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Aims Lowering the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level reduces the risk of stroke, but it has not been clear whether the stroke risk would continuously decrease by lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to a very low level. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and stroke risk.Methods and results A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases was conducted to identify randomised controlled trials that tested cholesterol-lowering pharmacological therapies and reported both achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and stroke outcomes. A meta-regression analysis was conducted to assess the linear association between the achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and stroke risk. In addition, we evaluated pooled estimates of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-lowering effect stratified by achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of active arms. A total of 222,149 participants in 23 trials (52 arms of 26 studies) were included. The meta-regression analysis showed that each 1 mmol/L decrease in the achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (down to 0.78 mmol/L) was associated with a significant reduction of 23.5% (slope 0.235, 95% confidence interval 0.007–0.464, P= 0.044) in stroke risk. Irrespective of achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the active arms, the effects of lowering the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level on stroke risk were significant and consistent (test for subgroup difference, P= 0.23, I2= 31%). However, there was no significant increase in haemorrhagic stroke risk with lower achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.Conclusion In this meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials, the stroke risk monotonically reduced with lowering of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to very low levels.

A 59-year-old man reported transient vertigo and diplopia during leftward head tilt around the roll axis. Neurologic examination was unremarkable with the head erect or tilted. Magnetic resonance angiography of the head and neck showed hypoplasia of the right vertebral artery (figure 1). Transcranial Doppler waveform was monitored during leftward head tilt. The left vertebral artery flow velocity decreased with tilt, and abruptly increased after returning to erect posture (figure 2). Vertebral artery can be stretched or kinked by head rotation or tilt,1,2typically at the C1-2 level.1Transcranial Doppler could be helpful in diagnosis of such cases.

AbstractModified polyurethane (APU) was used as an absorbent for removal of aqueous ammonium. The surface structure of polyurethanes were modified by covalent bonding of carboxylic functional group of alginate. Effects of various operation parameters (such as temperature and pH) on adsorption capacities of APU for ammonium ion were investigated. Langmuir and Freundlich models were fitted on experimental data. It was found that Freundlich model described best for adsorption of ammonium ion onto APU. The values of Freundlich parameter KFwas found to be 0.276, 0.367, and 0.406 (mg/mg)/(mg/L)1/nat temperature of 288, 298, and 308 K, respectively. Analysis of kinetic data showed that adsorption of ammonium ion follows pseudo-first-order kinetics. The value of first-order kinetic coefficient, k1, was found to be 7.93 × 10−3, 1.37 × 10−2, 1.45 × 10−2 h−1at 288, 298, and 308 K, respectively. The values of standard free energies at different temperatures were within −22.76 to −26.81 kJ/mol with higher value at higher applied temperature. The value of standard enthalpy was found to be −0.40 kJ/mol. The optimum pH for ammonium ion adsorption onto APU was found within pH range 5–7. Results reveal that application of APU can be beneficial for removal of aqueous ammonium; hence, it can improve the quality of water.

Modified polyurethane (APU) was used as an absorbent for removal of aqueous ammonium. The surface structure of polyurethanes were modified by covalent bonding of carboxylic functional group of alginate. Effects of various operation parameters (such as temperature and pH) on adsorption capacities of APU for ammonium ion were investigated. Langmuir and Freundlich models were fitted on experimental data. It was found that Freundlich model described best for adsorption of ammonium ion onto APU. The values of Freundlich parameter KFwas found to be 0.276, 0.367, and 0.406 (mg/mg)/(mg/L)1/nat temperature of 288, 298, and 308 K, respectively. Analysis of kinetic data showed that adsorption of ammonium ion follows pseudo-first-order kinetics. The value of first-order kinetic coefficient, k1, was found to be 7.93 × 10−3, 1.37 × 10−2, 1.45 × 10−2 h−1at 288, 298, and 308 K, respectively. The values of standard free energies at different temperatures were within −22.76 to −26.81 kJ/mol with higher value at higher applied temperature. The value of standard enthalpy was found to be −0.40 kJ/mol. The optimum pH for ammonium ion adsorption onto APU was found within pH range 5–7. Results reveal that application of APU can be beneficial for removal of aqueous ammonium; hence, it can improve the quality of water.

Organic/inorganic composites containing thermally breakable crosslinker were prepared for exploring the possibility in fabrication of recyclable artificial marble composed of acrylic resin and aluminum hydroxide. The breakable crosslinker was fabricated using Diels–Alder reaction from furfuryl methacrylate and bismaleimide. De-crosslinking reaction was also triggered by retro-Diels–Alder reaction. The basic properties of artificial marbles fabricated by breakable crosslinker, i.e chemical, thermal, mechanical and coloring properties, are compared to that of conventional one, which is based on unbreakable crosslinker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Control of the magnetic anisotropy is important for the sensitivity of giant Magnetoimpednace (GMI) magnetic sensors. Our research group proposed an effective magnetic anisotropy control method that uses inverse-magnetostriction and the difference in thermal expansion coefficients. If the proposed method is to be used, an investigation the ratio of the thicknesses between two layers (magnetic and conductive layers) is required because the sensitivity of proposed GMI sensor is determined by the ratio. In this paper, we introduce the dependence of magnetic anisotropy on the ratio of the thicknesses between the two layers to develop a GMI sensor with a high, and adjustable, sensitivity. The generated magnetic anisotropy (Hk(t)) in the magnetic layer depends on the shape anisotropy (Hk(s)) and the induced anisotropy (Hk(i)). To control the magnetic anisotropy, we change the thickness of the magnetic layer. The Hk(s), the Hk(i)and the generated bending stresses are numerically analyzed. In addition, the Hk(t)is obtained experimentally. Based on this study, we found Hk(t)to be inversely proportional to the stress.

A 59-year-old man reported transient vertigo and diplopia during leftward head tilt around the roll axis. Neurologic examination was unremarkable with the head erect or tilted. Magnetic resonance angiography of the head and neck showed hypoplasia of the right vertebral artery (figure 1). Transcranial Doppler waveform was monitored during leftward head tilt. The left vertebral artery flow velocity decreased with tilt, and abruptly increased after returning to erect posture (figure 2). Vertebral artery can be stretched or kinked by head rotation or tilt,1,2typically at the C1-2 level.1Transcranial Doppler could be helpful in diagnosis of such cases.