Antidepressant Use and Lung Cancer Risk and Survival: A Meta-analysis of Observational Studies

Recent preclinical studies have linked antidepressants (AD) to their potential anticancer effects in multiple cancers, but the impact on lung cancer remains unclear. This meta-analysis examined the associations between ADs and lung cancer incidence and survival. The Web of Science, Medline, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases were searched to identify eligible studies published by June 2022. We conducted a meta-analysis using a random-effects model to compare the pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) in those treated with or without ADs. Heterogeneity was examined using Cochran Q test and inconsistency I² statistics. The methodologic quality of the selected studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies. Our analysis, including 11 publications involving 1,200,885 participants, showed that AD use increased lung cancer risk by 11% (RR = 1.11; 95% CI = 1.02-1.20; I² = 65.03%; n = 6) but was not associated with overall survival (RR = 1.04; 95% CI = 0.75-1.45; I² = 83.40%; n = 4). One study examined cancer-specific survival. Subgroup analysis showed that serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) were associated with an increased lung cancer risk by 38% (RR = 1.38; 95% CI = 1.07-1.78; n = 2). The quality of selected studies was good (n = 5) to fair (n = 6). Our data analysis suggests that SNRIs were associated with an elevated risk of lung cancer, raising concerns regarding the use of AD treatment in patients vulnerable to lung cancer. The effects of ADs-particularly SNRIs-and their interplay with cigarette use and lung cancer risk in vulnerable patients merits further study.

Significance

In this meta-analysis of 11 observational studies, we found evidence of a statistically significant association between the use of certain ADs and lung cancer risk. This effect merits further study, particularly as it relates to known environmental and behavioral drivers of lung cancer risk, such as air pollution and cigarette smoke.

Microfabricated polymer-metal biosensors for multifarious data collection from electrogenic cellular models

Benchtop tissue cultures have become increasingly complex in recent years, as more on-a-chip biological technologies, such as microphysiological systems (MPS), are developed to incorporate cellular constructs that more accurately represent their respective biological systems. Such MPS have begun facilitating major breakthroughs in biological research and are poised to shape the field in the coming decades. These biological systems require integrated sensing modalities to procure complex, multiplexed datasets with unprecedented combinatorial biological detail. In this work, we expanded upon our polymer-metal biosensor approach by demonstrating a facile technology for compound biosensing that was characterized through custom modeling approaches. As reported herein, we developed a compound chip with 3D microelectrodes, 3D microfluidics, interdigitated electrodes (IDEs) and a microheater. The chip was subsequently tested using the electrical/electrochemical characterization of 3D microelectrodes with 1 kHz impedance and phase recordings and IDE-based high-frequency (~1 MHz frequencies) impedimetric analysis of differential localized temperature recordings, both of which were modeled through equivalent electrical circuits for process parameter extraction. Additionally, a simplified antibody-conjugation strategy was employed for a similar IDE-based analysis of the implications of a key analyte (l-glutamine) binding to the equivalent electrical circuit. Finally, acute microfluidic perfusion modeling was performed to demonstrate the ease of microfluidics integration into such a polymer-metal biosensor platform for potential complimentary localized chemical stimulation. Overall, our work demonstrates the design, development, and characterization of an accessibly designed polymer-metal compound biosensor for electrogenic cellular constructs to facilitate comprehensive MPS data collection.

Enhancing carbon dioxide gas-diffusion electrolysis by creating a hydrophobic catalyst microenvironment

Electroreduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) over copper-based catalysts provides an attractive approach for sustainable fuel production. While efforts are focused on developing catalytic materials, it is also critical to understand and control the microenvironment around catalytic sites, which can mediate the transport of reaction species and influence reaction pathways. Here, we show that a hydrophobic microenvironment can significantly enhance CO2 gas-diffusion electrolysis. For proof-of-concept, we use commercial copper nanoparticles and disperse hydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) nanoparticles inside the catalyst layer. Consequently, the PTFE-added electrode achieves a greatly improved activity and Faradaic efficiency for CO2 reduction, with a partial current density >250 mA cm-2 and a single-pass conversion of 14% at moderate potentials, which are around twice that of a regular electrode without added PTFE. The improvement is attributed to a balanced gas/liquid microenvironment that reduces the diffusion layer thickness, accelerates CO2 mass transport, and increases CO2 local concentration for the electrolysis.

Capabilities and limitations of 3D printed microserpentines and integrated 3D electrodes for stretchable and conformable biosensor applications

We explore the capabilities and limitations of 3D printed microserpentines (µserpentines) and utilize these structures to develop dynamic 3D microelectrodes for potential applications in in vitro, wearable, and implantable microelectrode arrays (MEAs). The device incorporates optimized 3D printed µserpentine designs with out-of-plane microelectrode structures, integrated on to a flexible Kapton® package with micromolded PDMS insulation. The flexibility of the optimized, printed µserpentine design was calculated through effective stiffness and effective strain equations, so as to allow for analysis of various designs for enhanced flexibility. The optimized, down selected µserpentine design was further sputter coated with 7-70 nm-thick gold and the performance of these coatings was studied for maintenance of conductivity during uniaxial strain application. Bending/conforming analysis of the final devices (3D MEAs with a Kapton® package and PDMS insulation) were performed to qualitatively assess the robustness of the finished device toward dynamic MEA applications. 3D microelectrode impedance measurements varied from 4.2 to 5.2 kΩ during the bending process demonstrating a small change and an example application with artificial agarose skin composite model to assess feasibility for basic transdermal electrical recording was further demonstrated.

Precision Vascular Delivery of Agrochemicals with Micromilled Microneedles (µMMNs)

We demonstrate use of makerspace techniques involving subtractive microtechnologies to fabricate micromilled microneedles (µMMNs) of stainless steel (SS) for precise delivery of agrochemicals into vascular bundles of plant tissue. Precision delivery is of immense importance for systemic pathogen control in specific areas of plant tissue. Optimization of the micromilling allows for selective removal of SS at the microscale and the microfabrication of a 5 × 5 array of µMMNs having both base width and height of 500 µm to enable precise puncture into the stem of citrus saplings. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy reveals up to 7.5× increase in the uptake of a therapeutic cargo while Scanning Electron Microscopy reveals that specific sites of the vascular bundle; either xylem or the phloem can be uniquely targeted with customized µMMNs. Such rapid and cost-effective customization with intricate designs along with scalability is enabled by makerspace microfabrication. Additionally, a 19 × 20 array of micromilled mesoneedles has been fabricated and affixed to a paint roller as an applicator system for real-world field testing outside the laboratory. Initial results indicate reliable behavior of the applicator system and the technique can be applied to the systemic delivery of agrochemicals while conserving the loss of the agrochemical with increased application efficiency.

Artificial Neuron using Vertical MoS2/Graphene Threshold Switching Memristors

With the ever-increasing demand for low power electronics, neuromorphic computing has garnered huge interest in recent times. Implementing neuromorphic computing in hardware will be a severe boost for applications involving complex processes such as image processing and pattern recognition. Artificial neurons form a critical part in neuromorphic circuits, and have been realized with complex complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) circuitry in the past. Recently, metal-insulator-transition materials have been used to realize artificial neurons. Although memristors have been implemented to realize synaptic behavior, not much work has been reported regarding the neuronal response achieved with these devices. In this work, we use the volatile threshold switching behavior of a vertical-MoS2/graphene van der Waals heterojunction system to produce the integrate-and-fire response of a neuron. We use large area chemical vapor deposited (CVD) graphene and MoS2, enabling large scale realization of these devices. These devices can emulate the most vital properties of a neuron, including the all or nothing spiking, the threshold driven spiking of the action potential, the post-firing refractory period of a neuron and strength modulated frequency response. These results show that the developed artificial neuron can play a crucial role in neuromorphic computing.