Histotalks: Nsh Podcasts

Fixation on Histology: Are Multiple GMS-Stained Levels Needed? Not Necessarily, According to Study Written based on the article "Multiple levels of Gomori methenamine silver (GMS) stains do not improve diagnostic yield in esophageal biopsies" published in the Journal of Histotechnology To read the blog, click here. 

Fixation on Histology: NSH Was Doing Distance Learning Before It Was Cool — Here’s Why It Still Works Written by: Connie Wildeman, MPA, Director of Education at NSH To Read the Full Blog, Click Here

Title: Histological Whole Slide Scanning Reproducibility Study   Authors: Hannah Benton, BSa, Tomoe Shiomi, MS, HTL(ASCP)CM, CT(IAC)CM, Fatma Farooqi, BSc, HTL(ASCP), Elizabeth A. Chlipala, BS, HTL(ASCP)QIHC and Luis Chiriboga, PhD, HT(ASCP)QIHC Abstract: Whole slide imaging (WSI) is an increasingly versatile method for capturing and sharing high-resolution digital images of stained histological slides. These images can be used for a variety of applications, including clinical diagnosis, pathology review, and image analysis. While many whole slide scanners exist with varying features tailored to different use cases, a critical factor across all platforms is the accuracy and reproducibility of the scanned images. To investigate scan consistency over time, a control slide was prepared using a tissue microarray stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E). Ink dots were applied to the slide to define a consistent scanning region. The slide was scanned 77 times over six months using an Aperio AT2 whole slide scan

Title: Employing Multi-Tissue Controls to Enhance Kidney Biopsy Protocol Education in a Program in Histotechnology Student Lab  Authors: Hyder Aljanabi, Damon Bendolph, Gabriella Casas, Yosan Embrafrash, Sara Hassan, Anastasja Kraft, Stephan Lloyd-Brown , Nida Mubeen, Minh Nguyen, Xena Orosco, Nicole Rivera, Moriam Sissoho, Tan Tang , Kaleena Ramirez, Toysha Mayer, Mark Bailey Abstract: In a Program in Histotechnology student laboratory, establishing a representative and clinical teaching laboratory environment is essential for preparing students to manage the complexities of diagnostic tissue processing. The objective of the project was to simulate real-world clinical procedures by integrating multi-tissue controls into student education competencies for kidney biopsy staining protocols. Students participated in the investigation, each receiving four pieces of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue: kidney, liver, gastrointestinal tract (GI), and tonsil. The tissues served as controls to validate st

Title: Comparative assessment of routine H&E and Mason’s Trichrome Stain to Differentiate Normal from Infected Urinary Bladders in the Göttingen Minipig   Authors: Stephanie D. Rivera, MS, HT(ASCP); Anthony Romanello, BS; Ronnie Chamanza, BVSc, MSc, FRC Path, MRCVS, FIATP, Preclinical Sciences & Translational Safety, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Spring House, Pa Abstract: The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the difference between normal and infected Göttingen minipig urinary bladder and determine the difficulty of microscopically evaluating infectious urinary bladder. The focus was on the histology of the tissue using routine Hematoxylin and Eosin(H&E) staining and the Masson Trichrome (MT) special stain to demonstrate the morphology of normal and infectious urinary bladder. To improve on the translation between preclinical and clinical studies, the Göttingen minipig model is appropriate to use for research for diseased human bladder treatment because the minipig anatomy

Title: Evaluating the Reverse Slide Embedding Method vs. Heat Extractor Embedding in the Mohs Laboratory: A Comparative Quality Review of 100 Cases Authors: Tashsa Cromedy, Heather Frye, Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center, St. Tammany Cancer Center A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center Abstract:  Overview Accurate tissue embedding is critical in Mohs micrographic surgery for complete margin assessment. This study evaluates the efficacy of a reverse slide embedding method compared to the conventional heat extractor technique. The goal was to determine which method yields fewer artifacts or discrepancies that may compromise histologic interpretation and margin assessment. Methods A total of 100 Mohs cases were retrospectively reviewed in a controlled laboratory setting. Two embedding techniques were compared: Reverse Slide Method: 50 cases were embedded by placing the tissue on a chilled slide before embedding, ensuring orientation preservation and minimizing heat exposure. Heat Extractor Method: 50 cases were embe

Title: High-resolution histological preparation of Araneomorphae and Mygalomorphae chelicerae using a modified petrographic technique Authors: Damien Laudier, HTL(ASCP)QIHC, Laudier Histology Abstract: Producing quality histological preparations of spider chelicerae with articulated fangs and cheliceral teeth is exceptionally challenging, if not impossible, using conventional histology techniques. Typically, these structures are examined with topographic or radiographic imaging methods, such as scanning electron microcopy (SEM) and micro computed tomography (mIcro-CT). While both are very useful tools for morphological analysis, they’re not capable of revealing the fine tissue structure and cellular details, that a histological section viewed under light microscopy can provide. This study describes a modified petrographic/hard tissue histology technique to prepare high-resolution histology sections, for qualitative and quantitative assessment of both cheliceral soft tissue and fang microstructure.

Title: Enhanced Collagen Detection in Liver Fibrosis: A Comparative Study of Picrosirius Red Staining With and Without Bouin’s Pretreatment   Authors: Nate Rampy, BS, Amber Moser, BS, HTL(ASCP)cm, Hannah Benton, BS, Brad Bolon, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVP, DABT and Elizabeth A. Chlipala, BS, HTL(ASCP)QIHC, Premier Laboratory, LLC, Longmont, Colorado; GEMpath, Inc., Longmont, Colorado Abstract: The use of Bouin’s solution as a post-fixation treatment, rather than a primary fixative, remains largely unexplored in Picrosirius Red (PSR) procedures for collagen detection. In this study, we compared the effectiveness of PSR staining in liver samples from mouse, rat, and human with and without Bouin’s solution as a pretreatment step. Liver sections were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, processed and embedded in paraffin before being sectioned at 4 microns and stained with PSR. Bouin’s was applied prior to staining for 60 minutes at 70º C, not as a fixative, but as a mordant to enhance dye-tissue interactions. Stained

Title: Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA) Staining Optimized for Image Analysis of Muscle Tissue Morphometry  Authors: Cheru, R. and Wolf, J.C., Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc., Sterling, Virginia Abstract: Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA) is a plant-derived lectin and fluorescent stain that binds to N-acetylglucosamine and sialic acid residues in tissues, making it a valuable histochemical tool for visualizing cell membranes and components of the extracellular matrix. In muscle tissue, WGA staining allows clear delineation of the laminin-labeled basal membrane outlining each myofiber, distinguishing it from the residual autofluorescence of the myofiber sarcoplasm. To support digital pathology applications, a WGA staining protocol was optimized for compatibility with image-based quantitative analysis. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded muscle sections were stained with fluorescently labeled WGA, counterstained with DAPI for nuclear visualization, and mounted with antifade medium to preserve fluorescence. Image a

Poster Title: CelLockTM and Axlab: A mutual symbiotic relationship resulting in increased patient care quality. Authors: Clifford M Chapman ( Medi-Sci Consultants), Karla Escobar (Axlab -US), Timm Piper (Axlab –US) Abstract: An ever increasing number of tiny specimens are received in histology laboratories every day. Fine needle aspirates, needle biopsies, gastrointestinal and skin biopsies, along with research specimens such as organelles: all pose challenges in receiving, processing and preparing stained slides from such specimens. Axlab is a Danish based company founded in 1993 which specializes in finding novel solutions for pathology laboratories. Axlab recently announced the release of their AS-410M automated sectioning equipment. Receiving FDA clearance in 2024, this equipment has been successfully implemented worldwide, resulting in enhanced section quality and increased workflow efficiency. CelLockTM is an innovative standardized method for collecting individual cells and small tissue fragments for

Poster Title: The High Cost of Understaffing: A Case Study in Surgical Pathology Consequences   Authors: Emily Nangano, MS, PA(ASCP)cm; Gillian Bass; Rob Terranova Abstract: Laboratories are the diagnostic backbone of healthcare, yet staffing decisions are often driven by budget constraints rather than operational needs. This case study examines the real-world consequences of delayed staffing action within the anatomic pathology department at a large academic medical center. Faced with a predicted shortfall in grossing coverage due to reduced resident support and unchanged PA staffing levels, institutional leadership opted against proactive hiring. As a result, grossing FTEs fell from 6.5 to 3.5, and histology staffing experienced a drop to 3 technicians from the usual 9 due to attrition and burnout. This staffing collapse led to turnaround time delays of up to 6–8 weeks and forced the lab to outsource specimen processing. Over the following seven months, the institution spent nearly $4 million on reference

Fixation on Histology: The Hunt for the Perfect Slide Written based on the NSH Webinar: Assessing Adhesion Slide Performance Across Histology Applications To Read the Blog, Click Here. 

Fixation on Histology: From Professional to Patient, A Med Tech's Organ Donation Journey Written based on the NSH Laboratory Webinar- When Worlds Collide Through Organ Donation To Read the Blog, Click Here. 

Fixation on Histology: Dementia Demystifying Written based on the NSH Laboratory Webinar Forget-Me-Not: Demystifying Dementia To Read the Blog, Click Here

Fixation on Histology: So You Want To Be A Manager? Written by: Jordan Terrell, HT(ASCP)cm To Read the Blog, Click Here

Fixation on Histology: Meet Nicole Leon, NSH’s 2025 Histotechnologist of the Year   To read the blog, click here

Fixation on Histology: How Digital Image Analysis Strengthens H&E Staining Quality Control Based on the article Utilizing image analysis by optical density to evaluate changes in hematoxylin and eosin staining quality after reagent overuse” published in the Journal of Histotechnology. To read the full blog, click here. 

Fixation on Histology: U.S. Cancer Research at a Breaking Point: NIH’s Grant Race Tightens Sharply Written by Antoinette EF Lona MSc., HTL(ASCP)cm  To Read the Full Article Click Here

Fixation on Histology: The Devil You Know: Common Reasons Change Doesn’t Happen in the Lab To Read the Full Blog, Click Here

Fixation on Histology: Are You Making Time to Invest in Your Career? Written by: Ashley Stewart, Membership & Publications Manager To Read the Full Blog, Click Here.