Exploring the GCC Progress Towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals were agreed in 2015 by all the members' countries to be achieved by 2030. The results of several reports reveal that some countries are making good progress to achieve these goals, the progress of others is low and most likely they will not be able to achieve these goals by the deadline if serious actions are not taken. The purpose of this article is to explore the progress of the Arabian Gulf region towards these goals and identify the Goals in which the region has major challenges. A qualitative research approach using PRISMA compliance is adopted to extract the region's progress and commitment from 91 different documents. The results show that the region has major challenges in four Goals. Specific issues associated with these goals and the GCC countries plans to overcome these issues are discussed in the paper.

Assessment of Arabian Gulf Seaweeds from Kuwait as Sources of Nutritionally Important Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs)

The fatty acid (FA) compositions of ten seaweeds representative of Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta, and Ochrophyta from Kuwait in the Arabian Gulf region were determined and are discussed in the context of their potential nutritional perspectives for seaweed valorization. All the seaweeds had higher saturated fatty acid (SFA) and lower monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contents than those typical of tropical environments. Palmitic, myristic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, α-linolenic, and stearidonic acids were the major FAs detected. Arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acids were detected in minor amounts. Conserved fatty acid patterns revealed phylogenetic relationships among phyla, classes, and orders matching the molecular phylogenies at higher taxonomic ranks. Hierarchical clustering analyses clearly segregated different seaweeds (except Codium papillatum and Iyengaria stellata) into distinct groups based on their FA signatures. All but one species (Chondria sp.) had health-beneficial n6/n3 PUFAs (0.33:1–2.94:1) and atherogenic (0.80–2.52) and thrombogenic indices (0.61–5.17). However, low PUFA/SFA contents in most of the species (except Ulva spp.) may limit their utilization in the formulation of PUFA-rich functional foods. Ulva spp. had substantially high PUFAs with PUFA/SFA >0.4, n6/n3 (0.33–0.66) and atherogenic (0.80–1.15) and thrombogenic indices (0.49–0.72), providing substantial potential for their utilization in food and feed applications.

DeLone and McLean Information Systems Success Model in a Blended-Learning Context

This study evaluates the success of the blended-learning mode in the context of a higher education institution in the Arabian Gulf region, utilizing the updated DeLone and McLean information systems success model. Students were surveyed about their perceptions of and feedback on the different characteristics of blended learning. Use of the blended-learning system and student satisfaction had a significant positive influence on net benefits. The service quality aspects of the blended-learning system—collaboration, support, and interaction between involved parties—provided strong support to both system use and student satisfaction. This study is one of only a few to evaluate blended learning in the Arabian Gulf region. The findings increase understanding of blended-learning system use in the entire region and shed light on its relation to student contentment. This would aid the curriculum design process, resources allocation, adoption, and customization of the blended-learning modality.

DeLone and McLean Information Systems Success Model in A Blended-Learning Context

This study evaluates the success of the blended-learning mode in the context of a higher education institution in the Arabian Gulf region, utilizing the updated DeLone and McLean information systems success model. Students were surveyed about their perceptions of and feedback on the different characteristics of blended learning. Use of the blended-learning system and student satisfaction had a significant positive influence on net benefits. The service quality aspects of the blended-learning system—collaboration, support, and interaction between involved parties—provided strong support to both system use and student satisfaction. This study is one of only a few to evaluate blended learning in the Arabian Gulf region. The findings increase understanding of blended-learning system use in the entire region and shed light on its relation to student contentment. This would aid the curriculum design process, resources allocation, adoption, and customization of the blended-learning modality.

Familial Hypercholesterolemia in the Arabian Gulf Region: Clinical results of the Gulf FH Registry

Background and aims Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common autosomal dominant disorder that can result in premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Limited data are available worldwide about the prevalence and management of FH. Here, we aimed to estimate the prevalence and management of patients with FH in five Arabian Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain). Methods The multicentre, multinational Gulf FH registry included adults (≥18 years old) recruited from outpatient clinics in 14 tertiary-care centres across five Arabian Gulf countries over the last five years. The Gulf FH registry had four phases: 1- screening, 2- classification based on the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network, 3- genetic testing, and 4- follow-up. Results Among 34,366 screened patient records, 3713 patients had suspected FH (mean age: 49±15 years; 52% women) and 306 patients had definite or probable FH. Thus, the estimated FH prevalence was 0.9% (1:112). Treatments included high-intensity statin therapy (34%), ezetimibe (10%), and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (0.4%). Targets for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were achieved by 12% and 30%, respectively, of patients at high ASCVD risk, and by 3% and 6%, respectively, of patients at very high ASCVD risk (p <0.001; for both comparisons). Conclusions This snap-shot study was the first to show the high estimated prevalence of FH in the Arabian Gulf region (about 3-fold the estimated prevalence worldwide), and is a “call-to-action” for further confirmation in future population studies. The small proportions of patients that achieved target LDL-C values implied that health care policies need to implement nation-wide screening, raise FH awareness, and improve management strategies for FH.