(a) DNA assay to determine the DNA content of 3T3 cells on pre-incubated Ag/a-C : H : N nanocomposites using a 4 : 1 ratio of NH3/C2H4 at day 4 and 6. 3T3 cells were cultivated on tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS), on Ag-free a-C : H : N coatings (w/o Ag) and on Ag/a-C : H : N nanocomposites produced at 8, 15, 25 and 50 W. The data are expressed as mean ± s.e.m. of three independent experiments. (b) DNA assay to determine the DNA content of 3T3 cells on pre-incubated Ag/a-C : H : N nanocomposites using a 2 : 1 ratio of NH3/C2H4 at day 4 and 6. 3T3 cells were cultivated on TCPS, on Ag-free a-C : H : N coatings (w/o Ag) and on Ag/a-C : H : N nanocomposites deposited at 8, 15, 25 and 50 W. The data are expressed as mean ± s.e.m. of three independent experiments. (a, b) Asterisk (*) indicates significantly different from control culture d4 p < 0.05, hash (#) indicates significantly different from control culture d6 p < 0.05. (a,b) Open bars, d4; filled bars, d6.