Abstract: This invention relates to positively charged non-natural amino acids, methods of making thereof, and utilization thereof in peptides.

Abstract: An apparatus controls a stereotactic radiosurgery dose applied to an object being treated by a linear accelerator mounted on a gantry. The linear accelerator is capable of generating a beam having a path and a beam centerline, directed toward the object, and the beam is capable of having a plurality of angular positions relative to the object. The apparatus includes a turntable that is rotatable about an axis of rotation and defines a plurality of openings passing therethrough. Each opening has a center and receives therein a beam collimator of a preselected size. The turntable is disposed so that each of the plurality of openings may be rotated to where the center of the opening is coincident with the beam centerline, thereby allowing the beam to pass therethrough. A drive rotates the turntable about the axis of rotation and a sensor determines the angular position of the beam relative to the object.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating NIDDM in a patient diagnosed with NIDDM by administering to the patient a compound in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier that reduces hepatic glucose production in the patient by inhibiting hepatic expression of the alpha subunit of a G.sub.s protein in a liver cell plasma membrane, thereby inhibiting stimulation of cAMP by glucagon, whereby the reduction in hepatic glucose production treats the NIDDM. Also provided is a method for screening compounds for the ability to treat NIDDM comprising determining if the compound decreases hepatic expression of the alpha subunit of a G.sub.s protein in a liver cell plasma membrane, thereby inhibiting the stimulation of cAMP by glucagon, a compound which decreases the hepatic expression of the alpha subunit of the G.sub.s protein in the liver cell plasma membrane, thereby inhibiting the stimulation of cAMP by glucagon, being a compound with the ability to treat NIDDM.