Considering the broad variation in the expression of housekeeping genes among tissues and experimental situations, studies using quantitative RT-PCR require strict definition of adequate endogenous controls. For glioblastoma, the most common type of tumor in the central nervous system, there was no previous report regarding this issue.

OBJECTIVES: In order to study the morphology and size of muscle fibers, cross sections of biceps brachii samples from autopsies, up to 9 hours after death, and biopsies of 72 subjects were compared. The subjects aged 13 to 84 years in both sexes. METHODS: The samples obtained from autopsies (n=47) were from subjects with sudden death, or who died after acute disease without evidence of neuromuscular involvement. The biopsies (n=25) were from patients with symptoms suggestive of inflammatory or metabolic myopathy, not confirmed morphologically. The lesser diameter of muscle fibers was measured using the ATPase reaction. RESULTS: Morphological analysis showed that aging changes were present from the sixth decade in autopsies, and consisted of atrophy and/or type-grouping. The statistical models adjusted for females in both autopsies and biopsies were linear straight with no variation in fiber size with increasing age. The models adjusted for males in both groups were quadratic, indicating that age influenced the size of different type fibers. In males type 2 were larger than type 1 fibers, and than fibers in females. CONCLUSIONS: These values might be useful as controls, helping interpretation of changes in fiber size in samples obtained from biopsies and autopsies.

The molecular evolution of medulloblastoma is more complex than previously imagined, as emerging evidence suggests that multiple interactions between the tumor cells and components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) are important for tumor promotion and progression. The identification of several molecular networks within the TME, which interact with tumoral cells, has provided new clues to understand the tumorigenic roles of many TME components as well as potential therapeutic targets. In this review, we discuss the most recent studies regarding the roles of astrocytes in supporting sonic hedgehog (SHH) subgroup medulloblastoma (MB) and provide an overview of MB progression through SHH expression and signal transduction mechanisms into the complex tumor microenvironment. In addition, we highlight the associations between tumor and stromal cells as possible prognostic markers that could be targeted with new therapeutic strategies.