Screensaver: an open source lab information management system (LIMS) for high throughput screening facilities.

BACKGROUND: Shared-usage high throughput screening (HTS) facilities are becoming more common in academe as large-scale small molecule and genome-scale RNAi screening strategies are adopted for basic research purposes. These shared facilities require a unique informatics infrastructure that must not only provide access to and analysis of screening data, but must also manage the administrative and technical challenges associated with conducting numerous, interleaved screening efforts run by multiple independent research groups. RESULTS: We have developed Screensaver, a free, open source, web-based lab information management system (LIMS), to address the informatics needs of our small molecule and RNAi screening facility. Screensaver supports the storage and comparison of screening data sets, as well as the management of information about screens, screeners, libraries, and laboratory work requests. To our knowledge, Screensaver is one of the first applications to support the storage and analysis of data from both genome-scale RNAi screening projects and small molecule screening projects. CONCLUSIONS: The informatics and administrative needs of an HTS facility may be best managed by a single, integrated, web-accessible application such as Screensaver. Screensaver has proven useful in meeting the requirements of the ICCB-Longwood/NSRB Screening Facility at Harvard Medical School, and has provided similar benefits to other HTS facilities.

Retrievable inferior vena cava filters in high-risk trauma and surgical patients: factors influencing successful removal.

BACKGROUND: An Inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) provides prophylaxis against pulmonary embolism in patients that cannot be anticoagulated. A removable IVCF (R-IVCF) provides prophylaxis during a high-risk period while potentially eliminating long-term complications associated with a permanent IVCF. Factors influencing success of R-IVCF removal are ill-defined. METHODS: The study was a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained patient registry comprising patients who received an R-IVCF (Bard Recovery and G2) at an academic level 1 trauma center. The influence of time in vivo, filter design, and filter head position on computed abdominal tomographic (CAT) scan (touching caval wall vs. free) on removal success was examined. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients each received an R-IVCF. Thirty-nine patients underwent removal attempt and 30 R-IVCFs were removed. Time in vivo did not affect removal success (success: 228 +/- 104 days versus unsuccessful: 289 +/- 158 days, p = 0.18). Filter design impacted filter head position (Recovery: 43% touching versus G2: 6% touching, p = 0.023). Position of the filter head influenced removal success (touching: 50% success versus free: 88% success, p = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Position of the filter head is the key determinant of removal success. Specific device designs may impact filter head position as was the case with the two designs in this analysis. Time in vivo does not affect removal success.