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Multiple sclerosis is a complex, autoimmune-mediated disease of the central nervous system characterized by inflammatory demyelination and axonal/neuronal damage. The approval of various disease-modifying therapies and our increased understanding of disease mechanisms and evolution in recent years have significantly changed the prognosis and course of the disease. This update of the Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Consensus Group treatment recommendation focuses on the most important recommendations for disease-modifying therapies of multiple sclerosis in 2021. Our recommendations are based on current scientific evidence and apply to those medications approved in wide parts of Europe, particularly German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland)., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Copyright of Historia Ecclesiastica is the property of Vydavatelstvo Presovskej Univerzity and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper discusses the ecdesiological insights gained in the consultation on church and church fellowship between representatives of the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE) and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. In the introduction, the formation of this conversation and its significance for the ecumenical movement in Europe is discussed. Then the approach in the understanding of the church is reflected on the differentiation of the foundation, shape and mission of the church, which proceeds from the implicit reference of the CPCE church study to the understanding of the church in Lume n Ge n tium. The explication is an ecumenical learning process that points the way for further conversations on ecclesiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Before the nineteenth century, philosophical works by women are scarcely documented, if at all, almost everywhere in the world. However, this fact has so far caused little concern to the vast majority of authors of the most diverse narratives of histories of philosophy worldwide. Due to a predominantly masculine perspective in the discipline, the exclusion of women from the canon of the history of philosophy continues to be repeated to this day. This tendency also affects the endeavours since the 1980s to reconstruct and document non-European philosophical traditions as well as to integrate them into a global discourse. A contemporary revision of the canon of the history of philosophy, however, cannot take place solely from an intercultural or global perspective; it must also address and correct patriarchal structures of exclusion - in all regions of the world. The paper discusses the specific challenges of reconstructing the history of women philosophers outside of Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Due to its strong economy and a well-developed healthcare system, Germany is well positioned to achieve above-average reductions in mortality. Nevertheless, in terms of life expectancy, Germany is increasingly falling behind Western Europe. We compare mortality trends in Germany with other Western European countries, covering the period from 1960 to 2019. The focus is on long-term trends in Germany's ranking in international mortality trends. In addition, we conduct a detailed mortality analysis by age., Methods: Our analysis is mostly based on mortality data from the Human Mortality Database (HMD). Cause-specific mortality data originate from the database of the World Health Organization (WHO). For the international comparison of mortality trends, we use conventional mortality indicators (age-standardized mortality rate, period life expectancy)., Results: Compared to other Western European countries, Germany has higher mortality in the middle and older age groups. Germany's life expectancy gap compared to Western Europe has grown during the past 20 years. In 2000, Germany was 0.73 years behind for men and 0.74 years behind for women. By 2019, these figures had risen to 1.43 and 1.34 years, respectively. This is mainly due to mortality from non-communicable diseases., Conclusion: For Germany to catch up with other Western European countries, a stronger focus on further reducing mortality at ages 50+ is crucial. This also requires further research to understand the factors behind Germany's disadvantageous position., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The article focuses on several content moderation by online platforms has been around for a long time, the associated risk of overblocking initially received little attention in Europe - in striking contrast to the USA. Topics include examines the question of corresponding user rights in Europe was not an issue for a long time.

Skin diseases are complex and cannot be explained solely by genetic or environmental factors but are also significantly shaped by social influences. This review illuminates the bidirectional relationship between social factors and skin diseases, demonstrating how social determinants such as socioeconomic status, living environment, and psychosocial stress can influence the onset and progression of skin conditions. Simultaneously, it explores how skin diseases can affect individuals' social lives and work capability, leading to a cycle of social withdrawal and further deterioration of the condition. The paper describes the need for a holistic approach in dermatology that goes beyond the biomedical perspective and incorporates social factors to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies. The increasing prevalence of skin diseases in Europe and the expected rise in allergies due to climate change make the consideration of social determinants even more urgent. The findings of this review aim to raise awareness of the complex interconnections between social factors and skin health and contribute to reducing social disparities in skin health., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

Introduction: The climate crisis has serious consequences for many areas of life. This applies in particular to human health - also in Europe. While cardiovascular, pneumological and dermatological diseases related to the climate crisis are often discussed, the crisis' significant gastroenterological consequences for health must also be considered., Methods: A literature search (Pubmed, Cochrane Library) was used to identify papers with relevance particularly to the field of gastroenterology in (Central) Europe. Findings were supplemented and discussed by an interdisciplinary team., Results: The climate crisis impacts the frequency and severity of gastrointestinal diseases in Europe due to more frequent and severe heat waves, flooding and air pollution. While patients with intestinal diseases are particularly vulnerable to acute weather events, the main long-term consequences of climate change are gastrointestinal cancer and liver disease. In addition to gastroenteritis, other infectious diseases such as vector-borne diseases and parasites are important in the context of global warming, heat waves and floods., Discussion: Adaptation strategies must be consistently developed and implemented for vulnerable groups. Patients at risk should be informed about measures that can be implemented individually, such as avoiding heat, ensuring appropriate hydration and following hygiene instructions. Recommendations for physical activity and a healthy and sustainable diet are essential for the prevention of liver diseases and carcinomas. Measures for prevention and the promotion of resilience can be supported by the physicians at various levels. In addition to efforts fostering sustainability in the immediate working environment, a system-oriented commitment to climate protection is important., Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: In many European countries, intercultural treatment situations are an integral part of everyday medical practice. In this context, the appearance of different interest and decision-making conflicts, which result from communication barriers, cultural practice or moral diversity, are not uncommon. In this paper, the characteristics of intercultural treatment situations with their ethical relevance are presented. Some skills and abilities of intercultural competence are also described and their function is demonstrated by a clinical ethical case. The opportunities and limitations of intercultural competence for an ethical orientation are subject of reflection., (© 2023 Aerzteverlag medinfo AG.)

Based on scientific findings, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended stricter guideline values for air quality in 2021. Significant reductions in the annual mean values of particulate matter (particle size 2.5 µm or smaller, PM 2.5 ) and long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) and ozone (O 3 ) were put forward. The risk of mortality already increases above the WHO guideline values, as shown in studies investigating low concentrations of air pollutants. In Germany, the 2021 WHO guideline values for PM 2.5 and NO 2 were clearly exceeded in 2022.In this position paper we give the following recommendations for the European Air Quality Directive: (1) set binding limit values according to WHO 2021, (2) apply the limit values to the whole of Europe, (3) continue and expand the established country-based monitoring networks, (4) expand air quality measurements for ultrafine particles and soot particles, and (5) link air pollution control and climate protection measures.Stricter limits for air pollutants require societal and political changes in areas such as mobility, energy use and generation, and urban and spatial planning. Implementation according to WHO 2021 would lead to a net economic benefit of 38 billion euros per year.Ambitious limit values for air pollutants also have an impact on climate change mitigation and its health impacts. The Environmental Public Health commission concludes that more ambitious limit values are crucial to enable effective health protection in Germany and calls for air pollutant limit values in line with the 2021 WHO recommendations to become binding in Europe., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

In the European Union (EU), rare diseases (RDs) are diseases that affect no more than 5 in 10,000 people. Due to their rarity, clinical expertise and quality-assured care structures are scarce, and research is more difficult compared to other diseases. However, these problems can be overcome by means of national and transnational RD care networks. Data and expertise are pooled in these networks.In the EU, the European Reference Networks (ERNs) for Rare and Complex Diseases cooperate across borders. Important services provided by ERNs using health data include diagnostic coding of RDs, conducting virtual cross-border case conferences, and establishing European registries that are used to measure and improve the quality of care. In ERNs, local data generation and documentation combine with network-wide data infrastructures. This paper describes the data-based services in and for RD healthcare networks: (1) diagnostic coding, (2) cross-border case conferences, and (3) ERN registries for RD patient care. The final section discusses the integration of the networks into national healthcare systems.In order to achieve the best possible benefit for SE patients, ERN activities and structures need to be better integrated into national healthcare systems. In Germany, the Medical Informatics Initiative and the German Reference Networks play a central role in this regard., (© 2022. The Author(s).)