15 research outputs found
The mission of the church as family: implementing the ecclesiology of the African Synod (1994) in the Catholic Diocese of Masvingo
Bibliography: leaves 221-244The purpose of this thesis is to examine the mission of the ‘Church as family’ and to explore
its implications in terms of levels of inclusion and participation of church members in the
Catholic Diocese of Masvingo. The background of the study is the 1994 African Synod that
suggests the ecclesiology of the mission of the ‘Church as family.’ The study helps the
Catholic Diocese of Masvingo to evaluate the implementation of the ideal of the mission of
the ‘Church as family’ and draw implications for nuclear, single parent, child-headed,
reconstituted and extended families within the church. The study explores Shorter’s culture
model to examine how cultural practices, symbols, values and belief systems can be used as
an analytic framework for the human dimension of the church. A qualitative research
methodology that involves 36 participants in semi-structured interviews, three focus group
discussions in urban, semi-urban and rural parishes and participant observation was used to
collect data from parishioners, priests and religious of the Catholic Diocese of Masvingo. The
study reveals that each family type contributes to Evangelisation as proclamation of the Good
News and inculturation differently thereby enriching the ideal of the mission of the ‘Church
as family.’ Furthermore, the study shows that guilds, associations and commissions help to
strengthen families through spiritual, psychological, social and economic support. Findings
also indicate that the Trinity is the theological foundation of the family and it finds
acceptance in African communal setup. Family types in Masvingo Diocese are analysed
using the notion of the Trinity to show that dignity, equality and respect among family types
can be used to strengthen the ideal of the mission of the ‘Church as family.’ At pastoral level,
economic, social and cultural obstacles to family ministry stand as a challenge to the full
implementation and realisation of the ideal of the mission of the ‘Church as family’. In the
light of the research, recommendations for mission strategies were suggested at different
levels that involve Diocesan administration, priests, religious, catechists and parish leaders.
Recommendations for further researches were also suggested for areas that seem to be
important yet outside the scope of this study. The theological, pastoral, and cultural issues
raised in this study combine to help the Catholic Diocese of Masvingo to become an
authentic expression of the mission of the ‘Church as family’ of God.Christian Spirituality, Church History and MissiologyD. Th. (Missiology
Atopic dermatitis and food sensitization in South African toddlers: Role of fiber and gut microbiota
The pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) is complex and related to allergic responses and defects in skin barrier function. In common with many atopic diseases, the prevalence of AD has been increasing across the world.1 One of the theories for this increase is increased hygiene and urbanization-related changes in the environment, which can affect the human microbiome.2 Previous studies have found associations between the composition of the early gut microbiome and development of atopic conditions, including AD.3 Although the rate of atopic conditions, including AD and food allergy, is increasing on all continents, the prevalence of these diseases is still lower in African countries.1 This is especially interesting because individuals of African origin who live in Western countries, such as African Americans, are at a higher risk for severe AD.4 This variation places Africa in a special position; studying African populations is necessary not only to find ways to prevent increases of allergy conditions in African countries but also to provide important clues to the causes of this global increasing of allergic conditions. Young children who have developed AD in African communities with a low incidence of atopic disease might be the transitional group. In the current study, we have, for the first time to our knowledge, analyzed the fecal microbiota composition of a group of young black African children aged 12 to 36 months old with and without AD living in the same community in Cape Town, South Africa. Our primary goal was to examine whether toddlers with AD and control toddlers from Cape Town have different microbiomes in terms of bacterial richness and diversity. We also aimed to investigate the differences in the relative abundance for different operational taxonomic units between these 2 groups. In our subgroup analyses, we further tested the effect of multiple environmental factors on the gut microbiome in these children
Predictive values of alpha-gal IgE levels and alpha-gal IgE: Total IgE ratio and oral food challenge-proven meat allergy in a population with a high prevalence of reported red meat allergy
Contains fulltext :
199513.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access
Rural and urban food allergy prevalence from the South African Food Allergy (SAFFA) study
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201353.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access
Ascaris lumbricoides and ticks associated with sensitization to galactose alpha 1,3-galactose and elicitation of the alpha-gal syndrome
Environmental factors associated with allergy in urban and rural children from the South African Food Allergy (SAFFA) cohort
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216647.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access
The South African Food Sensitisation and Food Allergy population-based study of IgE-mediated food allergy: validity, safety, and acceptability.
Ascaris lumbricoides and ticks associated with sensitization to galactose α1,3-galactose and elicitation of the alpha-gal syndrome
Environment-dependent alterations of immune mediators in urban and rural south African children with atopic dermatitis
BACKGROUND
In order to improve targeted therapeutic approaches for children with atopic dermatitis (AD), novel insights into the molecular mechanisms and environmental exposures that differentially contribute to disease phenotypes are required. We wished to identify AD immunological endotypes in South African children from rural and urban environments.
METHODS
We measured immunological, socio-economic and environmental factors in healthy children (n = 74) and children with AD (n = 78), in rural and urban settings from the same ethno-linguistic AmaXhosa background in South Africa.
RESULTS
Circulating eosinophils, monocytes, TARC, MCP-4, IL-16 and allergen-specific IgE levels were elevated, while IL-17A and IL-23 levels were reduced, in children with AD regardless of their location. Independent of AD, children living in a rural environment had the highest levels of TNFα, TNFβ, IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-21, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, MDC, sICAM1, sVCAM1, VEGFA, VEGFD and Tie2, suggesting a generalized microinflammation or a pattern of trained immunity without any specific T polarization. In contrast, IL-15, IL-22, Flt1, PIGF and βFGF were highest in urban children. Rural healthy children had the lowest levels of food allergen-specific IgG4. Early life nutritional factors, medications, animal exposures, indoor environment, sunlight exposure, household size, household income and parental education levels were associated with differences in circulating cytokine levels.
CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights the immunological impact of environmental exposures and socio-economic status in the manifestation of immune endotypes in children with AD living in urban and rural areas, which are important in selecting appropriately matched immunological therapies for treatment of AD
Environment‐Dependent Alterations of Immune Mediators in Urban and Rural South African Children with Atopic Dermatitis
Background
In order to improve targeted therapeutic approaches for children with atopic dermatitis (AD), novel insights into the molecular mechanisms and environmental exposures that differentially contribute to disease phenotypes are required. We wished to identify AD immunological endotypes in South African children from rural and urban environments.
Methods
We measured immunological, socio-economic and environmental factors in healthy children (n = 74) and children with AD (n = 78), in rural and urban settings from the same ethno-linguistic AmaXhosa background in South Africa.
Results
Circulating eosinophils, monocytes, TARC, MCP-4, IL-16 and allergen-specific IgE levels were elevated, while IL-17A and IL-23 levels were reduced, in children with AD regardless of their location. Independent of AD, children living in a rural environment had the highest levels of TNFα, TNFβ, IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-21, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, MDC, sICAM1, sVCAM1, VEGFA, VEGFD and Tie2, suggesting a generalized microinflammation or a pattern of trained immunity without any specific TH polarization. In contrast, IL-15, IL-22, Flt1, PIGF and βFGF were highest in urban children. Rural healthy children had the lowest levels of food allergen-specific IgG4. Early life nutritional factors, medications, animal exposures, indoor environment, sunlight exposure, household size, household income and parental education levels were associated with differences in circulating cytokine levels.
Conclusions
This study highlights the immunological impact of environmental exposures and socio-economic status in the manifestation of immune endotypes in children with AD living in urban and rural areas, which are important in selecting appropriately matched immunological therapies for treatment of AD.ISSN:0105-4538ISSN:1398-999