Histotalks: Nsh Podcasts

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.

Fixation on Histology: Remembering the Person Behind the Pieces of Tissue Written based on the webinar Remembering Why—a Review of Patient Case Studies  To Read the Full Blog Click Here

Fixation on Histology: CAP Made Competency Assessment a Tiny Bit Less… Confusing (Yes, really!) Written by: Nicole Leon BS, HTL(ASCP) To read the full blog, click here. 

Fixation on Histology: The Role of Images in Research Reproducibility This blog was written based on Framework for Reporting Materials and Methods for Histology Assays webinar To Read the Full Blog, Click Here.

Fixation on Histology: Enhanced Method for PGP 9.5 Immunohistochemical Labeling in Small Fiber Neuropathy Blog is based on article in the June 2025 Journal of Histotechnology To read the full blog, click here. 

Fixation on Histology: The Lena Spencer Scholarship Fund You can read the full blog here. 

Fixation on Histology: Veteran Histologist Cristi Rigazio Recognized for Her Dedicated Leadership Based on an interview with Cristi Rigazio Click to Read The Full Blog Here

President's Message: May 2025 Written by: Lamar Jones, NSH President

Fixation on Histology Blog: The Vital Role Histotechnologists Play in Veterinary Medicine Based on the Webinar By: Kei Kuroki, DVM, PhD, DACVP, of the University of Missouri Click to Read this Post