For the genetic analysis with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), template DNA is generally prepared from blood cells. However, in some instances, when blood samples are not available, DNA from hair can be used for the analysis (1, 2). Both mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA can be amplified using DNA extracted from one hair. While hair sampling is easy, there are still some problems, e...

BACKGROUND Zinc is one of the most important elements for human body. Zinc deficiency can occur in any age, if it is seen in elderly its clinical results can be more harmful due to already diminished functions. Some studies showed zinc deficiency has an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. In this study we measured the nail zinc levels and aimed to show its clinical implicat...

Segmental progeroid syndromes are those whose phenotypes resemble accelerated aging. Here we analyze those phenotypes and hypothesize that short telomeres produce the same group of symptoms in a variety of otherwise unrelated progeroid syndromes. Specific findings are the following: (a) short telomeres in some progeroid syndromes cause an alopecia/osteoporosis/fingernail-atrophy group of sympto...

This paper presents a method for automatically calibrating a fingernail imaging system used to detect arbitrary three-dimensional force on the human fingerpad. The calibration is accomplished using a Magnetic Levitation Haptic Device modified to apply calibrated forces through a flat plate to the fingerpad. The technique explained here is shown to accurately predict arbitrary shear force with R...

There is much documented information on abnormal fingernail shapes- acquired or congenital. There is a dearth of information on the shapes of the clinically healthy fingernail in medical textbooks and scientific journals. A study was carried out to determine the possible shapes of the healthy fingernails and the prevalence of each shape in the locality, i.e. in Ibadan, south-western Nigeria and...

The surface energy of the human nail plate is expected to influence the adhesion of microorganisms (and subsequent colonization and infections) as well as that of medicines (and subsequent drug permeation) and of cosmetics. The aim of the study was therefore to measure the surface energy of nail plates in vivo. The surface energy of healthy human fingernails (untreated, hydrated and abraded) an...

Selenium (Se) has been suggested to be beneficial to obesity development. However, limited studies have evaluated the association between Se and childhood obesity and the findings are inconsistent.The aim of this study was to examine the association of Se levels with obesity in children in a cross-sectional study.A total of 62 obese (21 girls) and 65 normal-weight children (27 girls) aged 7 to ...

The most significant problem of electron paramagnetic resonance fingernail dosimetry is the presence of two signals of non-radiation origin that overlap the radiationinduced signal (RIS), making it almost impossible to perform dose measurements below 5 Gy. Historically, these two non-radiation components were named mechanicallyinduced signal (MIS) and background signal (BKS). In order to invest...