Evangelical Lutheran Church

Amennyiben felvállaljuk, hogy kiszabadulunk az európai kereszténység zömében arisztoteliánus meghatározottságából, a bibliai történetek új távlatokra tudnak ablakot nyitni. Tézisem, hogy Jézus példázatai és a csan, illetve zen buddhista kóanok közötti formai, szerkezeti, néha tartalmi hasonlóságok a spirituális tapasztalatiság szempontjából nyernek értelmet. A távol-keleti és európai szerzetesség hasonló kontemplációs gyakorlatának hátterét két irányból igyekszem megvilágítani. Egyfelől a valóságértelmezés különbségei révén, másfelől az európai és az indiai szubkontinens hasonló belső vallásfejlődési történetén keresztül, amennyiben a társadalmi léptékű strukturális vallásszervezettel szükségszerűen szembekerülnek az egyéni istentapasztalást és megvilágosodást valló szerzetesi gyakorlatok.

Introduction: Homozygous sickle cell disease in the DR Congo is the most common hemoglobinopathy. Sickle cell disease is manifested by a regenerative anemia whose severity varies greatly depending on the individual. Sickle cell syndromes probably lead to inflammation and iron balance disorders. The objective of this study is to improve management by determining the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and to study the factors associated with this anemia in sickle cell patients in the inter-critical phase. Method: This is a comparative and analytical study carried out in two hospitals in the city of Bukavu, the Panzi General Reference Hospital and the Ami des Enfants clinic, over a period of one year, from September 1, 2023 to September 31, 2024. This study involved 68 sickle cell anemic patients, of whom 38 had iron deficiency anemia taken as cases and 30 without iron deficiency anemia taken as controls. The inclusion criteria are: being sickle cell in the inter-critical phase, anemic (hb < 11g / dl). Logistic regression allowed us to identify the factors associated with this iron deficiency anemia in sickle cell patients. Results: out of 68 sickle cell anemic patients, 38 had iron deficiency anemia, a prevalence of 55.9%, the average age was 7.8±3.9 years, with a male predominance (65.2%), sex was a factor significantly associated with iron deficiency anemia (OR: 5.2 p: 0.002). Primary school level (47%) was also associated with this iron deficiency anemia (OR: 0.4p: 0.02). Clinically, the factors associated with iron deficiency anemia were the average age of diagnosis of the pathology, i.e. 6.4±3.7 years, (t: 2.1 p: 0.02). The average number of hospitalizations was 4.9±5.5 times, with a significant difference to controls (t: 1.1, p: 0.04). Biologically, the mean hemoglobin level of the cases 6.8±1g/dl was not far from that of the controls i.e. 6.96±1.6 g/dl, their anemia was microcytic at 16% and macrocytic at 8%. The quantitative CRP, its mean is on the other hand very high in the controls i.e. 25.8±30 mg/l against 9±12.6 mg/l (t: -3.5 p: 0.003). The mean ferritin in the cases was 59.6±30.1 ng/l. Hemoglobins A and F of sickle cell patients show that in cases the average Hb A is zero and HbF is 13±7%, and in controls, the average HbA is 2±6ng/l and HBF is 18±7ng/l. The average number of transfusions was equal in cases and controls, i.e. 2.5±2.5 transfusions. Conclusion: Iron deficiency anemia has a high prevalence in sickle cell patients, several factors including sociodemographic, clinical and biological remain associated with this anemia even in the inter-critical phase.

Concurrent neoadjuvant chemo-radiation (nCRT) with total mesorectal excision (TME) alone sometimes fails to cure lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM). Therefore, additional lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) can help in the treatment of these patients. This is what we refer to as extended total mesorectal excision (eTME). Such operations (TME alone or eTME) can be performed using conventional laparoscopic techniques and robotic-assisted techniques as well. Our meta-analysis aims to compare the results of robot-assisted (R-eTME) versus laparoscopic-assisted extended mesorectal excision (L-eTME) in terms of short- and long-term outcomes. Databases searched using title and abstract included Medline (via PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase, up to February 20, 2024. All studies that documented robotic versus laparoscopic procedures for extended total mesorectal excision (R-eTME versus L-eTME) and reported more than two relevant outcomes, were included in the study. Our meta-analysis demonstrates four significant outcomes (operative time, urinary complications, overall recurrence, and admission days) between the laparoscopic and robotic groups. The robotic approach shows advantages over the laparoscopic approach in these outcomes except for the operative time (minute), which was longer in the robotic group compared to the laparoscopic group. The laparoscopic group is associated with a higher overall recurrence than the robotic group with an Odds Ratio of 2(95% CI, 1-4, p = 0.05). This meta-analysis study showed that the R-eTME group had a lower recurrence rate compared to the L-eTME group. Additionally, hospital admission days increased significantly in the laparoscopic group. Other long-term outcomes did not differ significantly between the two groups. Short-term outcomes were similar, except for more urinary complications in the laparoscopic group. In conclusion, the study suggests that robotic surgery may offer advantages over laparoscopic surgery for eTME. Further research and analysis could provide further insight into the potential benefits of robotic surgery in this procedure, particularly when surgeon experience, center volume, and learning curve are taken into consideration.

The article is devoted to considering the history of two interconnected phenomena: rock and roll, which originated and took shape in the United States in the middle of the last century, and the so-called "second wave of Pentecostalism" (Pentecostal awakening), the date of which also falls on this decade. The clear influence of Pentecostal musical culture on the work of Elvis Presley is shown. The further history of rock and roll and its connection with religion is considered. The process of integrating foreign musical religious culture into the practice of Russian neo-Pentecostal churches is analyzed, an overview of the creativity and styles of Russian artists and musical groups is given.

BACKGROUND Rural communities experience significant health inequities regarding tobacco use and access to cessation treatment due to geographic barriers and infrastructure limitations. Social media and other digital platforms offer promising avenues to improve access and overcome engagement challenges in tobacco cessation efforts for rural populations. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to develop and beta-test a social media intervention prototype (FaithCore) delivered through a Facebook group specifically designed for rural smokers seeking evidence-based smoking cessation resources. METHODS We developed a culturally and faith-aligned Facebook group intervention (FaithCore) tailored to promote the use of smoking cessation resources among rural smokers. The principles of community-based participatory research (CBPR) informed the intervention content and engagement strategies. A beta test was conducted with a sample of rural smokers to assess the intervention's usability, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy. RESULTS The beta-test results indicated that the FaithCore intervention was perceived as helpful, easy to understand, and effective in achieving its intended goals. Notably, 90% of participants reported attempting to quit smoking, and 90% reported utilizing or seeking the cessation resources discussed within the group. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that social media group interventions, incorporating culturally and faith-aligned content and engagement strategies delivered by trained moderators, hold promise for promoting smoking cessation in rural communities. Future research will involve a large pilot trial to evaluate the intervention's effectiveness on smoking cessation outcomes.

Das Adelaider Gesangbuch. Kulturgeschichtliche Verortung und sprachgeschichtliche Einordnung Im Herbst 2021 wurde von Trudla Malinkowa in den Lutheran Archives in Adelaide ein handschriftliches sorbisches Gesangbuch entdeckt, das im Folgenden erstmals wissen­schaftlich untersucht wird. Das Gesangbuch ist dem pietistischen Spektrum zuzuordnen und repräsentiert eine außerkirchliche Frömmigkeit, wie sie in Kreisen der evangelischen Stundenchristen gelebt wurde. Als authentischer Text sorbischer Lied- und Schriftkultur des 19. Jahrhunderts dokumentiert das Gesangbuch mit seiner Geschichte vielfältige, teils bisher wenig beachtete Phänomene der Sorabistik, so etwa die orthographische Eigen­ständigkeit sorbischer Handschriften. Damit werden neue Perspektiven für die Beschrei­bung kultur-, literatur- und sprachgeschichtlicher Entwicklungslinien in der Sorabistik eröffnet.

This study discusses the current state of ecumenical discussions on the mutual recognition of baptism and the possibilities for progress. Baptism is considered the basic sacrament of unity in Christianity, yet mutual baptismal confession is still not a reality among all Christian Churches and communities. This research also tries to answer questions about the lack of faith in infant baptism and the differences in understanding of the sacrament, especially in the relationship between Orthodox and Protestants. The method used in this study is a systematic analysis of the most relevant ecumenical theological sources of baptism. Understanding the relationship between baptism and faith is the main focus of this study, including an understanding of the ontological and epistemological dimensions of faith and being a Christian from a theological perspective. The results of the analysis are also integrated into the framework of Christian life in general and ecclesiology. One of the important findings in this study is the seventh canon of the second ecumenical council in Constantinople in 381 which states that any baptism performed with water and in the name of the Trinity should be considered a valid Christian baptism. Although the recognition of baptism does not directly entail full ecclesiastical union or eucharistic intercommunion, it does provide hope and encouragement to work harder in promoting common Christian witness and ministry. This research is also relevant in resolving the dilemma between infant baptism and the baptism of believers. In conclusion, the study proposes possible paths to take this discussion forward, in the hope of achieving a wider mutual recognition of baptism among different Churches and Christian communities.