Abstract: A method of modulating energy homeostasis in a mammal without eliciting a sexual response by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition including a melanocortin receptor compound of the formula: where R1 is a bond or a linker unit including from one to six backbone atoms and an unsubstituted naphthalene group, and L, R2, R3 and Rx are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for identification and determination of target-specific folding sites in peptides and proteins, including a method for determining a secondary structure binding to a target of interest within a known parent polypeptide that binds to the target of interest. In one embodiment of the invention, a residue or mimetic containing a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom available for binding to a metal ion is serially substituted for single residues in or inserted between two adjacent residues in a known primary sequence of a peptide or protein. The resulting sequence, which includes a minimum of the residue or mimetic containing a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom available for binding to a metal ion and two residues on the amino terminus side thereof, is complexed with a metal ion, thereby forming a metallopeptide.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for identification and determination of target-specific sites in peptides and proteins, including a method for determining the primary sequence of a secondary structure within a known parent polypeptide that binds to the target of interest. In one embodiment of the invention, a residue or mimetic containing a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom available for binding to a metal ion is serially substituted for single residues in or inserted between adjacent residues in a known primary sequence of a peptide or protein. The resulting sequence is complexed with a metal ion thereby forming a metallopeptide. The resulting metallopeptides are then used in binding or functional assays related to the target of interest, and the metallopeptide(s) which result in significant or substantially decreased or changed binding or functionality are determined to identify the primary sequence involved in such binding or functionality.

Abstract: A melanocortin receptor-specific compound of the general formula of structure I: 1

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of deriving a peptidomimetic of a biologically active metallopeptide, wherein the peptidomimetic includes at least one non-peptide ring structure defining a template space superimposable on a corresponding defined template space of the metallopeptide, and where the peptidomimetic further includes at least two elements independently including an amino acid residue, amino acid side chain moiety or derivative thereof, the elements defining and occupying a similar descriptor space as corresponding elements of the metallopeptide. The invention further relates to peptidomimetics with a template space heterocyclic ring structure, including 5-, 6- and 8-membered and 5-5- and 6-5-bicyclic fused ring structure melanocortin receptor-specific peptidomimetics.

Abstract: Melanocortin receptor-specific pyrrolidine compounds having the structure: 1

Abstract: Melanocortin receptor-specific piperazine or ketopiperazine compounds having the structure: 1

Abstract: Melanocortin receptor-specific bicyclic compounds having the structure: 1

Abstract: An architecture for stacking DSLAMs employs a master DSLAM having a control circuit and an uplink communication circuit to a central office and two LVDS circuits for communication with two DSLAM boxes in adjacent circuit interconnection to the master DSLAM. Multiple slave DSLAMs each having a programmable control circuit and two LVDS circuits for communication with two DSLAM boxes immediately adjacent on either side in the circuit are connected in a ring or split stack arrangement. A control circuit in the master selectively programs the control circuits in each slave DSLAM to control the direction of communication in the LVDS circuits as round robin in a first selected mode and a split in a second selected mode to accommodate the desired structure.

Abstract: Metallopeptides are provided for use in treatment of sexual dysfunction in mammals. The metallopeptides are agonists for at least one of melanocortin-3 or melanocortin-4 receptors. The metallopeptides are conformationally fixed on complexation of a metal ion-binding portion thereof with a metal ion. Also provided are metallopeptides that are antagonists for at least one of melanocortin-3 or melanocortin-4 receptors.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for enhancing the endothelialization of synthetic vascular grafts by administering to a graft recipient an agent that mobilizes bone marrow-derived CD34.sup.+ cells into the bloodstream, that enhances the adherence to graft surfaces of blood-borne endothelial progenitors, or that stimulates the multiplication of endothelial progenitors that have adhered to the graft surfaces.

Abstract: A circuit which restores portions of an input signal lost due to clipping distortion includes a comparator which locates the portions of the input signal which have been subject to clipping distortion and generates a pulse signal where each pulse corresponds to a clipped portion of the input signal. This pulse signal is used to generate parabolic pulses which are combined with the input signal to generate a modified signal that approximates the input signal without the clipping distortion. One circuit generates the pulse signals by controlling an oscillator to produce a parabolic pulse train which changes in frequency and amplitude to match each pulse of the pulse signal and then selecting one of the parabolic pulses for each pulse of the pulse signal. Another circuit generates the parabolic pulses by doubly integrating the pulses of the pulse signal.