Kathy,		

I would ask Adrian Biesecker at BBC(1-800-635-4477 extension13)if BBC has
Canadian distribution. He also monitors histonet so you may be able to reach
him on line. Good luck!

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Johnston, Kathy [SMTP:Kathy.Johnston@CLS.ab.ca]
> Sent:	Friday, May 10, 2002 8:29 AM
> To:	'TJasper@smdc.org'
> Subject:	FW: B5
> 
> 
> That's great to hear that!  Thanks very much!!
> 
> I just thought of something else!  Who do you order your B Plus from in
> Canada?  The only place I've been able to find it from is BBC in
> Washington
> state.  My purchasing department gives me grief when I order anything from
> the states, so it would be great if it is available thru a Canadian
> distributor.
> 
> Thanks again for all your help!
> 
> Kathy
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jasper, Thomas 
> Sent: Thursday, May 09, 2002 3:12 PM
> To: 'Johnston, Kathy'
> Cc: 'histnet@pathology.swmed.edu'
> Subject: RE: B5
> 
> 
> Hey Kathy,
> 
> Our pathologists believe B-5 to be the gold standard fixative for H and E
> demonstration of thin(3 micron)cut lymph node sections. The use of mercury
> creates outstanding nuclear detail. Fixing lymph nodes for longer periods
> of
> time comes close however it is impractical for most surgical pathology
> services due to time constraints. B-5 is not desirable for all situations,
> as it can interfere with some special stains and IHC. That said, our
> pathologists actually think B-plus to be the best possible substitute as
> we
> ran blind trials on 5 or 6 substitutes and they voted for it. So, I guess
> it's not that our paths didn't like B-plus they just really liked B-5,
> then
> when faced with environmental law chose B-plus.
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From:	Johnston, Kathy [SMTP:Kathy.Johnston@CLS.ab.ca]
> > Sent:	Thursday, May 09, 2002 3:52 PM
> > To:	'Jasper, Thomas'
> > Subject:	RE: B5
> > 
> > Hi Thomas!
> > 
> > We are just starting to use the B Plus fixative at our lab, and was
> > wondering what it was about the B Plus that your pathologists did not
> > like.
> > So far I have not received any feedback from our pathologists, but it
> > would
> > be great if we could switch over for the sake of being safer to work
> with
> > and more environmentally friendly.  
> > 
> > Your opinions would be greatly appreciated!
> > 
> > Thanks!
> > 
> > Kathy Johnston
> > Tech II - Special Stains
> > Anatomic Pathology - Foothills Medical Center
> > Calgary Laboratory Services
> > Ph - 403-670-4760
> > Fax - 403-270-4093
> > kathy.johnston@cls.ab.ca
> > 
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Jasper, Thomas [mailto:TJasper@smdc.org]
> > Sent: Thursday, May 09, 2002 2:01 PM
> > To: 'Bryan Hewlett'
> > Cc: 'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
> > Subject: RE: B5
> > 
> > 
> > Bryan,	
> > 
> > You are still allowed mercury in your lab? That is really surprising
> since
> > there is absolute zero tolerance for mercury in this part of the Great
> > Lakes. I'm mean blood pressure cuffs, thermometers, everything. I was
> > under
> > the impression that Canadian environmental law was pretty strict. Our
> docs
> > certainly preferred B-5 but the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District
> > put
> > the hammer down!  We use a very good substitute(B-plus)and I'm glad we
> do
> > for the sake of the environment.
> > 
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From:	Bryan Hewlett [SMTP:bhewlett@cogeco.ca]
> > > Sent:	Thursday, May 09, 2002 5:56 AM
> > > To:	Sharon Cassar; HistoNet Server
> > > Subject:	Re: B5
> > > 
> > > Sharon,
> > > 
> > > B-5 Fixative.
> > > Sodium acetate mercuric chloride formalin, pH 5.8-6.0.
> > > 
> > > Distilled water......90 mL
> > > Mercuric chloride...6 g
> > > Sodium acetate(anhyd.)..1.25g
> > > 
> > > Mix well, label as B-5 stock.
> > > Immediately prior to use add 10 mL 37-40% formaldehyde and mix.
> > > 
> > > Fix 2-3 mm slice of L.N. for 4-6 hours(K=0.8)
> > > Rinse in 3 changes NBF, 5 min. each and transfer to NBF. Process.
> > > Lillie suggests 12-24 hours, and adds that 5-7 days does not
> overharden!
> > > 
> > > Reference:
> > > Lillie,R.D. Histopathologic Technic and Practical Histochemistry, 3rd
> > Ed.
> > > 1965
> > > 
> > > Bryan
> > > 
> > > Bryan R. Hewlett
> > > Technical Specialist
> > > Anatomical Pathology
> > > Hamilton Regional Laboratory Medicine Program
> > > Ontario, Canada
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Sharon Cassar" 
> > > To: "HistoNet Server" 
> > > Sent: Wednesday, May 08, 2002 11:08 PM
> > > Subject: B5
> > > 
> > > 
> > > > Hello
> > > >
> > > > Can anyone send me the formulation and the procedure of B5 fixative
> on
> > > fresh
> > > > lymph nodes.
> > > >
> > > > Thank you
> > > >
> > > > Sharon Cassar
> > > > Senior MLS
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > 
> > >