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BACKGROUND: Carbon monoxide poisoning (COP) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. This study was to investigate the levels of serum paraoxonase (PON), arylesterase (ARYL), ceruloplasmin (Cp), and sulfhydryl (-SH) in the treatment of COP, and to further understand the pathophysiology of COP. METHODS: This prospective study comprised 107 individuals with COP (group 1) and 50 healthy volunteers (group 2). Serum, plasma, and erythrocyte samples were taken on admission from all participants with COP. This process was repeated in the 90 th and 180 th minutes of treatment. Samples were taken from the control group only once. The levels of plasma PON, ARYL, Cp activity and-SH were measured in both groups. RESULTS: Age, gender, and carboxyhemoglobin level were not correlated with PON, ARYL, Cp, and-SH levels. PON, ARYL, and-SH levels were signifi cantly decreased in group 1 compared with group 2. Conversely, Cp was signifi cantly elevated in group 1 in contrast to group 2. Although ARYL was lower on admission in patients with COP than that was observed in the 90 th and 180 th minutes (P<0.001), Cp was higher on admission than at the other time points (P<0.001).

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Background: Globally, 1.5 to 3 million people are exposed to snakebites each year. More than 100,000 of these cases, primarily in the tropics, result in death. This study includes an analysis of a university hospital's three-year experiences of distal extremity snakebites. Methods: This study includes 68 patients presented at the Emergency Department (ED) of Gaziantep University Hospital with snakebites on distal extremities (hands, fingers, and feet) between 01/03/2014 and 01/03/2017. Results: A total of 68 patients had wet snakebites on their distal extremities. Forty-seven patients (69%) were male, 21 (30.9%) were female, and the mean age was 43.03 ± 18.13 years. Snakebites most commonly occurred in September (26.5%, n = 18). Twenty-five (36.76%) patients had systemic symptoms (grades 2, 3, and 4). Also, 98.5% (n = 67) of patients received only antivenom therapy. Compartment syndrome was observed in one patient (1.5%), and this patient was treated with antivenom therapy and plasmapheresis. The most common local finding was pain (88.2%, n = 60). Also, 2.94 ± 2.5 vials of antivenom (range 0 - 10) were used per person on average, whereas the mean duration of hospitalization was 2.51 ± 1.5 (range 1 - 8) days. Conclusions: This study focused on hands, fingers, and feet because these parts can be protected (ie, preventing bites) by wearing shoes and protective gloves. Also, there was no mortality due to extremity snakebites. The most common long-term complications were paresthesia and movement limitation. It is recommended that high-risk populations (like agricultural laborers, nature travelers, and documentary teams) be taught appropriate first aid practices after snake bites.

Background: S100B, NSE, MMP-9, and Tau protein levels increase in cases causing hypoxic cell damage. The diagnosis of the severity of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in the early period of these parameters was studied. Material and Method: COHb level measurement was made using a signal capture CO-pulse oximeter (Masimo's SET Rainbow, Masimo's Co, USA) at the first admission of the patients. Then, COHb levels were confirmed by arterial blood gas(ABG) analysis. The patients were divided into two groups as mild and moderate-severe, according to their Glasgow coma scores (GCS) [Mild (14–15); Moderate (9–13) or Severe (3–8)]. The control group was composed of 16 healthy and non-smoking volunteers. Results: The serum S100B protein and MMP-9 values at 0 hr of admission in the hospital and 3hr of treatment were not significantly different in the patient group as compared to the control group. Tau protein levels were significantly higher in the patient group at 0 and 3 hours (p> 0.05) as compared to healthy person. Conclusion: There was no relationship between CO poisoning and MMP-9 and S100B protein levels. NSE and Tau protein were significantly higher in the patient group than the control group. Tau protein may be more useful marker as compared to neuron-specific enolase.