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PubMed2001

NCI image archive management workshop: a preliminary report.

The National Cancer Institute organized a workshop entitled "Image Archive Management" that was presented on August 28 and 29, 2000, at the Natcher Conference Center on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) campus. The purpose of this workshop was to solicit expert input for the planned development of an archival system to make imaging databases readily accessible by the broad scientific community. The specific goals were to (a) define the technical requirements for a virtual archive of images used in oncology, (b) define the policy issues for access to these images, (c) recommend a process and phases for implementation of a robust imaging archival system, (d) review how this effort could be expanded and coupled with other ongoing efforts by NIH and other organizations interested in imaging, and (e) form an overall plan and policy to allow interoperability of image data archives. Representatives who attended the workshop came from academia, government agencies, and large and small businesses. A preliminary report was generated, as outlined herein, and additional reports are anticipated from the steering committee being organized as one of this workshop's recommendations, which is expected to be active by summer 2001. Additional information, including the list of participants in this workshop, is available at the Biomedical Imaging Program Web site (http://www.nci.nih.gov/bip/).

Humans↗
PubMed2001

Practical approach to archival and retrieval of analytical data in the laboratory.

Today's analytical laboratory uses a large number of different instruments that are connected in networks. Together with increasing automation, data are produced at a rate that can easily reach gigabytes per month, which generates the problem of systematic archival. In addition, working under Good Laboratory Practice requires that archival of raw data be performed in such a way that they can be readily retrieved upon request, even years later. While systematic archival of data is already performed in most laboratories, it is the retrieval of saved information that is often far from straightforward. This paper describes a simple but systematic approach for both archival and retrieval of data files and related electronic documents. It consists of an unambiguous scheme for the naming of electronic files, an efficient backup strategy, a simple database holding information about any data acquired, and a convenient interface to this database that can be accessed from any workplace while assuring restricted access. The system is capable of handling several databases concurrently and is used in our facility to archive data from several workgroups. The use of freely available software such as the Linux operating system made it possible to implement a fast and stable solution at exceptionally low cost.

Chemistry Techniques, Analytical↗
PubMed2000

A simplified and reliable HPV testing of archival Papanicolaou-stained cervical smears: application to cervical smears from cancer patients starting with cytologically normal smears.

The efficacy of four methods to recover DNA from Papanicolaou (Pap)-stained archival cervical smears for optimal detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA by GP5+/bioGP6+ polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was investigated. Two of the methods were based on proteinase K treatment and two based on treatment with guanidinium thiocyanate (GTC). The quality of the DNA as measured by PCR assays amplifying different sizes of the beta-globin gene appeared to be superior for the GTC-based assays. Using competitive beta-globin PCR assays, one of the GTC-based, assays, provisionally named High Pure PCR Template Preparation (HPPTP) assay, yielded by far the highest quantity of amplifiable DNA. It allowed the recovery of 2.2 x 10(5) to 3 x 10(5) genome equivalents in smears containing 5 x 10(5) to 20 x 10(5) nucleated cells, indicating a mean efficiency of 26% (range of 15-44%). In contrast, the other methods revealed markedly lower efficiencies varying from 1% to 10%. The use of the HPPTP assay as a reliable processing procedure was validated by demonstrating a complete agreement in HPV detection and 93% agreement in HPV typing between 39 archival Pap-stained and paired fresh-frozen cervical smears. This method was applied to 40 archival smears from ten cervical cancer patients (selected from a group of 200 patients) which had a history of 3-6 smears with the first smear being Pap 1 or 2 taken at least 5 years before cancer was diagnosed. The average time period between the first Pap 1/2 smear that contained the same HPV type as in the corresponding carcinoma and diagnosis of cervical cancer was 12.0 +/- 2.9 years. All subsequent smears were invariably positive for the same HPV type which was also found in the cervical cancer biopsy. In conclusion, the HPPTP assay provides a reliable and efficient means to extract DNA from Pap-stained archival cervical smears for the detection of HPV DNA by PCR and would be the method of choice for future HPV analysis of archival Pap-stained cervical smears.

Cervix Uteri↗
PubMed2000

[Clinical archiving--requirements and current solutions].

In this paper we summarize requirements for archiving in hospitals. Furthermore, we present solutions how digital archives can be built up. Archiving in hospitals requires medical documentation, which should take place preferably in a computer-based way. Requirements for electronic archiving include functionality, integration into the hospital information system, robustness, performance, usability and the ability to meet legal obligations. The latter issue is essential if the conventional archiving of paper records and non-digital images shall be abandoned.

Documentation↗
PubMed2002

An evaluation of tyramide signal amplification and archived fixed and frozen tissue in microarray gene expression analysis.

Archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded and ethanol-fixed tissues represent a potentially invaluable resource for gene expression analysis, as they are the most widely available material for studies of human disease. Little data are available evaluating whether RNA obtained from fixed (archival) tissues could produce reliable and reproducible microarray expression data. Here we compare the use of RNA isolated from human archival tissues fixed in ethanol and formalin to frozen tissue in cDNA microarray experiments. Since an additional factor that can limit the utility of archival tissue is the often small quantities available, we also evaluate the use of the tyramide signal amplification method (TSA), which allows the use of small amounts of RNA. Detailed analysis indicates that TSA provides a consistent and reproducible signal amplification method for cDNA microarray analysis, across both arrays and the genes tested. Analysis of this method also highlights the importance of performing non-linear channel normalization and dye switching. Furthermore, archived, fixed specimens can perform well, but not surprisingly, produce more variable results than frozen tissues. Consistent results are more easily obtainable using ethanol-fixed tissues, whereas formalin-fixed tissue does not typically provide a useful substrate for cDNA synthesis and labeling.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Comparison of genetic changes in frozen biopsies and microdissected archival material from the same colorectal liver metastases.

Microdissection of tissue sections from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor material allows separation of microscopic sites within a sample. DNA can easily be extracted, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology makes it possible to perform different molecular biologic analyses on small cell populations. The presence of normal cells or tumor heterogeneity may cause false negatives in allelic imbalance (AI) studies. Microdissected well-defined cell populations from a tumor section are assumed to increase the sensitivity of AI analyses. The present study has evaluated this in colorectal liver metastases by comparing genotypes in frozen biopsies with genotypes in microdissected archival samples from the same patients. Constitutional genotypes were obtained from corresponding peripheral blood leukocytes as well as normal liver tissue. Archival samples (n = 43) from 16 patients were analyzed after microdissection with 2-5 of 10 selected microsatellite markers. Frozen biopsies from one metastasis of each patient had previously been investigated at numerous microsatellite loci. From those results we selected, for the comparable analysis of archival samples, 41 tumor genotypes at 10 loci representing 11 heterozygotes, 13 AI, 7 losses of heterozygosity (LOHs), 8 homozygotes, and 2 microsatellite unstable cases. The microdissected samples revealed AI or a complete loss of one allele (LOH) in 5 of 11 (45%) genotypes that were previously evaluated as unchanged (retained heterozygosity) in the frozen biopsies, and LOH in 8 of 13 (62%) genotypes at loci known to exhibit AI in the frozen biopsies. Microsatellite instability, LOH, and homozygosity found in the frozen samples were all confirmed by analyses of the archival material. Intertumoral genetic heterogeneity was found in samples from two patients. The same allelic intensities were seen in DNA from tumor-close liver tissue as in blood DNA from the same patient except in one sample. The present study shows a 54% increase in sensitivity of genetic alterations if pure tumor cell components are used (five "new" AIs and LOHs and eight "new" LOHs among previously scored heterozygotes [n = 11] and AI [n = 13], respectively). In total, a 93% success rate (108/115 analyses) was obtained using standard PCR conditions for the 10 selected markers. The fact that standard PCR conditions and 5-micron tumor sections are used shows how easy these analyses are to perform, and that only minor amounts of valuable archival material is used.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗
PubMed2002

Archival fixed histologic and cytologic specimens including stained and unstained materials are amenable to RT-PCR.

Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues are increasingly used for analysis of gene expression. However, a large proportion of archival fixed histologic specimens including spare paraffin sections and stained slides, as well as archival cytologic materials, have not been investigated for their suitability for RNA-based analysis. The current study addressed this issue by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) transcript in a series of archival histologic and cytologic specimens. The histologic specimens included freshly prepared paraffin sections, spare paraffin sections, hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides, immunostained slides, and decalcified bone marrow trephines. The cytologic specimens comprised cervical smears and various stained and unstained needle aspirates and cell sediments. The G6PD was amplified for five different fragment sizes ranging from 67 bp to 453 bp. It was found that the majority of archival materials were amenable to RT-PCR of small fragments with the overall success rates of 95% and 79% for 67 bp and 151 bp of the G6PD mRNA, respectively. Neither staining nor prolonged storage up to 15 years had major negative effects on RT-PCR, although fine-needle aspirates showed a higher rate of RT-PCR of 242-bp fragment than other types of cytologic specimens and so did Papanicolaou-stained samples than May Grounwald and Giemsa-stained samples. RT-PCR of minute cell populations microdissected from immunostained sections of tonsils and t(11;18)-positive mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas showed that as few as 100 cells were adequate for RT-PCR of G6PD and translocation-associated fusion transcript as long as the target fragment was limited to less than 150 bp. Our results demonstrate that archival fixed histologic and cytologic specimens are valuable resources for RT-PCR-based molecular investigations.

Dissection↗
PubMed1996

Feasibility of archival non-buffered formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues for PCR amplification: an analysis of resected gastric carcinoma.

Although several factors affecting the sensitivity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification from formalin-fixed tissues have been investigated mostly by experiments, the feasibility of archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples stored in pathology departments for PCR amplification has rarely been examined directly. Thus, the feasibility of 74 archival unbuffered 10% formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues for PCR amplification with primers producing a 190 b.p. DNA segment of p53 exon 5 was investigated. Fixation time was the critical factor influencing the sensitivity of PCR amplification. All (6/6) of the samples fixed for only 1 day, 44% (7/16) of the samples fixed for 2-3 days and 14% (4/28) of the samples fixed for 4-6 days showed successful amplification, while no amplification was obtained for the samples fixed for 7 days or more. The peak size of DNA extracted from the archival tissues decreased as the fixation time became longer. Experiments using xenografted tumor tissues fixed for various times showed longer permissible fixation time; up to 9 days of fixation, decreasing amounts of PCR products were obtained while no amplification was obtained for the samples fixed for 12 days or more. The time in paraffin seemed to be a minor factor for PCR amplification since all of the 1 day fixation samples, including those that had been embedded for up to 5 years, resulted in efficient amplification. The size of the amplified DNA segments, however, could be another factor influencing the sensitivity of amplification because even the 1 day fixation samples showed less amplification of 345 b.p. DNA compared with those of 167 and 262 b.p. DNA. Additionally, a point mutation was detected in the amplified p53 products from archival tissues using a non-isotopic method, temperature gradient gel electrophoresis. In conclusion, archival tissue samples that had been fixed immediately for only up to 1 day were constantly available for PCR amplification of approximately 200 b.p. DNA segments, suggesting that surgical specimens should be subjected to cutting and paraffin embedding just after 1 day or less fixation for subsequent use in PCR amplification.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Analysis of mRNA quality in freshly prepared and archival Papanicolaou samples.

OBJECTIVE: To study the feasibility of utilizing mRNA recovered from cytologic Papanicolaou (Pap) specimens as a resource for gene expression studies of normal and diseased cells. STUDY DESIGN: To assess the effects of fixation on mRNA recovery and analysis, fresh Pap samples were processed by three separate methods: (1) routine cytologic fixation (2) 70% ethanol fixation, and (3) air drying without fixation. One-week-old, 1-month-old, 1-year-old and 10-year-old samples were studied to determine the quality of mRNA in archival samples. mRNA quality was analyzed by RT-PCR for the HPRT gene, and by complete transcript amplification. Both heterogeneous (whole slide scrapes) and microdissected cell populations were studied. RESULTS: Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosil transferase gene was positive in all fresh and archival samples and was not affected by fixative, processing methodology or microdissection. Complete transcript amplification followed by gel electrophoresis showed cDNA smears in all fresh samples with a maximum intensity between 1 and 2 kilobases (kb). Amplification of mRNA was not affected by fixation. Smaller cDNA smears were seen in archival specimens with a maximum intensity between 0.5 and 1.5 kb in both one-week-old and one-month-old samples. Smears of approximately 500 base pairs were observed in the 1-year-old and 10-year-old samples. Successful mRNA amplification was possible from microdissected cell populations. CONCLUSION: Messenger RNA recovery and analysis is possible from archival cytologic specimens, suggesting that they can serve as a useful template for RT-PCR analysis of individual genes as well as newly developing high-throughput gene expression methodologies, such as microarrays. Cytologic samples may be particularly useful for study of archival samples as well as diseases from which tissue samples amenable to mRNA-based studies are not available.

Cervix Uteri↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Detection of high-risk human papillomavirus nucleic acid in archival cervical smears.

OBJECTIVE: To test the usefulness of a commercial DNA hybridization assay for the detection of high-risk (HR) human papillomavirus (HPV) types in archival cervical smears and to compare the sensitivity with that of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using consensus primers. STUDY DESIGN: Stained material was scraped from archival slides and the pellet volume noted. DNA was extracted using silica/guanidinium isothiocyanate and the quality checked by amplification of the beta-globin gene. HR-HPV DNA was detected using a commercial hybrid capture assay (HCA) and the results compared with an in-house amplification system with consensus primers. RESULTS: Of 156 archival smears stored for 12-13 years, 20 were positive by HCA using an HR probe cocktail. Ninety-eight were also tested by PCR, and 35 were positive. The percentage of HPV-positive samples increased with the increasing size of the pellet. HR-HCA detected more positives in samples with high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (moderate/severe dyskaryosis). CONCLUSION: Both hybridization by HCA and amplification by PCR could be used to detect genital HPV in archival smears. The general primers PCR detected more positives than HR-HCA but included HPV 6/11. While variation in sample size and prolonged storage may reduce the quality of DNA, the use of archival material for longitudinal studies of HPV presence is potentially worthwhile.

DNA, Viral↗
PubMed2002

DNA extraction from archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections based on the antigen retrieval principle: heating under the influence of pH.

During the course of diagnostic surgical pathology, pathologists have established a large collection of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues that form invaluable resources for translational studies of cancer and a variety of other diseases. Accessibility of macromolecules in the fixed tissue specimens is a critical issue as exemplified by heat-induced antigen retrieval (AR) immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. On the basis of observations that heating may also enhance in situ hybridization (ISH) and the similarity of formalin-induced chemical modifications that occur in protein and in DNA, we designed a study to examine the efficiency of DNA extraction from archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues using an adaptation of the basic principles of the AR technique, i.e., heating the tissue under the influence of different pH values. Archival paraffin blocks of lymph nodes, tonsil, and colon were randomly selected. Each paraffin block was prepared in 34 microtubes. For each paraffin block, one tube was used as a control sample, using a non-heating DNA extraction protocol. The other 33 tubes were tested using a heating protocol under 11 variable pH values (pH 2 to 12) under three different heating conditions (80, 100, and 120C). Evaluation of the results of DNA extraction was carried out by measuring yields by photometry and PCR amplification, as well as kinetic thermocycling (KTC)-PCR methods. In general, lower pH (acid) solutions gave inferior results to solutions at higher pH (alkaline). Heating tissues at a higher temperature and at pH 6-9 gave higher yields of DNA. There appeared to be a peak in terms of highest efficiency of extracted DNA at around pH 9. The average ratios 260:280 of extracted DNA also showed better values for samples heated at 120C. PCR products of three primers showed satisfactory results for DNA extracted from archival paraffin-embedded tissues by heating protocols at pH 6-12, with results that were comparable to the control sample subjected to the standard non-heating, enzymatic DNA extraction method. This study is the first to document the use of heating at an alkaline pH for DNA extraction from archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, a recommendation based on the principles of AR for protein IHC. These findings may lead to a more effective protocol for DNA extraction from archival paraffin-embedded tissues and may also provide enhanced understanding of changes that occur during formalin-induced modification of nucleic acids.

Antigens↗
PubMed1992

Estimation of tumor growth fractions in archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues using two anti-PCNA/Cyclin monoclonal antibodies. Factors affecting reactivity.

Immunohistochemical detection of cell cycle-related markers for estimation of tumor growth fractions using paraffin-embedded tissue sections would have applications in experimental and clinical pathology as an in situ histologic alternative to flow cytometry. The monoclonal antibodies 19A2 and PC10 detect the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA/Cyclin), an auxiliary protein to DNA polymerase-delta. In a prospective group of uniformly handled, formalin-fixed malignant lymphomas we previously demonstrated 19A2 to be a reliable marker of proliferative activity similar to Ki-67 in frozen tissue. The present study examines the applicability of this technique in archival formalin-fixed material. Studies on tonsilar tissue revealed that formalin fixation beyond 30 hours adversely affected reactivity of 19A2, possibly explaining the variable results in nonuniformly fixed archival material. We found that only 27 (56%) of 48 archival cases of infiltrating ductal carcinoma showed sufficient reactivity with 19A2 to permit reliable quantification of the tumor growth fraction. Acid pretreatment with 2N HCl had no apparent effect on 19A2 reactivity. Using both antibodies on a group of 32 archival lymphomas, carcinomas, and sarcomas, significantly more biopsies stained reliably for PC10 (84%) than for 19A2 (72%; P < 0.036). Further, none of the cases that did not react with PC10 reacted with 19A2. PC10 may recognize a different epitope of PCNA/Cyclin which may be more resistant to alterations by fixation. In the 23 cases that reliably stained for both markers, largely carcinomas, there was excellent correlation between estimated growth fractions (r = 0.96). Although immunostaining provides a useful way to estimate tumor growth fractions in paraffin-embedded tissues, modifications of technique and cautious interpretation of results are advisable when using archival material.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed2002

An automated, web-enabled and searchable database system for archiving electrogram and related data from implantable cardioverter defibrillators.

The advent of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) has resulted in significant reductions in mortality in patients at high risk for sudden cardiac death. Extensive related basic research and clinical investigation continue. ICDs typically record intracardiac electrograms and inter-beat intervals along with device settings during episodes of device delivery of therapy. Researchers wishing to study these data further have until now been limited to viewing paper plots. In support of multi-center clinical studies of patients with ICDs, we have developed a web based searchable ICD data archiving system, which allows users to use a web browser to upload ICD data from diskettes to a server where the data are automatically processed and archived. Users can view and download the archived ICD data directly via the web. The entire system is built from open source software. At present more than 500 patient ICD data sets have been uploaded to and archived in the system. This project will be of value not only to those who wish to conduct research using ICD data, but also to clinicians who need to archive and review ICD data collected from their patients.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗
PubMed1994

Detection of BCL2 rearrangement in archival cytological smears of B-cell lymphomas.

The application of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to cytological material represents a promising, relatively noninvasive approach to clinical molecular genetic analysis. The detection rate of the t(14;18), the most common translocation in B-cell lymphomas, which results in rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) and BCL2 genes, has not been examined in archival cytological smears. We studied 10 cases of lymphoma that showed a cytogenetic t(14;18) in a surgical specimen and for which were available both lymphoma DNA from the same specimen and prior or subsequent archival cytological smears, either FNA or exfoliative, diagnosed as positive for lymphoma. The paired DNA samples, respectively extracted from the archival smears and frozen surgical biopsy tissue, representing clinical intervals of up to 20 mo, were studied in each case by PCR with IGH and BCL2 major breakpoint region primers. In four cases, the same clonotypical PCR product was seen in both samples. In four other cases, neither sample yielded a PCR product--these cases were also negative by Southern blotting using a BCL2 major breakpoint region probe. In one case, the PCR product could only be demonstrated in DNA from frozen tissue. Finally, in one other case, a PCR product was only detected in DNA from archival cytological smears. Thus, the overall concordance of PCR results in the paired DNA samples was 80%. Our findings suggest that, in cases of B-cell lymphoma previously characterized by PCR, the t(14;18) can be detected in archival cytological smears in the majority of cases, thereby providing valuable data regarding the clonal derivation of metachronous lymphoma samples in which only cytological material is obtained.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Universal linkage system: an improved method for labeling archival DNA for comparative genomic hybridization.

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) has become a powerful technique for studying gains and losses of DNA sequences in solid tumors. Importantly, DNA derived from archival tumor tissue is also applicable in CGH analysis. However, DNA isolated from routinely processed, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue is often degraded, with the bulk of DNA showing fragment sizes of only 400-750 bp. Enzymatic labeling of archival DNA by standard nick translation (NT) decreases DNA size even further, until it becomes too small for CGH (<300 bp). This study presents application in CGH of a commercially available, non-enzymatic labeling method, called Universal Linkage System (ULS), that leaves the DNA fragment size intact. To compare the effect of chemical labeling of archival DNA by ULS vs. enzymatic by NT on the quality of CGH, DNA derived from 16 tumors was labeled by both ULS and NT. In those cases (n = 8), in which the bulk of DNA had a fragment size of 400-1,000 bp, CGH was successful with ULS-labeled probes, but not with NT-labeled probes. In the DNA samples (n = 6) with a fragment size > 1 kb, the intensity of CGH signals was comparable for both ULS- and NT-labeled probes, but CGH with ULS-labeled samples showed a high, speckled, background, which seriously hampered image analysis. In the remaining two cases, which had evenly distributed DNA fragment sizes (range 250-5,000 bp), CGH was successful with both labeling methods. Using DNA fragment size < 1 kb as a selection criterion for ULS labeling, we were able to obtain good quality CGH of a large panel (n = 77) of a variety of archival solid tumors. We conclude that ULS is an excellent labeling method for performing CGH on small-fragment-sized DNA.

Archives↗
PubMed2000

Cryoconservation--archiving for the future.

Mouse genetics is set to play a pivotal role in the key post-genome challenge-the study of mammalian gene function. Addressing this challenge will involve the development and application of systematic mutagenesis approaches. The expanding mouse mutant resource that will result threatens to overwhelm the currently available animal facility space. Cryopreservation of both mouse embryos and spermatozoa is currently widely employed for the efficient archiving of mouse stocks. Distribution and dissemination of new and existing mouse strains is simplified by the availability of extensive frozen archives. Also, the availability of archives of frozen spermatozoa provides a potential powerful route for the production of backcross progeny for rapid genetic mapping. Moreover, frozen oocytes and ovaries may offer a valuable addition to the current cryopreservation approaches. Comprehensive mouse mutant archives will provide an essential resource for mammalian genetics throughout the 21(st) century.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

International radiobiology archives of long-term animal studies: structure, possible uses and potential extension.

Animal experiments have contributed a great deal to our information on effects and risks arising from exposure to radionuclides. This applies, in particular, to alpha-emitting radionuclides where information from man is limited to thorotrast, 224Ra and 226Ra. The late C.W. Mays was the first to suggest that animal data in conjunction with epidemiological data could allow estimates of human risks for radionuclides - predominantly from actinides - where information in man is scarce. The 'International Radiobiology Archives of Long-term Animal Studies' were created through the combined efforts of European, American and Japanese scientists and aim to safeguard the large amount of existing data on long-term animal experiments and make them available for, among others, an improved assessment of risks from alpha-emitting radionuclides. This paper summarizes the structure of the archives and reviews their present status and future plans. It also demonstrates the extensive information available in these archives on alpha-emitting radionuclides which is suitable for further analysis. Also, the structure of the animal archives could - in a slightly modified form - accommodate the epidemiological data available on 224Ra and thorotrast and, thus, facilitate a direct comparison of data from man, dogs and rodents.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

A notary archive model for secure preservation and distribution of electrically signed patient documents.

The healthcare industry is moving from paper-based documentation into the digital era. Electronic health records (EHR) are playing a major role in this development. Electronic health records will not only to be shared among a growing number of healthcare providers but they have also to be archived over long periods of time. The required life cycle depends of national regulations, but typically the preservation time of patient data varies between 20 and 100 years. Availability, integrity, confidentiality and non-repudiation of stored data over these lengthy preservation periods needs to be fully proven, both to preclude loss and also ensure the ability to read and understand content is maintained. This document describes a co-operative trusted notary archive (TNA) which receives granular health data from different EHR-systems, stores data together with associated meta-information for long periods and distributes granular EHR-data objects. TNA communicates with EHR-systems and external users via archive request and distribution messages. TNA can store objects in XML-format and prove the non-repudiation and integrity of stored data with the help of event records, Time-stamps and archive e-signatures.

Access to Information↗