Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a syntactic component for retrieving records corresponding to an individual and analyzing the records to assess a condition for the individual; a user interface for capturing interaction data that is associated with an encounter between the individual and a service provider; and a semantic component for comparing the interaction data to interaction criteria, where an action plan for the individual is generated based at least in part on the assessed condition and the comparison of the interaction data to the interaction criteria. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that in an animal model of Parkinson's disease (PD), administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to rodents having 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD restored the function of dopamine neurons. In these animals, G-CSF treatment increased the number of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra (SN), G-CSF treatment partially restored the nigrostriatal pathway, and G-CSF restored the function of dopamine to the level before MPTP treatment. The invention also relates to the discovery that treatment of a human patient with corticobasilar ganglionic degeneration, a rare progressive neurological disorder characterized by Parkinsonism and coritcal dysfunction, with G-CSF resulted in a significant improvement in the patient's Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale evaluations as well as measures of activity of daily living.

Abstract: A system and method of analyzing at least one dataset having temporal and spatial content is provided. A method includes the steps of applying a colorimetric mapping to the dataset based on the spatial content (500), segmenting the dataset (618) into one of a plurality of patterns based on a spatio-temporal analysis of the dataset (604, 606), and analyzing characteristics of each of the plurality of patterns (612-622).

Abstract: A method for generating color video signals representative of color images of a scene includes the following steps: focusing light from the scene on an electronic image sensor via a filter having a tri-color filter pattern; producing, from outputs of the sensor, first and second relatively low resolution luminance signals; producing, from outputs of the sensor, a relatively high resolution luminance signal; producing, from a ratio of the relatively high resolution luminance signal to the first relatively low resolution luminance signal, a high band luminance component signal; producing, from outputs of the sensor, relatively low resolution color component signals; and combining each of the relatively low resolution color component signals with the high band luminance component signal to obtain relatively high resolution color component signals.

Abstract: The NSAID, sulindac and/or its metabolites and derivatives, in combination with an agent that generates or induces reactive oxygen species (ROS), significantly enhances the killing of abnormal cells but does not affect normal cells. This effect occurs at concentrations of each compound that individually have little or no activity directed against the abnormal cells.

Abstract: A composition and method for the preparation of micro-particles of chitin (a naturally occurring polymer of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine), the characterization of chitin micro-particles as an immune adjuvant and the use of chitin micro-particles to enhance protective immunity against intracellular infectious agents and diseases as well as to inhibit allergic responses and diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of MT as a reducing system for the Msr enzymes and other oxioreductase enzymes which form similar intermediates. Specifically, the invention provides for a reduction in the level of oxidative damage in cells through an increase in levels of MT by administration of suitable compounds, resulting in an increase in the activity of the Msr enzymes.

Abstract: The subject invention provides novel biologically active compounds that have utility for use in inhibiting cellular proliferation. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds are also provided. In a specific embodiment, the compounds and compositions of the subject invention can be used in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: A new family Here we report a new family of four-cystine/three-loop conotoxins (designated framework 14). Three peptides of this family (flf14a-c) were isolated from the venom of Conus floridanus floridensis and one (vil14a) from the venom of Conus villepinii, two worm-hunting Western Atlantic cone snail species. CD spectra and nanoNMR spectroscopy of these conotoxins directly isolated from the cone snails revealed a highly helical secondary structure for the four conotoxins. Sequence-specific nanoNMR analysis at room temperature revealed a well-defined helix-loop-helix tertiary structure that resembles that of the Cs ?/? scorpion toxins ?-hefutoxin, ?-KTx1.3 and Om-toxins, which adopt a stable three-dimensional fold where the two ?-helices are linked by the two disulfide bridges. One of these conotoxins (vil14a) has a Lys/Tyr (or Phe) diad, separated by approximately 6 ?, which is a conserved structural feature in K+ channel blockers.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting neural tissue (e.g., neurons) from anoxia and spreading depression (SD) involve inhibiting the cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) pathway. It was discovered that the PKG pathway plays a crucial role in regulating SD and tolerance to anoxia in the central nervous system (CNS). Inhibition of the PKG pathway greatly reduces SD and increases tolerance to anoxia (i.e., hypoxia), while activation of the pathway exacerbates SD pathology. The compositions and methods can be used to treat any condition associated with SD or anoxia, including stroke, spinal cord injury, neurogenerative disease, dizziness, headaches, and migraines.

Abstract: The subject invention provides novel compositions of biologically active macrolide compounds which can advantageously be used in blocking cellular proliferation, treatment of cancer, treatment of fungal infections and control of spoilage of food, cosmetic and other consumer items.

Abstract: A cube-based three-dimensional interactive system is provided for visualization and retrieval of video data. The system includes at least one interactive cube having eight nodes, each node being linked to a specific data item. The data items on the nodes are organized in space or time. Textual information about a respective data item appears upon traversing the corresponding node and the data items opens up upon selection. The interactive cube can be expanded to include more than eight nodes, such as 12 or 18 nodes.

Abstract: Isolation, synthesis and therapeutic use of conotoxin and conophan compounds and related compositions including a new class of conopeptides including the modified amino acid D-?-hydro-oxyvalinie (D-Hyv=V*) are described herein. These isolated peptides are the first known example of a naturally occurring polypeptide chain containing D-Hyv. The active peptides, termed ?-Hydroxyconophans are heavily hydroxylated small peptides. These peptides contain a definitive structural motif which is a double modification of the polypeptide chain (?-D-OH-Hyv-Trp).

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing neovascularization. Purified nucleic acid constructs and vectors encoding an anti-angiogenic protein operably linked to a GFAP promoter. Vectors can include at least one hypoxia regulated element, enhancer element and silencer element. Gene therapy methods for reducing, delaying or preventing neovascularization based on the nucleic acid constructs and vectors.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that in an animal model of Parkinson's disease (PD), administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to rodents having 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD restored the function of dopamine neurons. In these animals, G-CSF treatment increased the number of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra (SN), G-CSF treatment partially restored the nigrostriatal pathway, and G-CSF restored the function of dopamine to the level before MPTP treatment. The invention also relates to the discovery that treatment of a human patient with corticobasilar ganglionic degeneration, a rare progressive neurological disorder characterized by Parkinsonism and coritcal dysfunction, with G-CSF resulted in a significant improvement in the patient's Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale evaluations as well as measures of activity of daily living.

Abstract: A self contained integrated mooring system configured to contain items within a payload container in a water body is disclosed. The self contained integrated mooring system may include components for conveniently collecting and storing the components of the self contained integrated mooring system. The self contained integrated mooring system may be formed from the payload container, a mooring line handling and storage module, an anchor and a system container in a single system that eliminates having to work and rework anchor lines on a deck of a boat.

Abstract: A visual image retrieval system is provided. The system includes an image database for storing images. The system also includes a preprocessor communicatively linked to the image database for segmenting the images and generating based upon segmented images a region-of-interest (ROI) extraction output. Additionally, the system includes an ROI feature extraction module for computing ROI feature vectors based upon the output, and a global feature extraction module for computing global feature vectors based upon the output. The system further includes an ROI feature vectors database for storing the ROI feature vectors, and a global feature vectors database for storing the global feature vectors. The system also includes a perceptually-relevant image search machine (PRISM) interface for displaying query images and retrieved images, the retrieved images being retrieved in response to a user selecting at least one displayed query image.

Abstract: The invention provides small molecules that act as catalytic antioxidants and methods of use thereof. The compounds can repeatedly bind and destroy reactive oxygen species by serving as substates for enzymes of the methionine sulfoxide reductase (Msr) class. Some embodiments of the catalytic antioxidant compounds are derived from drugs with anti-inflammatory activity due to inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzymes.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing signals representative of an image of a scene including the following steps: providing an image sensor with a lenticular lens pattern thereon, and projecting the image onto the image sensor via the lenticular lens pattern, the image sensor having a pixel element pattern and the lenticular lens pattern being diagonally oriented with respect to said pixel element pattern; and producing image-representative signals by reading out signals from the pixel elements of the image sensor.

Abstract: Synthetic triple-helical peptides (THPs) are used for the design and synthesis of triple-helical transition state analog inhibitors. These inhibitors feature a phosphonate ester or phosphinic moiety in place of the scissle bond. These groups inhibit MMPs, and methods been developed for their convenient incorporation within a peptide sequence by solid-phase methods.