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We undertook an exclusive meta-analysis of cohort studies investigating the possible link between prenatal selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) exposure and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children to further investigate our previous suggestion of confounding by indication. The point estimates regarding the following cohorts were extracted and pooled: (1) pregnant women who discontinued SSRI until 3 months before pregnancy; (2) pregnant women who were exposed to SSRI during pregnancy; and (3) pregnant women with maternal psychiatric disorder but no exposure to SSRI during pregnancy. Although the pooled point estimate of the first cohort showed a trend for increase, it did not reach significance. The pooled point estimates of the latter cohorts showed a significant association with ASD which strengthens our previous suggestion of confounding by indication. Future studies should be adequately designed to differentiate whether the previously suggested association is a result of maternal psychiatric disorder or SSRI exposure or both.

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Biocompatible dysprosia aerogels were synthesized from DyCl3·6H2O and were reinforced mechanically with a conformal nano-thin-polyurea coating applied over their skeletal framework. The random mesoporous space of dysprosia aerogels was filled up to about 30% v/v with paracetamol, indomethacin, or insulin, and the drug release rate was monitored spectrophotometrically in phosphate buffer (pH = 7.4) or 0.1 M aqueous HCl. The drug uptake and release study was conducted comparatively with polyurea-crosslinked random silica aerogels, as well as with as-prepared (native) and polyurea-crosslinked mesoporous silica perforated with ordered 7 nm tubes in hexagonal packing. Drug uptake from random nanostructures (silica or dysprosia) was higher (30-35% w/w) and the release rate was slower (typically >20 h) relative to ordered silica (19-21% w/w, <1.5 h, respectively). Drug release data from dysprosia aerogels were fitted with a flux equation consisting of three additive terms that correspond to drug stored successively in three hierarchical pore sites on the skeletal framework. The high drug uptake and slow release from dysprosia aerogels, in combination with their low toxicity, strong paramagnetism, and the possibility for neutron activation render those materials attractive multifunctional vehicles for site-specific drug delivery.