Barbara Davies/Histology/MEMHOSPCS


To determine the concentration of alcohol, we use in our lab a
'hydrometer'.  If
memory serves me correctly, its based on specific gravity .  Basically it's a
sealed floating pipet with alcohol gradations.  I know that they have can be
purchased at your local home brew stores (probably lots cheaper and quicker
than
through medical supply companies.)   We purchase our alcohols in large
drums and
occasionally our warehouse mixes up the 95% and 100% alcohols.  However, this
has never produced processing problems that can be linked to what  we would
call
'cooked tissue'.

Please describe what you mean by 'cooked'.  I imagine a bland glazed over
nuclei
with no chromatin pattern and severe shrinkage, all unreversable.   Is that
what
you see?   If this is the case, I would guess heat is the issue.   If its dry,
perhaps its being over processed. Review what type and size of tissue you are
processing.  Small tissues (<3mm) require a shorter, gentler cycle especially
compared to the other extreme, large fatty tissue.

PS.  Its much easier to read emails using lower case letters, not all caps.

Barb Davies  HT(ASCP)
Memorial Hospital
Colorado Springs, CO





Rita Riddle <RitaR@lexhealth.org> on 01/26/2000 02:45:09 PM



 To:      "'HISTONET@PATHOLOGY.SWMED.EDU'"
          <HISTONET@pathology.swmed.edu>

 cc:      (bcc: Barbara Davies/Histology/MEMHOSPCS)



 Subject: PROCESSOR QUESTION









HELLO HISTONETER,
WE HAVE 2 VIP'S ONE IS 10 YEARS OLD AND WE HAVE THE BRAND NEW VIP WHICH IS
ABOUT 4 MONTHS OLD. MY QUESTION WE ARE FINDING OUT THAT OUR ALCOHOLS HAVE
CHANGE IN STRENGTH. WE ARE PUTTING OWN 80,95,100%. WE ARE FINDING OUT THAT
SOMETIME THE TISSUE LOOKS LIKE IT IS COOKED. WHEN WE START CHECKING THE
SOLUTION WE ARE FINDING THAT WE DO NOT HAVE TRUE %. ONE OF OUR PATHOLOGIST
SAID WHEN HE WAS IN SCHOOL THERE WAS A SOLUTION THAT YOU PUT IN THE SCHOOL
TO LET YOU KNOW IF IT WAS A TRUE 100% IT WOULD TURN COLOR. HE CAN NOT
REMEMBER IF WAS PINK OR BLUE. ANY SUGGESTION OWN HOW WE CAN SOLVE THIS
PROBLEM. WE USE A LOT OF AGAR WITH OUR SMALL SPECIMEN SO THINGS ARE BRITTLE
AND HARD. TRYING REPROSSING AND IT WAS JUST AWFUL. THANKS FOR ANY
SUGGESTION.

RITA