ABSTRACT An alternative for reducing heavy metals in different ecosystems is the use of microorganisms in bioremediation processes, one of the main environmental problems of the present century. The aim of this work is to determine the effectiveness of bacterial, pretreated, and inactivated biomasses in biosorption of zinc (Zn (II)) and cadmium (Cd (II)) in monometallic and bimetallic solutions. Dry heat was applied to inactivate biomasses of Bacillus cereus (AL-30), Acinetobacter sp. (AL-134) and Micrococcus sp. (AL-138); subsequently they were treated with KOH and HCl. In all cases, a significant increase in obtaining values of both ions, higher than 40 mg.g-1, was found. These results allowed forming different mixed bacterial systems which were efficient in biosorption, from monometallic solution, with percentages over 91,4 % and 87,6 %, for Zn (II) and Cd (II), respectively. In the bimetallic solution, a higher capture of cadmium regarding zinc was observed by mixed bacterial systems. The potentialities of the inactivated bacterial biomass and with chemical pretreatment to be used in effluent purification processes with the presence of these metals were evidenced.

RESUMEN El empleo de microorganismos en procesos de biorremediación constituye una alternativa para disminuir la presencia de metales pesados en los diferentes ecosistemas, lo que es uno de los principales problemas ambientales del presente siglo. El objetivo del trabajo fue determinar la efectividad de biomasas bacterianas, inactivadas y pretratadas, en la biosorción de cinc (Zn (II)) y cadmio (Cd (II)) en soluciones mono y bimetálicas. Se aplicó calor seco para inactivar las biomasas de Bacillus cereus (AL-30), Acinetobacter sp. (AL-134) y Micrococcus sp. (AL-138) y posteriormente se trataron con KOH y HCl. En todos los casos se constató un incremento significativo de los valores de captura de ambos iones, superiores a 40 mg.g-1. Estos resultados permitieron conformar diferentes sistemas bacterianos mixtos que fueron eficientes en la biosorción, a partir de la solución monometálica, con porcentajes superiores al 91,4 % y al 87,6 %, para el Zn (II) y Cd (II), respectivamente. En la solución bimetálica se observó una mayor captura de cadmio con relación al cinc por los sistemas bacterianos mixtos. Se evidencian las potencialidades de las biomasas bacterianas inactivadas y con pretratamiento químico para ser utilizadas en procesos de depuración de efluentes con presencia de los metales.

Resumen Objetivo: Analizar los resultados y evolución del programa de trasplante hepático del Hospital “Dr. Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia”, así como las complicaciones más frecuentes y características de las hepatopatías que llevaron a trasplante hepático. Métodos: Esta es una investigación retrospectiva que involucra la revisión de expedientes clínicos de los pacientes que recibieron un trasplante de hígado entre los años 2009 y 2018 en el Hospital “Dr. Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia” en San José, Costa Rica. Se consideraron las siguientes variables categóricas o discontinuas: edad, sexo, nacionalidad, lugar de procedencia, manifestaciones de la hepatopatía, motivo del trasplante, curso clínico postrasplante, comorbilidades, medicamentos empleados, complicaciones, resultados relevantes de exámenes de gabinete y biopsias. Los cálculos estadísticos se llevaron a cabo con paquetes estadísticos STATA, empleando como umbral de significancia estadística un valor de p menor de 0,05. Resultados: La muestra estuvo compuesta de un total de 45 cirugías de trasplante hepático y 44 pacientes que requirieron trasplante de hígado entre abril de 2009 y agosto de 2018, provenientes principalmente de la provincia de San José. El promedio de edad al momento del trasplante para la muestra total fue de 51 años. La hepatopatía que más frecuentemente llevó a trasplante fue la cirrosis etílica, seguida por esteatohepatitis no alcohólica y cirrosis criptogénica. Las complicaciones de la hepatopatía documentadas previo al trasplante: várices esofágicas, sangrado digestivo alto y síndrome hepatorenal. De los pacientes incluidos en el estudio fallecieron 10 en total, lo cual equivale a 22.7%. Conclusiones: La mortalidad observada en los casos de trasplante hepático analizados fue de 22,7%, la mayoría de los casos fueron llevados a trasplante por hepatopatía relacionada con cirrosis etílica, esteatohepatitis y cirrosis criptogénica.

Abstract Aim: To analyze the outcomes, most frequent complications, and characteristics of the patients enrolled in the Liver Transplant Program from the Hospital “Dr. Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia”. Methods: This is a retrospective investigation that involves the revision of clinical records from the patients that received a liver transplant between the years 2009 and 2018 in the Hospital “Dr. Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia”. The following variables were considered: age, gender, nationality, city of residence, manifestations of the liver disease, reason for the liver transplant, clinical outcomes after transplant, comorbidities, medication received, important laboratory results, and biopsies. The data analysis was performed with STATA, using a statistical significance threshold of a p < 0.05. Results: The sample was composed of a total of 45 liver transplant surgeries and 44 patients who received a liver transplant between the years 2009 and 2018. The patients mostly came from the city of San José. The average age at the time of the surgery was 51 years. The most common liver disease that led to transplant was alcoholic cirrhosis, followed by NASH and cryptogenic cirrhosis. The most common complications of the liver disease documented before transplant were esophageal varicose veins, gastrointestinal bleeding, and hepatic-renal syndrome. 10 of the patients included in the study died, which corresponds to 22.7% of the sample. Conclusión: The mortality observed in the liver transplant cases analyzed was 22.7%, most of the cases were taken to transplantation due to liver disease related to alcoholic cirrhosis, steatohepatitis, and cryptogenic cirrhosis.

Abstract Thevetia peruviana is an ornamental shrub grown-up in many tropical region of the world. This plant produces secondary metabolites with biological properties of interest for the pharmaceutical industry. The objective was to determine the secondary metabolites profile of callus and cell suspension cultures of T. peruviana and compare them with those from explant (fruit pulp). Extracts in 50% aqueous ethanol and ethyl acetate were prepared. The phytochemical analysis was performed using standard chemical tests and thin layer chromatography. In addition, total phenolic and flavonoids compounds (TPC and TFC), total cardiac glycosides (TCG) and total antioxidant activity (TAA) was determined during the cell suspension growth. Phenolic chemical profile was also analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Common metabolites (alkaloids, amino acids, antioxidants, cardiac glycosides, leucoanthocyanidins, flavonoids, phenols, sugars and triterpenes) were detected in all samples. The maximum production of extracellular TCG, TPC, TFC and TAA in cells suspensions were at 6-12 days; in contrast, intracellular content was relatively constant during the exponential grown phase (0 to 12-days). HPLC analysis detected one compound with retention time at 11.6 min; this compound was tentatively identified as dihydroquercetin, a flavonoid with anti-cancer properties. These results provide evidence on the utility of the in vitro cell cultures of T. peruviana for valuable pharmaceutical compounds production.

Background During pregnancy, there is an increase in the amount of extracellular vesicles, especially placental exosomes, in maternal plasma. Aim To isolate and characterize extracellular vesicles from blood during the three trimesters of pregnancy and to evaluate their capacity to identify patients at risk of developing gestational diabetes. Material and Methods A case-control study was conducted in a cohort of 50 pregnant women with plasma samples taken in each trimester. Six women who developed gestational diabetes were paired with three healthy controls per case (a total of 19). Clinical characteristics were recorded at first prenatal appointment, and blood samples were obtained during the first, second and third trimesters. Extracellular vesicles were isolated from plasma by the commercial kit, ExoQuick™. Nanoparticle tracking analysis, was used to characterize the obtained extracellular vesicles. Results The total concentration of extracellular particles isolated from maternal plasma increased along with gestational age. The size of the extracellular vesicles obtained in the first trimester of pregnancy was very similar between groups (144 ± 37 nm for controls and 143 ± 34 nm for patients with gestational diabetes mellitus). Moreover, the concentration of extracellular vesicles collected in the first trimester, was significantly higher in patients who developed gestational diabetes mellitus later in pregnancy compared to normoglycemic pregnant women (7.94 x 10 8 and 5.15 x 10 8 , p = 0.03). Conclusions Our results provide an insight into the potential capacity of first trimester plasma extracellular vesicles as early biomarkers for the prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Abstract The complications of acute myocardial infarction are classified in mechanical, electrical, ischemic, embolic and inflammatory. The main mechanical complications are free wall rupture, papillary muscle and ventricular septal rupture. Its incidence is less than 1% and has decreased with the introduction of percutaneous coronary intervention as the main reperfusion strategy. This article presents a clinical case of a 64-year-old female that arrived to emergency room with thoracic pain, due to an acute coronary syndrome: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI); with a clinical deterioration presenting a double myocardial rupture. Clinical approach and bibliographic review are reported, the incidence estimation of this disorder is only 0.3% of the reported clinical cases.

Resumen Las complicaciones del infarto agudo de miocardio se clasifican en mecánicas, eléctricas, isquémicas, tromboembólicas e inflamatorias; entre las complicaciones mecánicas destaca la ruptura de la pared libre del ventrículo izquierdo, músculos papilares y del septum ventricular, con incidencia menor de 1%, que ha descendido con la introducción de la intervención coronaria percutánea como principal estrategia de reperfusión. Se comunica el caso de una paciente de 64 años de edad, que acudió a urgencias por un cuadro de dolor torácico agudo compatible con síndrome coronario agudo con elevación del segmento ST (SICACEST) y durante su evolución tuvo deterioro clínico, se identificó una doble ruptura miocárdica. Se plantea el abordaje del caso y se revisa la bibliografía, porque una doble ruptura miocárdica corresponde solo a 0.3% de los casos reportados.

Abstract: There is an increase in the use of new drugs for the treatment of the different elements that integrate the metabolic syndrome; that, by their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics have a pleiotropic effect. Recently, the inhibitors of sodium glucose cotransporter type 2 (SGLT2) used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2 have demonstrated a cardio-renal protector effect. They function at the S1 segment of the proximal tube, lowering the filtration of glucose and enhancing its excretion; resulting in a glycosuric and natriuretic effect. This is the main mechanism of cardiovascular protection. Experimental essays and different studies, such as the EMAREG study and the CANVAS program, have established that the inhibitors of SGLT2 reduce the progression of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, fibrosis, cardiac remodeling, systolic dysfunction and heart failure. The results of these studies recognize this group of drugs (empaglifozine and canaglifozine) as a valid treatment for cardiovascular protection in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2, and which is recommended by the FDA, the ACC/AHA, the European Society of Cardiology and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in its last publication in 2018.

Resumen: El advenimiento de nuevos fármacos para el tratamiento de los distintos componentes del síndrome metabólico, que por su farmacocinética y farmacodinamia tengan un efecto pleiotrópico, ha tomado auge. Hace poco los inhibidores del cotransportador sodio glucosa tipo 2 (SGLT2) prescritos para el tratamiento de la diabetes mellitus 2 han demostrado tener un efecto protector cardiorrenal. Éstos actúan en el segmento S1 del túbulo proximal disminuyendo la filtración de glucosa e incrementando su excreción urinaria; con efecto glucosúrico y natriurético. Este último es el principal mecanismo de protección cardiovascular. Modelos experimentales y estudios, entre los que destacan el estudio EMPAREG y el programa CANVAS, han demostrado que los inhibidores de SGLT2 permiten disminuir la progresión de la miocardiopatía hipertrófica, fibrosis, remodelamiento, disfunción sistólica e insuficiencia cardiaca, por su efecto en la precarga y poscarga. Los resultados de estos estudios reconocen a este grupo de fármacos (específicamente a la empagliflozina y canagliflozina) como tratamiento de protección cardiovascular en pacientes con diabetes mellitus 2, recomendados actualmente por la FDA, ACC/AHA, la Sociedad Europea de Cardiología y recientemente por la Asociación Americana de Diabetes (ADA) en su reciente publicación de 2018.

Abstract Castleman’s disease is a heterogeneous group of lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD’S), which has two types of presentation, unicentric (UCD) and multicentric (MCD) variety. Histologically it is characterized by lymph nodes with hyperplasia of germinal centers and increased vascularity. This article reports the clinical case of a 70-year-old female with previous autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant. She arrived with asthenia, weight loss, abdominal pain and progressive dyspnea. A retroperitoneal tumor and right pleural effusion were found. Clinical approach and bibliographic review are reported, the incidence estimation for this disorder is 21-25 cases per million population, and only 14% of reported cases had a retroperitoneal presentation.

Resumen La enfermedad de Castleman es un grupo heterogéneo de trastornos linfoproliferativos con dos formas de manifestación: variedad unicéntrica y multicéntrica. En términos histológicos se caracteriza por ganglios linfáticos con hiperplasia del centro germinal y aumento en la vascularidad. Se comunica el caso de una paciente de 70 años de edad con antecedente de trasplante autólogo de células troncales y progenitoras hematopoyéticas, que acudió a consulta por padecer astenia, pérdida de peso, dolor abdominal y disnea de evolución progresiva; a la que se le encontró un tumor retroperitoneal y derrame pleural derecho. Se plantea el abordaje del caso y se revisa la bibliografía, ya que se estima la incidencia en 21-25 casos por un millón de habitantes, sólo 14% de los casos reportados con manifestación retroperitoneal.

Abstract The Peña Colorada mineralized area contains several iron oxide-apatite (IOA) deposits around the arguably richest known iron resource in Mexico. The Lower Cretaceous volcano-sedimentary host rock sequence has been subjected to several episodes of hydrothermal alteration, each accompanied by a distinct episode of faulting and intrusion (calc-alkaline to tholeiitic). Faulting is partly associated with the reactivation of cryptic structural corridors in basement rocks. High-resolution 40Ar/39Ar and apatite fission track (AFT) dating of this deposit and the adjacent Arrayanes prospect reveal the following sequence of events that range from the latest Cretaceous to the earliest Eocene: (1) intrusion of a 67.6 ± 3.5 Ma magnetite-bearing diorite with associated skarn/skarnoid metamorphism that was coeval or predated N-S to NNW-SSE faulting; (2) approximately 63.26 Ma syenite-like potassic alteration with disseminated magnetite, predated by N-S to NNW-SSE faulting and postdated by WNW-ESE faulting; (3) intrusion of 62.0 ± 2.5 Ma diorite and 59.39 ± 0.21 Ma andesite dikes that predate the main mineralization event at 55.72 to 54.84 Ma of large semi-stratabound massive and disseminated bodies; (4) intrusion of a 53.3 ± 3.0 Ma magnetite-bearing gabbro and 53 ± 2 Ma pegmatoid magnetite + fluorapatite veins at the Arrayanes prospect, which overlap the WNW-ESE faulting; (5) 50.70 to 48.18 Ma polymictic magnetite breccia as the last stage of mineralization in the area, predated by E-W faulting; and (6) reactivation of WNW-ESE faults and later NE-SW faults. Therefore, the total age span of the Peña Colorada deposit ranges between approximately 19 and 23 million years. The closeness in age between intrusions and mineralization in the Arrayanes prospect, their confinement between the WNW-ESE and E-W structural domains, and mingling or mixing structures between gabbro and diorite with an associated magmatic magnetite enrichment support the idea of a close genetic link between such intrusives and IOA hydrothermal mineralization. All mineralization events at Peña Colorada are associated with pervasive potassic to propylitic alteration, whereas at Arrayanes they are associated with dominant sodic alteration instead. Alteration features are suggestive of relatively shallow and deep formation of these deposits, respectively. Event 3 thermally reset fluorapatite in fragments of pegmatoid magnetite + fluorapatite + diopside associations (dated at 59 ± 2 Ma, AFT) within the polymictic breccia, which were sampled from a deep orebody (still to be found) and that would be likely associated with event 1 or 2. Consequently, exploration endeavors at depth at Peña Colorada may be considered promising. In this study, we use numerous geological and geochemical proxies to constrain the likeliest genetic model for the Peña Colorada and neighboring deposits: (a) the nearness in time and space between hydrothermal mineralization and magnetite-rich, tholeiitic, relatively oxidized intrusive rocks; (b) the occurrence of key mineral associations (i.e. magnetite + fluorapatite ± diopside veins); (c) the exclusive occurrence of fluorapatite in lieu of other apatites; (d) the composition in key major cations (Ca, Fe, Na, Mn) in fluorapatite; (e) the correlations between Ni/Cr vs. Ti values, between Ti+V vs. Ni/(Cr+Mn) values, between Ti+V vs. Al+Mn values, and Mg contents in magnetite; (f) pyroxene thermometry; (g) log f(O2) values calculated from Mn contents in fluorapatite; and (h) normalized REE patterns, and ΣLREE and ΣHREE contents in fluorapatite. These proxies indicate that IOA deposits in the Peña Colorada area have a hydrothermal origin with a strong magmatic influence (magmatic-hydrothermal iron oxide, or MHIO, deposits) that formed under high oxygen fugacities and “moderate” temperatures, and with a high geochemical affinity with IOCG and Kiruna-type deposits or the general IOCG “clan” (for both hydrothermal minerals and associated hypabyssal rocks). Relatively high Ti contents in magnetite, and high Ce and low Eu contents in fluorapatite in these deposits (with respect to typical compositions in IOCG “clan” deposits) are geochemical features still in need of further explanation. The correlation between regional and local structural domains and the geochronologic study in this paper constrain the possible ages of such domains as follows: (1) the N-S to NNW-SSE domain can be bracketed between 67.6 and 63.26 Ma, (2) the WNW-ESE domain between 63.26 and 59.39 Ma, (3) the E-W domain between 54.84 and 50.70 Ma, (4) the WNW-ESE to NW-SE domain is younger than 48.18 Ma, and (5) the NE-SW domain is still active. The structural analysis also shows that the massive orebody at Peña Colorada is partially stratabound but its emplacement was also controlled by low-angle Laramide faults, and that hydrothermal fluids were preferentially driven through volcano-sedimentary rocks. The latter characteristic is not only a matter of the stratigraphic distribution of relatively pervasive versus impervious rocks but also of the lateral distribution of such rocks due to N-S strike-slip faults. As additional results of this study, we determined that the conglomerates atop the host volcano-sedimentary sequence that were initially attributed to the Cerro de la Vieja Formation cannot be older than 67.6 Ma, and that the IOA deposits at Peña Colorada would be formed at depths of only a few hundred meters.

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Se establecieron cultivos en suspensión de la especie vegetal Thevetia peruviana en oscuridad, durante 19 días, para estudiar el comportamiento cinético de producción de biomasa, consumo de sustrato, producción de glicósidos cardiotónicos, polifenoles, especies reactivas de oxígeno y actividad antioxidante. Los resultados mostraron una alta producción de biomasa (18,80g PS/L), al igual que consumo total de sacarosa, a los 7 días de cultivo. Se observó un consumo preferencial de glucosa sobre fructosa durante todo el cultivo. La producción de glicósidos cardiotónicos intracelulares alcanzó valores de 2,58mg ED/g PS, al día 19. La mayor producción extracelular (6,19mg ED/L), se alcanzó entre los días 2 y 7. El mayor contenido de compuestos fenólicos extracelular fue de 80,61 ± 5,16mg GAE/L, en el día 7. El contenido de compuestos fenólicos intracelulares incrementó a 2,76 ± 0,14mg AGE/gPF, al día 7 y se mantuvo constante, hasta el día 19. La producción de EROs, al día 7, puede estar relacionada con el consumo total de sacarosa y glucosa. El coeficiente de correlación producto-momento de Pearson (ρ�) indicó que los compuestos fenólicos en cultivos celulares en suspensión de T. peruviana eran los responsables de la actividad antioxidante observada. En conjunto, estos resultados brindan las primeras bases relacionadas al comportamiento metabólico de cultivos celulares en suspensión, de T. peruviana.

Cell suspension cultures of Thevetia peruviana were established under dark for 19 days to investigate kinetic behavior related to biomass, substrate, cardiac glycoside, polyphenols, reactive oxygen species and anti-oxidant activity. The results showed high biomass production (18.80gDW/L) as well as sucrose consumption in 7 days. Preferential glucose over fructose consumption was observed. Intracellular production of cardiac glycosides reached 2.58mg DE/gDW at day 19. Highest extracellular production was reached between day 2 and 7 (6.19mg DE/L). Highest extracellular phenolic content was 80.61 ± 5.16mg GAE/L at day 7. Intracellular phenolic content increased to 2.76 ± 0.14mg GAE/gFW at day 7 and remained constant until day 19. ROS production at day 7 could be related to sucrose and glucose total consumption. Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (ρ) showed that the phenolic compounds in cell suspension cultures of T. peruviana were responsible for the observed anti-oxidant activity. All together, these results give the first steps in metabolic behavior in cell suspension cultures of T. peruviana.

Resumen El primer trasplante de intestino exitoso realizado en humanos se llevó a cabo en 1988, en Alemania, por el Dr. Deltz. Sin embargo, no es hasta diciembre de 2013, cuando en Costa Rica, en el hospital “Dr. Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia”, se efectúa el primer trasplante humano de intestino delgado del país y la región. Se reporta el caso de un masculino de 18 años que tuvo isquemia intestinal masiva, secundaria a herida por arma blanca en abdomen, con compromiso vascular. El injerto provino de donador cadavérico. La inmunosupresión se basó en baxiliximab, tacrolimus, prednisona y micofenolato mofetil. Se reintervino en 7 ocasiones por complicaciones quirúrgicas; desarrolló lesión renal asociada a tacrolimus, mielotoxicidad y trombosis venosa profunda de venas ilíacas. Se mantuvo por 29 días con nutrición parenteral total; se avanzó a vía oral normal a los 40 días del trasplante. Se evaluó el injerto mediante ileoscopias y toma de biopsias. Finalmente, después de 68 días, fallece debido a rechazo agudo severo del injerto.

Abstract The first successful small bowel transplant was performed in1988 in Germany by Dr Deltz and co workers. However in Costa Rica it was until december 2013 that was done the first small bowel transplant at the Dr. Rafael Angel Calderon Guardia Hospital. It also became the first small bowel transplant in Central America. This report the case of a young male that had a stabb wound in his abdomen and developed a massive mesenteric ischemia with vascular compromise. The allograft was procured from a cadaveric donor. The recipient received immunosuppression with baxiliximab, tacrolimus, prednisone y micophenolate mofetil. Due to surgical complications the patient underwent 7 more surgeries, he developed tacrolimus induced renal dysfunction, myelotoxicity and iliac deep venous thrombosis. He remained under total parenteral nutrition for 29 days post transplant, then oral intake was introduced and by the day 40 he was a full oral nutrition. Serial endoscopies and biopsies were performed during the weeks after transplantation. Finally at day 68 the patient dies due to acute severe rejection.

En el Centro de Investigación La Selva, de la Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria (CORPOICA), se realizó la evaluación de la colección colombiana de achira, Canna edulis Ker Gawl. (Cannaceae). Este proceso de caracterización se desarrolló de acuerdo con variables cualitativas y cuantitativas, y mediante la inclusión de nuevas variables que comprendieron 40 atributos cualitativos (192 estados) y 31 cuantitativos (26 atributos continuos y 5 discontinuos). Se obtuvo variabilidad en 39 de las 40 variables cualitativas, lo que señala un 95,12% de polimorfismo en los atributos registrados, con similitudes máximas del 90% y mínimas del 50%. Por su parte, todas las 31 características cuantitativas registradas exhibieron variabilidad entre las introducciones de la colección. En el periodo de registro de la información, 16 de las accesiones no exhibieron floración, lo cual indica que hay diferencias en el comportamiento dentro del mismo ambiente, atribuibles a la constitución genética. El conocimiento logrado permitirá utilizar la colección de este recurso biológico para apoyar el desarrollo del cultivo de la especie, a través de la oferta per se de materiales, de programas de selección, del desarrollo de cultivares y de la recolección de estados de descriptores no presentes en la colección.

An evaluation of the Colombian collection of achira Canna edulis Ker Gawl. (Cannaceae) was carried out at La Selva Research Station, of the Colombian Corporation for Agricultural Research (CORPOICA). The characterization process consisted of measuring qualitative and quantitative variables. The measured variables included forty (40) qualitative attributes with 192 polymorphic stages and thirty-one (31) quantitative attributes with twenty-six (26) continuous and five (5) discontinuous attributes. Variability was observed in 39 of the 41 qualitative variables, which indicates a 95.12% polymorphism rate of the recorded attributes, with a maximum of 90% and minimum of 50% similarity among accessions. On the other hand, all 31 recorded quantitative attributes exhibited variability among plant materials in the collection. In addition, 16 plant materials did not produce any inflorescences during the study, which indicates that there are behavioral differences under the same environment which are likely associated to their genetic makeup. The knowledge gained from this study will enable to use the collection of this biological resource to support the development of this species as a crop by supplying plant materials that could be used in selection programs, development of cultivars and the gathering of states of descriptors not present in the collection.

No Centro de Pesquisa La Selva, da Corporação Colombiana de Pesquisa Agropecuária (CORPOICA),realizou-se a avaliação da coleção colombiana de achira, Canna edulis Ker Gawl. (Cannaceae). Este processo de caracterização desenvolveu-se de acordo com variáveis qualitativas e quantitativas e mediante a inclusão de novas variáveis que compreendeu 40 atributos qualitativos (192 estados) e 31 quantitativos (26 atributos contínuos e 5 descontínuos). Obteve-se variabilidade em 39 das 40 variáveis qualitativas, o que assinala um 95,12% de polimorfismo nos atributos registrados, com similitudes máximas do 90% e mínimas do 50%. Pela sua parte, todas as 31 características quantitativas registradas exibiram variabilidade entre as introduções da coleção. No período de registro da informação, 16 das acessões não exibiram floração, o qual indica que há diferenças no comportamento dentro do mesmo ambiente, atribuíveis à constituição genética. O conhecimento conseguido permitirá utilizar a coleção deste recurso biológico para apoiar o desenvolvimento da cultura da espécie, através da oferta per se de materiais, de programas de seleção, do desenvolvimento de cultivares e da colheita de estados de descritores não presentes na coleção.