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Kmecick M, Vieira da Costa MC, Ferreira EDC, Prodocimo MM, Ortolani-Machado CF. Critical Evaluation of Embedding Media for Histological Studies of Early Stages of Chick Embryo Development. Methods Protoc 2023; 6:mps6020038. [PMID: 37104020 PMCID: PMC10146326 DOI: 10.3390/mps6020038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A histological examination is an important tool in embryology, developmental biology, and correlated areas. Despite the amount of information available about tissue embedding and different media, there is a lack of information regarding best practices for embryonic tissues. Embryonic tissues are considered fragile structures, usually small in size, and frequently challenging to position correctly in media for the subsequent histological steps. Here, we discuss the embedding media and procedures that provided us with appropriate preservation of tissue and easier orientation of embryos at early development. Fertilized Gallus gallus eggs were incubated for 72 h, collected, fixed, processed, and embedded with paraplast, polyethylene glycol (PEG), or historesin. These resins were compared by the precision of tissue orientation, the preview of the embryos in the blocks, microtomy, contrast in staining, preservation, average time, and cost. Paraplast and PEG did not allow correct embryo orientation, even with agar–gelatin pre-embedded samples. Additionally, structural maintenance was hindered and did not allow detailed morphological assessment, presenting tissue shrinkage and disruption. Historesin provided precise tissue orientation and excellent preservation of structures. Assessing the performance of the embedding media contributes significantly to future developmental research, optimizing the processing of embryo specimens and improving results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melyssa Kmecick
- Laboratory of Embryotoxicology, Department of Cell Biology, Biological Sciences Sector, Federal University of Paraná, Av. Cel. Francisco Heráclito dos Santos, 100, Curitiba 81.531-980, PR, Brazil
| | - Mariliza Cristine Vieira da Costa
- Laboratory of Embryotoxicology, Department of Cell Biology, Biological Sciences Sector, Federal University of Paraná, Av. Cel. Francisco Heráclito dos Santos, 100, Curitiba 81.531-980, PR, Brazil
| | - Eduardo da Costa Ferreira
- Laboratory of Embryotoxicology, Department of Cell Biology, Biological Sciences Sector, Federal University of Paraná, Av. Cel. Francisco Heráclito dos Santos, 100, Curitiba 81.531-980, PR, Brazil
| | - Maritana Mela Prodocimo
- Laboratory of Cell Toxicology, Department of Cell Biology, Biological Sciences Sector, Federal University of Paraná, Av. Cel. Francisco Heráclito dos Santos, 100, Curitiba 81.531-980, PR, Brazil
| | - Claudia Feijó Ortolani-Machado
- Laboratory of Embryotoxicology, Department of Cell Biology, Biological Sciences Sector, Federal University of Paraná, Av. Cel. Francisco Heráclito dos Santos, 100, Curitiba 81.531-980, PR, Brazil
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Koay JB, Natasya NN, Nashithatul M, Ihsanuddin R, Salleh FM, Azil AH. Using wintergreen oil for mounting mosquito larvae: a safer alternative to xylene. Biotech Histochem 2015; 91:63-70. [PMID: 26528914 DOI: 10.3109/10520295.2015.1074286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Permanent mounting of fourth instar mosquito larvae is essential for identifying Aedes spp. This procedure requires extensive exposure to xylene, a clearing agent in the mounting process. We investigated wintergreen oil as a substitute for xylene. Five hundred larvae were mounted on slides to evaluate shrinkage or expansion of specimens after clearing using xylene or wintergreen oil. We examined the ventral brush and siphonal hair tufts for species identification and for preservation of morphological characteristics after clearing specimens in xylene or wintergreen oil. Shrinkage of the length of whole larvae and width of the head, thorax and abdomen after mounting was significantly greater after clearing with xylene than with wintergreen oil. The length of the comb scale nearest the ventral brush was similar for both clearing agents. The clarity of the specimens after mounting was improved by clearing with wintergreen oil, but the integrity of the ventral brush and siphonal hair tufts were similar for both clearing agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- J B Koay
- a Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology , Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
| | - N N Natasya
- a Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology , Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
| | - Mag Nashithatul
- a Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology , Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
| | - R Ihsanuddin
- a Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology , Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
| | - F M Salleh
- a Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology , Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
| | - A H Azil
- a Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology , Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
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Pandey P, Dixit A, Tanwar A, Sharma A, Mittal S. A comparative study to evaluate liquid dish washing soap as an alternative to xylene and alcohol in deparaffinization and hematoxylin and eosin staining. J Lab Physicians 2014; 6:84-90. [PMID: 25328332 PMCID: PMC4196369 DOI: 10.4103/0974-2727.141504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Our study presents a new deparaffinizing and hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining method that involves the use of easily available, nontoxic and eco-friendly liquid diluted dish washing soap (DWS) by completely eliminating expensive and hazardous xylene and alcohol from deparaffinizing and rehydration prior to staining, staining and from dehydration prior to mounting. The aim was to evaluate and compare the quality of liquid DWS treated xylene and alcohol free (XAF) sections with that of the conventional H and E sections. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 100 paraffin embedded tissue blocks from different tissues were included. From each tissue block, one section was stained with conventional H and E (normal sections) and the other with XAF H and E (soapy sections) staining method. Slides were scored using five parameters: Nuclear, cytoplasmic, clarity, uniformity, and crispness of staining. Z-test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Soapy sections scored better for cytoplasmic (90%) and crisp staining (95%) with a statistically significant difference. Whereas for uniformity of staining, normal sections (88%) scored over soapy sections (72%) (Z = 2.82, P < 0.05). For nuclear (90%) and clarity of staining (90%) total scored favored soapy sections, but the difference was not statistically significant. About 84% normal sections stained adequately for diagnosis when compared with 86% in soapy sections (Z = 0.396, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION Liquid DWS is a safe and efficient alternative to xylene and alcohol in deparaffinization and routine H and E staining procedure. We are documenting this project that can be used as a model for other histology laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinki Pandey
- Department of Pathology, UP Rural Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Saifai, Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Alok Dixit
- Department of Pharmacology, UP Rural Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Saifai, Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Aparna Tanwar
- Department of Pathology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Sultanpur, Kumarhatti, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Anuradha Sharma
- Department of Pathology, M M Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, M M University, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India
| | - Sanjeev Mittal
- Department of Pathology, M M Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, M M University, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India
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Toledo-Hernández C, Torres-Vázquez II, Serrano-Vélez JL. Microwave-accelerated processing of coral tissue histology. Histol Histopathol 2014. [DOI: 10.7243/2055-091x-1-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Henwood AF, Prasad L, Bourke VM. The application of heated detergent dewaxing and rehydration to techniques for the demonstration of fungi: a comparison to routine xylene-alcohol dewaxing. J Histotechnol 2013. [DOI: 10.1179/2046023613y.0000000025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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Metgud R, Astekar MS, Soni A, Naik S, Vanishree M. Conventional xylene and xylene-free methods for routine histopathological preparation of tissue sections. Biotech Histochem 2013; 88:235-41. [PMID: 23373510 DOI: 10.3109/10520295.2013.764015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Xylene customarily has been used as a clearing agent for routine tissue processing. Because xylene is a relatively hazardous solvent, laboratories are under pressure to seek less toxic alternatives for routine use. We prepared 30 paired soft tissue specimens for routine histopathological evaluation using conventional xylene and xylene-free methods to evaluate and compare their efficacy for fixation, processing, embedding, staining and turnaround time. All specimens were measured before and after processing. Three pathologists evaluated and scored the histological sections. Tissue shrinkage was greater when using the xylene method compared to the xylene-free method. The quality of tissue sections including tissue architecture; quality of staining; preservation of epithelial, fibrous, glandular, muscle and adipose tissue; inflammatory cells; and vascular tissue was better after using the xylene method, but differences were not statistically significant. Xylene-free method produced adequate results that nearly equaled the xylene method. Added advantages included cost effectiveness, better working atmosphere and decreased toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Metgud
- Paher University, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Pacific Dental College and Hospital, Debari, Udaipur, Rajasthan, 313024
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Stockert JC, López-Arias B, Del Castillo P, Romero A, Blázquez-Castro A. Replacing xylene with n-heptane for paraffin embedding. Biotech Histochem 2012; 87:464-7. [PMID: 22853037 DOI: 10.3109/10520295.2012.701764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In standard histological technique, aromatic solvents such as xylene and toluene are used as clearing agents between ethanol dehydration and paraffin embedding. In addition, these solvents are used for de-waxing paraffin sections. Unfortunately, these solvents are harmful and therefore adequate substitutes would be useful. We suggest the use of n-heptane as a convenient substitute for xylene. Paraffin sections of rat tissues processed with n-heptane and stained with hematoxylin-eosin or Masson's trichrome showed proper embedment, well preserved morphology and excellent staining.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Stockert
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Autonomous University of Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain
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Kunhua W, Chuming F, Tao L, Yanmei Y, Xin Y, Xiaoming Z, Xuezhong G, Xun L. A novel non-toxic xylene substitute (SBO) for histology. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF TRADITIONAL, COMPLEMENTARY, AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES 2012; 9:43-9. [PMID: 23983318 DOI: 10.4314/ajtcam.v9i1.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Xylene has been generally used as a clearing and deparaffinizing agent in histology. Because of the potential toxic and flammable nature of xylene, its substitutes have been introduced into some laboratories. In this study, we introduced a novel, non-toxic xylene substitute (SBO), which was generated through a mixture of 86% of white oil No.2 and 14% of N-heptane. SBO had a high boiling point (188°C) and flash point (144°C) coupled with a scentless and decreased volatility. To compare the effectiveness of SBO and xylene in histology, a wide range of tissue samples from rats and human beings were processed in parallel in SBO and xylene, subjected to various staining procedures. Similar to the xylene-processed paraffin blocks, the SBO-processed counterparts were easy to section without any evidence of cell shrinkage. Assessment of the SBO-treated sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin revealed a good maintenance of cell morphology and structure, and a clear definition of the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Moreover, comparable good results were achieved between the SBO- and xylene-processed tissues in other histochemical and immunohistochemical stainings. Six-month clinical applications at one department of pathology supported the potentials of SBO as a xylene substitute. In conclusion, we suggest that SBO is a safe and efficient substitute of xylene and may probably replace xylene without losing valuable diagnostic information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Kunhua
- The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650032, PR China
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