Wilms’ Tumour (WT) is a tumour of the kidneys that typically occurs in children. WT1 protein expression in mesothelial cells has become a reliable marker for the diagnosis of mesotheliomas. The NCL-L-WT1-562 (WT49) was found to be very specific and best suited to this facility’s fully automated Immunohistochemistry (IHC) laboratory, when compared with the WT1 6F-H2 clone. The positive reaction of WT49 was restricted to nuclear staining without cytoplasmic staining which has been described in other WT1 antibodies. Read article

The DOG-1 antibody can potentially diagnose approximately 13% more GIST’s on IHC than CD117 staining. It is a sensitive and specific marker for GIST, warranting further investigation for the inclusion of this marker as an adjuvant to the panel of antibodies for the accurate identification and diagnosis of GIST. Read article

Fixation is a critical step in the preparation of histological sections. If it is not carried out under optimal conditions or if fixation is delayed, a tissue specimen can be irreversibly damaged. No matter how much care is subsequently taken in tissue processing, microtomy and staining, the morphological and histochemical information obtainable from the specimen will be compromised. This series of five articles explains the theory behind fixation and the practical use of common, emerging and specialized fixitives. Read article

This second part of the Fixation and Fixatives series covers the factors that influence the rate and effectiveness of tissue fixation as well as looking at two common fixatives: formaldehyde (histology) and glutaraldehyde (ultrastructural electron microscopy studies). Read article

As well as formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde, discussed previously, a number of other reagents have been used for fixation, sometimes in simple solution but often combined with other agents in the form of compound fixatives. The more important of these are discussed here in Part 3 of the Fixation and Fixatives series. Read article

In this fourth part of the Fixation and Fixatives series, we look at some of the many popular and traditional fixative solutions that have been used in histology for the last 100 years. This part also has an overview of proprietary solutions and provides advice on how to select the right fixative for your application. Read article

In this final part of the Fixation and Fixatives series we look at practical ways to optimise fixation quality, discuss how heat effects fixation and finish with an introduction to the relatively new field of microwave fixation. Read article

Join Clifford M. Chapman, MS, HTL(ASCP), QIHC, technical director, Strata Pathology Services Inc., Lexington, MA, on April 26 from 2-3 p.m. for a free webinar on quality management for the histology laboratory. Read article

The hematoxylin and eosin stain (H&E) is the most widely used stain in histology and histopathology laboratories. When it is properly performed it has the ability to demonstrate a wide range of normal and abnormal cell and tissue components and yet it is a relatively simple stain to carry out on paraffin or frozen sections. In histopathology a high proportion of cases can be diagnosed by an experienced pathologist using an H&E stain alone. Read article

Neuroscience research very frequently requires animal sacrifice and microscopic examination of the brain. Certainly, stereotaxic surgery is always followed by histological examination, if only to confirm the correct placement of the probe. Read article

Neuroscience researchers usually need to see slices of whole brain in order to determine the location in brain of detail they are viewing under the microscope. The brain needs to be hardened to allow cutting the thin slices, unless a vibrating blade microtome, which is much slower, is used. Read article

Laboratories continue to feel pressure from growing volumes, resource constraints and shorter turnaround times, while also needing to maintain or improve quality. The goal of the laboratory is to improve patient care by delivering the highest quality slides to the pathologist in the shortest amount of time. Read article

From time to time, in all histopathology laboratories, paraffin blocks will be encountered that are difficult or even impossible to section. This publication provides guidance on how to deal with these difficult blocks to get the best possible section, and how to identify and avoid a repeat of underlying causes. Read article

In October 2008, Leica Microsystems worked with Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, New Hampshire to design and set-up a Lean laboratory. Read article