{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.027906976744186046, 'fraction_numerical': 0.008637873754152824, 'mean_word_length': 5.753363228699552, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
History and Overview of Antigen Retrieval: Methodologies and Critical Aspects

Abstract Antigen-retrieval methods and their applications are extremely important for quality control and for the standardization of immunohistochemical techniques. Over the last decade, many contributors, including industry, doctors, histotechnologists, and researchers, have introduced new methodologies, reagents, and equipment. Antigen-retrieval methods have vastly improved since the early 1990s. However, immunohistochemistry is still a very complex technique. There are many different kinds of methods and reagents that the end-user must choose, and it is important to understand the performance characteristics of each method used. Buffers, pH, and temperature all can play a pivotal role in successful immunostaining. The lack of standardization and quality control makes it imperative for the end-user to fully understand the potential pitfalls and the significance of these measures. Even with the onset of automated equipment, continuing education is very important. Automated immunostainers cannot quality control, nor can they troubleshoot immunohistochemistry. At the present time, we must, as a group of healthcare professionals, continue to improve and educate ourselves. Antigen-retrieval methods will likely be around for a long time. It continues to be a valuable technique for the diagnosing of cancers, infectious diseases, genetic defects, and future research projects. (The J Histotechnol 25:237, 2002)