The complementary use of AFP and US improved the effectiveness of HCC surveillance in patients with cirrhosis.

No abstract

It has been demonstrated that microRNA-122 (miR-122) plays key roles in the modulation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. This study examined the role of miR-122 in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-HBV dual infection with active hepatitis C who received pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin dual therapy. We enrolled 121 patients with HCV-HBV dual infection after dual therapy. Stored serum was collected before treatment. RT-PCR was used to analyze miR-122. HBsAg seroclearance was noted in 37 (30.1%) cases during a median follow-up period of 5.4 years. miR-122 was significantly lower in HBsAg seroclearance patients than in non-HBsAg seroclearance patients (P < 0.014). Multivariate analysis showed that miR-122 was an independent factor of HBsAg seroclearance (OR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.09–0.98, P = 0.046). miR-122 was significantly higher in patients who were qHBsAg > 100 IU/mL versus ≤100 IU/mL (P < 0.001). We concluded that in patients with HBV-HCV dual infection with active hepatitis C, miR-122 was associated with HBsAg seroclearance after therapy and qHBsAg level before therapy, indicating that miR-122 plays key roles in modulating HBV replication.

Core bump defect is yield killer in terms of causing blocked etch during poly-Si hard mask etching in the spacer-type self-aligned double patterning (SADP) manufacture process flow. By clarifying the characteristics and formation mechanism of the core bump defect occurred on the top of the organic mandrel post room temperature oxide deposition, several strategies, e.g., electron beam illumination, high/low pressure baking and pulsed plasma etch, were explored. Afterward an effective suppression of the core bump adder was developed, resulting in the sorting yield ramping up by 10% at least.