Onychomycosis, the Active Invasion of a Normal Nail Unit by a Dermatophytic Versus the Colonization of an Existing Abnormal Nail Unit by Environmental Fungus.

Onychomycosis was described by early investigators as the presence of an abnormal nail unit and a member of the order Mycota, producing the abnormality. This interpretation has caused more than 50 years of confusion in the dermatologic literature. Unquestionably, the clinician sees more abnormal toenails than fingernails, and investigators have described a multitude of fungi as the cause of the clinically abnormal toenail.

Effects of Periodic Intensive Insulin Therapy: An Updated Review.

Background: Traditional insulin treatment for diabetes mellitus with insulin administered subcutaneously yields nonpulsatile plasma insulin concentrations that represent a fraction of normal portal vein levels. Oral hypoglycemic medications result in the same lack of pulsatile insulin response to blood glucose levels. Intensive treatments of significant complications of diabetes are not recommended due to complicated multidrug regimens, significant weight gain, and the high risk of hypoglycemic complications.

Asymmetric gait nail unit syndrome: the most common worldwide toenail abnormality and onychomycosis.

Asymmetric gait nail unit syndrome (AGNUS) is the result of asymmetric shoe pressure on the toes and foot caused by ubiquitous uneven flat feet that affect the gait. The pressure produces clinical changes in the toenails, which are identical to all clinical types of dermatophyte and opportunistic onychomycosis, yet they are dermatophytes-free. AGNUS produces additional signs that make it easy to identify.