Thin-section preparation

Smith M, CroftS. Embedding and thin section preparation, in Electron Microscopy in Biology. A Practical Approach (Harris J, ed.), IRL Press, Oxford, UK, 1991, pp. 17-37. 

Examination of thin sections prepared from microsamples of organic materials such as wood, parchment, textile, paper, ivory, horn, or leather enables the recognition of anatomical and histological features characteristic of the type of organic material or botanical specie. 

Coincident with this new technique for procurement of human bone biopsies was the development of quantitive methods of bone analysis.12 These methods include histochemical analysis of both decalcified and unde-calcified42 48 bone sections, microradiography,44 tetracycline labeling45 and autoradiography.42 The latter two techniques require administration of a tetracycline antibiotic or isotopic tracer prior to procurement of the biopsy. Undecalcified thin sections, prepared with the use of a Jung microtome after the bone core is fixed, dehydrated and embedded in methacrylate,45 are analyzed by intersect and point count methods46 47 which permit three-dimensional assessment.48 49 Tetracycline antibiotics deposit in vivo in sites of bone formation constituting markers which can be studied in undecalcified sections by fluorescence microscopy.45 47 This represents the safest and best tissue time marker for microscopic measurement of bone formation dynamics. 

Samples were impregnated with a high-temperature blue-dyed epoxy resin before thin-section preparation. Polished thin sections were examined with a petrographic microscope and by using a hot-cathodoluminescence (CL) microscope (Matter Ramseyer, 1985). Most of the samples were stained using Dickson s (1966) method, and point counted (300 points per sample). 

Murphy, C.P. 1986. Thin section preparation of soils and sediments. A.B. Acad., Berkhamsted, UK. 

The approaches outlined were developed during research funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (UK) and the University of Southampton. We are most grateful to Bob Jones and John Ford for their help, advice and skill on all aspects of sediment embedding and thin section preparation. 

Lamoureux, S. F., 1994. Embedding unfrozen lake sediments for thin section preparation. J. Paleolim. 10 141-146. 

Murphy, C. R, 1986. Thin Section Preparation of Soils and Sediment. AB Academic Press, Berkhamstead, U.K., 149 pp. 

Innes, R. P. D. J. Pluth, 1970. Thin section preparation using epoxy impregnation for petrographic and electron microprobe analysis. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 34 483 85. 

A list of common permanent mounting media is given in Table 11-2, followed by names and addresses of some of the companies specializing in commercial thin-section preparation (Table 11-3). 

Fairfax, Virginia, USA 22037 MSDS Fax 800-662-4524, Tel 703-849-3265 For thin-section preparation... 

Figure 140. Schematic representation of thin section preparation, Buehler Ltd.

Ductile behavior can be studied using a modification of Method 2, a bending experiment see Fig. 1.53. A bent specimen is illustrated in Fig. 1.53(a), and a result of deformed rubber-toughened PVC is shown in a TEM micrograph in Fig. 1.53(b). The sample from the loaded area is a chemically stained thin section prepared by ultramicrotomy, showing fibrillated crazes between the acrylic rubber particles (both stained dark). 

An AOTF Raman chemical imaging system has been applied to the study of polymer inclusions in a biopsied section of human breast tissue. The polymer inclusions were believed to be Dacron polyester based on the patient s medical history and previous Raman and IR data [82]. Dacron polyester patches are occasionally employed to attach breast implants to the chest wall during reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. The problems associated with silicone implants, including rupture and release of silicone gel contained in these implants, have been well publicized [83]. The goal of this study was to visualize the distribution of polyester in the thin section prepared from tissue biopsies. 

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