Occupational exposure to cobalt is not associated with incipient signs of dilated cardiomyopathy in a Belgian refinery.

Background: Excessive absorption of cobalt has been associated with cases of dilated cardiomyopathy in the past, but it is unclear whether occupationally exposed populations are at risk.

Objective: To assess the possible relationship between occupational exposure to cobalt and incipient signs of dilated cardiomyopathy.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a cobalt production facility in Belgium constituting one of the largest occupational populations worldwide (n=256 male workers).

Time trends in occupational asthma in Belgium.

Objectives: There is little information on the changes in the pattern of occupational asthma (OA) over time. The objective of this study was to evaluate the time trends in the incidence and causes of immunological OA in Belgium using workers' compensation data.

Methods: Cases of OA were identified through a retrospective review of all claims submitted by salaried workers to the Belgian Workers' Compensation Board from 1993 to 2002.

Residential exposure to pesticides and childhood leukaemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review of published studies on the association between residential/household/domestic exposure to pesticides and childhood leukaemia, and to provide a quantitative estimate of the risk.

Methods: Publications in English were searched in MEDLINE (1966-31 December 2009) and from the reference list of identified publications. Extraction of relative risk (RR) estimates was performed independently by 2 authors using predefined inclusion criteria.

Childhood leukaemia and parental occupational exposure to pesticides: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies on the association between parental occupational exposure to pesticides and childhood leukaemia.

Methods: Studies were identified from a MEDLINE search through 31 July 2009 and from the reference lists of identified publications. Relative risk (RR) estimates were extracted from 25 studies published between 1985 and 2008.

The archaeal P-type ATPases.

A phylogenetic analysis was carried out of a total of 58 P-type ATPases encoded within the genomes of 20 archaea species. Members from six subfamilies were identified including: putative metal-, proton-, calcium-, sodium/potassium-, potassium-, and magnesium/nickel-transporting ATPases. Six novel putative proton-ATPases from archaea species growing under different temperature and pH conditions were shown to have shorter N- and C-termini than those of orthologous yeast or plant proton-ATPases.