Location, location, location: a discrete choice experiment to inform COVID-19 vaccination programme delivery in the UK.

Background: Large-scale vaccination is fundamental to combatting COVID-19. In March 2021, the UK's vaccination programme had delivered vaccines to large proportions of older and more vulnerable population groups; however, there was concern that uptake would be lower among young people. This research was designed to elicit the preferences of 18-29-year-olds regarding key delivery characteristics and assess the influence of these on intentions to get vaccinated, to inform planning for this cohort.

Efficacy or delivery? An online Discrete Choice Experiment to explore preferences for COVID-19 vaccines in the UK.

COVID-19 vaccines are widely regarded as an integral component in the UK's pandemic recovery, and a comprehensive distribution strategy will be required to maximise uptake. However, to date, there is a dearth of research into factors that could lead to UK residents' acceptance or rejection of COVID-19 vaccines. This study used a discrete choice experiment to investigate the importance of vaccine properties, delivery and media coverage in amplifying or attenuating vaccine uptake.

Improved, Shorter-Latency Carcinogen-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Model in Pigs.

Large animal models are important tools for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) research, especially in studies of hepatic vasculature, interventional techniques, and radiofrequency or microwave hyperthermia. Currently, diethylnitrosamine (DENA)-induced HCC in pigs is the only large animal model for in situ HCC with a tumor latency of 10-26 months. While phenobarbital (PB) is often used to accelerate DENA-induced HCC in rodents, it has not been previously studied in the porcine model.

Morphological features of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma as a predictor of downstaging and liver transplantation: an intention-to-treat analysis.

In selected patients, locoregional therapy (LRT) has been successful in downstaging advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) so that the conventional criteria for liver transplantation (LT) can be met. However, the factors that predict successful treatment are largely unidentified. To determine these factors, we analyzed our experience with multimodal LRT in downstaging advanced HCC before LT in a retrospective cohort study.

Major liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in the morbidly obese: a proposed strategy to improve outcome.

Background: Morbid obesity strongly predicts morbidity and mortality in surgical patients. However, obesity's impact on outcome after major liver resection is unknown.

Case Presentation: We describe the management of a large hepatocellular carcinoma in a morbidly obese patient (body mass index >50 kg/m2).

Aortoiliac occlusive disease in patients with known or suspected peripheral vascular disease: safety and efficacy of gadofosveset-enhanced MR angiography--multicenter comparative phase III study.

Purpose: To prospectively determine the safety and efficacy of the gadolinium-based blood pool magnetic resonance (MR) imaging contrast agent gadofosveset in patients known to have or suspected of having peripheral vascular disease.

Materials And Methods: Ethical committee approval and patient written informed consent were obtained. This study was compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

Management of TIPS-related refractory hepatic encephalopathy with reduced Wallgraft endoprostheses.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of constrained endografts used for the treatment of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)-related refractory hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Because the clinical status of two patients worsened (return of intractable ascites requiring transplantation, n = 1; death, n = 1) after complete balloon occlusion, six patients were treated with constrained/modified Wallgraft endoprostheses placed within the preexisting TIPS. Shunt reductions were technically successful in all six patients, as shown by an immediate mean portosystemic gradient increase of 9.

Correlation of periprocedural systolic blood pressure changes with neurological events in high-risk carotid stent patients.

Purpose: To examine retrospectively the magnitude of change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) during carotid artery stenting and its relationship to neurological events.

Methods: In a 5-year period ending October 2000, 60 patients (36 men; mean age 67 +/- 9 years) were enrolled in a study to evaluate stenting in symptomatic or asymptomatic high-risk patients with > or =70% carotid artery stenosis. The majority (48, 80%) of the patients were symptomatic.

Endovascular management of ureteral-iliac artery fistulae with Wallgraft endoprostheses.

Background: Ureteral-iliac artery fistulae are rare, yet potentially life-threatening, causes of hematuria. Treatment has traditionally been surgical, but advances in endovascular technology have led to a few recent reports of therapy with covered stents. We report two cases of patients diagnosed with ureteral-iliac artery fistulae who were treated with Wallgraft endoprostheses, a new, commercially available covered stent.

Patency and life-spans of failing hemodialysis grafts in patients undergoing repeated percutaneous de-clotting.

We set out to determine retrospectively the primary and secondary patency rates, as well as the life-spans, of failing polytetrafluoroethylene dialysis grafts after repeated percutaneous mechanical de-clotting. The study group consisted of all patients who had undergone percutaneous mechanical de-clotting, balloon angioplasty, or angiography of theirpolytetrafluoroethylene hemodialysis grafts at our institution from 1 January through 30 April 1999. Patency of the hemodialysis grafts was calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Outcomes following extracranial carotid artery stenting in high-risk patients.

Background: Carotid artery angioplasty and stenting has become a viable alternative to carotid endarterectomy (CEA), especially for patients considered at high risk for post-operative complications. This study investigated the feasibility, safety and long-term outcome of carotid artery stenting (CAS) in high-risk patients.

Methods: From July 1995 to November 2000, sixty-two consecutive patients considered to be at high risk for post-operative complications of CEA were followed prospectively after undergoing extracranial CAS procedures.

Carotid stenting for post-endarterectomy restenosis and radiation-induced occlusive disease.

Surgical treatment of carotid restenosis and radiation-induced occlusive disease is challenging because of the high morbidity and mortality associated with this procedure. Carotid stenting has been proposed as an alternative approach. We report a series of 8 patients who were treated via the percutaneous approach for either carotid restenosis (n = 4) or radiation-induced occlusive disease (n = 4).

Venous leaks: anatomical and physiological observations.

A total of 50 patients with impotence underwent cavernosometry and cavernosography with intracavernous injection of vasoactive drugs. Several hemodynamic parameters were analyzed, including the pressure response curve after injection of vasoactive drugs and infusion of saline, the volume required to achieve erection, venous outflow resistance, erection maintenance infusion rate, rate of pressure decrease after discontinuation of infusion and post-infusion steady state pressure. On the basis of cavernosometric findings, venous leakage was ruled out in 4 patients.

Percutaneous cholecystolithotomy. A minimally invasive alternative to cholecystectomy and to shock wave lithotripsy.

Recently introduced treatment alternatives for gallstones include peroral pharmacological chemolysis plus shock wave lithotripsy and percutaneous cholecystolithotomy. Herein we report on the treatment preferences of 23 patients with symptomatic gallstones and our initial experience with percutaneous cholecystolithotomy in 6 of these patients. All patients were rendered stone free after one procedure.

Endourological reconstruction of posterior urethral disruption.

While conventional methods of urethroplasty for posterior urethral disruption usually are successful technically, they may be associated with complications and often require the expertise of a specialist. Therefore, the option of an endourological approach to the treatment of the obliterated posterior urethra would be highly desirable if a comparable surgical outcome could be achieved. We describe a closed controlled method of posterior urethral reconstruction following traumatic avulsion of the posterior urethra.

Gallbladder enhancement following angiography: a normal CT finding.

The authors reviewed computed tomography (CT) studies that had been preceded within 2 days by angiography. Twenty-one patients were selected who showed no laboratory evidence of liver or renal disease. Eighteen patients received greater than 37 g of iodine at angiography.

Evaluation of a sequence of diagnostic tests using the workup of ureteral stone as a model.

Additional tests are not always beneficial and can increase costs significantly while increasing the group of patients with an equivocal diagnosis. In general, diagnostic testing should cease for a group of patients when the tests that have been performed result in a sufficiently high level of diagnostic certainty and also result in the largest group of true positive or true negative diagnoses. Evaluation of diagnostic tests must include consideration of the results of sequences of tests, equivocal results of tests, and the effect of added costs on both advantageous sequences of tests and total expenditures.

Multiseptate gallbladder.

A case of multiseptate gallbladder and nine previously reported, well documented cases are reviewed. Our patient, like most of those previously reported, had biliary symptoms, which were relieved by cholecystectomy.