Abstract: An isolated human cell is disclosed comprising at least one mesenchymal stem cell phenotype and secreting brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), wherein a basal secretion of the BDNF is at least five times greater than a basal secretion of the BDNF in a mesenchymal stem cell. Methods of generating same and uses of same are also disclosed.

Abstract: An isolated human cell and populations thereof is provided comprising at least one astrocytic phenotype and at least one mesenchymal stem cell phenotype, wherein the mesenchymal stem cell phenotype is not an astrocytic phenotype.

Abstract: An isolated muscle progenitor cell being MyoD positive, CD34 negative and CD45 negative is disclosed. The muscle progenitor cell is genetically modified to express at least one neurotrophic factor. In addition, cell populations are disclosed, comprising at least four subpopulations of muscle cells each being genetically modified to express a different neurotrophic factor, wherein said neurotrophic factor is selected from the group consisting of glial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), insulin growth factor (IGF-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Uses of the cell populations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of treating a neurodegenerative disorder is provided. The method is effected by administering to an individual in need thereof cells capable of exogenously regulatable neurotransmitter synthesis thereby treating the neurodegenerative disorder.

Abstract: A method of selecting an agent comprising a neuroprotecting activity is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) introducing a plurality of agents into a plurality of cells; and (b) analyzing Vesicular Monoamine Transporter 2 (VMAT2) transcription in the cells; and (c) identifying an agent of the plurality of agents capable of up-regulating DJ-1-dependent VMAT2 transcription in the cells, thereby selecting the agent comprising the neuroprotectingactivity.

Abstract: Isolated DJ-1 related peptides are disclosed and pharmaceutical compositions comprising same for treating oxidative stress-related disorder.

Abstract: Isolated DJ-1 related peptides are disclosed and pharmaceutical compositions comprising same for treating oxidative stress-related disorder.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling video compression quantization comprising generating a quantizer scale offset based on diagonal frequencies of luminance components of a data block samples, luminance intensity of the samples and motion activity of the data block, adjusting a first quantizer scale using the quantizer scale offset to receive a second quantizer scale and quantizing the data block using the second quantizer scale.

Abstract: Isolated DJ-1 related peptides are disclosed and pharmaceutical compositions comprising same for treating oxidative stress-related disorder.

Abstract: A method of selecting an agent comprising a neuroprotecting activity is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) introducing a plurality of agents into a plurality of cells; and (b) analyzing Vesicular Monoamine Transporter 2 (VMAT2) transcription in the cells; and (c) identifying an agent of the plurality of agents capable of up-regulating DJ-1-dependent VMAT2 transcription in the cells, thereby selecting the agent comprising the neuroprotectingactivity.

Abstract: Isolated human cells and populations thereof are provided comprising at least one oligodendrocyte phenotype and at least one mesenchymal stem cell phenotype, wherein the mesenchymal stem cell phenotype is not an oligodendrocyte phenotype. Methods of generating and using same are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of generating cells which secrete dopamine are disclosed. One method comprises incubating mesenchymal stem cells in a culture medium comprising brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), wherein the culture medium comprises no more than 0.1 ?M retinoic acid (RA). Another method comprises incubating mesenchymal stem cells in a culture medium comprising glial-derived neurotrophic factor GDNF, transforming growth factor ?3 (TGF?3) and retinoic acid (RA). Cells generated by the above-described methods are also disclosed as well as uses thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling video compression quantization comprising generating a quantizer scale offset based on diagonal frequencies of luminance components of a data block samples, luminance intensity of the samples and motion activity of the data block, adjusting a first quantizer scale using the quantizer scale offset to receive a second quantizer scale and quantizing the data block using the second quantizer scale.

Abstract: An isolated human cell and populations thereof is provided comprising at least one astrocytic phenotype and at least one mesenchymal stem cell phenotype, wherein the mesenchymal stem cell phenotype is not an astrocytic phenotype.

Abstract: In some embodiments of the present invention, low frequency components for a current block in a current picture and a candidate block in a reference picture are obtained. For each of the low frequency components, quantized phase differences between the current block and the candidate block are calculated. Using the quantized phase differences as an index, coordinates of a global maximum of a correlation function corresponding to the quantized phase differences are retrieved from the table. The coordinates represent a motion vector. A refined candidate block is determined from a spatial search in the vicinity of a candidate block in the reference picture from which the motion vector originates when the motion vector terminates at the current block. The refined candidate block is selected as a reference block for the current block if a matching criterion between the refined candidate block and the current block satisfies a predetermined criterion.

Abstract: A method of treating multiple sclerosis, the method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound, the compound having: (a) a combination of molecular weight and membrane miscibility properties for permitting the compound to cross the blood brain barrier of the organism; (b) a readily oxidizable chemical group for exerting antioxidation properties; and (c) a chemical make-up for permitting the compound or its intracellular derivative to accumulate within the cytoplasm of cells.

Abstract: A method of treating a neurodegenerative disorder is provided. The method is effected by administering to an individual in need thereof cells capable of exogenously regulatable neurotransmitter synthesis thereby treating the neurodegenerative disorder.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for preventing and/or treating autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, in a subject using ADNF polypeptides, by treating the subject with an Activity Dependent Neurotrophic Factor (ADNF) polypeptide.

Abstract: A method of reducing oxidative stress in the brain of an organism having a blood brain barrier and suffering an ischemic brain injury, the method comprising the step of administering a compound to the organism, the compound having (a) a combination of molecular weight and membrane miscibility properties for permitting the compound to cross the blood brain barrier of the organism; (b) a readily oxidizable chemical group for exerting antioxidation properties; and (c) a chemical make-up for permitting the compound or its intracellular derivative to accumulate within the cytoplasm of cells.

Abstract: In some embodiments of the present invention, low frequency components for a current block in a current picture and a candidate block in a reference picture are obtained. For each of the low frequency components, quantized phase differences between the current block and the candidate block are calculated. Using the quantized phase differences as an index, coordinates of a global maximum of a correlation function corresponding to the quantized phase differences are retrieved from the table. The coordinates represent a motion vector. A refined candidate block is determined from a spatial search in the vicinity of a candidate block in the reference picture from which the motion vector originates when the motion vector terminates at the current block. The refined candidate block is selected as a reference block for the current block if a matching criterion between the refined candidate block and the current block satisfies a predetermined criterion.