Immunological and molecular targets of atopic dermatitis treatment.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, chronic inflammatory skin disease with a highly variable clinical phenotype and heterogeneous pathophysiology. Its pathogenesis is associated with alterations to both the skin barrier and the immune system, which may in turn be influenced by genetic mutations and the patient's environment. Basic and translational research, as well as clinical trials, have helped broaden our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of AD and to identify potential treatment targets and approaches. These include new ways of reducing transepidermal water loss and the shedding of corneocytes, new ways of interacting with established molecular targets (such as histamine receptors and interleukins and other T-cell cytokines), and the identification of new molecular targets (such as toll-like receptors and tight junction proteins). Well-established treatment options such as emollients, corticosteroids and topical calcineurin inhibitors will clearly continue to have a role in treating AD. Among the new agents that could be joining them in the near future are sphinganin (a precursor of ceramides 1 and 3), cannabinoids, highly targeted monoclonal antibodies and subcutaneous immunotherapy.

Neurofibromatosis.

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is one of the most common genetic disorders. Inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion, this phacomatosis is classified into two genetically distinct subtypes characterized by multiple cutaneous lesions and tumors of the peripheral and central nervous system. Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), also referred to as Recklinghausen's disease, affects about 1 in 3500 individuals and presents with a variety of characteristic abnormalities of the skin and the peripheral nervous system. Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), previously termed central neurofibromatosis, is much more rare occurring in less than 1 in 25 000 individuals. Often first clinical signs of NF2 become apparent in the late teens with a sudden loss of hearing due to the development of bi- or unilateral vestibular schwannomas. In addition NF2 patients may suffer from further nervous tissue tumors such as meningiomas or gliomas. This review summarizes the characteristic features of the two forms of NF and outlines commonalities and distinctions between NF1 and NF2.

[Considerable variation in the range of time for complications to appear after tattoos]. / Erhebliche zeitliche Variationsbreite von Komplikationen nach Tätowierungen.

Side effects after tattoos are being observed with greater frequency in dermatological practice. The complications that occur can be classified into systemic and local reactions. The time course of cutaneous side effects ranges from direct complications during or following tattooing to reactions that first appear several years thereafter. The majority of allergic complications can be explained by the delayed degradation of the color pigment used for the tattoo and then release of potent allergens sometimes not until years later.