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Acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP), commonly called the 'paracetamol', is one of the most regularly utilized medicines, particularly in children. When administered at the recommended doses, it is a safe medication. However, oxidative stress and inflammation caused by exposure to toxic doses lead to centrilobular hepatic necrosis. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is utilized in the therapy, however it has potential adverse effects. On the other hand, it is known that the seeds of the common vegetable Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (AE), a herbal product, possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities. In the present study, we explored whether AE can be used as an alternative to standard NAC therapy without any adverse effect in the treatment of acute APAP induced liver injury. Forty male Wistar rats were placed into five groups: Control, AE, APAP, APAP+AE and APAP+AE+NAC groups. Antioxidants such as native thiol and total thiol were found rised in the APAP group by adding AE (p =0.043 and p =0.028, respectively). Anti-inflammatory indicator IL-10 was also found increased, while marker ALT, which is a sign of hepatotoxicity, got decreased (P=0.005 and P <0.001, respectively). Histologically, AE has been shown to improve worsened congestion (P =0.003), cytoplasmic vacuolization (P =0.01), sinusoidal dilatation (P =0.001), Kupffer cell proliferation (P <0.001) and inflammation (P <0.001). These results suggest that the okra seeds may be a potential therapeutic agent for paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity and it can be attributed to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To predict the presence of COVID-19 by readily available hematological and biochemical tests. Materials and Methods: A total of 58 children with signs indicative of COVID-19 (28 PCR positives for SARS-CoV2 and 30 negatives) were included in this retrospective study. Clinical and laboratory parameters have been compared between these groups. Results: White blood cell counts, RDW, MPV, NLR, PLR, LDH and CRP values were found to be higher in pediatric patients with positive PCR tests than children with negative PCR tests (p<0.05). There was a significantly positive correlation between CRP and NLR (r=.566, p<0.001), CRP and PLR (r=.462, p<0.001). Conclusion: CRP, NLR and PLR, which are frequently used as inflammation markers, can help predict PCR positivity for SARS-CoV2. These easy-to-use tests can guide diagnosis in countries where access to PCR tests is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the predictive roles of biochemical and complete blood count parameters in the diagnosis of febrile seizures by comparing these between patients with simple febrile seizures and febrile patients without seizures. Methods: One hundred fifty-two children (66 girls and 86 boys), aged 6-60 months presenting with fever symptoms presenting to our hospital's pediatric emergency department between January 2015 and January 2020 were included in the study. Demographic data, complete blood count parameters and biochemical parameter levels were compared between the two groups. These were divided into a patient group with simple febrile seizures (n = 74) and a febrile control group without seizures (n = 78). Results: Comparison of biochemical parameters revealed significantly higher glucose, CRP, and ALT levels in the febrile seizure group, while Ca and Na were significantly lower. Comparison of complete blood count parameters revealed significantly higher white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil, red cell distribution width, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) values in the febrile seizure group, while hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, lymphocytes, and mean platelet volume were significantly lower. Conclusions: We think that in addition to markers such as WBC, leukocytes, and CRP for evaluating inflammation in patients with febrile seizures, simple, easily available, and inexpensive tests such as NLR and PLR can also be useful for assessing inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), a cause of significant hemodynamic imbalance in newborn babies, can be treated using pharmacological or surgical methods. The purpose of this study was to compare intravenous (IV) paracetamol in newborns with hemodynamically significant PDA, with indomethacin and ibuprofen in terms of changes caused in blood parameters. Methods: Intravenous paracetamol was used for 3-6 days at 4x15 mg/kg/dose in cases diagnosed with PDA and admitted for follow-up between November 2014 and December 2015, and unable to receive oral medication or with contraindications for indomethacin-ibuprofen use. These cases were investigated retrospectively in terms of changes in pre and post-treatment AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), urea, creatinine, platelet, and neutrophil values. Results: Intravenous paracetamol was administered to 10 cases of PDA, diagnosed between November 2014 and December 2015. Prior to paracetamol therapy, an increase in urea values was present in one case, increased AST in two, and decreased platelet values in two. Post-treatment values returned to normal ranges in all cases, and hemodynamic improvement was observed after the closure of the ductus arteriosus. Conclusion: Our analysis of its effect on PDA closure and its potential side-effect profile in patient blood parameters compared to other known therapeutic agents indicates that intravenous paracetamol, which is easily available and accessible in Turkey, may be an important option for the treatment of PDA.

Eleven plant species were collected from the vicinity of lead-battery plant in the city of Gaziantep, Turkey. Lead, cadmium and copper concentrations in the soil and leaves of plants were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Lead, Cd and Cu concentrations in the soil samples taken from battery area were found to be in the ranges of 304-602, 0.4-0.44 and 31-37 mg x kg(-1), respectively. Significantly increased lead concentration up to 2 750 mg x kg(-1) was found in the leaves of Eleagnus angustifolia L. plant. The lead concentrations in the other plant leaves taken from 50 m around battery factory followed the order Ailanthus altissima > Morus sp. > Juglans regia L. > Ficus carica L. > Cydonia oblonga Miller > Prunus x domestica L. The plants, Populus nigra L. , Eleagnus angustifolia L. and Salix sp. were found useful for Cd, and the plant, Eleagnus angusti folia L. for Pb, to be considered as potential biomonitor. Especially, leaves of trees and plants taken from the distance of 50 m from battery plant have relatively higher Pb concentrations. Therefore, people who and animals which live in this area and benefit from these soil and plants have vital risks.