Green finance (GF) has been gaining significant attention in recent literature, owing to the rise in global actions against the climate change. It is conceptually ambiguous, with no conclusive agreement among researchers on its meaning. Therefore, the main purpose of the study is to identify the bankers’ perception of various dimensions of GF, and identify the major challenges affecting its implementation in Bangladesh. Besides, this study also reveals the status of GF in Bangladesh’s banks and non-bank financial institutions from 2014 to 2019. In order to define the key aspects of GF through the data obtained from 296 banking staffs of private commercial banks (PCBs) in Bangladesh, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used. The study also used descriptive statistics to identify the major challenges hindering the development of GF in Bangladesh. The findings of this study show that, in comparison with other banks and non-bank financial institutions, the PCBs are the largest contributors to direct GF, accounting for 74.2% of the total GF in Bangladesh. The outcomes of the study also identify the “economic dimension” as the most significant dimension affecting the level of bankers’ perceptions of GF. Moreover, the bankers perceived the “social and environmental dimensions” as being the second and third most crucial factors influencing GF, followed by sources of green financing. The empirical findings indicate that bankers of PCBs deemed the level of awareness, beliefs and understanding of the major dimensions of GF and sources of green financing to be satisfactory for the implementation of GF in Bangladesh. In addition, the study also shows that high transaction costs, heavy default culture, operational self-insufficiency, improper appraisal of loan applications, and the absence of adequate accountability and transparency are the major barriers to the development of GF in Bangladesh. Therefore, major policy implications are further discussed.

Every sector of the global economy is faced with environmental problems and their resulting consequences to their day-to-day operations. Due to the rising threat of global climate change, the green banking (GB) concept has been given significant attention in recent green finance literature. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to identify the impact of GB practices on banks’ environmental performance and sources of green financing of private commercial banks (PCBs) in Bangladesh. Using a survey method, the primary data were obtained from a cross-sectional sample of 322 banking employees of PCBs in Bangladesh. In order to identify the key relationships existing between the study variables, structural equation modelling (SEM) approach was employed. The empirical findings indicated that banks’ employees, daily-operations, and policy-related GB practices have significant positive effects on green financing, contrary to banks’ customer-related GB practice, which was not statistically significant. Additionally, banks’ green project financing exhibited a strong and positive influence on banks’ environmental performance. Moreover, banks’ daily operation and policy-related practices of GB were observed to have significant impacts on banks’ environmental performances, in contrast to banks’ employee and customer-related GB practices. Therefore, major policy implications and directions for future research in the concerned area are discussed.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is characterized by slow growth, frequent local recurrences, and high incidence of distant metastasis (DM). The aim of this study was to evaluate predictive factors for local-regional (LR) recurrence, DM, and survival in ACC.A retrospective review of the medical records for patients with salivary glands ACC from 1990 to 2015 was performed. The clinical parameters were assessed to identify correlations with the development of LR recurrence, DM, and survival of these patients.Among 228 patients who underwent surgery as definitive treatment, 210 (92.1%) were followed up in the study. DM was detected in 64 (30.5%) patients, LR recurrence was detected in 58 (27.6%) patients. The estimated 5, 10, and 15-year overall survival rates were 84.7%, 70.8%, and 34.0%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of lymphovascular invasion and a high T classification were very strong adverse factors, which independently influenced LR recurrence, DM, and survival of ACC patients. Positive/close margin and N+ status were independent risk factors for DM and LR recurrence, respectively. Survival of ACC patents was also affected by tumor location.Presence of lymphovascular invasion and a high T classification were very strong adverse factors and independent predictors for ACC patients’ prognosis, which influenced LR control, DM control, and survival.

The unsustainable operations of producers account for significant carbon emission and subsequent adverse impacts on nature. This study aims to identify the factors that influence consumers’ green buying behavior. The research focuses on the exploratory testing of theories using standardized questionnaires and interviews. Using a convenience selection approach, questionnaire surveys were used to gather primary data from a sample size of 305. The sample demographic reflects people who often make purchases; data were also obtained from shopping centers and elsewhere. The hypothesis testing of variables measured via five-point Likert scale questions was performed using structural equation modeling. We applied closed-ended questions relating to green buying behavior for the convenience of respondents. The empirical result established the effects of attitude, perceived severity of environmental problems, environmental concern, and subjective norms on Bangladeshi consumers’ green buying behavior. Additionally, it was discovered that attitude mediates the association between the perceived environmental responsibility and green buying behavior. Therefore, the government should play a constructive role in educating the public and promoting green business initiatives through improved coordination and legislative intervention.

BackgroundCurrently, the overall therapeutic efficiency of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation for the treatment of cardiovascular disease is not satisfactory. The low viability and angiogenic capacity of the implanted cells in the local infarct tissues restrict their further application. Evidence shows that long noncoding RNA H19 (lncRNA-H19) mediates cell survival and angiogenesis. Additionally, it is also involved in MSCs biological activities. This study aimed to explore the functional role of lncRNA-H19 in MSCs survival and angiogenic capacity as well as the underlying mechanism.MethodsMSCs were obtained from C57BL/6 mice and cultured in vitro. Cells at the third passage were divided into the following groups: MSCs+H19, MSCs+H19 NC, MSCs+si-H19, MSCs+si-H19 NC and MSCs. The MSCs+H19 and MSCs+H19 NC groups were transfected with lncRNA-H19 and lncRNA-H19 scramble RNA respectively. The MSCs+si-H19 and MSCs+si-H19 NC groups were transfected with lncRNA-H19 siRNA and lncRNA-H19 siRNA scramble respectively. MSCs were used as the blank control. All groups were exposed to normoxia (20% O2) and hypoxia (1% O2)/serum deprivation (H/SD) conditions for 24 h. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and vascular densities were assessed. Bioinformatics and dual luciferase reporter assay were performed. Relevant biomarkers were detected in different experimental groups.ResultsOverexpression of lncRNA-H19 improved survival and angiogenic capacity of MSCs under both normoxia and H/SD conditions, whereas its knockdown impaired cell viability and their angiogenic potential. MicroRNA-199a-5p (miR-199a-5p) targeted and downregulated vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA). MiR-199a-5p was a target of lncRNA-H19. LncRNA-H19 transfection led to a decreased level of miR-199a-5p, accompanied with an elevated expression of VEGFA. However, both miR-199a-5p and VEGFA presented inverse alterations in the condition of lncRNA-H19 knockdown.ConclusionsLncRNA-H19 enhanced MSCs survival and their angiogenic potential in vitro. It could directly upregulate VEGFA expression by inhibiting miR-199a-5p as a competing endogenous RNA. This mechanism contributes to a better understanding of MSCs biological activities and provides new insights for cell therapy based on MSCs transplantation.