Abstract: Methods for reducing peripheral blood glucose levels, food intake, glucose production, gluconeogenesis, triglyceride levels, and low density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels in mammals are provided. Also provided are methods of increasing glucose production and food intake in mammals. Further provided are methods of treating a disorder selected from the group consisting of obesity, type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, leptin resistance, metabolic syndrome, heart failure, ischemia, coronary heart disease, familial lipoprotein lipase deficiency, hypopituitarism, hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperVLDLemia, atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and any combination of the foregoing. The methods involve manipulations of amino acid presence or metabolism in the hypothalamus of the mammal.

Abstract: A mechanized toy includes a carriage supported on three wheels with a decorative cover engaged with, and extensive over, the carriage. The carriage provides a platform integral with an axially directed yolk, the yolk engaging one of the three wheels. A drive motor is secured to the platform and rotates a drive axle engaging the other two of the three wheels which are placed in opposing juxtaposition. A snap engagement feature enables the cover to be attached to the carriage and to be removed from the carriage as desired. When several different heads are used with a single carriage, the heads may be interchanged.