Histotalks: Nsh Podcasts

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

Fixation on Histology Blog: The Man Behind the Award: Dr. Jules Elias and the Power of Pursuing Passion Written by: Dr. Jules Elias, PhD Click to Read this Post

Fixation on Histology Blog: Enhancing Organoid Research with Histogel-Based Embedding Techniques Based on an Article By: Havnar, C., Holokai, L., Ichikawa, R., Chen, W., Scherl, A., & Shamir, E. R. (2024) Click to read this post.

Fixation on Histology Blog: Phlebotomy to Research: A Journey Through Histotechnology Written By: Andrea Transou BS,HTL(ASCP), QIHC(ASCP) Click to read this post.

Fixation on Histology Blog: My Histology Journey - Jeniesha Russell, HT(ASCP) Written By: Jeniesha Russell, HT(ASCP) Click to read this post.

Fixation on Histology Blog: My Histology Journey - Toysha Mayer Written By: Toysha Mayer, DHSc, MBA, HT(ASCP) Click to read this post.

Fixation on Histology Blog: Mastering the Art of Immunohistochemistry: Essential Techniques for Reliable Diagnostic Results Written By: Khulood Ayad Majeed; College of Dentistry, University of Kirkuk Click to read this post.

Fixation on Histology Blog: Where Does Tissue Contamination Happen Most? Based on the Webinar By: Valerie Cortright, BA, HT(ASCP), HTL(ASCP), QIHC Click to read this post.

Fixation on Histology Blog: 10 Game-Changing Leadership Lessons Written By: Cathay García Lauzurique, MHA, MSc, HTL(ASCP) Click to read this post.

Audio reading from the July 2023 NSH Fixation on Histology Blog, Hot Dog as an Alternative Source for Control Tissue. Read entire article.

P08-Diagnostic Cytopathology Cell Block Preparation Methods- Anna Patterson FIBMS MSc CSci Diagnostic Cytology Scheme Coordinator Helen Naylor MSc Diagnostic Cytology Technical Specialist Cell blocks from Cytopathology samples have always had value in the diagnostic process as a complement to the traditional Cytopathology stains – Papanicolaou and Romanowsky.  This has become more important to provide material for Immunocytochemistry to refine malignant diagnosis, and more recently, for the use of molecular testing to aid in the choice of tailored chemotherapy regimens.  If this information can be obtained from Cytopathology samples, which are less invasive than biopsy samples, the patient will benefit. A variety of preparation methods are available for the preparation of cell blocks from cells from Diagnostic Cytopathology samples.  The most popular methods will be discussed and how they can be used to optimise the quality of cell preservation if used correctly. Information garnered from the results of th

P06-Understanding the Quality of your Electron Microscopy Provider in this Era of Outsourcing of Services- Tracey de Haro MSc, FIBMS, UK NEQAS CPT TEM Scheme Coordinator Specialist Scientific Lead for Electron Microscopy University Hospitals Of Leicester NHS Trust, UK  Background Electron Microscopy (EM) remains vital to the diagnostic repertoire for the diagnosis of pathologies. Surveys of diagnostic TEM units in the UK were carried out in 2012, in 2019 (unpublished) and is currently being repeated. These surveys showed that a large amount of EM is now outsourced to units away from the originating trust. Whether UK or globally, when pathology departments are looking for a supplier of diagnostic EM services, the only questions they ask of the EM units are “how much does it cost” and “what is your turnaround time?” Are these the only relevant questions to ask? Considerations The following relevant issues should be considered alongside cost and speed; The technical quality of an electron microscopy service;

The Development of a Cocktail of Microglia and GFAP For Easy Diagnosis - Anisha Bhasin B.S, Sarah Holguin, MBA. B.S, Joe Vargas, M.S Microglia and GFAP are distinct neural markers, typically used separately to diagnose the degree of neurological infection and injury. Microglia, a glial cell, is used in the immune response of the central nervous system. GFAP is an astrocyte marker; astrocytes provide structural support and make up the blood-brain barrier. Using the two in conjugation with one another would prove to be an efficient diagnostic tool. A cocktail was constructed with optimal titration to observe the two markers in unison. In clinical usage, it will provide an efficient diagnosis of chronic inflammatory conditions of the central nervous system. The staining was conducted in IHC and fluorescence to compare morphology and count. Due to anatomical similarities, there tends to be morphological confusion between microglia and GFAP. However, when stained in conjunction with one another, notable differe

Study tools for the histotechnologist (HTL) Histotechnician (HT) certification exam- Amber Moser1, BS, Hannah Benton1, BS, Taylor Wallace1, BS, and Elizabeth A. Chlipala1, BS, HTL(ASCP)QIHC Premier Labs, Longmont, CO Histology laboratories have seen an increase in workplace shortages since the COVID-19 pandemic and an increase in noncertified applicants to fill open positions. The traditional route for histology certification is the completion of a histology education series with an accredited institution; however, there are many other routes to qualify for certification. With declines in histology program graduate numbers, and the change in work force after the COVID-19 pandemic, it is expected that nontechnical positions will continue to be filled by noncertified individuals. This may lead to an increase in alternative routes of certification, specifically through laboratory experience. These tools provide additional resources for individuals studying for the HT/HTL certification exams. They are cate

Somagen Method of Alcohol Reagent Tracking (SMART) Optimization to Realize Workflow Efficiencies within the Laboratory-Anne de Wolf, BSc MLT Somagen Diagnostics, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Christine Chiu MLT Somagen Diagnostics, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Annie Vallee Somagen Diagnostics, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; James Tang, BSc MLT Somagen Diagnostics, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Tissue processing in recent decades has changed without subsequent changes to reagent maintenance. Reagent maintenance protocols have been ‘Grandfathered down’ without consideration for the reagent quality and how this is related to tissue types and block numbers processed. The concentration of the last absolute alcohol station needs to be >98 % to effectively remove water from tissue before clearing and paraffin infiltration.1, 2 Using the Eagle Eye Digital hydrometer can provide reagent quality information which could also provide potential downstream efficiencies to laboratory workflow and cost savings in labour and reagen