Hello histonet, I am new to this list and new to the world of histology and I am seeking advice for a variety of subjects.
First of all, I am starting an internship in a histology lab and will try to perfect decalcification of tissues from different types of embalming methods. My fisrt problem is the embedding center, a Tissue Tek II ( http://www.medical-equipment-classifieds.com/classifieds/view-ad-2535.html). At first, even at the coldest setting, paraffin went up to 85-90oC. We played with the intern screw around the thermostat, and I think we just "screwed" it up even more and the fuse blew... smoke was coming out of the control box. So, if anyone has the user's manual to this particular machine, it would be appreciated. Do you have a method to embed tissue without an embedding center? The cooling plate works fine; it is just the paraffin bath is not heating anymore. Sakura does not offer help for this machine anymore. In the same line of idea, if anyone has the manual for the Tissue Tek VIP 2000, model 4618 circulator, would be appreciated as well. I will be trying an HCl solution 0,5N in water as a decalcification agent. Protocols suggest a neutralisation step afterwards of a 12h bath in sodium sulfate or lithium sulfate. I don't have neither of these products, but have sodium sulfite or magnesium sulfate. Would a bath in one of these work the same, or is a bath under running water equivalent to this step of neutralisation? I have also a question about decalcification of bones/teeth versus non-calcified tissue, like liver/kidney/muscles. Is EDTA less harsh for these tissues than acid-based decalcifiers? I will not be working with hardly calcified tissues, but more with soft ones. Hope that is not too much, I am just an eager student excited to get into the world of science research. Thank you, Julien _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet