Gross Description and Osteometrics of the Axial Skeleton (Ribs and Vertebrae) of Eidolon Helvum (African Fruit Bat).

The Eidolon helvum is a straw coloured fruit bat, also known as the African fruit bat. This study details theanatomical peculiarities, gross description and morphometrics of the ribs. Fifteen adult bats were used for this study. Thevertebral formula was C7T13-14L3-4S7Cd3-4. Spinous process was rudimentary on thoracic vertebrae 1 to 7. The numbers ofthe ribs ranged from 13 to 14, with the longest being rib 7, and the shortest being rib 14. Twenty percent of the males and50% of the females had 14 ribs; the male and one female had the 14th rib being unilateral (present on the right side of maleand left side of female). The first rib did not articulate directly with the sternum, but through a connecting triangular-shapedbone. The thoracic inlet and outlet were larger in males, relative to the females (inlet height - males 21.82 ± 2.68 mm,females 20.44 ± 4.91 mm; outlet height - males 36.46 ± 3.76 mm, females 33.23 ± 4.33 mm). The sternum was segmented,five in number and had a ventral elongation like the avian keel. Data obtained may find application in comparative andapplied anatomy, and forensic medicine.

Giardiasis Outbreak Associated with Asymptomatic Food Handlers in New York State, 2015.

Giardia duodenalis is a protozoan that causes a gastrointestinal illness called giardiasis. Giardiasis outbreaks in the United States are most commonly associated with waterborne transmission and are less commonly associated with food, person-to-person, and zoonotic transmission. During June to September 2015, an outbreak of 20 giardiasis cases occurred and were epidemiologically linked to a local grocery store chain on Long Island, New York. Further investigation revealed three asymptomatic food handlers were infected with G. duodenalis, and one food handler and one case were coinfected with Cryptosporidium spp. Although G. duodenalis was not detected in food samples, Cryptosporidium was identified in samples of spinach dip and potato salad. The G. duodenalis assemblage and subtype from one of the food handlers matched two outbreak cases for which genotyping could be performed. This outbreak highlights the potential role of asymptomatically infected food handlers in giardiasis outbreaks.

Immigration, income, drinking and obesity in African American adults.

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between immigration status, income, drinking and overweight and obesity in African American adults residing in the United States using an internet web based survey. Data on 303 adult African American immigrants and non-immigrants was collected using a self-administered web based survey. Respondents were recruited using a snowball sampling technique to obtain a convenience sample. Multiple logistic regression analysis were used to test the independent effects of the immigration status while controlling for confounding effects of demographic, social and behavioral variables. The results of the study showed no significant difference between obesity and immigration status in black adults residing in the US (adjusted odds ration = 1.1095, P = 0.7489). Significance at the P < 0.05 level was demonstrated for obesity and two independent variables: age (OR = 1.0332, P = 0.0298) and days per month consumed more than 5 alcoholic beverages (OR = 1.7735, P = 0.0001). Adult African American immigrants in this study sample were not at risk of being obese due to their immigration status. However, age and days in a month in which more than 5 alcoholic beverages are consumed were significant risk factors for obesity. Primary care providers should be alert for obesity and alcohol consumption in this population.

Immigration, drinking, and frequent mental distress: an internet survey.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the importance of immigration as a risk factor for self-reported frequent mental distress (FMD) among black respondents to an Internet survey. METHOD: Snowball sampling was used to obtain Internet survey responses from immigrant and non-immigrant black adults in the United States. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to control for the effects of personal characteristics (N = 301). RESULTS: In this sample of black adults, 13.3% had FMD. Being an immigrant was not associated with FMD in this sample (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.75, P = .53). However, more drinking days was an independent risk factor (OR = 1.07, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Being an immigrant was not an independent risk factor for FMD in this sample of black adults. However, drinking more days per month was a significant risk factor. Primary care providers should be alert for FMD and alcohol consumption in this population. Directing health education about hazardous drinking toward high-risk individuals should be considered.