Abstract: A fibre-based surgical implant stabilized against fraying, includes a thermally crimped flat-knitted fabric of a biocompatible, optionally biodegradable, polymer material having a glass transition temperature or other thermally induced secondary conformational mobility threshold in the temperature range of from 20° C. to +170° C. Also disclosed is a corresponding fabric and methods of producing the implant and the fabric.

Abstract: A method of treating or preventing Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) comprises the administration of a pharmacologically effective amount of zonisamide to a patient in need thereof, with the proviso that OSA caused by external mechanical obstruction of the airways, such as by mucus, is excluded. Also disclosed is the use of zonisamide for the manufacture of a medicament useful in the treatment; a protective patch comprising zonisamide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for transdermal or transmucosal administration to a person suffering from OSA; and the use of zonisamide for the manufacture of a diagnostic device, kit or composition for the diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing.

Abstract: A method for identifying the susceptibility of a person to dental caries comprises the assay of one or several of: an agent having high binding capacity to Streptococcus mutans but low binding capacity to Actinomyces naeslundii, an agent having high binding capacity to S. mutans-binding agglutinin, an agent having high binding capacity to A. naeslundii. The agent having high binding capacity to Streptococcus mutans but low binding capacity to A. naeslundii comprises an allelic Db type of salivary acidic proline-rich molecules (acidic PRPs), a biologically active fragment or a genetic precursor thereof. A corresponding reagent is also identified. Also disclosed are a method and an agent for the prevention of caries, as well as labelled S. mutans and A. naeslundii and their use.