The actions of retinoic acids (RA) are mediated by their cognate nuclear receptors--ligand inducible transcription factors (retinoic acid receptors (RAR)). Possible interactions of toxic heavy metals on the RAR system are of interest due to involvement of the RAR system in multiple systemic processes. We assayed cadmium chloride and mercury chloride for their influence on the RAR system in rat ...

H eavy metals, such as cadmium, copper, mercury, and arsenic, are ubiquitous components of the Earth’s crust. Most of these metals are toxic to varying degrees, and life has accordingly evolved ways to deal with them: either by developing mechanisms to detoxify them, or using them for biological functions. As humans began unearthing metals to be turned into consumer products, large amounts of h...

Mercury is recognized internationally as an important pollutant, since mercury and its compounds are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic, and pose human and ecosystem risks. Although mercury can cycle in the environment in all media, an important aspect of this cycling is the bioaccumulation of mercury along the aquatic food chain. Mercury, in the form of methylmercury, bioaccumulates up the ...

BACKGROUND Mercury is a ubiquitous and highly toxic environmental pollutant. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between mercury exposure and oxidative stress, serum and urinary mercury concentrations, oxidative DNA damage, and serum redox status in chronically mercury-exposed persons compared with healthy controls. METHODS We measured urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), wh...

Measuring the amount of mercury present in the environment or food sources may provide an inadequate reflection of the potential for health risks if the protective effects of selenium are not also considered. Selenium's involvement is apparent throughout the mercury cycle, influencing its transport, biogeochemical exposure, bioavailability, toxicological consequences, and remediation. Likewise,...

Mercury has long been recognised as a neurotoxin element for many decades and with its compounds being extremely toxic, is ranked third in the ‘priority list of hazardous substance’ by the United States comprehensive environmental response, compensation, and liability act. In different samples, mercury can exist as either its inorganic or organic forms and this paper will review the methods for...

The relationship between oxidation stress and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling in pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction remains unclear. Mercury is a well-known toxic metal that induces oxidative stress. Submicromolar-concentration HgCl(2) or methylmercury triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and decreased insulin secretion in beta-cell-derived HIT-T15 cells and isolated mous...

Clinical glass thermometers This article will cover checking the temperature using a clinical glass thermometer which contains mercury. This is the most accurate and most commonly used thermometer. Digital thermometers are available but they require batteries which may not be readily available. WARNING: Mercury is toxic. If a thermometer breaks, put on gloves and use a tissue or a piece of clot...