Centrifugal partition chromatography: A preparative tool for isolation and purification of xylindein from Chlorociboria aeruginosa.

A centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) method was developed for the preparative-scale isolation and purification of xylindein from the wood-staining fungi, Chlorociboria aeruginosa. Xylindein, a blue-green pigment naturally secreted from the hyphae and fruiting bodies of the fungus, has great value in the decorative wood industry and textile coloration. Xylindein has great potential for use as a fluorescent labeling agent as well as in organic semiconductor applications.

Detection of water contamination from hydraulic fracturing wastewater: a μPAD for bromide analysis in natural waters.

Due to the rapid expansion in hydraulic fracturing (fracking), there is a need for robust, portable and specific water analysis techniques. Early detection of contamination is crucial for the prevention of lasting environmental damage. Bromide can potentially function as an early indicator of water contamination by fracking waste, because there is a high concentration of bromide ions in fracking wastewaters.

Wood Colorization through Pressure Treating: The Potential of Extracted Colorants from Spalting Fungi as a Replacement for Woodworkers' Aniline Dyes.

The extracellular colorants produced by , , and , three commonly utilized spalting fungi, were tested against a standard woodworker's aniline dye to determine if the fungal colorants could be utilized in an effort to find a naturally occurring replacement for the synthetic dye. Fungal colorants were delivered in two methods within a pressure treater-the first through solubilization of extracted colorants in dichloromethane, and the second via liquid culture consisting of water, malt, and the actively growing fungus. Visual external evaluation of the wood test blocks showed complete surface coloration of all wood species with all colorants, with the exception of the green colorant (xylindein) from in liquid culture, which did not produce a visible surface color change.

Abrogation of PIK3CA or PIK3R1 reduces proliferation, migration, and invasion in glioblastoma multiforme cells.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly invasive and deadly brain tumor. Tumor cell invasion makes complete surgical resection impossible and reduces the efficacy of other therapies. Genome-wide analyses of mutations, copy-number changes, and expression patterns have provided new insights into genetic abnormalities common in GBM.

Focal adhesion kinase signaling controls cyclic tensile strain enhanced collagen I-induced osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells.

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a key integrator of integrin-mediated signals from the extracellular matrix to the cytoskeleton and downstream signaling molecules. FAK is activated by phosphorylation at specific tyrosine residues, which then stimulate downstream signaling including the ERK1/2 pathway, leading to a variety of cellular responses. In this study, we examined the effects of FAK point mutations at tyrosine residues (Y397, Y925, Y861, and Y576/7) on osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells exposed to collagen I and cyclic tensile strain.