Treatments for cancer remain elusive due, in large part, to the dynamic and unstable genome of most cancer cells. More recently it has become evident that tumor growth and progression to metastasis depends on the ability to recruit normal cells, such as endothelial cells, fibroblasts, as key accomplices. These observations suggest that selective targeting of normal cells, which have a stable genome, could be an effective alternative or complimentary approach in the overall management of the disease. Understanding of such relationship is key for the design of anti-metastatic therapeutics. However, much of the data reported in this field has been performed in xenograft models and/or 2D cultures; which are limited by the number of controllable variables, extrapolation to human tumor physiology, and not amenable for a high-throughput design. This work aims to address the role of the tumor microenvironment using a novel in vitro platform that combines microfluidic and tissue engineering technology to create a 3D tumor microarray in which the tumors receive their nutrients through perfused human microcirculation. This model is capable of replicating the physiology of the in vivo tumor microenvironment; thus providing relevant physiological results. Most importantly, the impact of creating an in vitro 3D metastasis model with perfused human capillary bed could significantly enhance high-throughput anti-metastatic drug screening.

O texto pretende demonstrar, a partir da implementação das Usinas Hidrelétricas Santo Antônio e Jirau no rio Madeira (Rondônia, Brasil), os caminhos institucionais e discursivos específicos adotados na expansão dessa fronteira, que precificam e nivelam por baixo padrões de proteção ambiental e de direitos sociais e culturais vigentes no país. Procuramos verificar como se enredaram esses processos em pesquisa e diálogo com os moradores da comunidade Maravilha. Nesse contato percebemos que apesar das sucessivas desterritorializações impostas à comunidade, prossegue a trama pela sua sobrevivência econômica, social e cultural. Nosso objetivo foi definir os marcos dessa trama, contribuindo para a reflexão, valorização e proteção de âmbitos culturais realçados no envolvimento efetivo dos moradores na construção de suas narrativas e na singularização de seus lugares e patrimônios.

Although the distribution patterns of major amphibian lineages are mainly explained by a Pangean origin with subsequent vicariant diversification, dispersal events have exerted a strong influence on present-day distributions. Long-distance dispersal (LDD) involves movements outside the standard geographic limits and outside the genetic neighbourhood area of individuals. Although considered ‘rare’, LDD is disproportionately important to amphibian populations, species and communities. To understand the role of LDD in shaping current biogeographic patterns in these tetrapods, we reviewed the cases reported in the literature. A systematic bibliographic search was performed to obtain information on how many studies have dealt with LDD in amphibians, which methods they used, which taxa and distances were involved, and when/where events had apparently occurred. In 41 studies, we recovered at least 90 LDD events (3 active, 87 passive) involving at least 56 extant species and 38 genera. Most events (73) involved the colonization of islands, with rafting being suggested as the most conceivable means of overwater passive dispersal for these vertebrates. In this review, we show that LDD events have played an important role in shaping current amphibian biogeographic patterns, especially the occurrence of disjunct distributions and the colonization of islands.