NCTR computer systems designed for toxicologic experimentation. IV. Experiment information system.

The Experiment Information System (EIS) is a computerized data collection, maintenance, and reporting system for specified information values collected during the lifespan of animals assigned to toxicologic investigations at NCTR. The system records and/or controls experimental variables, which might ultimately affect the results, through the operation and integration of the Diet Preparation Subsystem (DPS), the Environmental Monitoring Subsystem (EMS), the Microbiology Subsystem (MBS), and the Chemistry Data Subsystem (CDS). The fifth component of the EIS, the Experimental Data Collection Subsystem (EDCS), is responsible for handling all data generated by, or attributed to, the animals from assignment until death or removal. Through integration of these five subsystems, the history of an animal while on study is recorded and stored for later recall. In addition, "routine" and "special" reports are made available through the system software which enables stringent control of the experiment by the Principal Investigator, Animal Husbandry, and NCTR Management.

NCTR computer systems designed for toxicologic experimentation. I. Overview.

Established in 1971 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Center for Toxicological Research is committed to the study of long-term, low-dose effects of potentially toxic substances, including carcinogens. The Scientific Information Systems Division (SISD) facility provides logistic support for complex experiments involving large numbers of test animals. Animal population at the Center, including the breeding colony and animals on experiment, can be as high as 80,000. Each animal must be accounted for, fed and watered under strict control, and continually observed. From birth to final examination, an individual animal might have as many as 3,000 individual elements of information associated with it. This paper introduces a series of reports dealing with an integrated and comprehensive system of experiment planning and implementation (including information gathering, classification, analyses and reporting), employing state-of-the-art data processing techniques. This extensive use of computer technology has permitted the collection, proper classification, and rapid retrieval of virtually error-free data, resulting in cost-sensitive experiment planning.

NCTR computer systems designed for toxicological experimentation. II. Experiment start-up system.

The Experiment Start-Up System (ESS) developed and implemented at the National Center for Toxicological Research constructs models from information contained in experimental protocols. These models may then be used to project resource requirements and related schedules. Each experimental model provides information from which management can determine the raw resources such as quantity of food, water, bedding, cages, animals (sex, strain, species), chemical, facilities, and manpower needed for conducting the experiment. Based upon this information, management can determine if the required resources are available and determine the most feasible "start" date for the new experiment. In addition, the information provided by the experimental model assures the Principal Investigator that the protocol requirements are thoroughly understood by participating technical support groups and that quality control elements of the ESS and other integrated systems will provide a means for accurately monitoring the experiment.

Computer record keeping in a large rodent colony.

An automated information system was developed to aid in the record keeping of inbred rodent breeding colonies. The system had keyboard terminals in each breeding room linked to a local mini-computer for data collection, editing, and short-term storage; and a remote, large computer center for permanent storage and report generation. The system allowed an animal technician to record all the activities associated with an inbred rodent breeding colony such as recording births of litters, weanings, assignment of animals, disposition of animals, and health observations. The information collected was available in daily reports provided within 24 hours after observations were recorded; weekly compilations that summarized the daily events; and special reports such as pedigrees, which were available on request.

Computer-assisted collection and analysis of pathology data.

At the National Center for Toxicological Research, long-term experiments with mice requiring the collection, storage, retieval, and analysis of an inordinate amount of data necessitated the development of an automated pathology information system. The system included automatic collection of mouse body and organ weights and hematologic findings; the use of mark-sensitive forms for the collection of gross and microscopic findings; and the use of computers for the storage, retrieval, and analysis of pathology data.

Advances in automation for experimental pathology.

The establishment of the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR), Jefferson, AR, to study long term effects of low doses of potentially toxic substances, including carcinogens, resulted in the initiation of chronic experiments requiring histophatologic studies of large numbers of animals. Processing the tissues and recording and analyzing the massive amount of pathologic data from these studies required innovative automated technics. The result was a unique computerized pathology data system of NCTR. The system encompasses the development of training programs for necropsy techincians, histology technicians, and pathology tissue screeners; the use of automated equipment for processing, embedding, sectioning, and staining tissue; the use of prelabeled cassettes, slides, and pathology forms; the use of mark-sensitive forms for the collection of gross and microscopic findings; the use of data collection terminals for animal identification, animal weights, and organ weights; the collection of gross and microscopic data on a Mod Comp III minicomputer; and the storage, analysis, and generation of pathology reports and tables over a data link from an IBM 370-158 computer. Some of the features of this system may be applicable in other toxicology laboratories and medical pathology departments.