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The role of fatty acids in tumor formation differs according to their structures. These differences have been only partially understood. For example, fatty acids have various effects on the synthesis and metabolism of prostaglandins (PGs). Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) has well-known anti-inflammatory effects that arise through the impairment of cytokine synthesis and release. 1 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play a role similar to an intracellular second messenger in cell death, proliferation, and signaling in normal and altered cells. PUFAs stimulate tumor regression and apoptosis in human gliomas. 2 Gamma-linolenic acid (GlA) inhibits the increase in vascularization, which enables the nutrition and growth of the tumor. The increased fatty acid synthase (FAS) activity and the different roles of fatty acids in cancer tissue make the studies on this topic more interesting. Fatty acid synthase is defined as a prognostic factor in cancer, and the FAS level indicates ABSTRACT: Background: Inhibition of fatty acid synthase leads to apoptosis in cancers, which leads to high levels of fatty acid synthesis. This indicates that cancer cells depend on fatty acid in order to survive. In this study, we investigated whether or not there was a relationship between the glial tumor grade and free fatty acid level of tumor tissue. Methods: Twenty patients who had high grade glial tumors and 20 patients who had low grade glial tumors, were included in the study. Tumors samples were obtained intraoperatively in order to measure the fatty acid levels. The fatty acids were studied in three groups: saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. They were analyzed with gas chromatography. Results: The oleic acid, linoleic acid, eicosadienoic acid, arachidonic acid, and docosadienoic acid levels were high in the tumor tissue of low grade tumors. The myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, alpha linoleic acid, eicosenoic acid, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and ceramide levels were high in the tumor tissue of high grade glial tumors. However, none of these high values were statistically significant. The high values of behenic acid, a saturated fatty acid, in low grade glial tumors were statistically significant. Conclusion: High levels of behenic acid in patients with low grade glial tumor is important as it indicates persistence of the tissue integrity and tissue resistance. behenic acid levels can be a prognostic factor in glial tumors.

Background/Aims: The aims of this study are to assess the reasons of using sphygmomanometers at pharmacies and to evaluate their accuracy. Methods: 135 devices (118 aneroid, 1 mercury, and 16 automated) from 125 pharmacies (located in Samsun city center) were included in the study. A non-randomized, cross-sectional design was used for the study protocol which had two parts: assessment of devices and a questionnaire about the pharmacy and present sphygmomanometer(s). Results: 40 (30%) of the 135 sphygmomanometers were inaccurate. 65 (48%) of the devices were older than 1 year and there was no correlation between the duration of the ownership of the sphygmomanometers and their inaccuracy (p > 0.05). Blood pressure measurement is a frequent practice at pharmacies. The aneroid type of sphygmomanometers was common. A limited number of devices were checked for accuracy before. The number of validated devices was low. Conclusion: Training programs for pharmacists including the accuracy of sphygmomanometers and regular checks of sphygmomanometers for accuracy will be beneficial to the community and to the subjects requesting measurement of blood pressure at the pharmacies.