The nail is a specialized keratinous skin appendage that grows approximately 2 to 3 mm per month, with complete replacement achieved in 6 to 9 months. Although this structure can be easily overlooked, nail disorders comprise approximately 10% of all dermatologic conditions. This contribution first provides an overview on the basic anatomy of the nail that will delineate between the nail unit (e...

Plum bark necrosis stem pitting-associated virus (PBNSPaV) causes the plum bark necrosis stem pitting-associated disease. We obtained the complete genome of a PBNSPaV isolate (PBNSPaV-TA) using small RNA deep sequencing followed by overlapping RT-PCR. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a completed genome of PBNSPaV identified from cherry trees.

Because nail psoriasis is difficult to treat, therapy with many biological drugs has been attempted. Ustekinumab is approved for chronic plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), with some trials reporting nail improvement using this agent. A 51-year-old man with severe chronic plaque psoriasis had severe involvement of all fingernails and toenails, with accompanying nail fold psoriasis. ...

Nail dermoscopy was initially used only in the assessment of nail pigmentation, but now it is widely utilized for the evaluation of many nail disorders. In daily practice, dermoscopy may confirm clinical diagnoses and guides in the management of nail diseases and treatments, permitting a better visualization of symptoms. Dry dermoscopy is required for evaluation of the nail plate surface, while...

The nail unit is a dynamic complex which forms an important part of the integument. This complex consists of the nail matrix (NM), nail bed (NB), hyponychium, nail fold (NF) and the nail plate (NP). Cells of the nail matrix, under the protection of the proximal nail fold mature and keratinised to form the NP. The NM contributes to the most portion of the NP while about 10-15% is produced by the...

Regulation of adult stem cells (SCs) is fundamental for organ maintenance and tissue regeneration. On the body surface, different ectodermal organs exhibit distinctive modes of regeneration and the dynamics of their SC homeostasis remain to be unraveled. A slow cycling characteristic has been used to identify SCs in hair follicles and sweat glands; however, whether a quiescent population exists...

Examination and surgical intervention of nail unit lesions are often hindered by its natural hard keratinous nail plate. Knowledge of the basic anatomy of a nail unit and surgical pathology of a condition facilitate the delivery of an appropriate and effective treatment. The mild form of common ingrown toenail can be managed by tube insertion which entails inserting without anaesthesia a small ...

Subungual melanoma with pigmentation beneath the nail that extends to involve the proximal nail fold is referred to as Hutchinson's sign. Black or brown subungual discoloration involving the proximal nail fold secondary to other etiologies has been referred to as pseudo-Hutchinson's sign. Three patients with nail discoloration and concurrent dyschromia of the proximal nail fold are described: a...

Stainless steels have good corrosion resistance in many environments but welding or aging can decrease their resistance. This work focused on the effect of aging time and ultrasonic nano-crystal surface modification on the passivation behavior of 316L stainless steel. In the case of slightly sensitized 316L stainless steel, increasing the aging time drastically decreased the pitting potential, ...

BACKGROUND Nail psoriasis may affect up to 90% of patients with psoriasis in the course of the disease throughout their lives and it is often a therapeutic challenge to dermatologists. Topical treatments described in the literature have demonstrated variable efficacy, and unsatisfactory results have been associated to inefficient penetration of the active ingredient into the nail plate and prox...