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 (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 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.

Abstract: A new fermentative process for the preparation of D-p-hydroxyphenylglycine (D-HPG) or D-henylglycine (D-pG) in enantiomerically pure form is disclosed. Precursors for the formation of D-HPG and D-pG are withdrawn form the common aromatic amino acid pathway, converted to p-hydroxyphenylglyoxylate or phenylglyoxylate, and are finally converted to D-HPG or D-pG by the action of a stero-inverting D-aminotransferase.