Background: Mef2c gene expression is significantly diminished in the retinas of NRL (neural retina leucine zipper) knockout mice. Results: NRL binding, RNA polymerase II association, and acetylation of histone H3, revealed a novel alternate Mef2c promoter. Conclusions: Activation of the retinal Mef2c promoter is NRL-dependent and specific to rod photoreceptor cells. Significance: Mef2c represents a novel regulatory node downstream of NRL in adult rod photoreceptor cells.

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Staphylococcus aureus is a microorganism of great health risk because of its high resistance to antibiotics. Methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA) are most at risk, especially in hospital patients and children. In recent years, it has been shown that a combination therapy of two or more drugs is more efective than monotherapy traditional. Furthermore, it has also been seen that many natural substances and plant extracts can inhibit the MRSA growth and other microorganisms. However, litle has been studied about the combinations of diferent extracts or extracts combination with other commonly used drugs. The purpose of this work was to evaluate of extracts of propolis with garlic, oregano and ciproloxacin to inhibit growth of MRSA strains, using isobolographic method. The results showed that combinations of garlic with propolis inhibit the growth of MRSA, but only in small concentrations. High concentrations of these two extracts appear to have an antagonistic efect. Combinations of propolis and oregano show a synergistic efect at any concentration. Finally, the combination of propolis with ciproloxacin has an antagonistic efect. The action of ciproloxacin is decreased when was combined with propolis.Health professionals should know this to warn patients when they use a natural resource, especially if a drug is being administered.

Pumpkin pulp is the main waste generated by pumpkin seed growers. This agro‐industrial waste is a valuable source of bioactive compounds, especially carotenoids (β‐carotene, α‐carotene, and lutein), which exhibit a broad spectrum of health‐promoting effects. In this study, vegetable oils (canola, corn, and soybean oil) were used as green solvent alternatives to conventional organic solvents for carotenoid extraction from dried pumpkin pulp (DPP) waste. The highest carotenoid extraction yield (CEY) was obtained with canola oil, at a 1:10 DPP/oil ratio. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the extraction process parameters (temperature, time, and stirring rate) through a Box‐Behnken design (BBD) maximizing CEY in canola oil. The extraction temperature and stirring rate were found to have a significant linear and quadratic effect, respectively, on CEY. Optimum conditions were achieved at 21.8 min, 250 rpm, and 60°C. Under these optimized conditions, the estimated value for CEY was 378.1 µg β‐carotene equivalents/g of DPP, corresponding to 61.6% of the total carotenoid content present in the DPP. In contrast, the observed experimental value was 373.2 µg β‐carotene equivalents/g of DPP (61.2%). The experimental value was very close to the estimated value, which verifies the model's adequacy and fit. This study shows an alternative method to extract carotenoids from DPP with canola oil, obtaining an oil naturally enriched with carotenoids that could be used as a potential functional ingredient in the development of food, cosmetics, and medicinal products. Practical Application Pumpkin by‐products are a potential carotenoid source. Vegetable oil can be used as an alternative solvent for carotenoid extraction from pumpkin residues to obtain an enriched carotenoid oil that can be used to formulate food products.