Railroads and economic growth: A trade policy approach

What was the impact of railroads in the output of the United States during the 19th century and how can a New Trade model help answer this question? In order to respond I follow three steps. First, I construct a new digital railroad data set and pair it with geographic and topographic features of the U.S. territory to estimate travel times between every pair of U.S. counties for every year between 1840 and 1900. Second, I use these results, together with a Ricardian model of trade and U.S. county output data from the 19th century, to estimate county gains from trade using a fixed-point algorithm. Third, I estimate ounterfactuals with the railroads built up to a certain year. My estimates suggest that there was a lot of migration anticipating railroad construction and not the other way around. However, leaving all factors of production fixed, if the railroads were made suddenly unavailable in 1890 there would have been a 9.6% reduction in output, but in 1900, after the financial crisis, the impact would have been less than 9 %

Estimating the short-run effect on market-access of the construction of better transportation infrastructure in Mexico

We calculate the short-run effect that the construction of the 230km-long Durango-Mazatlán highway in 2013 and of the 290km-long Mexico City-Tuxpan highway in 2014 produced on market-access in every location in Mexico. Our estimates suggest that the former highway produced benefits not only in the region where the new highway is located, but in vast regions in the north of the country. Analogous estimates show that the latter highway mostly benefited regions near Tuxpan, but these focalized benefits were larger than any of the benefits derived from the construction of the Durango-Mazatlán highway

Short-run market access and the construction of better transportation infrastructure in Mexico

We calculate the short-run effect that the construction of the Durango-Mazatlán highway in late 2013 and the Mexico City-Tuxpan highway in early 2014 produced on welfare in every municipality and on market access in every location of Mexico. Our estimates suggest that the former highway produced benefits not only in the region where the new highway is located, but in vast areas in the north of the country. Analogous estimates show that the latter highway mostly benefited regions near Tuxpan, but these focalized benefits were larger than any of the benefits derived from the construction of the Durango-Mazatlán highway. The municipalities in the south of the country have net short-run losses from the infrastructure construction due to losses in competitiveness. Our model is consistent with the observed sectoral growth in Sinaloa, Durango, and Veracruz in 2014. Qualitatively, market access and welfare change in the same direction and magnitudes. We thus recommend using the market access approach for shortrun analysis of infrastructure, because it is much less computationally intensive

Supervivencia global en pacientes con cáncer gástrico avanzado o metastásico en los últimos 10 años en el Centro Médico Nacional «20 de noviembre del ISSSTE»

ResumenAntecedentesLa introducción de nuevos fármacos para el tratamiento de los pacientes con cáncer gástrico irresecable, recurrente o metastásico ha reportado un modesto incremento en la supervivencia libre de progresión (SLP) y la supervivencia global (SG).ObjetivoDeterminar el impacto de la aplicación de los nuevos esquemas de quimioterapia paliativa en la SG de los pacientes con cáncer gástrico del Centro Médico Nacional 20 de noviembre, ISSSTE.Material y métodosEstudio retrospectivo, descriptivo. Analizamos expedientes de pacientes con cáncer gástrico irresecable o metastásico, tratados con quimioterapia paliativa de enero de 2002 a diciembre de 2012 en el Centro Médico Nacional 20 de noviembre, ISSSTE. Se evaluó la SG, SLP y los esquemas de quimioterapia más frecuentemente utilizados. Se asignaron los casos a 2 cohortes de acuerdo a la fecha de inicio de la quimioterapia, conformando la cohorte A los pacientes tratados de enero de 2002 hasta diciembre de 2006 y la cohorte B de enero de 2007 a diciembre de 2012. Se estableció estos periodos dado que representaba el cambio en los esquemas de tratamiento utilizados; es decir; la introducción de esquemas que incluyen antraciclinas, oxaliplatino, capecitabina y docetaxel.ResultadosRevisamos los expedientes de 291 pacientes con cáncer gástrico; excluimos a 221 pacientes por estar en etapas tempranas (i, ii o iii) resecables, recibir tratamiento con quimioterapia fuera de la unidad o no ser candidatos a quimioterapia. Finalmente incluimos 70 casos con tratamiento de primera línea. La mediana de SG para pacientes de la cohorte A fue de 11.2 vs. 10.5 meses para los pacientes de la cohorte B. La mediana de SLP en primera línea de tratamiento fue 8.5 vs. 5.2 meses respectivamente. Ambos resultados sin diferencia estadísticamente significativa.ConclusiónEn nuestro centro, no hay impacto de los nuevos esquemas de tratamiento en SLP o SG. Un tamaño de muestra pequeño y el hecho de que pacientes con pobre estado funcional recibieran quimioterapia podrían ser factores que influyeron en los resultados del estudio, en el cual se observó una tendencia a favor de los nuevos esquemas de quimioterapia, pero sin demostrar significación estadística.AbstractBackgroundThe introduction of new drugs for the treatment of patients with advanced, recurrent or metastatic gastric cancer has resulted in a small benefit in overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS).ObjectiveTo determine the impact of new chemotherapy schedules on the OS of patients with advanced or metastic gastric cancer treated at the Centro Medico Nacional 20 de noviembre, ISSSTE.Material and methodologyRetrolective, descriptive study, the clinical files of patients with advanced, recurrent or metastatic gastric cancer treated with chemotherapy at the Centro Medico Nacional 20 de noviembre, ISSSTE, from january 2002 to december 2012, were analyzed. Chemotherapy schedules, OS and PFS were evaluated. Patients were assigned to two cohorts: those treated from january 2002 to december 2006 were included in cohort A and those treated from january 2007 to december 2012 in cohort B. These time periods were determined based on the years when newer chemotherapy agents (anthracyclines, oxaliplatin, capecitabine and docetaxel) were introduced in our institution.Results291 clinical files were analyzed; 221 patients were excluded for they had clinical stage I, II or resectable III disease, started first line chemotherapy as outpatients of our institution or were not candidates for chemotherapy. 70 cases treated with first line chemotherapy were included. OS for patients in cohort A was 11.2 months vs 10.5 months for patients in cohort B. PFS was 8.5 months vs 5.2, respectively. There was no statistical difference in either comparison.ConclusionThere was no impact of the introduction of newer chemotherapy agents in OS or PFS in patients treated in our institution. A small sample size and the fact that patients with poor performance status received chemotherapy could have had influenced the results of our study, in which tendency towards a better outcome for patients treated with newer chemotherapy schemes was observed, although a statistically significant benefit was not proven

ESTUDIO COMPARATIVO DE LOS TESTÍCULOS, EPIDÍDIMOS, GLÁNDULAS SEXUALES ACCESORIA S Y ESPERMATOZOIDES EN TRES ESPECIES DE LA GOMORFOS (ROMEROLAGUS DIAZI, LEPUS CA LIFORNICUS Y ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS).

A comparative study of the male reproductive organs and spermatozoa from three lagomorphs species, the volcano rabbit or Zacatuche (Romerolagus diazi), the black-tailed hare (Lepus californicus) and the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), was conducted. The animals were euthanased and their reproductive organs excised. Testes, epididymes and accessory sexual glands were isolated, removed of any of connective and other tissues and weighed. Caudal spermatozoa were obtained from the epididymal tail, counted, fixed and measured. The testicular mass was not related to body mass, but when considered as a percentage of body mass, the values for L. californicus and R. diazi were twice as large as that determined for O. cuniculus. The epididymal mass, when expressed as a percentage of the body mass, was highest in R. diazi and smallestin O. cuniculus. Spermatozoa counts from the epididymal tail were larger in L. californicus than in R. diazi or O. cuniculus. Lengths and widths of the spermatozoa head from R. diazi were larger than from O. cuniculus and L. californicus. Total length and tail length of caudal spermatozoa from O. cuniculus and R. diazi were found to be similar but larger than those recorded from L. californicus. This is the first such quantitative and comparative study of wild lagomorphs species from North A merica.Se hizo un estudio comparativo del aparato reproductor masculino entre tres especies de lagomorfos: el conejo zacatuche (Romerolagus diazi), la liebre cola negra (Lepus californicus)y el conejo doméstico (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Se extrajo el aparato reproductor de los especímenes sacrificados y los testículos, epidídimos y glándulas sexuales accesorias fueron aislados, liberados del tejido conectivo y pesados. Los espermatozoides de la cola del epidídimo fueron obtenidos por retroperfusión, contados, fijados y medidos, utilizando técnicas fotográficas. La masa testicular no estuvo relacionada con la masa corporal y, considerada como porcentaje en relación a la masa corporal, fue más de dos veces mayor en L. californicus y R. diazi que en O. cuniculus. La masa epididimaria, expresada como porcentaje de la masa corporal, fue más grande en R. diazi que en L. californicus y en O. cuniculus. Hubo más espermatozoides, en la cola del epidídimo, de L. californicus que en R. diazi o en O. cuniculus. El largo y ancho de la cabeza espermática de R. diazi, superaron a los de O. cuniculus y L. californicus. La longitud total y el largo de la cola espermática, fueron similares en O. cuniculus y R. diazi, mientras que los espermatozoides de L. californicus fueron menores. Los datos que se presentan en este estudio, son los primeros cuantitativos de testículos, epidídimos, glándulas sexuales accesorias y espermatozoides, de especies de lagomorfos silvestres de Norteamérica

Diferencias en la frecuencia cardíaca que presentan los jugadores de Tigres Sub-15 UANL en diferentes partidos oficiales

El presente estudio tiene como objetivo conocer las diferentes demandas de frecuencia cardiaca (FC) por posición en partidos oficiales categoría sub 15. Además de registrar el rendimiento con respecto a la FC. Se registro el rendimiento de los once jugadores durante seis partidos oficiales. Los resultados mostraron que dentro de los seis partidos registrados se establecieron diferentes frecuencias cardíacas, las cuales son factores determinantes a tomar en cuenta para la programación adecuada en el proceso de entrenamiento a través de las diferencias en los valores de FC entre las diferentes posicione

Synchronous Resection of Colon Adenocarcinoma and Bisegmentectomy of Liver Metastases

Colorectal cancer is one of the main neoplasms worldwide; at the time of diagnosis about 25% of cases already have an advanced stage with the presence of metastases. A 58-year-old female presented with nausea, vomiting, and black stools and diffuse abdominal pain associated with 7% weight loss. She was referred to our hospital with signs of digestive tract bleeding and anemic syndrome. Panendoscopy revealed body and fundus gastropathy and presence of Helicobacter pylori, and colonoscopy showed a neoplastic lesion at the ascending colon level. A synchronous resection was performed in a single surgical time of colorectal cancer and liver metastases with a duration of 4 h and bleeding of 900 mL. The oral feeding started 24 h after surgery, presenting gas channeling at 24 h and evacuations at 48 h. The total intrahospital stay was 5 days. Synchronous resection of hepatic metastases in colorectal cancer is still rarely performed, despite the fact that in recent years the number of cases has increased because of better surgical techniques. Synchronous resection of colorectal cancer and liver metastases can be performed safely, without increasing transoperative mortality when performed in specialized centers with a multidisciplinary team; however, it is essential to emphasize the importance of negative surgical margins (R0) of the primary tumor and later to be complemented with adjuvant treatment with chemotherapy

Calidad asistencial de la psicología clínica en el Servicio Andaluz de Salud evaluada por los facultativos

Objetivo: evaluación de la calidad asistencial de los servicios de psicología clínica en el Servicio Andaluz de Salud (SAS) desde la perspectiva de los/as facultativos/as. Método: investigación descriptiva; se elaboró un cuestionario de 39 ítems que evalúa diferentes dimensiones de la calidad asistencial (prevención, accesibilidad, idoneidad de intervenciones de evaluación y tratamiento, seguridad, y coordinación); han participado 83 facultativos/as especialistas de psicología clínica del SAS, lo que supone un 32’17% de la población de referencia en el momento de la recogida de datos.Resultados:la calidad asistencial actual de las prestaciones de psicología clínica en el SAS, partiendo de una ratio de 3,05 facultativos por cada100.000 habitantes, es deficiente, sobre todo en las variables de prevención, intensidad de las intervenciones de tratamiento y seguridad, y especialmente preocupante en los dispositivos del segundo nivel asistencial.Conclusiones: es urgente aumentar el número de profesionales especialistas en psicología clínica por cada 100.000 habitantes para reducir el riesgo que supone para los usuarios la deficiente intensidad con que se practican los tratamientos psicológicos; asimismo, es necesario establecer estándares de la carga de trabajo de los psicólogos clínicos para poder ofrecer una calidad asistencial adecuada, e integrar indicadores medibles de calidad en los sistemas de información de salud mental.Objective: Evaluation of healthcare quality of clinical psychology services in the Andalusian Health Service (SAS) from the perspective of the facultative. Method: Descriptive research. For data collection, a 39-item questionnaire was developed that assesses various dimensions of quality (prevention, accessibility, suitability of evaluation and treatment interventions, safety, and care coordination). A sample of 83 clinical psychologists responded to the questionnaire, representing 32.17% of the reference population, 258 facultative who, at the time of data collection make up the SAS staff. Results: The current quality of care of clinical psychology services in the SAS, based on a ratio of 3.05 clinical psychologists per 100,000 inhabitants, is deficient, especially in the dimensions of prevention, intensity of treatment interventions, and safety, and worrisome in the 2nd level of care. Conclusions: It is urgent to increase the ratio of clinical psychologists/100,000 inhabitants to reduce the risk posed for users by the deficient intensity with which psychological treatments are currently practiced. It is necessary to esta-blish standards for the workload of clinical psychologists in order to offer an adequate quality of care, and to integrate measurable indicators of quality in mental health information systems

Comparación de la castración quirúrgica al nacimiento versus inmunocastración sobre el comportamiento conductual y parámetros sanguíneos (testosterona y cortisol) en machos Holstein en engorda

The behavioural response and blood parameters were compared in immunocastrated and surgically castrated bovine males. In total, 720 Holstein males, 7-8 months old and approximately 240 kg body weight were used. One group was immunocastrated by vaccination with Bopriva (commercial anti-GnRH vaccine) on days 1, 21, 101 and 181 days of the fattening and the other group was surgically castrated at birth. Blood samples were taken on vaccination days for testosterone determination and on days 181 and during slaughtering to analyse blood cortisol. Sexual behaviour (mounts and flehmen signs) and aggressive (threats and head butting) and social behaviour (sniffing, grooming, lowered head, and vocalization) were evaluated, finding no significant differences between treatments. Testosterone concentration in both treatments was below 1 ng/ml in all samples. Cortisol levels on day 181 of fattening were lower (p<0.05) with respect to the day of slaughtering in both treatments. Slaughter weight (242 days fattening) was 595.0 kg in immunocastrated males and 620.74 kg in surgically castrated males.Se comparó el comportamiento conductual y parámetros sanguíneos en toros inmunocastrados y quirúrgicamente castrados. Se utilizaron 720 machos Holstein de 7-8 meses de edad y peso aproximado de 240 kg. Un grupo fue inmunocastrado mediante vacunación con Bopriva (vacuna comercial anti-GnRH) los días 1, 21, 101 y 181 días de engorda y el otro grupo fue castrado quirúrgicamente al nacimiento. Se tomaron muestras de sangre los días de las vacunaciones para la determinación de testosterona y los días 181 y durante el desangrado en el sacrificio para analizar cortisol sanguíneo. Se evaluó el comportamiento sexual (montas y signos de flehmen), agresivo (amenazas y topetazos) y social (olfateos, acicalamiento, cabeza baja y vocalizaciones) no encontrándose diferencias significativas entre tratamientos. La concentración de testosterona en ambos tratamientos fue por debajo de 1 ng/ml en todos los muestreos. Los niveles de cortisol en el día 181 de engorda fueron más bajos (p<0.05) con respecto al día de sacrificio en ambos tratamientos. El peso al sacrificio (242 días de engorda) fue de 595.0 kg en machos inmunocastrados y 620.74 kg en castrados quirúrgicamente