Background: Carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) is an accepted treatment to prevent stroke in patients with carotid artery stenosis. The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors for major complications after CAS. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study that was conducted at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in southern Iran from March 2011 to June 2014. Consecutive patients undergoing CAS were enrolled. Both standard- and high-risk patients for endarterectomy were enrolled. Demographic data, atherosclerotic risk factors, site of stenosis, degree of stenosis, and data regarding technical factors were recorded. Thirty-day stroke, myocardial infarction, and/or death were considered as the composite primary outcomes of the study. Results: A total of 251 patients were recruited (mean age: 71.1 ± 9.6 years; male: 65.3%). Of these, 178 (70.9%) were symptomatic, 73 (29.1%) were diabetic, 129 (51.4%) were hyperlipidemic, 165 (65.7%) were hypertensive, and 62 (24.7%) patients were smokers. CAS was performed for left internal carotid artery (ICA) in 113 (45.4%) patients. Fourteen (5.6%) patients had sequential bilateral stenting. Mean stenosis of operated ICA was 80.2 ± 13.8%. An embolic protection device was used in 203 (96.2%) patients. Pre- and postdilation were performed in 39 (18.5%) and 182 (86.3%) patients, respectively. Composite outcomes were observed in 3.6% of patients (3.2% stroke, 0% myocardial infarction, and 1.2% death). Left-sided lesions and the presence of diabetes mellitus were significantly associated with poor short-term outcome (p = 0.025 and p = 0.020, respectively). Conclusion: There was a higher risk of short-term major complications in diabetic patients and for left carotid artery intervention.

BACKGROUND: The normal growth and yield of strawberry plant are affected by lack of balanced fertilization. OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of different N/K ratios of nutrient solution on yield, some biochemical characteristics, macro-, and micronutrient concentrations, absorption, and translocation factor in strawberry ‘Camarosa’. METHODS: Three concentration levels of K (200, 250, and 300 mg l–1, using KNO3, KCl, and K2SO4) and two concentration levels of N (120 and 180 mg l–1, using NH4H2PO4, Ca(NO3)2, and KNO3) were applied during two vegetative and reproductive growth stages. RESULTS: The results showed that the highest productivity (149.05 g/plant), soluble sugars, and starch content were obtained from plants which had received a K/N ratio of 200/180 and 300/120 mg l–1 during the vegetative and reproductive stages, respectively. Plants treated with the highest K and N concentrations (300 and 180 mg l–1, respectively) during the vegetative and reproductive stages had the highest leaf area, photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), as well as shoot and root dry weight. High N and low K concentration in the nutrient solution increased concentrations of N, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn while decreased K and Fe concentrations. In addition, higher N levels increased the uptake of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn. At a K/N ratio of 200/120 mg l–1, the translocation factor of N decreased, while the translocation factor of K and Mg increased. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the changes in the K/N ratio significantly affected the concentration of nutrient elements, absorption and translocation factor.

Malignant atrophic papulosis (MAP), or systemic Degos disease, is an obliterative vasculopathy of unknown origin, characterized by erythematous papules found on the skin, central nervous system (Neuro-MAP) and gastrointestinal tract. Neurological involvement occurs in approximately 20% of systemic cases, is progressive and largely fatal. It can be described in two forms: 1) the parenchymal presenting with meningoencephalitis and meningomyelitis and 2) the neurovascular presenting with large cerebral infarcts, intracranial and subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural hematoma and venous sinus thrombosis. Predilection to subdural hematoma or hygroma is characteristic for neurological involvement in MAP in comparison to other vasculpathies and vasculitides. Peripheral nervous system manifestations are less common and include polyradiculopathy, neuropathy, and myopathy. CSF analysis usually shows mild to moderate pleocytosis, increased protein content, and normal glucose. Brain MRI may reveal cortical, subcortical and deep white matter ischemic lesions with possible nodular, leptomeningeal, dural, or ependymal enhancement. Spinal cord MRI may reveal patchy lesions from the periphery to the center or cord atrophy in progressive course. Neurological involvement in MAP has a grave prognosis. The interval from onset of papulosis to death averages two years in patients with neurological involvement. There is no confirmed treatment for MAP but there are promising reports with eculizumab and treprostinil.

Background: Carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) is an accepted treatment to prevent stroke in patients with carotid artery stenosis. The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors for major complications after carotid angioplasty and stenting.Methods and Material: This is a prospective study conducted at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in southern Iran from March 2011 to June 2014. Consecutive patients undergoing carotid angioplasty and stenting were enrolled. Both standard risk and high risk patients for endarterectomy were enrolled. Demographic data, atherosclerotic risk factors, site of stenosis, degree of stenosis, and data regarding technical factors were recorded. 30-day stroke, myocardial infarction, and/or death were considered as the composite primary outcome of the study.Results:  two hundred and fifty one patients were recruited (mean age: 71.1+ 9.6 years, male: 65.3%).  One hundred and seventy eight (70.9%) patients were symptomatic; 73 (29.1%), 129 (51.4%), 165 (65.7%) and 62 (24.7%) patients were diabetic, hyperlipidemic, hypertensive and smoker respectively. CAS performed for left ICA in 113 (45.4%) patients. 14 (5.6%) patients had Sequential bilateral stenting. Mean stenosis of operated ICA was 80.2 +13.8 %. Embolic protection device was used in 203 (96.2%) patients. Predilation and post-dilation were performed in 39 (18.5%) and 182 (86.3%) patients respectively. Composite outcome was observed in 3.6% (3.2% stroke, 0% myocardial infarction and 1.2% death). Left sided lesions and presence of DM was significantly associated with poor short term outcome. (P value: 0.025 and 0.020, respectively)Conclusion: There was a higher risk of short term major complications in diabetic patients and left carotid artery intervention.