The Role of Multiple Large Shareholders in Dividend Payouts: Evidence from India

This study examines the impact of multiple large shareholders (MLS) on a firm’s dividend payouts in a low-investor protection regime, India, where minority shareholders’ expropriation concerns are severe and firms have an incentive to build a capital market reputation. Therefore, we purport for the prevalence of the substitution hypothesis, whereby MLS cooperate in paying larger dividends to assuage expropriation concerns for reputation-building. The empirical analysis using non-financial firms with MLS listed on NIFTY 500 from 2009 to 2019 yields that both the controlling owner and MLS positively influence dividend payout intensity. Additional analyses also demonstrate that the positive effect of MLS is prominent in growing firms that undertake equity issuances and firms with lower board independence. We also find that firms make relatively lower payouts when an institutional investor is the second largest shareholder. Further, it is shown that MLS engage in greater dividend smoothing. Lastly, it is observed that dividends are more valuable for firms with higher MLS ownership. Altogether, these findings support the substitution hypothesis

A Retrospective Cohort Study of Treatment Outcome among HIV positive and HIV negative TB patients in Chandigarh, India

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) and the HIV epidemics have been well known previously but now these are emerging as a combined epidemic to pose new public health challenges. TB is the most common opportunistic infection found among HIV positive individuals. Aims & Objective: To find the prevalence of HIV infection among the TB patients diagnosed and put on treatment under RNTCP. 2. To assess their treatment outcomes in Chandigarh. Material & Methods: The present study was designed as a retrospective cohort study among the adult population (>18 years) in Chandigarh from April 2012 - March 2014. All the TB patients registered for treatment at the 17 DMCs of Chandigarh, during this period were taken as the study population. The treatment outcome among TB-HIV co-infected patients was compared with those having only Tuberculosis. Results: From 1st April 2012 - 31st March 2013, a total of 3,551 patients were registered under RNTCP for treatment of tuberculosis. Among the total patients put on DOTS (3,551), 63.2% (2,246) were males and 36.7% (1,305) were females.  A total of 3,516 TB patients had their blood tested for HIV. Out of these patients, 88 (2.47%) were tested positive for HIV. HIV positive status was also found to be significantly associated with occurrence of extra pulmonary tuberculosis (X2= 17.42; df 2; p 0.0001). Category – II treatment was found to be slightly more among the HIV positive TB patients as compared to the HIV negative patients. From the total sample, 2.19% (78) patients were later diagnosed as having drug resistant tuberculosis with only one (01) patient being co-infected with HIV. Out of all the TB-HIV co-infected patients, 29.55% were declared cured at the end of the treatment. A total of 63.64% of co-infected patients had completed their treatment. Death as an outcome was significantly associated with HIV positive status (1.14%) as compared to HIV negative patients. Conclusion: Integration of TB-HIV collaborative activities at every level will strengthen our battle to control TB and HIV globally

On the stability of a multiplicative type sum form functional equation

In this paper we intend to discuss the stability of a sum form functional equation\begin{align*}\sum\limits\limits^n_{i=1}\sum\limits\limits^m_{j=1}f\left(p_iq_j\right)=\sum\limits\limits^n_{i=1}k\left(p_i\right)\sum\limits\limits^m_{j=1}q^{\beta }_j\end{align*}where $f, k$ are real valued mappings each having the domain $I$; $(p_1,\ldots,p_n)\in \Gamma_n$, $(q_1,\ldots,q_m)\in\Gamma_m$; $n\ge 3$, $m\ge 3$ are fixed integers and $\beta$ is a fixed positive real power different from 1 satisfying the conventions $0^{\beta }:= 0$ and $1^\beta:=1$

Recurrent spindle cell lipoma mimicking myofibroblastic tumor with myxoid changes: Cytological diagnostic dilemma

Spindle cell lipoma (SCL) is an uncommon subtype of benign lipomatous neoplasms with a rare probability of the local recurrence.Correct cytological diagnosis is essential for the patient management. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice. Sometimes,it gets very difficult to reach a correct cytological diagnosis without a histomorphology or immunology. We are reporting a caseof recurrent SCL in an adult male and emphasise on distinguishing cytological features for a correct and accurate diagnosis oncytomorphology. The correct cytological diagnosis of recurrent SCL is essential to distinguish it from malignant lipomatous andother soft tissue tumors

Gall stones size, number, biochemical analysis and lipidogram- an association with gall bladder cancer: a study of 200 cases

Purpose: Objective of the study was to find out if there is any relation of number, size and type of gall stones and patient’s lipid profile with the occurrence of gall bladder carcinoma (GBC) as presence of gall stones is considered to be the most important risk factor for gall bladder cancer.Methods: 200 specimens of post-cholecystectomy gallbladder were studied. The number, size and type of stones and lipid profile were compared in all these cases. Gross as well as histopathological examination of gall bladders specimens was done.Results: 185 (92.5%) gall bladders were associated with gall stones. On histopathological examination, malignancy was found in 6 cases (3%) only and rest 194 cases (97%) revealed inflammatory/ non-neoplastic pathology. A statistically significant difference was observed in the number of stones in gall bladders with malignancy than those with benign lesions (P < 0.001). Similarly, a statistically significant difference was seen in terms of stone size between gallbladder cancer (GBC) cases and those with benign pathology (P < 0.005). Benign lesions of gall bladders were mostly associated with mixed type of stones whereas malignant cases were associated with pure cholesterol type of stones. No significant relation was found between the patient’s lipid profile and occurrence of gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) (p > 0.005). Conclusion: Thus we concluded that as the number, size and cholesterol gall stone increase the risk of gall bladder cancer also increases without any relation with lipid profile................................................Cite this article as:Narang S, Goyal P, Bal MS, Bandlish U, Goyal S. Gall stones size, number, biochemical analysis and lipidogram- an association with gall bladder cancer: a study of 200 cases. Int J Cancer Ther Oncol 2014; 2(3):020310. DOI: 10.14319/ijcto.0203.1

Chemical modification of L-glutamine to alpha-amino glutarimide on autoclaving facilitates Agrobacterium infection of host and non-host plants: A new use of a known compound

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Accidental autoclaving of L-glutamine was found to facilitate the <it>Agrobacterium </it>infection of a non host plant like tea in an earlier study. In the present communication, we elucidate the structural changes in L-glutamine due to autoclaving and also confirm the role of heat transformed L-glutamine in <it>Agrobacterium </it>mediated genetic transformation of host/non host plants.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>When autoclaved at 121°C and 15 psi for 20 or 40 min, L-glutamine was structurally modified into 5-oxo proline and 3-amino glutarimide (α-amino glutarimide), respectively. Of the two autoclaved products, only α-amino glutarimide facilitated <it>Agrobacterium </it>infection of a number of resistant to susceptible plants. However, the compound did not have any <it>vir </it>gene inducing property.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We report a one pot autoclave process for the synthesis of 5-oxo proline and α-amino glutarimide from L-glutamine. Xenobiotic detoxifying property of α-amino glutarimide is also proposed.</p

Acute kidney injury in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated acute kidney injury (ICPi-AKI) has emerged as an important toxicity among patients with cancer. Methods: We collected data on 429 patients with ICPi-AKI and 429 control patients who received ICPis contemporaneously but who did not develop ICPi-AKI from 30 sites in 10 countries. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of ICPi-AKI and its recovery. A multivariable Cox model was used to estimate the effect of ICPi rechallenge versus no rechallenge on survival following ICPi-AKI. Results: ICPi-AKI occurred at a median of 16 weeks (IQR 8-32) following ICPi initiation. Lower baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate, proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use, and extrarenal immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were each associated with a higher risk of ICPi-AKI. Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis was the most common lesion on kidney biopsy (125/151 biopsied patients [82.7%]). Renal recovery occurred in 276 patients (64.3%) at a median of 7 weeks (IQR 3-10) following ICPi-AKI. Treatment with corticosteroids within 14 days following ICPi-AKI diagnosis was associated with higher odds of renal recovery (adjusted OR 2.64; 95% CI 1.58 to 4.41). Among patients treated with corticosteroids, early initiation of corticosteroids (within 3 days of ICPi-AKI) was associated with a higher odds of renal recovery compared with later initiation (more than 3 days following ICPi-AKI) (adjusted OR 2.09; 95% CI 1.16 to 3.79). Of 121 patients rechallenged, 20 (16.5%) developed recurrent ICPi-AKI. There was no difference in survival among patients rechallenged versus those not rechallenged following ICPi-AKI. Conclusions: Patients who developed ICPi-AKI were more likely to have impaired renal function at baseline, use a PPI, and have extrarenal irAEs. Two-thirds of patients had renal recovery following ICPi-AKI. Treatment with corticosteroids was associated with improved renal recovery

A Comparative Study of Priority's and Non-Priority's Sub-Sectors NPAs in Indian Commercial Banks

&lt;p&gt;The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of sub-sector NPAs on total priority and non-priority sector (NPS) NPAs. The impact of both priority and non-priority sector non-performing assets (NPAs) on overall GNPAs in Indian commercial banks is also being investigated. The data is analysed using statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics, simple correlation, multiple regression, and Durbin-Watson by using software such as SPSS. According to the findings, sub-sector NPAs have a positive and considerable impact on overall priority sector and non-priority sector NPAs and that both sector NPAs have a positive and noticeable impact on the overall GNPAs of all three sector banks: Public Sector Banks, Private Sector Banks, and Foreign Banks. Not all sub-sectors, however, are equally dangerous. Although industries, agriculture and the service sector make significant contributions, food credit and other loans are the least risky lending sectors. The study's findings will help banks and policymakers develop prominent credit policies for high-risk industries and lend appropriately to critical industries.&lt;/p&gt