Aspects of the present invention relate inter alia to compositions which may have utility as anti-microbials. Such antimicrobial compositions may be for use in promoting wound healing and/or the treatment of microbial infections. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to an antimicrobial composition and/or combinations comprising copper gluconate and zinc gluconate which may be for use in treating and/or preventing infections and/or promoting wound healing. Certain aspects of the present invention further elate to an antimicrobial composition and/or device comprising copper gluconate, zinc gluconate and Lactobacillus plantarum for use in treating infections and/or promoting wound healing. Also encompassed by the present invention are methods of treating microbial and/or fungal infections in a subject, for example infections of the genital tract. Aspects of the present invention include a composition comprising a zinc salt and a copper salt, wherein the zinc salt is zinc gluconate and the copper salt is copper gluconate.

The invention relates to a method for producing, amongst other things, amino-acid and/or hydroxycarboxylic-acid metal chelates, a solvent-free mixture of at least one metal oxide, metal hydroxide, metal carbonate or oxalate, and the solid organic acid is subjected to intensive mechanical stress. According to the invention, this is done in that the reaction partners are introduced in particle form into a fluid stream of a fluid-bed countercurrent mill operating without grinding elements, wherein mechanical activation of at least one of the reaction partners is effected by collision processes within a reaction chamber formed in a region of the fluid stream, and a solid body reaction to form the metal chelate is triggered. The novel method operates very energy-efficiently and with a high specific yield. It leads to a product having compact particles in the small, single-digit micrometer range having a comparatively narrow particle size distribution and a large surface. The product is homogenous and very pure. Thermal loading or decomposition of the organic chelate ligands, in particular of the amino acids, is likewise avoided, as are contaminants from milling and grinding element abrasion.

Disclosed are methods and compositions for repolarizing a tumor associated macrophage (TAM) from M2 to M1 comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective dose of a compound comprising a dextran backbone and one or more CD206 targeting moieties conjugated thereto. In certain aspects, the compound further comprises a therapeutic agent selected from: paclitaxel, gemcitabine, lapatinib, and doxorubicin. In further aspect, the therapeutic agent comprises a chelator and at least one metal ion. In certain implementations, the at least one metal ion comprises at least one Cu(II) ions.

Disclosed are methods and compositions for repolarizing a tumor associated macrophage (TAM) from M2 to M1 comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective dose of a compound comprising a dextran backbone and one or more CD206 targeting moieties conjugated thereto. In certain aspects, the compound further comprises a therapeutic agent selected from: paclitaxel, gemcitabine, lapatinib, and doxorubicin. In further aspect, the therapeutic agent comprises a chelator and at least one metal ion. In certain implementations, the at least one metal ion comprises at least one Cu(II) ions.

Compositions that increase the bioavailability of dihydromyricetin are presented. The bioavailability is increased by methods including formulating dihydromyricetin in nanoparticle form, delivering dihydromyricetin with permeabilizers, and encapsulating dihydromyricetin with an enteric coating.

Compositions that increase the bioavailability of dihydromyricetin are presented. The bioavailability is increased by methods including formulating dihydromyricetin in nanoparticle form, delivering dihydromyricetin with permeabilizers, and encapsulating dihydromyricetin with an enteric coating.

Described is an initial liquid composition with at least antimicrobial, antibacterial, and/or anti-viral properties comprising chelated metal oxide particles suspended in a polyol, such that metal oxide particles are homogeneously dispersed in a primarily liquid based polyol carrier so that chelated metal oxide particles form a stable complex suspension that is optionally an alkaline based aqueous silver oxide dispersion. The liquid composition can be subsequently added to any polymer or polymer compound/system where the polymer degrades or melts at a temperature lower than the polyol carrier degradation or boiling temperature. The metal oxide complex may also impart beneficial semi-conductive or conductive as well as permeability and flammability property changes to the polymer (host) system.

Described is an initial liquid composition with at least antimicrobial, antibacterial, and/or anti-viral properties comprising chelated metal oxide particles suspended in a polyol, such that metal oxide particles are homogeneously dispersed in a primarily liquid based polyol carrier so that chelated metal oxide particles form a stable complex suspension that is optionally an alkaline based aqueous silver oxide dispersion. The liquid composition can be subsequently added to any polymer or polymer compound/system where the polymer degrades or melts at a temperature lower than the polyol carrier degradation or boiling temperature. The metal oxide complex may also impart beneficial semi-conductive or conductive as well as permeability and flammability property changes to the polymer (host) system.

The present invention provides food products, nutritional programs, and methods for meeting nutritional needs of subjects with dementia and related cognitive disorders. In one embodiment, the invention provides a food product comprising a reversibly sealed container and a soup, wherein the soup is in the container and comprises a total volume of 200-2000 mls, a vegetable or meat component, 300 to 2500 calories, a macronutrient caloric distribution comprising: 20-80% fat, 10-45% protein, and 10-65% carbohydrate, about 2% to about 40% medium chain triglycerides, omega 3 fatty acids in an amount of 100 to 2000 mg and less than 20 solid food particles having a volume greater than about 20 cm.sup.3. Such food products, when administered to affected subjects, can positively impact (i) nutritional status; (ii) quality of life; (iii) disease course; (v) the demand for assistance from a care giver; (vi) subject compliance with a nutritional plan using the food product, and (vii) ease of monitoring compliance by the caregiver for verification.

The present invention provides food products, nutritional programs, and methods for meeting nutritional needs of subjects with dementia and related cognitive disorders. In one embodiment, the invention provides a food product comprising a reversibly sealed container and a soup, wherein the soup is in the container and comprises a total volume of 200-2000 mls, a vegetable or meat component, 300 to 2500 calories, a macronutrient caloric distribution comprising: 20-80% fat, 10-45% protein, and 10-65% carbohydrate, about 2% to about 40% medium chain triglycerides, omega 3 fatty acids in an amount of 100 to 2000 mg and less than 20 solid food particles having a volume greater than about 20 cm.sup.3. Such food products, when administered to affected subjects, can positively impact (i) nutritional status; (ii) quality of life; (iii) disease course; (v) the demand for assistance from a care giver; (vi) subject compliance with a nutritional plan using the food product, and (vii) ease of monitoring compliance by the caregiver for verification.