“…As a Wrst step and to investigate Wbres in their usual environment, AFM force-curves were obtained in air. Although adhesion measurements under these conditions are likely to be inXuenced by capillary forces (Cappella et al, 1997), chemical speciWcity is maintained (Sedin and Rowlen, 2000). Indeed, the mean adhesion forces for the MSUD hair sample were markedly reduced compared to those obtained for hair from the MSUD unaVected child (F D 48 and 83 nN, respectively, p < 0.05; Fig.…”