Abstract: Antibacterial agents against D,D- and L,D-transpeptidases are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using the same also are disclosed.

Abstract: New antimicrobials targeting L,D-transpeptidases, non-classical cysteine peptidases, have been developed and their unique chemical structures identified. Carbapenems and penems of the present invention are unique among ?-lactams as they acylate and inhibit L,D-transpeptidases, which likely results in their superior antimicrobial potency. These new antimicrobial agents can be used alone, or in combination with other classic antimicrobial agents that target D,D transpeptidases, when treating bacterial infections.

Abstract: Antibacterial agents against D,D- and L,D-transpeptidases are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using the same also are disclosed.

Abstract: New antimicrobials targeting L,D-transpeptidases, non-classical cysteine peptidases, have been developed and their unique chemical structures identified. Carbapenems and penems of the present invention are unique among ?-lactams as they acylate and inhibit L,D-transpeptidases, which likely results in their superior antimicrobial potency. These new antimicrobial agents can be used alone, or in combination with other classic antimicrobial agents that target D,D transpeptidases, when treating bacterial infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and methods of use for a variety of therapeutically valuable uses including, but not limited to, treating obesity by inhibiting the activity of Glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT).

Abstract: The class compounds of the present invention may be represented by Formula (I), wherein X may be O, S, or N. R1 and R2 are independently either H, C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl. R3 and R4 are independently either H, an aryl group, a heteroaryl group, and a heterocyclic ring group having 4 to 6 carbon atoms, wherein the aryl, heteroaryl, and heterocyclic moieties are optionally substituted with one or more of a first substitution group defined herein. In a further embodiment, R3 and R4 along with the atoms and bonds to which they are attached, form an optionally substituted 5-7 membered ring having at least one nitrogen atom within the ring structure.

Abstract: Compounds having the following general formula, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and methods of treating cancer, obesity, and microbial infections using such compositions: wherein: R1=H, C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, cyanomethyl, —OCH3, OC(O)CH3 or OC(O)CF3 R2=-OCH2C(O)NHNH—R5, where R5 is (a) phenyl, optionally substituted with one or more of halogen, C1-C8 alkyl, optionally substituted with halogen, —OH, —OR6, where R6 is C1-C8 alkyl, optionally substituted with halogen, or (b) 2-, 3-, or 4-pyridyl, optionally substituted with halogen, —OH, —OR6, where R6 is C1-C8 alkyl, optionally substituted with halogen, or (c) a heterocycle selected from the group consisting of imidazole, thiazole, benzimidazole, benzoxazole, benzthiazole, tetrazole, triazole, and aminothiazole; or (d) —C(O)R7, where R7 is a C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, or a heterocycle selected from the group consisting of pyridyl, imidazole, thiazole, benzimi

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutical diluent and a compound of formula IV wherein R21=H, C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, —CH2OR25, —C(O)R25, —CO(O)R25, —C(O)NR25R26, —CH2C(O)R25, or —CH2C(O)NHR25, where R25 and R26 are each independently H, C1-C10 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, optionally containing one or more halogen atoms. R22=—OH, —OR27, —OCH2C(O)R27, —OCH2C(O)NHR27, —OC(O)R27, —OC(O)OR27, —OC(O)NHNH—R5, or —OC(O)NR27R28, where R27 and R28 are each independently H, C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, and where R27 and R28 can each optionally contain halogen atoms; R23 and R24, the same or different from each other, are C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl. Methods of using such formulations for the treatment of cancer, to effect weight loss, to treat microbially-based infections, to inhibit neuropeptide-Y and/or fatty acid synthase, and to stimulate CPT-1.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical diluent and a compound of formula VI: wherein: R10=H, or C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, optionally containing halogen atoms; R11=H3 or C]-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, optionally containing halogen atoms; R12=H, or C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, optionally containing halogen atoms, —C(O)R13, where R13 is H, Ci-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, optionally containing halogen atoms, or —OH, —OR14 or —NR14, where R14 is H, C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, optionally containing halogen atoms.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition containing a pharmaceutical diluent and a compound of formula II: wherein: R8?H, C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, —C(O)R4, where R4 is H, C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, optionally containing halogen atoms, or —OH, —OR7 or —NR7, where R7 is H, C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, optionally containing halogen atoms; R9=—OR5, —NR5, —NH—NH—R5 where R5 is H, C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, allyl, or alkylaryl, optionally containing halogen atoms; R10?H, C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, or —CH2C(O)R6, where R6 is OR7 and NR7, where R7?H, C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, allyl, or alkylaryl and can optionally contain halogen atoms. Also included in the invention are methods of using the pharmaceutical compositions and the chemical compounds used in the compositions.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for inducing weight loss in an animal by administering to the animal a compound which reduces the expression and/or secretion of neuropeptide Y (NPY). The effect may be accomplished directly, indirectly, or humorally. Preferably, administration of this compound has the effect of increasing malonyl CoA levels in the animal. Compounds administered according to this invention may be inhibitors of fatty acid synthase (FAS), including substituted ?-methylene-?-carboxyl-?-butyrolactones, or inhibitors of malonyl Coenzyme A decarboxylase (MCD). Preferably, the compound is administered in an amount sufficient to reduce the amount and/or duration of expression and/or secretion of NPY to levels at or below those observed for lean animals. In another preferred embodiment, the administration will reduce expression and/or secretion to levels observed for fed or satiated animals; more preferably, administration will reduce the level of NPY below that of fed animals.

Abstract: Genetically engineered Streptomyces clavuligerus strains with improved capabilities to produce clavulanic acid are provided. The strains are genetically engineered by disrupting newly identified glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) genes. This results in an increased intracelluar pool of the clavulanic acid precursor D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (D-G3P), and increased clavulanic acid production. Clavulanic acid production may be further increased by supplying arginine to the medium in which the S. clavuligerus is grown.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutical diluent and a compound of formula (II), wherein R1 and R2, the same or different from each other, are H, C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, —CH2CORS, —CH2C(O)NRS, —C(O)R5, or —CH2OR5, and can optionally contain halogen atoms, where R5 is a C1-C12 alkyl group. R3 and R4, the same or different from each other, are H, C1-C20 alkyl cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl.

Abstract: This invention provides compounds and methods for treating, with said compound, a mycobacterial infection by administering to an animal a pharmaceutical composition containing a compound having the formula R—SOn-Z-CO—Y, where R is an alkyl groups having 6-20 carbon atoms, unsaturated hydrocarbon groups having 6-20 carbon atoms, or alkyl groups having 6-20 carbon atoms interrupted by at least one aromatic ring; Z is —CH2—, —CH2CH2—, —NH—NH—, —O—, ——NH—, —O—NH—, —CH2—NH—, —CH2—O—, —NH—O—, —NH—CH2—, —O—CH2—, and —CH?CH—; Y is —NH2, —O—CH2—C6H5, —CO—CO—O—CH3, and —O—CH3; and n is 1 or 2. It has been discovered that these compounds treat microbially-based infections caused by corynebacteria, nocardiae, rhodococcus, and mycobacteria. These compounds may be used to treat mycobacterial cells, such as Mycobacteria tuberculosis, drug resistant M. tuberculosis, M. avium intracellulare, M. leprae, M. paratuberculosis, and pathogenic Mycobacteria sp.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for the production of linear and branched procyanidin oligomers having “n” procyanidin monomeric units where n is 2 to 18. The processes include coupling protected, activated monomers with an unprotected monomer to produce a partially protected (4?8) dimer. The dimer is optionally blocked, coupled with an activated protected monomer to produce a partially protected, optionally blocked trimer, and deprotected. The steps can be repeated to produce higher oligomers. Processes are also provided for producing (8?8), (8?6), and (6?6) dimers and doubly branched oligomers. Crystalline 8-bromo tetra-O-benzyl (?)-epicatechin is produced under certain conditions.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for inducing weight loss in an animal by administering to the animal a compound which reduces the expression and/or secretion of neuropeptide Y (NPY). The effect may be accomplished directly, indirectly, or humorally. Preferably, administration of this compound has the effect of increasing malonyl CoA levels in the animal. Compounds administered according to this invention may be inhibitors of fatty acid synthase (FAS), including substituted ?-methylene-?-carboxyl-?-butyrolactones, or inhibitors of malonyl Coenzyme A decarboxylase (MCD). Preferably, the compound is administered in an amount sufficient to reduce the amount and/or duration of expression and/or secretion of NPY to levels at or below those observed for lean animals. In another preferred embodiment, the administration will reduce expression and/or secretion to levels observed for fed or satiated animals; more preferably, administration will reduce the level of NPY below that of fed animals.

Abstract: Genetically engineered Streptomyces clavuligerus strains with improved capabilities to produce clavulanic acid are provided. The strains are genetically engineered by disrupting newly identified glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) genes. This results in an increased intracelluar pool of the clavulanic acid precursor D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (D-G3P), and increased clavulanic acid production. Clavulanic acid production may be further increased by supplying arginine to the medium in which the S. clavuligerus is grown.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting or preventing cancer development by the administration of fatty acid synthase (FAS) inhibitors. In particular, the present invention prohibits or delays the development of invasive cancer from pre-malignant (non-invasive) lesions that express FAS. Compositions containing FAS inhibitors also are provided, as well as methods for administering the FAS inhibitors and compositions to patients in need thereof.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutical diluent and a compound of formula IX: R29?H, or C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, ?CHR31, —C(O)OR31, —C(O)R31, —CH2C(O)OR31, CH2C(O)NHR31, where R31 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, cycloalkyl, or alkenyl; R30?C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl; X5?—OR32, or NHR32, Where R32 is H, C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, the R32 group optionally containing a carbonyl group, a carboxyl group, a carboxyamide group, an alcohol group, or an ether group, the R32 group further optionally containing one or more halogen atoms; with the proviso that when R29 is ?CH2, then X5 is not OH. Also disclosed are compounds within the scope of the formula IX, as well as uses of the pharmaceutical compositions for weight loss, anti-microbial and anti-cancer applications, inhibition of fatty acid synthase and neuropeptide-Y, and the stimulation of the activity of carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1.

Abstract: A method of treating a subject with a microbially-based infection, comprising the administration of a compound to the subject. The compound is able to decrease ATP levels in the microbe by at least 10% compared to controls after 24 hours in an in vitro test, without killing mammalian cells during the same time period. The decrease in ATP levels is measured by: (1) removing the cells from the testing location and putting them on ice; (2) harvesting the cells at 4 degrees C. by centrifugation and disrupting it with bead-beating in an ATP extraction buffer; (3) removing cellular debris by centrifugation at 4 degrees C., leaving an ATP-containing supernatant; (4) measuring the amount of ATP present in the supernatant by a bioluminescence assay at 4 degrees C.