La dernière laisse de la « Chanson de la Croisade albigeoise » de Guilhem de Tudela

Un article récent d’Alessandro Bampa, paru dans « Romania »(2017), revient sur le problème de la transition entre les deux parties de la Chanson de la Croisade albigeoise, celle de Guilhem de Tudela et celle dont l’auteur est resté anonyme, mais que j’ai proposé d’identifier avec le troubadour Guilhem Anelier de Tolosa (Zambon 2016). Selon Paul Meyer, suivi par Eugène Martin-Chabot, la dernière laisse de Guilhem de Tudela serait la 131 (Meyer 1875-1879, XXXIX) et (Martin-Chabot 1931-1961, VI,..

Seat belt use among rear passengers: validity of self-reported versus observational measures

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The effects of seat belt laws and public education campaigns on seat belt use are assessed on the basis of observational or self-reported data on seat belt use.</p> <p>Previous studies focusing on front seat occupants have shown that self-reports indicate a greater seat belt usage than observational findings.</p> <p>Whether this over-reporting in self reports applies to rear seat belt usage, and to what extent, have yet to be investigated.</p> <p>We aimed to evaluate the over-reporting factor for rear seat passengers and whether this varies by gender and under different compulsory seat belt use conditions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was conducted in the Veneto Region, an area in the North-East of Italy with a population of 4.7 million.</p> <p>The prevalence of seat belt use among rear seat passengers was determined by means of a cross-sectional self-report survey and an observational study.</p> <p>Both investigations were performed in two time periods: in 2003, when rear seat belt use was not enforced by primary legislation, and in 2005, after rear seat belt use had become compulsory (June 2003).</p> <p>Overall, 8138 observations and 7902 interviews were recorded.</p> <p>Gender differences in the prevalence of rear seat belt use were examined using the chi-square test. The over-reporting factor, defined as the ratio of the self-reported to the observed prevalence of rear seat belt use, was calculated by gender before and after the rear seat belt legislation came into effect.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among rear seat passengers, self-reported rates were always higher than the observational findings, with an overall over-reporting factor of 1.4.</p> <p>We registered no statistically significant changes over time in the over-reporting factor, nor any major differences between genders.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Self-reported seat belt usage by rear passengers represents an efficient alternative to observational studies for tracking changes in actual behavior, although the reported figures need to be adjusted using an appropriate over-reporting factor in order to gain an idea of genuine seat belt use.</p

Simulated performance of a xenohybrid bone graft (Smartbone®) in the treatment of acetabular prosthetic reconstruction

open6Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a surgical procedure for the replacement of hip joints with artificial prostheses. Several approaches are currently employed in the treatment of this kind of defect. Overall, the most common method involves using a quite invasive metallic support (a Burch–Schneider ring). Moreover, valid alternatives and less invasive techniques still need to be supported by novel material development. In this work, we evaluated the performance of SmartBone®, a xenohybrid bone graft composed of a bovine bone matrix reinforced with biodegradable polymers and collagen, as an effective support in acetabular prosthesis reconstruction. Specifically, the material’s mechanical properties were experimentally determined (E = ~1.25 GPa, Ef = ~0.34 GPa, and Et = ~0.49 GPa) and used for simulation of the hip joint system with a SmartBone® insert. Moreover, a comparison with a similar case treated with a Burch–Schneider ring was also conducted. It was found that it is possible to perform THA revision surgeries without the insertion of an invasive metal support and it can be nicely combined with SmartBone®’s osteointegration characteristics. The material can withstand the loads independently (σmax = ~12 MPa) or be supported by a thinner titanium plate in contact with the bone in the worst cases. This way, improved bone regeneration can be achieved.openGrottoli C.F.; Cingolani A.; Zambon F.; Ferracini R.; Villa T.; Perale G.Grottoli, C. F.; Cingolani, A.; Zambon, F.; Ferracini, R.; Villa, T.; Perale, G

Sarcoma risk and dioxin emissions from incinerators and industrial plants: a population-based case-control study (Italy)

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens

Peak functional ability and age at loss of ambulation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

AIM: To correlate the North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) and timed rise from floor (TRF) recorded at age of expected peak with age at loss of ambulation (LOA) in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). METHOD: Male children with DMD enrolled in the UK North Start Network database were included according to the following criteria: follow-up longer than 3 years, one NSAA record between 6 years and 7 years 6 months (baseline), at least one visit when older than 8 years. Data about corticosteroid treatment, LOA, genotype, NSAA, and TRF were analysed. Age at LOA among the different groups based on NSAA and TRF was determined by log-rank tests. Cox proportional hazard models were used for multivariable analysis. RESULTS: A total of 293 patients from 13 different centres were included. Mean (SD) age at first and last visit was 5 years 6 months (1 year 2 months) and 12 years 8 months (2 years 11 months) (median follow-up 7 years 4 months). Higher NSAA and lower TRF at baseline were associated with older age at LOA (p<0.001). Patients scoring NSAA 32 to 34 had a probability of 0.61 of being ambulant when older than 13 years compared with 0.34 for those scoring 26 to 31. In multivariable analysis, NSAA, TRF, and corticosteroid daily regimen (vs intermittent) were all independently associated with outcome (p=0.01). INTERPRETATION: Higher functional abilities at peak are associated with older age at LOA in DMD. This information is important for counselling families. These baseline measures should also be considered when designing clinical trials

Road traffic pollution and childhood leukemia: a nationwide case-control study in Italy

Background The association of childhood leukemia with traffic pollution was considered in a number of studies from 1989 onwards, with results not entirely consistent and little information regarding subtypes. Aim of the study We used the data of the Italian SETIL case-control on childhood leukemia to explore the risk by leukemia subtypes associated to exposure to vehicular traffic. Methods We included in the analyses 648 cases of childhood leukemia (565 Acute lymphoblastic–ALL and 80 Acute non lymphoblastic-AnLL) and 980 controls. Information on traffic exposure was collected from questionnaire interviews and from the geocoding of house addresses, for all periods of life of the children. Results We observed an increase in risk for AnLL, and at a lower extent for ALL, with indicators of exposure to traffic pollutants. In particular, the risk was associated to the report of closeness of the house to traffic lights and to the passage of trucks (OR: 1.76; 95% CI 1.03–3.01 for ALL and 6.35; 95% CI 2.59–15.6 for AnLL). The association was shown also in the analyses limited to AML and in the stratified analyses and in respect to the house in different period of life. Conclusions Results from the SETIL study provide some support to the association of traffic related exposure and risk for AnLL, but at a lesser extent for ALL. Our conclusion highlights the need for leukemia type specific analyses in future studies. Results support the need of controlling exposure from traffic pollution, even if knowledge is not complete

Poor Physical Performance Predicts Future Onset of Depression in Elderly People: Pro.V.A. Longitudinal Study

Background: Reduced physical performance is predictive of deleterious outcomes in older adults. Data considering objective physical performance and incident depression is sparse. Objective: We investigated whether objective physical performance can predict incident depression among non-depressed older adults during a 4-year study. Design: longitudinal. Methods: From 3,099 older individuals initially enrolled in the Progetto Veneto Anziani study, 970 participants without depression at baseline were included (mean age 72.5 years, 54.6% females). Physical performance measures included the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), 4m gait speed, five times sit-to-stand test, leg extension and flexion, handgrip strength, and 6-Minute Walking Test (6MWT), categorized in gender-specific tertiles. Depression was classified based on the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and a diagnosis from a geriatric psychiatrist. Area under the curve (AUC) and logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: At baseline, participants developing depression during follow-up (n = 207) scored significantly worse across all physical performance measures than those who did not develop depression. The AUC and predictive power for each physical performance test was similar for all the tests assessed. In logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for 14 potential confounders, worse physical performance across all tests increased the risk of depression. The lowest tertile of the SPPB were at notable odds of developing depression (OR = 1.79; 95%CI: 1.18-2.71). The association between poor physical performance and depression was typically stronger in women than in men, except for 4m gait speed. Limitations: no gold standard used for depression diagnosis; oxidative stress and inflammatory markers were not included; high rate of missing data at follow-up. Conclusion: Low physical performance appears to be an independent predictor of depression over a 4.4-year follow-up in our sample of elderly people