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Septicemia is one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity in newborns. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the early diagnosis of Sepsis in premature newborns. This cross-sectional study was conducted on preterm infants admitted to NICU of Hospital Buali in Ardabil city, Iran. C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6 and complete blood count tests have been done in baseline, third and seventh day. Collected data analyzed by one-sample t-test, repeated measures and ANOVA in SPSS.21. The mean of IL-6 in the first and third day after hospitalization was significantly more than normal value. The mean of CRP in the third and seventh day after hospitalization significantly more than normal value. We found that increasing in IL-6 level can occur earlier than CRP and it can be used as a good index in early sepsis diagnosis compare than CRP.

Background Knee osteoarthritis (OA) leads to low quality of life due to pain and limitation in daily activities. Recent studies indicated that Methotrexate (MTX) could reduce pain due to its anti-inflammatory effects. Objectives In this study, the researchers aimed at evaluating the efficacy of MTX in pain control and improvement of quality of life in patients with moderate to severe knee OA. Methods In this randomized clinical trial, 100 patients with moderate to severe knee OA were allocated to receive MTX (n = 50) 7.5 mg weekly to be increased to 15 mg weekly after first months or placebo (n = 50) for six months. Pain severity was measured using the numerical rating scale (NRS), so was functional status by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) and quality of life by SF-12 questionnaire before the treatment, and three months and six months after the intervention. The results were compared between the groups subsequently. Nine patients from the MTX group were excluded due to the use of corticosteroids during the treatment period. Results The MTX group compared to the placebo group had significant improvement in pain severity and quality of life during six months and WOMAC parameters at three and six months after the intervention. The need for NSAIDS was slightly higher in the placebo group with no significant difference (22% versus 36%, P = 0.14). The MTX adverse effects were not observed. Conclusions Treatment of moderate to severe knee OA with MTX could reduce pain severity and improve functional status and quality of life in OA patients.

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Background: Jaundice is one of the most common problems in neonatal period. In 60% of term and 80% of preterm neonates are seen during the first week of birth and most cases are physiologic. Hyperbilirubinemia is the most common cause of jaundice in newborns. Phototherapy is used to treat it, which seems to be safe. Some studies showed that thrombocytopenia is one of the side effects of phototherapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between thrombocytopenia and phototherapy in newborns.Methods: This is a descriptive study that has been done on 100 neonates with jaundice which requiring phototherapy. A blood sample was taken at the admission time, 24 hours late, end of the phototherapy and 48 hours after the end of phototherapy to measure the bilirubin and the number of platelets along with other necessary tests for the study of hyperbilirubinemia. Data collected by a checklist and analyzed by statistical methods in SPSS version 19.Results: Of all neonates, 55% were boy and 45% were girl with mean age of 8.86 days. The mean platelet count before phototherapy, 24 hours late, at the end of phototherapy, and 48 hours after phototherapy were 298170, 288540, 282620 and 266310, respectively which was statistically significant during time.Conclusions: The results of this study showed that phototherapy can lead to a significant reduction in platelet count in newborns. Also, there wasn’t seen any case of thrombocytopenia following phototherapy in the present study.