A review and meta-analysis of cancer risks in relation to Portland cement exposure.

Workers engaged in the production of Portland cement may come into contact with potential occupational hazards, but existing epidemiological studies show wide variation in risk estimates for cancer incidence and mortality in relation to cement exposure. This report identified studies of cement workers and associations with cancer incidence and mortality in a systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic review according to the PRISMA guidelines was conducted to identify studies of Portland cement workers and cancer outcomes.

BCL-XL expression levels influence differential regional astrocytic susceptibility to 1,3-dinitrobenzene.

The selective vulnerability of brainstem astrocytes to 1,3-dinitrobenzene is mediated by a 10-fold lower threshold for opening of the cyclosporin A-inhibitable mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mtPTP). BCL-XL, BAX and BCL-2 are members of the BCL-2 protein family known to regulate both apoptotic and necrotic cell death signaling at the mtPTP. The levels at which these proteins are expressed relative to one another, where in the cell they are located and whether they are post-translational modified contributes greatly to the balance in active agonistic to active antagonistic BCL-2 proteins, and this critical balance has been hypothesized to dictate regional astrocytic susceptibility to DNB.