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.

No abstract

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.

Methanol, chloroform and aqueous extracts from Senna villosa were tested in vitro against epimastigote and trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. Methanol and chloroform extracts were found to possess significant activity against both forms of the parasite, while chloroform extract at doses of 1.65, 3.3, and 6.6 mg=mL demonstrated activity similar to gentian violet and allopurinol.

Introducción: El uso excesivo de antibióticos ha traído el aumento de resistencia en los microorganismos patógenos que provocan mortalidad de los pacientes. Por lo consiguiente, la búsqueda de nuevas estrategias naturales y no convencionales se ha vuelto constante e importante. El objetivo: fue determinar la actividad antimicrobiana contra Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina (SARM)  de los propóleos recolectados por abejas sin aguijón, incluyendo la combinación de estos con Allium sativum. Métodos: Se analizaron nueve extractos etanólicos de propóleos al 20% de las abejas sin aguijón Melipona beecheii (2), Melipona Solani (1), Tetragonisca angustula (1) y Scaptotrigona mexicana (5). La caracterización química se realizó por HPLC-QQQ/MS/MS. Las pruebas de resistencia microbiana utilizando el método de macrodilución y las combinaciones por estudios isobolográficos. 16 compuestos de interés fueron detectados (11 destacan como los más abundantes, entre ellos ácidos hidroxicinámicos, flavanonas, flavonoides y sus derivados glicosilados). Resultados: Cuatro de los 9 propóleos resultaron efectivos contra SARM, los cuales fueron Melipona solani y 3 de Scaptotrigona mexicana. La CMI para S. mexicana está en el rango de 3-8 mg mL-1 y para M. solani fue de 4 mg mL-1. Los estudios isobolográficos dieron como resultado un efecto aditivo (ɤ=1) para la combinación de Allium sativum con los 3 propóleos de S. mexicana y un efecto antagónico (ɤ>1) para la combinación de A. sativum con el propóleo de M. solani. Conclusión: la combinación de ambos extractos a combinaciones bajas puede ser más efectiva que usando la CE50 de los extractos de forma individual. Se requieren estudios más detallados para definir los mecanismos de los propóleos de las abejas sin aguijón así como su combinación con otras sustancias orgánicas.

Recent studies have shown the potential application of ivermectins in the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Ivermectin is a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of P2X4R and this molecule exerts its action in the transmembrane region (known as the TM region) of trimeric channel structure (the pocket formed by Asp331, Met336, Trp46, Trp50, and Tyr42). The aim of this study is to identify FDA drugs with potential PAM properties, by exploring the P2X4Rs from four organisms (Danio rerio, Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus, and Homo sapiens). The in silico study consists of carrying out the molecular docking of 1656 FDA‐approved drugs on the structure of P2X4R, using the commercially available compounds from the ZINC15 database for virtual screening. To strengthen the reliability of the results, two docking protocols were used involving the use of two programs, Autodock 4.2 and Autodock Vina. Nine FDA drugs with potential PAM properties were identified. In addition, eight molecules with potential negative allosteric modulator (NAM) action, and 13 molecules with potential allosteric modulator (AM) action were identified. The FDA drugs identified in this study with PAM, NAM, and AM action, shared in the P2X4Rs of the four organisms, can provide a guideline to proceed with research concerning new drugs for the study and treatment of AUD.

Atorvastatin treatment and arsenic exposure alone are capable of generating apoptosis in pancreatic β-cells of Wistar rats with T2D. Together, all of these factors induce apoptosis in pancreatic cells.