Mingorance Álvarez Esther, Martínez Quintana Rodrigo, Pérez Pico Ana Mª, Mayordomo Raquel
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Center of Plasencia, University of Extremadura, Avda. Virgen del Puerto 2, 10600 Plasencia, Cáceres, Spain.
Department of Mathematics, University Center of Plasencia, University of Extremadura, Avda. Virgen del Puerto 2, 10600 Plasencia, Cáceres, Spain.
Biology (Basel). 2021 Jan 12;10(1):53. doi: 10.3390/biology10010053.
The nail plate is made up of tightly packed keratin-rich cells. Factors such as the special distribution of the intermediate filaments in each layer (dorsal, intermediate, and ventral), the relative thickness of the layers, and their chemical composition define the characteristics of each nail. The main objective of this study is to determine nail consistency by calculating a predictive model based on elemental composition analysis using scanning electron microscopy. Nail consistency was determined in 57 participants (29 women and 28 men) in two age groups (young people and adults). Elemental composition was analysed in each layer using scanning SEM-EDS, and nail plate thickness was measured by image analysis. A total of 12 elements were detected in nail plates, of which carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, and calcium showed significant differences between layers (-values ≤ 0.01). The level of calcium in the dorsal layer was the main predictive variable in calculating the predictive model of consistency, with 75.4% correctly classified cases. Elemental analysis in each layer of the nail plate by SEM-EDS can be used to develop a predictive model of nail consistency that will help health professionals to objectively determine nail consistency.
指甲板由紧密排列的富含角蛋白的细胞组成。各层（背层、中间层和腹层）中间丝的特殊分布、各层的相对厚度及其化学成分等因素决定了每根指甲的特征。本研究的主要目的是通过基于扫描电子显微镜的元素组成分析计算预测模型来确定指甲的坚硬度。在两个年龄组（年轻人和成年人）的57名参与者（29名女性和28名男性）中测定了指甲坚硬度。使用扫描扫描电子显微镜-能谱仪（SEM-EDS）分析各层的元素组成，并通过图像分析测量指甲板厚度。在指甲板中总共检测到12种元素，其中碳、氮、磷、硫和钙在各层之间存在显著差异（P值≤0.01）。背层中的钙含量是计算坚硬度预测模型的主要预测变量，正确分类的病例占75.4%。通过SEM-EDS对指甲板各层进行元素分析可用于建立指甲坚硬度预测模型，这将有助于卫生专业人员客观地确定指甲坚硬度。
