68 research outputs found

    Analytical and economic methodology for storage of large heavyweight equipment in industrial processes

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    Numerous studies concerning warehouse-design methodologies have been performed focused on the storage of products on pallets or of intermediate size and/or moderate weight loads. These studies, however, do not provide with optimal results for industries that work with equipment or objects of uncommon sizes and shapes and with large weights, which are difficult to move and involve high costs and complex operational actions, affecting to the production processes and interfering with the logistic processes or the supply-chain of a company. This study proposes an analytical methodology using economic and technical qualitative criteria that can be applied specifically to large and heavy equipment warehouses. Both quantitative aspects, such as availability and cost of space, and also qualitative considerations, such as flexibility requirements, impact on manufacturing process and risks associated, are evaluated. To determine an optimum implementation solution, several decision-making methods, such as Electra I & II and Analytic Hierarchy Process are employed with due consideration of multiple criteria. The results obtained are modulated and reinforced using a SWOT (strengths-weaknesses, opportunities- threats) and a Risk analysis to verify this single ultimate solution. The said process led to the establishment of a decision-making methodology suitable for any organization possessing large-scale storage systems

    The impaired quorum sensing response of MexAB?OprM efflux pump overexpressing mutants is not due to non?physiological efflux of 3?oxo?C12?HSL

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    Multidrug (MDR) efflux pumps are ancient and conserved molecular machineries with relevant roles in different aspects of the bacterial physiology, besides antibiotic resistance. In the case of the environmental opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, it has been shown that overexpression of different efflux pumps is linked to the impairment of the quorum sensing (QS) response. Nevertheless, the causes of such impairment are different for each analyzed efflux pump. Herein, we performed an in‐depth analysis of the QS‐mediated response of a P. aeruginosa antibiotic resistant mutant that overexpresses MexAB‐OprM. Although previous work claimed that this efflux pump extrudes the QS signal 3‐oxo‐C12‐HSL, we show otherwise. Our results evidence that the observed attenuation in the QS response when overexpressing this pump is related to an impaired production of alkyl quinolone QS signals, likely prompted by the reduced availability of one of their precursors, the octanoate. Together with previous studies, this indicates that, although the consequences of overexpressing efflux pumps are similar (impaired QS response), the underlying mechanisms are different. This ‘apparent redundancy' of MDR efflux systems can be understood as a P. aeruginosa strategy to keep the robustness of the QS regulatory network and modulate its output in response to different signals

    Role of the Multidrug Resistance Efflux Pump MexCD-OprJ in the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Quorum Sensing Response

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    Multidrug efflux pumps constitute a category of antibiotic resistance determinants that are a part of the core bacterial genomes. Given their conservation, it is conceivable that they present functions beyond the extrusion of antibiotics currently used for therapy. Pseudomonas aeruginosa stands as a relevant respiratory pathogen, with a high prevalence at hospitals and in cystic fibrosis patients. Part of its success relies on its low susceptibility to antibiotics and on the production of virulence factors, whose expression is regulated in several cases by quorum sensing (QS). We found that overexpression of the MexCD-OprJ multidrug efflux pump shuts down the P. aeruginosa QS response. Our results support that MexCD-OprJ extrudes kynurenine, a precursor of the alkyl-quinolone signal (AQS) molecules. Anthranilate and octanoate, also AQS precursors, do not seem to be extruded by MexCD-OprJ. Kynurenine extrusion is not sufficient to reduce the QS response in a mutant overexpressing this efflux pump. Impaired QS response is mainly due to the extrusion of 4-hydroxy-2-heptylquinoline (HHQ), the precursor of the Pseudomonas Quinolone Signal (PQS), leading to low PQS intracellular levels and reduced production of QS signal molecules. As the consequence, the expression of QS-regulated genes is impaired and the production of QS-regulated virulence factors strongly decreases in a MexCD-OprN P. aeruginosa overexpressing mutant. Previous work showed that MexEF-OprJ, another P. aeruginosa efflux pump, is also able of extruding kynurenine and HHQ. However, opposite to our findings, the QS defect in a MexEF-OprN overproducer is due to kynurenine extrusion. These results indicate that, although efflux pumps can share some substrates, the affinity for each of them can be different. Although the QS response is triggered by population density, information on additional elements able of modulating such response is still scarce. This is particularly important in the case of P. aeruginosa lung chronic infections, a situation in which QS-defective mutants are accumulated. If MexCD-OprJ overexpression alleviates the cost associated to triggering the QS response when un-needed, it could be possible that MexCD-OprJ antibiotic resistant overproducer strains might be selected even in the absence of antibiotic selective pressure, acting as antibiotic resistant cheaters in heterogeneous P. aeruginosa populations

    Correlation of RECIST, Computed Tomography Morphological Response, and Pathological Regression in Hepatic Metastasis Secondary to Colorectal Cancer: The AVAMET Study.

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    Background: The prospective phase IV AVAMET study was undertaken to correlate response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST)-defined response rates with computed tomography-based morphological criteria (CTMC) and pathological response after liver resection of colorectal cancer metastases. Methods: Eligible patients were aged >/=18 years, with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0/1 and histologically-confirmed colon or rectal adenocarcinoma with measurable liver metastases. Preoperative treatment was bevacizumab (7.5 mg on day 1) + XELOX (oxaliplatin 130 mg/m(2), capecitabine 1000 mg/m(2) bid on days 1-14 q3w). After three cycles, response was evaluated by a multidisciplinary team. Patients who were progression-free and metastasectomy candidates received one cycle of XELOX before undergoing surgery 3-5 weeks later, followed by four cycles of bevacizumab + XELOX. Results: A total of 83 patients entered the study; 68 were eligible for RECIST, 67 for CTMC, and 51 for pathological response evaluation. Of these patients, 49% had a complete or partial RECIST response, 91% had an optimal or incomplete CTMC response, and 81% had a complete or major pathological response. CTMC response predicted 37 of 41 pathological responses versus 23 of 41 responses predicted using RECIST (p = 0.008). Kappa coefficients indicated a lack of correlation between the results of RECIST and morphological responses and between morphological and pathological response rates. Conclusion: CTMC may represent a better marker of pathological response to bevacizumab + XELOX than RECIST in patients with potentially-resectable CRC liver metastases

    Correlation of recist, computed tomography morphological response, and pathological regression in hepatic metastasis secondary to colorectal cancer : The avamet study

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    The prospective phase IV AVAMET study was undertaken to correlate response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST)-defined response rates with computed tomography-based morphological criteria (CTMC) and pathological response after liver resection of colorectal cancer metastases. Eligible patients were aged ≥18 years, with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0/1 and histologically-confirmed colon or rectal adenocarcinoma with measurable liver metastases. Preoperative treatment was bevacizumab (7.5 mg on day 1) + XELOX (oxaliplatin 130 mg/m, capecitabine 1000 mg/m bid on days 1-14 q3w). After three cycles, response was evaluated by a multidisciplinary team. Patients who were progression-free and metastasectomy candidates received one cycle of XELOX before undergoing surgery 3-5 weeks later, followed by four cycles of bevacizumab + XELOX. A total of 83 patients entered the study; 68 were eligible for RECIST, 67 for CTMC, and 51 for pathological response evaluation. Of these patients, 49% had a complete or partial RECIST response, 91% had an optimal or incomplete CTMC response, and 81% had a complete or major pathological response. CTMC response predicted 37 of 41 pathological responses versus 23 of 41 responses predicted using RECIST (p = 0.008). Kappa coefficients indicated a lack of correlation between the results of RECIST and morphological responses and between morphological and pathological response rates. CTMC may represent a better marker of pathological response to bevacizumab + XELOX than RECIST in patients with potentially-resectable CRC liver metastases

    The Genotype of the Donor for the (GT)n Polymorphism in the Promoter/Enhancer of FOXP3 Is Associated with the Development of Severe Acute GVHD but Does Not Affect the GVL Effect after Myeloablative HLA-Identical Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

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    The FOXP3 gene encodes for a protein (Foxp3) involved in the development and functional activity of regulatory T cells (CD4+/CD25+/Foxp3+), which exert regulatory and suppressive roles over the immune system. After allogeneic stem cell transplantation, regulatory T cells are known to mitigate graft versus host disease while probably maintaining a graft versus leukemia effect. Short alleles (≤(GT)15) for the (GT)n polymorphism in the promoter/enhancer of FOXP3 are associated with a higher expression of FOXP3, and hypothetically with an increase of regulatory T cell activity. This polymorphism has been related to the development of auto- or alloimmune conditions including type 1 diabetes or graft rejection in renal transplant recipients. However, its impact in the allo-transplant setting has not been analyzed. In the present study, which includes 252 myeloablative HLA-identical allo-transplants, multivariate analysis revealed a lower incidence of grade III-IV acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) in patients transplanted from donors harboring short alleles (OR = 0.26, CI 0.08-0.82, p = 0.021); without affecting chronic GVHD or graft versus leukemia effect, since cumulative incidence of relapse, event free survival and overall survival rates are similar in both groups of patients

    Estudio cycEVA: casos y controles para la estimación de la efectividad de la vacuna antigripal en España, 2008-2013

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    Fundamentos: Desde 2008-09 la efectividad de la vacuna (EV) antigripal en España se estima con el estudio de casos y controles para la evaluación de la EV antigripal (cycEVA), componente español de la red europea (Influenza-Monitoring Vaccine Effectiveness (I-MOVE). El objetivo es describir la evolución del estudio cycEVA durante las cinco temporadas del período 2008/09– 2012/13. Métodos: Se analizaron los siguientes indicadores: 1) participación de los médicos/pediatras centinela (MP); 2) población y periodo de estudio, 3) calidad de los datos y 4) difusión de los resultados mediantes publicaciones. Se calculó el porcentaje anual de cambio constante de los indicadores analizándose su tendencia mediante el test de Cochran-Armitage. Resultados: El número de MP participantes aumentó de 164 en 2008-09 hasta 246 en ediciones posteriores. El porcentaje de médicos que reclutaron al menos un paciente experimentó un cambio anual significativo (PCA) del 15,33%. El porcentaje de pacientes reclutados incluidos en el análisis aumen- tó del 77% en 2008-09 a más del 95% en las siguientes ediciones (PCA=5,91%). El porcentaje de casos y controles participantes en cycEVA sobre el total de pacientes que contribuyeron al estudio europeo I-MOVE osciló entre el 23% en la edición piloto y 30% en la temporada 2011-12. Los resultados finales se difundieron en revistas científicas con un factor de impacto situado en el cuartil 2 y en 2010-11 y 2011-12 se publicaron resultados preliminares en revistas con un factor de impacto situado en el cuartil 1 (97 citas). Conclusiones: La experiencia del estudio cycEVA se reflejó en una mejora en la oportunidad e impacto de sus resultados, cruciales para orientar las recomendaciones anuales de vacunación antigripal

    Non-motor symptom burden in patients with Parkinson's disease with impulse control disorders and compulsive behaviours : results from the COPPADIS cohort

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    The study was aimed at analysing the frequency of impulse control disorders (ICDs) and compulsive behaviours (CBs) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and in control subjects (CS) as well as the relationship between ICDs/CBs and motor, nonmotor features and dopaminergic treatment in PD patients. Data came from COPPADIS-2015, an observational, descriptive, nationwide (Spain) study. We used the validated Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson's Disease-Rating Scale (QUIP-RS) for ICD/CB screening. The association between demographic data and ICDs/CBs was analyzed in both groups. In PD, this relationship was evaluated using clinical features and treatment-related data. As result, 613 PD patients (mean age 62.47 ± 9.09 years, 59.87% men) and 179 CS (mean age 60.84 ± 8.33 years, 47.48% men) were included. ICDs and CBs were more frequent in PD (ICDs 12.7% vs. 1.6%, p < 0.001; CBs 7.18% vs. 1.67%, p = 0.01). PD patients had more frequent previous ICDs history, premorbid impulsive personality and antidepressant treatment (p < 0.05) compared with CS. In PD, patients with ICDs/CBs presented younger age at disease onset, more frequent history of previous ICDs and premorbid personality (p < 0.05), as well as higher comorbidity with nonmotor symptoms, including depression and poor quality of life. Treatment with dopamine agonists increased the risk of ICDs/CBs, being dose dependent (p < 0.05). As conclusions, ICDs and CBs were more frequent in patients with PD than in CS. More nonmotor symptoms were present in patients with PD who had ICDs/CBs compared with those without. Dopamine agonists have a prominent effect on ICDs/CBs, which could be influenced by dose

    Transferencia de investigaciones virológicas a sectores educativos y generales de la comunidad

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    La educación es la única y verdadera herramienta válida, por excelencia, para lograr cambios positivos en la historia, en la política, en la salud o en cualquiera otro aspecto importante de la vida de los hombres. Entonces, deberíamos insistir en mejorar la calidad educativa de los ciudadanos y alumnos de todos los niveles, mejorando necesariamente la actualización de los saberes de los funcionarios, profesionales y docentes para que se inscriba en el discurso cotidiano. El desconocer, no prepararse, nos lleva a crisis sociales que inevitablemente incrementan flagelos como la pobreza, la pérdida de biodiversidad, las guerras, las epidemias, entre otros. Así, desde donde se produce y construye el conocimiento científico, la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas y específicamente el Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella" también se promueve el objetivo de extensión comunitaria, brindando este proyecto a docentes, alumnos y comunidad en general de la provincia de Córdoba como servicio educativo y actualización. Las temáticas son variadas, los talleres convocan a la Divulgación científica y tecnológica de infecciones virales de importancia sanitaria su conocimiento, prevención y difusión, no solo para el sector educativo sino también para la comunidad en general. Las actividades son talleres, conferencias, laboratorios, jornadas de un día hasta dos semanas. Las metodologías aplicadas son charlas dialogadas, vídeos, dinámica de grupos, Hay evaluaciones de seguimiento a través de comentarios, relatos, encuestas. Todas las actividades de extensión del InViV cuentan con la aprobación de la Facultad Ciencias Médicas a través de las Res. Decanales anuales.Fil: Balangero, Marcos. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Gil, Pedro Ignacio: Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Gil, Pedro Ignacio: Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Secretaría de Ciencia y Tecnología; ArgentinaFil: Frutos: María Cecilia: Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Frutos: María Cecilia: Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Secretaría de Ciencia y Tecnología; ArgentinaFil: Díaz, Luis Adrián. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Ré, Viviana. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Farias, Adrián Alejandro. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Spinsanti, Lorena. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Venezuela, Raúl Fernando. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Kiguen, Ana Ximena. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Konigheim, Brenda. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Pisano, María Belén. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil:Masachessi, Gisela. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Barril, Patricia Angélica. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Varella"; Argentina.Fil: Barril, Patricia Angelica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Estudios en Comunicación, Expresión y Tecnologías; Argentina.Fil: Castro, Gonzalo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Batallán, Pedro Gonzalo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Batallán, Pedro Gonzalo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Estudios en Comunicación, Expresión y Tecnologías; Argentina.Fil: Quaglia, Agustín.Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Tauro, Laura Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Tauro, Laura Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Estudios en Comunicación, Expresión y Tecnologías; Argentina.Fil: Flores, Fernando Sebastián. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Flores, Fernando Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Estudios en Comunicación, Expresión y Tecnologías; Argentina.Fil: Beranek, Mauricio. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Beranek, Mauricio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Estudios en Comunicación, Expresión y Tecnologías; Argentina.Fil: Maturano, Eduardo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Rodríguez, Pamela Elizabeth. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Cámara, Jorge Augusto. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil, Albrieu Llinás, Guillermo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil, Albrieu Llinás, Guillermo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Estudios en Comunicación, Expresión y Tecnologías; Argentina.Fil: Adamo, María Pilar. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Ghietto, Lucía María. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Ghietto, Lucía María. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Secretaría de Ciencia y Tecnología; ArgentinaFil: Pedranti, Mauro Sebastián. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Giordano, Miguel Oscar. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Martínez, Laura Cecilia.Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Isa, Maria Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Ascheri, Stella Maris. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Paredes, Norma Gladys. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Contigiani, Marta Silvia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Benítez, Marta. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Theiler, Gerardo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Augello, Marysol. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Fosatti, L. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; ArgentinaFil:Moreno, F. Colegio San Martín; Argentina.Fil:Marín, M. Colegio Nuestra Señora del Sagrado Corazón; Argentina.Fil: Carreras, G. Provincia de Córdoba. Ipem 323 de Villa Angelelli; Argentina.Fil: Navarro, A. Provincia de Córdoba. Ipem 323 de Villa Angelelli; Argentina.Fil: Fuentes, M. Provincia de Córdoba. Ipem 323 de Villa Angelelli; Argentina.Fil: Santiago, T. Provincia de Córdoba. Ipem 323 de Villa Angelelli; Argentina.Fil: Cámara, Alicia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Paglini, María Gabriela. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Cuffini, Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Gallego, Sandra Verónica.Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Aguilar, Javier. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Paván, Jorge. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Nates, Silvia Viviana. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Enfermedades Infecciosa
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