RE: plastic embedding

From:Pamela Marcum
Rachel,
We recommend 1.25gms. of Plasticized Benzoyl Peroxide to 100mL of Solution A for the catalyzed solution for infiltration.  This is the recommendation for the new kit with the BPO in a small glass bottle.  If you were using the older material that can in a can with a small plastic bag of BPO it is 0.9gm. per 100mL. 
 
Solution B is used at a rate of 1mL per 25mL of freshly prepared Solution A with BPO.  We do not recommend using more than 1mL of Solution B per 25mL as it will soften the blocks.  Reducing Solution B should be done slowly and in very small increments to harden blocks.  The blocks should be stored in a desiccator with DriRite or other desiccant to maintain harder blocks. 
 
If you have further questions you can contact me at Polysciences, Inc.  800-523-2575 Ext 167 or pmarcum@polysciences.com 
 
 Pam Marcum
----- Original Message -----
From:
To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Sent: 7/15/2002 5:36:35 PM
Subject: plastic embedding

I have been working with JB4 plastic resin embedding and I'm having problems with the hardness of my blocks.  After being out of the desiccator for 10 minutes or so my blocks soften and I can't get a consistent section.

I'm working with various types of animal tissue usually 2mm x 2mm x2mm.  My procedures involves running through a series of graded ethanol's (70-85-95-100) and straight into JB4 (100mL A solution/1.25g catalyst) for 4 hours.  Then a solution change, rotate overnight, repeat again, and embed after the third change.  Embedding using 25mL catalyzed solution/1.5mL hardener.  Once embedded the molds go into a desiccator under vacuum pressure overnight.

Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas to help me out?  I really need a nice hard, consistent, block.

Thank you very much.
Rachael Emerson
Ward's Microscope Slide Lab

 
--- Pamela Marcum
--- mucram11@earthlink.net
--- EarthLink: The #1 provider of the Real Internet.
 
<< Previous Message | Next Message >>