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Two different glasses, one biocompatible but with a low bioactivity index (G1) and the other with an higher bioactivity index (G2), the ceramic version of the second glass and a titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) have been functionalizated by anchoring alkaline phosphatase (ALP) on their surfaces. The enzyme has been chosen because it is involved in mineralization processes of hard tissues and is a model for more complex ones. ALP has been grafted on glasses and glass-ceramics surfaces both with and without samples silanization and on metallic surfaces with and without tresyl chloride activation. Samples have been analyzed at each step of the functionalization process in order to verify it.

Background:The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of erbium‐doped:yttrium, aluminum, and garnet (Er:YAG) laser and ultrasonic treatment on fibroblast attachment to periodontally diseased root surfaces. Methods:Thirty single‐rooted human periodontally involved teeth were included in this study. A total of 60 specimens were obtained from all selected teeth and were randomly assigned to the following three groups: group A, untreated control group; group B, ultrasonic group; and group C, Er:YAG laser at 160 mJ/pulse at 10 Hz group. All of the specimens were incubated in petri dishes with fibroblast suspension and observed by scanning electron microscopy. Results:Laser‐treated specimens showed a significantly higher cell density number, with a mean ± SD of 3,720 ± 316 cells/mm2. The ultrasonically treated group showed a lower cell density number, with a mean ± SD of 658 ± 140 cells/mm2. The untreated control group showed the lowest cell density number, with a mean ± SD of 130 ± 80 cells/mm2. Differences between all groups were significant (P<0.0001). Conclusion:The results of the study indicate that untreated control surfaces and ultrasonically treated surfaces exhibited a significantly lower number of attached cells compared to laser‐treated specimens, which showed a significantly higher cell density number.

Air plasma treatment, coupled to a masking technique, was used to promote micropatterned cell adhesion onto a cell-adhesion-resistant alginate coated surface. L-929 mouse fibroblasts were successfully confined into 50 μm diameter cell-adhesive areas patterned inside a cell-resistant layer. The plasma treatment performed, albeit very mild, destroys the molecular architecture of the hydrophilic polysaccharide coating, leading to an enhancement of protein adsorption and hence of cell-adhesion. Both the cell-adhesion-resistant and the cell-adhesive regions are hydrophilic, yet they show a completely different behavior towards cells. Thus, they are a very interesting subject in the study of interfacial interactions in aqueous media, and, in particular, on the mechanisms of bio-adhesion at hydrophilic surfaces.

Low‐voltage scanning electron microscopy (LV‐SEM) was used to monitor contamination by carbonaceous compounds on the surface of two different commercially available titanium dental implants. Because of its higher surface sensitivity, the LV mode allows us to image contaminating materials on surfaces that are undetected by conventional SEM. Results stemming from LV‐SEM observations were compared to surface composition data obtained by XPS analysis. A good relationship between findings obtained by the two techniques was found. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

—This paper presents a review of the theories based on wetting measurements/interfacial thermodynamics most frequently used to explain bacterial adhesion to solid surfaces. The physical meaning of data stemming from the application of the different theories is discussed and compared with current knowledge on interactions between components of matter. It is underlined that existing theories are either in disagreement with accepted knowledge on interfacial interactions or yield conflicting results from a quantitative point of view. It is concluded that, according to the present state of the art, no completely satisfactory theory exists, and that theoretical and experimental difficulties still hinder the understanding of the relationship between surface/interface free energy and bacterial adhesion to solid substrates. The recognition of existing shortcomings should be the first step towards a more satisfactory state of the art.

A simple model was developed for the interpretation of results stemming from the XPS analysis of polymer surfaces modified by polyethyleneimine adsorption followed by surface coupling of polysaccharides. Theoretical surface compositions were evaluated from the calculated XPS intensity arising from a layered structure composed of a surface oxidized polymer, an intermediate polyethyleneimine layer and a top polysaccharide layer.

Low-voltage scanning electron microscopy (LV-SEM) was used to monitor contamination by carbonaceous compounds on the surface of two different commercially available titanium dental implants. Because of its higher surface sensitivity, the LV mode allows us to image contaminating materials on surfaces that are undetected by conventional SEM. Results stemming from LV-SEM observations were compared to surface composition data obtained by XPS analysis. A good relationship between findings obtained by the two techniques was found. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A simple model was developed for the interpretation of results stemming from the XPS analysis of polymer surfaces modified by polyethyleneimine adsorption followed by surface coupling of polysaccharides. Theoretical surface compositions were evaluated from the calculated XPS intensity arising from a layered structure composed of a surface oxidized polymer, an intermediate polyethyleneimine layer and a top polysaccharide layer. Results of calculations were compared to analytical data obtained from fixed-angle XPS analysis of polysaccharide-coated surfaces and to the performances of the latter in in vitro cell adhesion experiments. It is shown that the model can correctly predict the relationship between the experimental surface composition and the cell-resistant properties of polysaccharide-coated surfaces. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.