Few independent psychosocial risk factors have been demonstrated to exist. Randomized clinical trials aimed at modifying these factors have shown little impact on patient prognosis. Qualitative research might be valuable to explore further the field of LBP and to define new management strategies.

Study design: Case series of a consecutive sample. Retrospective audit. Objective: To analyze the long-term safety and efficacy of intrathecal baclofen (ITB), and technical incidents. Setting: Neurosurgical and Physical Medicine Departments of two university hospitals in western France. Methods: The medical records of 40 patients who underwent ITB pump placement for the treatment of severe chronic spasticity were reviewed. Patients were eligible independently of the origin of the spasticity (spinal cord origin 33, brain damage 8). They underwent a final assessment with clinical examination and questionnaire in 2001. Ashworth scale scores were assessed, patient satisfaction was rated on a visual analog scale (VAS), functional independence before and after treatment was classified as bed-ridden, wheelchair dependant or ambulant, and the frequency and nature of complications were noted. Results: The average follow-up period was of 4 years. The average Ashworth score at the final assessment was 1.870.6. Average patients satisfaction was 7.4/1072.21 on VAS. In all, 85% would have undergone the procedure again if they had to make the decision. In 85% of the cases the ambulation status was unchanged. Technical incidents occured at least once in 37% of the patients (due to the catheter in 58% and to the pump in 42%). They included catheter disconnections (4), migration (4), kinks (3), obstruction (3), development of fibrosis (3), disconnection of pump reservoir (2), porosity of pump membrane (2), unexplained pump dysfunction (4) leakage, and subcutaneous collection (5). Severe pharmacological side effects requiring transfer to intensive care unit occured in 12% of cases, 80% of which were directly related to pump refill procedures. Conclusion: ITB remained effective in the long term and patients were satisfied. Nevertheless, complications were frequent, involving mainly the catheters, which would require further technical improvements.

In this paper, we address the question of the early careers of French PhD graduates in science and engineering sciences in 1996. Post-doctoral training was initially developed for PhD graduates wishing to embark on a career in the public sector. However, a large proportion of post-doctorate graduates turn to the private sector, and in particular to occupations that do not involve research. The question we raise is that of the wage premium on post-doctoral training. To control for selection bias arising in the case where unobservable elements are correlated between participation and wages, we first estimate a treatment effect model. The main finding is that when selection bias is not controlled for, post-doctoral participation increases earnings; however, when selection bias is controlled for, the participation in a post-doctoral programme has no positive effect. With regards to this finding we show that post-doctoral programmes play much more the role of a signal in the first stage of a career. This finding is also reinforced when we use a bivariate selection rule to control for the endogenous nature of having been recruited in the private sector. Copyright 2007 The Author; Journal compilation 2007 CEIS, Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini and Blackwell Publishing Ltd..

Genomic studies conducted on ancient individuals across Europe have revealed how migrations have contributed to its present genetic landscape, but the territory of present-day France has yet to be connected to the broader European picture. We generated a large dataset comprising the complete mitochondrial genomes, Y-chromosome markers, and genotypes of a number of nuclear loci of interest of 243 individuals sampled across present-day France over a period spanning 7,000 y, complemented with a partially overlapping dataset of 58 low-coverage genomes. This panel provides a high-resolution transect of the dynamics of maternal and paternal lineages in France as well as of autosomal genotypes. Parental lineages and genomic data both revealed demographic patterns in France for the Neolithic and Bronze Age transitions consistent with neighboring regions, first with a migration wave of Anatolian farmers followed by varying degrees of admixture with autochthonous hunter-gatherers, and then substantial gene flow from individuals deriving part of their ancestry from the Pontic steppe at the onset of the Bronze Age. Our data have also highlighted the persistence of Magdalenian-associated ancestry in hunter-gatherer populations outside of Spain and thus provide arguments for an expansion of these populations at the end of the Paleolithic Period more northerly than what has been described so far. Finally, no major demographic changes were detected during the transition between the Bronze and Iron Ages.

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of a functional restoration program on important outcome measures, such as sick leave, in a country that has a social system that protects people facing difficulties at work.

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Both programs are efficient in reducing disability and sick-leave days. The FRP is significantly more effective in reducing sick-leave days. Further analysis is required to determine if this overweighs the difference in costs of both programs.

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