title: Nail Damage (Severe Onychodystrophy) Induced by Acrylate Glue: Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Investigations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) techniques have been used in various fields of medical research, including different pathologies of the nails; however, no studies have focused on obtaining high-resolution microscopic images and elemental analysis of disorders caused by synthetic nails and acrylic adhesives.
  
  
  METHODS
  Damaged/injured fingernails caused by the use of acrylate glue and synthetic nails were investigated using SEM and EDX methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SEM and EDX proved that synthetic nails, acrylic glue, and nails damaged by contact with acrylate glue have a different morphology and different composition compared to healthy human nails.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SEM and EDX analysis can give useful information about the aspects of topography (surface sample), morphology (shape and size), hardness or reflectivity, and the elemental composition of nails.
authors.affiliation: Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: Tudor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pinteala
authors.affiliation: Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: Anca Eduard
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Chiriac
authors.affiliation: Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry Petru Poni, Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rosca
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze di Medicina Pubblica, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Larese Filon
authors.affiliation: Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry Petru Poni, Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pinteala
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Nicolina Medical Center, Iasi, Romania; Department of Dermato-Physiology, Apollonia University, Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: Anca
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chiriac
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Clinic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Targu-Mures, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania.
authors.forename: Cristian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Podoleanu
authors.affiliation: Pathology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Targu-Mures, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stolnicu
authors.affiliation: Surgery Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Targu-Mures, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania.
authors.forename: Marius Florin
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Coros
authors.affiliation: Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry Petru Poni, Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: Adina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coroaba
keywords: Acrylate glue; Onycholysis; Scanning electron microscopy; Synthetic nails