Was wondering if anyone has some insight into my staining problem with
Picrosirius Red.  I'm using a protocol from Junqueira et al., J Path,
1986.  The specimens are decalcified paraffin embedded bones.  Most of
the tissue elements are showing up pink with diffuse red throughout.
I'm pretty sure the picric acid is saturated (21g to 1L) and the
solution is cloudy.  The protocol calls for 1 hour in 0.1% Picrosirius
followed by a tap water wash until no color is visible in the wash and
staining with harris hematoxylin after the wash.  I was under the
impression that the stain should look similar to a van Gieson but with
better polarizing properties.  If anyone has any suggestions I'd
appreciate hearing them.  Thanks in advance.

Martha Strachan
Skeletech, Inc.
Kirkland, WA