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Biomedical subjects

J Domenech

Publications and source records attributed to J Domenech.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

[Leptospirosis and environment. Study of 2 major foci in New Caledonia].

A study of human and animal leptospirosis was carried out in new Caledonia's two most important focuses. This survey showed an annual incidence in the human population of 8.8 p. thousand in the Nera basin and 0.88 p. thousand in the Coulée basin. Male adults with agricultural and livestock occupations are the most exposed, especially from March to May, the end of the hot season. Frequent contacts with fresh water and animals, and the failure to use of gloves and boots, significantly increase the risk of contamination. Two factors of severity are important: serotype and age. Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae is responsible for serious and fatal clinical forms and patients over 50 years of age have a maximum vital risk. In order to reduce the incidence and the severity of this disease, it appears desirable to vaccinate the farmers and the cattle breeders against L. icterohaemorrhagiae and to institute mass media information campaigns to warn against the risks of contamination.

Adult↗

[Epidemiological study of leptospirosis in New Caledonia].

This epidemiological survey includes the study of human and animal leptospirosis in New Caledonia from clinical cases as well as a systematic serological study about exposed human and animal populations. The results show that this disease is endemic on the whole territory with a few important focuses in agricultural area, especially on the Western coast. Leptospira icterohemorrhagiae is the main serotype and is responsible for serious human leptospirosis. The male farmers constitute the most exposed population, especially from March to May, end of the host season. In order to reduce the importance of this disease, it is desirable that the farmers are vaccinated and mass media campaigns are necessary to improve the prevention.

Adult↗

HVA and MHPG in urine of premature infants.

Higher levels of homovanillic acid (HVA) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) were observed in urines of 12 premature infants than in older children. An examination of the influence of age, sex, size, and head circumference revealed that the smaller the infants, the higher the HVA and MHPG values. Recently several investigators have reported an increased titer of urinary HVA in autistic children. It has been hypothesized that the increased levels of catecholamine metabolites (notable HVA and MHPG) could reflect accelerated catecholamine turnover. The elevated urinary HVA titers in infants as well as in autistic children may be due to an immaturity of the dopaminergic receptors.

Cephalometry↗

[Measurement of homovanillic acid in urine of newborns and in older children].

In this study, the urinary H.V.A. of new borns and of older children was measured. The urinary H.V.A. titer of the new borns was found to be significantly greater than in older children. Moreover the increase is more pronounced when those infants are born prematurely. Former studies have shown that the metabolism of central nervous system catecholamine reflected by the urinary titers of H.V.A. is as accurate as titers measured in the CSF. Recently several authors have found increased titers of urinary H.V.A. in autistic children. It is therefore possible that the elevated urinary H.V.A. titers in the new born are due to an immaturity of the dopaminergic structures. Blocking these structures provokes an accelerated catecholamine turnover, thereby increasing the levels of catecholamines metabolites (most notably H.V.A.).

Adolescent↗