Preparation of biological samples containing both metallic and organic structures for SEM
Authors: Gomes Fernando Vacilotto , Baraldi Carlos Eduardo , Ponzoni Deise , De Oliveira Marília Gerhardt , Puricelli Edela 
Published: April 2018

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>166</o:Words> <o:Characters>965</o:Characters> <o:Company>UFRGS</o:Company> <o:Lines>18</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>1164</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>12.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG /> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting /> <w:PunctuationKerning /> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas /> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables /> <w:DontGrowAutofit /> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables /> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx /> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <mce:style><! /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable	{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";	mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;	mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;	mso-style-noshow:yes;	mso-style-parent:"";	mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;	mso-para-margin-top:0cm;	mso-para-margin-right:0cm;	mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;	mso-para-margin-left:0cm;	line-height:115%;	mso-pagination:widow-orphan;	font-size:12.0pt;	font-family:"Times New Roman";	mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;	mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;	mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";	mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;	mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;	mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} --> <!--[endif] --> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 15px;">Objective: results of preclinical studies depend on high-quality sample preparation, which enables proper handling of specimens for </span><span style="line-height: 15px;">observation and analysis with the desired methods. The aim of this paper is to describe a step-by-step method for preparation of bone </span><span style="line-height: 15px;">tissue specimens containing metallic implants for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Methodology: eight rabbit bone specimens </span><span style="line-height: 15px;">containing one osseointegrated implant each were fixated in 10% neutral buffered formalin, dehydrated, sectioned, and embedded</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 15px;">in thermosetting resin. The specimens were then sanded, polished, and metal-coated for SEM analysis. Results: the method achieved </span><span style="line-height: 15px;">satisfactory specimen surface smoothness, containing no cracks or other artifacts, enabling morphological and chemical analysis </span><span style="line-height: 15px;">by means of SEM and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Conclusion: this method for preparation of animal tissue samples</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 15px;">containing both organic and metal components produced specimens amenable to SEM analysis with excellent image quality, enabling </span><span style="line-height: 15px;">assessment of the bone–implant interface, measurement of bone–implant contact, and quantification of bone formation.</span></p> <!--EndFragment-->