The history of the introduction of the giant river prawn, Macrobrachium cf. rosenbergii (Decapoda, Palaemonidae), in Brazil: new insights from molecular data

The giant river prawn, Macrobrachium cf. rosenbergii, is one of the most cultivated freshwater prawns in the world and has been introduced into more than 40 countries. In some countries, this prawn is considered an invasive species that requires close monitoring. Recent changes in the taxonomy of this species (separation of M. rosenbergii and M. dacqueti) require a re-evaluation of introduced taxa. In this work, molecular analyses were used to determine which of these two species was introduced into Brazil and to establish the geographic origin of the introduced populations that have invaded Amazonian coastal waters. The species introduced into Brazil was M. dacqueti through two introduction events involving prawns originating from Vietnam and either Bangladesh or Thailand. These origins differ from historical reports of the introductions and underline the need to confirm the origin of other exotic populations around the world. The invading populations in Amazonia require monitoring not only because the biodiversity of this region may be affected by the introduction, but also because admixture of different native haplotypes can increase the genetic variability and the likelihood of persistence of the invading species in new habitats.

Belém entre filmes e fitas: a experiência do cinema, do cotidiano das salas às representações sociais nos anos de 1920

A história social do cinema é marcada pelo hábito de frequentação. Para além do filme, elementos como infraestrutura e propaganda desempenham papel fundamental para que se crie um clima de sedução e envolvimento com as imagens visualizadas. A trajetória do cinema, entre outros caminhos, vincula-se ao espectador, ao espaço físico das salas de projeção e as sociabilidades nele elaboradas. Esta dissertação discute o cinema na cidade de Belém (Pará) nos anos de 1920. Para tanto investiga a forma como as salas de cinema interagiam com o espaço urbano daquele período. Do mesmo modo, discutem-se elementos da infraestrutura das salas tais como: acomodações, ventilação e música. Procurou-se demonstrar que o ato de assistir a um filme na capital paraense daqueles anos era apenas uma parte do ―ritual de frequentação dos cinemas, daí a preocupação em se compreender as formas de sociabilidade processadas no interior daquelas salas. Ao lado disso, faz-se uma análise do cinema atuando como mediador das representações sociais de gênero e infância.

Investigation of single-strand conformational polymorphism of the TP53 gene in women with a family history of breast cancer

Breast cancer in families with germ line mutations in the TP53 gene has been described in the medical literature. Mutation screening for susceptibility genes should allow effective prophylactic and preventive measures. Using single-strand conformational polymorphism, we screened for mutations in exons 5, 6, 7 and 8 of gene TP53 in the peripheral blood of 8 young non-affected members (17 to 36 years old) of families with a history of breast cancer. Studies of this type on young patients (mean age, 25 years) are very rare in the literature. The identification of these mutations would contribute to genetic counseling of members of families with predisposition to breast cancer. The results obtained did not show any polymorphism indicating mutation. In our sample, the familial tumorigenesis is probably related to other gene etiologies.