Interpersonal reactivity index: analysis of invariance and gender differences in spanish youths.

Empathy is understood as a multidimensional construct involving both cognitive and emotional factors for which, traditionally, gender differences have been reported. The Interpersonal Reactivity Index (Davis in Catalog Sel Documents Psychol 10:1-19, 1980) is an instrument made up of four subscales, each measuring a different dimension of the global concept of empathy. Attending to gender differences, the present study's objective is twofold. First, it aims to determine, conceptually speaking, whether or not the model analyzed by this instrument is equivalent for the two sexes. Second, it aims to determine which dimensions involved in empathy most strongly predict gender differences. The results convey that the proposed model is invariant between boys and girls, although the dimensions exhibited significant differences of magnitude as a function of sex. Mainly two variables (Considerate Social Style and Impassiveness) were capable of distinguishing between men and women. Possible reasons for these results are also discussed.

Diferentes dominios de la autoeficacia percibida en relación con la agresividad adolescente / The various domains of perceived selfefficiency in connection with aggression in young people

Se estudia la relación entre distintos dominios de la autoeficacia percibida y las conductas agresivas manifiestas. La muestra está compuesta por 543 niños una relación significativa entre estas dos variables. La autoeficacia académica, lúdica y en la petición de apoyo son las variables que modulaban las diferencias encontradas en los niveles de agresividad. Atendiendo al carácter predictivo de los distintos dominios de autoeficacia, la autoeficacia académica fue la variable que predijo un mayor porcentaje de varianza explicada en la agresividad y, en menor medida, la autoeficacia en el deporte (AU)

[Respiratory changes during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A comparative study of three techniques]. / Alteraciones respiratorias durante la colecistectomía laparoscópica. Estudio comparativo de tres técnicas anestésicas.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the repercussions of CO2 pneumoperitoneum on the ventilation of healthy patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy; to assess the influence of anesthetic technique and determine whether duration of procedure or CO2 volume are relevant factors. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Prospective study of 132 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The patients were selected based on disease and level of anesthetic risk and then randomly assigned to three groups to receive anesthesia with oxygen/nitrous oxide (group I), isoflurane in O2 and air (FIO2 0.4) (group II) or propofol in continuous infusion with O2 and air (FIO2 0.4) (group III). Analgesia and muscle relaxation were the same in all groups. Monitoring included blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), electrocardiography (ECG), central venous pressure (CVP), capnography (PETco2), pulse oximetry (SaO2), peak airways pressure (PAP), FIO2, intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), volume in insufflated CO2 and serial gasometry. Readings were taken before pneumoperitoneum after 20 minutes and every 30 minutes until end of surgery. After surgery parameters were recorded four more times at intervals of 30 minutes. RESULTS: The groups were homogeneous. pneumoperitoneum caused a decrease in PaO2 (p < 0.001) and SaO2 and increases in PaCO2, PETco2 and CVP, although levels later stabilized. No relation was found between duration of pneumoperitoneum or CO2 volumen and any of the changes observed. Group I had the lowest mean PaO2 before pneumoperitoneum and 60 minutes later (p < 0.05). Group II had the smallest increase in PaCO2, although the difference was non significant. CONCLUSIONS: CO2 pneumoperitoneum caused ventilatory changes dependent on uptake and increased abdominal pressure. The duration and volume of CO2 used did not influence the parameters studied. The clinical significance of these changes is slight in the healthy patient. The anesthetic agents used did not have substantial effects.