Re: [Histonet] semi-automated/automated TMA instrument to buy?

[Hugh Luk via Histonet]

Hi Adriana,

We had a Beecher but it acted stupid, so we got a Pathology Devices 
semi-automated arrayer.  We typically build ~ 100 blocks per year, under a 
variety of study banners, so it's ideal for us.  The machine is mostly manual, 
but is durable and Ron (owner) should be commended on how helpful he is.  Our 
clientele have expressed the excellent quality of our finished products.  I 
like the fact that I can do 4 identical TMA recipients (if needed) and I do not 
have to flip the block over.

Fully automated unit?  I know people running the Beecher-fully automated unit, 
and they run their units overnight, 7 days/week.  If you google TMA arrayers, 
you should get a few units to look at (ie. 
http://www.ihcworld.com/products/Tissue-Microarray-Instrument.htm), but I can't 
personally vouch for any fully automated unit.

Hugh
Hawaii

Tissue Microarrayers and Kits - IHC 
WORLD
www.ihcworld.com
EZ-TMA Manual Tissue Microarray Kits. IHC Wo rld is now introducing a new 
series of EZ-TMA TM Tissue Microarray Kits that can be applied to any 
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--


Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2016 10:48:24 -0500
From: Aditza 
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Best semi-automated/automated TMA instrument to
buy?
Message-ID: <580e61a4-c587-4813-91e2-6fc72f832...@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset=us-ascii

Dear all amazing histology people,

Our lab is looking to buy a New great semi-automated/automated TMA instrument.

I worked before on manual Beecher and semi automated Veridiam. They are just ok.

Do you have any suggestions? I think Beecher has an automatic one?

Thank you and have a wonderful day!

Sincerely,

Adriana Rosca HTL (ASCP) MS

"...what we say and how we say it, is still the foundation of behavior change."

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Re: [Histonet] Histonet Digest, Vol 152, Issue 18

[Steve McClain via Histonet]

PAS crystals. The problem may not be the stain at all. occurring  due to 
conditions  to leaching of biochemical substances, in the tissue. Dirty 
processors, or use of KOH or acids applied to the block just before sectioning. 
Those may not be washed out.  
These crystals are especially common in thin 1-2mm fungal toe nails. I can tell 
you how to get at it, but it's a long story. And a bit of science to move you 
toward a solution.  Kindly send me a private email. 

The fungus stuff is too weird to share in mixed company.  Your pathologist will 
resist or not believe it. 
Heck if I didn't have calibrated photos, I wouldn't believe it either.  

The toenails are so weird, I am working to improve w 3D gross images.
Steve A. McClain, MD


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[Histonet] Fixation for FISH

[Adrienne Anderson via Histonet]

Hello Histo-land,
I'm going to start doing FISH in our lab, but I've never done it before. I read 
that the PFA fixative solution should be made fresh; however, I have some PFA 
that is being stored in the -80 freezer (for less than a year). Does anyone 
know if this would be ok to use? And actually, if it is ok, I thought about 
making a batch of 3% PFA and aliquoting it into smaller containers to freeze 
and to use at a later time. The only reason I thought about doing that is that 
I've heard to make it can take awhile. But this is all new to me, so any and 
all help would be much appreciated.
I might as well add this as well: specifically, I'll be trying to optimize a 
protocol for Texas red-2-O-methyl-CAG probe with IF for the MBNL1 protein. I've 
read that combining these 2 methods can be trickyand I've never done either 
of them! Is there anyone out there that can give me some advice?
Thanks!Adrienne
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[Histonet] Mohs lab - CLIA or CAP inspections

[Vickroy, James via Histonet]

We have a Mohs lab that is in the process of moving and will end up with a new 
CLIA number.   The Mohs physician is more familiar with CLIA certification and 
would like for us to choose CLIA inspections instead of CAP inspections.  I am 
very familiar with CAP inspections although not very familiar with the Mohs lab 
inspections done in the past.   Can someone comment on the difference between 
CLIA and CAP inspections of a Mohs lab?   The medical director of the current 
Histology lab believes that having the new Mohs lab under CLIA instead of CAP 
will be more difficult than we have now.

Can anyone share any experiences or thoughts?

Jim Vickroy
Histology Manager
Springfield Clinic, Main Campus, East Building
1025 South 6th Street
Springfield, Illinois  62703
Office:  217-528-7541, Ext. 15121
Email:  jvick...@springfieldclinic.com



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taken on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited. If you have 
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Re: [Histonet] block scrapers

[Morken, Timothy via Histonet]

Sakura has purpose-made scrapes. Otherwise you can use plastic scrapers from  a 
hardware store.

However, we moved away from scrapers and now use a heating block trimmer made 
for the purpose. Several vendors offer these. 

http://www.newcomersupply.com/product/paraffin-wax-trimmer

We do all block trimming at a central location so it does not need to be done 
at the microtome.

It is very quick and does not damage the print on the block. That is especially 
important for barcoded blocks.


Tim Morken
Pathology Site Manager, Parnassus 
Supervisor, Electron Microscopy/Neuromuscular Special Studies
Department of Pathology
UC San Francisco Medical Center


-Original Message-
From: Lauren Sweeney via Histonet [mailto:histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] 
Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2016 11:47 AM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] block scrapers

Hi all,

My lab is in need of some tools to scrap the paraffin off the edges of the 
blocks after embedding. Does anyone have any recommendations for me?


Thanks!!
L
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[Histonet] Air Bubbles

[Charles Riley via Histonet]

Has anyone encountered the following problem.

Tissue cut and is processed well. There is no distortion at a cellular
level. However anywhere from 30 to 2 days later there are air bubbles under
the coverslip. I know for certain there aren't even the slightest bit of
air bubbles when coverslipped. I have a feeling it could still be a
processing issue as I ran a few tests like coverslipping blank slides and
tissue sections from a year ago when there was no issues. If anyone has any
suggestions as to what the problem could be and potential solutions please
get back to me as soon as possible as this is becoming a major issue for my
lab.

-- 

Charles Riley HT(ASCP)CM

Histopathology Coordinator/ Mohs
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Re: [Histonet] block scrapers

[Roberta Horner via Histonet]

I use a single edge razor blade that I've opened boxes with and is dulled to 
just the right sharpness. And I wish people would quit throwing it away
Roberta Horner
Animal Diagnostic Lab
Penn State
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[Histonet] Crystals in PAS

[Amos Brooks via Histonet]

Hi,
   If you are having trouble with the instrument and the manufacturer isn't
able to fix it, just hand stain them. PAS is really not a complicated
stain. Please don't just accept underperforming equipment when we are all
capable of so much more.

Amos
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