[Histonet] Invitation to connect on LinkedIn
LinkedIn Judith McKinney requested to add you as a connection on LinkedIn: -- David, I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn. - Judith Accept invitation from Judith McKinney http://www.linkedin.com/e/yvpgd1-gy1lraui-16/qXtGZ0-QiF70UPNqEunZRx9zbUTaXy-_ifnGa0-b4uheRh4MMF/blk/I217691482_13/1BpC5vrmRLoRZcjkkZt5YCpnlOt3RApnhMpmdzgmhxrSNBszYPclYOe3gNejoTcj99bOR2pj1vmlB4bPcNcjcQc38PczkLrCBxbOYWrSlI/EML_comm_afe/?hs=falsetok=3YWPLzoB0dJB41 View invitation from Judith McKinney http://www.linkedin.com/e/yvpgd1-gy1lraui-16/qXtGZ0-QiF70UPNqEunZRx9zbUTaXy-_ifnGa0-b4uheRh4MMF/blk/I217691482_13/3cNnP8Ud34VdzsNcAALqnpPbOYWrSlI/svi/?hs=falsetok=3gEYT3L3YdJB41 -- Why might connecting with Judith McKinney be a good idea? Judith McKinney's connections could be useful to you: After accepting Judith McKinney's invitation, check Judith McKinney's connections to see who else you may know and who you might want an introduction to. Building these connections can create opportunities in the future. -- (c) 2012, LinkedIn Corporation ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Need feed back from any users out there!
Hello Histoland, Can anyone who may have used or is using this piece of equipment give me their feed back? We are considering it to do an online dewaxing and retrievel with the Biocare Nemesis stainer. Thanks in advacne for your comments! Colleen Forster HT(ASCP)QIHC U of MN Lab Vision* PT Module The Thermo Scientific* PT Module is designed to simultaneously perform dewaxing and antigen retrieval on slides prior to immunohistochemical staining. The Thermo Scientific PT Module is the benchmark for simplification, standardization and consistency of antigen retrieval procedures in IHC. The PT Module fully automates simultaneous dewaxing and antigen retrieval of IHC and includes PT Monitor software for printing/maintenance of regulatory compliant procedural reports. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Processing adipose tissue
Esteemed experts, We have many clients who want to process mouse and human adipose tissue and are having some quality issues in the resultant slides. We have tried processing small chunks of tissue (1 cm x 0.5 cm) on our automated processor (Excelsior) as follows: Tissue fixed for ~24 hrs in 10% NBF 70% Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) for 3 hrs 90% IPA, 3hrs 100% IPA, 3 hrs 100% IPA, 3 hrs 100% IPA, 3 hrs 100% IPA, 3 hrs 100% IPA, 3 hrs 100% IPA, 3 hrs 100% IPA, 3hrs Paraffin, 3 hrs Paraffin, 3 hrs Paraffin, 3 hrs Embed and section at 5 um prior to HE. An example of what the sections look like can be found here http://imgur.com/7RTGR . We also ran a sample on a traditional overnight EtOH/Xylene processor (not at our facility) to compare results. That image is here: http://imgur.com/GjJPg . What is obvious is that the membranes in the IPA processed tissue seem to flap over and don't look as crisp as the Xylene processed tissue. We did notice structural defects in both samples (not shown) typically toward the middle of the specimens. Does anyone know what is causing our IPA processed fat to have these wide membrane artifacts? We are going to repeat the process with an additional 30 minutes per step and raise the temperature of the steps to ~ 35 C. We are also going to cut the blocks at 2-3 um to see if it can reduce the appearance of the membranes. Thanks very much for any advice you may have for us. We are pretty locked in to using xylene-free processing methodology if at all possible but will entertain any suggestions you may have. If I can provide any further details about what we are doing on our end, please let me know and I'll be happy to provide them. Best, David Burk ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] Carbon 14
Usually the amounts are very small, but always treat the tissues with the adequate precautions. Your radiology department can inform you of the current regulations in your area. René J. --- On Mon, 1/30/12, jstaruk jsta...@masshistology.com wrote: From: jstaruk jsta...@masshistology.com Subject: [Histonet] Carbon 14 To: 'Histonet' histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Date: Monday, January 30, 2012, 1:19 PM Does anyone have any experience with tissue injected with carbon 14? I have some questions about precautions and disposal. Thanks Jim ___ James E. Staruk HT(ASCP) www.masshistology.com www.nehorselabs.com ___ 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] Interviewing Histotechs...
I gather it is different in clinical labs than in research labs. In clinical labs there is an emphasis on quantity and speed. In research the emphasis is on doing good experiments. Our patients are almost always deceased or shortly about to be so there is no urgency of diagnosis factor. For us, diagnosis means making precise measurements else some scientists looking at an image and asking each other what the? Anyway I always assume that the person I am hiring is incompetent at histology and that they will need to be personally trained by me. Doesn't matter how much experience they have. And over 23 years that has turned out to be true. I've met exactly two people who didn't need much training.One was a former senior clinical lab manager. The other was a kid straight out of high school who happened to have a histology experience from high school and a decent histo portfolio. Yes, Mercer Island High School had a Histology program. No such thing as a tech who doesn't need to be trained and any tech trained by me will be up and running in a week or two. Why bother making them cut or stain anything during a darn interview. If they are smart and cooperative they will work out. If I ever go to a new lab with a new microtome, new protocols, I am pretty sure that I will be sort of incompetent for a week or two as well. Jerry Ricks Research Scientist University of Washington Department of Pathology histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:12:09 -0500 From: rsrichm...@gmail.com To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Re: interview Ray Koelling asked me: If the Samurai Pathologist is out there reading still; any idea over your career, about how many glass slides have you viewed under a microscope since the first? Your replies are always top-notch, entertaining and informative. And hope with each new job you don't have to show someone you can pass a test of which slide shows normal liver and which slide shows cirrhotic liver in your interview. I really have no idea how many slides. In a normal year I sign out about 3,000 histology cases (remember I don't work full time) averaging maybe 3 slides per case. Generally I've gotten jobs, both private clients and agency clients, by recommendation. A number of years ago I was interviewed by a four-pathologist hospital group who handed me a tray of 20 slides with the necessary historical information, and was told that this was a set the group had collected, including very straightforward cases, cases with serious diagnostic pitfalls, and some cases they'd never been able to make a diagnosis on. They tried to make it a test of judgment rather than simple diagnostic skill. Told to take as much time as I needed. I guess I passed - by coincidence, the entire group chanced to break up very quickly, and an entirely different team took over. 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] SSTR1 - 5 antibody
Hi! Can someone give a recommendation for SSTR1 to SSTR5 antibodies for human FFPE immunohistochemistry? synonym: Somatostatin-Receptor 1 many thanks Gudrun Lang histolab, Linz, Austria ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Great Louisiana Positon
Great opportunity for a Histotechnician in a brand new laboratory! Acadiana Gastroenterology Associates, LLC, a six (6) Physician Practice located in Lafayette, Louisiana, is looking for a certified HT or HTL to run their newly constructed laboratory. Candidate must be ASCP certified and CLIA certified to perform gross dissection, prior supervisory experience preferred. Responsibilities would include the following: Creation and maintenance of policies and procedures to CLIA standards, leading lab through CLIA inspection, maintenance and quality control for equipment, and routine histology duties. This is a part-time position that offers a competitive rate and flexible hours. Interested applicants should contact Meredith Hale; phone 214-596-2219 or through email mh...@carisls.com http://webmail.windstreamhosting.com/hwebmail/services/go.php?url=http% 3A%2F%2Fmailto%3Amhale%40carisls.com Meredith Hale HT (ASCP)cm Operations Liaision Director and Education Coordinator Caris Diagnostics Part of Miraca Holdings Inc. 6655 North MacArthur Blvd. Irving , Texas 75039 Office: 214-596-2219 Cell: 469-648-8253 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] Interviewing Histotechs...
I hope there is at least a bit more to clinical histology than quantity and speed. Maybe I know the particular high schooler you mentioned who was so good since I mentored that Mercer program/class for years and years and even brought in class-wide IHC hands-on projects. Before the teacher left and the program collapsed. Ray Seattle, WA - Original Message - From: Jerry Ricks rosenfeld...@hotmail.com To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 11:13:11 AM Subject: [Histonet] Interviewing Histotechs... I gather it is different in clinical labs than in research labs. In clinical labs there is an emphasis on quantity and speed. In research the emphasis is on doing good experiments. Our patients are almost always deceased or shortly about to be so there is no urgency of diagnosis factor. For us, diagnosis means making precise measurements else some scientists looking at an image and asking each other what the? Anyway I always assume that the person I am hiring is incompetent at histology and that they will need to be personally trained by me. Doesn't matter how much experience they have. And over 23 years that has turned out to be true. I've met exactly two people who didn't need much training. One was a former senior clinical lab manager. The other was a kid straight out of high school who happened to have a histology experience from high school and a decent histo portfolio. Yes, Mercer Island High School had a Histology program. No such thing as a tech who doesn't need to be trained and any tech trained by me will be up and running in a week or two. Why bother making them cut or stain anything during a darn interview. If they are smart and cooperative they will work out. If I ever go to a new lab with a new microtome, new protocols, I am pretty sure that I will be sort of incompetent for a week or two as well. Jerry Ricks Research Scientist University of Washington Department of Pathology histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:12:09 -0500 From: rsrichm...@gmail.com To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Re: interview Ray Koelling asked me: If the Samurai Pathologist is out there reading still; any idea over your career, about how many glass slides have you viewed under a microscope since the first? Your replies are always top-notch, entertaining and informative. And hope with each new job you don't have to show someone you can pass a test of which slide shows normal liver and which slide shows cirrhotic liver in your interview. I really have no idea how many slides. In a normal year I sign out about 3,000 histology cases (remember I don't work full time) averaging maybe 3 slides per case. Generally I've gotten jobs, both private clients and agency clients, by recommendation. A number of years ago I was interviewed by a four-pathologist hospital group who handed me a tray of 20 slides with the necessary historical information, and was told that this was a set the group had collected, including very straightforward cases, cases with serious diagnostic pitfalls, and some cases they'd never been able to make a diagnosis on. They tried to make it a test of judgment rather than simple diagnostic skill. Told to take as much time as I needed. I guess I passed - by coincidence, the entire group chanced to break up very quickly, and an entirely different team took over. 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 mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Immunofluorescence staining/minimizing background staining
Hi, We are performing some immunofluorescence staining on mouse lung tissue. We are getting some nice positive staining with some of our initial antibodies (procollagen, cytokeratin). We would like to minimize the amount of background staining we are getting. We are titering our primary antibodies to find out optimal Ab concentration as well as the secondary conjugate Ab with the fluorophore of interest. We use donkey serum for general blocking. Any other suggestions? Much appreciation, Miki ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Thank you
Hi All: I want to thank everyone for the advice on xylene-resistant gloves. It was really helpful. Tim Wheelock Tim Wheelock Assistant Director Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center Instructor In Neuroanatomy 203 Mailman Research Center McLean Hospital Belmont MA 02478 Phone: 617-855-3592 Fax: 617-855-3199 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
RE: [Histonet] Processing adipose tissue
Hi David, 21 hours in isopropyl seems likw ea lot, and I don't see any clearing step to remove the IPA. I've been using Slide Brite instead of Xylene, but I see that Rene Buesa published a study indicating that mineral oil is the cat's meow for xylene substitutes. http://www.google.com/url?sa=trct=jq=esrc=ssource=webcd=10ved=0CGMQFjAJurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebsciences.com%2Fpapers%2FMineral%2520oil%2520as%2520xylene%2520substitute.pdfei=ny4nT73bM8axiQLk3dmQAQusg=AFQjCNFw894if_bFAYgv6Uurw2MkO3Th5A Jerry Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:20:24 -0600 From: david.b...@pbrc.edu To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Processing adipose tissue Esteemed experts, We have many clients who want to process mouse and human adipose tissue and are having some quality issues in the resultant slides. We have tried processing small chunks of tissue (1 cm x 0.5 cm) on our automated processor (Excelsior) as follows: Tissue fixed for ~24 hrs in 10% NBF 70% Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) for 3 hrs 90% IPA, 3hrs 100% IPA, 3 hrs 100% IPA, 3 hrs 100% IPA, 3 hrs 100% IPA, 3 hrs 100% IPA, 3 hrs 100% IPA, 3 hrs 100% IPA, 3hrs Paraffin, 3 hrs Paraffin, 3 hrs Paraffin, 3 hrs Embed and section at 5 um prior to HE. An example of what the sections look like can be found here http://imgur.com/7RTGR . We also ran a sample on a traditional overnight EtOH/Xylene processor (not at our facility) to compare results. That image is here: http://imgur.com/GjJPg . What is obvious is that the membranes in the IPA processed tissue seem to flap over and don't look as crisp as the Xylene processed tissue. We did notice structural defects in both samples (not shown) typically toward the middle of the specimens. Does anyone know what is causing our IPA processed fat to have these wide membrane artifacts? We are going to repeat the process with an additional 30 minutes per step and raise the temperature of the steps to ~ 35 C. We are also going to cut the blocks at 2-3 um to see if it can reduce the appearance of the membranes. Thanks very much for any advice you may have for us. We are pretty locked in to using xylene-free processing methodology if at all possible but will entertain any suggestions you may have. If I can provide any further details about what we are doing on our end, please let me know and I'll be happy to provide them. Best, David Burk ___ 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] interview cutting-OT-disarmingly long for deletiondisinterested
Oh come on. The truth of the matter of why I like to give a manual test to new hires is because people are graduating some Internet programs without the technical skills to function in a lab. Not all. But I've seen a lot. Just saying:) I don't think it should be made a big deal. You take a drivers test to drive. Peoples lives are on the line in each case. Does that a lone mean I don't hire them. Probaly not. I just need to know how much personal investment of my time I am going to need to give .. Runs for her pillow of dreams :). Nite nite Kim Sent from my iPhone On Jan 28, 2012, at 4:25 PM, Thomas Jasper tjas...@copc.net wrote: Ray, Took the time to read your post. You make excellent points. Getting at the gist of your wannabee comments. What boggles my mind is - how or why someone would try to pull something off like that. Sooner or later (hopefully sooner...like before actually hiring them) the charade will be discovered. Misrepresenting oneself and false or misleading information given on an application is generally grounds for dismissal. Seems to me this isn't Leonardo di Caprio and Catch Me If You Can. In the end you are right about finding ways to determine if an applicant is legit. I've come to believe that in the Histology world - if you meet or hear of someone you don't know...someone you do know...knows them. At least that seems to be true almost all the time. Kind regards, Tom Jasper Thomas Jasper HT (ASCP) BAS Histology Supervisor Central Oregon Regional Pathology Services Bend, OR 97701 -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of koelli...@comcast.net Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2012 10:23 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] interview cutting-OT-disarmingly long for deletiondisinterested Or as Gayle wisely pointed out it might be interview sectioning to differentiate those who cut out on an interview. While there is no right or wrong to this question, I'm still not convinced that it is a useful tool for you or HR to just have a routine can cut (section) on rotary microtome check box on application the same as you do for a current address or reference contact check box on a form. As I pointed out in my original stupid reply, willfully breaking my own internal rule to avoid taking up these gray (not black and white scientific) discussions, it would depend on the circumstance (unknown person from unknown parts vs. someone from part of the histology community well known). If I call x who I've known for years about an applicant y who is applying and worked with x and am told Oh! y worked for us for last 4 years. He/she along with z and zz were our 3 who sectioned (#) blocks a day. Devastated to see him/her go but know they had to move along with husband/wife. Great cutter and everyone liked him/her. Having him/her sit down to now cut 10 blocks to see if they can cut as a routine question accomplishes WHAT? If someone mysterious with no background walked in, sure have them cut although there have been numerous fantastic options already posted how to weed them out prior to sectioning a finger off. A (purposely) mis-processed block with tissue now shrunken in from block face and a question of we need a recut, what would you do for this block will let you know in about 2 seconds whether or not this is a histotech impostor. Or looking at a blandly stained, necrotic section under microscope and asking interpret this section will tell you something of who or what this person is. Personally, I'd far rather have a person who is energetic, scientifically and intellectually confident and talented, personable, works well within the symphony of histology and cuts 8 blocks and leaves a few wrinkles in this new environment set-up than a (female or male) diva who cuts 10 perfect blocks but who has that nearly imperceptible tint of not a complete team player or dubious personality. A routine check box can cut I think is just a waste of time and resources unless a particular circumstance warrants it. Someone asked would you hire a secretary without a wpm typing test. Absolutely, beyond any doubt. If the transcriptionist next door wants a secretary position and routinely types 3 times faster than is required as a secretary; why a wpm test? If I call someone I know across state where this applicant worked for last 10 years and she's an immaculate and fast typist beyond anything we've ever had and so sorry she had to move, I'd rather then concentrate on more esoteric matrices than wpm. If he/she was a secretary 25 years ago and has been a house-husband or house-wife for 25 years and starting back now or if someone walks in off the street to apply then beyond any doubt; they take a typing test. Someone pointed out
