Abstract: Compounds, including 3-carboxy aryl sulfonamide compounds, which agonize or antagonize aquaporin channels and methods of using them to treat disorders or diseases mediated by aquaporins.

Abstract: Compounds represented by the formula: wherein R is C1-6 alkyl; C4-6 cycloalkylalkyl; or C3-6 alkenyl; R? is H or C1-6 alkyl; X is H or OH; Y is alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl or aroyl; and Z is CH or N; provided that X is H, when Z is CH and R is C4 cycloalkylalkyl or C4 alkenyl; prodrugs thereof; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are provided. Compounds of the above formula are useful as analgesics for treating pain; as immunomodulators, to modulate the behavioral effects of drugs of abuse and to modulate the development of tolerance and dependence to ? agonists.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensing chemical and/or biological analytes includes a deflectable arm of a microcantilever at least partially embedded within a sensing element. A gaseous or liquid medium which may include the analyte being detected is introduced to the sensing element. The sensing element undergoes volumetric expansion or contraction in the presence of the analyte sought to be detected, typically by adsorbing the analyte. The volumetric change of the sensing element causes the deflectable arm to deflect. The deflectable arm includes at least one measurable physical property which changes when the arm deflects. Detecting means are provided to measure the change in the physical property to determine the presence and amount of analyte present. An array of microcantilevers in which each microcantilever is dedicated to detecting a particular analyte which may be included in the medium, is also provided.

Abstract: Expression constructs using an inducible amplification system to drive expression of a therapeutic gene or other genes of interest in mammalian cells are provided, as well as methods of using the same.

Abstract: An ultrapure water treatment system is provided by the present invention. e system comprises a housing, a water supply means including a water inlet and a water outlet communicating with the housing and defining a path of travel of the water from said inlet to said outlet, irradiation means for irradiating water with 185 nm UV light positioned within the housing, and a catalytic filter positioned in the path of travel of the water. The catalytic filter comprises a non-polymeric porous material having a photoactive catalyst thereon. Exemplary photoactive catalysts include TiO.sub.2, ZnO, WO.sub.3, SnO.sub.2, CU.sub.2 O, and CdSe.

Abstract: A reactive membrane for simultaneous removal of heterogeneous and homogeneous impurities such as moisture, oxygen and organic compounds from gases is provided. The membrane comprises a substrate layer having a plurality of pores therein, at least one layer of carbon on the porous substrate layer and coating the pores thereof, and at least one reactive layer of a metal in reduced form capable of reacting with the impurities and chemically bonded to the carbon layer. A method of forming the same is also provided.

Abstract: An unusal cytostatic (PS ED.sub.50 4 ug/ml) lignan ester has been isolated from the Central American tree Phyllanthus acuminatus and is herein designated Phyllanthostatin A. Separation of a methanol extract of the root by size exclusion chromatography, high speed countercurrent distribution and semi-preparative hplc afforded glycoside in 0.007% yield. In solution, phyllanthostatin A was slowly transformed into justicidin-B.

Abstract: Potent cell growth inhibitory substances have been obtained from the Indian Ocean sea hare Dolabella. These substances have been given the names dolastatin A and dolastatin B. These compounds are characterized by physical and chemical parameters.