The education of a life insurance agent

This project saw the development of a handbook I manual1 for Chuan & Associates [C&A], Great Eastern Life Assurance [GE]. The handbook comprises training materials and development guidance for new agents. It is aimed at providing a smooth start to the new agent's career and being a constant companion for the agent throughout his career. The training aspect is specially tailored to take place during the first two weeks after the recruit has sat for the Pre-Contract Examination2 . This two weeks is the waiting period for the results. The content for this two weeks of training covers the basic sales techniques and the basic product knowledge of the company . The main thrust of this program is to enable the recruit to be able to start his trade as early and as equipped as possible . The continuation training and development part of the handbook serve to give the agent a clear perspective of the methods of improving himself and promotion requirements.BUSINES

Endothelial cell control of thrombosis

Abstract Hemostasis encompasses a set of tightly regulated processes that govern blood clotting, platelet activation, and vascular repair. Upon vascular injury, the hemostatic system initiates a series of vascular events and activates extravascular receptors that act in concert to seal off the damage. Blood clotting is subsequently attenuated by a plethora of inhibitors that prevent excessive clot formation and eventual thrombosis. The endothelium which resides at the interface between the blood and surrounding tissues, serves an integral role in the hemostatic system. Depending on specific tissue needs and local stresses, endothelial cells are capable of evoking either antithrombotic or prothrombotic events. Healthy endothelial cells express antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents that prevent platelet aggregation and fibrin formation, respectively. In the face of endothelial dysfunction, endothelial cells trigger fibrin formation, as well as platelet adhesion and aggregation. Finally, endothelial cells release pro-fibrinolytic agents that initiate fibrinolysis to degrade the clot. Taken together, a functional endothelium is essential to maintain hemostasis and prevent thrombosis. Thus, a greater understanding into the role of the endothelium can provide new avenues for exploration and novel therapies for the management of thromboembolisms

Applicability of using P/E ratio as an investment strategy in Singapore.

This paper seeks to determine whether the condition necessary for the use of the P/E ratio as an investment strategy is present in the Singapore context. It also aims to identify the relationships between P/E ratio and variables that include Beta, Dividend Payout Ratio, Dividend Per Share Growth, Earnings Per Share Growth, Earnings Volatility, Leverage and Market Capitalization

Collective bargaining issues in the public sector

This study attempts to examine and discuss the collective bargaining issues in the public sector for the period 1962 to 1993. From the collective agreements that were negotiated by the Amalgamated Union of Public Employees, the nature and changes in the fringe benefits that were provided for over the years were recorded and analysed. An attempt was made to see if there was any difference in the fringe benefits that were provided for by the ministries and the statutory boards. In addition, a comparison between the fringe benefits provided for by the public sector and the banking and financial sector was also done.BUSINES

Circulating Pro-Vascular Progenitor Cell Depletion During Type 2 Diabetes: Translational Insights Into the Prevention of Ischemic Complications in Diabetes

Detection of vascular regenerative cell exhaustion is required to combat ischemic complications during type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). We used high aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity and surface marker co-expression to develop a high-throughput flow cytometry–based assay to quantify circulating proangiogenic and proinflammatory cell content in the peripheral blood of individuals with T2D. Circulating proangiogenic monocytes expressing anti-inflammatory M2 markers were decreased in patients with T2D. Individuals with longer duration of T2D exhibited reduced frequencies of circulating proangiogenic ALDH hi CD34+ progenitor cells with primitive (CD133) and migratory (CXCR4) phenotypes. This approach consistently detected increased inflammatory cell burden and decreased provascular progenitor content in individuals with T2D

Role of Endothelium in Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiomyopathy

The clinical use of doxorubicin in cancer is limited by cardiotoxic effects that can lead to heart failure. Whereas earlier work focused on the direct impact of doxorubicin on cardiomyocytes, recent studies have turned to the endothelium, because doxorubicin-damaged endothelial cells can trigger the development and progression of cardiomyopathy by decreasing the release and activity of key endothelial factors and inducing endothelial cell death. Thus, the endothelium represents a novel target for improving the detection, management, and prevention of doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy

Colchicine in cardiac disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract Background Colchicine has unique anti-inflammatory properties that may be beneficial in various cardiovascular conditions. This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examines this issue. Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database from inception to June 2014 for RCTs using colchicine in adult patients with cardiac diseases. Results were pooled using random effects. Results 15 RCTs (n = 3431 patients, median treatment 3 and follow-up 15 months) were included. All but 2 used colchicine 1 mg/day. In 5 trials, n = 1301) at risk for cardiovascular disease (coronary artery disease, acute coronary syndrome or stroke, post-angioplasty [2 RCTs], or congestive heart failure), colchicine reduced composite cardiovascular outcomes by ~60 % (risk ratio [RR] 0.44, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.28-0.69, p = 0.0004; I2 = 0 %) and showed a trend towards lower all-cause mortality (RR 0.50, 95 % CI 0.23-1.08, p = 0.08; I2 = 0 %). In pericarditis or post-cardiotomy, colchicine decreased recurrent pericarditis or post-pericardiotomy syndrome (RR 0.50, 95 % CI 0.41-0.60, p < 0.0001; I2 = 0 %; 8 RCTs, n = 1635), and post-pericardiotomy or ablation induced atrial fibrillation (RR 0.65, 95 % CI 0.51-0.82, p = 0.0003; I2 = 31 %; 4 RCTs, n = 1118). The most common adverse event was diarrhea. Treatment discontinuation overall and due to adverse events (RR 4.34, 95 % CI 1.70-11.07, p = 0.002; I2 = 29 %; 7 RCTs, 83/790 [10.5 %] vs. 11/697 [1.6 %]) was higher in colchicine-assigned patients. Conclusions Current RCT data suggests that colchicine may reduce the composite rate of cardiovascular adverse outcomes in a range of patients with established cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, colchicine reduces rates of recurrent pericarditis, post-pericardiotomy syndrome, and peri-procedural atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery. Further RCTs evaluating the potential of colchicine for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events would be of interest