[Histonet] Re: Cooling paraffin blocks with ice VS Freezing spray
Toshia Perrin
perrintoshia <@t> yahoo.com
Sat Sep 29 14:19:43 CDT 2012
I find that there are several negative effects from freeze spray such as artifacts, safety concerns, cost consideration, etc. I have always used the method you are were taught and my staff uses the same. You can trim the block, cool on ice for 5 minutes then cut the final sections and still maintain above average productivity. I also agree that separate blades should be used for trimming and cutting final sections. This does allow longer usage of blades which lowers cost a pretty significant amount over time. I have always concentrated more on the quality of final slides within a reasonable time frame rather than the actual techniques that the staff techs are using to get there. It does not sound like your supervisor is that flexible and that's an unfortunate situation. Keep your head up and do the best you can.
Sent from my iPhone
On Sep 29, 2012, at 12:01 PM, histonet-request <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu wrote:
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: Paraffin and Tissue (Jackie O'Connor)
> 2. Caspase 8 for Mouse (Elizabeth Cameron)
> 3. Stainer for sale (Adrienne Anderson)
> 4. Re: Histonet Digest, Vol 106, Issue 35 (Galina Deyneko)
> 5. Cooling paraffin blocks with ice VS. Freezing Spray (Jenny Vega)
> 6. Re: Cooling paraffin blocks with ice VS. Freezing Spray (C.D.G.)
> 7. Cooling paraffin blocks with ice VS. Freezing Spray
> (Contact HistoCare)
> 8. AW: [Histonet] Cooling paraffin blocks with ice VS. Freezing
> Spray (Gudrun Lang)
> 9. RE: Cooling paraffin blocks with ice VS. Freezing Spray
> (joelle weaver)
> 10. Re: Cooling paraffin blocks with ice VS. Freezing Spray
> (Jackie O'Connor)
> 11. Re: Cooling paraffin blocks with ice VS. Freezing Spray
> (Rene J Buesa)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2012 13:05:22 -0400 (EDT)
> From: "Jackie O'Connor" <b427297 <@t> aol.com>
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Paraffin and Tissue
> To: deshsmith1 <@t> gmail.com, histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Message-ID: <8CF6BB294563E1E-1274-49EA7 <@t> Webmail-m125.sysops.aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
>
> It has been my experience that tissues that remain in paraffin too long (like over a weekend) become brittle and hard. If we are embedding over 300 blocks, those blocks may remain in the embedding station for up to 6 hours - but I personally strongly recommend sticking to your SOP for processing. Besides, if your SOP says paraffin for 3 hours, leaving them longer is a violation of your SOP.
> Jackie O'
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Demetria Ross <deshsmith1 <@t> gmail.com>
> To: histonet <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
> Sent: Thu, Sep 27, 2012 5:21 pm
> Subject: [Histonet] Paraffin and Tissue
>
>
>
> I'm curious to know how long can tissue stay on the machine in paraffin
> efore it becomes a problem I have left tissue stay in paraffin 30 min-2
> ours before I take it off but not on a daily basis Thanks in advance
> ______________________________________________
> istonet mailing list
> istonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> ttp://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:59:57 +0000
> From: Elizabeth Cameron <Elizabeth.Cameron <@t> jax.org>
> Subject: [Histonet] Caspase 8 for Mouse
> To: "histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu"
> <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
> Message-ID:
> <BE1BF4334E17294E9ABFBB2FF93398E14464CCE8 <@t> jaxbhexms02.jax.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Anyone out there know of a caspase 8 that works well on mouse tissue?
> Thanks!
> -Liz
>
>
> The information in this email, including attachments, may be confidential and is intended solely for the addressee(s). If you believe you received this email by mistake, please notify the sender by return email as soon as possible.
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2012 15:26:04 -0400
> From: Adrienne Anderson <rennie1108 <@t> yahoo.com>
> Subject: [Histonet] Stainer for sale
> To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Message-ID: <15FE6F08-1190-4AD7-887E-7B28B38D2099 <@t> yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> Hello all,
>
> We have an automated stainer we are looking to sell. It's a Microm DS50. If interested, please email me. Thanks!
>
> Adrienne
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2012 14:24:54 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Galina Deyneko <galinadeyneko <@t> yahoo.com>
> Subject: [Histonet] Re: Histonet Digest, Vol 106, Issue 35
> To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Message-ID:
> <1348867494.99871.YahooMailClassic <@t> web160205.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> Dear Colleagues
> I would like to ask again about cell block preparation. of cause I found number of answer on the histonet site and sorry that I ask again.
> The cells what I prepare look distorted. Short protocol: 30 minutes of fixation in 10 %NBF, centrifuge 1000 rmr, wash in PBS, centrifuge, re-suspend in histogel and processed in Thermo Shandon with following program: Ethanols70, 70,80, 95,95,100,100,100,Xylenes 3 changes, Wax 3 changes - 1 hour in each station. I also tried short protocol - 30 minutes in each station.
> I also would like to try to do OCT embedding to avoid processing anparaffinin embedding. Should I fix the cells before OCT embedding or not? Can I re-suspend directly in OCT or still need to embed in Histogel first and freeze in OCT Histogel block.
> Please could you share your protocols and give me some hints.
> Thank you and good weekend.
>
>
> Galina Deyneko
> Novartis, Cambridge, MA
>
> 617-871-7613 w
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2012 22:39:31 -0400
> From: Jenny Vega <histotech411 <@t> gmail.com>
> Subject: [Histonet] Cooling paraffin blocks with ice VS. Freezing
> Spray
> To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Message-ID:
> <CADyQr2DtWq9Fb6f7ByrK65aVg_8bCPhEYGhYWvDWE0L8mVVVSA <@t> mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> I want to know what is your preferred method for cutting paraffin blocks in
> the microtome everyday. At work I am having issues with my supervisor
> because we have different ways of doing things like for example she doesn't
> like to use the technique where you first trim the tissue, cool it on an
> ice tray and then make a section. That is how I learned to cut in histotech
> school. Instead she just trims and cuts the blocks at 4 microns one by one
> using the same blade until it wears out and she cools the blocks only
> freezing spray.
>
> She doesn't like to cool the blocks on an ice tray because according to her
> is a waste of time and that is why I have to use her technique but
> unfortunately some blocks are extremely difficult to cut and I have to go
> back to my preferred technique. I feel I get better sections without
> wrinkles when I chill and soak the blocks on ice for a couple of minutes. I
> sometimes use freeze spray when the blocks get warm but when I cool them
> with ice I don't need to use freeze spray that much. Her technique works
> but is more successful when the blocks are well processed. I have
> difficulty getting completed sections this way and spend more time trying
> to get the perfect section. Sometimes I have my good days but other times
> is tedious using this technique. Another thing I notice is that the blades
> get worn down quicker when you use them to trim and section. I prefer two
> separate blades, one to trim and the other one to section. I feel they stay
> sharp for more time.
>
> She discourages the use of ice but then complains that we are running out
> of freezing spray for the frozen sections too quickly which doesn't make
> sense. It is obvious that if she encourages to use ice to cool blocks then
> we will be using less freezing spray.
>
> Another reason she discourages the use of ice is that some blocks are not
> meant to be chilled which is pretty understandable. I cannot cool small
> biopsies such as gastric and skin and bone because they can get too hard
> and tear off from the block so I avoid that but I prefer to cool breast and
> colon biopsies on ice because these are fatty tissue that can be tedious to
> cut even when relying only on freezing spray.
>
>
>
> I want to know if it's completely acceptable for me to prefer the trim,
> cool on ice and section technique and if you feel is a waste of time
> comparing it with other ways of cutting such as the one I mentioned.
>
>
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Sat, 29 Sep 2012 00:04:29 -0300
> From: "C.D.G." <latecor <@t> montevideo.com.uy>
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Cooling paraffin blocks with ice VS. Freezing
> Spray
> To: histotech411 <@t> gmail.com, Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Message-ID: <201209290004290984.0018B2E0 <@t> smtp.montevideo.com.uy>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"
>
> Freezing spray is better if you use it with discretion. Freezing too much could render sections with artifacts
> like partial "holes" on the section, so you must use it with care and not always, as you stated, some
> pieces cut better if you don't chill them at all.
> The use of ice is possible,but I saw that many times, the drop of water over the blade holder unit, leads to a
> slow but progressive corrosion of some of the components that are indispensable for an accurately sectioning work.
> Try to begin using the spray taking care of not overcool the materials and you'll soon be feeling comfortable
> with this method.
> My best regards ,
> Carlos.-
> *********** REPLY SEPARATOR ***********
>
> On 28/09/2012 at 10:39 p.m. Jenny Vega wrote:
>
>> I want to know what is your preferred method for cutting paraffin blocks
>> in
>> the microtome everyday. At work I am having issues with my supervisor
>> because we have different ways of doing things like for example she doesn't
>> like to use the technique where you first trim the tissue, cool it on an
>> ice tray and then make a section. That is how I learned to cut in histotech
>> school. Instead she just trims and cuts the blocks at 4 microns one by one
>> using the same blade until it wears out and she cools the blocks only
>> freezing spray.
>>
>> She doesn't like to cool the blocks on an ice tray because according to her
>> is a waste of time and that is why I have to use her technique but
>> unfortunately some blocks are extremely difficult to cut and I have to go
>> back to my preferred technique. I feel I get better sections without
>> wrinkles when I chill and soak the blocks on ice for a couple of minutes. I
>> sometimes use freeze spray when the blocks get warm but when I cool them
>> with ice I don't need to use freeze spray that much. Her technique works
>> but is more successful when the blocks are well processed. I have
>> difficulty getting completed sections this way and spend more time trying
>> to get the perfect section. Sometimes I have my good days but other times
>> is tedious using this technique. Another thing I notice is that the blades
>> get worn down quicker when you use them to trim and section. I prefer two
>> separate blades, one to trim and the other one to section. I feel they stay
>> sharp for more time.
>>
>> She discourages the use of ice but then complains that we are running out
>> of freezing spray for the frozen sections too quickly which doesn't make
>> sense. It is obvious that if she encourages to use ice to cool blocks then
>> we will be using less freezing spray.
>>
>> Another reason she discourages the use of ice is that some blocks are not
>> meant to be chilled which is pretty understandable. I cannot cool small
>> biopsies such as gastric and skin and bone because they can get too hard
>> and tear off from the block so I avoid that but I prefer to cool breast and
>> colon biopsies on ice because these are fatty tissue that can be tedious to
>> cut even when relying only on freezing spray.
>>
>>
>>
>> I want to know if it's completely acceptable for me to prefer the trim,
>> cool on ice and section technique and if you feel is a waste of time
>> comparing it with other ways of cutting such as the one I mentioned.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks.
>> _______________________________________________
>> Histonet mailing list
>>
>> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2012 23:30:10 -0500
> From: Contact HistoCare <contact <@t> histocare.com>
> Subject: [Histonet] Cooling paraffin blocks with ice VS. Freezing
> Spray
> To: "histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu"
> <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
> Message-ID: <BA775FF7-0667-4BB0-8AC7-1052C5E0F14A <@t> histocare.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> Hi, I have a feeling that the supervisor's motivation for discouraging your personal technique is financial and not procedural. I can't image in a high volume setting where that technique would work, especially when there are various kinds of tissue. Your supervisor's insistence on one way suggests you deal in mainly one type of tissue like skin or GI.
>
> When you have only one way to skin your cat, figuratively speaking, something (be it ice, freeze spray, or blades) WILL be used in excess. For example, your supervisor's technique would likely run through a lot more blades. To make great slides, you HAVE to have a sharp, high quality blade to cut a great section, period. But using an ice tray to keep your blocks cold helps your blades go a bit farther.
>
> Remember, patient care should never be compromised; if you need to use a fresh blade to get the best section, I can't imagine any sane and reasonable pathologist who wouldn't side with you.
>
> A skilled histotech who is proficient in cutting can use ice trays and not waste any time. As a point of reference, I can face(or trim) AND cut 40+ slides at 3 microns in 30 minutes USING an ice tray. That's VERY efficient.
>
> It is more likely that one would have to wrestle with a warm or room temperature block longer with using only spray to get the best section.
>
> You are an artist and there are many techniques to get the desired results in creating your masterpiece. I would certainly be receptive to learning different techniques from your supervisor to ADD to your repertoire, but I would be steadfast in finding what works for you , within reason and departmental expenses of course. Also ask for help in ways to be more efficient that utilizes processes you already are familiar with.
>
> Hope that helps
>
> www.HistoCare.com
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Sat, 29 Sep 2012 10:32:35 +0200
> From: "Gudrun Lang" <gu.lang <@t> gmx.at>
> Subject: AW: [Histonet] Cooling paraffin blocks with ice VS. Freezing
> Spray
> To: "'Jenny Vega'" <histotech411 <@t> gmail.com>
> Cc: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Message-ID: <008d01cd9e1c$fb090e40$f11b2ac0$@gmx.at>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Cooling on ice for 10-15 min renders the block cool enough for trimming and
> consecutive cutting without the need of a freezing spray.
> We use cooling devices at -15 degrees. They have usually a nice
> snow-surface, that gives the block some moisture during cooling. Especially
> blocks, that have to be recut, get advantage of this and are easier to cut.
>
> I think freezing sprays render the block too cool and provide no evan
> temperature throughout the block. A completly homogenously cool block is
> better to cut.
> I also don't like the interrupted workflow with first trimming, then putting
> away and then cutting again. - but- I work with a sliding microtome and
> trimming goes really fast.
>
> Gudrun Lang
>
>
> -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] Im Auftrag von Jenny Vega
> Gesendet: Samstag, 29. September 2012 04:40
> An: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Betreff: [Histonet] Cooling paraffin blocks with ice VS. Freezing Spray
>
> I want to know what is your preferred method for cutting paraffin blocks in
> the microtome everyday. At work I am having issues with my supervisor
> because we have different ways of doing things like for example she doesn't
> like to use the technique where you first trim the tissue, cool it on an ice
> tray and then make a section. That is how I learned to cut in histotech
> school. Instead she just trims and cuts the blocks at 4 microns one by one
> using the same blade until it wears out and she cools the blocks only
> freezing spray.
>
> She doesn't like to cool the blocks on an ice tray because according to her
> is a waste of time and that is why I have to use her technique but
> unfortunately some blocks are extremely difficult to cut and I have to go
> back to my preferred technique. I feel I get better sections without
> wrinkles when I chill and soak the blocks on ice for a couple of minutes. I
> sometimes use freeze spray when the blocks get warm but when I cool them
> with ice I don't need to use freeze spray that much. Her technique works but
> is more successful when the blocks are well processed. I have difficulty
> getting completed sections this way and spend more time trying to get the
> perfect section. Sometimes I have my good days but other times is tedious
> using this technique. Another thing I notice is that the blades get worn
> down quicker when you use them to trim and section. I prefer two separate
> blades, one to trim and the other one to section. I feel they stay sharp for
> more time.
>
> She discourages the use of ice but then complains that we are running out of
> freezing spray for the frozen sections too quickly which doesn't make sense.
> It is obvious that if she encourages to use ice to cool blocks then we will
> be using less freezing spray.
>
> Another reason she discourages the use of ice is that some blocks are not
> meant to be chilled which is pretty understandable. I cannot cool small
> biopsies such as gastric and skin and bone because they can get too hard and
> tear off from the block so I avoid that but I prefer to cool breast and
> colon biopsies on ice because these are fatty tissue that can be tedious to
> cut even when relying only on freezing spray.
>
>
>
> I want to know if it's completely acceptable for me to prefer the trim, cool
> on ice and section technique and if you feel is a waste of time comparing it
> with other ways of cutting such as the one I mentioned.
>
>
>
> Thanks.
> _______________________________________________
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 9
> Date: Sat, 29 Sep 2012 12:56:49 +0000
> From: joelle weaver <joelleweaver <@t> hotmail.com>
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] Cooling paraffin blocks with ice VS. Freezing
> Spray
> To: <histotech411 <@t> gmail.com>
> Cc: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Message-ID: <SNT135-W46409BFFA400A20352FB18D8810 <@t> phx.gbl>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
>
> Jenny My experience and training is to use some method involving ice or at the very least a cold-retaining tray made to chill blocks. I also was taught this method in histology school , in clinical training at four quite large institutions, and also have used some variation of an ice cooling method in every instance in my career working in clinical and research settings. There are always variations in technique from lab to lab, but freezing spray has been generally discouraged for constant use at the microtome, since it can introduce artifact in sections if over used. ( It is pretty easy to see the effect on the face of the paraffin block, and that is not even under the microscope.) I actually almost never use freezing spray personally for regular paraffin microtomy. I do use it when doing frozen sections on occasion, but then it is typically only for difficult specimens such as fatty breast or soft/fattty lymph nodes that need very cold temperatures. I sometimes use it to cool only the backside of paraffin blocks during embedding when I am being impatient, and I avoid spraying directly on the face, and that is about the extent it of freeze spray's uses for me. Personally, I prefer my blocks quite cold, in fact, one thing I don't like where I currently work , is that blocks are allowed to get to room temperature after removal from the embedding cold plate. I feel that I can more efficiently get good sections when the cold temperature is maintained and uniform though the block, rather than re-cooling a warmed room temp. block. Overall, I would expect constant and direct application of the freezing spray would be more of a problem than anything involving ice, which would "flash freeze" mostly the surface, and not cool throughout, which is why you have to keep spraying it. Of course, I am not talking about leaving the faced block surface on the ice for so long a time that it becomes "water-logged"- but if you are sitting at your microtome and cutting diligently, and not leaving faced pecimens just sit there, I'm not sure how this would be an issue. In general I think the combination of ice and water benefits most specimens ( especially GI and Liver cores, bloody stuff, and other types-that can sometimes be brittle and delicate due to processing)-I feel that the small amount of moisture that transfers from contact with the ice aids the smoothness/ reduces brittleness of the section, reducing "shatter" artifact. I feel that I would be unable to get sections without chatter in hard/dense tissues such as uterus body, cervix, bloody specimens and others without using ice. The only exception for me, might be brain which can cut better warm. I am sure you must be frustrated, but if this is the clear direction of your supervisor, and they are not receptive to making any changes or allowing you to use your preferred technique, and not interested in new different methods, then I am not sure that there would be much that you can do other than comply with their policies. I know it is hard when people are not open to new ideas and techniques . I had have that experience and those feelings quite often over the years, but just try to stay postive, do the best you can.
>
>
>
> Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
>> Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2012 22:39:31 -0400
>> From: histotech411 <@t> gmail.com
>> To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>> Subject: [Histonet] Cooling paraffin blocks with ice VS. Freezing Spray
>>
>> I want to know what is your preferred method for cutting paraffin blocks in
>> the microtome everyday. At work I am having issues with my supervisor
>> because we have different ways of doing things like for example she doesn't
>> like to use the technique where you first trim the tissue, cool it on an
>> ice tray and then make a section. That is how I learned to cut in histotech
>> school. Instead she just trims and cuts the blocks at 4 microns one by one
>> using the same blade until it wears out and she cools the blocks only
>> freezing spray.
>>
>> She doesn't like to cool the blocks on an ice tray because according to her
>> is a waste of time and that is why I have to use her technique but
>> unfortunately some blocks are extremely difficult to cut and I have to go
>> back to my preferred technique. I feel I get better sections without
>> wrinkles when I chill and soak the blocks on ice for a couple of minutes. I
>> sometimes use freeze spray when the blocks get warm but when I cool them
>> with ice I don't need to use freeze spray that much. Her technique works
>> but is more successful when the blocks are well processed. I have
>> difficulty getting completed sections this way and spend more time trying
>> to get the perfect section. Sometimes I have my good days but other times
>> is tedious using this technique. Another thing I notice is that the blades
>> get worn down quicker when you use them to trim and section. I prefer two
>> separate blades, one to trim and the other one to section. I feel they stay
>> sharp for more time.
>>
>> She discourages the use of ice but then complains that we are running out
>> of freezing spray for the frozen sections too quickly which doesn't make
>> sense. It is obvious that if she encourages to use ice to cool blocks then
>> we will be using less freezing spray.
>>
>> Another reason she discourages the use of ice is that some blocks are not
>> meant to be chilled which is pretty understandable. I cannot cool small
>> biopsies such as gastric and skin and bone because they can get too hard
>> and tear off from the block so I avoid that but I prefer to cool breast and
>> colon biopsies on ice because these are fatty tissue that can be tedious to
>> cut even when relying only on freezing spray.
>>
>>
>>
>> I want to know if it's completely acceptable for me to prefer the trim,
>> cool on ice and section technique and if you feel is a waste of time
>> comparing it with other ways of cutting such as the one I mentioned.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks.
>> _______________________________________________
>> Histonet mailing list
>> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 10
> Date: Sat, 29 Sep 2012 09:41:14 -0400 (EDT)
> From: "Jackie O'Connor" <b427297 <@t> aol.com>
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Cooling paraffin blocks with ice VS. Freezing
> Spray
> To: histotech411 <@t> gmail.com, histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Message-ID: <8CF6C5F39ED7501-B8C-4B86D <@t> Webmail-m117.sysops.aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
>
> It has been my experience that using freezing spray will cause artifacts in the paraffin block as well as the tissue. We are a high-throughput lab where all the techs face all their blocks then put them on a block of wet ice prior to microtomy. I am not a fan of freeze sprays, personally. Free ice is much cheaper than a can of spray.
> Jackie O'
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jenny Vega <histotech411 <@t> gmail.com>
> To: histonet <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
> Sent: Fri, Sep 28, 2012 9:40 pm
> Subject: [Histonet] Cooling paraffin blocks with ice VS. Freezing Spray
>
>
> I want to know what is your preferred method for cutting paraffin blocks in
> the microtome everyday. At work I am having issues with my supervisor
> because we have different ways of doing things like for example she doesn't
> like to use the technique where you first trim the tissue, cool it on an
> ice tray and then make a section. That is how I learned to cut in histotech
> school. Instead she just trims and cuts the blocks at 4 microns one by one
> using the same blade until it wears out and she cools the blocks only
> freezing spray.
>
> She doesn't like to cool the blocks on an ice tray because according to her
> is a waste of time and that is why I have to use her technique but
> unfortunately some blocks are extremely difficult to cut and I have to go
> back to my preferred technique. I feel I get better sections without
> wrinkles when I chill and soak the blocks on ice for a couple of minutes. I
> sometimes use freeze spray when the blocks get warm but when I cool them
> with ice I don't need to use freeze spray that much. Her technique works
> but is more successful when the blocks are well processed. I have
> difficulty getting completed sections this way and spend more time trying
> to get the perfect section. Sometimes I have my good days but other times
> is tedious using this technique. Another thing I notice is that the blades
> get worn down quicker when you use them to trim and section. I prefer two
> separate blades, one to trim and the other one to section. I feel they stay
> sharp for more time.
>
> She discourages the use of ice but then complains that we are running out
> of freezing spray for the frozen sections too quickly which doesn't make
> sense. It is obvious that if she encourages to use ice to cool blocks then
> we will be using less freezing spray.
>
> Another reason she discourages the use of ice is that some blocks are not
> meant to be chilled which is pretty understandable. I cannot cool small
> biopsies such as gastric and skin and bone because they can get too hard
> and tear off from the block so I avoid that but I prefer to cool breast and
> colon biopsies on ice because these are fatty tissue that can be tedious to
> cut even when relying only on freezing spray.
>
>
>
> I want to know if it's completely acceptable for me to prefer the trim,
> cool on ice and section technique and if you feel is a waste of time
> comparing it with other ways of cutting such as the one I mentioned.
>
>
>
> Thanks.
> _______________________________________________
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 11
> Date: Sat, 29 Sep 2012 07:08:39 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Rene J Buesa <rjbuesa <@t> yahoo.com>
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Cooling paraffin blocks with ice VS. Freezing
> Spray
> To: Jenny Vega <histotech411 <@t> gmail.com>,
> "histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu"
> <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
> Message-ID:
> <1348927719.94383.YahooMailNeo <@t> web163104.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
> Jenny:
> Had it been based on technique, you should be the supervisor.
> Let me go step by step:
> 1- we always used those gelatin filled trays that are frozen and from the productivity and quality point of views, it is better to trim all the blocks one tray first and place them back face down to cool.
> 2- after they have been trimed and cooled, you start cutting one by one
> 3- using coolant spray is not advisable because it costs too much and although the refrigerant is supposed to be innocuous, it could be a safety hazard
> 4- the best way to handle a difficult block is: trim→cool in a tray→start going deeper to get the complete area to be sectioned→cool with an ice cube wrapped in gauze→take the final sections.
> Your productivity will be 1.1 higher that if you trim → cut each blocks individually.
> René J.
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Jenny Vega <histotech411 <@t> gmail.com>
> To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Sent: Friday, September 28, 2012 10:39 PM
> Subject: [Histonet] Cooling paraffin blocks with ice VS. Freezing Spray
>
> I want to know what is your preferred method for cutting paraffin blocks in
> the microtome everyday. At work I am having issues with my supervisor
> because we have different ways of doing things like for example she doesn't
> like to use the technique where you first trim the tissue, cool it on an
> ice tray and then make a section. That is how I learned to cut in histotech
> school. Instead she just trims and cuts the blocks at 4 microns one by one
> using the same blade until it wears out and she cools the blocks only
> freezing spray.
>
> She doesn't like to cool the blocks on an ice tray because according to her
> is a waste of time and that is why I have to use her technique but
> unfortunately some blocks are extremely difficult to cut and I have to go
> back to my preferred technique. I feel I get better sections without
> wrinkles when I chill and soak the blocks on ice for a couple of minutes. I
> sometimes use freeze spray when the blocks get warm but when I cool them
> with ice I don't need to use freeze spray that much. Her technique works
> but is more successful when the blocks are well processed. I have
> difficulty getting completed sections this way and spend more time trying
> to get the perfect section. Sometimes I have my good days but other times
> is tedious using this technique. Another thing I notice is that the blades
> get worn down quicker when you use them to trim and section. I prefer two
> separate blades, one to trim and the other one to section. I feel they stay
> sharp for more time.
>
> She discourages the use of ice but then complains that we are running out
> of freezing spray for the frozen sections too quickly which doesn't make
> sense. It is obvious that if she encourages to use ice to cool blocks then
> we will be using less freezing spray.
>
> Another reason she discourages the use of ice is that some blocks are not
> meant to be chilled which is pretty understandable. I cannot cool small
> biopsies such as gastric and skin and bone because they can get too hard
> and tear off from the block so I avoid that but I prefer to cool breast and
> colon biopsies on ice because these are fatty tissue that can be tedious to
> cut even when relying only on freezing spray.
>
>
>
> I want to know if it's completely acceptable for me to prefer the trim,
> cool on ice and section technique and if you feel is a waste of time
> comparing it with other ways of cutting such as the one I mentioned.
>
>
>
> Thanks.
> _______________________________________________
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
>
> End of Histonet Digest, Vol 106, Issue 36
> *****************************************
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