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Biomedical subjects

A Degiovanni

Publications and source records attributed to A Degiovanni.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Conducting, semiconducting and insulating objects observed by low-energy electron holography.

To demonstrate the potential of low energy in line projection holography, we study the reconstruction of the experimental holograms of three electrically different objects: a conducting, a semiconducting and an insulating object. The reconstructions of these holograms provide meaningful results for a large range of magnification of the object. The comparison between the reconstructed images and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of the same objects shows that the shapes and the dimensions of the reconstructed objects are identical to those obtained by conventional SEM. So, the simple assumptions needed to the reconstruction are justified. The reconstructions show a 2 nm resolution and appear superior than the best obtained SEM micrographs, when available. We also show some limitations of the reconstruction process. We point out that both numerical artifacts and experimental conditions are responsible for these limitations.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Improved low energy electron projection in-line holograms reconstruction: application to the holograms of a tungsten tip.

A modification of the classical calculation algorithm is presented which allows to minimize the effect of the long range oscillations created by the twin object in the reconstruction process of in-line holograms obtained by low energy electron projection microscopy. The reconstructed shapes of a tungsten tip, observed with different magnifications are shown.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Imaging charged objects using low-energy-electron coherent beams.

The microscopic shapes, unobservable by conventional electron optics, of objects surrounded by electrostatic fields are observed. The method directly uses electron-coherent-beam imaging concepts and is successfully applied to recently developed low-energy-electron projection holography. Experimental demonstrations on objects charged in a controlled way like a biased metallic tip as well as on a self-charging insulator object are shown.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Similarities and differences between incestuous and nonincestuous rape in a French follow-up study.

Clinicians are familiar with the life and psychological difficulties of incest victims, but their observations often are refuted as being retrospective and unsystematic. We aimed to ascertain similarities and differences between incestuous rape and nonincestuous rape. One hundred and two victims consulting a French forensic center were interviewed in a systematic follow-up study over 6 months using structured interview schedules. Stepwise logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, gender, and characteristics of the trauma showed that posttraumatic stress disorder, dissociative disorders, agoraphobia, and low self-esteem were overrepresented in the incest-rape group compared to the nonincest-rape group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Validation of a French version of the Dissociative Experiences Scale in a rape-victim population.

OBJECTIVE: To appreciate the extent and the features of dissociation in a hypothesized highly dissociated population, rape trauma victims, while assessing construct validity and internal consistency of a French version of the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES), a simple screening instrument for dissociative symptoms. METHODS: One hundred and forty rape victims (mean age 23.6 years, 9% male) consecutively attending a Consultation for Victims of Psychological Trauma at the university hospital in Tours, France, were assessed through a French version of the 28-item self-rated DES. RESULTS: The mean score (24.1) was high, and 33% of the scores exceeded a threshold set at 30. The Principal Components Analysis of the DES ratings yielded a 3-factor solution: depersonalization-derealization, amnestic fragmentation of identity, and absorption-imaginative involvement. DES reliability was studied through computation of Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.94). CONCLUSION: During validation of a French version of the DES, the study showed that dissociation is considerably linked to rape-trauma victim populations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Screening for psychologically traumatized rape victims.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether the General Health Questionnaire, a simple psychological screening instrument, could be useful to non-specialists in screening for psychologically traumatized rape victims. STUDY DESIGN: 285 rape victims (mean age 22.5, men 8%) attending consecutively a Consultation for Victims of Psychological Trauma at the University Hospital in Tours, France, were assessed through the Structured Interview for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (SI-PTSD), and the French 28-item version of the self-rated General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). RESULTS: 70% had Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and 72% a GHQ-28 overthreshold score. The principal component analysis of the GHQ-28 ratings yielded a 4-factor solution: social dysfunction, feeling of foreshortened future type of depression, somatoform complaints and hyperalertness anxiety. GHQ-28 reliability and validity in screening for PTSD were studied through computation of Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.95), sensitivity (88%) and positive predictive value (86%). CONCCLUSION: Using the GHQ-28 is valid and appropriate for practical use.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Syndrome secondary to traumatic stress (PTSD) and addictive behaviors].

Ninety psychiatric female inpatients had an interview using structural clinical instruments. The patients were often exposed during their lifetime to psychic trauma and especially to sexual abuse in childhood (27%) and rape (21%). Rape is a risk factor for chronicity and severity of mental disorders. Post-traumatic disorders such as PTSD, dissociative disorders, somatoform disorders and borderline-like disorder are linked to rape. Addictive behavior such as alcohol abuse, drugs use, repeated suicide attempts or eating disorders, is also associated with raped patients and especially with those who developed PTSD after rape.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Sexual victimization in women with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Exposure of populations with psychosis to traumatic events (among them sexual trauma) has seldom been studied. In addition, the clinical features developed by victims with psychosis after a traumatic event are rarely taken into account. Sixty-four women with schizophrenia and 26 women with bipolar disorder (DSM-III-R diagnosed, 18-45 years, inpatients and outpatients) were interviewed using a clinician-rated battery of instruments, including a semi-structured questionnaire concerning sexual victimization and its impact. In childhood or adolescence, 36% of women with schizophrenia (vs 28% of those with bipolar disorder) had been victims of sexual abuse involving body contact. In the women with schizophrenia, this sexual abuse was associated with addictions, suicide attempts and becoming psychiatric patients earlier. Over their lifetime, the prevalence of rape was 23% in the two clinical groups. In women with schizophrenia, rape was associated with a greater severity of their disorder and addictions. Moreover, a frequent repetition of sexual trauma was observed in women with schizophrenia, whereas such repeated traumas were less frequent in those with bipolar disorder. The results suggest that these two clinical groups are at risk of rape and the study highlight clinical features in victims with schizophrenia that have been described for other groups of victims of sexual abuse.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Psychotic women and their children].

With desinstitutionalization, the social life of psychiatric patients and particularly that of psychotics has arisen in new terms over the past twenty years. In particular, relationships and sexuality of these patients are manifest realities to which few studies are devoted. 61 schizophrenic and 21 bipolar women (18-45 years of age, mean 34 in-or outpatients) were interviewed with a battery of instruments (PANSS, Carpenter's criteria of schizophrenia with deficit syndrome, axis V of DSM-III-R) and with a semi-structured questionnaire related to clinical data, sexuality, relationships, children and motherhood. Half of the schizophrenic women have an active sexual life, and children. The study provides information about the reproduction rate of schizophrenic women, the precocity of their pregnancies and the outcome of their children. The study also treats these women's ability to rear their children, their desire to have children and any hospitalizations during the perinatal period. These results, as well as those related to abortion and contraception, are discussed in the light of those of the bipolar control group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Psychological trauma and mental disorders].

Fifty-eight female impatients consecutively hospitalized in the University Hospital Department of Psychiatry in Tours were interviewed with a clinician battery of instruments (among them, the SI-PTSD by Davidson). The diagnoses leading to hospitalization were: severe disorders of psychotic type (schizophrenic, schizophreniform, schizo-affective, schizoid and paranoid delusional disorders as well as bipolar disorder), borderline and narcissistic personalities for 7%, and other disorders for 53%. Among the results, we observed that 59% of these patients had experienced at least one major stressful event (rape 26%, other sexual assault 29%, physical assault 31%, seeing somebody dying in a violent way 8%, war scene 2%, injured in an accident 2%). As a consequence, 61% of the victims have suffered from PTSD and the diagnosis of PTSD was still present in 21%. In addition, in the victims, somatoform and dissociative disorders were significantly more frequent.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Treating psychic traumas: a psychiatric emergency].

Interest for the psychopathological field of trauma has experienced a revival over the last fifteen years. Early and active treatment of victims is necessary to attenuate the psychopathological consequences of trauma. However, emergency psychiatry still rarely places a high value on it. This paper presents a case which contains in itself many aspects of psychological responses to psychologically traumatizing events. Trauma induced in this case, in particular, Dissociative Disorders (including a Dissociative Fugue), a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Somatoform Disorders and Phobic Disorders. This case gives us the opportunity to situate the psychiatric emergency--"psychological trauma"--and to illustrate our talk with regard to the principles of mid-term and emergency treatment of victims.

Adult↗