Analysis of genome instability in breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, previously associated with genomic instability. Our aim was to analyze microsatellite markers in order to determine patterns and levels of instability, as well as possible correlations with histopathological parameters. Polymerase chain reaction was used to characterize microsatellite instability (MSI) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in 107 breast carcinomas at twelve microsatellite loci.

Polymorphism analysis of MTHFR, factor II, and factor V genes in the Pomeranian population of Espirito Santo, Brazil.

Pomeranian populations worldwide immigrated originally from the north of Europe, and because of their preferential marriage, religion, and cultural habits, they show little or no reproductive mixing with local populations. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) C677T, Factor V Leiden, and Factor II G20210A polymorphisms are linked to augmented clotting and their frequencies may vary according to population ethnicity. We aimed to assess the frequencies of these thrombophilic alleles in the Pomeranian population residing in Espirito Santo and compare with the general population of the Espirito Santo state, Brazil.

Simplified buccal DNA extraction with FTA Elute Cards.

DNA isolation is the initial step of most genetic studies, and ideally it should use a reliable and non-invasive method. Buccal samples are adequate for such purposes, being painless, easy to collect and a very reliable DNA source. FTA Elute Cards are relatively new on the market and are designed for rapid blood DNA extraction, in which DNA is solubilized in water, instead of attached to the paper matrix.

Molecular analysis of spinocerebellar ataxia trinucleotide repeat behavior in normal individuals of a Brazilian population.

There is a current lack of molecular studies analyzing the behavior of trinucleotide repeat expansions causative of Late Onset Spinocerebellar Ataxias in the Brazilian population. Therefore, this manuscript analyses normal families, as well as one hundred normal individuals of the Espirito Santo State to determine the trinucleotide repeat behavior and the allelic frequencies found in this population. The analysis of normal families demonstrated that, instead of being always stably transmitted over generations, expansions can occur between two generations of unaffected individuals, possibly contributing for the appearance of the ataxic phenotype.