The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) initiative commenced during a World Health Organization workshop in 1999. The initial goals were (1) to propose a new allergic rhinitis classification, (2) to promote the concept of multi-morbidity in asthma and rhinitis and (3) to develop guidelines with all stakeholders that could be used globally for all countries and populations. ARIA—disseminated and implemented in over 70 countries globally—is now focusing on the implementation of emerging technologies for individualized and predictive medicine. MASK [MACVIA (Contre les Maladies Chroniques pour un Vieillissement Actif)-ARIA Sentinel NetworK] uses mobile technology to develop care pathways for the management of rhinitis and asthma by a multi-disciplinary group and by patients themselves. An app (Android and iOS) is available in 20 countries and 15 languages. It uses a visual analogue scale to assess symptom control and work productivity as well as a clinical decision support system. It is associated with an inter-operable tablet for physicians and other health care professionals. The scaling up strategy uses the recommendations of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. The aim of the novel ARIA approach is to provide an active and healthy life to rhinitis sufferers, whatever their age, sex or socio-economic status, in order to reduce health and social inequalities incurred by the disease.

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Background: In allergic rhinitis, a relevant outcome providing information on the effectiveness of interventions is needed. In MASK-air (Mobile Airways Sentinel Network), a visual analogue scale (VAS) for work is used as a relevant outcome. This study aimed to assess the performance of the work VAS work by comparing VAS work with other VAS measurements and symptom-medication scores obtained concurrently. Methods: All consecutive MASK-air users in 23 countries from 1 June 2016 to 31 October 2018 were included (14 189 users; 205 904 days). Geolocalized users selfassessed daily symptom control using the touchscreen functionality on their smart phone to click on VAS scores (ranging from 0 to 100) for overall symptoms (global), nose, eyes, asthma and work. Two symptom-medication scores were used: the modified EAACI CSMS score and the MASK control score for rhinitis. To assess data quality, the intra-individual response variability (IRV) index was calculated. Results: A strong correlation was observed between VAS work and other VAS. The highest levels for correlation with VAS work and variance explained in VAS work were found with VAS global, followed by VAS nose, eye and asthma. In comparison with VAS global, the mCSMS and MASK control score showed a lower correlation with VAS work. Results are unlikely to be explained by a low quality of data arising from repeated VAS measures. Conclusions: VAS work correlates with other outcomes (VAS global, nose, eye and asthma) but less well with a symptom-medication score. VAS work should be considered as a potentially useful AR outcome in intervention studies.

BackgroundWe examined the human toll and subsequent humanitarian crisis resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began on 24 February 2022.MethodWe extracted and analysed data resulting from Russian military attacks on Ukrainians between 24 February and 4 August 2022. The data tracked direct deaths and injuries, damage to healthcare infrastructure and the impact on health, the destruction of residences, infrastructure, communication systems, and utility services – all of which disrupted the lives of Ukrainians.ResultsAs of 4 August 2022, 5552 civilians were killed outright and 8513 injured in Ukraine as a result of Russian attacks. Local officials estimate as many as 24 328 people were also killed in mass atrocities, with Mariupol being the largest (n=22 000) such example. Aside from wide swaths of homes, schools, roads, and bridges destroyed, hospitals and health facilities from 21 cities across Ukraine came under attack. The disruption to water, gas, electricity, and internet services also extended to affect supplies of medications and other supplies owing to destroyed facilities or production that ceased due to the war. The data also show that Ukraine saw an increase in cases of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and Coronavirus (COVID-19).ConclusionsThe 2022 Russia-Ukraine War not only resulted in deaths and injuries but also impacted the lives and safety of Ukrainians through destruction of healthcare facilities and disrupted delivery of healthcare and supplies. The war is an ongoing humanitarian crisis given the continuing destruction of infrastructure and services that directly impact the well-being of human lives. The devastation, trauma and human cost of war will impact generations of Ukrainians to come.

Introduction. Liraglutide (L) is the analogue of human glucagon-like peptide 1 which stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion and can modify the level of inflammatory biomarkers. L can influence NF-kB inflammatory cascade, but the mechanisms of anti-inflammatory activities of L remain to be determined. In animal models L influenced an activity of Sirtuin 1(SIRT1). Moreover, recent evidences strongly suggest that SIRT1 up-regulation may serve as a potent therapeutic approach against development and progression of diabetic complications. The aim of this study was to investigate L effects directed on the pro-inflammatory NF-kB pathway and expression of SIRT1 in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Materials and Methods. 15 obese patients with type 2 diabetes were studied, all using metformin (1-2 g/day) and sulfonylurea (glimiperide). All patients received L 1.2 mg daily add-on to stable therapy for 6 weeks. Blood samples were collected before, 6 weeks after start of treatment and after an overnight fast 6 weeks after stopping L, mononuclear cells (MNC) were isolated. The mRNA expressions of TNF-α, TLR2, TLR4, NOD1, IL-2 and SIRT1 were measured in MNC by RT-PCR. Ceruloplasmin concentration was measured in plasma by photometric method. Results. In this add-on pilot clinical investigation we received new data that L can inhibit proinflammatory NF-kB pathway by increased SIRT1 expression in obese patients with type 2 DM improving metabolic profile. The mRNA expression in MNC of TNF-α, IkB, TLR2, TLR4, and plasma ceruloplasmin fell after 6 weeks of L. Expressions of IL-2 and NOD-1 were stable. There was a significant increase of SIRT1 mRNA expression. The mRNA expression in MNC of TNF-α, IkB, TLR2, TLR4, NOD1, SIRT1 and ceruloplasmin concentrations did not reverse to baseline levels after 6 weeks stopping of L treatment. IL-2 expression decreased in comparison with basic level. Conclusions. L has a potent anti-inflammatory effect as do GLP-1 agonists due to inhibition of NF-kB pathways and up-regulate SIRT1 expression, down-regulating pro-inflammatory factors including cytokines (TNF-α), extra- and intracellular receptors (TLR2, TLR4), and inflammation markers such as ceruloplasmin. Long lasting effects of L can be mediated by epigenetic regulation of NF-kB pathway by SIRT-1.