Abstract
Purpose :
Human cadaveric globes are a valuable resource for research. However, cadaveric tissue generates a variety of data and materials requiring a way to track and inventory the collection. Furthermore, multiple internal macroscopic features are documented including photographs of the retina, and angle structures. We have addressed these problems through construction of a relational database.
Methods :
FileMakerPro was used to organize the Ocular Pathology Archive. The globes are described and dissected generating an array of tissues that are processed into FFPE blocks of various anatomic regions, OCT embedded frozen blocks, frozen aliquots of aqueous and vitreous, frozen tissue portions, serum and plasma aliquots, histological sections (stained and unstained). A database is a collection of information that can be organized, updated, sorted, search through and printed. The Ocular Pathology Database is organized as 5 separate "tables". Within the tables fields are linked to the “Submission Page” table by the unique Donor ID. Eight types of information were collected (clinical data, physical exam, gross eye macroscopic data, pathology FFPE blocks, various samples stored in multiple lab sites, inventory of cut slides, inventory of stained slides and images, and frozen tissue details).
Results :
Each table consists of records and fields that store and display data. The tables are linked through “keys” preventing redundancy. Tasks are more efficient, stable, and manageable. The keys are unique numbers assigned to the individual Donors. New globes are entered into the “Specimen Identification Submission Page.” This Table is related to the 4 other tables though the Donor’s ID#. The table contains multiple “Fields”. Each Field contains multiple Records organized as Medical, Surgical, Social, and Specimen Acquisition. The overall presentation is the “Layout”.
Conclusions :
The Human Ocular Pathology Archive consists of diverse types of information and material for each Donor ranging from clinical data, various tissue blocks, unstained and stained slides, frozen tissues, photomicrographs, sera, and DNA. To solve the challenges of access, inventory, and data mining a relational database was established. The relational database, by linking data tables though a unique identifier, allows specimens to be efficiently identified and made available for research. The Human Ocular Pathology Archive will be a useful vision science resource.
This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.