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Acquisition of reservoir properties measurements, high-resolution borehole images, and continuous directional surveys has historically required the deployment of multiple discrete tools. This paper details the first-time deployment of a new, integrated, multi-sensor tool, in one of the largest oil-producing reservoirs in Abu Dhabi. Deployment of the new technology helped to achieve a new record for the longest bit run with the new system. The new measurement-and-logging-while-drilling (MLWD) platform incorporates multiple sensors with significantly reduced footprint, delivering critical, high-definition measurements closer to the bit than previous technologies with modular designs. In this case study, the existing MLWD technologies were included in the drilling assembly for measurement validation and benchmarking. The new tool provided borehole size and shape measurements, and high-resolution radius and acoustic reflection-amplitude images with an axial resolution of 0.1 inches. In addition, the tool provided vibration, weight, torque, and pressure-while-drilling measurements, to help optimize the drilling parameters, and an azimuthal gamma ray sensor for formation evaluation. The new design also includes a compact directional module to provide static surveys and high-resolution continuous inclination and azimuth while drilling, facilitating wellbore placement and safe and efficient drilling by minimizing the tortuosity. The bottomhole assembly included LWD gamma ray, propagation resistivity, formation density, and neutron porosity sensors from the legacy system, along with a point-the-bit rotary steerable system and a new-generation resistivity sensor. The new system was deployed in an 8½-in. horizontal section of 14,318 ft, reaching a total depth of 25,500 ft. MD. It was the longest run of the new MLWD system globally to date. The real-time MLWD data included gamma ray and ultrasonic borehole size. Furthermore, the high-resolution radius and reflection-amplitude images captured geological features that often control the reservoir properties such as vugs, fractures, and minor faults. The radius measurements provided details of the borehole size and shape, with a three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the wellbore helping to identify borehole enlargement and breakout. In addition, the new and legacy propagation resistivity measurements matched closely. The continuous, high-definition surveys helped the drilling team to ensure smooth hole and avoid any collision risk with nearby wells. The forward plan is to continue to deploy the new generation of tools in a wider range of conditions and locations, and to add additional next-generation sensors, including higher resolution density, neutron porosity, and deep multilayer reservoir mapping sensors.

AIMS Immunotherapies represent a new alternative therapeutic approach for hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), and have shown promising results when used in combination therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) to modulate programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression profiles in a cohort of surgically treated HCCs. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 82 surgically treated HCCs from patients who had undergone (n = 32) or not undergone (n = 50) preoperative TACE were included in the study. Immunohistochemical expression of PD-1 and of PD-L1 were analysed and compared according to TACE treatment. Pretreatment biopsies, which were available for 30 cases (20 with TACE and 10 without), were similarly analysed. Follow-up data were retrieved from patients' charts. PD-1 expression (≥1%) in intratumoral inflammatory cells (ICs) was observed in 46% of HCCs, and PD-L1 expression (≥1%) in ICs and PD-L1 expression in tumour cells (TCs) were observed in 46% and 16% of HCCs, respectively. A low level of PD-1 expression (

Background Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is defined by the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms, with an abnormal eosinophilic infiltrate of the intestine wall and exclusion of other causes of secondary eosinophilia. EGE has three clinical presentations, depending on the depth of eosinophilic infiltration of the bowel wall. It individualizes into three types, namely mucosal, muscular, and subserosal. Eosinophilic ascites, which is caused by edema and eosinophilic inflammation of the serosal layer of the small bowel wall, is the most uncommon presentation of EGE. Case summary A 30-year-old Egyptian woman presented with pain in the epigastrium and diffuse abdominal distension. Past medical history comprised allergy to iron injections (for iron deficiency anemia). Clinical examination showed moderate abdominal distention (palpation) and shifting dullness (percussion) suggestive of moderate ascites; mild right pleural effusion was also suspected, but findings were otherwise unremarkable. Abdominal and pelvic examinations by ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed moderate ascites, mild right pleural effusion, and diffuse thickening of the antrum and small bowel loops. Endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract revealed mild diffuse hyperemia of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum, with no relevant findings in the histopathology of biopsy specimens taken from these sites. Laboratory results showed eosinophilia in the peripheral blood and marked increase of eosinophils in the ascitic fluid. Treatment with corticosteroids resulted in normalization of the laboratory test results, and the ascites resolved within a week of initiation of therapy. Conclusion Eosinophilic ascites, characterized by increased eosinophils in peripheral blood and ascitic fluid, showed dramatic response to steroid therapy.

The hard tick Hyalomma dromedarii is one of the most injurious ectoparasites affecting camels in Egypt and several other areas of the world. Hyalomma dromedarii engorged females were dipped in alcoholic extract of Citrullus colocynthis fruits at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/mL and then observed over four weeks following treatment. There was a marked increase in dead females following single treatment with the above concentrations, particularly for the two highest which caused ≥ 90% mortality. In addition, the extract caused rapid blood digestion in ticks as well as obvious decrease in their oviposition (40% oviposition for the highest concentration compared to 100% for the control group), hatchability (40-45% egg hatching across concentrations compared to 78% for the control group) and fertility index (0.32 compared to 0.56 for the control group). As the estimated LC50 and LC95 were recorded 63.84 and 1046.11 mg/mL, respectively, the study also revealed that dipping in 200 mg/mL of C. colocynthis alcoholic extract is sufficient to control H. dromedarii as it recorded85% acaricide efficacy, so it might be selected to be the effective dose. Moreover, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was carried out on alcoholic extract of C. colocynthis fruits and detected its major constituents of decanoic, oleic, linoleic, carbamic and vaccenic acids which have acaricidal activities impacting tick feeding, digestion and survival. The combined effects of alcoholic extract of C. colocynthis fruits indicated by high mortality rate as well as decreased fecundity and reproductive efficacy supports its effectiveness as a promising management agent for the control of H. dromedarii.

Acquisition of high-resolution images for reservoir characterization from logging-while-drilling (LWD) technologies has historically been limited to water-based mud (WBM) applications. The introduction of LWD ultrasonic technologies means high-resolution images and the associated analysis are now available in both WBM and oil-based mud (OBM) applications. This paper details the first deployments of a 4¾-in. LWD ultrasonic imaging service in a mature field, offshore Abu Dhabi, and the assessment of images in both WBM and OBM wells. The 4¾-in. ultrasonic tool combines both borehole size and shape measurements with high-resolution radius and reflection amplitude images. The ultrasonic sensor uses four transducers that operate in a pulse-echo mode. By firing simultaneously, the transducers provide a total of 2,000 travel time and reflection amplitude measurements each second, enabling the creation of high-resolution images, even at high-logging speeds. The methodology described was used to evaluate the suitability of the LWD ultrasonic measurements to enhance reservoir understanding, along with LWD azimuthal formation density and azimuthal high-resolution resistivity image measurements in WBM applications. The 4¾-in. ultrasonic borehole imaging technology was deployed while drilling with OBM/WBM to acquire ultrasonic images to capture the subtle geological features that often control the reservoir properties, but whose characterization was challenging previously due to technology limitations. The long lateral was logged with ultra-sonic imaging while drilling through Cretaceous carbonates, traversing through different layers going up and down in stratigraphy; showcasing subtle variations with complementing images that helped understand the vug distribution, bioturbation, faults, and dissolution seams, in addition to the bedding boundaries. High-resolution borehole shape analysis was performed to understand the impact of stresses on the well trajectory, made possible with the high-definition, multisector images. The resolution of the reflection amplitude images, in particular, enables identification of drilling-induced features on the surface of the borehole, highlighting the measurement's value in understanding the impact of the bottom hole assembly (BHA) on the quality of the wellbore. The travel time measurements provide detailed evaluation of the borehole size and shape, with the three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the wellbore illustrating the ability of the service to identify borehole enlargement and breakout. These findings demonstrate the suitability of the service to address wellbore stability issues in real time. This paper details the first use of the ultrasonic service in Abu Dhabi. Comparison of images from the new ultrasonic imaging service with established LWD technologies highlights the suitability of the radius and reflection amplitude images to provide enhanced formation evaluation analysis in both WBM and OBM applications. Log examples show the high-resolution images are able to identify bedding features and fractures and provide assessment of borehole size and shape for wellbore stability evaluation.

AIM: We aimed study impact of hepatocytic viral load, steatosis, and iron load on fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C and role of VEGF and VEGFR overexpression in cirrhotic cases in evolving HCC.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Total of 120 cases were included from TBRI and Beaujon Hospital as chronic hepatitis C (CHC), post-hepatitis C cirrhosis, and HCC. Cases of CHC were stained for Sirius red, Prussian blue and immunohistochemically (IHC) for HCV-NS3/NS4. HCC were stained IHC for VEGF and by FISH.RESULTS: Stage of fibrosis was significantly correlated with inflammation in CHC (P < 0.01). Noticed iron load did not correlate with fibrosis. Steatosis was associated with higher inflammation and fibrosis. The cellular viral load did not correlate with inflammation, steatosis or fibrosis. VEGF by IHC was significantly higher in cases of HCC when compared to cirrhotic group (P < 0.001). Amplification of VEGFR2 was confirmed in 40% of cases of HCC. Scoring of VEGF by IHC was the good indicator of VEGFR2 amplification by FISH (P < 0.005).CONCLUSION: Grade of inflammation is the factor affecting fibrosis in CHC. The degree of liver damage is not related to cellular viral load or iron load. Steatosis is associated with higher inflammation and fibrosis. VEGF by IHC is correlated with overexpression of VEGFR2 by FISH.