Hydroxytyrosol but not resveratrol ingestion induced an acute increment of post exercise blood flow in brachial artery

The aim of this study was to test if previous ingestion of compounds containing resveratrol or hydroxytyrosol, followed by an exhausting hand grip exercise, could induce an acute post-exercise increase in brachial blood flow. Six healthy subjects (three males and three females, 35 ± 7 years), 60 minutes after ingestion of a capsule containing 200 mg of resveratrol or 30 ml of extra virgin olive oil enriched with tyrosol, oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol, performed a hand grip exercise equal to half of their maximum strength until they were no longer able to express the same force (2-day interval between tests). The nonparametric Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for statistical evaluations. Brachial artery blood flow (Fba) and both blood velocity (Vba) and artery diameter (Dba) were assessed immediately after exercise cessation by means of colour Doppler ultrasound. After ingestion of the oil mixture the post-exercise value of Fba median was 2.4 times higher than that after ingestion of the resveratrol compound (P = 0.03), and also the Vba median concerning the hydroxytyrosol was 1.9 times higher than that of the resveratrol (P = 0.03). Both functional foods did not lead to a significant difference in the Dba medians. These results indicate that hydroxytyrosol, but not resveratrol, may be an effective adjuvant of recreational or agonistic, long-lasting sports performances, thanks to the powerful blood flow increment which can be obtained as soon as one hour from its oral intake

Modified Equations to Calculate Water Content and Refractive Index of Honey Based on Its Total Soluble Solids

The capacity of honey to break light is used for refractometric determination of humidity. In the present work, a manual refractometer was used to measure honey total soluble solids (73% - 86%) which are the corresponding values of refractive indices stated in Chataway’s Table. The relationship between values of total soluble solids, water content and refractive index in the obtained graphics gave equations that could be used directly to calculate both refractive index and water content of honey from its total soluble solids. This simple, fast and easy way could be applied without utilizing expensive refractometers due to their high cost or lack of their usage training. Furthermore, the suggested equation is more accurate than that of the current reference table (i.e. Chataway’s Table) and could be rapidly utilized for calculating water content in honey samples

Organic Tracers from Asphalt in Propolis Produced by Urban Honey Bees, Apis mellifera Linn.

Propolis is a gummy material produced by honey bees to protect their hives and currently has drawn the attention of researchers due to its broad clinical use. It has been reported, based only on observations, that honey bees also collect other non-vegetation substances such as paint or asphalt/tar to make propolis. Therefore, propolis samples were collected from bee hives in Riyadh and Al-Bahah, a natural area, Saudi Arabia to determine their compositional characteristics and possible sources of the neutral organic compounds. The samples were extracted with hexane and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results showed that the major compounds were n-alkanes, n-alkenes, methyl n-alkanoates, long chain wax esters, triterpenoids and hopanes. The n-alkanes (ranging from C17 to C40) were significant with relative concentrations varying from 23.8 to 56.8% (mean = 44.9±9.4%) of the total extracts. Their odd carbon preference index (CPI) ranged from 3.6 to 7.7, with a maximum concentration at heptacosane indicating inputs from higher plant vegetation wax. The relative concentrations of the n-alkenes varied from 23.8 to 41.19% (mean = 35.6±5.1%), with CPI = 12.4-31.4, range from C25 to C35 and maximum at tritriacontane. Methyl n-alkanoates, ranged from C12 to C26 as acids, with concentrations from 3.11 to 33.2%(mean = 9.6±9.5%). Long chain wax esters and triterpenoids were minor. The main triterpenoids were α- and β-amyrins, amyrones and amyryl acetates. The presence of hopanes in some total extracts (up to 12.5%) indicated that the bees also collected petroleum derivatives from vicinal asphalt and used that as an additional ingredient to make propolis. Therefore, caution should be taken when considering the chemical compositions of propolis as potential sources of natural products for biological and pharmacological applications. Moreover, beekeepers should be aware of the proper source of propolis in the flight range of their bee colonies

دراسة الأطر القانونية التي تحكم ممارسات المحاسبة البيئية وانعكاساتها على تقارير الاستدامة للشركات: INVESTIGATING THE LEGAL FRAMEWORKS GOVERNING ENVIRONMENTAL ACCOUNTING PRACTICES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING IN SAUDI ARABIA

أكدت المملكة العربية السعودية على الاستدامة البيئية ومسؤولية الشركات بما يتماشى مع رؤية 2030، وقد أدى ذلك إلى التركيز المتزايد على حماية البيئة والتنمية المستدامة، وبالتالي، أصبح المشهد القانوني الذي يحكم ممارسات المحاسبة البيئية وتقارير استدامة الشركات ذا أهمية متزايدة. وعليه، يدرس البحث الأطر القانونية التي تحكم ممارسات المحاسبة البيئية في المملكة العربية السعودية وتأثيرها على تقارير استدامة الشركات. وتتمثل أهداف هذه الدراسة في تحليل الأطر القانونية الحالية، وتقييم تأثيرها على ممارسات إعداد التقارير المالية للشركات عن الأثر البيئي، واقتراح توصيات لتعزيز فعالية الأطر القانونية في تعزيز الإفصاح عن الاستدامة بشكل عام والأثر البيئي بشكل خاص. استخدم الباحثون منهجًا مختلطًا يشمل الأساليب الاستقرائية، والوصفية التحليلية، والكمية لدراسة تأثير الأنظمة والقوانين البيئية على إعداد تقارير الاستدامة في المملكة العربية السعودية، حيث تم جمع البيانات من أصحاب المصلحة وتحليلها باستخدام تقنيات إحصائية لتحديد الأنماط والعلاقات، مما يوفر رؤى حول العلاقة بين الأطر القانونية وإعداد تقارير الاستدامة. وقد خلصت نتائج الدراسة إلى أنه بالرغم من أن المملكة العربية السعودية بدأت بدمج السياسات البيئية في أطرها التنظيمية والقانونية، إلا أن هذه الجهود لا تزال في المراحل المبكرة مقارنة بالدول الأكثر تقدماً. كما تشير النتائج إلى أن المملكة العربية السعودية تعمل حالياً على دمج المخاوف البيئية في أطرها التنظيمية، ولكن أطرها القانونية الحالية تركز على قوانين حماية البيئة الأوسع نطاقًا، مما قد يؤدي إلى ممارسات محاسبية بيئية غير متسقة. وقد يؤثر هذا الافتقار إلى المتطلبات المحددة على شفافية ومصداقية تقارير الاستدامة للشركات. ومن الممكن أن يؤدي تعزيز هذه الأطر القانونية إلى تعزيز المساءلة البيئية والمساهمة في تحقيق أهداف الاستدامة في المملكة وخاصة في إطار مبادرة رؤية 2030. وعليه، يوصي الباحثون بإنشاء لوائح محاسبية بيئية واضحة ومحددة وفرض إطار قانوني يشمل إلزام الشركات بإعداد التقارير المالية التكاملية للإفصاح عن ممارسات الحوكمة والمسئولية الاجتماعية والأثر البيئي، وتعزيز آليات التنفيذ من خلال سوق تداول، والبنك المركزي السعودي، والهيئات الرقابية والتنفيذية الأخرى.Saudi Arabia has prioritized environmental sustainability and corporate responsibility in alignment with Vision 2030, leading to a heightened focus on environmental protection and sustainable development. Consequently, the legal landscape governing environmental accounting practices and corporate sustainability reporting has gained increasing significance. This study investigates the legal frameworks regulating environmental accounting practices in Saudi Arabia and their influence on corporate sustainability reporting. The study aims to analyse the existing legal frameworks, assess their impact on corporate financial reporting of environmental matters, and offer recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of these frameworks in promoting sustainability disclosures, with a particular focus on environmental impact. The researchers employed a mixed-methods approach, combining inductive, descriptive-analytical, and quantitative techniques to explore the effects of environmental regulations on sustainability reporting in Saudi Arabia. Data were gathered through a questionnaire distributed to financial managers and environmental experts within companies. Statistical analysis was used to identify patterns and relationships, offering insights into the connection between legal frameworks and sustainability reporting. The findings reveal that while Saudi Arabia has made strides in integrating environmental policies into its regulatory and legal systems, these efforts remain limited in terms of accounting and governance compared to more developed nations. Environmental regulations tend to focus more on procedural and technical aspects rather than on accounting practices reflected in financial disclosures. This lack of specific requirements may undermine the transparency and credibility of corporate sustainability reports. The study recommends the establishment of clear and specific environmental accounting standards and the implementation of a legal framework requiring companies to prepare integrated financial reports that disclose governance practices, social responsibility, and environmental impact. The enforcement of these regulations should be strengthened through key institutions such as the Tadawul Stock Exchange, the Saudi Central Bank, and other regulatory bodies.   الملخص أكدت المملكة العربية السعودية على الاستدامة البيئية ومسؤولية الشركات بما يتماشى مع رؤية 2030، وقد أدى ذلك إلى التركيز المتزايد على حماية البيئة والتنمية المستدامة، وبالتالي، أصبح المشهد القانوني الذي يحكم ممارسات المحاسبة البيئية وتقارير استدامة الشركات ذا أهمية متزايدة. وعليه، يدرس البحث الأطر القانونية التي تحكم ممارسات المحاسبة البيئية في المملكة العربية السعودية وتأثيرها على تقارير استدامة الشركات. وتتمثل أهداف هذه الدراسة في تحليل الأطر القانونية الحالية، وتقييم تأثيرها على ممارسات إعداد التقارير المالية للشركات على الأثر البيئي، واقتراح توصيات لتعزيز فعالية الأطر القانونية في الإفصاح عن الاستدامة بشكل عام والأثر البيئي بشكل خاص. استخدم الباحثون منهجًا مختلطًا يشمل الأساليب الاستقرائية، والوصفية التحليلية، والكمية لدراسة تأثير الأنظمة والقوانين البيئية في إعداد تقارير الاستدامة في المملكة العربية السعودية، حيث جمُعت البيانات باستخدام استبانة موزعة على المدراء الماليين والخبراء البيئيين في الشركات، وتم تحليل البيانات باستخدام تقنيات إحصائية لتحديد الأنماط والعلاقات، مما يوفر رؤى حول العلاقة بين الأطر القانونية وإعداد تقارير الاستدامة. وقد خلصت نتائج الدراسة إلى أنّه بالرغم من أنّ المملكة العربية السعودية بدأت بدمج السياسات البيئية في أٌطرها التنظيمية والقانونية، إلا أنّ هذه الجهود لا تزال تفتقر إلى جوانب محاسبية وحوكمة مقارنة بالدول الأكثر تقدمًا، فالنصوص القانونية المرتبطة بالبيئة ما هي إلا جوانب إجرائية وفنية أكثر منها محاسبية أو منعكسة على التقارير المالية، وقد يؤثر هذا الافتقار على المتطلبات المحددة لشفافية ومصداقية تقارير الاستدامة للشركات. وعليه، يوصي الباحثون بسنّ لوائح بيئية واضحة ومحددة، وفرض إطار قانوني يشمل إلزام الشركات بإعداد التقارير المالية التكاملية للإفصاح عن ممارسات الحوكمة والمسؤولية الاجتماعية والأثر البيئي، وتعزيز آليات التنفيذ من خلال سوق تداول، والهيئات الرقابية والتنفيذية الأخرى

Proboscis Extension Response of Three Apis mellifera Subspecies toward Water and Sugars in Subtropical Ecosystem

The proboscis extension response (PER) assay revealed the responsiveness of three subspecies of the honeybee Apis mellifera [A. m. jemenitica (AMJ), A. m. carnica (AMC), and A. m. ligustica (AML)] to water and different concentrations (0.00001, 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 M) of three sugars (fructose, glucose, and sucrose) during the summer and fall seasons. The tested bee subspecies showed significantly different PERs to sugar types across the seasons. The water responsiveness of AMJ, a native bee subspecies, was significantly lower than that of AMC and AML, which showed an equally higher water response in both seasons. During the summer season, AMJ and AMC were equally responsive to each sugar type at all tested concentrations. AML was relatively less responsive to glucose at 0.001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 M than to fructose and sucrose during the summer season. During the fall season, AMJ was equally responsive to glucose and sucrose at all tested concentrations but showed a significantly different response between fructose and sucrose at 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 M concentrations. The PER of AMJ to fructose was lower than that of glucose and sucrose. AMC was equally responsive to all tested sugars at all concentrations, and AML showed a differential response between glucose and sucrose at different concentrations during the fall season. The inter-specific species comparisons revealed that all tested subspecies were equally responsive to fructose at all tested concentrations, and AMJ was more responsive to glucose and sucrose than AMC and AML during both seasons. AMC and AML showed no differences in PER to glucose and sucrose in either season. The AMJ, AMC, and AML nectar and pollen foragers showed no significant differences in PER to glucose and sucrose. The AMC nectar foragers were highly responsive to sucrose than pollen foragers at higher sucrose concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 M). The AML (nectar forager vs. pollen forgers) showed identical PER to sucrose and glucose but a higher response of nectar foragers to high glucose concentrations (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 M) than pollen foragers. For water responsiveness, AMJ nectar and pollen foragers showed similar PER to water, whereas AMC and AML pollen foragers were significantly more responsive to water than nectar foragers.</jats:p

Proboscis Extension Response of Three Apis mellifera Subspecies toward Water and Sugars in Subtropical Ecosystem

The proboscis extension response (PER) assay revealed the responsiveness of three subspecies of the honeybee Apis mellifera [A. m. jemenitica (AMJ), A. m. carnica (AMC), and A. m. ligustica (AML)] to water and different concentrations (0.00001, 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 M) of three sugars (fructose, glucose, and sucrose) during the summer and fall seasons. The tested bee subspecies showed significantly different PERs to sugar types across the seasons. The water responsiveness of AMJ, a native bee subspecies, was significantly lower than that of AMC and AML, which showed an equally higher water response in both seasons. During the summer season, AMJ and AMC were equally responsive to each sugar type at all tested concentrations. AML was relatively less responsive to glucose at 0.001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 M than to fructose and sucrose during the summer season. During the fall season, AMJ was equally responsive to glucose and sucrose at all tested concentrations but showed a significantly different response between fructose and sucrose at 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 M concentrations. The PER of AMJ to fructose was lower than that of glucose and sucrose. AMC was equally responsive to all tested sugars at all concentrations, and AML showed a differential response between glucose and sucrose at different concentrations during the fall season. The inter-specific species comparisons revealed that all tested subspecies were equally responsive to fructose at all tested concentrations, and AMJ was more responsive to glucose and sucrose than AMC and AML during both seasons. AMC and AML showed no differences in PER to glucose and sucrose in either season. The AMJ,&nbsp;AMC, and AML nectar and pollen foragers showed no significant differences in PER to glucose and sucrose. The AMC nectar foragers were highly responsive to sucrose than pollen foragers at higher sucrose concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 M). The AML (nectar forager vs. pollen forgers) showed identical PER to sucrose and glucose but a higher response of nectar foragers to high glucose concentrations (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 M) than pollen foragers. For water responsiveness, AMJ nectar and pollen foragers showed similar PER to water, whereas AMC and AML pollen foragers were significantly more responsive to water than nectar foragers

The Role of Governance Audit Mechanisms on Environmental Sustainability and Emissions in Saudi Arabia Under ESG Regulations

This study investigates the impact of corporate governance factors and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) regulations on environmental performance and emissions in Saudi Arabian companies to explore whether these companies are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using a pooled panel data approach for 51 Saudi-listed firms over the period from 2016 to 2023, the study examines the role of various governance mechanisms, such as audit committees, internal audits, audit quality, and leverage, in influencing companies&rsquo; environmental outcomes. The results indicate that ESG regulations have a promotive and statistically significant impact on reducing environmental emissions and improving environmental performance, particularly when supported by robust governance audit mechanisms. The results show that audit committee expertise, internal auditing, and audit tenure after ESG regulations exhibit a positive and significant effect on reducing environmental emissions and improving environmental performance. The findings have important policy, managerial, and theoretical implications, emphasizing the role of government regulations in shaping corporate sustainability practices, the need for improved corporate governance, and the theoretical link between governance and environmental performance. The study bridges an existing gap in the context of the impact of ESG regulations in emerging economies. The study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on ESG practices in emerging markets, particularly in the context of Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s regulatory landscape

Insight into Olfactory Learning, Memory, and Mortality of <i>Apis mellifera jemenitica</i> after Exposure to Acetamiprid Insecticide

The honey bee, a significant crop pollinator, encounters pesticides through various routes of exposure during foraging and flower visitation. Considering the potential threat of pesticide poisoning, the indigenous Saudi bee Apis mellifera jemenitica is susceptible to the risks associated with acetamiprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide. This study investigates the acetamiprid-induced effects on the survival, olfactory learning, and memory formation of A. m. jemenitica through two exposure routes: topical application and oral ingestion. Field-realistic and serially diluted concentrations (100, 50, 25, and 10 ppm) of acetamiprid led to notable mortality at 4, 12, 24, and 48 h after treatment, with peak mortality observed at 24 h and 48 h for both exposure routes. Bee mortality was concentration-dependent, increasing with the rising concentration of acetamiprid at the tested time intervals. Food consumption following oral exposure exhibited a concentration-dependent pattern, steadily decreasing with increasing concentrations of acetamiprid. Oral exposure resulted in a substantially higher cumulative mortality (55%) compared to topical exposure (15%), indicating a significant disparity in bee mortality between the two exposure routes. The 24 h post-treatment LC50 values for acetamiprid were 160.33 and 12.76 ppm for topical application and oral ingestion, respectively. The sublethal concentrations (LC10, LC20, and LC30) of acetamiprid were 15.23, 34.18, and 61.20 ppm, respectively, following topical exposure, and 2.85, 4.77, and 6.91 ppm, respectively, following oral exposure. The sublethal concentrations of acetamiprid significantly decreased learning during the 2nd–3rd conditioning trials and impaired memory formation at 2, 12, and 24 h following both topical and oral exposure routes, compared to the control bees. Notably, the sublethal concentrations were equally effective in impairing bee learning and memory. Taken together, acetamiprid exposure adversely affected bee survival, hindered learning, and impaired the memory retention of learned tasks

Efficacy of Ranolazine in a Patient with Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Electrical Storm

A case of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy with an arrhythmic storm refractory to the usual antiarrhythmic therapy will be reported. The idiopathic structural heart disease of the patient is a vulnerable anatomic substrate in itself, for electrical instability and reentry mechanism, because of heterogeneous areas of scarred myocardium and low left ventricle ejection fraction. In this case, the ranolazine administration was safe and effective for the prevention of further electrical storms. © 2013, International Research and Cooperation Association for Bio & Socio-Sciences Advancement. All rights reserved