Daily Heterosexist Experiences in LGBTQ+ Adults from Spain: Measurement, Prevalence, and Clinical Implications

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals face unique stressors related to their sexual and gender identities that have a detrimental impact on their mental health. Nonetheless, studies have not yet investigated these minority stressors among LGBTQ+ individuals from Spain. The limited availability of standardized tools/ instruments to measure minority stressors in Spanish makes it challenging to explore these experiences among Spanish speaking individuals. The present study aimed to examine the factor structure of the Daily Heterosexist Experiences Questionnaire (DHEQ) among LGBTQ+ adults from Spain, compare rates of minority stressors across diverse gender and sexual orientations, and examine the impact of daily heterosexist experiences (henceforth referred to as heterosexist experiences) on symptoms of depression and suicidal behavior. The sample was composed of 509 LGBTQ+ identifying adults in the age range of 18 to 60 years old. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good fit for the six dimensions of the DHEQ scale. Individuals identified as transgender or reporting a minority sexual orientation (i.e., asexual, pansexual) indicated higher levels of exposure to heterosexist experiences. Moreover, those with higher levels of heterosexist experiences had higher symptoms of depression and suicide behavior. The present study provides a tool for examining minority stressors in Spanish speaking LGBTQ+ adults. Assessing for minority stressors may aid in the identification of risk and protective factors when working with LGBTQ+ treatment seeking adults. - Las personas lesbianas, gais, bisexuales, transexuales y queer (LGBTQ+) enfrentan en su día a día estresores únicos relacionados con sus identidades sexuales y de género que pueden perjudicar a su salud mental. Sin embargo, no hay investigación que explore estos estresores minoritarios en población LGBTQ+ de España. La limitada disponibilidad de instrumentos estandarizados para medir los estresores minoritarios/experiencias heterosexistas en español dificulta hoy en día explorar estas experiencias en las personas de habla hispana. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo examinar la estructura factorial del Cuestionario de Experiencias Heterosexistas Diarias (DHEQ, según sus siglas en inglés) en adultos LGBTQ+ de España, comparar las tasas de experiencias heterosexistas en diversas identidades de género y orientaciones sexuales y examinar el impacto de las experiencias heterosexistas en los síntomas de depresión y comportamiento suicida. La muestra constaba de 509 adultos LGBTQ+ en el rango de edad de 18 a 60 años. El análisis factorial confirmatorio indica un buen ajuste para las seis dimensiones de la escala DHEQ. Las personas que se identificaron como trans o con una orientación sexual minoritaria (por ejemplo, asexual, pansexual) indicaban mayores niveles de exposición a experiencias heterosexistas. Además, niveles más altos de experiencias heterosexistas se asocian a mayores síntomas de depresión y comportamiento suicida. El presente estudio proporciona una herramienta para examinar experiencias heterosexistas en población adulta LGBTQ+ de habla hispana. La evaluación de experiencias heterosexistas puede ayudar en la identificación de factores de riesgo y de protección cuando se trabaja con adultos LGBTQ+ en el ámbito clínico

Experiences of Microaggressions, Discrimination, & Exclusion within the LGBTQ+ Community in Spain

Microaggressions are a regular occurrence for many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other gender/sexuality minority (LGBTQ+) people. Microaggressions refer to verbal, behavioral, and environmental discrimination that are perpetrated against minorities and can often have mental health implications for victims. Traditionally research on microaggressions towards LGBTQ+ people has examined how a heterodominant population is discriminatory towards this minority group. Therefore in this study we aimed to characterize within group discrimination and microaggressions experienced by LGBTQ+ adults in Spain through interviews (n=18) and the LGBT People of Color Microaggressions (LGBT POC) Scale questionnaire (n=514). Participants reported biphobia, transphobia, internalized heteronormativity, strict gender roles, and racism. Findings provide insight into challenges within the Spanish LGBTQ+ community and serve as a starting point for future research and mental health initiatives

The role of complex PTSD in the associations between minority stressors and selfreport suicide likelihood among LGBTQ+ adults

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans- and queer individuals (LGBTQ+) report higher rates of suicide-related behaviors when compared to heterosexual cisgender individuals. The minority stress theory proposes that the suicide risk disparities among LGBTQ+ individuals may be explained by the additional exposure to stressors unique to their minority sexual orientation and gender identity. However, less is known about the mechanism of minority stressors and suicide risk among LGBTQ+ individuals that have been exposed to trauma. The present study aimed to explore the role of the ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (disturbances in selforganization; DSO+PTSD) in the associations between minority stressors and suicide behaviors in a sample of 229 LGBTQ+ adults from Spain. Mediation analyses were conducted in Mplus 8.4 to test the impact of PTSD and DSO on the association between minority stressors and the self-report likelihood of suicide intent. Results indicated that the cumulative daily heterosexist experiences had an impact on the likelihood of suicide through disturbances of self-organization (DSO). Specifically, discrimination due to gender expression and isolation due to sexual/gender identity increased the DSO symptoms which in turn increased the likelihood of suicide behavior. Exploring minority stressors and targeting the components related to DSO, such as negative selfconcept, affective dysregulation, and disturbances in relationships, may help clinicians to improve interventions to reduce suicide-related behavior

Metastability effects on the photoluminescence of ZnO nano-micro structures grown at low temperature and influence of the precursors on their morphology and structure

Nanocrystalline ZnO films were grown on silicon substrate by hydrothermal synthesis at 125 °C, using diethanolamine as stabilizer. A powder containing ZnO spheres, with diameters between 100 to 200 nm and formed by aggregation of ZnO nanoparticles, was also obtained as a secondary reaction product. The samples were studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The effects of the [diethanolamine]/[Zn+2] molar ratio on morphological, structural and optical properties were studied, as well as the effect of laser illumination (=325 nm) and annealing treatment on photoluminescence properties. The film samples exhibited a compact columnar structure, with thickness between 180 to 210 nm, which were not strongly affected by the diethanolamine concentration. The X-ray diffraction patterns from the films evidenced preferred orientation along the c-axis of the ZnO wurzite structure; while the nanospheres did not show any preferential crystalline direction. The PL spectra from the films showed large initial UV emission and a weak defect band centered in the yellow. A PL evolution while the samples were UV illuminated, attributed to oxygen vacancy generation following the photoinduced equilibration of metastable structures, was observed.Fil: Gonzalez, Vanessa. Instituto de Física del Noroeste Argentino, INFINOA (CONICET-UNT); Argentina. NanoProject - LNPD, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Marín Ramírez, Oscar Alonso. Instituto de Física del Noroeste Argentino, INFINOA (CONICET-UNT); Argentina. NanoProject - LAFISO, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Tirado, Monica Cecilia. Instituto de Física del Noroeste Argentino, INFINOA (CONICET-UNT); Argentina. NanoProject - LNPD, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Comedi, David Mario. NanoProject - LAFISO, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; Argentina. Instituto de Física del Noroeste Argentino, INFINOA (CONICET-UNT); Argentin

Latent Classes of Bidirectional Face-to-Face and Cyber Intimate Partner Violence Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Emerging Adults: The Role of Minority Stressors

The rates of intimate partner violence have been found to be higher among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals when compared with heterosexual populations. However, lesser is known about the impact of specific minority stressors experienced by LGB populations on their face-to-face intimate partner violence (IPV) and cyber IPV experiences. Using a three-step latent class approach, the present study investigated (i) the latent classes of self-reported types of face-to-face IPV and cyber IPV perpetration and victimization and (ii) their associations with LGB distal and proximal minority stressors (i.e., vicarious trauma, discrimination, family rejection, and LGB-identity disclosure). Participants were 288 LGB emerging adults in the age range of 18-29 years (bisexual: n = 168, gay: n = 72, and lesbian: n = 48). Findings showed the presence of four latent classes, namely, face-to-face IPV (n = 32; 37.5% gay, 18.8% lesbian, and 43.8% bisexual individuals), cyber IPV (n = 66; 33.3% gay, 12.1% lesbian, and 54.5% bisexual individuals), psychological and stalking cyber IPV (n = 89; 15.7% gay, 15.7% lesbian, and 68.5% bisexual individuals), and low IPV (n = 101; 23.8% gay, 19.8% lesbian, and 56.4% bisexual individuals). Furthermore, multinomial logistic regressions indicated that greater exposure to the minority stressors such as exposure to heterosexism, namely, discrimination and harassment, rejection from one\u27s family of origin, and exposure to vicarious trauma, as well as a lower degree of LGB-identity disclosure, largely predicted latent classes with greater probabilities of IPV exposure, namely, cyber IPV, face-to-face IPV classes, and psychological and stalking cyber IPV. Findings suggest the importance of addressing the role of minority stressors in IPV interventions and the creation of competent LGB-related services and training modules for clinicians

Altered Glycosylation Contributes to Placental Dysfunction Upon Early Disruption of the NK Cell-DC Dynamics

Immune cells [e. g., dendritic cells (DC) and natural killer (NK) cells] are critical players during the pre-placentation stage for successful mammalian pregnancy. Proper placental and fetal development relies on balanced DC-NK cell interactions regulating immune cell homing, maternal vascular expansion, and trophoblast functions. Previously, we showed thatin vivodisruption of the uterine NK cell-DC balance interferes with the decidualization process, with subsequent impact on placental and fetal development leading to fetal growth restriction. Glycans are essential determinants of reproductive health and the glycocode expressed in a particular compartment (e.g., placenta) is highly dependent on the cell type and its developmental and pathological state. Here, we aimed to investigate the maternal and placental glycovariation during the pre- and post-placentation period associated with disruption of the NK cell-DC dynamics during early pregnancy. We observed that depletion of NK cells was associated with significant increases of O- and N-linked glycosylation and sialylation in the decidual vascular zone during the pre-placental period, followed by downregulation of core 1 and poly-LacNAc extended O-glycans and increased expression of branched N-glycans affecting mainly the placental giant cells and spongiotrophoblasts of the junctional zone. On the other hand, expansion of DC induced a milder increase of Tn antigen (truncated form of mucin-type O-glycans) and branched N-glycan expression in the vascular zone, with only modest changes in the glycosylation pattern during the post-placentation period. In both groups, this spatiotemporal variation in the glycosylation pattern of the implantation site was accompanied by corresponding changes in galectin-1 expression. Our results show that pre- and post- placentation implantation sites have a differential glycopattern upon disruption of the NK cell-DC dynamics, suggesting that immune imbalance early in gestation impacts placentation and fetal development by directly influencing the placental glycocode

Influence of different organoclays on the curing, morphology, and dynamic mechanical properties of an epoxy adhesive

The thermal, mechanical, and adhesive properties of nanoclay-modified adhesives were investigated. Two organically modified montmorillonites: Cloisite 93A (C93A) and Nanomer I.30E (I.30E) were used as reinforcement of an epoxy adhesive. C93A and I.30E are modified with tertiary and primary alkyl ammonium cations, respectively. The aim was to study the influence of the organoclays on the curing, and on the mechanical and adhesive properties of the nanocomposites. A specific goal was to compare their behavior with that of Cloisite30B/epoxy and Cloisite15A/ epoxy nanocomposites that we have previously studied. Both C30B and C15A are modified with quaternary alkyl ammonium cations. Differential scanning calorimetry results showed that the clays accelerate the curing reaction, an effect that is related to the chemical structure of the ammonium cations. The three Cloisite/nanocomposites showed intercalated clay structures,the interlayer distance was independent of the clay content. The I.30E/epoxy nanocomposites presented exfoliated structure due to the catalytic effect of the organic modifier. Clay-epoxy nanocompo-sites showed lower glass transition temperature (Tg) and higher values of storage modulus than neat epoxy thermoset, with no significant differences between exfoliated or intercalated nanocom-posites. The shear strength of aluminum joints using clay/epoxy adhesives was lower than with the neat epoxy adhesive. The wáter aging was less damaging for joints with I.30E/epoxy adhesive

Ternary nanocomposites: curing, morphology and mechanical properties of epoxy/thermoplastic/organoclay systems

The influence of two organically modified montmorillonites on the curing, morphology and mechanical properties of epoxy/poly(vinyl acetate)/organoclay ternary nanocomposites was studied. The organoclays and poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) provoked contrary effects on the epoxy curing reaction. Ternary nanocomposites developed different morphologies depending on the PVAc content, that were similar to those observed in the epoxy/PVAc binary blends. The organoclays were only located in the epoxy phase independently of the morphology. All nanocomposites showed intercalated structures with similar clay interlayer distances. Both PVAC and organoclays lowered the Tg of the epoxy phase, the presence of clays did not influence the Tg of the PVAc phase. The addition of the organoclays to the epoxy improved stiffness but lowered ductility while the adition of PVAc improved toughness although reduced stiffness of epoxy thermoset. Ternary nanocomposites exhibited optimal properties that combine the favourable effects of the clay and the thermoplastic

\u3cem\u3eluxS\u3c/em\u3e in bacteria isolated from 25- to 40-million-year-old amber

Interspecies bacterial communication is mediated by autoinducer-2, whose synthesis depends on luxS. Due to the apparent universality of luxS (present in more than 40 bacterial species), it may have an ancient origin; however, no direct evidence is currently available. We amplified luxS in bacteria isolated from 25- to 40-million-year-old amber. The phylogenies and molecular clocks of luxS and the 16S rRNA gene from ancient and extant bacteria were determined as well. Luminescence assays using Vibrio harveyi BB170 aimed to determine the activity of luxS. While the phylogeny of luxS was very similar to that of extant Bacillus spp., amber isolates exhibited unique 16S rRNA gene phylogenies. This suggests that luxS may have been acquired by horizontal transfer millions of years ago. Molecular clocks of luxS suggest slow evolutionary rates, similar to those of the 16S rRNA gene and consistent with a conserved gene. Dendograms of the 16S rRNA gene and luxS show two separate clusters for the extant and ancient bacteria, confirming the uniqueness of the latter group

NK cell-derived IL-10 is critical for DC-NK cell dialogue at the maternal- fetal interface

DC-NK cell interactions are thought to influence the development of maternal tolerance and de novo angiogenesis during early gestation. However, it is unclear which mechanism ensures the cooperative dialogue between DC and NK cells at the feto-maternal interface. In this article, we show that uterine NK cells are the key source of IL-10 that is required to regulate DC phenotype and pregnancy success. Upon in vivo expansion of DC during early gestation, NK cells expressed increased levels of IL-10. Exogenous administration of IL-10 was sufficient to overcome early pregnancy failure in dams treated to achieve simultaneous DC expansion and NK cell depletion. Remarkably, DC expansion in IL-10−/− dams provoked pregnancy loss, which could be abrogated by the adoptive transfer of IL-10+/+ NK cells and not by IL-10−/− NK cells. Furthermore, the IL-10 expressing NK cells markedly enhanced angiogenic responses and placental development in DC expanded IL-10−/− dams. Thus, the capacity of NK cells to secrete IL-10 plays a unique role facilitating the DC- NK cell dialogue during the establishment of a healthy gestation