Tuning ferroelectric photovoltaic performance in R3c-CuNbO3 through compressive strain engineering: a first-principles study.

Most ferroelectric oxides exhibit relatively wide bandgaps, which pose limitations on their suitability for photovoltaics application. CuNbO3 possesses potential ferroelectric properties with an R3c polar structure that facilitate the separation of charge carriers under illumination, promoting the generation of photovoltaic effects. The optical and ferroelectric properties of R3c-CuNbO3, as well as the effect of strain on the properties are investigated by first-principles calculation in this paper. The calculated results indicate that R3c-CuNbO3 possesses a moderate band gap to absorb visible light. The interaction of Cu-O and Nb-O bonds is considered to have a crucial role in the photovoltaic properties of CuNbO3, contributing to the efficient absorption of visible light. The bandgap of CuNbO3 becomes smaller and the density of states near the conduction and valence bands becomes relatively uniform in distribution under compressive conditions, which improves the photoelectric conversion efficiency to 29.9% under conditions of bulk absorption saturation. The ferroelectric properties of CuNbO3 are driven by the Nb-O bond interactions, which are not significantly weakened by the compressive strain. CuNbO3 is expected to be an excellent ferroelectric photovoltaic material by modulation of compressive strain due to the stronger visible light absorption and excellent ferroelectric behavior.

Theoretical study on the ferroelectric and light absorption properties of Li2SbBiO6 for harvesting visible light.

Ferroelectric oxides with large bandgaps have restricted applications in photovoltaic and photocatalytic fields. Based on recent experiments with the ferroelectric compound, LiSbO3, the stability and optoelectronic properties of a new ferroelectric compound, namely Li2SbBiO6, are investigated in this study. The calculated results demonstrate that Li2SbBiO6 satisfies the stability conditions of the elastic coefficients and phonon dynamics. Li2SbBiO6 maintains the ferroelectric polarization strength of LiSbO3 and significantly reduces the bandgap, and thus has been explored for applications in photovoltaic and photocatalytic fields. Li2SbBiO6 is a new potential ferroelectric oxide for harvesting visible light owing to its suitable bandgap and a large hole-electron effective mass ratio.

Crocin Alleviates Intracerebral Hemorrhage-Induced Neuronal Ferroptosis by Facilitating Nrf2 Nuclear Translocation.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the deadliest type of stroke. Oxidative stress was considered to play an important role in ICH-induced secondary injury. Crocin, the main compound isolated from Crocus sativus L., possesses a potential anti-oxidative function in many types of diseases including ICH. In the current study, the protective role of crocin in ICH-induced brain injury was investigated in the ICH model. The ICH-induced brain edema and neurological deficits were analyzed by brain edema measurement and neurological testing. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) activity and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed by a total superoxide dismutase assay kit. The expressions of ferroptosis-related genes were verified by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and western blotting. The ICH-induced brain edema and neurological deficits were significantly decreased after treatment with crocin. Moreover, the SOD and GSH-px activities were obviously increased in the ICH with crocin-treated group compared with the ICH group, while the content of MDA was markedly decreased after treatment with crocin. Crocin inhibited ferroptosis of neuron cells, as evidenced by increased Fe2+ concentration and the expression of GPX4, FTH1, and SLC7A11. Mechanistically, crocin treatment increased the expression and nuclear translocation of Nrf2. Our data suggest that crocin alleviates intracerebral hemorrhage-induced neuronal ferroptosis by facilitating Nrf2 nuclear translocation.

Curcumin attenuates intracerebral hemorrhage-induced neuronal apoptosis and neuroinflammation by suppressing JAK1/STAT1 pathway.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a kind of fatal stroke with the highest mortality and morbidity in the world. To date, there is no effective treatment strategy for ICH. Curcumin, a major active ingredient of Curcuma longa L., possesses a potential anti-inflammatory activity in many types of disease. In the current study, the mechanism underlying curcumin attenuated ICH-induced neuronal apoptosis and neuroinflammation was explored. Herein, we studied that curcumin decreased brain edema and improved neurological function by using brain edema measurement, assessment of neurological-deficient score, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting analyses after ICH. The results showed that curcumin improved ICH-induced neuronal apoptosis and neuroinflammation. Functionally, the polarization of microglia was assessed by immunofluorescence and Western blotting analyses after ICH in the absence or presence of curcumin. The results suggested that the M1-type microglia were activated after ICH, while the effect was blocked by curcumin treatment, suggesting that curcumin alleviates the neuroinflammation and apoptosis of neurons by suppressing the M1-type polarization of microglia. Mechanically, M1 polarization of microglia was regulated by JAK1/STAT1, and the activation of JAK1/STAT1 was blocked by curcumin. Meanwhile, the protective function of curcumin can be blocked by RO8191, an activator of JAK1. Taken together, our study suggested that curcumin improved the ICH-induced brain injury through alleviating M1 polarization of microglia/macrophage and neuroinflammation via suppressing the JAK1/STAT1 pathway.

Correlation between Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes and Type 2 Myocardial Infarction in Critically Ill Patients with Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Treatment based on syndrome differentiation under the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) framework has been shown to be helpful in patients with coronary artery disease. We hypothesized that syndrome types could predict the risk of type 2 myocardial infarction (T2MI) caused by imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand in critically ill patients with pulmonary disease. Methods: This retrospective study included consecutive critically ill patients with pulmonary disease admitted to the ICU at Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences from January 1, 2017, to July 1, 2019. Diagnosis of T2MI was based on the fourth universal definition of myocardial infarction. Risk factors associated with T2MI were identified using multivariate regression analysis. Results: A total of 244 patients were included in the study: 78 who developed T2MI and the remaining 166 who did not develop T2MI during hospitalization. The incidence of phlegm syndrome and deficiency syndrome was 61.9% and 38.1%, respectively. In comparison with the patients with phlegm syndrome, the incidence of T2MI in patients with deficiency syndrome is significantly higher (40.9% vs. 26.5%, P=0.019). In multivariate logistic regression, T2MI was independently associated with the baseline troponin level (OR 12.682, 95% CI 1.397∼115.121; P=0.024), hemoglobin < 55 g/L (OR 12.76, 95% CI 2.359∼69.021; P=0.003), mechanical ventilation (OR 2.244, 95% CI 1.029∼4.892; P=0.042), and TCM deficiency syndrome (OR 2.214, 95% CI 1.032∼4.749; P=0.041). After adjusting for confounding factors in Cox regression models, the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of qi deficiency syndrome groups was 1.183 (95% CI 1.053∼3.123, P=0.032). Conclusions: Patients with deficiency syndrome are at high risk of T2MI, especially those combined with qi deficiency syndrome.

Hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced upregulation of miRNA-542-5p aggravated cardiomyocyte injury by repressing autophagy.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and autophagy exert an important role in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced cardiomyocyte injury. The current study aimed to explore the role of miRNA and autophagy in H/R-induced cardiomyocyte injury. Cardiomyocyte H9c2 was exposed to H/R to simulate H/R injury in vitro. The differentially expressed miRNAs were identified using quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was assayed to assess H/R injury. The role of miRNA and autophagy in regulating the viability and cell apoptosis was evaluated using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, flow cytometry (FCM), and western blot. The autophagy activation was assessed through testing the number of light chain 3 (LC3) puncta and LC3-II expression using western blot and immunofluorescence analysis. In the present study, we found that the miR-542-5p expression and the autophagy activation were significantly increased in H9c2 cells after H/R injury. Functionally, forced expression of miR-542-5p further aggravated H/R injury in H9c2 cells, whereas miR-542-5p inhibition alleviated H/R injury as measured by the cell viability, LDH activity and cell apoptosis. miR-542-5p repressed autophagy activation, whereas miR-542-5p inhibition facilitated autophagy activation in H9c2 cells exposed to H/R as measured by the LC3 puncta number, LC3II, and p62 protein level. Especially, autophagy inhibition by specific inhibitor partially lessened the role of miR-542-5p inhibitor in alleviating H/R injury. Finally, the autophagy-related 7 (ATG7) was identified as a novel target gene of miR-542-5p in H9c2 cells. The current data suggest that miR-542-5p/autophagy pathway might be a potential target for the treatment of H/R-related heart diseases.

Effectiveness of a village-based intervention for depression in community-dwelling older adults: a randomised feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Although a focus on late-life depression may help preventing suicide in older adults, many older people, especially those living in rural areas, have relatively low accessibility to treatment. This study examined the feasibility and effectiveness of a village-based intervention for depression targeting older adults living in rural areas. METHODS: A community-based randomised pilot trial was performed in two small rural villages in South Korea. Two villages were randomly selected and assigned to the intervention or active control group; all older adults living in the two villages (n = 451) were included in the intervention program or received standard Community Mental Health Service (CMHS) care, and the effectiveness of the program was examined using representative samples from both groups (n = 160). The 12-week intervention included case management according to individual risk level and group-based activities. Healthy residents living in the intervention village who played major roles in monitoring at-risk older individuals were supervised by CMHS staff. The score on the Korean version of the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (SGDS-K) was the primary outcome, while social network, functional status, and global cognitive function were secondary outcomes. Linear mixed models including the factors of intervention group, time, and their interaction were used to examine group differences in changes in primary and secondary outcomes from baseline to follow up. RESULTS: Overall, there was no significant group × time interaction with respect to the SGDS-K score, but older individuals with more depressive symptoms at baseline (SGDS-K ≥ 6) tended to have a lower likelihood of progressing to severe depression at post-intervention. The social network was strengthened in the intervention group, and there was a significant group × time interaction (F[df1, df2], 5.29 [1, 153], p = 0.023). CONCLUSION: This study examined a 12-week village-based intervention for late-life depression in which the CMHS helped village-dwellers deal with late-life depression in their communities. Although the intervention improved social interactions among older adults, it did not reduce depressive symptoms. Further studies including more rural villages and long-term follow up are needed to confirm the effectiveness of this prevention program. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04013165 (date: 9 July 2019, retrospectively registered).

In vivo Therapeutic Effects and Mechanisms of Hydroxyasiaticoside Combined With Praziquantel in the Treatment of Schistosomiasis Induced Hepatic Fibrosis.

Schistosomiasis has been a fatal obstinate disease that threatens global human health, resulting in the granulomatous inflammation and liver fibrosis. Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of hydroxyasiaticoside combined with praziquantel in the treatment of schistosomiasis-induced liver fibrosis. Methods:Mice were randomly distributed into four experimental groups: normal control group, model group, praziquantel group, praziquantel + hydroxyasiaticoside group. Except for the normal control group, they were infected with Schistosomia cercariae through the abdominal skin to induce liver fibrosis. In the intervention group, mice were administered with the respective drugs by gavage after 8 weeks of infection. At the end of the treatment, mice were sacrificed to collect blood for the determination of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) serum levels. Moreover, the liver was excised, weighed, and liver indices were calculated. Histopathological examination was performed to assess liver morphology. Besides, the expression of collagen type I and III in liver was determined; the mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in liver tissues were measured using Real-time PCR while ELISA and western blotting were performed on liver tissue homogenate to determine the protein expression of IL-6 and TNF-α. Results:The combination of praziquantel and hydroxyasiaticoside lowered the pathological scores of schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis, the liver indice, serum AST and ALT levels, improved liver morphology, downregulated the expression levels of hepatic type I and III collagen, inhibited the mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α) in the liver of mice relative to the praziquantel alone. Conclusion:The combination of hydroxyasiaticoside and praziquantel is a potential therapeutic option for schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis. Notably, this combination noticeably suppresses the protein and mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-6) in the liver.

Analysis of risk factors for cervical lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: a study of 268 patients.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the risk factors of cervical lymph node (LN) metastasis in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathologic data of all patients who received standard lobectomy for PTMC at our institution between October 2017 and January 2019. Central LNs were dissected in all patients. Lateral LNs were dissected if metastasis to the lateral LNs was suggested based on pre-op fine-needle aspiration biopsy. The relationship between variables available prior to surgery and cervical LN metastasis was examined using multivariate regression. RESULTS: Post-op pathologic examination revealed cervical LN metastasis in 79 (29.5%) patients. Seventy subjects had metastasis only to central LNs, and 4 (1.5%) patients had metastasis only to lateral LNs. Five patients had metastasis to both central and lateral LNs. In comparison to patients without cervical LN metastasis, those with LN metastasis were significantly younger (40.63 ± 13.07 vs. 44.52 ± 12.23 years; P = 0.021) and had significantly larger tumor diameter on pathology (6.7 ± 2.2 vs. 5.9 ± 2.4 mm; P = 0.010). Multivariate regression analysis identified the following independent risks for cervical LN metastasis: male sex (OR 2.362, 95%CI 1.261~4.425; P = 0.007), age (OR 0.977, 95%CI 0.956~0.999; P = 0.042) and ultrasound tumor diameter at > 5 mm (OR 3.172, 95%CI 1.389~7.240; P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Cervical LN metastasis occurs in a non-insignificant proportion of PTMC patients. Independent risks included male sex, younger age and larger tumor diameter on ultrasound.

Analytical Method of Multi-Mycotoxins in Table-Ready Foods for a Total Diet Study Using Stable Isotope Dilution Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Background: Determining the multi-mycotoxins present in table-ready foods is necessary for a total diet study. However, so far, most methods of analyzing multi-mycotoxins apply to raw foods. Therefore, a reliable method for analyzing multi-mycotoxins in table-ready foods is needed. Objective: We developed and validated methods of multi-mycotoxin analysis that employed stable isotope dilution with LC-tandem MS (LC-MS/MS) using two representative matrices. Methods: Samples were fortified with [13C]-labeled mycotoxins as internal standards and extracted with 50% acetonitrile in water for high-carbohydrate foods and 3% formic acid in acetonitrile for high-protein and/or high-fat foods, cleaned up with n-hexane and the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method, and followed up by LC-MS/MS. Results: Validation of the methods was performed, and the results were as follows: the correlation coefficient, R², was 0.99; method detection limit, 0.01-2.4 µg/kg; recoveries, 83.6-114%; precision, 0.8-10 (intraday) and 3.1-22% (interday); interlaboratory reproducibility, ≤15%; and uncertainty, 3.5-19%error. The applicability of the methods was evaluated by analyzing table-ready foods spiked with standards. Conclusions: These methods were successfully evaluated and deemed appropriate for determining the multi-mycotoxins in table-ready foods. Highlights: This work demonstrates that stable isotope dilution with LC-MS/MS can be effectively used to analyze multi-mycotoxins simultaneously in a total diet study.

Direct and rapid characterization of illicit drugs in adulterated samples using thermal desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

Foods and drinks have been adulterated with illicit drugs to facilitate criminal activities. Unfortunately, conventional analytical methods are incapable of rapidly characterizing these drugs in samples, as serious interferences from sample matrices must be removed through tedious and time-consuming pretreatment. Ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AMS) generally does not require sample pretreatment and is thus a suitable tool for directly and rapidly detecting illicit drugs in samples in different physical states. In this study, thermal desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (TD-ESI/MS), an AMS technique, was utilized to efficiently characterize illicit drugs spiked in samples including drinks, powders, and jelly candies. To perform sensitive analysis, the mass analyzer was operated in multiple reaction monitoring mode to monitor the molecular and fragment ions of the target analytes. The time required to complete a typical TD-ESI/MS analysis was less than 30 s. The limits of detection (LODs) for illicit drugs were found to be 100 ppb in drinks, 100-1000 ppb in instant powders, and 1.3-6.5 ng/mm2 on stamp surfaces. FM2 and nitrazepam laced in the inner layer of a jelly candy were detected by TD-ESI/MS, showcasing the advantage of the technique for direct and rapid analysis as opposed to conventional methods.

Serum iron levels are an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality of critically ill patients: a retrospective, single-institution study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the relationship between serum iron levels and in-hospital mortality in critically ill patients. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 250 critically ill patients who received treatment at the intensive care unit between June 2015 and May 2017. Blood chemistry and hepatic and renal function were measured. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted according to serum iron levels. Correlations between serum iron levels and other variables were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 165 (66.0%) patients had abnormally low serum iron levels (<10.6 µmol/L). Patients who died during hospitalization had markedly higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores and significantly lower serum iron levels compared with those who survived. Cumulative survival was significantly lower in patients with low serum iron levels than in those with normal serum iron levels in subgroup analysis of older patients (n = 192). Multivariate regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for relevant factors, low serum iron levels remained an independent risk for in-hospital mortality (odds ratio 2.014; 95% confidence interval 1.089, 3.725). CONCLUSIONS: Low serum iron levels are present in a significant proportion of critically ill patients and are associated with higher in-hospital mortality, particularly in older patients.

Point-of-care identification of organophosphates in gastric juice by ambient mass spectrometry in emergency settings.

BACKGROUND: For emergency management, it is important to promptly identify the organophosphate ingested by self-poisoning patients since different organophosphates cause intoxication through different mechanisms and require different therapeutic strategies. This study aimed at the development of a point-of-care ambient mass spectrometric approach for rapid identification of organophosphate(s) in gastric juice for emergency management. METHODS: Six organophosphate insecticides that are commonly ingested by self-poisoning patients in Taiwan were examined. The sample solutions were prepared and diluted with human gastric juice. A direct metallic probe was dipped and removed immediately from the sample solution. The probe was then inserted into the thermal desorption-electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (TD-ESI/MS) to detect the analyte on the probe. RESULTS: Since no pretreatment of the specimen was required, the sampling processes followed by thermal desorption-electrospray ionization and mass spectrometric analysis of the organophosphate in the gastric juice were completed within 30 s. The detection limit of the organophosphates is at the 10-100 parts per billion level. Good linearity was observed between the corresponding changes in mass spectrometric signal intensities and the changes of organophosphate concentrations within the range of 5-1000 parts per billion. The high efficiency of this ambient mass spectrometric platform was further confirmed when a real sample of the drained gastric lavage fluid of a patient who suffered from ingestion of chlorpyrifos was collected in the emergency room and tested with this cutting-edge technique. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that TD-ESI/MS is promising in promptly providing toxicological information to assist succeeding medical management in an emergency room.

Rapid Identification of Psychoactive Drugs in Drained Gastric Lavage Fluid and Whole Blood Specimens of Drug Overdose Patients Using Ambient Mass Spectrometry.

Psychoactive drug overdoses are life-threatening and require prompt and proper treatment in the emergency room to minimize morbidity and mortality. Prompt identification of the ingested psychoactive drugs is challenging, since witness recall is unreliable and patients' symptoms do not necessarily explain their loss of consciousness. Gas and liquid chromatography mass spectrometric analyses have been the traditionally employed methods to detect and identify abused substances; however, these techniques are time-consuming and labor-intensive. In this study, thermal desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, an ambient mass spectrometric technique, was applied to rapidly characterize flunitrazepam, lysergic acid diethylamide, and 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine in drained gastric lavage fluid, and ketamine, cocaine, amphetamine and norketamine in whole blood samples. No pretreatment of the gastric lavage fluid specimens was required and the entire analytical process took less than 30 s per specimen. Liquid-liquid extraction, followed by centrifugation, was performed on the whole blood samples. The corresponding compounds were identified through matching the obtained mass spectrometric data with those provided by commercial databases. The limits-of-detection of the tested drugs in both drained gastric lavage fluid and whole blood samples are at sub ppm levels. This is sensitive enough for emergency medical application, since the quantities of medications ingested by overdosed abusers are much higher than the amounts that were tested.

Dynamic Change of Red Cell Distribution Width Levels in Prediction of Hospital Mortality in Chinese Elderly Patients with Septic Shock.

BACKGROUND: The normal range of red cell distribution width (RDW) level is <15%. Several studies have indicated that a high RDW level was associated with mortality in critically ill patients, and the patients with a high RDW level need increased focus in clinical practice. In view of the difficulty in defining the specific value of high RDW level, the key is to focus on the patient with the level beyond the normal upper limit. This study aimed to determine whether dynamic change of RDW levels, rather than the level itself, is predictive of death in elderly patients with septic shock when RDW level is beyond 15%. METHODS: Between September 2013 and September 2015, the elderly septic shock patients with RDW level beyond 15% were enrolled in this study. The RDW levels were measured at enrollment (day 1), and days 4 and 7 after enrollment. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were recorded simultaneously. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients, including 32 males and 13 females, were included in the final analysis. Based on their hospital outcomes, these patients were divided into the survivor group (n = 26) and the nonsurvivor group (n = 19). There were no significant differences in age, gender, body mass index, initial level of RDW, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores, and SOFA scores between survivors and nonsurvivors. At days 4 and 7 measurement, both RDW level (median [interquartile range]: day 4: 15.8 [2.0]% vs. 16.7 [2.0]%, P= 0.011; and day 7: 15.6 [1.8]% vs. 17.7 [2.5]%, P= 0.001) and SOFA scores (day 4: 7.0 [4.0] vs. 16.0 [5.0], P< 0.001, day 7: 5.5 [4.0] vs. 17.0 [5.0], P< 0.001) were significantly lower in survivors than those in nonsurvivors. Dynamic changes of RDW and SOFA scores in survivor group were significantly different from those in nonsurvivor group (all P< 0.05). Continuous increase in RDW level was observed in 10 of the 13 nonsurvivors, but only in 3 of the 26 survivors. The level of RDW7 and dynamic changes significantly correlated with their counterparts of SOFA scores (all P< 0.05), whereas the levels of RDW1 and RDW4 had no significant correlation with their counterparts of SOFA scores (all P> 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Continuous increase in RDW level, rather than the level of RDW itself, was more useful in predicting hospital death in elderly patients with septic shock when the level of RDW was >15%. The dynamic changes of RDW were highly correlated with the SOFA score in the patients.

Circulating Levels of Adipokines Predict the Occurrence of Acute Graft-versus-host Disease.

Currently, detecting biochemical differences before and after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) for improved prediction of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a major clinical challenge. In this pilot study, we analyzed the kinetics of circulating adipokine levels in patients with or without aGVHD before and after allogeneic SCT. Serum samples were obtained and stored at -80℃ within 3 hours after collection, prior to conditioning and at engraftment after transplantation. A protein array system was used to measure the levels of 7 adipokines of patients with aGVHD (n=20) and without aGVHD (n=20). The resistin level at engraftment was significantly increased (p<0.001) after transplantation, regardless of aGVHD occurrence. In the non-aGVHD group, the concentrations of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) (mean values±SD; 206.6±34.3 vs. 432.3±108.9 pg/ml, p=0.040) and angiopoietin-2 (ANG-2) (mean values±SD; 3,197.2±328.3 vs. 4,471.8±568.4 pg/ml, p=0.037) at engraftment were significantly higher than those of the pre-transplant period, whereas in the aGVHD group, the levels of adipokines did not change after transplantation. Our study suggests that changes in serum HGF and ANG-2 levels could be considered helpful markers for the subsequent occurrence of aGVHD.