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Polymethylmethacrylate intraocular lenses (IOLs) were surface-modified by the linking of a overlayer of hyaluronan. In vitro experiments show that the hydrophilic HA overlayer prevents fibroblasts adhesion and greatly reduces Staphyloccous epidermidis adhesion to the IOL surface. To gain insights into the interfacial properties of untreated and hyaluronan-coated PMMA IOLs, force-distance curves were obtained by atomic force microscopy, using standard and modified tips. These measurements allow clear appreciation of the marked difference between the mechanical and chemico-physical properties at the aqueous interface of the uncoated and hyaluronan-coated lenses.

The ability to resist adhesion of proteins, bacteria, cells and tissue is an important requirement for the surfaces of medical devices. This article describes a surface-modification process that imparts anti-adhesive properties to the surfaces of biomedical materials through the covalent binding of hyaluronan. It can be applied to a wide range of materials to yield anti-adhesive surfaces on plastics, metals and ceramics.

The plasma treatment of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabric offers new opportunities for product designers. The technique enhances surface properties while maintaining the beneficial physical characteristics of the bulk material. This article compares the surface properties of treated and untreated materials and looks at the specific application of treated fabric in the rapidly growing field of tissue engineering.

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.

Aerial dispersal of propagules, an important mechanism of fungal spread, has not been sufficiently studied for skin-infecting fungi. Over a period of one year, we have monitored the distribution of dermatophytes in the air of Turin. We have also examined the related aleurioconidic and arthroconidic fungi, which share physiological and morphological characters with dermatophytes and are sometimes considered to cause similar infections. A viable volumetric collector was used. Samples were taken each month; each sample collected 9.6 m3 of air. The medium was Dermasel agar supplemented with cycloheximide and chloramphenicol. Thirty-two species were isolated, within the genera Aphanoascus, Arthrographis, Chrysosporium, Geomyces, Gymnoascus, Malbranchea, Myceliophthora, Myxotrichum, Ovadendron, Trichophyton. The total mycoflora load obtained was rather low throughout the year and particularly in the hottest months. Apart from T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes, which are dermatophytes very frequently encountered in Turin, many of the species detected have known pathogenic potential and/or keratinolytic activity.