A method of inhibiting or reducing inflammation in a mammal comprises administering MCP or similar Gal-3 binding moiety with honokiol in a range of about 8-10:1, by weight, MCP to honokiol. By pursuing complimentary pathways, a synergistic combination is achieved, where the reduction or degree of inflammation inhibition is greater than would be expected by the added administration of these two agents. The inflammation may be manifested as gingivitis, which may be addressed by a preparation comprising honokiol and MCP, or an MCP equivalent, in the indicated range by weight, where they are in the form of an oral rinse, lozenge, sucking candy, toothpaste or tablet.

A particular Bifidobacterium spp. strain or particular Lactobacillus spp. strain according to the present invention is isolated from excrement of a human or cabbage kimchi, and thus is highly safe and has physiological activities such as an immunity regulatory effect and an inflammation reaction inhibiting effect. Therefore, the particular Bifidobacterium spp. strain or particular Lactobacillus spp. strain according to the present invention may be used as a material for regulating immunity and inhibiting inflammation reactions, and may be also used as a functional food and drug material useful for preventing, alleviating or treating rhinitis, atopy, asthma, etc. which are allergic diseases.

A particular Bifidobacterium spp. strain or particular Lactobacillus spp. strain according to the present invention is isolated from excrement of a human or cabbage kimchi, and thus is highly safe and has physiological activities such as an immunity regulatory effect and an inflammation reaction inhibiting effect. Therefore, the particular Bifidobacterium spp. strain or particular Lactobacillus spp. strain according to the present invention may be used as a material for regulating immunity and inhibiting inflammation reactions, and may be also used as a functional food and drug material useful for preventing, alleviating or treating rhinitis, atopy, asthma, etc. which are allergic diseases.

The invention provides methods, compositions, and kits using a galectin-3 inhibitor to prevent and treat fibrosis resulting from a coronavirus infection, such as fibrosis in a subject's lung resulting from a coronavirus 2 infection.

The invention provides methods, compositions, and kits using a galectin-3 inhibitor to prevent and treat fibrosis resulting from a coronavirus infection, such as fibrosis in a subject's lung resulting from a coronavirus 2 infection.

The invention provides methods, compositions, and kits using a galectin-3 inhibitor to prevent and treat retinal nerve damage in a subject suffering from glaucoma.

The invention provides methods, compositions, and kits using a galectin-3 inhibitor to prevent and treat retinal nerve damage in a subject suffering from glaucoma.

Provided herein are Heterocyclic compounds of formula I:

##STR00001## and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, tautomers, isotopologues, or stereoisomers thereof, wherein W, X, Y, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.N are as defined herein, compositions comprising an effective amount of a Heterocyclic Compound, and methods for treating or preventing animal and human filarial worm infections and diseases.

Systems and methods for administering one or more hydration compositions to an individual to improve vascular health are provided. A system comprises a hydration composition delivery element and a sensor operatively coupled to the hydration composition delivery element. The sensor is configured to determine one or more of the intake of fluids, the amount of fluid discharged, the activity level of the patient, or level of hydration of the patient based on the level of fluid in the hydration composition delivery element. The system further includes a monitoring system which, based on a signal received from the sensor, provides an indication of one or more of the need to intake fluid, the identity of a specific hydration composition of a plurality of hydration compositions to be consumed or an amount of a hydration composition to be consumed.

Systems and methods for administering one or more hydration compositions to an individual to improve vascular health are provided. A system comprises a hydration composition delivery element and a sensor operatively coupled to the hydration composition delivery element. The sensor is configured to determine one or more of the intake of fluids, the amount of fluid discharged, the activity level of the patient, or level of hydration of the patient based on the level of fluid in the hydration composition delivery element. The system further includes a monitoring system which, based on a signal received from the sensor, provides an indication of one or more of the need to intake fluid, the identity of a specific hydration composition of a plurality of hydration compositions to be consumed or an amount of a hydration composition to be consumed.