Pre- and post-operative HBsAg levels may predict recurrence and survival after curative resection in patients with HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: To investigate pre- and post-operative levels of HBsAg influence prognosis of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative resection.

Methods: Medical records were retrospectively analyzed for 881 patients with HBV-related HCC treated by curative resection. Patients were classified as having high or low serum HBsAg levels (≥200 or <200 ng/mL) pre- or post-operatively.

Surface biocompatible modification of polypropylene by entrapment of polypropylene-block-poly(vinylpyrrolidone).

A macromolecular surface modifier, namely polypropylene-block-poly(vinylpyrrolidone) copolymer, could diffuse preferably onto the surface and effectively increased the biocompatibility of PP. The blood and cell compatibilities of PP and PP-b-PVP/PP blend films were evaluated by determination of the extent of platelet adsorption, plasma recalcification time, hemolysis rate and cell proliferation using smooth muscle cells from rabbit aorta. The results revealed that the blood and cell compatibilities of PP were improved significantly by entrapment of a few PP-b-PVP copolymers in PP.