Re: [Histonet] 100% ethanol in tissue processing

[Curt Tague via Histonet]

My mistake, it’s methanol….

No bueno for tissue?

Curt

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From: Mac Donald, Jennifer 
Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2024 3:50:05 PM
To: Curt Tague ; Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 

Subject: RE: 100% ethanol in tissue processing

Absolutely can be used on the tissue processor or for staining.

-Original Message-
From: Curt Tague via Histonet 
Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2024 12:16 PM
To: Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] 100% ethanol in tissue processing

  EXTERNAL SENDER - Exercise caution with requests, links, and attachments.

Hi all, stupid question (despite what all the college professors said, yes, I 
think there are some stupid questions and this is one of them, I should know)!

Someone dropped off a bunch of pure ethanol, they don't need it, I said I'd 
help dispose it... can't be used for processing can it? I seem to recall 
damaging some tissue many years ago when using ethanol... your thoughts?

Maybe just clean cycles on the processors...

Thanks,

Curt

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[Histonet] 100% ethanol in tissue processing

[Curt Tague via Histonet]

Hi all, stupid question (despite what all the college professors said, yes, I 
think there are some stupid questions and this is one of them, I should know)!

Someone dropped off a bunch of pure ethanol, they don't need it, I said I'd 
help dispose it... can't be used for processing can it? I seem to recall 
damaging some tissue many years ago when using ethanol... your thoughts?

Maybe just clean cycles on the processors...

Thanks,

Curt

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[Histonet] Old blocks for IHC controls

[Curt Tague via Histonet]

Forgive me if this has already been discussed ad nauseum... what are your 
thoughts on using old blocks for IHC control, like normal breast for CK7 or 
AE1/AE3... if we test the tissue and it works is that sufficient or is there 
some added steps and requirements I should be aware of?

We have blocks up to 15 years old, looks like there is a lot of good tissue we 
can use if age isn't an issue.


Best and thanks!

Curt




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[Histonet] distilled water systems

[Curt Tague via Histonet]

Not sure what everyone else is doing but we're buying a TON of DI water for 
bulk IHC reagents... I'm looking at a system to install to produce our own. 
Anyone have any recommendations of a good, cost effective and efficient system?

Thanks!
Curt




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[Histonet] Ventana Special Stain Platform

[Curt Tague via Histonet]

Simple question for you all, is there a market for these machines, I have 2 
that we used for only a few months then shelved, I'd like to find a home for 
them. Before I go through the effort of searching for an aftermarket vendor I 
am really just curious if anyone uses these things?

Thanks,
Curt

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[Histonet] Miami histology on the job training question

[Curt Tague via Histonet]

Hi all, specifically in the Miami area...
I have a friend who is interested in learning more about being a histotech... 
unfortunately I'm across the country and can't help train. Do any of you know 
of a facility who might be looking for a tech and is willing to train, from 
scratch, zero experience?
Hospital, private lab, really anything to get the training and experience.

Thanks,
Curt




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Re: [Histonet] Formalin Neutralizer

[Curt Tague via Histonet]

I use neutralex from Scigen (www.scigenus.com)...

https://www.scigenus.com/product-page/neutralex





-Original Message-
From: Paula via Histonet  
Sent: Tuesday, April 5, 2022 10:56 AM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Formalin Neutralizer

Hello,

 

Can you recommend the easiest and most cost-effective product to neutralize the 
formalin waste from our tissue processors?

 

Thank you,

Paula Lucas

Bio-Path Medical Group

 

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Re: [Histonet] Flooring

[Curt Tague via Histonet]

We use some of this clear vinyl, like you'd see in a walk in fridge... get the 
wide stuff and cut it out to fit under a cutting station. It completely saves 
the floors and when it's trashed out we can just throw it away, get he floors 
cleaned and put some more down... works great for me.
https://www.marinevinylfabric.com/products/clear-marine-vinyl?variant=39274692935764=USD_medium=product_sync_source=google_content=sag_organic_campaign=sag_organic=Cj0KCQiAjJOQBhCkARIsAEKMtO10i6dntCGz7nN7NIKDOxpa2a9Lp3o7EsglXSl9Mh-3TdVmL1pm0ugaAlvhEALw_wcB

https://www.strip-curtains.com/proCat/bulkVinylRolls.php
we use the 48" roll here

I'm sure you can google other vendors too... 


best of luck!
Curt



-Original Message-
From: Normington, Lacy via Histonet  
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2022 8:51 AM
To: 'histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu' 
Subject: [Histonet] Flooring

What does your institution do to mitigate paraffin collection on the floors? Do 
you strip the floors at defined periods of time? Do you use mats throughout 
entire laboratory, under microtomy stations? Currently our institution uses a 
sticky plastic green flooring, which is ripped up every quarter and replaced. 
However, during this time there are many spots which the plastic breaks down 
due to consistent activity over a spot. This requires the flooring to be 
scraped, stripped, etc.

Thanks
Lacy Normington
UW Health
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[Histonet] Peloris 3 question

[Curt Tague via Histonet]

I'm looking at this processor, can someone other than a Leica employee offer 
some feedback? I've heard good things about it but I've also read a little on 
the FDA website about some malfunctions... if anyone has any thoughts I'd 
really love to hear them before I commit to this large purchase...

Thanks in advance!

Curt

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[Histonet] need control tissue help

[Curt Tague via Histonet]

I'm hoping someone might have extra PCP control blocks... I'm pretty close to 
out, down to our last one... I'm happy to barter and even offer a gift card for 
the effort, I know we can't buy/sell tissue, just a gift card to say thank you 
if I may offer...

Best!

Curt

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[Histonet] software question

[Curt Tague via Histonet]

I've used several different popular programs over the years at our reference 
lab but they are all built for much more than we really need. As a reference 
lab, doing large numbers of block histo with specials and IHC, we really don't 
need so much in terms of report and results... we do need that and use it but 
these programs are not build to do what we need and it's frustrating. Does 
anyone have any recommendations for a good out of the box program or web based 
program that would work good for just simple databasing the blocks and stains 
we provide service on? We need to generate labels of course, deliver logs and 
records of blocks received... then monthly totals for billing... any input is 
greatly appreciated.

Best!

Curt

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[Histonet] reprocessing tissue

[Curt Tague via Histonet]

I have a problem... some tissue got processed very poorly, there was water in 
the system somewhere and a few blocks just look burnt.. the nuclei are faint 
and cloudy, no detail at all. I've tried the process of rehydrating with the 
30% formaldehyde, glycerol and sodium acetate solution but they still process 
poorly, come out very brittle and just don't look good under the scope.

Does anyone have a magic bullet to salvage these specimens? I can send a pic 
directly if it helps.

Thanks,
Curt

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[Histonet] Specimen tracking scenario, accountability

[Curt Tague via Histonet]

So we're in a reference lab setting here, it's a little different than the 
hospital environment... I've been in both.

We receive specimens from a variety of different hospitals, physician offices 
and even other labs for histology (TC), we send the slides back. What I'd like 
to do is implement some system for tracking blocks throughout the process but 
with so many different clients and number systems/prefixes, most of which are 
NOT barcoded, it can be a challenge tracking the blocks throughout the whole 
process... from receipt to embedding to microtomy...
Aside from manually documenting every blocks on a paper log sheet, would anyone 
have any suggestions on how to track these things?

My initial thought is a simple digital photo of the basket at embedding (when 
removed from the processor) then another photo of blocks you take to your 
microtome and perhaps one last photo when blocks are taken from your cutting 
station to be filed or returned... the simple issue is tracking who is in 
possession of what blocks at all times... accountability... but this seems to 
present challenges too...

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Curt
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[Histonet] CLIA license expiration

[Curt Tague via Histonet]

Looking for someone who might have experience with this already My CLIA and 
State license are going to expire soon and I've heard nothing from either the 
state or CLIA So I took the liberty of reaching out to them with no luck... 
I then called an inspector I know who suggested the main office might be 
willing or able to submit a letter indicating that things are still good, labs 
are permitted to continue until further notice as this COVID issue has put them 
further behind than they already usually are.
So, my simple question is this, has anyone had to deal with this issue yet and 
if so, how did you get it resolved?

Thanks!

Curt

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[Histonet] too much formalin time

[Curt Tague via Histonet]

Quick drive by question,

We have some tonsil that has been in formalin for about 2 months, to be 
disposed of, is that not recommended for use as control tissue now, too much 
formalin exposure?

Thanks for your input again,

Curt

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[Histonet] New processor and white paper, need pathologists to participate

[Curt Tague via Histonet]

Hello histo-world,

I've helped a company develop a new tissue processor, a rapid technology which 
does NOT utilize microwaves and process fresh, fatty, breast and colon type 
tissue, beautifully, in under 5 hrs. We are ready to put it in the market but 
first want to do some kind of official validation and publish a white paper on 
the process. We are considering pathologist's who might be interested in 
participating in this process and having their names included in the paper. 
Without disclosing any of the proprietary specifics of the technology at this 
point, would any of you know of a pathologist who might be interested in this 
project?

All the best!

Curt

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[Histonet] Tissue needed

[Curt Tague via Histonet]

This might be an unusual request and I think I may have already asked in the 
past too... but here goes...

I'm working with a company who is developing a new tissue processor which 
basically cuts processing time in half. We've run a number of parallel tests to 
demonstrate the results are equal to the traditional methods we've been  using 
forever but now we need some tumors too. We've run the normal H, special 
stains and a large number of IHC, what's missing is the molecular tests at this 
point. We have a few tumors but we are looking for more to provide a large 
enough data pool for the entities we present to. With that, I'm hoping someone 
might be able to assist us with tumors, when the tumor is large enough that not 
all is necessary for diagnosis. We have a proprietary fixative that we would 
send to ensure that the tissue is not in formalin for an extended period of 
time.


Also, some of you have experience with stuff like this... our pathologists do 
as well but I'm curious whom some of you would recommend submitting this data 
too when it's complete and if you know a pathologist who might be interested in 
participating in the review of the slides?

Please email me if you are able to help.
c.ta...@pathologyarts.com





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[Histonet] procuring fresh tumor tissue

[Curt Tague via Histonet]

Hello again histonet-ers-

I am working with a company do validate a new rapid (another new) tissue 
processor... we are currently in the process of submitting a proof of concept 
paper to CAP then will submit a formal white paper with  data. What I am 
curious about is locating tumor tissue that can be used to parallel this study, 
obviously one part processed with the standard process we are all accustomed to 
and the other piece processed with this new technology. We are running all the 
necessary tests to show consistency and comparable results, H, special 
stains, IHC, DNA and RNA extraction... what I could use a little help with is 
sourcing some tumor that has not been in formalin for weeks and weeks... 
specifically breast tumor and possibly lung tumor to demonstrate all the 
downstream tests are not compromised with this technology.
Is there any source out there someone could recommend and/or, if you are in a 
large hospital setting, is that something you might be able to assist with, 
when a tumor is identified and not entirely needed for diagnostics?

All the best to you all, thanks for your thoughts,

Curt




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[Histonet] hair analysis question

[Curt Tague via Histonet]

This isn't directly related to histology but I know many of you are involved in 
other studies as well so I thought I'd ask.

We're working with some physicians on a hair analysis project, looking at some 
genetics. Does anyone here have any background in hair analysis for more than 
the forensic or drug screening utility? Is there any other test that you are 
familiar with, done from hair, or the pulp, that offers some prognostic or 
diagnostic utility?

Thanks if you do!

Curt



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[Histonet] Pneumocystis IHC RED

[Curt Tague via Histonet]

Anyone out there running this ab with red vs dab? I have a client who used to 
like it but it seems to fall off the face of the earth, wondering if it's back 
on the market anywhere...

Curt

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[Histonet] CC1 vs Ultra CC1

[Curt Tague via Histonet]

I made the mistake of ordering CC1 instead of Ultra CC1 I guess that can't 
be used on the benchmark ultra It's an "ULTRA" thing I guess...

Anyway, anyone out there use regular CC1... want a couple bottles? Brand new, 
unopened...

Curt

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