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PloS One 2012Pica, the craving and purposive consumption of non-food substances, is of public health concern for its potential deleterious and salubrious health consequences....
Pica, the craving and purposive consumption of non-food substances, is of public health concern for its potential deleterious and salubrious health consequences. However, neither its prevalence nor demographic correlates have been well characterized. Therefore, we conducted the first population-based study of pica and amylophagy in Madagascar. From February to December 2009, we surveyed pica and amylophagy behaviors in a random sample of 760 individuals >5 years in 167 households among two ethnic groups in 16 villages in the Makira Protected Area of Madagascar. Of the 760 individuals interviewed, 62.5% were children (5-11 years), 5.4% were adolescents (12-16 years), and 35.1% were adults (≥ 17 years). Thirteen non-food items were reported being consumed. Across the entire population in the prior year, the prevalence of geophagy was 53.4%, of amylophagy, 85.2%, and of other pica substances (e.g. charcoal, chalk) was 19.0%. The prevalence of these behaviors was not higher during pregnancy. These findings differ from previous studies in terms of the higher overall prevalence of these behaviors, the high prevalence among men, and the absence of any peak in behaviors during pregnancy. However, there are two categories of substances that elevate our estimates but fall outside the strict definition of pica as a craving: 1) substances consumed for self-medication and 2) substances viewed as food, such as all amylophagic substances in this case. Our results suggest that population-based studies of pica should include males of all ages. Further, the prevalence of the behavior underscores the importance of understanding the etiology and health consequences of these ingestive behaviors (Abstract S1).
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; Feeding Behavior; Female; Humans; Madagascar; Male; Motivation; Pica; Pregnancy; Prevalence; Soil; Starch
PubMed: 23082143
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047129 -
Journal of Oleo Science 2013Pica behavior, a behavior that is characterized by eating a nonfood material such as kaolin and relates to the degree of discomfort in animals, and the variations of...
Pica behavior, a behavior that is characterized by eating a nonfood material such as kaolin and relates to the degree of discomfort in animals, and the variations of locomotor activity of rats after eating deteriorated fat and oil extracted from instant noodles were examined in our previous study. The result shows that oxidized fat and oil with at least 100 meq/kg in peroxide value (PV) increase pica behavior and decrease locomotor activity. In the present study, the same two behaviors were measured using autoxidized trilinoleate (tri-LA) and tridocosahexaenoate (tri-DHA) as a model of vegetable and fish oil, respectively, to compare fatty acid differences against the induction of two behaviors. The oxidized levels of tri-LA and tri-DHA were analyzed with PV and p-anisidine value (AnV), the method to analyze secondary oxidized products. The oxidation levels of respective triacylglycerol (TAG) samples were carefully adjusted to make them having almost the same PV and AnV. As the results, 600 or more meq/kg in PV of both TAGs significantly increased the consumption of kaolin pellets compared to the control group. Furthermore, 300 or more meq/kg in PV of tri-LA and 200 or more meq/kg in PV of tri-DHA demonstrated significant decrease in locomotor activity compared to control group. These results would indicate that the oxidized TAG having the same PV and/or AnV would induce the same type of pica behavior and locomotor activity. Furthermore, that the structure of oxidized products might not be important and the amount of hydroperoxide group and/or aldehyde group in deteriorated fats and oils might affect the pica behavior and locomotor activity were thought.
Topics: Aniline Compounds; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Feeding Behavior; Kaolin; Lipid Peroxides; Male; Motor Activity; Oxidation-Reduction; Pica; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Triglycerides
PubMed: 23535307
DOI: 10.5650/jos.62.207 -
Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine May 2002
Topics: Aluminum Silicates; Clay; Humans; Pica; Zinc
PubMed: 11983784
DOI: 10.1177/014107680209500533 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2022Geophagy is the habit of consuming clay soil such as chalk or kaolin. Though it is globally practiced, the safety of those involved is yet to be fully established. It is... (Review)
Review
Geophagy is the habit of consuming clay soil such as chalk or kaolin. Though it is globally practiced, the safety of those involved is yet to be fully established. It is thought to be highly prevalent in pregnant women because of its antinausea or therapeutic effects. This practice is also thought to be provoked by some nutritional needs, but in modern society its etiology is obscure. The mineralogical and chemical compositions of clay may vary from one region to another and even in all form of rocks clay constitutes. Published articles in geophagy indicate lack of adequate investigations into the toxicity of geophagy, though it is globally practiced and more prevalent in Africa (as a continent) or in Africans migrants. Some studies have helped to identify some minerals that are toxic to human if ingested. In most cases, the potential toxicity emphasized by these studies is based on the detection of the presence of these nuisance elements in the geophagic materials. Scientifically, a lot has been done in the light of detection of toxic matter, but more investigations on metabolic studies are still necessary. The variability of clay content with respect to source motivated this review on geophagy and its potential toxicity to human. This review is aimed at bringing out findings that would enable a better understanding of the toxicity potential of geophagy across context and taxa.
Topics: Clay; Eating; Female; Humans; Minerals; Pica; Pregnancy; Soil
PubMed: 35958861
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.893831 -
The International Journal of Eating... Feb 2024The present study examined prevalence and correlates of pica behaviors during childhood using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC)...
OBJECTIVE
The present study examined prevalence and correlates of pica behaviors during childhood using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) study.
METHOD
Data on 10,109 caregivers from the ALSPAC study who reported pica behavior at 36, 54, 65, 77, and 115 months on their child were included. Autism was obtained through clinical and education records, while DD was derived from the Denver Developmental Screening Test.
RESULTS
A total of 312 parents (3.08%) reported pica behaviors in their child. Of these, 19.55% reported pica at least at two waves (n = 61). Pica was most common at 36 months (N = 226; 2.29%) and decreased as children aged. A significant association was found between pica and autism at all five waves (p < .001). There was a significant relationship between pica and DD, with individuals with DD more likely to experience pica than those without DD at 36 (p = .01), and 54 (p < .001), 65 (p = .04), 77 (p < .001), and 115 months (p = .006). Exploratory analyses examined pica behaviors with broader eating difficulties and child body mass index.
DISCUSSION
This study enhances understanding of childhood pica behaviors, addressing a significant gap in knowledge. Pica occurrence in the general population is poorly understood due to few epidemiological studies. Findings from the present study indicate pica is an uncommon behavior in childhood; however, children with DD or autism may benefit from pica screening and diagnosis between ages 36 and 115 months. Children who exhibit undereating, overeating, and food fussiness may also engage in pica behaviors.
Topics: Child; Humans; Child, Preschool; Pica; Prevalence; Longitudinal Studies; Birth Cohort; Child Behavior
PubMed: 38097525
DOI: 10.1002/eat.24111 -
Journal of Pharmacological Sciences Oct 2022Donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, is associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and anorexia, which may affect adherence to...
Donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, is associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and anorexia, which may affect adherence to continuous therapy. Since Rikkunshi-To, a Japanese herbal medicine, activates the ghrelin signaling pathway and promotes gastrointestinal function, it is administered to prevent gastrointestinal symptoms. We herein investigated whether donepezil-induced gastrointestinal side effects in mice are ameliorated by Rikkunshi-To and if its therapeutic efficacy is mediated by ghrelin. Since pica behavior, the ingestion of kaolin, correlates with nausea and vomiting in humans, donepezil was intraperitoneally administered with or without Rikkunshi-To daily to mice, and food and kaolin intakes were monitored. The effects of donepezil on intestinal motility and a ghrelin receptor antagonist on donepezil-induced pica behavior, anorexia, and changes in intestinal motility were examined in mice treated with Rikkunshi-To. Pica behavior and anorexia were significantly induced by donepezil and significantly inhibited by Rikkunshi-To. Intestinal motility was significantly suppressed by donepezil and promoted by Rikkunshi-To. Furthermore, the therapeutic effects of Rikkunshi-To were antagonized by the ghrelin receptor antagonist. The present results support the therapeutic efficacy of Rikkunshi-To against donepezil-induced gastrointestinal side effects.
Topics: Acetylcholinesterase; Animals; Anorexia; Donepezil; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Ghrelin; Humans; Kaolin; Medicine, Kampo; Mice; Nausea; Pica; Receptors, Ghrelin; Vomiting
PubMed: 36055750
DOI: 10.1016/j.jphs.2022.08.001 -
Acta Neurochirurgica Jul 2022The vidian canal (VC) is normally a reliable anatomical landmark for locating the petrous internal carotid artery (pICA). This study determined the influence of...
Localisation of the petrous internal carotid artery relative to the vidian canal on computed tomography: a case-control study evaluating the impact of petroclival chondrosarcoma.
BACKGROUND
The vidian canal (VC) is normally a reliable anatomical landmark for locating the petrous internal carotid artery (pICA). This study determined the influence of petroclival chondrosarcoma on the relationship between the VC and pICA.
METHODS
Nine patients (3 males, 6 females; median age 49) with petroclival chondrosarcoma, and depiction of the pICA on contrast-enhanced CT, were retrospectively studied. CT-based measurements were performed by two observers, both in the presence of the petroclival chondrosarcoma (case) and on the contralateral control side. The antero-posterior (AP) and craniocaudal (CC) measurements from the posterior VC to the pICA, whether the pICA was in the trajectory of the VC, and the coronal relationship of the pICA anterior genu with the VC were recorded.
RESULTS
Chondrosarcoma usually displaced the pICA anteriorly (8/9 cases) and superiorly (6/9 cases) relative to the normal side with mean AP and CC measurements of 3.9 mm v 7.2 mm (p = 0.054) and 4.4 mm v 1.4 mm (p = 0.061). The VC trajectory less frequently intersected the pICA cross-section in the presence of chondrosarcoma however it was in the line of the eroded dorsal VC in one case. The anterior genu of the pICA was displaced more laterally by chondrosarcoma but usually remained superior to the VC.
CONCLUSION
Petroclival chondrosarcoma variably influences the anatomical relationship between the VC and the pICA, hence requiring an individualised approach. The pICA is usually anterosuperiorly displaced, and the anterior genu remains superior to the VC, however it may be located in the line of the canal.
Topics: Carotid Artery, Internal; Case-Control Studies; Chondrosarcoma; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Petrous Bone; Pica; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 35612666
DOI: 10.1007/s00701-022-05254-2 -
Stroke and Vascular Neurology Aug 2022Surgical treatment of posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms is challenging because many are nonsaccular and atherosclerotic. We report our tailored...
BACKGROUND
Surgical treatment of posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms is challenging because many are nonsaccular and atherosclerotic. We report our tailored approach to PICA aneurysms, which is based on angioarchitecture supplemented by high-resolution vessel wall MRI (HR-VW MRI) findings.
METHODS
From March 2010 to September 2020, 27 patients with 29 PICA aneurysms underwent surgical treatment in our institution. Since October 2016, HR-VW MRI has been used for aneurysmal wall assessment. Clinical characteristics, radiological data and surgical outcomes were analysed.
RESULTS
Nineteen proximal PICA aneurysms (vertebral artery (VA), P1, P2 and P3) were treated using the far-lateral approach. Ten distal PICA aneurysms (P4, P5) were treated using the suboccipital midline approach. Direct clipping or clip reconstruction was achieved in 19 aneurysms. Ten were trapped in conjunction with extracranial-intracranial or intracranial-intracranial bypass, including three occipital artery-PICA reimplantations, three PICA-VA reimplantations, two PICA-PICA side-to-side anastomoses, one PICA-PICA reimplantation and one PICA-PICA reanastomosis. All aneurysms were eventually completely obliterated and all bypasses remained patent. At the last follow-up, 26 patients (96.2%) achieved a good outcome (modified Rankin Scale score <3). Eight patients underwent HR-VW MRI. Among these, the six aneurysms with focal wall enhancement required bypass and the two with negative enhancement were successfully clipped.
CONCLUSION
PICA aneurysms have a higher frequency of complex features such as large or giant size and fusiform or dissecting morphology. Favourable outcomes were achieved with individualised microsurgical strategies based on angioarchitecture. HR-VW MRI may be used as a promising technique to predict aneurysmal atherosclerosis.
Topics: Cerebellum; Cerebral Revascularization; Humans; Intracranial Aneurysm; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Vertebral Artery
PubMed: 35387894
DOI: 10.1136/svn-2021-001115 -
Transfusion Aug 2013The association of blood donation-related iron deficiency with pica or restless legs syndrome (RLS) remains poorly elucidated. This study evaluated the prevalence of RLS...
BACKGROUND
The association of blood donation-related iron deficiency with pica or restless legs syndrome (RLS) remains poorly elucidated. This study evaluated the prevalence of RLS and pica in blood donors completing the REDS-II Iron Status Evaluation (RISE) study.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
RISE enrolled 2425 blood donors in a prospective cohort study; 1334 donors provided blood samples to characterize iron status and answered a questionnaire inquiring into symptoms of RLS and pica at a final visit after 15 to 24 months of follow-up. Associations between both conditions and iron status were evaluated.
RESULTS
There were 9 and 20% of donors reporting symptoms of probable or probable/possible RLS, respectively. Iron depletion and donation intensity were not predictive of RLS. Pica was reported by 65 donors (5.5%), half of whom reported daily cravings. Prevalence of pica increased with degree of iron depletion in women (2% in iron-replete females, 13% in those with ferritin < 12 ng/mL), but not in men. Probable RLS and pica coexpressed in eight individuals, but no more frequently than expected by chance.
CONCLUSION
RLS and pica have been associated with iron deficiency in nondonor populations. This study indicates a potentially high prevalence of RLS in frequent blood donors but shows no association with iron status or donation intensity. Low iron stores were associated with higher prevalence of pica, but only in females. Furthermore, the results are incompatible with RLS and pica sharing a common pathophysiology.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Blood Donors; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Pica; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Restless Legs Syndrome; Risk Factors; Self Report
PubMed: 23763445
DOI: 10.1111/trf.12260 -
Journal of Pharmacological Sciences May 2016We examined the effects of volatile anesthetics on pica, which can be used to assess nausea and vomiting in rats. We found that inhalation anesthesia with sevoflurane...
We examined the effects of volatile anesthetics on pica, which can be used to assess nausea and vomiting in rats. We found that inhalation anesthesia with sevoflurane significantly induced pica in female but not male rats. Among the female rats, young rats (8 weeks old) were more susceptible to its induction than adult rats (20 weeks old) with ovariectomy or sham-surgery. Anti-emetic drugs that are used to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) inhibited the pica. These results suggest that sevoflurane-induced pica in young female rats has the potential to be an animal model of PONV in humans.
Topics: Anesthetics, Inhalation; Animals; Antiemetics; Eating; Female; Kaolin; Male; Methyl Ethers; Pica; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting; Rats, Wistar; Sevoflurane
PubMed: 27156008
DOI: 10.1016/j.jphs.2016.03.015