Biological sample bank

For the use of the data in scientific research, a permanent sample bank was made including all samples taken. The bank composes the miniature chest X-ray pictures (N = 16 000), the resting ECG strips (N = 10 800) and the frozen serum/plasma samples. In the serum/plasma sample bank, the samples are stored at -20oC. A bookkeeping system is connected to the bank, and on its basis the use of the samples can be followed. Originally, the bank included four 4 ml serum tubes and two 4 ml plasma tubes for each participant. Part of the samples has been thawed, divided into smaller tubes, and refrozen. Currently, the bank includes about 100 000 tubes from 19 000 participants.