05). Low-frequency ultrasound combined with microbubbles could be used as a method to promote gene transfection in prostate cancer cells. Low-frequency ultrasound combined with microbubbles could be used as a method to promote gene transfection in prostate cancer cells. This study aimed to describe the interactions between healthcare robots and older persons in two selected institutions. A qualitative descriptive analysis study using simultaneous observations of healthcare robot and older person interactions was conducted at two healthcare institutions in Japan. The Pepper robot equipped with Care Prevention Gymnastics Exercise programs was used in two situations (a) exercise regimen led by Pepper; and (b) interactive dialogue between Pepper and older persons during the exercise process. These interactions were recorded using audiovisual equipment and analyzed using content analysis thereby revealing four thematic categories. Interpretation and discussion were structured based on assumptions of the Transactive Relationship Theory of Nursing. The analysis revealed four thematic categories (a) intermediary participation of healthcare practitioners; (b) technologies of care for practice; (c) human-robot interactions involving artificial intelligence; and (d) valuing safety in nursing through technology. Interactions between healthcare robots and older persons may improve quality of care. However, issues regarding fidelity and functionality of dialogic conversations, and ensuring safety and security of using healthcare robots are recognized as critical nursing practice concerns in healthcare robot use in institutional settings. Interactions between healthcare robots and older persons may improve quality of care. However, issues regarding fidelity and functionality of dialogic conversations, and ensuring safety and security of using healthcare robots are recognized as critical nursing practice concerns in healthcare robot use in institutional settings. While neoadjuvant chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) for pancreatic head cancer are effective, preoperative endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) is necessary for managing obstructive jaundice and cholangitis during the preoperative waiting period. Nevertheless, ideal choice of stent type is unclear. We compared plastic stents (PS) and metal stents (MS) in these situations. We retrospectively studied 43 patients who successfully underwent preoperative EBD prior to NACRT for pancreatic head cancer at a single institution. We divided patients into PS (n=22) and MS (n=21) groups. The primary outcome was the rate of re-interventional drainage rate before surgery. https://www.selleckchem.com/Akt.html Secondary outcomes were rates of EBD-associated and postoperative complications and total costs in the pre- and perioperative periods. The re-intervention rate was significantly greater in the PS group than in the MS group (95% vs 4.8%, respectively, P<0.05). EBD-associated and postoperative complications were significantly less common in the MS group (P<0.05). The average total preoperative medical costs were significantly lower in the MS group (PS vs MS 528,597 vs 395,891 JPY, P=0.004). MS can be the first choice for EBD in patients undergoing NACRT for pancreatic head cancer. MS may be less costly overall. MS can be the first choice for EBD in patients undergoing NACRT for pancreatic head cancer. MS may be less costly overall. Culex quinquefasciatus resistance to the binary toxin from Lysinibacillus sphaericus larvicides can occur because of mutations in the cqm1 gene that prevents the expression of the toxin receptor, Cqm1 α-glucosidase. In a resistant laboratory-selected colony maintained for more than 250 generations, cqm1 and cqm1 resistance alleles were identified. The major allele initially found, cqm1 , became minor and was replaced by cqm1 . This study aimed to investigate the features associated with homozygous larvae for each allele to understand the reasons for the allele replacement and to generate knowledge on resistance to microbial larvicides. Homozygous larvae for each allele were compared. Both larvae displayed the same level of resistance to the binary toxin (3500-fold); therefore, a change in phenotype was not the reason for the replacement observed. The lack of Cqm1 expression did not reduce the total specific α-glucosidase activity for homozygous cqm1 and cqm1 larvae, which were statistically similar to the susceptible strain, using artificial or natural substrates. The expression of eight Cqm1 paralog α-glucosidases was demonstrated in resistant and susceptible larvae. Bioassays in which cqm1 or cqm1 homozygous larvae were reared under stressful conditions showed that most adults produced were cqm1 homozygous (69%). Comparatively, in the offspring of a heterozygous sub-colony reared under optimal conditions for 20 generations, the cqm1 allele assumed a higher frequency (0.72). Homozygous larvae for each allele exhibited a similar resistant phenotype. However, they presented specific advantages that might favor their selection and can be used in designing resistance management practices. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry. Homozygous larvae for each allele exhibited a similar resistant phenotype. However, they presented specific advantages that might favor their selection and can be used in designing resistance management practices. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry. Heavy alcohol drinking is associated with pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is initiated by the damage to the pancreatic acinar cells. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been shown to play an important role in alcohol-induced pancreatic damage. Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) is an ER stress-inducible protein. The aim of the study was to determine whether MANF can ameliorate alcohol-induced ER stress and cellular damages to pancreatic acinar cells. Alcohol-induced damage to mouse pancreatic 266-6 acinar cells was determined by MTT and flow cytometry. MANF expression was downregulated by MANF siRNA using the Neon Transfection System. The overexpression of MANF was performed by the infection with the adenoviral vector carrying mouse MANF gene. The expression of ER stress markers was determined by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. Alcohol caused ER stress, oxidative stress and induced apoptosis of 266-6 acinar cells. Recombinant human MANF alleviated alcohol-induced ER stress and cell death by inhibiting IRE1-caspase 12-caspase 3 apoptotic pathway.