Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing measured batches of liquid have hitherto employed metering pumps which can dispense accurately but are difficult to clean due to their complexity, or analogue meters which cannot dispense small quantities accurately due to their slow response. Apparatus which can dispense batches of any quantity with great precision and is easy to clean comprises a tank (30) containing liquid at a substantially constant pressure for supply to a batch dispensing on/off valve (44) by way of a digital mass flow meter (42), and a computer (48) for controlling the valve in accordance with a soft-ware programme and with information received from the meter. The tank is pressurised by the controlled supply or release of gas through a valve (36). The computer interacts with the valve (44) and the meter (42) by way of electro-pneumatic interfaces (50).

Abstract: Compounds which inhibit certain activities of amylin but which also act as amylin agonists with respect to other amylin activities are disclosed. Such compounds are useful in treating disturbances in fuel metabolism in mammals, including but not limited to, diabetes, mellitus, including Type I diabetes and Type II diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and Syndrome X. The present invention also relates to methods of treating Type I diabetes, beneficially regulating gastrointestinal motility, treating impaired glucose tolerance, treating postprandial hyperglycemia, treating obesity and treating Syndromne X, comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of certain compounds, as described herein.

Abstract: A novel uncoupling protein, which we have designated UCP-4, that is expressed in various tissues, including brain, heart, pancreas, and muscle tissue, and nucleic acid molecules which encode for said novel protein, are described. Methods of screening for compounds that regulate the expression and the activity of UCP-4 are described, as well as methods of treating diseases or conditions in which the regulation of thermogenesis or respiratory ATP synthesis is desired. Such conditions include obesity, diabetes, malignant hyperthermia, and fever. The construction of cell lines that express UCP-4 is also described.

Abstract: Peptides that inhibit amylin activity and that exhibit selectivity for amylin receptors relative to calcitonin and CGRP receptors are provided. These peptides may be used in the treatment of conditions where it is of benefit to reduce amylin activity, including the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance, obesity, insulin resistance and hypertension.

Abstract: Compounds which inhibit amylin activity are provided. These compounds may be used in the treatment of conditions where it is of benefit to reduce amylin activity, including the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance, obesity and insulin resistance.

Abstract: Methods for treatment of diabetes and other insulin-requiring conditions by administering insulin and a calcitonin with or without amylin, and methods for treatment of hypoglycemic conditions by administering a calcitonin alone or in combination with glucagon and/or an amylin, and related compositions.

Abstract: Methods for treatment of diabetes and other insulin-requiring conditions by administering insulin and a calcitonin with or without amylin, and methods for treatment of hypoglycemic conditions by administering a calcitonin alone or in combination with glucagon and/or an amylin, and related compositions.

Abstract: Methods for treatment of diabetes and other insulin-requiring conditions by administering insulin and a calcitonin with or without amylin, and methods for treatment of hypoglycemic conditions by administering a calcitonin alone or in combination with glucagon and/or an amylin, and related compositions.

Abstract: Methods for identifying or screening or characterizing or assaying or isolating known or candidate agonists and antagonists of amylin, comprising binding assays utilizing preparations containing specific receptors for amylin. Membranes from the brain that contain high density receptors for amylin are particularly useful for the methods of this invention, and as a source of amylin receptors.