[Histonet] curious about soaking paraffin blocks.

[Weems, Joyce]

I believe overdehydration has something to do with extracting the bound
water. 

I rehydrate - have for years, since we are trying to rush processing
without the adequate fixation we used to have by leaving large specimens
overnight in formalin. I blow on the blocks, put some of the colon bxs
in the water bath for a few seconds, put large specimens on ice -
anything to get a good section. 

The key to the perfect section after soaking is not to leave the block
so long that the tissue is damaged. The block then has to be faced to
the exact spot that the perfect section can be taken - not where the
tissue is still too soaked or after you've moved past that place again.
Once again this part has to do with perception and experience.

My 2 cents again...j:>)


Joyce Weems
Saint Joseph's Hospital of Atlanta
404-851-7376
404-851-7831 - Fax

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Kemlo
Rogerson
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2007 2:54 AM
To: Kaliko, Bonnie; Mike Pence; Cheri Miller; Smith Wanda; Anna K.
Schultz; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] curious about soaking paraffin blocks.

"Well as far as animal tissue is concerned, ice and water are needed to
hydrate the tissue in order to obtain a section.  Each tissue responds
differently, some needing time on the ice longer then others."

That statement makes no sense, you rehydrate after sectioning and drying
off and prior to staining with aqueous stains; you don't rehydrate prior
to sectioning. 

I can't believe you believe what you appear to have said. 

Kemlo Rogerson
Pathology Manager
DD   01934 647057 or extension 3311
Mob 07749 754194; Pager 07659 597107;


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