[Histonet] Water collecting at bottom of sections

[Sebree Linda A]

I routinely "flick" my wrist holding the slide with the section I've
just picked up.  Usually, this is enough force to release any water at
the bottom of the section.   If that doesn't work  I melt a tiny hole at
the bottom of the section with a heated probe and flick again.  I'm sure
the manufacturer is right in saying that its the coating; the paraffin
adheres too well and too quickly to the slide trapping water underneath.
It is also very important to hold your slides as vertically as possible
when bringing them under your section and raising the slide out of the
water bath.  That way you will trap as little water as possible
underneath.

Hope this helps.

>From one long-time-microtomist to another,

Linda A. Sebree
University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics
IHC/ISH Laboratory
DB1-223 VAH
600 Highland Ave.
Madison, WI 53792
(608)265-6596


-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of
napoli <@t> mail.siscom.net
Sent: Friday, July 23, 2010 1:04 PM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Water collecting at bottom of sections

Hello all,

>From time to time and depending on what brand of adhesive
(or charged) slides I am using, I seem to get a "bag" of water that
drains to the bottom of my sections but doesn't drain "out".

I have been working in microtomy a long time and have had to deal with
this contingency time and time again, but never really have gotten to
the bottom of the problem. I spoke with a premium manufacturer of such
slides and they seemed to indicate that it is a problem with the
coating, but couldn't tell me for sure.

All I know is that certain brands do this more than others.
If you know what I mean, you know it is a problem. My bath is pure
distilled H2O with no gelatin or Sta-on added. It is if the adhesive
properties are SO good that they will not release the water when
vertically drained and have to be shaken off or cut with a razor blade
at bottom to release the water.

Anyway, if anyone has an insight or two on this, I would be interested.
It seem sthe most challenging issues are ones that seem related to some
of the most simple tasks that one has performed for many years!!
Manufacturers understand what I mean, but cannot pinpoint the problem
for me via phone or e-mail.

Anyone see this and have a chemical/mechanical solution they have
developed over the years?


Thanks!

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