Make sure you have very sharp blades (maybe techs are not changing blades 
often enough?), a proper waterbath temperature for your given paraffin - 
Waterbath may be too cool, so increase a few degrees, allow section to 
flatten on the waterbath - this is usually our biggest problem when you get 
in a hurry to get things done.

  When you pick up sections, do it so section comes into contact with Plus 
charge slide quickly, not the paraffin but the SECTION.  A hint given to me 
by Marcia from Newcomer Supply!!

We keep water level very high, at top edge of waterbath to help you do 
this, much easier than "fishing around for a section in a low pond" of 
water for the section.

Drain plus charge slides well, slides should be vertical so water drains 
from under the section, then go to oven.  Pooled water, even a tiny amount 
creates havoc.

At 09:10 AM 3/17/2005, you wrote:
>Hello All,
>In the past few days one our pathologists has been complaining about "uneven
>sections."  In other words, he's having to focus up and down a lot because
>the sections aren't flat on the slide.  Any body have any explanations of
>why this could be happening and any solutions?  We haven't been doing
>anything different, use plus charged slides and paraplast x-tra paraffin. 15
>minutes in a 55 degree C oven and automatic stainer.
>Any comments are greatly appreciated.
>Julie
>Julie Sanders, BA,HT(ASCP)
>Supervisor, Anatomic Pathology
>VA Medical Center
>Cincinnati, Oh. 45220
>
>Julie A. Sanders, BA,HT(ASCP)
>Supervisor, Anatomic Pathology
>Cincinnati VAMC
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Histonet mailing list
>Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Gayle Callis
MT,HT,HTL(ASCP)
Research Histopathology Supervisor
Veterinary Molecular Biology
Montana State University - Bozeman
PO Box 173610
Bozeman MT 59717-3610
406 994-6367 (lab with voice mail)
406 994-4303 (FAX)



_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet