We conclude that the prevalence of NASH is high in type 2 DM patients and liver biopsy is the only investigation to differentiate between non-alcoholic fatty liver and steatohepatitis.

Detection of DNA mutations in tumor tissue can be a critical companion diagnostic test prior to prescription of a targeted therapy. Each method for detection of these mutations is associated with an analytic sensitivity that is a function of the percentage of tumor cells present in the specimen. Currently, tumor cell percentage is visually estimated resulting in an ordinal and highly variant result for a biologically continuous variable. We proposed that this aspect of DNA mutation testing could be standardized by developing a computer algorithm capable of accurately determining the percentage of malignant nuclei in an image of a hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained tissue. Using INform software (Caliper Life Sciences/Perkin Elmer), we developed an algorithm, to calculate the percentage of malignant cells in histologic specimens of colon adenocarcinoma. A criterion standard was established by manually counting malignant and benign nuclei. Three pathologists also estimated the percentage of malignant nuclei in each image. Algorithm #9 had a median deviation from the criterion standard of 5.4% on the training set and 6.2% on the validation set. Compared to pathologist estimation, Algorithm #9 showed a similar ability to determine percentage of malignant nuclei. This method represents a potential future tool to assist in determining the percent of malignant nuclei present in a tissue section. Further validation of this algorithm or an improved algorithm may have value to more accurately assess percentage of malignant cells for companion diagnostic mutation testing.

BACKGROUND:The safety and sufficiency of blood supply is dependent on the altruism of healthy donors, to provide blood. These donors get exposed to potential risk of discomfort, complications, and rarely injury from the collection procedure. All medical procedures including blood donation carry some risk of adverse events (AE). Although blood donation is generally safe, approximately of 2-6 % of donors experience complications, mostly mild, that resolve promptly but are still unpleasant for donors, and blood services have an obligation to minimize them. The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency and severity of AE's occurring in whole blood donors, especially in outdoor camps, and to suggest measures to minimize them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a five year retrospective study on whole blood donors (2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012). Our blood collection is mainly in camps by voluntary blood donors. Donations in camps: voluntary-8992(81.2%). Donations in blood bank: voluntary 831(7.53%), replacement 1211(10.97%). RESULTS: Overall 258 adverse events occurred in a total of 11034 donors, resulting in an adverse event rate of 2.33%. Most common AE was presyncopal or vasovagal reaction (72.86%). Syncopal minor reactions associated with transient loss of consciousness comprised 14.3%. Severe AE's formed a very small fraction accounting for 1.16%. CONCLUSION: AE analysis helps in identifying the donors at risk and adopting environmentally appropriate measures to reduce risk and improve donor satisfaction. KEY WORDS: voluntary blood donation, outdoor camps, adverse events, vasovagal reactions. INTRODUCTION:All medical procedures carry some risk of adverse events (AE) and blood donation is no exception. After proper donor selection as per the laid down criteria, blood donation is a relatively safe procedure. However, occasionally AE's do occur which are usually mild, but can be severe. Donor complications are an important problem not only for the donors, but also for transfusion medicine in general, as some complications may negatively affect donor recruitment and retention 1 . Adverse events have a negative effect on donor health, donor satisfaction and blood donor return rate (BDRR) 2 . AEs result in disrupted work flow at blood donor centres, impact on customer service to other donors, and also result in loss of/wastage of blood products. Various studies have quoted an AE of 2-6% in donors but only 0.08 -0.3% have a syncopal reaction where there is loss of consciousness 3,4,5 . In order to have an adequate and regular supply of blood it is not only important to recruit new donors but also to retain them as repeat donors.