Aim: Discussing a protocol involving xylene-ethanol deparaffinization on slides followed by a kit-based extraction that allows for the extraction of high quality DNA from FFPE tissues.Methods: DNA was extracted from the FFPE tissues of 16 randomly selected blocks. Methods involving deparaffinization on slides or tubes, enzyme digestion overnight or for 72 hours and isolation using phenol chloroform method or a silica-based commercial kit were compared in terms of yields, concentrations and the amplifiability.Results: The highest yield of DNA was produced from the samples that were deparaffinized on slides, digested for 72 hours and isolated with a commercial kit. Samples isolated with the phenol-chloroform method produced DNA of lower purity than the samples that were purified with kit. The samples isolated with the commercial kit resulted in better PCR amplification.Conclusion: Silica-based commercial kits and deparaffinized on slides should be considered for DNA extraction from FFPE.

Purpose: Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) is one of the most common food allergies in early childhood. We aimed to evaluate clinical and economic outcomes of the amino-acid formula (AAF) and extensively hydrolyzed formula (eHF) based treatment of CMPA by using data available from Turkey and otherwise from literature. Materials and Methods: A theoretical model was developed to evaluate AAF and eHF for CMPA treatment in terms of the number of children tolerating formula or experiencing an allergic reaction or withdrawing formula due to taste or other palatability features and CMPA related direct medical costs from the payer perspective. Results: We estimated that 13,000 children are diagnosed with CMPA in 1 year in Turkey. For the children receiving AAF, it is estimated that 83.7% tolerate AAF until the 24th month, and the total cost for the children tolerating AAF is estimated at 20.6 million€. The average cost per child tolerating AAF until the 24th month is estimated at 1895€. On the other hand, 48.7% are estimated to tolerate eHF until the 24th month, and the total cost for the children tolerating eHF is estimated at 12.3 million€ and the average cost per child tolerating eHF until the 24th month is estimated at 1940€. Conclusion:The analysis revealed that the management of CMPA is associated with the economic burden on the healthcare system in Turkey. Treatment of CMPA with AAF seems to provide better clinical outcomes (high tolerability and less withdrawal due to taste or an allergic reaction) and to be an option with economic benefits when Turkey-specific conditions are considered.

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Many hypertensive patients require ≥2 drugs to achieve blood pressure targets. This study aims to review and analyze the clinical studies conducted with dual or triple combination of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), calcium channel blockers (CCBs), and diuretics. Medical literature between January 1990 and April 2012 was reviewed systematically and data from eligible studies were abstracted. Data were analyzed using random‐effects models. Of the 224 studies screened, 7563 eligible patients from 11 studies were included. Triple combinations of ARBs (olmesartan or valsartan), CCBs (amlodipine), and diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide) at any dose provided more blood pressure reduction in office and 24‐hour ambulatory measurements than any dual combination of these molecules (P<.0001 for both). Significantly more patients achieved blood pressure targets with triple combinations (odds ratio, 2.16; P<.0001). Triple combinations did not increase adverse event risk (odds ratio, 0.96; P=.426). Triple combinations at any dose seem to decrease blood pressure more effectively than dual combination of the same molecules without any remarkable risk elevation for adverse events. Further prospective studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of triple combinations, especially in the form of single pills, are required. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012;00:00–00. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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