Vogel Ulrich Felix, Bode Joerg, Bueltmann Burkhard
Institute of Pathology, University Clinic, Eberhard-Karls-University, Tuebingen, Germany.
Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol. 2007 Sep;15(3):343-5. doi: 10.1097/01.pai.0000213140.47277.f6.
Paraffin tissue microarrays (PTMAs) are blocks of paraffin holding up to 1000 paraffin tissue core biopsies (PTCBs) for high throughput molecular analysis. The number of PTCBs in a PTMA depends on the surface area of the PTMA, the diameter of and the distance between the PTCBs and on their arrangement inside the assembled PTMA. The PTCBs are usually arranged in a rectangular x-y pattern of rows and columns. This design facilitates the construction of a PTMA because the operator simply turns the wheels of an x-y-table for a set, unchanging distance. The evaluation of the stained sections is also relatively easy. However, this rectangular arrangement means wasted space in the PTMA. To reclaim this space, the PTCBs could be arranged in a honeycomblike pattern. For every 8 rows in the conventional rectangular arrangement, 1 additional row of PTCBs can be packed. However, the researcher has to become accustomed to this uncommon arrangement when filling and evaluating the PTMA. Automatic slide readers and specially designed computer programs for the digital evaluation of the PTMAs can be helpful. In summary, the arrangement of PTCBs in a honeycomblike pattern increases the density and number of specimens stored in a PTMA, thereby enhancing its efficiency.
石蜡组织微阵列(PTMA)是含有多达1000个石蜡组织芯活检样本(PTCB)的石蜡块,用于高通量分子分析。PTMA中PTCB的数量取决于PTMA的表面积、PTCB的直径和间距以及它们在组装好的PTMA内部的排列方式。PTCB通常按行和列的矩形x-y模式排列。这种设计便于构建PTMA,因为操作人员只需转动x-y工作台的轮子,以设定的、不变的距离移动即可。对染色切片的评估也相对容易。然而,这种矩形排列意味着PTMA中存在空间浪费。为了回收这部分空间,PTCB可以按蜂窝状模式排列。在传统的矩形排列中,每8行可以额外填充1行PTCB。然而,研究人员在填充和评估PTMA时必须习惯这种不常见的排列方式。自动玻片阅读器和专门设计用于PTMA数字评估的计算机程序可能会有所帮助。总之,将PTCB按蜂窝状模式排列可增加PTMA中存储的样本密度和数量,从而提高其效率。