CI 1.04-7.72) and low level of education (OR 3.93 95 % CI 1.41-11.81) decreased the use of antepartum medications (vitamins and vaccines). Remote location among all participants was a risk factor for not seeking care for obstetric morbidities (OR 0.44 95 % CI 0.2-0.95). Conclusions The incidence of institutionalized delivery has increased over the past decade in rural Uttarakhand. Income, caste, education, and remote location correlated with poor access to antepartum and intrapartum healthcare. These correlations have increased in statistical significance over the past 20 years, except for location. This indicates that the Western Himalayas face similar challenges to obstetric service utilization as the north Indian plains and that several of these inequalities in healthcare access have become more pronounced in recent years.

ABO blood groups among malaria cases from district Mandla, Madhya Pradesh.

A total of 2095 patients with fever were tested for malaria and classified according to ABO blood groups. Only 696 cases were malaria positive. While blood group A, B and O were equally susceptible to malaria infection, AB blood group had less number of persons with malaria parasites. A significantly lower frequency of Plasmodium falciparum was observed among individuals with blood groups A and O. In other two blood groups B and AB, no difference in P. vivax and P. falciparum proportions were observed. A two-year study showed that the frequency of repeated attacks between all blood groups was similar.