Historiographical reflection on the Malay World

This work began with a very interesting criticism from the author, Tatiana A. Dnisova, who argued that: “every time there is a need to understand the Malay view on various subjects or areas of human life, a researcher must refer to primary sources, i.e. the Malay literary treasures, including works on the historiography of Islamic Malay.

Batavia in the memoirs of an eye-witness: autobiographical notes from the chronicle Tuhfat an-Nafis

The chronicle Tuhfat an-Nafis (“The Precious Gift”) is one of the most significant sources for the history of Johor, a very important independent Muslim state in the Malay Archipelago which existed between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. Tuhfat an-Nafis was written around 1866 by Raja Ali Haji (1809–1872), one of the most profound intellectuals of his time. It was written in Malay language with Jawi script and sheds light on many aspects of Malay-Indonesian history. Besides the main storylines, the text contains different additional materials, including autobiographical passages. Among them is a report of the official visit to Batavia of a group of representatives of Johor’s vice-king Raja Jafar (1773– 1831) in early 1238 (1822), which the author took part in. In this passage, Batavia appears in the description of a fourteen-year-old Malay/Bugis boy who would soon become one of the most famous writers of his time. By comparing his simple story with the realities of Batavia’s life in 1822, which were reflected in archival documents, memoirs and academic publications, we clarify some personalities, toponyms and dates described in the text. It should be also emphasized that this is a new type of source for the study of the colonial Batavia, the history of which is used to be written only on the basis of European works, primarily Dutch ones

Metode dakyah Kristian di Pulau Pinang pada abad ke-19: kajian terhadap karya-karya terpilih Thomas Beighton (1790–1844)

The British settlement in Penang in the 1790s had led to the introduction of Christianity from various sects, mainly Protestant which consisted of multiple missionary societies. Amongst the most active was the London Missionary Society (LMS). However, the research conducted on LMS especially among the local researchers is minimal due to the lack of sources which are only available in certain libraries in London. Therefore, this study aims to introduce 10 works of Thomas Beighton (1790–1844) which were written in Malay Jawi. These sources highlighted the importance of this language as an element of Malay identity in Penang. Hence, textual analysis, classification and comparison methods employed by using ATLAS.ti were done to identify the preaching methods that are often used in these works. The results indicated that there were three main methods; highlighting of the similarities between Islam and Christianity, the misrepresentation of the image of Islam and the Malays, and promoting of Western ethics and Christianity as a solution in life. However, the Beighton’s mission failed when the LMS Malay Missionary Station in the region had to be closed down and consequently, they turned their attention to China in 1843

SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS: CLINICAL RECOMMENDATIONS. PART 1

The article presents current data on the etiology, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The SLE diagnosis details are considered with a description of each examination technique. Moreover, an assessment of reliability level of both evidence and recommendations for each thesis-recommendation are discussed thoroughly. The aspects of differential diagnosis and criteria for the diagnostic quality of SLE are revealed

Efficacy and Safety of Immunization With Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine in Children With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Preliminary Results of a Prospective Open-Label Study

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is one of the most frequent and most disabling rheumatic diseases in children. Children with JIA receiving immunosuppressive and genetically engineered biologic drugs belong to the high-risk group for the development of bacterial and viral infections, including those administered by preventive vaccines.Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 13-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) in children with JIA.Methods. In a prospective open-label comparative study, the efficacy of vaccination was determined by the level of specific anti-pneumococcal antibodies (anti-SPP)IgG to Streptococcus pneumonia in the blood serum in patients with JIA. The safety of vaccination was assessed by determining a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and S-100 protein as well as by the number of adverse events, by recording the number of infections of the upper respiratory tract and pneumonias, by the number of joints with active arthritis. Vaccination with 13-valent PPV was performed subcutaneously with one dose of 0.5 ml during therapy of the main disease with methotrexate or etanercept or 3 weeks before the appointment of methotrexate or etanercept. Patients were followed up for 1 year.Results. The study included 42 children with JIA: 21 with JIA in the active phase of the disease, 21 in remission of the disease. As a result of vaccination, the level of anti-pneumococcal antibodies (antiSPP)IgG increased in the group of children with JIA in the active phase from 26.1 (14.3; 52.1) to 73.0 (52.5; 156.0) mg/l (p = 0.001), with JIA in remission — from 27.4 (18.2; 59.1) to 54.6 (35.3; 96.0) mg/l (p = 0.029). The concentration of the predictor of S-100 protein high activity after vaccination was not increased (p = 0.192). JIA aggravation episodes were not fixed in any patient. Serious adverse events were not observed during the trial.Conclusion. The vaccination of children with JIA with 13-valent PPV is highly effective, not accompanied by exacerbation/increase in the activity of the disease and the development of serious adverse events

The Effect of Mechanical Activation and Lignin Impurities on the Hydrolysis-Dehydration of Cellulose in the Presence of Sibunit-4 Solid Acidic Carbon Catalysts

Исследовано влияние механической активации и примесей лигнина на реакционную способность образцов целлюлозы, выделенных методом гидротропной варки из мискантуса, соломы пшеницы и плодовых оболочек овса, в процессе их гидролиза-дегидратации в присутствии твердых кислотных катализаторов, полученных сульфированием и окислением углеродного материала Сибунит-4. Показано, что активация существенно увеличивает реакционноспособность всех субстратов и выходы целевых продуктов реакции (моносахаридов и фурфуролов). Наличие примесей лигнина приводит к уменьшению выходов продуктов в процессе деполимеризации целлюлозыIn the presence of acidic catalysts based on the Sibunit-4 material the effects of mechanical activation and a lignin impurities on both the reactivity of cellulose and yields of products (monosaccharides and furfurals) being achieved during the hydrolysis of the polysaccharide isolated by hydrotropic cooking of miscanthus, wheat straw, and fruit shells of oats were studied. Activation was shown to significantly increase the reactivity of all substrates and the yields of the target products. Impurities of lignin led to decreasing product yield

SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS: CLINICAL RECOMMENDATIONS. PART 2

The article presents modern ideas about the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The details of the management of patients with SLE during immunosuppressive and genetically engineered therapy is given. The article also reflects the aspects of rehabilitation, prevention of exacerbations, and follow-up care of children with SLE. The criteria for assessing the quality of medical care for children with SLE are presented. The detailed information on systemic lupus erythematosus for patients with SLE and their parents is outlined specifically