Cisgender men are diagnosed with HIV at a rate four times greater than cisgender women, with 71% of infections attributed to male-male sexual contact. Despite expanding accessibility, pre-exposure ...prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention is initiated by only 30% of people with PrEP indications. Five focus groups with 42 young men who have sex with men from New York and Alabama were conducted to identify key factors to PrEP initiation and persistence. Thirty focus group participants completed a survey on demographics, PrEP choices and health care attitudes. Findings suggest provider competency significantly influences PrEP use due to stigmatization in medical settings. Participants noted benefits of PrEP including HIV protection and sexual empowerment, yet barriers like cost and side effects were prevalent. Our findings outline barriers and facilitators to PrEP use among young men who have sex with men in two high priority settings that will inform PrEP care updates in participating clinics.
This essay explores the ecumenical theology of Archbishop Rowan Williams as it is expressed in his recent addresses and sermons. The Archbishop offers us a vision that is consistent with much ...ecumenical work done in the twentieth century and an agenda for the future. But he gives us so much more. He brings to the ecumenical conversation a profound spiritual depth which turns the ecumenical endeavour from negotiation to grace filled encounter and he challenges us to travel the way of recognition discovering and affirming Christlikeness in one another.
Abstract
The modern ecumenical movement, generally regarded as born out of the 1910 Edinburgh World Missionary Conference, has transformed relationships between the churches throughout the world and ...in Britain, and has created organizations which have been crucial in promoting dialogue, united witness and service. Today, however, there is uncertainty about the future direction of the movement both at home and abroad, and a new passion for unity is called for. The most creative possibilities lie in a renewed understanding of unity as a growth in communion, nourished by participation in the triune life of God.
The modern ecumenical movement, generally regarded as born out of the 1910 Edinburgh World Missionary Conference, has transformed relationships between the churches throughout the world and in ...Britain, and has created organizations which have been crucial in promoting dialogue, united witness and service. Today, however, there is uncertainty about the future direction of the movement both at home and abroad, and a new passion for unity is called for. The most creative possibilities lie in a renewed understanding of unity as a growth in communion, nourished by participation in the triune life of God. (Author abstract)
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease with a genetic component, caused at least in part by aberrant lymphocyte activity. The whole blood mRNA transcriptome was measured for 99 untreated MS ...patients: 43 primary progressive MS, 20 secondary progressive MS, 36 relapsing remitting MS and 45 age-matched healthy controls. The ANZgene Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium genotyped more than 300 000 SNPs for 115 of these samples. Transcription from genes on translational regulation, oxidative phosphorylation, immune synapse and antigen presentation pathways was markedly increased in all forms of MS. Expression of genes tagging T cells was also upregulated (P < 10−12) in MS. A T cell gene signature predicts disease state with a concordance index of 0.79 with age and gender as co-variables, but the signature is not associated with clinical course or disability. The ANZgene genome wide association screen identified two novel regions with genome wide significance: one encoding the T cell co-stimulatory molecule, CD40; the other a region on chromosome 12q13-14. The CD40 haplotype associated with increased MS susceptibility has decreased gene expression in MS (P < 0.0007). The second MS susceptibility region includes 17 genes on 12q13-14 in tight linkage disequilibrium. Of these, only 13 are expressed in leukocytes, and of these the expression of one, FAM119B, is much lower in the susceptibility haplotype (P < 10−14). Overall, these data indicate dysregulation of T cells can be detected in the whole blood of untreated MS patients, and supports targeting of activated T cells in therapy for all forms of MS.
Abstract
This article is an appreciative evaluation of the forty years of Methodist – Roman Catholic dialogue from an Anglican perspective. It explores in particular three issues in the ...Methodist–Catholic international dialogue which are highly relevant for Anglican–Methodist and Anglican–Roman Catholic dialogue, namely, episcopacy and historic succession, the Petrine ministry, and authority. The suggestion is made that it may be timely to consider an Anglican–Methodist–Lutheran–Roman Catholic conversation of these three issues which are of great importance for the future shape of visible unity.
Zika virus is an emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus. Recent outbreaks of Zika virus disease in the Pacific Islands and the Region of the Americas have identified new modes of transmission and ...clinical manifestations, including adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, data on the epidemiology and clinical findings of laboratory-confirmed Zika virus disease remain limited. During January 1, 2015-February 26, 2016, a total of 116 residents of 33 U.S. states and the District of Columbia had laboratory evidence of recent Zika virus infection based on testing performed at CDC. Cases include one congenital infection and 115 persons who reported recent travel to areas with active Zika virus transmission (n = 110) or sexual contact with such a traveler (n = 5). All 115 patients had clinical illness, with the most common signs and symptoms being rash (98%; n = 113), fever (82%; 94), and arthralgia (66%; 76). Health care providers should educate patients, particularly pregnant women, about the risks for, and measures to prevent, infection with Zika virus and other mosquito-borne viruses. Zika virus disease should be considered in patients with acute onset of fever, rash, arthralgia, or conjunctivitis, who traveled to areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission (http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/index.html) or who had unprotected sex with a person who traveled to one of those areas and developed compatible symptoms within 2 weeks of returning.
In the introduction to The Church: Towards a Common Vision (TCTCV), the authors say that their hope is that the text will serve as "an occasion for the churches to reflect upon their understanding of ...the Lord's will so as to grow towards greater unity" and that "by challenging all of the churches, will make a substantial contribution towards the full realization of unity." This is a crucial aim and certainly one which is very relevant to the churches in Britain and Ireland, not least of all to Anglicans. This document ought to help us re-engage with this fundamental ecumenical question about the unity of the Church.
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