Dividend Policy and Its Influence on the Cost of Capital

This article conducts a research about the dividend policy of information technology companies with the highest growth rates and a comparison of cash dividends and stock buybacks in terms of cost of capital optimization and increase of enterprise value. In addition, the article presents a comparison between the dividend policy of US and Russian technology companies and concludes that Russian policy is less complicated due to relatively low country market capitalization and short dividend policy background. It is noticed that more and more companies with share equity use share repurchase policy and shorten quantity of cash for dividends payout. Calculation of a number of indexes show that such policy positively influences on the enterprise value, may decrease cost of capital and bring more stability into financial condition of a company

Тhe prevalence of metabolically healthy obesity: data from the epidemiological survey in of Novosibirsk

Background: Obesity is associated with numerous metabolic complications, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension (AH), cardiovascular diseases and some forms of cancer. Nevertheless, the literature describes a group of obese individuals who are more resistant to the development of metabolic disorders. At present, this phenomenon is known as "Metabolically healthy obesity", "metabolically healthy obesity" (MZO). Despite the presence of excess weight or obesity, a favorable metabolic profile can be observed in this cohort of patients, characterized by preserved insulin sensitivity, absence of arterial hypertension, normal lipid, hormonal profile, absence of inflammation and unchanged hepatic transaminases. Aims: To study the prevalence of metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and its characteristics in men and women at the age of 45–69 years in Novosibirsk. Materials and methods: To study covered 3197 persons from the base of the international project HAPPIE. They had a body mass index (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²). «Metabolically healthy obesity» was determined as obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m², with 2 and fewer components of metabolic syndrome (MS) by criteria NCEP ATP III, 2001. Statistical analisys SPSS-13. Results: The prevalence of metabolic healthy obesity (MHO) was 42% (38% for men and 43% for women). The examined people with MHO have reliably more favorable average level of TG, HDL-cholesterol, indicators of blood glucose, systolic arterial pressure and diastolic arterial pressure and less waist circumference. In the groups withMHO and MS abdominal obesity is common in men at 95 and 71%, in women at 99 and 90%; hyperTG – in men at 74 and 9%, in women at 72 and 5,5%; lower level HDL-cholesterol in 16 and 1% for men, and in 44,5% and 3% for women; AP in 96 and 77% and 94 and 71% in men and women respectively, the frequency fasting of hyperglycaemia 77 and 21% in men and 60 and 5% in women was markedly different. According to the data obtained by us, the frequency in the sample is high and amounted to 42%. In the subgroup the most commonly found is the MHO phenotype – 53%, than in the men -38%, р <0,001 Conclusions: According to our data, the frequency of metabolic healthy obesity in the sample is high and amounted to 42%. In the female subgroup, a metabolically healthy phenotype is more common 43% than in the male 38%, p <0.001. Metabolically healthy obese individuals are characterized by a significantly lower incidence of fasting hyperglycaemia and dyslipidemia

Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown in Eating Disorders: A Multicentre Collaborative International Study

Background. The COVID-19 lockdown has had a significant impact on mental health. Patients with eating disorders (ED) have been particularly vulnerable. Aims. (1) To explore changes in eating-related symptoms and general psychopathology during lockdown in patients with an ED from various European and Asian countries; and (2) to assess differences related to diagnostic ED subtypes, age, and geography. Methods. The sample comprised 829 participants, diagnosed with an ED according to DSM-5 criteria from specialized ED units in Europe and Asia. Participants were assessed using the COVID-19 Isolation Scale (CIES). Results. Patients with binge eating disorder (BED) experienced the highest impact on weight and ED symptoms in comparison with other ED subtypes during lockdown, whereas individuals with other specified feeding and eating disorders (OFSED) had greater deterioration in general psychological functioning than subjects with other ED subtypes. Finally, Asian and younger individuals appeared to be more resilient. Conclusions. The psychopathological changes in ED patients during the COVID-19 lockdown varied by cultural context and individual variation in age and ED diagnosis. Clinical services may need to target preventive measures and adapt therapeutic approaches for the most vulnerable patients

Bright Light for Weight Loss: Results of a Controlled Crossover Trial

Objective: To investigate whether bright light treatment can reduce body mass in overweight subjects irrespective of their seasonal (= light) dependence. Methods: A crossover, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial was performed between November and April in Novosibirsk, Russia (55° N). The trial comprised a 3-week in-home session of morning bright light treatment using a device of light-emitting diodes and a 3-week placebo session by means of a deactivated ion generator, separated by an off-protocol period of at least 23 days. The number of placebo and light sessions was matched with respect to season. Data were obtained from 34 overweight women, aged 20-54 years, 10 were seasonal-dependent according to the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire. Weekly measures included body weight, percentage body fat by bioimpedancemetry, and subjective scores (appetite, mood, energy levels). Results: Motivation and expectation towards weight loss were similar for the two intervention sessions. With light, compared to the placebo session, weight did not reduce significantly, but percentage fat, fat mass, and appetite were significantly lower (average fat reduction 0.35 kg). The latter two results remained significant after excluding seasonal-dependent subjects from the analysis. Irrespective of the type of intervention, seasonal-dependent subjects had greater weight and fat mass changes during treatment (decline p 0.036) or between sessions (regain p 0.003). Photoperiod (p = 0.0041), air temperature to a lesser extent (p = 0.012), but not sunshine (p = 0.29) was associated with the weight change (greater weight reduction if the second session was in spring). Conclusion: Morning bright light treatment reduces body fat and appetite in overweight women and may be included in weight control programs

Aptamer-Conjugated Tb(III)-Doped Silica Nanoparticles for Luminescent Detection of Leukemia Cells

DNA aptamers have many benefits for cell imaging, such as high affinity and specificity, easiness of chemical functionalization, and low cost of production. Among known aptamers, Sgc8-aptamer was selected against acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells with a dissociation constant in a nanomolar range. The aptamer was previously used for the covalent coupling with fluorescent and magnetic nanoparticles, as well as for the fabrication of aptamer-based biosensors. Among commonly used fluorescent tags, lanthanide nanoparticles offer stable luminescence with narrow, well-resolved emission peaks and the absence of photoblinking. In other words, lanthanide nanoparticles could serve as luminescence reporters and be used in biosensing. In our study, we conjugated amino- and carboxyl-modified silica-coated terbium (III) thiacalix[4]arenesulfonate luminescent nanoparticles with Sgc8-aptamer and showed the ability of the aptamer-conjugated nanoparticles to detect leukemia cells using fluorescence microscopy. In addition, we conducted a cell viability assay and confirmed that the nanoparticles do not induce spontaneous cell apoptosis or necrosis and could be potentially used for bioimaging applications

Validation of the Finnish diabetes risk score (FINDRISC) for the Caucasian population of Siberia

Aim. A validation of the Finnish diabetes risk score (FINDRISC) was conducted among the Siberian population. FINDRISC was used to study the prevalence of risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to estimate the incidence of T2DM in high-risk groups during a 10-year observation period.  Materials and methods. A total of 9,360 subjects aged between 45 and 69 years were enrolled in this cross-sectional, population-based study. FINDRISC was used to group 8,050 people without diabetes according to their risk for T2DM. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.  Results. When a cutoff point of 11 was used to identify those with diabetes, sensitivity was 76. 0% and specificity was 60. 2%. The area under the receiver operating curve for diabetes was 0. 73 (0. 73 for men and 0. 70 for women). More than one-third (31. 7%) of the adult population of Novosibirsk was estimated to have medium, high or very high risk of developing T2DM in the next 10 years. Cases of T2DM estimated to occur during the 10 years of follow-up had significantly higher incidence of risk factors such as BMI ≥30 kg/m2, waist circumference 102 cm in men and 88 cm in women and a family history of T2DM and were more likely to take drugs to lower blood pressure.  Conclusion. FINDRISC provided good results in our sample, and we recommend its use in the Siberian population

Analysis of the actual nutrition of the female population of Novosibirsk, depending on the magnitude of the glycemic index of their diet

Background. When choosing foods rich in carbohydrates, it is important to consider not only their chemical composition, but also the ability to influence the level of postprandial blood glucose (glycemic response). A qualitative indicator of this ability is the glycemic index (GI) of a carbohydrate-containing product. Recently, there have been some evidences that control of GI nutrition can be important for prevention and nutrition therapy of metabolic disorders. Aim. To determine of the magnitude of the glycemic index (GI) of actual nutrition in women in Novosibirsk, and the study of the connection with metabolism and obesity. Material and methods. The study was designed as cross-sectional research and was carried out within the framework of the international HAPIEE project on a random representative sample of the unorganized population of Novosibirsk, 4397 women, the average age was 57.7 ± 7.1, without diabetes. For the calculation of GI nutrition, the International Table of Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load (2008) were used. The frequency method was used to evaluate the actual nutrition. Metabolic Syndrome (MS) criteria were used in accordance with the Russian National Recommendations of the GEF (2009), as well as with the international recommendations of NCEP ATP III (2001) and JIS (2009). Statistical processing of data was carried out using the SPSS 13.0 software package (Bonferroni criterion in the GLM procedure). The odds ratio (OR) was estimated using binary logistic regression in quartiles of the glycemic index. Differences were considered statistically significant at p <0.05. Results. The GI of women's nutrition was on average low and amounted to 53.1 units. In the quartiles of the GI OR, the MS for all the criteria used was not significantly different. In the quartiles of the body mass index (BMI) in women with GI in the group with normal body weight (BMI = 23.3 kg/m2) was significantly higher by 0.9 units (p <0.001) compared with the obese group (BMI = 37.3 kg/m2). The diet was unbalanced and did not meet the recommendation in all groups of women studied. It was noted a significant reduction in the group with obesity 1.6 times the value of total caloric intake per 1 kg of body weight. Conclusions. Nutrition of women in Novosibirsk is unbalanced, with increased consumption of fat and inadequate intake of carbohydrates. The GI value is close to the GI nutrition of the population of European countries. The presence of a connection between the GI nutrition of women with a metabolic disorder in the sample of the population was not established

Prevalence of diabetes in the adult population of Novosibirsk

Aims. To estimate the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in different age groups of the adult population of Novosibirsk, according to epidemiological studies in 20032005 and 20132016. Methods. We examined a representative population sample (assessed in 20032005) of men and women aged 4569 years in two administrative districts of Novosibirsk, as a part of the international HAPIEE project. According to the tables of random numbers, representative samples of men and women aged 4569 years were formed, to which letters were sent, inviting them to pass for examination. During 20132016, a second population survey was conducted on a random representative sample of a population of 2544-year-olds of both sexes. Participants were residents of one of the districts of Novosibirsk. T2DM and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) were diagnosed using fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels (diabetes: FPG 7.0 mmol/l; IFG: FPG 6.16.9 mmol/l). Results. The prevalence of T2DM among residents aged 4569 years was 11.3%, and overall, no significant difference in prevalence was found between females and males (11.3% vs. 11.0%). However, the overall prevalence of T2DM among residents aged 2544 years was 2.2%, and prevalence was higher in men (3.5%) than in women (1.1%), p 0.05. High prevalence of IFG was found in the 4569 age group (18.2%, in 20032005), and in the younger age group of 2544 years (21.6%, in 20132016). The high rate among young individuals is particularly alarming. Less than one half (4.8 out of 11.3%) of participants aged 4569 tested positive for T2DM, and only one in the age group 2544 years knew he/she had diabetes. This indicates a lack of knowledge among Siberians about their problem with diabetes. Conclusion. Approximately one in five adults had IFG. Among the adult population aged 4569 (in 20032005), 18.2% had IFG and 11.3% had T2DM. In individuals aged 2544 years in 20132016, IFG was observed in 21.6%, and 2.2% had T2DM (p0.05)

Association of candidate gene polymorphisms for autoimmune thyroid diseases in patients with familial diffuse toxic goiter and autoimmune thyroiditis

Aim: to study the relation polymorphism of some genes of the immune response with familial autoimmune thyroid disease. Materials and methods. 100 patients from 49 families were examined. At least 2 first-degree affected relatives with autoimmune thyroiditis or diffuse toxic goiter were included from each family. 76 persons were included to control group without thyroid pathology and negative history of any thyroid disease in families. Clinical, hormonal, ultra-sound data was collected for each subject. Genotyping ofCTLA4 A49G and PTPN22 C1858T polymorphisms was performed for 70 patients (35 families) with familial autoimmune thyroid disease and for all subjects from the control group. Results. Autoimmune thyroid disease was observed among one generation (siblings) in 11 families (22.5%) and among two generations (parent-child) in 38 families (75.5%). Patients with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis with hypothyroidism in the outcome were dominated – 66%, 34% experienced diffuse toxic goiter. Autoimmune thyroiditis was observed in parent and offspring from 21 families (55%). In the group of siblings autoimmune thyroiditis was diagnosed for both relatives in 6 families (54%). Frequency of genotypes of CTLA4 A49G polymorphism is not differ between patients with familial autoimmune thyroid disease and control group. Carriage of T allele of PTPN22 C1858T polymorphism is associated with the risk of autoimmune thyroid disease developing in a group of female offspring: OR = 3.175; 95% CI 1,423–7,262. These results allow us to recommend to test this polymorphism to identify patients with the risk of autoimmune thyroid diseases in families. Conclusion. Taking into account that DNA testing is one of the most important part of personalized approach in medicine, the current results of molecular genetic study for familial cases of autoimmune thyroid disease creates prerequisites for optimizing the diagnostic pathway of these patients