Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for predicting the tendency of a protein to form amphiphilic .alpha. or .beta. structure, wherein a series of values for U are calculated for spans of x residues, where the equationU.sub..alpha.x =H.sub.x +.mu..sub..alpha.x -<pt>is used to predict regions of amphiphilic .alpha. structure and the equationU.sub..beta.x =H.sub.x +.mu..sub..beta.x <pt>is used to predict regions of amphiphilic .beta. structure, and where H.sub.x is the average hydrophobicity for a span of x residues, .mu..sub.x is the hydrophobic moment, and <pt> is the position dependent turn propensity. When the values for U.sub..alpha.x and U.sub..beta.x are represented graphically, peaks are predicted to represent regions of .alpha. and .beta. structure, respectively.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of inhibiting osmotic water flow across mammalian cell membranes which involves contacting the water channels of the cell membranes with an effective amount of a glucose transport blocker or of digitonin so as to inhibit osmotic water flow across the membranes.Additionally, this invention provides a method of treating a subject afflicted with a condition associated with abnormal osmotic water flow across cell membranes which comprises administering to the subject an effective amount of a glucose transport blocker or of digitonin so as to contact the water channels of the subject's cell membranes and inhibit osmotic water flow across the membranes.