A STUDY ON PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF SELECT LIFE INSURANCE COMPANIES

In this study, the performance of select life insurance companies was analysed by considering a few important parameters like persistency ratio, claim settlement ratio, solvency ratio, current ratio and the total life insurance premium received. The top ?ve private sector life insurance companies were selected based on the new business premium received by them – SBI Life Insurance Company Ltd, HDFC Life Insurance Company Ltd, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Ltd, Max Life Insurance Company Ltd, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company Ltd . The study was conducted for the duration of ?ve years i.e., 2016-17 to 2020-21. The data collected was completely based on secondary sources. Of all the companies chosen for the study, the total premiums received by SBI Life Insurance Company Ltd has shown a signi?cant increase over the years selected for the study and the study also analysed that the persistency ratio for all the ?ve life insurance companies was decreasing over the years though there is an increase in the life insurance premiums received by the companies over the same duration.

Effect of Body Condition Score (BCS) on Production Performance of Sahiwal Cattle

The present investigation was carried out with the total of 18 Sahiwal cattle of 1st to 4th parity were selected for the study and distributed into three different groups based on their pre calving BCS (before 15 days of expected date of calving) namely G1 (2.50 - 3.00), G2 (3.25 - 3.75) and G3 (4.00 and above) with six animals in each group. The average fortnight milk yield increased up to 60th day and thereafter declined up to 90th day in G1, G2 and G3 group of animals, which was significant (p<0.05) up to 75th day. G3 group animals had highest average fortnightly cumulative Milk yield (Kg) in entire study period. Highest 305 days predicted lactation milk yield (2462.66 Kg /lactation) and average peak yield (16.50 Kg/ animal) was obtained in G3 group animals and the lowest predicted lactation milk yield (1870.68 Kg/lactation). The 305 days predicted lactation milk yield in G2 group animals was 2356.75 Kg /lactation and average peak yield was 14.90 Kg/ animal. The G3 group animals also attained their peak yield in 46 days compared to G2 and G1 group animals with 51 and 54 days, respectively. The persistency of milk production was highest in G2 group animals with 65.63 % followed by G3 and G1 group animals. The studied revealed that BCS had a significant (P<0.05) effect on post-partum estrus and service period in experimental animals

Genetic parameters for milk yield and lactation persistency in the three first parities of Iranian Holstein cows / Parámetros genéticos para producción de leche y persistencia de la lactancia en los tres primeros partos de vacas Holstein en Iran / Parâmetros genéticos para a produção de leite e persistência de lactação nas três primeiras paridades de vacas Holstein Iranianas

Abstract Background: Lactation persistency influences cow health and reproduction and has an impact on the feed costs of dairy farms. Objective: To estimate (co)variance components and genetic parameters of 100- and 305-d milk yield, and lactation persistency in Holstein cows in Iran. Methods: Records collected from January 2000 to December 2012 by the Animal Breeding Center of Iran (Karaj, Iran) were used. The following four measures of lactation persistency were used: P21: Ratio of milk yield in the second 100-d in milk (DIM) divided by that of the first 100-d. P31: Ratios of milk yield in the third100-d divided by that of the first 100-d. PW: The persistency measure derived from the incomplete gamma function. PJ: The difference between milk yield in day 60th and 280th of lactation. Results: The estimated heritability of lactation persistency for the three first parities (first, second, and third lactation) ranged from 0.01 to 0.06, 0.02 to 0.10, and 0.01 to 0.12, respectively. Genetic correlations among lactation persistency measures for the three first parities ranged from 0.77 to 0.98, 0.65 to 0.98, and 0.58 to 0.98, respectively; while corresponding values for genetic correlations among lactation persistency with 305-d milk production ranged from 0.18 to 0.63, 0.32 to 0.75, and 0.41 to 0.71, respectively. The estimated repeatability for lactation persistency measures ranged from 0.06 to 0.20. Conclusion: The moderate positive genetic correlation between lactation persistency and 305-d milk yield indicates that selection for increasing milk yield can slightly improve lactation persistency.

Resumen Antecedentes: La persistencia de la lactancia tiene una gran influencia en la salud, la reproducción y los costos de alimentación de las granjas lecheras. Objetivo: Estimar los componentes de (co)varianza y los parámetros genéticos de la producción de leche a 100 y 305 d, asi como la persistencia de la lactancia en vacas Holstein en Irán. Métodos: Se utilizaron registros recopilados entre enero de 2000 y diciembre de 2012 por el Centro de cría de animales de Irán (Karaj, Irán). Se utilizaron las siguientes cuatro medidas de persistencia de la lactancia: P21: Proporción de producción de leche en los segundos 100-d en leche (DIM) dividida por la de los primeros 100-d. P31: Proporcion de producción de leche en los terceros 100-d dividido por el de los primeros 100-d. PW: medida de persistencia derivada de la función gamma incompleta. PJ: diferencia entre el rendimiento de leche en el 60 y el 280 día de lactancia. Resultados: La heredabilidad estimada de la persistencia de la lactancia para los tres primeros partos (primera, segunda y tercera lactancia) varió de 0,01 a 0,06; 0,02 a 0,10; y 0,01 a 0,12, respectivamente. Las correlaciones genéticas entre las medidas de persistencia de lactancia para los tres primeros partos variaron de 0,77 a 0,98; 0,65 a 0,98; y 0,58 a 0,98, respectivamente; mientras que los valores correspondientes para las correlaciones genéticas entre la persistencia de la lactancia con la producción de leche a 305 d variaron de 0,18 a 0,63; 0,32 a 0,75; y 0,41 a 0,71, respectivamente. La repetibilidad estimada para las medidas de persistencia de la lactancia varió de 0,06 a 0,20. Conclusión: La correlación genética positiva moderada entre la persistencia de la lactancia y la producción de leche a 305-d indica que la selección para aumentar la producción de leche puede mejorar ligeramente la persistencia de la lactancia.

Resumo Antecedentes: A persistência da lactação tem grande influência nos custos de saúde, reprodução e alimentação em fazendas leiteiras. Objetivo: Estimar os componentes da variância (co)variância e os parâmetros genéticos da produção de leite de 100 e 305 d e a persistência da lactação em vacas Holandesas no Irã. Métodos: Os dados utilizados foram registros coletados de janeiro de 2000 a dezembro de 2012 pelo Centro de Criação de Animais do Irã (Karaj, Irã). As seguintes quatro medidas de persistência de lactação foram utilizadas: P21: Razão da produção de leite no segundo 100-d em leite (DIM) dividido pelo primeiro 100-d. P31: Razões da produção de leite na terceira 100d dividida pela da primeira 100-d. PW: A medida de persistência derivada da função gama incompleta. PJ: A diferença entre a produção de leite no 60º e 280º dia de lactação. Resultados: A hereditariedade estimada da persistência da lactação para as três primeiras paridades (primeira, segunda e terceira lactação) variou de 0,01 a 0,06; 0,02 a 0,10; e 0,01 a 0,12, respectivamente. As correlações genéticas entre as medidas de persistência da lactação para as três primeiras paridades variaram de 0,77 a 0,98; 0,65 a 0,98; e 0,58 a 0,98, respectivamente; enquanto os valores correspondentes para correlações genéticas entre a persistência da lactação com produção de leite de 305d variaram de 0,18 a 0,63; 0,32 a 0,75; e 0,41 a 0,71, respectivamente. A repetibilidade estimada para medidas de persistência de lactação variou de 0,06 a 0,20. Conclusão: A correlação genética positiva moderada entre a persistência da lactação e a produção de leite de 305d indicou que a seleção para aumentar a produção de leite melhoraria ligeiramente a persistência da lactação.

A meta-analysis of the year-round vaccine persistency of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine among elderly aged 65 years and above / 预防医学

Objective To evaluate the year-round vaccine persistency of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) among elderly aged 65 years and above. Methods Searching "National Center for Biotechnology Information" , "Cochrane Library, CL", "China Biology Medicine disc", "China National Knowledge Infrastructure", "Wanfang Database", the studies of the year-round vaccine persistency of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine among the elderly aged 65 years and above were included, and meta-analysis were made by Stata 11.0 software. Results A total of 17 studies were included. Compared with the antibody level before immunization, the standard mean differences (SMDs) of geometric mean titer (GMT) was 0.10 (95%CI: -0.12-0.32), 0.57 (95%CI: 0.23-0.91), 0.47 (95%CI:-0.20-1.15) and -0.27 (95%CI: -0.51--0.04) for the total haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody, the HI antibody of A/H1N1, the HI antibody of A/H3N2 and the HI antibody of B, respectively, by 360 day. The risk differences (RD) of sero-protection rate (SP) was 0.06 (95%CI: -0.04-0.16), 0.09 (95%CI: -0.15-0.33), -0.08 (95%CI: -0.28-0.13) and 0.00 (95%CI: -0.13 - -0.13) for the total haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody, the HI antibody of A/H1N1, the HI antibody of A/H3N2 and the HI antibody of B, respectively, by 360 day. Conclusion The HI antibody responses following TIV vaccination do not reliably persist year-round in the elderly aged 65 years and above . Clinic trials and health economic evaluation studies are needed to assess the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of multiple doses schedule of TIV in elderly.

Productive efficiency of cows primiparous aberdeen angus of the body size and milk production levels / Eficiência produtiva de vacas primíparas aberdeen angus de diferentes tamanhos corporais e níveis de produção de leite

Assessment of the productive efficiency of 30 primiparous Aberdeen Angus cows of different body sizes, classified at calving as heavy (375±10.5 kg) or light (283±7.7 kg), and different total milk-yield levels, classified as high (868±24.5 kg) or low (547±18.3 kg). Heavy cows were superior in weight at calving and weaning, but there were no differences in milk yield and weight at birth and weaning of calves. Heavy cows were less efficient than light cows in the production of kilograms of calves per 100 kg of cows at calving and at weaning. High milk producing cows were heavier at calving and had heavier calves at birth and weaning, but did not differ between the milk-yield levels for the variation in daily weight. The variation in daily weight of the calves was greater from high-producing cows. High milk producing dairy beef cows were more efficient at weaning, and their calves required less milk to produce one kilogram of live weight.

Objetivou-se avaliar a eficiência produtiva de 30 vacas primíparas Aberdeen Angus, de diferentes tamanhos corporais, classificadas ao parto em pesadas (375±10,5 kg) ou leves (283±7,7 kg) e diferentes produções totais de leite, classificadas em alta (868±24,5 kg) ou baixa produção (537±18,3 kg). Vacas pesadas foram superiores no peso ao parto e ao desmame sem diferença na produção de leite e no peso ao nascimento e desmame dos bezerros. Vacas pesadas foram menos eficientes na produção de quilograma de bezerros por 100 kg de vacas ao parto e ao desmame. Vacas de alta produção de leite foram mais pesadas ao parto, bem como produziram bezerros mais pesados ao nascer e ao desmame, porém não diferiram entre os níveis de produção de leite na variação diária de peso. A variação diária de peso dos bezerros foi superior nos filhos de vacas de altas produções de leite. Vacas de alta produção de leite foram mais eficientes ao desmame e seus bezerros necessitaram de menor quantidade de leite para produzir um quilo de peso vivo.

Produção de leite de vacas da raça Holandesa de pequeno, médio e grande porte / Milk production of Holstein cows in small, medium and large size

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do composto corporal sobre a produção de leite de vacas da raça Holandesa de primeira, segunda e terceira lactação. Para avaliação, foram usadas 133 vacas, selecionadas de um rebanho de 280 animais em lactação, classificadas como pequenas, médias e grandes, com base no composto corporal (estatura x 10 + força x 5 + profundidade x 3 + largura de garupa x 2)/20. Os dados foram coletados, entre janeiro de 2007 e outubro de 2009, de um rebanho comercial com sistema intensivo de produção de leite, localizado em Salto do Jacuí, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Todas as vacas foram submetidas às mesmas condições de instalações e ordenhadas três vezes ao dia. Os dados foram obtidos com auxílio do software AFIMILK® - SAE AFIKIM. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com três tratamentos (tamanho corporal). Não foi verificada interação entre a produção de leite e composto corporal. Foi observada baixa correlação entre composto corporal e produção de leite. Vacas de porte médio e grande apresentaram produção de leite similar e superior (P<0,05) às pequenas. As médias de produção de leite para vacas pequenas, médias e grandes em 305 dias foram de 8.053; 8.810 e 9.218 litros, respectivamente. Com base na totalidade das lactações avaliadas, as vacas de porte médio são mais eficientes que as demais, considerando o sistema intensivo de produção em análise.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the body size in milk production in the first, second and third lactations of Holstein cows. A total 133 cows were used, selected from a herd of 280 cows, classified as small, medium and large based on the body size composite (stature x 10 + strength x 5 + depth x 3 + rump width x 2)/20. Data were collected from January 2007 to October 2009 in a commercial herd with intensive system of milk production, located in Salto Jacuí, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. All cows were subjected to the same conditions of facilities management being used and milked three times a day. Data were obtained from the software Afimilk® - SAE AFIKIM. The experimental design was a completely randomized design with three treatments (body size). There was no interaction between milk production and body composite. Low correlation among body size composite and milk production was observed. Cows for medium and large size had similar on milk production superior (P<0,05) to small size. Means for 305-days milk production in the lactation were 8,053; 8,810 and 9,218 liters for small, medium and large cows, respectively. Based on the totality of lactations evaluated, cows of medium size were more efficient than the others for the intensive production system in question.

Treatment Persistence with TNF Blocker in Korean Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

OBJECTIVE: To estimate drug persistency and the safety of TNF blocker in Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: Data were extracted from medical records of rheumatoid arthritis patients who had treated with TNF blocker or are currently using TNF blocker at Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases from December 2000 to November 2009 (REtrospective study for Safety and Efficacy of Anti-RA treatment with biologiCs, RESEARCh). Comprehensive chart reviews were undertaken on all patients and data on drug usages and response of TNF blocker was collected at initiation, 3 months and the time of data collection. Persistency with treatment was examined using life-table analysis and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were developed to examine potential predictors of discontinuation of TNF blocker. RESULTS: A total of 268 patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. Among them 180 patients were included in the analysis of drug persistency. The 1-year and 5-year drug persistency of TNF blocker was 74% and 46%, respectively. Concomitant use of methotrexate (hazard ratio 0.46, 95% CI 0.27-0.80) was associated with higher persistence. Comparing to etanercept, adalimumab is an independent risk factor for discontinuation (hazard ratio 2.63, 95% CI 1.43-4.84). CONCLUSION: Five-year drug persistency of TNF blocker was 46% and concomitant use of methotrexate is associated with higher persistence.

Persistency and Change of the Bone Mineral Density with Alendronate Treatment after Hip Fracture

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of alendronate on bone mineral density (BMD) and to determine the persistency and side effects of alendronate treatment after hip fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 452 patients who underwent surgery for hip fractures from March 2000 to February 2007 were retrospectively included. The hip fractures consisted of 218 cases of femur neck fractures and 234 cases of intertrochanteric fractures. There were 254 women and 198 men with a mean age of 73.4 years (range: 60~95 years) at the time of surgery. The BMD was assessed in 398 patients and 348 were diagnosed with osteoporosis, while 102 received alendronate for treatment. The persistency with alendronate treatment and change of the BMD were evaluated annually. We also evaluated the side effects and reasons for discontinuation. RESULTS: The prescription rate of alendronate was 29.3% and the persistency rate over 1 year was 33%. The annual BMD of the lumbar spine showed a 9.11% increase the first year, a 4.5% increase the second year and a 3.5% increase the third year, while negative changes were noted in the proximal femur as a 1.89% decrease the first year, a 1.38% decrease the second year and a 0.97% decrease the third year. The BMD changes were 11%(L: Lumbar spine) and 1.1%(F: Femur) for the T-scores -3.0, respectively. The BMD changes in the patients with femur neck fractures and who were treated with hemiarthroplasty were 15.6%(L) and -3.9%(F). The BMD changes in the patients with intertrochanteric hip fractures and who were treated with compression hip screws or hemiarthroplasty were 18.7%(L), 0.77%(F), 24.2%(L) and 1.19%(F), respectively. Gastrointestinal problems(19.1%) were the most common cause for discontinuation of alendronate. CONCLUSION: It is important for doctors to approach osteoporosis more carefully and educate patients to follow the prescriptions in order to improve the low prescription and persistency rates for the management of osteoporotic hip fractures. Administration of alendronate may have a positive influence on the BMD of the proximal femur by lowering the rate of decreased BMD more than would be expected.

Covarianzas genéticas y fenotípicas para días abiertos y características de la curva de lactancia en vacas Holstein en el norte de México / Genetic and phenotypic covariances for days open and lactation curve characteristics in Holstein cows from northern Mexico

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic and phenotypic (co)variances for lactation curve traits and for days open in Holstein cows. Data included 1 579 lactations from 766 cows, daughters of 126 sires in a dairy herd in northern Mexico. The studied traits within lactation were days open (DO), peak milk production (PMAX), days to peak milk production (DPMAX), 305-day milk production (MP305), lactation persistency (based on Wood equation) (PERSW), lactation persistency expressed as the natural logarithm of the Wood equation persistency (LNPERSW), and lactation persistency measured as (production at day 305/PMP) x 100 (PERS). Covariance components were obtained by single trait and bivariate mixed linear models using restricted maximum likelihood. In general, heritabilities estimated using the repeatability model yielded lower values than those obtained based on within lactation analysis. Average heritabilities estimated with single trait models within lactation were 0.13 ± 0.09, 0.28 ± 0.09, 0.28 ± 0.09, 0.17 ± 0.10 and 0.22 ± 0.10, for DO, MP305, PMAX, DPMAX, and LNPERSW, respectively. Genetic correlations between MP305 and DO (0.66±0.57) and between PMAX and DO (0.55 ± 0.71) were unfavorable for first lactation cows, but with large standard errors. Results confirmed a low heritability for DO, but with estimates possibly larger in younger cows. Genetic correlation between MP305 and PMAX was 0.89 ± 0.09, and LNPERSW and DPMAX was 0.98 ± 0.21 for the third lactation, indicating that DPMAX is a good measure of persistency. No evidence for genetic correlation between MP305 and LNPERSW was found.

El objetivo de este estudio fue estimar covarianzas genéticas y fenotípicas para características de la curva de lactancia y días abiertos en vacas Holstein. Los datos incluyeron 1 579 lactancias de 766 vacas, hijas de 126 sementales, en un hato en el norte de México. Las características estudiadas por lactancia fueron días abiertos (DO), producción máxima de leche (PMÁX), días a la producción máxima (DPMÁX), producción de leche de 305 días (MP305), persistencia de la lactancia por Wood (PERSW), persistencia de Wood expresada como logaritmo natural (LNPERSW) y persistencia medida como ((producción al día 305/PMÁX) x 100) (PERS). Los componentes de covarianza fueron obtenidos mediante el uso de modelos univariados y bivariados con máxima verosimilitud restringida. Las heredabilidades estimadas para las características con el modelo de repetibilidad tuvieron valores generalmente inferiores a los estimados con los análisis dentro de lactancia. Las heredabilidades promedio estimadas con modelos univariados dentro de lactancia para DO, MP305, PMÁX, DPMÁX y LNPERSW fueron 0.13 ± 0.09, 0.28 ± 0.09, 0.28 ± 0.09, 0.17 ± 0.10 y 0.22 ± 0.10, respectivamente. Las correlaciones genéticas entre MP305 y DO (0.66±0.57) y entre PMÁX y DO (0.55 ± 0.71) fueron desfavorables para las primeras lactancias, pero con errores estándar elevados. Los resultados confirman una heredabilidad baja para DO, pero con valores posiblemente mayores en vacas jóvenes. La correlación genética entre MP305 y PMÁX fue de 0.89 ± 0.09 y entre LNPERSW y DPMÁX fue 0.98 ± 0.21 para la tercera lactancia, lo que indica que DPMÁX es buen estimador de la persistencia. No se encontró evidencia de correlación genética entre MP305 y LNPERSW.