Abstract: A method of tightening inter-cellular junctions in endothelial or epithelial cells includes exposing the endothelial or epithelial cells to norrin. Upon sufficient contact time, for norrin to selectively up-regulate gene expression of Cadherin or claudin-5 in the endothelial or epithelial cells, the inter-cellular junctions are tightened.

Abstract: A method of tightening inter-cellular junctions in retinal or choroidal vessel cells includes exposing the retinal or choroidal vessel cells to norrin. Upon sufficient contact time, for norrin to selectively up-regulate gene expression of VE-cadherin or claudin-5 in the retinal or choroidal vessel cells, the inter-cellular junctions are tightened. The method is also suitable for treating retinal pigment epithelial cells in wet macular degeneration.

Abstract: An automated method for diagnosing and evaluating severity of retinopathy of prematurity in a retina of a patient is provided that is superior to conventional techniques. A graphical user interface (GUI) is provided for receiving biographical information for the patient creating a patient record in a database via the GUI. A photograph of the retina of the patient is collected and placed in the patient record via the GUI. The photograph is then analyzed to determine vascular distributions within the retina. A zone 1 boundary is assigned to the retina based on a set of threshold levels with respect to the determined vascular distributions. A system for performing the automated method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of tightening inter-cellular junctions in retinal or choroidal vessel cells includes exposing the retinal or choroidal vessel cells to norrin. Upon sufficient contact time, for norrin to selectively up-regulate gene expression of VE-cadherin or claudin-5 in the retinal or choroidal vessel cells, the inter-cellular junctions are tightened. The method is also suitable for treating retinal pigment epithelial cells in wet macular degeneration.

Abstract: A method of tightening inter-cellular junctions in endothelial or epithelial cells includes exposing the endothelial or epithelial cells cells to norrin. Upon sufficient contact time, for norrin to selectively up- regulate gene expression of Cadherin or claudin-5 in the endothelial or epithelial cells, the inter-cellular junctions are tightened.

Abstract: An automated method for diagnosing and evaluating severity of retinopathy of prematurity in a retina of a patient is provided that is superior to conventional techniques. A graphical user interface (GUI) is provided for receiving biographical information for the patient creating a patient record in a database via the GUI. A photograph of the retina of the patient is collected and placed in the patient record via the GUI. The photograph is then analyzed to determine vascular distributions within the retina. A zone 1 boundary is assigned to the retina based on a set of threshold levels with respect to the determined vascular distributions. A system for performing the automated method is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilize computing devices to generate diagnoses of medical conditions. The computing devices can incorporate algorithms based on predetermined relationships between the medical conditions and various symptoms or characteristics associated with the medical conditions. The computing devices can prompt an individual evaluating patient information to observe whether the characteristics or symptoms are present in the patient information. The individual can subsequently provide inputs to the computing device indicating whether the characteristics or symptoms are present in the patient information.