Objective:To screen the cytotoxic effects of some marine sponges extracts on HeLa and PC12 cells.
Methods: Five marine sponges including Ircinia echinata (I. echinata), Dysidea avara, Axinella sinoxea, Haliclona tubifera and Haliclona violacea were collected from the Persian Gulf (Hengam Island). The cytotoxic effect of these sponges was evaluated by using MTT assay. The metabolic high performance liquid chromatography fingerprint of I. echinata was also carried out at two wavelengths (254 and 280 nm).
Results:Among the sponges tested in this study, the extracts of I. echinata and Dysidea avara possessed the cytotoxic effect on HeLa and PC12 cells. The obtained fractions from high performance liquid chromatography were evaluated for their cytotoxic properties against the cell lines. The isolated fractions did not show significant cytotoxic properties.
Conclusions:I. echinata could be considered as a potential extract for chemotherapy. Further investigation is needed to determine the accuracy of mechanism.

OBJECTIVETo estimate and outline the frequency and etiology of lymphadenopathy in HIV/AIDS patients.

METHODSThis study was conducted on 178 consecutive HIV/AIDS patient files for etiologies (categorized into three sub-groups: definite, probable and possible) and associated factors of local and generalized lymphadenopathy.

RESULTSSeventy-two (40.45%) patients including 63 male patients (87.5%) developed lymphadenopathy. HIV in lymphadenopathy(+) patients was most commonly transmitted intravenously (n=49). Generalized and localized lymphadenopathy respectively occurred in 27 (37.50%) and 45 (62.50%) patients, mainly in the cervical region (28.9% for local and 63% for generalized lymphadenopathy). The most common causes of lymphadenopathy were tuberculosis (n=24, 33.3%) and lymphoma (n=12, 16.6%). The frequency of lymphadenopathy was non-significantly higher in patients with AIDS (CD4 count <200 cell/µL) vs. HIV(+) patients (CD4 count >200 cell/µL).

CONCLUSIONSLymphadenopathy in HIV/AIDS patients may reflect a serious condition, most likely tuberculosis and lymphoma. Since patients might underestimate lymphadenopathy, physicians would rather list these entities for diagnosis.

Objective: To screen the cytotoxic effects of some marine sponges extracts on HeLa and PC12 cells. Methods: Five marine sponges including Ircinia echinata ( I. echinata), Dysidea avara, Axinella sinoxea, Haliclona tubifera and Haliclona violacea were collected from the Persian Gulf (Hengam Island). The cytotoxic effect of these sponges was evaluated by using MTT assay. The metabolic high performance liquid chromatography fingerprint of I. echinata was also carried out at two wavelengths (254 and 280 nm). Results: Among the sponges tested in this study, the extracts of I. echinata and Dysidea avara possessed the cytotoxic effect on HeLa and PC12 cells. The obtained fractions from high performance liquid chromatography were evaluated for their cytotoxic properties against the cell lines. The isolated fractions did not show significant cytotoxic properties. Conclusions: I. echinata could be considered as a potential extract for chemotherapy. Further investigation is needed to determine the accuracy of mechanism.