undecalcified in paraffin/sectioning

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From:Gayle Callis <uvsgc@msu.oscs.montana.edu>
To:histonet@Pathology.swmed.edu
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Date:Tue, 30 Mar 1999 09:49:36 -0700
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You can try using a tungsten carbide blade on the paraffin embedded
tissues.  There are c profiles available or you can try the d profile,
some people turn the d profile around to have the smaller angle facing them
with the long sloped area at the back.  Decalcification would have made it
easier, but if you are trying to do mineralized tissues, undecalcified 
technic with PMMA may have been a better embedding media, sectioned with
the TC knife.  When cutting the paraffin using the TC knife, make sure
the block is cold.   

You could also try reembedding in a harder paraffin, at 58C melting point, 
Tissue Prep 2 from Fisher is a good one, reinfiltration would be a help
also, you would be attempting to match the hardness of paraffin to the
tissue, or some resemblence to.   good luck!


Gayle Callis



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