Impact of childhood trauma on antipsychotic effectiveness in schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A prospective, pragmatic, semi-randomized trial.

Antipsychotic medications are generally effective in ameliorating psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs). Identifying predictors associated with poor treatment response is important for a personalized treatment approach. Childhood trauma (CT) may have a general and differential effect on the effectiveness of different types of antipsychotics in SSDs. The Bergen-Stavanger-Trondheim-Innsbruck (BeSt InTro) study is a pragmatic, researcher-initiated, semi-randomized trial. The present study aimed to investigate symptom change (the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) from baseline to 1, 3, 6, 12, 26, 39 and 52 weeks of antipsychotic treatment (amisulpride, aripiprazole and olanzapine) by group (CT/no CT). Participants (n = 98) with diagnoses within the schizophrenia spectrum (F20-29 in the International Classification of Diseases - 10th Revision) were randomized to receive amisulpride, aripiprazole or olanzapine, and for this study categorized into groups of none and low CT, and moderate to severe CT according to thresholds defined by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short-Form manual. CT in SSDs predicted an overall slower treatment response and less antipsychotic effectiveness after 26 weeks of treatment, which was statistically nonsignificant at 52 weeks. Secondary analyses showed a differential effect of CT related to type of antipsychotic medication: patients with SSDs and CT who received olanzapine showed less antipsychotic effectiveness throughout 52 weeks of treatment. The intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses were convergent. Our findings indicate that in patients with SSD and CT, delayed response to antipsychotics could be expected, and a longer evaluation period before considering change of medication may be recommended.

Celery (Apium graveolens L.) parenchyma cell walls examined by atomic force microscopy: effect of dehydration on cellulose microfibrils.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to image celery (Apium graveolens L.) parenchyma cell walls in situ. Cellulose microfibrils could clearly be distinguished in topographic images of the cell wall. The microfibrils of the hydrated walls appeared smaller, more uniformly distributed, and less enmeshed than those of dried peels. In material that was kept hydrated at all times and imaged under water, the microfibril diameter was mainly in the range 6-25 nm. The cellulose microfibril diameters were highly dependent on the water content of the specimen. As the water content was decreased, by mixing ethanol with the bathing solution, the microfibril diameters increased. Upon complete dehydration of the specimen we observed a significant increase in microfibril diameter. The procedure used to dehydrate the parenchyma cells also influenced the size of cellulose microfibrils with freeze-dried material having larger diameters than air-dried material.