Abstract: Described is a method for treating and/or preventing disease states and conditions associated with defects in the activity of chloride channels, such as the CFTR channel. The present disclosure also described compounds useful in such treatment and prevention methods and methods for the identification of compounds for use in such methods. These compounds disclosed are NPPB, NPPB-Am, NPPB-sulf and curcumin, and derivatives of the foregoing. These compounds are shown to activate the activity of both wild-type and mutant CFTR channels under a range of conditions.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a mechanical force actuator which is light weight and manipulatable and utilizes linear motion for push or pull forces while maintaining a constant overall length.The mechanical force producing mechanism comprises a linear actuator mechanism (22,23) and a linear motion shaft (11) mounted parallel to one another. The linear motion shaft (11) is connected to a stationary or fixed housing (12) and to a movable housing (26) where the movable housing (26) is mechanically actuated through actuator mechanism (22,26) by either manual means (21) or motor means (20). The housings (12,26) are adapted to releasably receive a variety of jaw or pulling elements (28) adapted for clamping or prying action. The stationary housing (12) is adapted to be pivotally mounted to permit an angular position of the housing to allow the tool to adapt to skewed interfaces. The actuator mechanisms (22,23) is operated by through a gear train (19) to obtain linear motion of the actuator mechanism.