Improved oil recovery from tight carbonate formations may provide the world with a major source of lower-rate power over several decades. Here we provide an overview of the Arab D formation in the largest oil field on earth, the Ghawar. We investigate the occurrence of microporosity of different origins and sizes using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and pore casting techniques. Then, we present a robust calculation of the probability of invasion and oil saturation distribution in the nested micropores using mercury injection capillary pressure data available in the literature. We show that large portions of the micropores in Arab D formation would have been bypassed during primary drainage unless the invading crude oil ganglia were sufficiently long. Considering the asphaltenic nature of oil in the Ghawar, we expect the invaded portions of the pores to turn mixed-wet, thus becoming inaccessible to waterflooding until further measures are taken to modify the system’s chemistry.

Flash flooding is one of the most devastating natural events that leads to enormous and recurring loss of life. Kuwait was subjected to severe rainstorms in the winter of 2018 and 2020 followed by an extreme violent flood that had not been known in Kuwait since 1976. It resulted in several geomorphological and environmental impacts in urban and desert areas. This produced some positive results, such as geomorphological activity in landforms, the flow of some valleys and the prosperity of wildlife in the Kuwaiti desert. Negative results included some problems in the metropolitan area and destruction of some road networks that intersect the main valleys, and which were not equipped with crossings for avoiding floods. There was also the emergence of some problems in the infrastructure. Study of flash floods requires the involvement of all scientific and executive bodies to avoid environmental risk. The study aims to: 1- Monitor geomorphological and environmental changes. 2- Assess the impact of floods in the urban areas and on infrastructure. 3- Modeling the impact. 4- Creating solutions and adaptions to the flash flood. The study uses several methods such as remote sensing (RS), geographic information systems (GIS), hydrologic modeling and fieldwork to evaluate the impact of flash flood hazards on the sustainable urban development of Kuwait state. This approach is rarely used in Kuwait. We propose a novel method that could help decision-makers and planners in determining inundated flood zones before planning future urban developments in Kuwait, and help them to manage flood water, by identifying the most appropriate places for storage to exploit water in agriculture and drinking.

Failaka Island is located 20 kilometers east of the Kuwait mainland. The island includes archaeological sites dating back to the Bronze, Hellenistic, Christian, and Islamic ages. To develop the island as a tourist attraction the state is pursuing a new urban plan based on the island's environmental potential. This study is the basis of the urban plan depends on environmental criteria from the view of Geoarchaeology. The study analysis the land-use and land-cover changes of Failaka Island between 1958- 2018. It provides a topographic survey of the island's coastline and a classification of its geomorphological features and a state of the art identification of its archaeological sites by using a drone to make a terrain model. The study used a medium to high-resolution image analysis of the land-use and land-cover changes: WorldView2-50cm 2010 and 2018; Landsat 8; aerial photography; Drone images and a digital elevation model (DEM), to analysis the expected sea level changes by the end of this century. This study also created a geodatabase of the island that can be adapted for future studies. The results emphasize the importance of preserving the historical and ecological features of the island while developing its infrastructure.

Choosing the optimal location for a city based on sound environmental geomorphology planning is of the utmost importance to achieving environmental sustainability, as it can spare the State and other decision-making entities a great deal of stress in the long run. GIS offers great potential for environmental planners to choose the most appropriate places for the cities of the future, especially when coupled with environmental geomorphological analyses. The State of Kuwait seeks sustainable development through the implementation of clear and specific urban plans, some of which suffer from a severe lack of geomorphological and spatially based environmental planning. This study aims to: 1) Conduct suitability modelling for establishing new cities in Kuwait, 2) Assess the current 2005-2030 urban plan, and 3) Propose possible recommendations and solutions for potential urban problems. The study relies on integrating several methods to devise a framework that will aid researchers and decision-makers in selecting optimal locations for built structures based on analysis and modelling (e.g., digital elevation model, geologic mapping, geomorphology, natural hazards, heritage/archaeological sites, military areas, oil fields, soils). Using this methodology in choosing city sites contributes to achieving sustainable development, reducing city problems, saving countries’ budgets, and saving lives. Results from this study enhance understanding of how environmental geomorphology, when combined with GIS, can be harnessed to achieve sustainable urban development in the Arabian Gulf countries and other desert countries.

The State of Kuwait seeks sustainable development through implementation of clear and specific urban plans, some of which suffer from a severe lack of geomorphological and spatially-based environmental planning, such as the use of geographic information systems (GIS). Choosing the optimal location for a city based on sound environmental planning is of the utmost importance to achieving environmental sustainability, as it can spare the State and other decision-making entities a great deal of stress in the long run. GIS, in particular, offers great potential for the environmental planner and decision-maker to choose the most appropriate places for the cities of the future, especially when coupled with geomorphological analyses. To achieve the Vision of Kuwait 2035, one of the State’s planning objectives focuses on Urban Planning for the Establishment of Environmental Cities that Achieve (UPEECA) environmental sustainability criteria. To gain a more holistic analysis related to the Vision, this study aims to: 1) Conduct suitability modelling for establishing new cities in Kuwait, 2) Assess the current 2005-2030 urban plan, and 3) Propose possible recommendations and solutions for potential urban problems. The study relies on integrating several methods to devise a framework that will aid researchers and decision-makers in selecting optimal locations for built structures based on analysis and modelling (e.g., digital elevation model, geologic mapping, geomorphology, natural hazards, heritage/archaeological sites, military areas, oil fields, soils)

Failaka Island, located in the far east of Kuwait Bay, is about 20 km from the State of Kuwait’s coast, and represents a focal point for regional geography and history, with pristine beaches and archaeological sites dating to the Bronze, Iron, Hellenistic, Christian and Islamic periods. According to environmental data and in coordination with local authorities to develop an urban plan, the island is set to become the first tourist destination for the State of Kuwait. To achieve the Vision of Kuwait 2035, one of the planning objectives focuses around Urban Planning for the Establishment of Environmental Cities that Achieve (UPEECA) environmental sustainability criteria. The paper then, aims to propose the environmental urban plan for Failaka Island. Based around Environmental Analytical Hierarchical Processes (EAHP), and using the Field Calculator and ModelBuilder functions in ArcGIS, this research centres on the feasibility of carrying out an urban plan using suitability modelling that includes four factors and 13 criteria covering the island’s ecological and human composition. This study utilizes both remote sensing (UAVs for 3D imaging) and field study (ground truthing) to identify changes in land use and land cover – such as using sample analysis of the historical sites and soils for tracing evidence and creating/updating a soil map – and create the first GIS database for the island that can lead to generating a suitability model.

Overuse and misuse of antibiotics can pose the risks of spreading mutant strains that show antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with negative impact on management of bacterial infections and economic implications on healthcare systems. Research and development of natural antibacterial agents could be a priority in the next years to improve number of effective antibacterial molecules and to reduce AMR phenomenon and its development. The present study identified the most effective concentration and contact time of Thymus vulgaris L. essential oil (TEO) to obtain bactericidal effect in vitro against different Gram + and Gram – bacterial strains. Six clinically isolated (wild types) bacterial strains, (Citrobacter freundii, Enterococcus feciorum, Proteus mirabilis, Acinetobacter cioffi, Pasteurella putrefaciens, Klebsiella pneumoniae) and two ATCC (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans) were tested after 1min, 3min and 5min of contact with TEO. Preliminary results on S. aureus after 24h incubation revealed a TEO concentration of 9.28mg/mL (w/v) that completely inhibited bacteria growth keeping cell viability. Total suppression of bacterial growth at all tested contact times was observed for all tested bacterial strains and the results were confirmed after 48h incubation. Bacterial growth suppression was confirmed even with presence of organic component. These preliminary results showed in vitro antimicrobial efficacy of TEO against different Gram+ and Gram- bacterial strains. Future studies are necessary to confirm the reproducibility of these results even on other strains and to define exactly the molecular mechanisms of EOs, in order to consider TEO as a valid alternative of classic antibiotic therapies and subsequently to reduce the occurrence of AMR.

Irrigation is crucial in cleaning and disinfection of the root canal system, because endodontic instruments are unable to reach a large part of the root canal system (isthmuses, accessory canals, apical ramifications) and bacteria that can reside. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is currently used as irrigant in root canal therapies for its non-specific protheolytic and antimicrobial properties, but undesirable effects may be observed especially when used near the terminus of apical foramen. This study aims to evaluate antimicrobial properties of Thyme Essential Oil (TEO) used alone or in combination with NaOCl against different bacterial strains, especially Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans. TEO non-cytotoxic concentration (9,28mg/mL) showed antimicrobial properties comparable to NaOCl after 1min of contact, both in presence of organic material (6% sheep blood). Moreover, the combination of TEO and NaOCl did not compromise their individual antimicrobial properties at the same time of contact. These data suggest that TEO could be used as antimicrobial irrigant in root canal therapies in association with NaOCl, to reduce concentration of NaOCl and its undesirable side effects. Due to the absence of cytotoxic effects at tested dilution, TEO could be safely used also near the terminus of apical foramen for its cytocompatibility.

Background: Migraine is one of the most common health conditions in the reproductive male and female population. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common condition that affects many women during their menstrual cycle. around 50 to 60% have menstrual headaches among the migraineur women. The symptoms in the majority were mild, but 5–8% may suffer moderate to severe symptoms, accompanied by considerable distress or functional dysfunction. Premenstrual migraine (PMM) refers to migraines that occur with the menstrual cycle. It affects approximately 50% of women with migraine and can be debilitating in terms of both frequency and severity of symptoms. This information is important for medical professionals in Saudi Arabia to be aware of so, as to provide better medical care and support which can significantly improve the person's quality of life of women who suffer from PMS and menstrual migraines. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of menstrual migraines in women, to evaluate the severity and frequency of menstrual migraines in women with PMS, and to identify potential risk factors aggravating menstrual migraines in women with PMS. Methodology: A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted on reproductive age (18-50Years) women who have regular menstrual cycles with experience migraine headaches and are diagnosed with PMS and menstrual migraine, using a self-administered questionnaire between December 2022 to May 2023 in Saudi Arabia. Results: Out of 2130 women participants 397 were suffering from migraine which is 18.6%. Of the total 397(18.6%) Migraineurs individuals 230 (57.9%) were suffering from menstrual migraine and 167 (42.1%) were non-menstrual migraineurs, in general, reproductive women menstrual migraine is 10.7% and non-menstrual migraine is 7.8%. The BMI is increasing the incidence of menstrual migraines is increasing. Migraine Disability Around one-third of the participants were suffering from III–moderate disability 134 (33.8) Most of the menstrual migraine victims at least 3 days in the last three months were absent from their duties due to their menstrual migraines. Conclusions: Migraine attacks during the menstrual cycle cause the impairment of their social and physical ability to perform their routine household, and academic activities and unable to fulfill their professional commitments. To better understand the Menstrual Migraine and Non-menstrual migraine large prospective studies are required to plan the best management methods.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) early diagnosis is challenging. Moreover, for patients with al-pha-fetoprotein (AFP)-negative HCC, this challenge is augmented. MicroRNAs (miRs) profile may serve as potential HCC molecular markers. We aimed to assess plasma homo sabines (hsa)-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-155-5p, hsa-miR-192-5p, hsa-miR-199a-5p expression levels, as panel of biomarkers for HCC in chronic hepatitis C virus (CHCV) patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), es-pecially AFP-negative HCC cases, a step toward non-protein coding (nc) RNA precision medicine. Subjects and Methods: 79 patients enrolled with CHCV infection with LC, subclassified into LC group without HCC (n=40) and LC with HCC (n=39) in comparison with 15 apparently healthy control subjects. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to measure plasma hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-155-5p, hsa-miR-192-5p, and hsa-miR-199a-5p. Results: Plasma hsa-miR-21-5p and hsa-miR-155-5p demonstrated significant upregulation, while hsa-miR-199a-5p demonstrated significant downregulation in the HCC group (n=39) when compared to LC group (n=40). Hsa-miR-21-5p expression was positively correlated with serum AFP, insulin, and insulin re-sistance (r=0.5, p<0.001, r=0.334, p=0.01, and r=0.303, p=0.02, respectively). According to the ROC curves, for differentiating HCC from LC, combining AFP with each of hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-155-5p, and miR199a-5p improved the diagnostic sensitivity to 87%, 82%, and 84%, re-spectively, vs 69% for AFP alone, with an acceptable specificity of 77.5%, 77.5%, and 80%, respec-tively, and AUC= 0.89, 0.85, and 0.90, respectively vs. 0.85 for AFP alone. Hsa-miR-21-5p/hsa-miR-199a-5p and hsa-miR-155-5p/hsa-miR-199a-5p ratios discriminated HCC from LC at AUC=0.76 and 0.71, respectively, with sensitivities=94% and 92%, and specifici-ties=48% and 53%, respectively. Upregulation of plasma hsa-miR-21-5p was considered as an independent risk factor for HCC development [OR=1.198(1.063–1.329), p=0.002]. Conclusion: Combining each of hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-155-5p, and hsa-miR-199a-5p with AFP made possi-ble to identify HCC development in LC patients’ cohort with higher sensitivity than using AFP alone. Hsa-miR-21-5p/hsa-miR-199a-5p and hsa-miR-155-5p/hsa-miR-199a-5p ratios are poten-tial HCC molecular markers for AFP-negative HCC patients. Hsa-miR-21-5p was linked to insu-lin metabolism in HCC patients’ group as well as being an upregulated independent risk factor for the emergence of HCC from LC in CHCV patients.