Learn With NSH

Fixation on Histology: Understanding Multiplex IHC To read the full blog, click here. 

Fixation on Histology: A New Approach to Bladder Cancer Detection Written based on the research article published in the Journal of Histotechnology To Read the Full Blog, Click Here.  

Fixation on Histology: Understanding the Tools of Embedding Written based on the NSH Webinar: Embedding Basics & Troubleshooting To read the full blog, click here . 

Fixation on Histology: The High Cost of Johne’s Disease Written based on the NSH Webinar Jonesing For Johne’s - AFB Control Tissue To Read the Full Blog, Click Here

Fixation on Histology: Top 5 Traits of a Great Histotechnologist Written by: Connie Wildeman, Director of Education, NSH To read the full blog, click here . 

In this episode, NSH Director Education, Connie Wildeman, sat down with Olivia Hoppe and Olivia Mouch, both Application Support Specialists with Milestone Medical, to discuss their unique roads to histology.  The also discuss important traits of a histotech - no matter the background.  Whether you looking to hire a tech or trying to determine if you could be a good tech, this podcast provides great insights into your histology lab future!    Special thanks to Milestone Medical for supporting this episode. 

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 scanner at 40x magnification.Image analysis was performed using HALO software by Indica Labs. Both the entire scan area and individual tissue punches were analyzed to assess total stained area and stain intensity, quantified by optical density (OD) for both hematoxylin and eosin. A linear regression model was applied to data from all individual punches and the full scan region. Additionally, a two-way ANOVA was conducted to compare OD values of hematoxylin and eosin between the first 10 scans and the last 10 scans. Key findings were that hematoxylin showed a statistically significant decline in both stained areas and OD over time, while eosin demonstrated a statistically significant increase in stained area, but a decrease in OD. These results suggest potential degradation of staining quality or imaging consistency over time. Possible contributing factors include slide bleaching, light source variability, annotation region size, or other imaging conditions. These will be the focus of future investigations to better understand and control variability in longitudinal slide scanning studies.

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 staining techniques commonly used in renal pathology. Students prepared tissue sections using a rotary microtome, sectioning tissue at four microns. In total, forty slides were prepared, with eighteen slides manually stained using specific histochemical methods. Stains included hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), periodic acid methenamine silver (PAMS), and the Gomori Trichrome technique. The results yielded identifiable cellular and structural features critical for diagnostic interpretation. A slide review was conducted, and acceptable representative slides were selected for digital imaging. In addition, the results demonstrated the four tissue types which may be approved to use as controls, due to the consistency of demonstrating staining characteristics and features required for evaluating kidney biopsy protocols. Upon technical validation, the use of multi-tissue controls contributed to educational and operational outcomes. Students gained quality assurance experience, and the experience reinforced special stain and laboratory operations competencies, teaching students how to conserve reagent use, and to reduce time and expense. Furthermore, the protocol introduced the application of digital pathology and quality assurance in a real-world lab setting. Our investigation supports the integration of multi-tissue controls in histotechnology education as a valuable tool for enhancing both learning and laboratory efficiency. Future studies are recommended to include additional tissue types, stains, and immunohistochemical markers, to further advance and expand histotechnology educational competencies.