Alu-PCR is a relatively simple technique that can be used to investigate genomic instability in cancer. This technique allows identification of the loss, gain or amplification of gene sequences based on the analysis of segments between two Alu elements coupled with quantitative and qualitative analyses of the profiles obtained from tumor samples, surgical margins and blood. In this work, we used Alu-PCR to identify gene alterations in ten patients with invasive ductal breast cancer. Several deletions and insertions were identified, indicating genomic instability in the tumor and adjacent normal tissue. Although not associated with specific genes, the alterations, which involved chromosomal bands 1p36.23, 1q41, 11q14.3, 13q14.2, occurred in areas of well-known genomic instability in breast and other types of cancer. These results indicate the potential usefulness of Alu-PCR in identifying altered gene sequences in breast cancer. However, caution is required in its application since the Alu primer can produce non-specific amplification.

Information about the distribution and insertion numbers of many transposable elements is restricted to few species of Drosophila, although these elements are widely distributed throughout the genus. The aim of this work was to describe the distribution and insertion numbers of four retrotransposons (copia, gypsy, micropia, I) and four transposons (hobo, mariner, Minos and Bari-1) in the saltans group of Drosophila. Our data shows that, except for mariner, all the other elements are widespread within the saltans group and show variable insertion numbers of up to 24 copies.

Neste estudo foram avaliados componentes do valor adaptativo de Zaprionus indianus Gupta, 1970, uma espécie recentemente introduzida no Brasil e, atualmente, em processo de colonização de praticamente todas as regiões brasileiras. Foram avaliadas a longevidade, a produtividade, a velocidade de desenvolvimento e a viabilidade de indivíduos amostrados de uma população de Mirassol (estado de São Paulo, Brasil). A longevidade foi maior do que aquelas registradas em populações indianas, enquanto que a produtividade foi similar ou maior do que a observada em outros Drosophilidae. O tempo de desenvolvimento, um dos principais componentes relacionados à habilidade competitiva, foi muito similar aos valores registrados para Drosophila sturtevanti Duda, 1927, espécie que ocorre em alta freqüência na mesma área que Z. indianus. Esses dados podem contribuir para o entendimento do sucesso de colonização desta espécie recém-introduzida na América do Sul.

This study aimed to evaluate fitness components of Zaprionus indianus Gupta, 1970, a species recently introduced in Brazil and currently in process of colonization. Longevity, productivity, developmental speed and viability of flies sampled from a population from Mirassol (state of São Paulo, Brazil) were evaluated. Longevity was higher than that of some Indian populations and productivity was similar or higher than in other Drosophilidae. Time of development, one of the main fitness components for competition, was very similar to the values scored in Drosophila sturtevanti Duda, 1927, a species that occurs in high frequencies in the same area as Z. indianus. These data might contribute further for understanding the colonization success of this newcomer species in South America.