Fair Trade Practices, Social Innovation and Social Impact: A Case of Mahaguthi Craft with A Conscience

Jeetendra Dangol(Jeetendra Dangol ),Kee-Seon Yoo(Kee-Seon Yoo) 적정기술학회 2023 적정기술학회지(Journal of Appropriate Technology) Vol.9 No.3

This study presents the case of Mahaguthi Craft with a Conscience founded in 1984, a non-profit-distributing social enterprise that helps the marginalized small producers and generate employment. The main aim of this study is to evaluate fair trade practices, social innovation and social impact. This study is based on the primary data. This study analyzes data in the three different stages. First, evaluate the practices of fair trade by reviewing the existing documents, such as, self-declaration report of Mahaguthi and external social audit by World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO). That had been validated by an interview with the chief executive officer (CEO) of Mahaguthi Craft. Interview includes to evaluate social innovations and social impact Secondly, a structured survey questionnaire has been used to examine the social impact to beneficiaries, mainly, Mahaguthi employees. Results revels that Mahaguthi has been following ten principles of Fair Trade practices very effectively. Product innovation, supply chain management innovation, technology innovation, new business model and business ecosystem innovations are key points to Mahaguthi for positive change of social welfare of marginal group of peoples. Additionally, this study finds the major five components for measuring their impact to Mahaguthi staffs, such as, economic, self-confidence, organizational goal, social and leadership impact. Fair trade practices are the first stage of social innovation and positive impact to society. This case study may be the best example to practitioners and academia for operating social enterprise for social change through generation of employment.

Challenges of Social Enterprises in Developing Country: Evidence from Nepal

Jeetendra Dangol(Jeetendra Dangol ),Kee-Seon Yoo(Kee-Seon Yoo),Sunil Chitrakar(Sunil Chitrakar ) KINFORMS 2022 Management Review Vol.17 No.2

This paper explores the challenges of social enterprises (SEs) in Nepal. The study is qualitative in nature and uses case studies, open-ended questionnaires and interviews of social entrepreneurs and experts. The Nepalese social enterprises are driven by social motives and social value creation rather than profit. They focus on bringing positive social impact. Absence of legal and other policies create confusions, thus poses challenges in sustaining social enterprises. Specific social enterprises promotion acts, financing policies, and business support services are some of the shortcomings for the sustainability and growth of social enterprises in Nepal. Comprehensive government policies and related regulations would be instrumental in promoting social enterprises in Nepal.

Anti-obesity effect of a novel caffeine-loaded dissolving microneedle patch in high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6J mice

Dangol, Manita,Kim, Suyong,Li, Cheng Guo,Fakhraei Lahiji, Shayan,Jang, Mingyu,Ma, Yonghao,Huh, Inyoung,Jung, Hyungil Elsevier 2017 Journal of controlled release Vol.265 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Natural products such as caffeine have been found to be effective in reducing body weight through lipolysis. Here, we report the successful loading of caffeine onto dissolving microneedle following inhibition of its crystal growth by hyaluronic acid (HA), the matrix material of the dissolving microneedle (DMN). Further, the anti-obesity activity of caffeine was evaluated in high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6J mice. After 6weeks of caffeine loaded dissolving microneedle patch (CMP) administration, lipolysis improved significantly as shown by leptin and adiponectin activity, which resulted in considerable weight loss of about 12.8±0.75% in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Comparison of the levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol after CMP administration with the initial levels in obese mice indicated significant anti-obesity activity of CMP. These findings suggested that a novel CMP with an increased amount of caffeine loaded onto DMN has therapeutic activity against obesity.</P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Innovative polymeric system (IPS) for solvent-free lipophilic drug transdermal delivery via dissolving microneedles

Dangol, M.,Yang, H.,Li, C.G.,Lahiji, S.F.,Kim, S.,Ma, Y.,Jung, H. Elsevier Science Publishers 2016 Journal of controlled release Vol.223 No.-

<P>Lipophilic drugs are potential drug candidates during drug development. However, due to the need for hazardous organic solvents for their solubilization, these drugs often fail to reach the pharmaceutical market, and in doing so highlight the importance of solvent free systems. Although transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDSs) are considered prospective safe drug delivery routes, a system involving lipophilic drugs in solvent free or powder form has not yet been described. Here, we report, for the first time, a novel approach for the delivery of every kind of lipophilic drug in powder form based on an innovative polymeric system (IPS). The phase transition of powder form of lipophilic drugs due to interior chemical bonds between drugs and biodegradable polymers and formation of nano-sized colloidal structures allowed the fabrication of dissolving microneedles (DMNs) to generate a powerful TDDS. We showed that IPS based DMN with powder capsaicin enhances the therapeutic effect for treatment of the rheumatic arthritis in a DBA/1 mouse model compared to a solvent-based system, indicating the promising potential of this new solvent-free platform for lipophilic drug delivery. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>

Visualization of Multicolored in vivo Organelle Markers for Co-Localization Studies in Oryza sativa

Dangol, Sarmina,Singh, Raksha,Chen, Yafei,Jwa, Nam-Soo Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology 2017 Molecules and cells Vol.40 No.11

Eukaryotic cells consist of a complex network of thousands of proteins present in different organelles where organelle-specific cellular processes occur. Identification of the subcellular localization of a protein is important for understanding its potential biochemical functions. In the post-genomic era, localization of unknown proteins is achieved using multiple tools including a fluorescent-tagged protein approach. Several fluorescent-tagged protein organelle markers have been introduced into dicot plants, but its use is still limited in monocot plants. Here, we generated a set of multicolored organelle markers (fluorescent-tagged proteins) based on well-established targeting sequences. We used a series of pGWBs binary vectors to ameliorate localization and co-localization experiments using monocot plants. We constructed different fluorescent-tagged markers to visualize rice cell organelles, i.e., nucleus, plastids, mitochondria, peroxisomes, golgi body, endoplasmic reticulum, plasma membrane, and tonoplast, with four different fluorescent proteins (FPs) (G3GFP, mRFP, YFP, and CFP). Visualization of FP-tagged markers in their respective compartments has been reported for dicot and monocot plants. The comparative localization of the nucleus marker with a nucleus localizing sequence, and the similar, characteristic morphology of mCherry-tagged Arabidopsis organelle markers and our generated organelle markers in onion cells, provide further evidence for the correct subcellular localization of the Oryza sativa (rice) organelle marker. The set of eight different rice organelle markers with four different FPs provides a valuable resource for determining the subcellular localization of newly identified proteins, conducting co-localization assays, and generating stable transgenic localization in monocot plants.

Novel miniaturized device for blood collection

Manita Dangol,Li Chengguo,Shayan Fakhri Lahiji,Minjoo Park,Hyungil Jung 한국실험동물학회 2013 한국실험동물학회 학술발표대회 논문집 Vol.2013 No.8

[외국 BT맨의 한국사는 이야기] TWICE IS NOT ENOUGH

Manita Dangol 한국생물공학회 2010 BT NEWS Vol.17 No.2

Visualization of Multicolored in vivo Organelle Markers for Co-Localization Studies in Oryza sativa

Sarmina Dangol,Raksha Singh,Yafei Chen,좌남수 한국분자세포생물학회 2017 Molecules and cells Vol.40 No.11

Eukaryotic cells consist of a complex network of thousands of proteins present in different organelles where organelle-specific cellular processes occur. Identification of the subcellular localization of a protein is important for understanding its potential biochemical functions. In the post-genomic era, localization of unknown proteins is achieved using multiple tools including a fluorescent-tagged protein approach. Several fluorescent-tagged protein organelle markers have been introduced into dicot plants, but its use is still limited in mon-ocot plants. Here, we generated a set of multicolored organelle markers (fluorescent-tagged proteins) based on well-established targeting sequences. We used a series of pGWBs binary vectors to ameliorate localization and co-localization experiments using monocot plants. We constructed different fluorescent-tagged markers to visualize rice cell organelles, i.e., nucleus, plastids, mitochondria, peroxisomes, golgi body, endoplasmic reticulum, plasma membrane, and tonoplast, with four different fluorescent proteins (FPs) (G3GFP, mRFP, YFP, and CFP). Visualization of FP-tagged markers in their respective compartments has been reported for dicot and monocot plants. The comparative localization of the nucleus marker with a nucleus localizing sequence, and the similar, characteristic morphology of mCherry-tagged Arabidopsis organelle markers and our gen-erated organelle markers in onion cells, provide further evidence for the correct subcellular localization of the Oryza sativa (rice) organelle marker. The set of eight different rice organelle markers with four different FPs provides a valuable resource for determining the subcellular localization of newly identified proteins, conducting co-localization assays, and generating stable transgenic localization in monocot plants.

Control of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) by Endangered species Lethocerus deyrollei Vuillefroy (Hemiptera: Belostomatida)

Dong Jae Lee,Rajala Dangol,Kang Woon Lee 한국응용곤충학회 2013 한국응용곤충학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2013 No.10

This study was carried out to investigate whether giant water bug, designated as an endangered species by the Ministry of Environment of Korea since 1997, can control American bull frog tadpole which has been designated as an Invasive Alien Species(IAS) by the Ministry of Environment of Korea since 1998. The experiment was conducted through food preference between fish (Crucian carp, Carassius auratus) and American bull frog tadpole(Rana catesbeiana) in laboratory condition (25±1°C) in HECRI. Potential food such as fish(weight: 8.2±0.6, length: 87.4± 1.6mm) and American bull frog tadpole(weight: 6.8±0.4g, length: 92.3±1.6mm) were inserted 5 individuals respectively in the nineteen acrylate cages with one pair of L. deyrollei simultaneously. Twice(10:00, 18:00) per a day was monitored. Once we confirmed prey was consumed by L. deyrollei, removed and replaced with same species to maintain same number immediately. Preference for American bull frog tadpole was significantly higher(93.6%) than fish(6.4%) (F=30.65, df=1, 18, P<0.0001).

Magnaporthe oryzae Effector AVR-Pii Helps to Establish Compatibility by Inhibition of the Rice NADP-Malic Enzyme Resulting in Disruption of Oxidative Burst and Host Innate Immunity

Singh, Raksha,Dangol, Sarmina,Chen, Yafei,Choi, Jihyun,Cho, Yoon-Seong,Lee, Jea-Eun,Choi, Mi-Ok,Jwa, Nam-Soo Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology 2016 Molecules and cells Vol.39 No.5

Plant disease resistance occurs as a hypersensitive response (HR) at the site of attempted pathogen invasion. This specific event is initiated in response to recognition of pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) and subsequent PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI). Both PTI and ETI mechanisms are tightly connected with reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and disease resistance that involves distinct biphasic ROS production as one of its pivotal plant immune responses. This unique oxidative burst is strongly dependent on the resistant cultivars because a monophasic ROS burst is a hallmark of the susceptible cultivars. However, the cause of the differential ROS burst remains unknown. In the study here, we revealed the plausible underlying mechanism of the differential ROS burst through functional understanding of the Magnaporthe oryzae (M. oryzae) AVR effector, AVR-Pii. We performed yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screening using AVR-Pii as bait and isolated rice NADP-malic enzyme2 (Os-NADP-ME2) as the rice target protein. To our surprise, deletion of the rice Os-NADP-ME2 gene in a resistant rice cultivar disrupted innate immunity against the rice blast fungus. Malic enzyme activity and inhibition studies demonstrated that AVR-Pii proteins specifically inhibit in vitro NADP-ME activity. Overall, we demonstrate that rice blast fungus, M. oryzae attenuates the host ROS burst via AVR-Pii-mediated inhibition of Os-NADP-ME2, which is indispensable in ROS metabolism for the innate immunity of rice. This characterization of the regulation of the host oxidative burst will help to elucidate how the products of AVR genes function associated with virulence of the pathogen.