A surplus no more? Variation in krill availability impacts reproductive rates of Antarctic baleen whales.

The krill surplus hypothesis of unlimited prey resources available for Antarctic predators due to commercial whaling in the 20th century has remained largely untested since the 1970s. Rapid warming of the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) over the past 50 years has resulted in decreased seasonal ice cover and a reduction of krill. The latter is being exacerbated by a commercial krill fishery in the region. Despite this, humpback whale populations have increased but may be at a threshold for growth based on these human-induced changes. Understanding how climate-mediated variation in prey availability influences humpback whale population dynamics is critical for focused management and conservation actions. Using an 8-year dataset (2013-2020), we show that inter-annual humpback whale pregnancy rates, as determined from skin-blubber biopsy samples (n = 616), are positively correlated with krill availability and fluctuations in ice cover in the previous year. Pregnancy rates showed significant inter-annual variability, between 29% and 86%. Our results indicate that krill availability is in fact limiting and affecting reproductive rates, in contrast to the krill surplus hypothesis. This suggests that this population of humpback whales may be at a threshold for population growth due to prey limitations. As a result, continued warming and increased fishing along the WAP, which continue to reduce krill stocks, will likely impact this humpback whale population and other krill predators in the region. Humpback whales are sentinel species of ecosystem health, and changes in pregnancy rates can provide quantifiable signals of the impact of environmental change at the population level. Our findings must be considered paramount in developing new and more restrictive conservation and management plans for the Antarctic marine ecosystem and minimizing the negative impacts of human activities in the region.

Low-Molecular Weight Protamine Overcomes Chondroitin Sulfate Inhibition of Neural Regeneration.

Protamine is an arginine-rich peptide that replaces histones in the DNA-protein complex during spermatogenesis. Protamine is clinically used in cardiopulmonary bypass surgery to neutralize the effects of heparin that is required during the treatment. Here we demonstrate that protamine and its 14-22 amino acid long fragments overcome the neurite outgrowth inhibition by chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) that are generally regarded as major inhibitors of regenerative neurite growth after injuries of the adult central nervous system (CNS). Since the full-length protamine was found to have toxic effects on neuronal cells we used the in vitro neurite outgrowth assay to select a protamine fragment that retains the activity to overcome the neurite outgrowth inhibition on CSPG substrate and ended up in the 14 amino acid fragment, low-molecular weight protamine (LMWP). In contrast to the full-length protamine, LMWP displays very low or no toxicity in our assays in vitro and in vivo. We therefore started studies on LMWP as a possible drug lead in treatment of CNS injuries, such as the spinal cord injury (SCI). LMWP mimicks HB-GAM (heparin-binding growth-associated molecule; pleiotrophin) in that it overcomes the CSPG inhibition on neurite outgrowth in primary CNS neurons in vitro and inhibits binding of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) sigma, an inhibitory receptor in neurite outgrowth, to its CSPG ligand. Furthermore, the chondroitin sulfate (CS) chains of the cell matrix even enhance the LMWP-induced neurite outgrowth on CSPG substrate. In vivo studies using the hemisection and hemicontusion SCI models in mice at the cervical level C5 revealed that LMWP enhances recovery when administered through intracerebroventricular or systemic route. We suggest that LMWP is a promising drug lead to develop therapies for CNS injuries.

Normative data stratified by age and education for a Spanish neuropsychological test battery: Results from the Colombian Alzheimer's prevention initiative registry.

Neuropsychologists continue to face challenges when assessing Spanish-speaking individuals due to limited availability of normative data. We developed comprehensive normative data stratified by age and education for a Spanish neuropsychological test battery used by the Grupo de Neurociencias de Antioquia (Colombia) and the Colombian Alzheimer's Prevention Initiative Registry, which have followed large families at risk for autosomal-dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD) since the 1990s. Approximately 75% of these individuals are cognitively-unimpaired and are not genetically predisposed to develop ADAD. We conducted a retrospective study on neuropsychological evaluations from 2,673 cognitively unimpaired individuals (56% female), with ages ranging from 18 to 86 years and education from 1 to 25 years. Neuropsychological measures included the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease-Colombia, and other multidomain Spanish tests. We examined associations between age, education, and sex with cognitive performance. Norms stratified by age and education are presented. Cognitive performance showed small associations with age and education and was unrelated to sex. We provided population-based norms for Spanish tests targeting multiple cognitive domains using a large Colombian sample. These normative data may be helpful for the neuropsychological characterization of Spanish speakers from Latin America in clinical and research settings.

Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Streptococcus mutans Strains Isolated from Endodontic Infections.

Streptococcus mutans plays an important role in caries etiology and eventually in systemic infections. However, it is often found in infected root canals, but the pathophysiological characteristics of strains residing in this site are largely unknown. Here, we characterized strains of S. mutans isolated from root canals of primary (PI) and secondary/persistent (SI) endodontic infections in relation to serotype and genotype; presence of genes coding for collagen binding proteins (CBPs); collagen binding activity and biofilm formation capacity; ability to withstand environmental stresses; systemic virulence in Galleria mellonella; and invasion of human coronary artery endothelial cells and human dental pupal fibroblasts. Samples from 10 patients with PI and 10 patients with SI were collected, and a total of 14 S. mutans isolates, belonging to 3 genotypes, were obtained. Of these, 13 were serotype c, and 1 was serotype k. When compared with the reference strains, the clinical isolates were hypersensitive to hydrogen peroxide. Remarkably, all 14 strains harbored and expressed the CBP-encoding gene cbm, showing increased binding to collagen, enhanced systemic virulence in G. mellonella, and ability to invade human coronary artery endothelial cells and human dental pupal fibroblasts when compared with CBP-negative strains. Whole genome sequence analysis of PI and SI isolates revealed that these strains are phylogenetically related but genetically distinct from each other. Our findings highlight the importance of CBPs in facilitating colonization and persistence of S. mutans in collagenous substrates such as root canals and their potential role in the pathogenesis of endodontic infections.

Habitat fragmentation reduces plant progeny quality: a global synthesis.

Most of the world's land surface is currently under human use and natural habitats remain as fragmented samples of the original landscapes. Measuring the quality of plant progeny sired in these pervasive environments represents a fundamental endeavour for predicting the evolutionary potential of plant populations remaining in fragmented habitats and thus their ability to adapt to changing environments. By means of hierarchical and phylogenetically independent meta-analyses we reviewed habitat fragmentation effects on the genetic and biological characteristics of progenies across 179 plant species. Progeny sired in fragmented habitats showed overall genetic erosion in contrast with progeny sired in continuous habitats, with the exception of plants pollinated by vertebrates. Similarly, plant progeny in fragmented habitats showed reduced germination, survival and growth. Habitat fragmentation had stronger negative effects on the progeny vigour of outcrossing- than mixed-mating plant species, except for vertebrate-pollinated species. Finally, we observed that increased inbreeding coefficients due to fragmentation correlated negatively with progeny vigour. Our findings reveal a gloomy future for angiosperms remaining in fragmented habitats as fewer sired progeny of lower quality may decrease recruitment of plant populations, thereby increasing their probability of extinction.

Unprecedented plant species loss after a decade in fragmented subtropical Chaco Serrano forests.

Current biodiversity loss is mostly caused by anthropogenic habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, and resource exploitation. Measuring the balance of species loss and gain in remaining fragmented landscapes throughout time entails a central research challenge. We resurveyed in 2013 plant species richness in the same plots of a previous sampling conducted in 2003 across 18 forest fragments of different sizes of the Chaco Serrano forest in Argentina. While the area of these forest remnants was kept constant, their surrounding forest cover changed over this time period. We compared plant species richness of both sampling years and calculated the proportion of species loss and gain at forest edges and interiors. As in 2003, we found a positive relationship between fragment area and plant richness in 2013 and both years showed a similar slope. However, we detected a net decrease of 24% of species' richness across all forest fragments, implying an unprecedentedly high rate and magnitude of species loss driven mainly by non-woody, short-lived species. There was a higher proportion of lost and gained species at forest edges than in forest interiors. Importantly, fragment area interacted with percent change in surrounding forest cover to explain the proportion of species lost. Small forest fragments showed a relatively constant proportion of species loss regardless of any changes in surrounding forest cover, whereas in larger fragments the proportion of species lost increased when surrounding forest cover decreased. We show that despite preserving fragment area, habitat quality and availability in the surroundings is of fundamental importance in shaping extinction and immigration dynamics of plant species at any given forest remnant. Because the Chaco Serrano forest has already lost 94% of its original cover, we argue that plant extinctions will continue through the coming decades unless active management actions are taken to increase native forest areas.

The Alzheimer's Prevention Initiative Autosomal-Dominant Alzheimer's Disease Trial: A study of crenezumab versus placebo in preclinical PSEN1 E280A mutation carriers to evaluate efficacy and safety in the treatment of autosomal-dominant Alzheimer's disease, including a placebo-treated noncarrier cohort.

INTRODUCTION: Autosomal-dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD) represents a crucial population for identifying prevention strategies that might modify disease course for cognitively unimpaired individuals at high imminent risk for developing symptoms due to Alzheimer's disease (AD), that is, who have "preclinical" AD. Crenezumab is an antiamyloid monoclonal antibody that binds monomeric and aggregated forms of amyloid ß, with highest affinity for oligomers; it is in development for early stages of sporadic AD and for ADAD. METHODS: This is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 study of the efficacy of crenezumab versus placebo in asymptomatic PSEN1 E280A mutation carriers from family kindreds with ADAD in Colombia. Participants were randomized to receive either crenezumab or placebo for 260 weeks. The study was designed to enroll a planned total of 300 participants, including 200 preclinical mutation carriers (approximately 100 treatment, 100 placebo) and an additional control group of mutation noncarriers from the same family kindreds included to mask mutation carrier status (100 placebo only). The primary outcome is change in the Alzheimer's Prevention Initiative ADAD Composite Cognitive Test Score from baseline to week 260. Secondary outcomes include time to progression to mild cognitive impairment due to AD or dementia due to AD; changes in dementia severity, memory, and overall neurocognitive functioning; and changes in amyloid-positron emission tomography, fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging volumes, and cerebrospinal fluid levels of ß amyloid, tau, and p-tau. Safety and tolerability are assessed. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty-two participants were enrolled between December 2013 and February 2017. DISCUSSION: We describe the first large-scale, potentially label-enabling clinical trial of a preclinical treatment for ADAD. Results from this trial will inform on the efficacy of crenezumab for delaying onset of, slowing decline in, or preventing cognitive impairment in individuals with preclinical ADAD and will foster an improved understanding of AD biomarkers and their relationship to clinical outcomes.

Estructura poblacional y distribución espacial del roble negro (Colombobalanus excelsa, Fagaceae), especie endémica, en fragmentos de bosque andino colombiano / Population structure and spatial distribution of black oak (Colombobalanus excelsa, Fagaceae), endemic species, in Colombian Andean forest fragments

Resumen Los bosques andinos en Colombia son reconocidos por su alta biodiversidad y endemismo, sin embargo han experimentado un severo proceso de fragmentación debido a procesos antrópicos. Como resultado de esto, muchas especies vulnerables han sido particularmente afectadas. Este es el caso del roble negro (Colombobalanus excelsa (Lozano, Hern. Cam., & Henao) Nixon & Crepet), especie endémica y poco estudiada de los Andes colombianos, cuya distribución está restringida a cuatro localidades en el país, una de ellas el sector suroriental del departamento del Huila. Con el fin de estudiar las poblaciones de roble negro en la Serrania de Peñas Blancas (Huila), localidad más sur de distribución; en 2006 se establecieron 16 parcelas de 50 x 20 m (1.6 ha) en fragmentos de bosque, donde se determinó la estructura etaria y la distribución espacial de esta especie. En total se registraron 1 228 individuos de roble negro entre adultos, juveniles y plántulas; los cuáles presentaron patrones de distribución Gamma y Weibull. Con estos resultados se pudo confirmar que la mayoría de los individuos se encuentran en las primeras clases diamétricas. Asimismo, sus poblaciones presentaron un patrón de distribución agregado debido al proceso de extracción de madera. Estos resultados indican que las poblaciones de roble negro se encuentran en una fase de recuperación despúes de una fuerte intervención antrópica. El conocimiento del actual estado de los bosques de roble negro, puede contribuir para el diseño de efectivos planes de conservacion de la especie en Colombia.

Abstract The Colombian Andean forests are recognized for its great biodiversity and endemism; however, they have undergone a severe process of fragmentation due to anthropic factors. As a result, many vulnerable species have been especially affected. That is the case of the black oak (Colombobalanus excelsa (Lozano, Hern. Cam., & Henao) Nixon & Crepet), an endemic and poorly studied species of the Colombian Andes, which has a distribution restricted to only four areas in the country, one of which is the Southeastern Huila region. To examine black oak populations in Serranía Peñas Blancas (Huila), in 2006 we studied the age structure and spatial distribution in plots of 50 x 20 m (1.6 ha) in forest fragments, in southern distribution. In total, 1 228 black oak species were registered among saplings, juvenile and adults, and they have distribution patterns Gamma and Weibull. These results confirm that the majority of the individuals are in the first diametric class. Also, these populations show an added distribution pattern due to the wood extraction process. These results indicate that black oak populations are in a recovery phase after forceful anthropic intervention. Knowing the current status of black oak forests can contribute to the design of effective conservation plans of this species in Colombia. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 486-494. Epub 2018 June 01.

Biomarcadores de pronóstico en pacientes con cáncer de próstata localizado / Prognostic biomarkers in patients with localised prostate cancer

Resumen El tratamiento para cáncer de próstata localizado (prostatectomía radical o radioterapia) ofrece unas altas tasas de curación; sin embargo, del 20 al 30% de los casos desarrollan recurrencia bioquímica. Actualmente, existen factores clínicos y patológicos que ayudan a predecir recurrencia; no obstante tanto el carácter heterogéneo de estos tumores, las diferencias en los tiempos de progresión de cáncer localizado a metastásico como la resistencia al tratamiento han dado lugar a imprecisiones en la predicción del pronóstico y a tratamientos insuficientes o excesivos. Debido a esto se han estudiado biomarcadores con el fin de estratificar más acertadamente el riesgo y mejorar las decisiones de tratamiento de una manera adecuada y oportuna. Este manuscrito presenta una revisión de marcadores moleculares de pronóstico que se han propuesto en los pacientes con cáncer de próstata localizado, lo que podría permitir establecer con mayor precisión el riesgo de recurrencia de la enfermedad.

Abstract Treatment for localised prostate cancer (radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy), offers high cure rates; nevertheless, 20% to 30% of the cases develop biochemical recurrence. There are clinical and pathological features that are currently being used to predict recurrence of the disease. However, tumour heterogeneity in prostate cancer, along with differences in time of progression to metastasis and treatment resistance, have led to inaccuracies in predicting the risk of biochemical relapse, and therefore, misleading in treatment decisions. Because of this, many genetic markers have been studied in order to refine risk stratification and improve treatment decisions in a suitable and opportune manner. This paper presents a review of molecular prognostic markers that have been proposed in patients with localised prostate cancer, which potentially could allow establishing the risk of recurrence of the disease more accurately.

Validación de las escalas de riesgo TIMI y GRACE para el síndrome coronario agudo en una cohorte contemporánea de pacientes / Validation of GRACE and TIMI risk scales for acute coronary syndrome in a contemporary cohort of patients

Introducción: la estratificación de riesgo es uno de los principales objetivos en el manejo integral de los síndromes coronarios agudos (SCA). En la actualidad las guías de práctica clínica recomiendan la estratificación por medio de los puntajes de riesgo TIMI y GRACE. Teniendo en cuenta la alta prevalencia de esta enfermedad, consideramos de gran importancia conocer en nuestro medio la utilidad de estas escalas para el tratamiento integral de nuestros pacientes con SCA y determinar cuál escala tiene mejor capacidad de predicción para morbimortalidad. Objetivo: evaluar la validez de las escalas TIMI y GRACE para predecir el riesgo de muerte e infarto en los pacientes que se presentan con diagnóstico de síndrome coronario agudo en la unidad de dolor torácico del Hospital San Vicente de Paúl Fundación, y establecer cuál de estas dos escalas tiene mejor capacidad de predicción en nuestro medio en SCA sin elevación del segmento ST. Métodos: estudio de validez de una escala de pronóstico, observacional, analítico, con análisis retrospectivo de la calibración del modelo y la discriminación del riesgo, en una cohorte de pacientes en hospital de cuarto nivel en Medellín, Colombia. Resultados: 164 sujetos con SCA fueron identificados. 141 pacientes con seguimiento completo hasta los seis meses. El TIMI promedio fue de 3.5 puntos y el GRACE promedio de 124. La estratificación del TIMI para SCA sin elevación del segmento ST mostró: 19.1% de pacientes en riesgo bajo, 59.6% en riesgo intermedio y 21.3% en riesgo alto; según la escala de riesgo GRACE encontramos para muerte hospitalaria: 38.3% de pacientes en riesgo bajo, 32.6% en riesgo intermedio y 29.1% en riesgo alto. Para estratificación de muerte a seis meses se encontró 39.7% en riesgo bajo, 36.2% en riesgo intermedio y 24.1% en riesgo alto. La evaluación del componente de calibración mostró que ambas escalas se ajustan a nuestra muestra para SCA sin elevación ST (Prueba de Hosmer-Lemeshow p > 0.05). La evaluación del componente de discriminación mostró que ambas escalas pueden distinguir la población de mayor riesgo a seis meses (estadístico C mayor a 0.7). La escala TIMI discriminó mejor el riesgo de muerte intrahospitalaria comparada con el GRACE (estadístico C= 0.9 versus 0.8). La escala GRACE por el contrario, presentó mejor poder de discriminación de muerte a seis meses (0.86 versus 0.65). Conclusión: ambas escalas se ajustaron a la población estudiada, son útiles y pueden recomendarse para determinar el riesgo de mortalidad de nuestros pacientes con SCA. Para el SCA sin ST, la escala de riesgo TIMI discriminó mejor el riesgo a nivel hospitalario, mientras que la escala GRACE fue mejor para predecir el riesgo a los seis meses después del SCA sin elevación del segmento ST.

Background: risk stratification is one of the main objectives in the comprehensive management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Currently, clinical practice guidelines recommend stratification by the TIMI and GRACE risk scores. Given the high prevalence of this disease, we attach great importance to know in our environment the usefulness of these scales for the comprehensive treatment of our patients with ACS and determine which scale has better predictive power for morbidity and mortality. Objective: to assess the validity of the TIMI and GRACE risk scores to predict death and infarction in patients presenting with diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome in the chest pain unit of the Hospital San Vicente de Paul Fundación, and establish which of these two scales has better predictive power in ACS without ST segment elevation in our environment. Methods: validation study of a prognostic scale, observational, analytical, with retrospective analysis of model calibration and risk discrimination in a cohort of patients at a fourth level hospital in Medellin, Colombia. Results: 164 subjects with ACS were identified. 141 patients with complete follow-up to 6 months. The average TIMI was 3.5 points and the GRACE average 124. TIMI stratification for ACS without ST-segment elevation showed 19.1% of patients at low risk, 59.6% at intermediate risk and 21.3% at high risk; according to the GRACE risk score for hospital death, were found: 38.3% of patients at low risk, at intermediate risk 32.6% and 29.1% at high risk. For stratification of death at six months, was found: 39.7% at low-risk, 36.2% at intermediate risk and 24.1% at high risk. The evaluation of the component of calibration showed that both scales fit our sample for ACS without ST elevation (Hosmer-Lemeshow test p> 0.05). The evaluation of the component of discrimination showed that both scales can distinguish the population of higher-risk to 6 months (C statistic greater than 0.7 C). The TIMI scale better discriminated risk of hospital death compared with GRACE (C statistic = 0.9 versus 0.8). On the contrary, the GRACE scale showeda better discrimination power of death at 6 months. (0.86 versus 0.65). Conclusion: both scales were adjusted to the population studied, are useful and can be recommended to determine the risk of mortality in our patients with ACS. For ACS without ST elevation, the TIMI risk score discriminated better the hospital risk, while GRACE scale was better at predicting risk at 6 months after ACS without ST segment elevation.

Calidad de vidallaboral y liderazgo en trabajadres asistenciales y administrattivos en un centro oncológico de bogotá (Colombia)* / Work quality of life and leadership in administrative staff and health care personnel of an oncological center in Bogotá (Colombia)

El propósito de este estudio fue describir la Calidad de vida laboral (CVL) y el estilo de liderazgo percibido por el personal administrativo/asistencial de un centro oncológico y estimar la asociación entre ellas, considerando las características sociodemográficas. Para ello se aplicó el Cuestionario de Vida Profesional [CVP-35] y el Test de Adjetivos de Pitcher [pat] a 38 trabajadores de la salud, que constituyen el 97.2 % del total del personal que labora en el centro. En general, los participantes presentan una CVL satisfactoria, caracterizada principalmente por motivación intrínseca, lo cual fue más evidente en el personal asistencial. Se observó una percepción de ausencia de liderazgo o características poco deseables de este, lo cual, aunque no determina la CVL, sí constituye un factor modulador de la misma; las variables sociodemográficas no guardaron relación con la CVL. Por último se resalta la responsabilidad social que tienen los directivos en el bienestar de los trabajadores de la salud y, consecuentemente, en la atención al paciente. Se discuten estos hallazgos y lo pertinente de utilizar las categorías emergentes del pat.

The aim of this study was to describe the work Quality of Life (wql) and perceived leadership style by administrative staff/and health care personnel in an oncological center and estimate the association between them, considering socio-demographic characteristics. We applied the Professional Life Questionnaire [plq-35] and Pitcher Adjectives Test [PAT] to 38 health workers that represent 97.2 % of the total personal that work at the center. In general, participants have a satisfactory wql, mainly characterized by intrinsic motivation, which was most evident in the care team. With respect to leadership, lack of leadership or undesirable features of it were perceived, which do not determine the wql but constitute a modulator factor. Socio-demographic variables were not related to the wql. Finally it highlights the social responsibility that managers have on welfare of health workers, and consequently, on the patient care. We discuss these findings, and the relevance of using the emerging categories of pat.

A gain-of-function mutation in TRPA1 causes familial episodic pain syndrome.

Human monogenic pain syndromes have provided important insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie normal and pathological pain states. We describe an autosomal-dominant familial episodic pain syndrome characterized by episodes of debilitating upper body pain, triggered by fasting and physical stress. Linkage and haplotype analysis mapped this phenotype to a 25 cM region on chromosome 8q12-8q13. Candidate gene sequencing identified a point mutation (N855S) in the S4 transmembrane segment of TRPA1, a key sensor for environmental irritants. The mutant channel showed a normal pharmacological profile but altered biophysical properties, with a 5-fold increase in inward current on activation at normal resting potentials. Quantitative sensory testing demonstrated normal baseline sensory thresholds but an enhanced secondary hyperalgesia to punctate stimuli on treatment with mustard oil. TRPA1 antagonists inhibit the mutant channel, promising a useful therapy for this disorder. Our findings provide evidence that variation in the TRPA1 gene can alter pain perception in humans.

Los grupos extracurriculares en agronomía de la Universidad de Caldas (Colombia): 1970-2006: de la efervescencia política a la formación científica / Os grupos extracurriculares no programa de Agronomia da Universidade de Caldas (Colômbia): 1970-2006; da efervescência política ao treinamento científico / The extracurricular groups in Agricultural Engineering at the University of Caldas (Colombia): 1970-2006; from political effervescence to scientific training

En vista de que la formación de profesionales es un asunto complejo que supera los propósitos expresados en los planes de estudio, los estudiantes han complementado su formación mediante Grupos Extracurriculares (GE). Con el fin de dar cuenta de esta dinámica, se realizó una caracterización de éstos grupos en el programa de Agronomía de la Universidad de Caldas, desde el año 1970 hasta el 2006. Se trató de indagar cómo contribuyeron a la formación de los estudiantes y a la realimentación de los planes de estudio. El texto, en la primera parte analiza los GE como "comunidades de aprendizaje", en segundo lugar, se elabora una caracterización de los grupos en el programa Agronomía, en tres períodos: la efervescencia política de los años 70, el reflujo de los 80 y la emergencia de los semilleros de investigación, después de los 90. Por último, se presentan las lecciones aprendidas en este ejercicio de investigación, en donde se destaca y reafirma la importancia que tiene la formación en investigación.

Visto que o treinamento de profissionais é um assunto complexo que supera os propósitos expressados nos programas de estudos, os estudantes complementam seu treinamento mediante Grupos Extracurriculares (GE). Para dar conta desta dinâmica, fez-se uma caracterização destes grupos no programa de Agronomia da Universidade de Caldas, desde o ano 1976 até o ano 2006. Tratou-se de indagar como estes grupos contribuíram ao treinamento dos estudantes e à re-alimentação dos programas de estudos. Este texto analisa, na primeira parte, os GEs como "comunidades de aprendizagem"; em segundo lugar, faz-se uma caracterização dos grupos no programa de Agronomia em três períodos: na efervescência política dos anos 70, o refluxo dos anos 80 e a emergência dos viveiros de pesquisa depois dos anos 90. Por último, apresentam-se as lições apreendidas neste exercício, onde se destaca e reafirma a importância do treinamento em pesquisa.

Taking into consideration that training professionals is a complex matter that overcomes the goals consigned in the syllabus, the students have complemented their training by means of Extracurricular Groups (EG). To comply with this dynamics, a characterization of these groups in the program of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Caldas from 1970 to 2006 was carried out. It aimed at finding out how these groups contributed to the students' training and how they provided the syllabi with positive feedback. The first part of this paper examines the EG's as "learning communities"; the second part, characterizes the groups in the program of Agricultural Engineering in three periods: the political effervescence in the1970's, the reflux of the 80's and the emergence of research seedbeds after the 90's. Finally, some lessons that had been learned during this research exercise and that highlight and reaffirm the importance of research training are presented.

Emil Theodor Kocher: an innovator surgeon / Theodor Kocher: un cirujano innovador

Emil Theodor Kocher is considered along with Frank Lahey, Theodor Billroth, William Halsted, Charles Mayo, George Crile and Thomas Dunhill as one of the "Magnificent Seven", referring to the group of surgeons who managed thyroidectomy to make it a safe and efficient intervention that it is now practiced throughout the world. He was author of numerous contributions towards medicine. One of his most important contributions was to elucidate the function of the thyroid gland, through the observation and study of thyroidectomyzed patients, for which he was recognized by the academic and scientific community during the early twentieth century.

Theodor Emil Kocher es considerado junto con Frank Lahey, Theodor Billroth, William Halsted, Charles Mayo, George Crile y Thomas Dunhill como uno de los llamados "Siete Magníficos" en alusión al grupo de cirujanos que lograron hacer de la tiroidectomía la intervención eficiente y segura que en la actualidad se practica en el mundo entero. Autor de innumerables aportes al arte de la medicina, quizás su contribución más importante fue haber dilucidado la función de la glándula tiroides, por medio de la observación y del estudio del estado de sus pacientes tiroidectomizados, hallazgo que le hizo acreedor del reconocimiento de la comunidad académica y científica de los comienzos del siglo XX.