Another aid with some wrinkly sections is to use a "Wax Pen" from EMS
     or other EM supply company. They are battery powered hot wire tools
     usually used for sealing boats onto glass knives. However, they work
     well for cutting apart paraffin sections on the bath and for cutting
     slots in the wax border so that the specimen can expand.  jc


______________________________ Reply Separator
_________________________________
Subject: RE: Problems w/cutting monkey brains
Author:  Hewlett Bryan <HEWLETT@HHSC.CA> at internet
Date:    01/20/2000 8:18 AM


Sandi,

I believe the wrinkling is due to compression of the tissue, by the paraffin
wax, on solidification. On subsequent flotation, there is differential
expansion, the tissue expanding more than the wax. Large blocks,
particularly those fixed in formaldehyde and those with a wide margin of
wax, are rather susceptible to this.
Make sure the temperature of the water bath is high enough, 5-10C below the
MP of your wax, leave the sections floating longer and this may help.

If not, try the following;
Place the large wax section on black blotting paper. Using a sharp blade,
carefully cut through the surrounding wax (not the tissue!), in radial
fashion, at 2-3 locations on each side of the section. Proceed with floating
on water. The wax will separate and allow expansion of the tissue.

Hope this helps.

Bryan

> ----------
> From: 	Snobird75@aol.com[SMTP:Snobird75@aol.com]
> Sent: 	January 19, 2000 5:56 PM
> To: 	Histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
> Subject: 	Problems w/cutting monkey brains
>
> I am having trouble with wrinkles.
> I am cutting monkey brains and using the large block cassetts , also the
> larger micro poly + slides. When placeing the section on the water bath
> the
> wrinkles won't leave the outer edges of the tissue. I even tried putting a
>
> drop of 95% alc in the waterbath, this did help a little but not enough.
> Also
> tried to cut at different thickness. The pathologist wants no wrinkles
> because she want to take pictures of theses slides.
> Are there any ideas on what to try? Also what setting would you set the
> waterbath at
> ours is set at 38 degrees.
> Thank you
> Sandi
> Dept Government Research
> Maryland
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