• SUVANNABHUMI
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.113-129
• /
• 2016

Brunei Darussalam is a Malay Islamic Monarchy practicing and upholding traditional heritage. Brunei Darussalam is rich with tangible and intangible cultural heritage shaped by its way of life. One of the traditions maintained and preserved in the country is traditional textile weaving. The tradition covers both consumption and production. In the context of consumption, traditional textiles have multiple roles and symbolic meanings. In the context of production, the tradition showcases great skills and the distinctive cultural, social, intellectual, spiritual, and emotional values of the people of Brunei. This paper will explicate the distinctive values and characteristics of Brunei people from the practices of textile weaving.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.7
• /
• pp.3533-3540
• /
• 2016

Background: Cigarette smoking is one of the leading global causes of premature and preventable death. In Brunei Darussalam, smoking-related diseases have been a primary cause of mortality for the past three decades. Despite the increasing efforts that have been made in recent years to reduce the consumption of tobacco products in Brunei, the prevalence of adolescent smoking cigarette, however has risen alarmingly, from 8.9% in 2013 to 11.4% in 2014, with a higher prevalence found in males (17.8%) than in females (4.8%). In response to the need for more effective smoking prevention programmes in Brunei, this study sought to explore factors that influence Bruneian male adolescents to start and continue smoking. Materials and Methods: A qualitative study using focus group discussions (FGDs) as the data collection method was conducted from October to November 2015. A total of 43 studentss, comprising 31 smokers and 12 non-smokers, aged 13-17 years, from two government secondary schools in Bandar Seri Begawan, participated in six FGDs. Discussions were recorded and translated. Transcripts were entered into NVivo10, before thematic analysis was conducted. Results: We identified three themes under the core construct of 'factors influencing smoking initiation' ('family as teachers', 'overt pressure from peers' and 'perceived smoking has many advantages') and three themes under the core construct of 'factors influencing smoking continuation' ('craving and addiction', 'smoking as a 'social activity' and 'easy accessibility of cigarettes'). Conclusions: Based on the findings, it is recommended that future prevention activities should be embedded in a comprehensive approach, involving all stakeholders within a community, and should be focused towards bringing a change in smoking and parenting behavior of parents, social norms within the culture towards all population levels, and at strengthening the existing non-smoking policies in schools and other public places where young people congregate.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.23
• /
• pp.10489-10493
• /
• 2015

Background: Gastric cancer is the second most common gastrointestinal cancer and is largely attributed to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. In addition, studies have also shown association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in 10% of gastric cancers. This study assessed the characteristics of EBV associated gastric cancers (EBVaGC) in Brunei Darussalam. Materials and Methods: This study included gastric cancers diagnosed between 2008 and 2012, registered with the Department of Pathology RIPAS Hospital, Brunei Darussalam. Clinical case notes were systematically reviewed. Histology specimens were all stained for EBV and also assessed for intestinal metaplasia and H. pylori. Results: There were a total of 81 patients (54 male and 27 females) with a mean age of $65.8{\pm}14.8years$ included in the study. Intestinal metaplasia and active H. pylori infection were detected in 40.7% and 30.9% respectively. A majority of the tumors were proximally located (55.6%), most poorly differentiated (well differentiated 16%, moderately differentiated 30.9% and poorly differentiated 53.1%) and the stages at diagnosis were; stage I (44.4%), stage II (23.5%), stage III (8.6%) and stage IV (23.5%). EBV positivity (EBVaGC) was seen in 30.9%. Between EBVaGC and EBV negative gastric cancers, there were no significant differences (age, gender, ethnic group, presence of Intestinal metaplasia, tumor locations, stages of disease and degree of tumor differentiation). Conclusions: This study showed that a third of gastric cancers in Brunei Darussalam were positive for EBV, higher than what have been reported in the literature. However, there were no significant differences between EBVaGC and EBV negative gastric cancers. This suggests that the role of EBV in gastric cancer may be mostly incidental rather than any causal relation. However, further studies are required.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.53 no.5
• /
• pp.576-583
• /
• 2015

This paper aims to investigate the potential use of cempedak durian peel (CDP) from Negara Brunei Darussalam, which is low-cost, locally available, eco-friendly and highly efficient to remove methyl violet (MV) dye from aqueous solutions. The time required for equilibrium to be reached is 2.0 h with no adjustment of pH necessary. FTIR analysis was indicative of the involvement of -COOH and C=O functional groups in adsorption process. The Langmuir model provided the best fit with maximum adsorption capacity of $0.606mmol\;g^{-1}$. Thermodynamics data indicate that the adsorption is spontaneous, feasible and endothermic in nature. Best regeneration of CDP's adsorption ability is achieved by base solution, showing about 95% removal efficiency of MV even after 5 cycles, indicating that CDP can be regenerated and reused. This, together with its high adsorption capacity, makes CDP a potential adsorbent for the removal of MV in wastewater.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.233-237
• /
• 2015

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Brunei Darussalam, accounting for almost 20% of the total. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a member of the erbB family of tyrosine kinase receptor proteins, which includes c-erbb2(HER2/neu), erb-B3, and erb-B4. EGFR overexpression is found in a third of all epithelial cancers, often associated with a poor prognosis. Materials and Methods: Protein expression of EGFR in 27 cases of lung cancer tissue samples and 9 cases of normal lung tissue samples was evaluated using an immunohistochemical approach. Results: The results demonstrated significant increase and overexpression of EGFR in Bruneian lung cancer tissue samples in comparison to normal lung tissue. However, there was no significant relationship between clinicopathologic variables (age and sex) of patients and EGFR protein expression. Conclusions: EGFR is overexpressed in Bruneian lung cancer patient tissue samples in comparison to normal lung tissue samples. This may indicate that EGFR protein over expression plays an important role in the genesis of this type of cancer in Brunei Darussalam.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.122-124
• /
• 2019

Simian malaria is a zoonotic disease caused by Plasmodium knowlesi infection. The common natural reservoir of the parasite is the macaque monkey and the vector is the Anopheles mosquito. Human cases of P. knowlesi infection has been reported in all South East Asian countries in the last decade, and it is currently the most common type of malaria seen in Malaysia and Brunei. Between 2007-2017, 73 cases of P. knowlesi infection were notified and confirmed to the Ministry of Health in Brunei. Of these, 15 cases (21%) were documented as work-related, and 28 other cases (38%) were classified as probably related to work (due to incomplete history). The occupations of those with probable and confirmed work related infections were border patrol officers, Armed Forces and security personnel, Department of Forestry officers, boatmen and researchers. The remaining cases classified as most likely not related to work were possibly acquired via peri-domestic transmission. The risk of this zoonotic infection extends to tourists and overseas visitors who have to travel to the jungle in the course of their work. It can be minimised with the recommended use of prophylaxis for those going on duty into the jungles, application of mosquito/insect repellants, and use of repellant impregnated uniforms and bed nets in jungle camp sites.

• SUVANNABHUMI
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.161-176
• /
• 2016

This paper discusses how the concept of "bilingualism" can be used to reflect changes within Bruneian society since the 1940's. It argues that within the context of a linguistically diverse population, the various indigenous groups of Brunei used to speak their own traditional languages, but eventually learned to speak the language of the politically dominant Malays. The Malay language became a necessary additional language, hence leading to a population which could speak their own languages, alongside the Malay language. But the rise of schools teaching in English in the 1970's began to sow seeds of a different kind of bilingualism, encouraged by language shift processes among ethnic minority groups.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.6
• /
• pp.3473-3477
• /
• 2013

Background: Primary liver cancer (PLC) is the fifth most common malignancy worldwide and is still associated with high mortality. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma are the two most common PLCs, and their incidence varies across regions. Currently there are no published data available on the incidence of PLC in Brunei Darussalam. Materials and Methods: All proven PLCs between 2000 and 2009 were identified from the National Cancer Registry and reviewed. Metastatic diseases were excluded. A total of 123 cases (male 65.8%, female 34.2%) were identified and their data collected for calculation of the age standardised rate (ASR). Results: The most common type of PLC was HCC (87.8%) followed by cholangiocarcinoma (10.6%). There were two cases of hepatoblastoma. The mean age at diagnosis was 63.2 years. The overall ASR of PLC was 8.2/100,000, increasing from 4.5/100,000 population in 2000 to 11.4/100,000 population in 2009. The rates were higher among males (12.0/100,000) than females (4.7/100,000). Among the ethnic groups, Chinese had the highest rates (overall 13.1/100,000 with none recorded in 2000 to 30.3/100,000 in 2009) compared to the Malays (overall 8.5/100,000 increasing from 4.5/100,000 in 2000 to 12.3/100,000 in 2009) and the indigenous groups. The incidence increased after the age of 50 and was highest among the 75-79 age groups. Increase was seen for HCC but not for cholangiocarcinoma. Conclusions: The most common type of PLC is HCC and the annual incidence of PLC is increasing in Brunei Darussalam,rates being higher in males and Chinese.

• Geosciences Journal
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.1015-1026
• /
• 2018

This paper aims to investigate the good reservoir quality and hydrocarbon potentiality of the Khatatba Formation, Qasr Field in the Shoushan Basin of the North Western Desert, Egypt by combining results from log-based petrophysical analysis, petrographic description and images from scanning electron microscope (SEM). Promising reservoir units are initially identified and evaluated through well log analysis of three wells in the field of study. Petrophysical results are then compared with petrographic and SEM images from rock samples to identify features that characterize the reservoir quality. Well log results show that Khatatba Formation in the study area has good sandstone reservoir intervals from depths ranging from 12848 ft to 13900 ft, with good effective porosity records of 13-15% and hydrocarbon saturations of greater than 83%. Petrographic analysis of these sandstone reservoir units indicate high concentrations of vacant pore spaces with good permeability that can be easily occupied by hydrocarbon. The availability of these pore spaces are attributed to pore-enhancing diagenetic features, mainly in the form of good primary porosity and dissolution. SEM images and EDX analysis confirmed the presence of hydrocarbon, therefore indicating a good hydrocarbon-storing potential for the Khatatba Formation sandstones.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.5
• /
• pp.2555-2558
• /
• 2016

Background: Gastric cancer is the second most common gastrointestinal cancer and is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to late presentation and diagnosis at advanced stages. Studies have reported that a variable proportion of gastric cancer is positive for the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and patients with HER2 positive (HER2 +ve) lesions can benefit from targeted therapy. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of HER2 +ve gastric cancers in Brunei Darussalam, a developing Southeast Asian nation. Materials and Methods: Patients were identified from the Department of Pathology registry and retrospectively reviewed. HER2 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and only those staining 3+were considered positive. Results: Our study included 103 cases (66 males and 37 females) with a mean age of $65.1{\pm}14.8$ years old. There were 14 cases positive for HER2 (10 males and 4 females) giving a prevalence of 13.6%. The HER2 +ve cases were significantly older ($70.6{\pm}19.3$ years old) than the negative cases ($64.2{\pm}13.8$, p=0.041) and had significantly more advanced disease (stages 3 and 4, p=0.026). There were no significant differences in gender distribution, presence of intestinal metaplasia, EBV status, Helicobacter pylori status, tumor location (proximal vs. distal) and degree of tumor differentiation (all p values >0.05). Conclusions: Our study showed that 13.6% of our gastric cancers are positive for HER2, the affected patients being older and having more advanced disease at diagnosis.