[Histonet] deplasticizing PMMA sections for staining

[Yaskovich, Ruth A (NIH/NIDCR) [E]]

John,
 You can soak them in 3 changes of acetone for 15 minutes each. Put them
in the first acetone right out of the oven.
Ruth Yaskovich
National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

-----Original Message-----
From: John Baker [mailto:bakerj <@t> umich.edu] 
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007 12:07 PM
To: Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] deplasticizing PMMA sections for staining

>
>
> Hello All,  We are sectioning PMMA embedded rat femur at 5 microns on
> the Polycut.  Then we are deplasticizing for  H & E and Trichrome
> stains. It has been taking over 2 weeks with several changes of xylene
> to get them done and still some remnants of plastic there.  I see in
> Sheehan's Practice and Theory of Histotechnology that in several
> protocols they deplasticize in xylene for 4 hours at 55 degrees C.
> The flash point of xylene is 25 degree C. Is it safe in covered
> staining dishes to actually do this?  Also, we use Mayer's Hematoxylin
> and 2% Eosin to stain.  What H & E protocol do you use for bone?  Any
> suggestions on how to speed up the deplasticizing process welcome.
> Does anyone have Diane Sterchi's and Gayle Callis's email addresses, 
> lost them?
> Thanks, John
>
>
>
>
>
John A. Baker
The University of Michigan
Orthopaedic Research Laboratories
Histology Unit
109 Zina Pitcher Place, 2218 BSRB
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200
734-936-1635


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