Risk of human exposure to arsenic and other toxic elements from geophagy: trace element analysis of baked clay using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
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Effects of cyclophosphamide on the kaolin consumption (pica behavior) in five strains of adult male rats.
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It is known that pica, the consumption of non-nutritive substances such as kaolin, can be induced by administration of toxins or emetic agents in rats. In the present study, we examined the effects of intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of cyclophosphamide on pica behavior and on the concentration of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acids (5HIAA) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the following five strains of adult male rats: Sprague Dawley (SD), Wistar, Fischer 344 (F344), Wistar-Imamichi (WI) and Long Evans (LE). Cyclophosphamide (25 mg or 50 mg/kg) was injected (i.p.) into the rats and kaolin and food intake were measured at 24 hr after injection. The animals were anesthetized with urethane (1 g/kg) at 3 hr after injection of cyclophosphamide, and CSF was collected from the cisterna magna. WI and LE rats clearly showed pica behavior as compared with the other strains. In LE rats, the concentration of 5HIAA in CSF also increased in a dose-dependent manner of cyclophosphamide. The pretreatment with ondansetron (5-HT(3) antagonist) restored both changes (kaolin consumption and 5HIAA levels) induced by cyclophosphamide. These results suggest that the LE rat is sensitive to cyclophosphamide, that pica induced by cyclophosphamide mimics many aspects of emesis including the serotonergic response in the central nervous system and that use of the pica model would be a practical method for evaluating the effects of antiemetic drugs in addition to the mechanism of emesis. (+info)
Marked hypereosinophilia in a toddler: a case report.
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BACKGROUND: Human toxocariasis is primarily a soil-transmitted zoonosis, so children with geophagia are at an increased risk of toxocariasis, especially those living in homes with puppies that have not been dewormed. CASE REPORT: A 17-months-old female presented to our department with fever, abdominal distention and marked eosinophilia. Iron deficiency anemia, marked leukocytosis (79,000 cells/mm(3)) accompanied by marked eosinophilia (55,000 cells/mm(3)), and hyper-gammaglobulinemia were noted. On the basis of the strong serological positivity for toxocariasis, marked eosinophilia, and low-density lesions in the liver at computed tomography, a diagnosis of visceral larva migrans syndrome was made. CONCLUSION: Visceral larva migrans is usually suspected in a young child with history of geophagia, pets exposure, hepatomegaly, whose complete blood count reveals leukocytosis and marked eosinophilia. (+info)
Mineral intake independent from gastric irritation or pica by cell-dehydrated rats.
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Suicide attempt by swallowing sponge or pica disorder: a case report.
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INTRODUCTION: There are many ways how children with mental illness have actually tried to hurt themselves. Suicidal thinking or attempts always indicate that professional help is needed (2). Every object which can be potential dangerous should be removed but this is very difficult to do. Some of children with these symptoms had Pica diseases. Pica is a medical disorder characterized by an appetite for substances largely non-nutritive (e.g. metal, coal, soil, feces, paper, soap, gum, etc.) or an abnormal appetite for some things that may be considered foods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patient swallow sponge from a pillow over a long period of time and she came into our hospital with abdominal pain. She was 16 years old and had abdominal distension, vomiting, abdominal cramping and failure to pass gas or stool. Immediately we suspected mechanical blockade of the intestine. Diagnosis was clinically confirmed by X-rays of the abdomen and with ultrasound. RESULTS: The operative treatment was indicated and we found the proximal bowel distended and the distal segment collapsed. The part of bowel necrosis was removed and anastomosis was done. CONCLUSION: When patients are determined to attempt suicide or have Pica disorder it is very difficult to prevent. (+info)
Acute oxycodone induces the pro-emetic pica response in rats.
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