Historical Development of Corporate Social Responsibility- A Review on Early Studies

In this twenty first century, the term corporate social responsibility briefly known as CSR is becomes the business strategy. Multinational corporations are paying much more attention to publicize their commitment towards CSR. However, none of the early research explores the historical development of CSR in literature. This study highlighted the debate of CSR followed by the literature development. Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, History, Responsible Business, Strateg

Social Responsibility in Global Supply Chain: Research Trend from 1999 to 2014

The well know term of corporate social responsibility (CSR) or simply social responsibility for business organization refers to the concept where the companies integrate social and environmental concerns into their day to day business operations. The aim of this article is to observe the social responsibility research trend within global supply chain. Based on the review of prior literature, it is easy to say that the concept of CSR has received overwhelming attention by the professional and academia of all over the global. Even though, there is debate whether the companies have any responsibility for their supplier premises, more literatures are confirming that the business organizations are considering carefully the issues of CSR within supply chain. Since the concept of CSR covering enter arena of business, it is interesting to work on literature and discover the recent research trend on CSR study within supply chain. Current study has taken an initiative to determine the drivers that influence CSR practice within the supply chain based on literature review for sixteen years Finding suggests, there are drivers influences CSR practice within supply chain

Agronomic Performance of Modern Rice Varieties in South-west Bangladesh

An experiment was carried out in Boro season during November 2018 to April 2019 at two farmer’s fields of Batiaghata and Dumuria sub-district under Khulna district of Bangladesh with the objective of testing agronomic status and adaptability of four modern rice varieties in comparison with the popular mega variety BRRI dhan28. The varieties were BRRI dhan67, BRRI dhan81, BRRI dhan84 and BRRI dhan86. BRRI dhan28 was chosen as a control due to its wide acceptability among the farmers. The soil of the studied area was moderately alkaline and medium to moderately saline. In Batiaghata and Dumuria field, initial soil EC was 3.19 and 3.29 dS/m, respectively and it was 4.7 and 4.8 dS/m, accordingly at maturity stage. It was observed that germination rate, plant height, effective tiller number were significantly higher in BRRI dhan67 than the other varieties but insignificant with BRRI dhan28 (p?0.05) for both fields. All the yield components spikelets per panicle, filled grain and 1000-grain weight were also significantly higher in BRRI dhan67 in compared to the other varieties but insignificant with BRRI dhan28 (p?0.05) for both fields as well. The highest grain yield was observed in BRRI dhan67 in both plots (7.89 and 7.29 t/ha) and showed significant differences among all other varieties (p?0.05). Harvest Index of BRRI dhan67 (51.02±4.2, 57.84±8.6)% indicated that this variety is the best yielder among the varieties. Considering overall performances and facts, BRRI dhan67 showed better agronomic performance and adaptation than the other modern varieties in compare with popular mega BRRI dhan28

Chemical profiles and pharmacological attributes of Apis cerana indica beehives using combined experimental and computer-aided studies

The current study sought to determine the anxiolytic, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory properties of distilled water-soluble extract of beehive (WSE-BH). Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) studies were used to characterize the chemical compositions obtained from beehives extracted in water and methanol (also fractions). The GC-MS analysis identified 19 compounds in WSE-BH, including high total phenol and flavonoid contents, compared with the methanol extract (21 compounds), ethyl acetate fraction (9 compounds), and CCl4 fraction (27 compounds). The oral administration of WSE-BH (50 and 150 mg/kg) showed significant anxiolytic activities assessed by time spent in (30.80% and 39.47%, respectively) and entry into (47.49% and 55.93%, respectively) the open arms of the elevated plus-maze (EPM). Only the 150 mg/kg dose resulted in a significant effect on the number of head-dipping events in the hole-board test (HBT) (40.2 ± 2.33; p < 0.01) vs. diazepam (64.33 ± 3.16; p < 0.001). Both the 50 and 150 mg/kg doses resulted in significant (p < 0.001) decreases in immobility in the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspensions test (TST), corresponding to the effect of fluoxetine. WSE-BH inhibited histamine-induced paw edema significantly beginning at 60 min, with the 150 mg/kg dose having the highest effect at 180 min. The current findings suggested that WSE-BH had anxiolytic, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory properties

Chemical profiles and pharmacological properties with in silico studies on Elatostema papillosum Wedd

The current study attempted, for the first time, to qualitatively and quantitatively determine the phytochemical components of Elatostema papillosum methanol extract and their biological activities. The present study represents an effort to correlate our previously reported biological activities with a computational study, including molecular docking, and ADME/T (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion/toxicity) analyses, to identify the phytochemicals that are potentially responsible for the antioxidant, antidepressant, anxiolytic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activities of this plant. In the gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis, a total of 24 compounds were identified, seven of which were documented as being bioactive based on their binding affinities. These seven were subjected to molecular docking studies that were correlated with the pharmacological outcomes. Additionally, the ADME/T properties of these compounds were evaluated to determine their drug-like properties and toxicity levels. The seven selected, isolated compounds displayed favorable binding affinities to potassium channels, human serotonin receptor, cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), COX-2, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and human peroxiredoxin 5 receptor proteins. Phytol acetate, and terpene compounds identified in E. papillosum displayed strong predictive binding affinities towards the human serotonin receptor. Furthermore, 3-trifluoroacetoxypentadecane showed a significant binding affinity for the KcsA potassium channel. Eicosanal showed the highest predicted binding affinity towards the human peroxiredoxin 5 receptor. All of these findings support the observed in vivo antidepressant and anxiolytic effects and the in vitro antioxidant effects observed for this extract. The identified compounds from E. papillosum showed the lowest binding affinities towards COX-1, COX-2, and NF-κB receptors, which indicated the inconsequential impacts of this extract against the activities of these three proteins. Overall, E. papillosum appears to be bioactive and could represent a potential source for the development of alternative medicines; however, further analytical experiments remain necessary

Antioxidant-rich Woodfordia fruticosa leaf extract alleviates depressive-like behaviors and impede hyperglycemia

Dhaiphul (Woodfordia fruticosa) is a frequently demanded plant in South-East Asian regions for its diverse medicinal values. This study was proposed to examine antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antidepressant potentials of methanol extract of W. fruticosa leaves (MEWF) and its derived n-hexane (NHFMEWF) and ethyl acetate (EAFMEWF) fractions through in vitro, in vivo, and computational models. Among test samples, MEWF and EAFMEWF contained the highest phenolic content and showed maximal antioxidant activity in DPPH radical scavenging and ferric reducing power assays. In comparison, NHFMEWF possessed maximum flavonoid content and a significantly potent α-amylase inhibitory profile comparable with positive control acarbose. In animal models of depression (forced swimming and tail suspension test), EAFMEWF and NHFMEWF demonstrated a dose-dependent antidepressant-like effect; explicitly, the depressive-like behaviors significantly declined in EAFMEWF-treated dosing groups in contrast to the control group. In the computational analysis, previously isolated flavonoid compounds from Dhaiphul leaves manifested potent binding affinity against several key therapeutic target proteins of diabetes and depressive disorders including α-amylase, serotonin transporter, dopamine transporter, and neuronal nitric oxide synthase with varying pharmacokinetics and toxicity profiles. This research’s outcomes may provide potential dietary supplements for mitigating hyperglycemia, cellular toxicity, and depressive disorder

Biological evaluation, DFT calculations and molecular docking studies on the antidepressant and cytotoxicity activities of Cycas pectinata buch.-ham. compounds

Cycas pectinata Buch.-Ham. is commonly used in folk medicine against various disorders. The present study investigated the antidepressant and cytotoxicity activity of methanol extract of C. pectinata (MECP) along with quantitative phytochemical analysis by GC-MS method. Here, the GC-MS study of MECP presented 41 compounds, among which most were fatty acids, esters, terpenoids and oximes. The antidepressant activity was assessed by the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) models. In contrast, MECP (200 and 400 mg/kg) exhibited a significant and dose-dependent manner reduction in immobility comparable with fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) and phenelzine (20 mg/kg). MECP showed a weak toxicity level in the brine shrimp lethality bioassay (ED50: 358.65 µg/mL) comparable to the standard drug vincristine sulfate (ED50: 2.39 µg/mL). Three compounds from the GC-MS study were subjected to density functional theory (DFT) calculations, where only cyclopentadecanone oxime showed positive and negative active binding sites. Cyclopentadecanone oxime also showed a good binding interaction in suppressing depression disorders by blocking monoamine oxidase and serotonin receptors with better pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties. Overall, the MECP exhibited a significant antidepressant activity with moderate toxicity, which required further advance studies to identify the mechanism.Centro de Investigación y Publicación (CRP) | Ref. IRG 180111Universidad Islámica Internacional de Chittagong (IIUC

Global, regional, and national burden of diabetes from 1990 to 2021, with projections of prevalence to 2050: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, and affects people regardless of country, age group, or sex. Using the most recent evidentiary and analytical framework from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD), we produced location-specific, age-specific, and sex-specific estimates of diabetes prevalence and burden from 1990 to 2021, the proportion of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in 2021, the proportion of the type 2 diabetes burden attributable to selected risk factors, and projections of diabetes prevalence through 2050. Methods: Estimates of diabetes prevalence and burden were computed in 204 countries and territories, across 25 age groups, for males and females separately and combined; these estimates comprised lost years of healthy life, measured in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs; defined as the sum of years of life lost [YLLs] and years lived with disability [YLDs]). We used the Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm) approach to estimate deaths due to diabetes, incorporating 25 666 location-years of data from vital registration and verbal autopsy reports in separate total (including both type 1 and type 2 diabetes) and type-specific models. Other forms of diabetes, including gestational and monogenic diabetes, were not explicitly modelled. Total and type 1 diabetes prevalence was estimated by use of a Bayesian meta-regression modelling tool, DisMod-MR 2.1, to analyse 1527 location-years of data from the scientific literature, survey microdata, and insurance claims; type 2 diabetes estimates were computed by subtracting type 1 diabetes from total estimates. Mortality and prevalence estimates, along with standard life expectancy and disability weights, were used to calculate YLLs, YLDs, and DALYs. When appropriate, we extrapolated estimates to a hypothetical population with a standardised age structure to allow comparison in populations with different age structures. We used the comparative risk assessment framework to estimate the risk-attributable type 2 diabetes burden for 16 risk factors falling under risk categories including environmental and occupational factors, tobacco use, high alcohol use, high body-mass index (BMI), dietary factors, and low physical activity. Using a regression framework, we forecast type 1 and type 2 diabetes prevalence through 2050 with Socio-demographic Index (SDI) and high BMI as predictors, respectively. Findings: In 2021, there were 529 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 500-564) people living with diabetes worldwide, and the global age-standardised total diabetes prevalence was 6·1% (5·8-6·5). At the super-region level, the highest age-standardised rates were observed in north Africa and the Middle East (9·3% [8·7-9·9]) and, at the regional level, in Oceania (12·3% [11·5-13·0]). Nationally, Qatar had the world's highest age-specific prevalence of diabetes, at 76·1% (73·1-79·5) in individuals aged 75-79 years. Total diabetes prevalence-especially among older adults-primarily reflects type 2 diabetes, which in 2021 accounted for 96·0% (95·1-96·8) of diabetes cases and 95·4% (94·9-95·9) of diabetes DALYs worldwide. In 2021, 52·2% (25·5-71·8) of global type 2 diabetes DALYs were attributable to high BMI. The contribution of high BMI to type 2 diabetes DALYs rose by 24·3% (18·5-30·4) worldwide between 1990 and 2021. By 2050, more than 1·31 billion (1·22-1·39) people are projected to have diabetes, with expected age-standardised total diabetes prevalence rates greater than 10% in two super-regions: 16·8% (16·1-17·6) in north Africa and the Middle East and 11·3% (10·8-11·9) in Latin America and Caribbean. By 2050, 89 (43·6%) of 204 countries and territories will have an age-standardised rate greater than 10%. Interpretation: Diabetes remains a substantial public health issue. Type 2 diabetes, which makes up the bulk of diabetes cases, is largely preventable and, in some cases, potentially reversible if identified and managed early in the disease course. However, all evidence indicates that diabetes prevalence is increasing worldwide, primarily due to a rise in obesity caused by multiple factors. Preventing and controlling type 2 diabetes remains an ongoing challenge. It is essential to better understand disparities in risk factor profiles and diabetes burden across populations, to inform strategies to successfully control diabetes risk factors within the context of multiple and complex drivers. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation