RE: [Histonet] Cleaning oil off objectives
Really like the taser idea! I could have used that for several people over the years. Pam Marcum -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Rittman, Barry R Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 10:36 PM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: RE: [Histonet] Cleaning oil off objectives Adam Hi I would strongly recommend that the best approach is to train the people using the microscope, everyone is trainable although for some this may be a long learning curve. The use of a taser with the later individuals is strongly recommended! Several years ago the Zeiss representative in Iowa used the expanded plastic packing beads to wipe off the excess oil as he said this was much more absorbent for oil that lens tissue. We have also seen the use of soft wood tips with oil that is encrusted on, on the understanding that the wood is much softer than the lens.. Never completely happy with that concept. A lot depends on the type of lens that is being used. Some lenses, especially older ones may have a coating that is easily damaged even by Q tips. I would use lens paper first (don't be cheap skate with the lens tissue) then repeat using a small amount of lens cleaner. The most difficult and usually the most contaminated seem to be the 40 due to its working distance. Most of the lens cleaners have isopropyl alcohol and some acetone. If it really does not get all the oil after repeating a couple of times then can use acetone but don't flood the lens just use small amounts and wipe across the face. Follow this with lens cleaner and lens paper. Has always worked for me. This sounds a lengthy procedure but only takes a couple of minutes. Hope that this helps Barry From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Adam . [anonwu...@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 7:19 PM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Cleaning oil off objectives Hi all, You guys were so helpful on my last question, I'll ask another. We have a microscope shared by the floor with several objectives, and it's pretty common for the non-immersion objectives to get contaminated with oil. I asked the guy who is responsible for the scope about this. He said that they call someone from some company who carefully cleans the objectives with acetone and a Q-tip, which if done right works wonders but if done wrong it can damage the lenses. But he mentioned that the lenses are usually re-contaminated within a few weeks since so many people use the scope, so it's sort of a pointless endeavor. This system seems pretty silly to me... I feel like there must be an easier and cheaper way to clean the lenses without damaging them; I certainly don't want to be responsible for damaging a microscope that costs more than my yearly salary. What do you recommend? Thanks, Adam ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Giardia
Calling for assistance. Does anyone have a tissue block for Giardia control they are willing to donate, if so contact me off list. I tried NSH but they don't have any available. Thanks everyone and Happy Friday Laura R. Watzek BSCT (ASCP) Pathology Supervisor 800 Meadows Rd. Boca Raton, FL 33486 Phone: (561) 955-4135 Fax: (561) 955-2127 lwat...@brch.com - Confidential E-Mail: This e-mail is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed, and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, or otherwise protected from disclosure. Dissemination, distribution, or copying of this e-mail or the information herein by anyone other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail, and destroy the original message and all copies. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: RE: [Histonet] Evan's Blue - blood brain barrier
Because most of it it dissolves. John Kiernan Anatomy, UWO London, Canada = = = - Original Message - From: Connolly, Brett M brett_conno...@merck.com Date: Friday, August 21, 2009 9:27 Subject: RE: [Histonet] Evan's Blue - blood brain barrier To: John Kiernan jkier...@uwo.ca Thanks for the history lesson...so why is EB not well suited for examination on sections?? Brett M. Connolly, Ph.D. Research Fellow, Imaging Dept. Merck Co., Inc. PO Box 4, WP-44K West Point, PA 19486 tel. 215-652-2501 fax. 215-993-6803 brett_conno...@merck.com From: John Kiernan [mailto:jkier...@uwo.ca] Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 4:24 PM To: Connolly, Brett M Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: Re: [Histonet] Evan's Blue - blood brain barrier Evans blue (EB) and the closely similar dye trypan blue (TB) bind non-covalently to proteins, notably albumin. The dye-protein complexes are fluorescent. These dyes are OK for gross demonstration of regions with permeable capillaries (neurohypophysis, area postrema etc) They are not well suited to examination of sections, although EB was one of the first tracers of retrograde axonal transport (Kristensson et al 1971 Brain Res. 32:399-406; Kuypers et al 1977 Neurosci. Lett. 6:127-135). In early studies with trypan blue the dye was administered chronically so that some of it ended up inside cells. Quite detailed technical details were given by DF Cappell 1929 (J. Path. Bact. 32:595-708). Clasen et al 1970 (J. Neuropath. Exp. Neurol. 29:266-284) took advantage of EB-albumin fluorescence in a histological study of blood-brain barrier failure, but there are better tracers, depending on the purpose of the investigation. John Kiernan Anatomy, UWO London, Canada = = = - Original Message - From: Connolly, Brett M brett_conno...@merck.com Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 12:19 Subject: [Histonet] Evan's Blue - blood brain barrier To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu We will be infusing Evan's Blue to assess blood brain barrier disruptionin some rats brains. The current plan is to follow this with saline perfusion to clear the vasculature and then perfuse with fixative. Brains will then be sunk in sucrose and frozen for sectioning, but I am wondering if anyone knows if Evan's Blue withstands processing to paraffin? Thanks for any tips/ info, etc. Brett Notice: This e-mail message, together with any attachments, contains information of Merck Co., Inc. (One Merck Drive, Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, USA 08889), and/or its affiliates (which may be known outside the United States as Merck Frosst, Merck Sharp Dohme or MSD and in Japan, as Banyu - direct contact information for affiliates is available at http://www.merck.com/contact/contacts.html) that may be confidential, proprietary copyrighted and/or legally privileged. It is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity named on this message. If you are not the intended recipient, and have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by reply e-mail and then delete it from your system. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet Notice: This e-mail message, together with any attachments, contains information of Merck Co., Inc. (One Merck Drive, Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, USA 08889), and/or its affiliates (which may be known outside the United States as Merck Frosst, Merck Sharp Dohme or MSD and in Japan, as Banyu - direct contact information for affiliates is available at http://www.merck.com/contact/contacts.html) that may be confidential, proprietary copyrighted and/or legally privileged. It is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity named on this message. If you are not the intended recipient, and have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by reply e-mail and then delete it from your system. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] refrigerating sliver and gold chloride??
I just noticed that my silver and gold chloride says to store at room temp now. I have always stored them in the refrigerator. Is anyone still doing this?? Old habits die hard. I want to know if this has caused any staining issues for anyone. Cheryl Miller HT (ASCP) Histology Supervisor Physicians Laboratory,P.C. Omaha, Ne. 402 738 5052 PRIVILEGED / CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION may be contained in this message. If you are not the addressee intended / indicated or agent responsible for delivering it to the addressee, you are hereby notified that you are in possession of confidential and privileged information. Any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete this email from your system. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
RE: [Histonet] refrigerating sliver and gold chloride??
I know when commercial Schiff's was no longer required to be kept refrigerated I had my doubts but it worked fine. I am guessing this will be the same. Jeanine Bartlett Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch (404) 639-3590 jeanine.bartl...@cdc.hhs.gov -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Cheri Miller Sent: Friday, August 21, 2009 12:09 PM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Cc: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] refrigerating sliver and gold chloride?? I just noticed that my silver and gold chloride says to store at room temp now. I have always stored them in the refrigerator. Is anyone still doing this?? Old habits die hard. I want to know if this has caused any staining issues for anyone. Cheryl Miller HT (ASCP) Histology Supervisor Physicians Laboratory,P.C. Omaha, Ne. 402 738 5052 PRIVILEGED / CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION may be contained in this message. If you are not the addressee intended / indicated or agent responsible for delivering it to the addressee, you are hereby notified that you are in possession of confidential and privileged information. Any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete this email from your system. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
FW: [Histonet] clearing agent for gross specimens
Vinnie Della Speranza Manager for Anatomic Pathology Services 165 Ashley Avenue Suite 309 Charleston, SC 29425 tel. 843-792-6353 fax. 843-792-8974 -Original Message- From: Shawn Leslie [mailto:lesl...@vetmed.ufl.edu] Sent: Friday, August 21, 2009 12:21 PM To: Della Speranza, Vinnie Subject: RE: [Histonet] clearing agent for gross specimens Hi Vinnie, We used to just use Glycerin...It would clear the fat quite nicely.then the lymph nodes could be visualized -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Della Speranza, Vinnie Sent: Friday, August 21, 2009 12:16 PM To: Histonet Subject: [Histonet] clearing agent for gross specimens I would appreciate hearing from anyone who routinely utilizes a clearing agent in the gross room to clear fat from tissues to allow lymph nodes to be visualized. I am aware of Dissect Aid but would like to learn of other comparable products. If individuals are using home made solutions are will to share their formula I would appreciate receiving that information as well. Our primary interest is speed of clearing for turnaround time reasons. I am in the midst of a Histosearch search but it is slow going because most discussions refer to tissue processing or staining so it's like looking for a needle in a haystack Thank you all Vinnie Della Speranza Manager for Anatomic Pathology Services 165 Ashley Avenue Suite 309 Charleston, SC 29425 tel. 843-792-6353 fax. 843-792-8974 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
FW: [Histonet] clearing agent for gross specimens
Vinnie Della Speranza Manager for Anatomic Pathology Services 165 Ashley Avenue Suite 309 Charleston, SC 29425 tel. 843-792-6353 fax. 843-792-8974 -Original Message- From: Jason McGough [mailto:jmcgo...@clinlab.com] Sent: Friday, August 21, 2009 12:25 PM To: Della Speranza, Vinnie Subject: RE: [Histonet] clearing agent for gross specimens We use a home made solution that works very well for lymph node visualization. Here is our formula: 5L ETOH 3.4L distilled water 1.6L 37-40% Formaldehyde 1L Glacial Acetic Acid Let me know if I can be of further assistance. Jason McGough HT(ASCP) Account Representative - Anatomic Pathology Clinical Laboratory of the Black Hills 2805 5th Street Suite 210 Rapid City, SD 57701 605-343-2267 Ext 127 605-718-3779 (Fax) jmcgo...@clinlab.com -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu]on Behalf Of Della Speranza, Vinnie Sent: Friday, August 21, 2009 10:16 AM To: Histonet Subject: [Histonet] clearing agent for gross specimens I would appreciate hearing from anyone who routinely utilizes a clearing agent in the gross room to clear fat from tissues to allow lymph nodes to be visualized. I am aware of Dissect Aid but would like to learn of other comparable products. If individuals are using home made solutions are will to share their formula I would appreciate receiving that information as well. Our primary interest is speed of clearing for turnaround time reasons. I am in the midst of a Histosearch search but it is slow going because most discussions refer to tissue processing or staining so it's like looking for a needle in a haystack Thank you all Vinnie Della Speranza Manager for Anatomic Pathology Services 165 Ashley Avenue Suite 309 Charleston, SC 29425 tel. 843-792-6353 fax. 843-792-8974 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
RE: [Histonet] Cleaning oil off objectives
I use a dog chewed old stick. On another note, how to clean off dried mounting media. I have several objectives where some goombahs dragged the objectives through wet mounting media. If y'all have any suggestions about removing dried mounting media. Send them my way. 4 of my 5 objectives are no longer objective after having their lenses clouded by the media. ;-) Paula Paula Sicurello VA Medical Center San Diego Veterans Medical Research Foundation (VMRF) Core for Micro Imaging(C-MI) 3350 La Jolla Village Dr., MC151 San Diego, CA 92161 858-552-8585 x2397 C-MI for your imaging needs. --- On Fri, 8/21/09, Pamela Marcum mucra...@comcast.net wrote: From: Pamela Marcum mucra...@comcast.net Subject: RE: [Histonet] Cleaning oil off objectives To: 'Rittman, Barry R' barry.r.ritt...@uth.tmc.edu, histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Date: Friday, August 21, 2009, 12:43 PM Really like the taser idea! I could have used that for several people over the years. Pam Marcum -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Rittman, Barry R Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 10:36 PM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: RE: [Histonet] Cleaning oil off objectives Adam Hi I would strongly recommend that the best approach is to train the people using the microscope, everyone is trainable although for some this may be a long learning curve. The use of a taser with the later individuals is strongly recommended! Several years ago the Zeiss representative in Iowa used the expanded plastic packing beads to wipe off the excess oil as he said this was much more absorbent for oil that lens tissue. We have also seen the use of soft wood tips with oil that is encrusted on, on the understanding that the wood is much softer than the lens.. Never completely happy with that concept. A lot depends on the type of lens that is being used. Some lenses, especially older ones may have a coating that is easily damaged even by Q tips. I would use lens paper first (don't be cheap skate with the lens tissue) then repeat using a small amount of lens cleaner. The most difficult and usually the most contaminated seem to be the 40 due to its working distance. Most of the lens cleaners have isopropyl alcohol and some acetone. If it really does not get all the oil after repeating a couple of times then can use acetone but don't flood the lens just use small amounts and wipe across the face. Follow this with lens cleaner and lens paper. Has always worked for me. This sounds a lengthy procedure but only takes a couple of minutes. Hope that this helps Barry From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Adam . [anonwu...@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 7:19 PM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Cleaning oil off objectives Hi all, You guys were so helpful on my last question, I'll ask another. We have a microscope shared by the floor with several objectives, and it's pretty common for the non-immersion objectives to get contaminated with oil. I asked the guy who is responsible for the scope about this. He said that they call someone from some company who carefully cleans the objectives with acetone and a Q-tip, which if done right works wonders but if done wrong it can damage the lenses. But he mentioned that the lenses are usually re-contaminated within a few weeks since so many people use the scope, so it's sort of a pointless endeavor. This system seems pretty silly to me... I feel like there must be an easier and cheaper way to clean the lenses without damaging them; I certainly don't want to be responsible for damaging a microscope that costs more than my yearly salary. What do you recommend? Thanks, Adam ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] FW: clearing agent for gross specimens
Vinnie Della Speranza Manager for Anatomic Pathology Services 165 Ashley Avenue Suite 309 Charleston, SC 29425 tel. 843-792-6353 fax. 843-792-8974 -Original Message- From: Cazares, Ruth [mailto:rcaza...@schosp.org] Sent: Friday, August 21, 2009 12:58 PM To: Della Speranza, Vinnie Subject: RE: clearing agent for gross specimens Vinnie, We make our own Davidson's fixative, and we also tried Dissect Aid. Comparing the two, our PA and our pathologists liked the homemade Davidsons fixative better than the Dissect Aid. Ruth Cazares, HT (ASCP) Histology Supervisor Department of Pathology Swedish Covenant Hospital 5145 North California Ave Chicago, IL 60625 -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Della Speranza, Vinnie Sent: Friday, August 21, 2009 11:16 AM To: Histonet Subject: [Histonet] clearing agent for gross specimens I would appreciate hearing from anyone who routinely utilizes a clearing agent in the gross room to clear fat from tissues to allow lymph nodes to be visualized. I am aware of Dissect Aid but would like to learn of other comparable products. If individuals are using home made solutions are will to share their formula I would appreciate receiving that information as well. Our primary interest is speed of clearing for turnaround time reasons. I am in the midst of a Histosearch search but it is slow going because most discussions refer to tissue processing or staining so it's like looking for a needle in a haystack Thank you all Vinnie Della Speranza Manager for Anatomic Pathology Services 165 Ashley Avenue Suite 309 Charleston, SC 29425 tel. 843-792-6353 fax. 843-792-8974 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet *** Confidentiality Statement *** This e-mail is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately by replying to this message and then delete it from your system. Any review, dissemination, distribution, or reproduction of this message by unintended recipients is strictly prohibited and may be subject to legal restriction. Thank you for your cooperation. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Re: clearing agent for gross specimens
Vinnie Della Speranza in Charleston SC asks: I would appreciate hearing from anyone who routinely utilizes a clearing agent in the gross room to clear fat from tissues to allow lymph nodes to be visualized. I am aware of Dissect Aid but would like to learn of other comparable products. If individuals are using home made solutions are will to share their formula I would appreciate receiving that information as well. Our primary interest is speed of clearing for turnaround time reasons. I am in the midst of a Histosearch search but it is slow going because most discussions refer to tissue processing or staining so it's like looking for a needle in a haystack. * Most of the proprietary mixes such as Dissect-Aid and O-Fix contain varying amounts of water, alcohol, formaldehyde, and acetic acid. As John Kiernan pointed out some time ago, these formulas aren't very rational. I've had good luck with both Dissect-Aid and O-Fix. When I make my own clearing fixative, I make Davidson's fixative: 3 parts water, 3 parts reagent alcohol, 2 parts 37% formaldehyde, 1 part glacial acetic acid. An obvious point often missed: you cannot post-fix. The tissues must go into the clearing fixative before the neutral buffered formalin the specimen arrives in has time to penetrate, a few hours but not longer. The clearing fixative needs several hours to work, preferably overnight, particularly since such specimens usually arrive late in the day. The fatty lymph node bearing tissue needs to be cut up so that the fixative will penetrate it. Clearing fixatives are most useful with colon resections for cancer. Mesenteric lymph nodes are often small, and very small lymph nodes often contain metastatic colon cancer. These tiny metastases determine treatment: chemotherapy is indicated if lymph nodes are positive. (It's amazing that, with so much riding on it, how little attention is paid to these details.) In my limited experience, clearing fixatives are useful with radical neck dissection specimens. I don't find clearing fixatives necessary with axillary tissue removed in the treatment of breast cancer, and the fixatives may interfere with the immunostains often used with axillary nodes. Most pahtologists I've spoken with about this agree with me. I think there's a good bit of material about this in the Histonet archives - try searching Davidson's fixative. Bob Richmond Samurai Pathologist Knoxville TN ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
AW: [Histonet] C4D Antibody
We work with the Benchmark XT, ultraview kit (polymer), CC1 retrieval (pH 8-9) 30 min, C4d from Zytomed 1:25 32min, with amplification. Gudrun Lang Akh Linz, Austria -Ursprüngliche Nachricht- Von: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] Im Auftrag von kk...@bidmc.harvard.edu Gesendet: Freitag, 21. August 2009 19:39 An: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Betreff: [Histonet] C4D Antibody Just wondering if anyone out there routinely works with C4d. I was wondering what you use for retrieval and the Type of detection kit you use. Thanks. Kwadwo Kwaa. BIDMC Pathology Department IHC ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
AW: [Histonet] Re: clearing agent for gross specimens
A question about the practical grossing of colons with clearing fixative. Do you put the whole colon in the clearing fixative? Or do you cut the mesocolon off and fix it seperated and let the colon itself in NBF? Gudrun -Ursprüngliche Nachricht- Von: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] Im Auftrag von Robert Richmond Gesendet: Freitag, 21. August 2009 19:23 An: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Betreff: [Histonet] Re: clearing agent for gross specimens Vinnie Della Speranza in Charleston SC asks: I would appreciate hearing from anyone who routinely utilizes a clearing agent in the gross room to clear fat from tissues to allow lymph nodes to be visualized. I am aware of Dissect Aid but would like to learn of other comparable products. If individuals are using home made solutions are will to share their formula I would appreciate receiving that information as well. Our primary interest is speed of clearing for turnaround time reasons. I am in the midst of a Histosearch search but it is slow going because most discussions refer to tissue processing or staining so it's like looking for a needle in a haystack. * Most of the proprietary mixes such as Dissect-Aid and O-Fix contain varying amounts of water, alcohol, formaldehyde, and acetic acid. As John Kiernan pointed out some time ago, these formulas aren't very rational. I've had good luck with both Dissect-Aid and O-Fix. When I make my own clearing fixative, I make Davidson's fixative: 3 parts water, 3 parts reagent alcohol, 2 parts 37% formaldehyde, 1 part glacial acetic acid. An obvious point often missed: you cannot post-fix. The tissues must go into the clearing fixative before the neutral buffered formalin the specimen arrives in has time to penetrate, a few hours but not longer. The clearing fixative needs several hours to work, preferably overnight, particularly since such specimens usually arrive late in the day. The fatty lymph node bearing tissue needs to be cut up so that the fixative will penetrate it. Clearing fixatives are most useful with colon resections for cancer. Mesenteric lymph nodes are often small, and very small lymph nodes often contain metastatic colon cancer. These tiny metastases determine treatment: chemotherapy is indicated if lymph nodes are positive. (It's amazing that, with so much riding on it, how little attention is paid to these details.) In my limited experience, clearing fixatives are useful with radical neck dissection specimens. I don't find clearing fixatives necessary with axillary tissue removed in the treatment of breast cancer, and the fixatives may interfere with the immunostains often used with axillary nodes. Most pahtologists I've spoken with about this agree with me. I think there's a good bit of material about this in the Histonet archives - try searching Davidson's fixative. Bob Richmond Samurai Pathologist Knoxville TN ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] C4d
Thx Everyone for your input on C4D..I'm running it right now. Trying new things and special thx to Sally Drew. Kwadwo kwaa BIDMC Pathology Department 617-667-5769 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] flex kits
If any of you are using the flex kits from Dako I would appreciate your feedback on what you think about them good and/or bad. Hazel Horn Hazel Horn, HT/HTL (ASCP) Supervisor of Histology Arkansas Children's Hospital 1 Children's WaySlot 820 Little Rock, AR 72202 phone 501.364.4240 fax501.364.3155 visit us on the web at:www.archildrens.org ** The information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential and protected from disclosure. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message and deleting it from your computer. Thank you. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Re: clearing agent for gross specimens
Gudrun Lang in Austria asks a question about grossing colons I should have addressed earlier: A question about the practical grossing of colons with clearing fixative. Do you put the whole colon in the clearing fixative? Or do you cut the mesocolon off and fix it separated and put the colon itself in NBF? You detach the mesenteries, cut them into fairly thin slices, and put the slices in the clearing fixative. The rest of the colon is fixed in neutral buffered formalin, pinned to a board if possible. Both should be fixed overnight. Epiploic appendages and other non-mesenteric fat can be put in the formalin and not further dissected. Bob Richmond Samurai Pathologist Knoxville TN ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] refrigerating sliver and gold chloride??
There was never any reason to refrigerate gold chloride or silver nitrate. These compounds (solid or dissolved) can be kept for many years at room temperature. If the solutions are used repeatedly they eventually deteriorate from contamination with bits of sections, causing a changed appearance. Gold solutions take on a greenish grey hue and flakes of metallic gold eventually settle out. These can easily be recovered and recycled to make gold chloride (HAuCl4) again. Clean gold chloride solutions keep for ever. I have a few bottles of 0.5% that are still that beautiful yellow colour after about 25 years. Old silver nitrate looks a bit grey, not completely colourless. Re-purifying in a histology lab isn't really feasible. You can precipitate out and collect the silver, but (strangely) refining companies don't want it. Your message mentioned silver and gold chloride. I don't know a histological use for silver chloride, which is very sensitive to light - goes grey-violet as you look at it. John Kiernan Anatomy, UWO London, Canada = = = - Original Message - From: Cheri Miller cmil...@physlab.com Date: Friday, August 21, 2009 12:10 Subject: [Histonet] refrigerating sliver and gold chloride?? To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Cc: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu I just noticed that my silver and gold chloride says to store at room temp now. I have always stored them in the refrigerator. Is anyone still doing this?? Old habits die hard. I want to know if this has caused any staining issues for anyone. Cheryl Miller HT (ASCP) Histology Supervisor Physicians Laboratory,P.C. Omaha, Ne. 402 738 5052 PRIVILEGED / CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION may be contained in this message. If you are not the addressee intended / indicated or agent responsible for delivering it to the addressee, you are hereby notified that you are in possession of confidential and privileged information. Any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete this email from your system. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
