Abstract: The present invention relates to weight control, control of body fat and food intake, and provides useful methods for treating, inter alia, obesity, diabetes and insulin insensitivity, and conditions, diseases, and disorders relating thereto. The invention also relates to methods of identifying useful compounds relating to weight loss, food intake, diabetes, and obesity, among other things, based on the discovery that inhibiting Kv1.3 activity mediates decreased food intake, weight loss, decreased body fat, increase glucose uptake, and increased insulin sensitivity, among other things.

Abstract: Polymorphisms are identified in a human gene which encodes a voltage-gated ion channel. The gene maps to the same portion of human chromosome 13q22 to which genes for schizophrenia susceptibility, Bipolar Disorder, and Panic Disorder Syndrome have been mapped. The polymorphisms are used to follow inheritance of the susceptibilities within families. They are also used to identify affected probands. A complete mRNA sequence and genomic structure provide insights into function and relationship to other ion channels.

Abstract: An electrical contact adapted to be crimped onto an electrical conductor is disclosed. The contact comprises a body portion having an active contact element disposed at one end for connection to a complementary contact and a terminal element at the other end adapted to be fixedly connected to a conductor. The terminal contact element comprises a pair of spaced crimping arms disposed in a common plane and having opposite inside facing edges with beveled surfaces. The beveled surfaces provide a camming action during the crimping operation which permits the arms to pass one another and to completely encircle the conductor, while the arts remain in substantially the same plane, whereby the crimped arms provide a positive mechanical and electrical termination between the contact and the conductor.