Additional file 1: Figure S1. of Tunneling-Magnetoresistance Ratio Comparison of MgO-Based Perpendicular-Magnetic-Tunneling-Junction Spin Valve Between Top and Bottom Co2Fe6B2 Free Layer Structure

Dependency of the magnetization (M S *t) and thickness of Co2Fe6B2 dead layer (t DL ) on the MgO-Co2Fe6B2 PMA structure with Fe inserted layer. a PMA structure with single Co2Fe6B2 and Co2Fe6B2/Fe free layer on Ta seed layer, b PMA structure with single Co2Fe6B2 and Fe/Co2Fe6B2 pinned layer on MgO tunneling barrier. (PDF 72.6 KB

Change in Serum Bilirubin Level as a Predictor of Incident Metabolic Syndrome

<div><p>Aim</p><p>Serum bilirubin level was negatively associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in previous cross-sectional studies. However, bilirubin variance preceding the development of MetS has yet to be investigated. We aimed to determine the effect of change in bilirubin concentration on the risk of incident MetS in healthy Korean adults.</p><p>Methods</p><p>We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study of subjects who had undergone at least four yearly health check-ups between 2006 and 2012. Of 24,185 total individuals who received annual check-ups, 11,613 non-MetS participants with a baseline bilirubin level not exceeding 34.2 μmol/l were enrolled. We evaluated the association between percent change in bilirubin and risk of incident MetS.</p><p>Results</p><p>During 55,407 person-years of follow-up, 2,439 cases of incident MetS developed (21.0%). Baseline serum bilirubin level clearly showed no association with the development of MetS in men but an independent significant inverse association in women which attenuated (hence may be mediated) by elevated homeostatic model assessment index 2 for insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR). However, increased risk for incident MetS was observed in higher percent change in bilirubin quartiles, with hazard ratios of 2.415 (95% CI 2.094–2.785) in men and 2.156 (95% CI 1.738–2.675) in women in the fourth quartile, compared to the lowest quartile, after adjusting for age, smoking status, medication history, alanine aminotransferase, uric acid, estimated glomerular filtration rate, fasting glucose, baseline diabetes mellitus prevalence, systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, and body mass index. The hazard ratios per one standard deviation increase in percent change in bilirubin as a continuous variable were 1.277 (95% CI 1.229–1.326) in men and 1.366 (95% CI 1.288–1.447) in women.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Increases in serum bilirubin concentration were positively associated with a higher risk of incident MetS. Serum bilirubin increment might be a sensitive marker for the development of MetS.</p></div

Hazard Ratios and 95% Confidence Intervals for Incident Metabolic Syndrome according to Percent Change in Bilirubin Level as a Continuous Variable, and Percent Change in Bilirubin Quartile (Q1-Q4) in Men (n = 6890).

<p>Hazard Ratios and 95% Confidence Intervals for Incident Metabolic Syndrome according to Percent Change in Bilirubin Level as a Continuous Variable, and Percent Change in Bilirubin Quartile (Q1-Q4) in Men (n = 6890).</p

Correlations between Baseline Bilirubin or Percent Change in Bilirubin and Anthropometric and Biochemical Parameters.

<p>Correlations between Baseline Bilirubin or Percent Change in Bilirubin and Anthropometric and Biochemical Parameters.</p

The incidence of metabolic syndrome according to baseline bilirubin and percent change in bilirubin quartiles in men.

<p>The incidence of metabolic syndrome according to baseline bilirubin and percent change in bilirubin quartiles in men.</p

Characteristics of Men and Women According to Development of Metabolic Syndrome.

<p>Characteristics of Men and Women According to Development of Metabolic Syndrome.</p

The incidence of metabolic syndrome according to baseline bilirubin and percent change in bilirubin quartiles in women.

<p>The incidence of metabolic syndrome according to baseline bilirubin and percent change in bilirubin quartiles in women.</p

Increase in serum albumin concentration is associated with prediabetes development and progression to overt diabetes independently of metabolic syndrome

<div><p>Aim</p><p>Serum albumin concentration is associated with both type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome (MetS). We sought to investigate whether baseline serum albumin and change in serum albumin could be independent risk factors for prediabetes in subjects without MetS. We further examined the effect of serum albumin on progression to overt diabetes in subjects who developed prediabetes.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Among 10,792 participants without diabetes and MetS who consecutively underwent yearly health check-ups over six years, 9,807 subjects without incident MetS were enrolled in this longitudinal retrospective study. The risk of developing prediabetes (impared fasting glucose or hemoglobin A1c) was analyzed according to baseline and percent change in serum albumin concentration using Cox regression analysis. Serial changes in serum albumin concentration were measured from baseline to one year before prediabetes diagnosis, and then from the time of prediabetes diagnosis to progression to overt diabetes or final follow-up.</p><p>Results</p><p>A total of 4,398 incident cases of prediabetes developed during 35,807 person-years (median 3.8 years). The hazard ratio for incident prediabetes decreased as percent change in serum albumin concentration (quartiles and per 1%) increased in a crude and fully adjusted model. However, baseline serum albumin concentration itself was not associated with prediabetic risk. Serum albumin levels kept increasing until the end of follow-up in prediabetic subjects who returned to normal glycemic status, whereas these measures did not change in prediabetic subjects who developed type 2 diabetes. Serum albumin concentration measured at the end of follow-up was the highest in the regression group, compared to the stationary (p = 0.014) or progression groups (p = 0.009).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Increase in serum albumin concentration might protect against early glycemic deterioration and progression to type 2 diabetes even in subjects without MetS.</p></div

Arp2/3 complex was involved in multiple processes associated with oocyte polarization, including spindle migration and cytokinesis.

<p>Disruption of spindle migration caused the spindle to remain in a central position and symmetrical division to occur. Disruption of cytokinesis caused arrest during telophase I and a failure to extrude the polar body.</p

Localization of Arp2/3 complex in mouse oocytes.

<p>(<b>A</b>) Subcellular localization of the Arp2/3 complex during mouse oocyte meiotic maturation. ARP2 antibody staining was employed to show the subcellular localization of the Arp2/3 complex in mouse oocytes as revealed by immunofluorescence staining. From the GV to the MII stage, all ARP2 accumulated at the cortex of the oocytes and the region near the cortex. Green, actin; red, ARP2; blue, chromatin. Bar = 20 µm. (<b>B</b>) Subcellular localization of the Arp2/3 complex after CB treatment during mouse oocyte meiotic maturation. The subcellular localization of ARP2 in mouse oocytes was revealed by immunofluorescence staining. Actin was disrupted during the MI stage and ARP2 dispersed into the cytoplasm. Green, actin; red, ARP2; blue, chromatin. Bar = 20 µm.</p