Abstract: Peptides capable of modulating ?1 integrin subunit dependent cell adhesion which includes a C-terminal aromatic amino acid residue and an amino acid residue having a lipophilic alkyl side chain as the penultimate C-terminal residue are provided. These “LipAr” C-terminated peptides are typically capable of modulating the ?1 integrin subunit dependent adhesion of cells, such as Ramos cells.

Abstract: Polypeptides including an amino acid sequence corresponding substantially to KKEKDIMKK are provided. The polypeptides directly bind to MPG/NG2 proteoglycan and, when used as a soluble peptide, can inhibit melanoma cell adhesion. Antibodies generated against the polypeptides can bind &agr;4&bgr; integrin and are capable of inhibiting &agr;4&bgr; integrin-mediated cell adhesion. Medical applications such as prosthetic devices, percutaneous devices, cell culture substrates, affinity purification devices and chemodiagnostic devices are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for treating ischemia using polypeptides with fibronectin related activity are provided. The methods involve administering an effective amount of one or more polypeptides which include an amino acid sequence corresponding substantially to isolated an amino acid sequence from the 33 kD carboxy terminal heparin-binding region located on the A chain of fibronectin or an RGD-containing amino acid sequence within the 11.5 kD RGDS-mediated cell adhesion region located on all isoforms of fibronectin.

Abstract: Polypeptides are provided that have a sequence of at least about four amino acids corresponding substantially to an amino acid sequence within the triple-helical domain of Type I collagen. The polypeptides promote cell adhesion and/or cell migration. Cell culture substrates coated with the polypeptides are also provided. Prosthetic devices and methods for identifying and distinguishing cells of different types are also provided.

Abstract: A method for treating acute or chronic inflammatory or autoimmune disorders using polypeptides with fibronectin or related activity is provided. The method involves (administering an amount of) one or more polypeptides corresponding to isolated amino acid residue sequences of the 33 kD carboxy terminal heparin-binding region located on the A chain of fibronectin to effectively suppress inflammation and impairment of tissue function in a patient.

Abstract: The invention includes methods for inhibiting retroviral infections such as HIV. The methods of this invention involve the use of certain fragments of fibronectin and such fragments conjugated to carrier molecules such as ovalbumin to inhibit retroviral infections. The invention also includes novel proteins which comprise fibronectin fragments covalently linked to carrier proteins.

Abstract: A composition which can bind heparin and promote cellular adhesion and neurite outgrowth is provided which consists essentially of a polypeptide of the formula:tyr-glu-lys-pro-gly-ser-pro-pro-arg-glu-val-val-pro-arg-pro-arg-pro-gly-vallys-asn-asn-gln-lys-ser-glu-pro-leu-ile-gly-arg-lys-lys-thr-asp-glu-leu,lys-asn-asn-gln-lys-ser-glu-pro-leu-ile-gly-arg-lys-lys-thr,leu-ile-gly-arg-lys-lys-thr,tyr-arg-val-arg-val-thr-pro-lys-glu-lys-thr-gly-pro-met-lys-glu,ser-pro-pro-arg-arg-ala-arg-val-thr,trp-gln-pro-pro-arg-ala-arg-ile,or mixtures thereof. Medical devices such as prosthetic implants, percutaneous devices and cell culture substrates coated with the polypeptide composition are also provided. Cell culture substrates provided can be made of a synthetic resin and in the form of a bead, microporous fiber or well of a microtiter plate.

Abstract: A medical device is provided which is coated with a polypeptide which can bind heparin and promote cellular adhesion and neurite outgrowth is provided of the formula:lys-asn-asn-gln-lys-ser-glu-pro-leu-ile-gly-arg-lys-lys-thr,leu-ile-gly-arg-lys-lys-thr,tyr-arg-val-arg-val-thr-pro-lys-glu-lys-thr-gly-pro-met-lys-glu,ser-pro-pro-arg-arg-ala-arg-val-thr,trp-gly-pro-pro-arg-ala-arg-ile, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A composition which can bind heparin and promote cellular adhesion and neurite outgrowth is provided which consists essentially of a polypeptide of the formula:tyr-glu-lys-pro-gly-ser-pro-pro-arg-glu-val-val-pro-arg-pro-arg-pro-gly-vallys-asn-asn-gln-lys-ser-glu-pro-leu-ileu-gly-arg-lys-lys-thr-asp-glu-leu, or mixtures thereof.Medical devices such as prosthetic implants, percutaneous devices and cell culture substrates coated with the polypeptide composition are also provided.

Abstract: A composition which can bind heparin and promote cellular adhesion and neurite outgrowth is provided which consists essentially of a polypeptide of the formula: ##STR1## Medical devices such as prosthetic implants, percutaneous devices and cell culture substrates coated with the polypeptide composition are also provided.

Abstract: A polypeptide having the following formula is provided: gly-val-lys-gly-asp-lys-gly-asn-pro-gly-trp-pro-gly-ala-pro which has the ability to promote cellular adhesion, spreading the motility, while remaining highly cell specific. Medical applications such as chemodiagnostic and chemotherapeutic devices are also provided.

Abstract: A polypeptide which can bind heparin and promote cellular adhesion and neurite outgrowth is provided of the formula:lys-asn-asn-gln-lys-ser-glu-pro-leu-ile-gly-arg-lys-lys-thr,leu-ile-gly-arg-lys-lys-thr,tyr-arg-val-arg-val-thr-pro-lys-glu-lys-thr-gly-pro-met-lys-glu,ser-pro-pro-arg-arg-ala-arg-val-thr,trp-gly-pro-pro-arg-ala-arg-ile,or mixtures thereof.Medical devices such as prosthetic implants, percutaneous devices and cell culture substrates coated with the polypeptide composition are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel (aryl or heteroaromatic methyl)-2,2'-1H-biimidazoles; to a process for their production comprising of reacting an appropriate alpha-brominated or alpha-chlorinated, substituted or nonsubstituted, methylated monoaromatic ring compound with 2,2'-bi-1H-imidazole in a solvent such as ethanol in the presence of a base such as sodium hydroxide under reflux conditions; and to pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating hypertension with such compounds.

Abstract: A composition which can bind heparin and promote cellular adhesion and neurite outgrowth is provided which consists essentially of a polypeptide of the formula:tyr-glu-lys-pro-gly-ser-pro-pro-arg-glu-val-val- pro-arg-pro-arg-pro-gly-val,lys-asn-asn-gln-lys-ser-glu-pro-leu-ile-gly-arg- lys-lys-thr-asp-glu-leu, or mixtures thereof.Medical devices such as prosthetic implants, percutaneous devices and cell culture substrates coated with the polypeptide composition are also provided.

Abstract: This power steering gear comprises a piston nut movably mounted in a housing for turning a gear sector and the steerable wheels of a vehicle operatively connected thereto. The piston nut is mechanically moved by a rotatable screw, threadedly engaged with the piston nut and operatively connected to an input stub shaft. Hydraulic power assist is provided with the piston nut forming separate expansible and contractible chambers filled with hydraulic fluid and controlled by integral valve means in the gear. The threads of the piston nut and screw are profiled to contact at their minor diameters to increase thread efficiency by reducing the friction radius. The threads of the piston nut are made with optimized thickness to reduce flank clearance to further restrict the hydraulic flow path through the thread to effectively seal the chambers from each other.