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Two new diplogastrid species, Diplogastrellus sikorai sp. n. and Fictor composticola sp. n., are described and illustrated. Another species, D. gracilis, is reported for the first time from India and is redescribed with an emended diagnosis and SEM details. Diplogastrellus sikorai sp. n. is characterised by relatively small-sized body (female: L = 0.49-0.65 mm, a = 24-30, b = 4.9-6.3, c = 2.4-2.8), with a prominent, upright, dagger-like dorsal tooth and well developed subventral ridge; pore-like vulva, large post-uterine sac; ventrally arcuate spicules with rounded capitula and rosethorn-shaped gubernaculum with proximal spur and lateral sleeves around the spicules. Fictor composticola sp. n. is characterised by medium-sized body, eight cheilostomal plates with 18-22 cheilostomal filaments; gymnostom and stegostom with serrated anterior margins; dorsal and right subventral stegostomal walls each bearing a more or less equal tooth; left subventral stegostomal wall with two adjacent serrated plates; males with weakly cephalated, slender, ventrally arcuate spicules; wedge-shaped gubernaculum with tapering proximal end and lateral sleeves surrounding the distal ends of the spicules; and nine pairs of caudal papillae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three species of the genus Teratorhabditis (Osche, ) Dougherty, collected from sewage and manure samples of North India are described. The species T. andrassyi Tahseen & Jairajpuri () synonymised by Sudhaus () has been reinstated and is characterized by oviparous females having bluntly rounded lips with labial sensilla not raised beyond labial contour; lip margins and axils heavily cuticularised; three lines in lateral field; considerably wide and tubular stoma having swollen metastegostomal walls with prismatic inner lining bearing five teeth on each plate; basal bulb with usually single haustrulum; tail conoid with a terminal spike; eggs with ridged shells and males with 40–45% distally-fused spicules and a smooth, non-indented bursa having slender papillae in 2/4 + p + 3 configuration. Other populations identified as T. synpapillata and T. palmarum Gerber and Giblin-Davis () are reported for the first time from India. An identification key to species is provided. Relationships within the genus are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the diversity and abundance of nematodes in the sewage of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. It reveals a great deal of generic diversity within the nematode community. In this study, a total of 39 nematode species were identified, representing bacterivores, predators, omnivores, herbivores and fungivores.

Family is the smallest unit of people to share most of the lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors. They are likely to have similarity in many physiological and behavioural aspects. Therefore, we designed a protocol to test the effect of large rural Indian families living together (Kumbas), on blood pressure variability. We also investigated the hypothesis that 'nocturnal dipping' in systolic blood pressure (SBP) is not heritable. Members of two families (1 and 2) consisting of 3-4 generations willingly participated in the study. Both families (natives of Chhattisgarh) belong to reasonably peaceful rural area and are financially stable. Farming is the main occupation of the members of both families. Few members of the families had jobs or small business. The null hypothesis regarding heritability of nocturnal dipping trait was accepted based on data emanating from either of the studied families. Hourly-averaged values depicted less variation in males and females of family 1 from midnight to early morning at around 06:00, as compared to that in males and females of family 2. The 24 h averages of BP in family 2 were significantly higher as compared to that in family 1. Further, in family 2 the peaks of SBP, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) occurred significantly earlier as compared to that in family 1. The peak spread of SBP, DBP, heart rate (HR), MAP and pulse pressure (PP) among the members of family 1 was narrower than that for the members of family 2. Arbitrary cut-off values for classification of dipping, small sample size, and age dependency of nocturnal dipping might have marred outcome of the pedigree analysis of nocturnal dipping trait in this study. We have a hunch that the family shares typical temporal ups and downs in 24 h BP and HR. The above hypothesis needs confirmation based on studies with large data set involving subjective and objective assessment of the effects of psychosocial factors on BP and HR variability.