In order to compare different microanalytical techniques commercially available cation exchange membrane SC-1 (Stantech Inc, Palo Alto), was loaded with biologically relevant elements as Na, Mg, K, and Ca, respectively, each to its highest possible concentration, given by the number concentration of exchangeable binding sites (4 % wt. for Ca). Washing in distilled water, dehydration through a graded series of ethanol, infiltration and embedding in Spurr’s low viscosity epoxy resin was followed by thin sectioning. The thin sections (thickness of about 50 nm) were prepared on carbon foils and mounted on electron microscopical finder grids.The samples were analyzed with electron microprobe JXA 50A with transmitted electron device, EDX system TN 5400, and on line operating image processing system SEM-IPS, energy filtering electron microscope CEM 902 with EELS/ESI and Auger spectrometer 545 Perkin Elmer.With EDX, a beam current of some 10-10 A and a beam diameter of about 10 nm, a minimum-detectable mass of 10-20 g Ca seems within reach.
MicroRNA profiling in pediatric pilocytic astrocytoma reveals biologically relevant targets, including PBX3, NFIB, and METAP2
