Establishment of a New Cell Line from Lepidopteran Epidermis and Hormonal Regulation on the Genes

When an insect molts, old cuticle on the outside of the integument is shed by apolysis and a new cuticle is formed under the old one. This process is completed by the epidermal cells which are controlled by 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and juvenile hormone. To understand the molecular mechanisms of integument remolding and hormonal regulation on the gene expression, an epidermal cell line from the 5th instar larval integument of Helicoverpa armigera was established and named HaEpi. The cell line has been cultured continuously for 82 passages beginning on June 30, 2005 until now. Cell doubling time was 64 h. The chromosomes were granular and the chromosome mode was from 70 to 76. Collagenase I was used to detach the cells from the flask bottom. Non-self pathogen AcMNPV induced the cells to apoptosis. The cell line was proved to be an epidermal cell line based on its unique gene expression pattern. It responded to 20E and the non-steroidal ecdysone agonist RH-2485. Its gene expression could be knocked down using RNA interference. Various genes in the cell line were investigated based on their response to 20E. This new cell line represents a platform for investigating the 20E signaling transduction pathway, the immune response mechanism in lepidopteran epidermis and interactions of the genes

The Experience and Perceptions of Sexual Harassment Against Women in Public Transportation: The Case of Mexico City

Background: A recent poll placed Mexico City as the second most unsafe city for female passengers. Evidence suggests that 65% of women in Mexico City experience gender-based violence (GBV) while traveling in the public transportation system. Methods: In December 2014, as part of a pilot evaluation of an intervention, “Hazme el Paro”, seeking to promote safer environments and reduce the incidence of GBV for women traveling by bus, we surveyed 1,509 randomly selected women and men on two of the city’s busiest bus routes. Results: Our findings indicate that, while traveling by bus, 58% of women have experienced GBV whereas 67% of men reported having witnessed GBV against women. Moreover, 18% of passengers reported believing that it is dangerous for women to travel alone. Among women, factors that significantly predicted perceived risk of traveling alone include personal experience with GBV (OR=1.92, 95% CI=1.12-3.31), having observed GBV against other women (OR=1.64, 95% CI=1.10-2.47) and the belief that women are personally responsible for their experience of GBV (victim blaming) (OR=1.80, 95% CI=1.15-2.84). For men, having observed GBV against women (OR=6.41, 95% CI=3.41-12.04) was the only predictor significantly associated with perceived risk for women traveling alone. Conclusion: To improve the safety of women traveling in public transportation and reduce the incidence of GBV among female passengers in Mexico City, efforts should be targeted towards changing the social norms that sanction aggression towards women, specifically reducing victim blaming as this behavior inhibits reporting, encouraging effective nonviolent intervention by drivers and passengers, and improving the mechanisms for reporting perpetrators