A novel metal-organic frameworks composite-based label-free point-of-care quartz crystal microbalance aptasensing platform for tetracycline detection

A novel label-free point-of-care quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) aptasensing platform based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was fabricated for tetracycline (TC) detection. MOFs (HKUST-1) and AuNPs were modified onto the sensing interface of QCM sensor to enhance the sensing performance of the QCM aptasensor. TC aptamer with sulfhydryl group was fixed through Au-S bond. The recognition performance of the aptasensor was predicted and verified by the computer simulation. At the optimal conditions, the frequency change of the sensor was adopted for quantitative detection of TC. The prepared QCM aptasensor exhibited a wide linear range from 1 × 10^-10 g mL^-1 to 1 × 10^-5 g mL^-1 with low limit of detection (0.8 × 10^-11 g mL^-1). High sensitivity, good selectivity, acceptable recoveries (87.6-91.4%) in real samples were obtained. For the first time, MOFs were utilized in the construction of QCM aptasensing platform, providing a promising application way of MOFs in the QCM sensing.

[Mid-term efficacy of China Net Childhood Lymphoma-mature B-cell lymphoma 2017 regimen in the treatment of pediatric Burkitt lymphoma]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of children with Burkitt lymphoma (BL) and to summarize the mid-term efficacy of China Net Childhood Lymphoma-mature B-cell lymphoma 2017 (CNCL-B-NHL-2017) regimen. Methods: Clinical features of 436 BL patients who were ≤18 years old and treated with the CNCL-B-NHL-2017 regimen from May 2017 to April 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Clinical characteristics of patients at disease onset were analyzed and the therapeutic effects of patients with different clinical stages and risk groups were compared. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox regression was used to identify the prognostic factors. Results: Among 436 patients, there were 368 (84.4%) males and 68 (15.6%) females, the age of disease onset was 6.0 (4.0, 9.0) years old. According to the St. Jude staging system, there were 4 patients (0.9%) with stage Ⅰ, 30 patients (6.9%) with stage Ⅱ, 217 patients (49.8%) with stage Ⅲ, and 185 patients (42.4%) with stage Ⅳ. All patients were stratified into following risk groups: group A (n=1, 0.2%), group B1 (n=46, 10.6%), group B2 (n=19, 4.4%), group C1 (n=285, 65.4%), group C2 (n=85, 19.5%). Sixty-three patients (14.4%) were treated with chemotherapy only and 373 patients (85.6%) were treated with chemotherapy combined with rituximab. Twenty-one patients (4.8%) suffered from progressive disease, 3 patients (0.7%) relapsed, and 13 patients (3.0%) died of treatment-related complications. The follow-up time of all patients was 24.0 (13.0, 35.0) months, the 2-year event free survival (EFS) rate of all patients was (90.9±1.4) %. The 2-year EFS rates of group A, B1, B2, C1 and C2 were 100.0%, 100.0%, (94.7±5.1) %, (90.7±1.7) % and (85.9±4.0) %, respectively. The 2-year EFS rates was higher in group A, B1, and B2 than those in group C1 (χ²=4.16, P=0.041) and group C2 (χ²=7.21, P=0.007). The 2-year EFS rates of the patients treated with chemotherapy alone and those treated with chemotherapy combined with rituximab were (79.3±5.1)% and (92.9±1.4)% (χ²=14.23, P<0.001) respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that stage Ⅳ (including leukemia stage), serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)>4-fold normal value, and with residual tumor in the mid-term evaluation were risk factors for poor prognosis (HR=1.38,1.23,8.52,95%CI 1.05-1.82,1.05-1.43,3.96-18.30). Conclusions: The CNCL-B-NHL-2017 regimen show significant effect in the treatment of pediatric BL. The combination of rituximab improve the efficacy further.

Portable and on-site electrochemical sensor based on surface molecularly imprinted magnetic covalent organic framework for the rapid detection of tetracycline in food

In this study, for the first time, surface molecularly imprinted magnetic covalent organic frameworks (Fe₃O₄@COFs@MIPs) were combined with disposable screen-printed electrode (SPE) to construct a portable and on-site electrochemical sensor for the rapid detection of tetracycline (TC). The Fe₃O₄@COFs@MIPs, which was prepared by layer-by-layer modification method, had good magnetism and excellent adsorption ability. With the help of disposable SPE, equipped with a magnet, the electrode modification process was simplified and the detection efficiency was improved. Under optimal conditions, the fabricated electrochemical sensor exhibited linearity ranging from 1 × 10^-10 to 1 × 10^-4 g mL^-1. It had good selectivity, excellent reproducibility, desirable stability and remarkable applicability. The fabricated sensor was successfully applied to detect TC in real samples with satisfactory recoveries (96.15-106.20%). The detection strategy separated the recognition and adsorption process from the electrochemical detection process, providing a design idea for the application of COFs in the construction of high-efficiency molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensors.

Significant Succession of Intestinal Bacterial Community and Function During the Initial 72 Hours of Acute Pancreatitis in Rats

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is followed by structural and functional changes in the intestine, resulting from microbiome dysbiosis. However, it remains unclear how gut microbiome changes within the initial 72h of onset. In this study, severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), mild acute pancreatitis (MAP), and sham operation (SO) were replicated in rat models. 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was used to explore the gut bacteria community. The predicted Cluster of Orthologous Genes (COG) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) metabolic pathways were associated with the 16S rRNA profiles. Compared to the SO group, significant community succession was found during the initial 72h in AP group. At 72 h after AP induction, the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratios were significantly different, with the highest ratio in SAP group and the lowest in MAP group. Lactobacillus was the most abundant genus, but it nearly disappeared in SAP rats at 72 h. Clostridiaceae 1 and Clostridium sensu stricto 1 were significantly enriched in AP group. Bacteroidales S24-7 and Bacteroidales S24-7 group norank were enriched in MAP group, while Collinsella, Morganella, and Blautia were enriched in SAP group. Lactobacillus was significantly correlated with nine COGs. Nine COGs showed significant differences between AP group and SO group. Moreover, four COGs showed significant differences between the MAP and SAP groups. KEGG Level_3 pathways propanoate metabolism (Ko00640) in AP group was significantly higher than that in SO group. The aspartate‒ammonia ligase and four KEGG orthology terms of the AP group were lower than that in the SO group, respectively. All these results suggest that the intestinal bacterial community structure and function was changed during the initial 72h in AP rats. The intestinal F/B ratio and the relative abundance of Lactobacillus could be potential markers for early diagnosis of MAP and SAP. The genus Clostridium sensu stricto 1 was the most enriched genus in AP, and may be an important marker for AP.

Short-term/long-term prognosis with or without beta-blockers in patients without heart failure and with preserved ejection fraction after acute myocardial infarction: a multicenter retrospective cohort study

Background

The role of beta-blockers in acute myocardial infarction patients without heart failure and with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≥ 50%) is unknown. Our study aimed to retrospectively analyze the associations of beta-blockers on such patients.

Methods

This is a multicenter, retrospective study. After screening 5,332 acute myocardial infarction patients, a total of 2519 patients without heart failure and with LVEF ≥ 50% were included. The patients were divided into two groups: the prescribed (n = 2049) and unprescribed (n = 470) beta-blockers group. The propensity score inverse probability treatment weighting was used to control confounding factors. We analyzed the associations between beta-blockers and outcomes in the short-term (1-year) and long-term (median, 3.61 years).

Results

The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. The secondary outcomes were all-cause rehospitalization, cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction, new-onset heart failure rehospitalization. This study shows no statistically significant association between discharged with beta-blockers and all-cause mortality, either in the short-term [IPTW Adjusted, HR 1.02; 95%CI 0.43–2.40; P = 0.966] or long-term [IPTW Adjusted, HR 1.17; 95%CI 0.70–1.94; P = 0.547]. Discharged with beta-blockers was significantly associated with a reduced risk of short-term recurrent myocardial infarction [IPTW Adjusted, HR 0.44; 95%CI 0.20–0.97; P = 0.043], but there was no long-term relationship [IPTW Adjusted, HR 1.11; 95%CI 0.61–2.03; P = 0.735]. Other outcomes, such as new-onset heart failure rehospitalization and all-cause rehospitalization, were not observed with meaningful differences in either the short- or long-term. The results of sensitivity analysis were consistent with this.

Conclusions

Beta-blockers might be associated with a reduced risk of recurrent myocardial infarction in patients without heart failure and with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction after acute myocardial infarction, in the short term. Beta-blockers might not be related to all-cause mortality in those patients, either in the short-term or long-term.

Clinical trial registration Influence of Beta-blockers on Prognosis in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated with Normal Ejection Fraction, NCT04485988, Registered on 24/07/2020. Retrospectively registered.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12872-022-02631-8.

The duration of beta-blocker therapy and outcomes in patients without heart failure or left ventricular systolic dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction: A multicenter prospective cohort study

Background

The duration of beta‐blocker therapy in patients without heart failure (HF) or left ventricular systolic dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is unclear.

Hypothesis

Continuous beta‐blocker therapy is associated with an improved prognosis.

Methods

This is a prospective, multicenter, cohort study. One thousand four hundred and eighty‐three patients eventually met the inclusion criteria. The study groups included the continuous beta‐blocker therapy group (lasted ≥6 months) and the discontinuous beta‐blocker therapy group (consisting of the no‐beta‐blocker therapy group and the beta‐blocker therapy <6 months group). The inverse probability treatment weighting was used to control confounding factors. The study tried to learn the role of continuous beta‐blocker therapy on outcomes. The median duration of follow‐up was 13.0 months. The primary outcomes were cardiac death and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). The secondary outcomes were all‐cause death, stroke, unstable angina, rehospitalization for HF, and recurrent myocardial infarction (MI).

Results

Compared with discontinuous beta‐blocker therapy, continuous beta‐blocker therapy was associated with a reduced risk of unstable angina, recurrent MI, and MACE (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.32–0.82; p = 0.006); but this association was not available for cardiac death (HR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.24–1.36; p = 0.206). When compared to the subgroups of no‐beta‐blocker therapy and beta‐blocker therapy <6 months, respectively, continuous beta‐blocker therapy was still observed to be associated with a reduced risk of unstable angina, recurrent MI, and MACE.

Conclusions

Continuous beta‐blocker therapy was associated with a reduced risk of unstable angina or recurrent MI or MACE in patients without HF or left ventricular systolic dysfunction after AMI.

[Analysis of experience in diagnosis and treatment of fetal goiter in patients with Graves' disease complicated with pregnancy]

This article reported the clinical diagnosis and treatment experience of two cases of fetal goiter in Graves' disease (GD) complicated with pregnancy. Two GD patients took antithyroid drugs regularly during pregnancy and their thyroid functions were well controlled, but the levels of thyrotropin receptor antibody (TRAb) of the two cases were still above the upper limit in the second and third trimester. Two fetuses had fetal goiter in the middle and late stages of pregnancy. After continuously controlling maternal thyroid function and closely monitoring fetal ultrasound, there was no aggravation of the fetal goiter, and the delivery went smoothly. One case had neonatal hyperthyroidism. It is suggested that although the thyroid function was well controlled during pregnancy in patients with GD, the high level of serum TRAb still needs to be alert to the occurrence of fetal goiter, and fetal ultrasound is the most direct non-invasive monitoring method.

Impact of Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity on Myocardial Work by Non-invasive Left Ventricular Pressure-Strain in Non-hypertensive and Hypertensive Patients With Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Objective

Data regarding the influence of arterial stiffness on myocardial work (MW) has been scarce. This study was performed to investigate the association between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and MW by non-invasive left ventricular pressure–strain in a population of non-hypertensive and hypertensive individuals.

Methods

Two hundred and eight participants (104 hypertensive and 104 non-hypertensive individuals) were prospectively enrolled into the study. All participants underwent conventional echocardiography, as well as 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography to assess MW by non-invasive left ventricular pressure–strain and global longitudinal strain (GLS). baPWV measurements were made at the same day as the echocardiography. Then, participants were categorized according to baPWV tertiles. Correlation between baPWV and MW were analyzed. Predicting ability of baPWV for abnormal WM was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

The median baPWV from the low to high tertile groups were 1286.5 (1197.5–1343.5), 1490.0 (1444.5–1544.0), and 1803.8(1708.3–1972.0) cm/s, respectively. In simple linear regression analysis, baPWV had a significant positive association with global work index (GWI), global constructed work (GCW), and global wasted work (GWW), and a negative association with global work efficiency (GWE). The association remained significant after adjusting for major confounding factors in multiple linear regression analysis. The areas under the ROC curve of baPWV for predicting abnormal GWI, GCW, GWW, and GWE were 0.653, 0.666, 0.725, and 0.688, respectively (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions

BaPWV is significantly associated with all four components of MW using non-invasive left ventricular pressure-strain method in a mixed population of non-hypertensive and hypertensive individuals.

Prognostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with aortic stenosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The timing of surgery for aortic stenosis (AS) is imperfect, and the management of moderate AS and asymptomatic severe AS is still challenging. Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is the main pathological basis of cardiac decompensation in patients with AS and can be detected by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of MF measured by CMR in patients with AS, which can provide a reference for the timing of aortic valve replacement (AVR).

METHODS

We searched Medline, Embase, and Web of Science to include all studies that investigated the prognostic value of CMR in patients with AS. The search deadline is March 31, 2021. The pooled relative risk (RR) or hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the biomarkers including late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), Native T1 or extracellular volume (ECV) were calculated to evaluate the prognostic value.

RESULTS

13 studies and 2,430 patients with AS were included in this study, the mean or medium follow-up duration for each study was ranged from 6 to 67.2 months. Meta-analysis showed the presence of LGE was associated with an increased risk for all-cause mortality (pooled RR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.67-2.74, P < 0.001), cardiac mortality (pooled RR: 3.50, 95% CI: 2.32-5.30, P < 0.001), and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) (pooled RR: 1.649, 95% CI: 1.23-2.22, P = 0.001). Native T1 was significantly associated with MACEs (pooled RR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.00-4.95; P = 0.049), and higher ECV was associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events (pooled HR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.11-2.58; P = 0.014).

CONCLUSION

The use of CMR to detect MF has a good prognostic value in patients with AS. LGE, Native T1 and ECV measured by CMR can contribute to risk stratification of AS, thereby helping to optimize the timing of AVR.

[Analysis on prevalence and epidemic risk of animal plague in different ecological plague foci in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region]

The risk of plague epidemics and relapse of various types of plague foci persists in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. For Marmota sibirica plague foci, the animal plague has not been found but antibody has been detected positive. Nowadays, Marmota sibirica has been increasing in population and distribution in China. In bordering countries Mongolia and Russia, the animal plague has been continuously prevalent. For Spermophilus dauricus plague foci, the animal plague has been taken place now and then. Compared to the above foci, the animal plague is most prevalent in Meriones unguiculatus plague foci and frequently spread to humans. Due to higher strain virulence and historical disaster in Marmota sibirica plague foci and Spermophilus dauricus plague foci, plague prevention and control should be strengthened on these foci. In addition to routine surveillance, epidemic dynamics need to be further monitored in these two foci, in order to prevent their relapse and spread to humans.

Pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma enrolled in the randomized KEYNOTE-181 trial in Asia

BACKGROUND

In the randomized phase III KEYNOTE-181 study, pembrolizumab prolonged overall survival (OS) compared with chemotherapy as second-line therapy in patients with advanced esophageal cancer and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) combined positive score (CPS) ≥10. We report a post hoc subgroup analysis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) enrolled in KEYNOTE-181 in Asia, including patients from the KEYNOTE-181 China extension study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Three hundred and forty Asian patients with advanced/metastatic ESCC were enrolled in KEYNOTE-181, including the China cohort. Patients were randomly assigned 1 : 1 to receive pembrolizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks for ≤2 years or investigator's choice of paclitaxel, docetaxel, or irinotecan. OS, progression-free survival, response, and safety were analyzed without formal comparisons. OS was evaluated based on PD-L1 CPS expression level.

RESULTS

In Asian patients with ESCC, median OS was 10.0 months with pembrolizumab and 6.5 months with chemotherapy [hazard ratio (HR), 0.63; 95% CI 0.50-0.80; nominal P < 0.0001]. Median progression-free survival was 2.3 months with pembrolizumab and 3.1 months with chemotherapy (HR, 0.79; 95% CI 0.63-0.99; nominal P = 0.020). Objective response rate was 17.1% with pembrolizumab and 7.1% with chemotherapy; median duration of response was 10.5 months and 7.7 months, respectively. In patients with PD-L1 CPS <1 tumors (pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy), the HR was 0.99 (95% CI 0.56-1.72); the HR (95% CI) for death was better for patients with PD-L1 CPS cut-offs >1 [CPS ≥1, 0.57 (0.44-0.75); CPS ≥5, 0.56 (0.41-0.76); CPS ≥10, 0.53 (0.37-0.75)]. Treatment-related adverse events were reported in 71.8% of patients in the pembrolizumab group and 89.8% in the chemotherapy group; grade 3-5 events were reported in 20.0% and 44.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Pembrolizumab monotherapy demonstrated promising efficacy in Asian patients with ESCC, with fewer treatment-related adverse events than chemotherapy. PD-L1 CPS ≥1 is an appropriate cut-off and a predictive marker of pembrolizumab efficacy in Asian patients with ESCC.

Real-world cardiovascular toxicity of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients: a retrospective controlled cohort study

Over the past decade, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have dramatically improved the prognosis of many cancer patients, but many immune-related adverse cardiovascular events (ACEs) have been observed. We aimed to investigate the occurrence of ACEs in the real world after receiving ICI and provide clinical reference for how to evaluate it. The study retrospectively included 204 patients who received ICI from October 2019 to November 2020 and 205 patients who only received traditional chemotherapy. The mean duration of follow-up for ICI group was 4.88 months, and the control group was 4.79 months. Patients in the control group did not develop myocarditis, only 2 cases of new-onset pericardial effusion occurred. In contrast, among ICI group, there were 3 cases of ICI-associated myocarditis, accounting for 1.47% (3/204), 6 cases of pericardial effusion. The incidence of new-onset ECG abnormalities in the ICI group was significantly higher than that of the control group (38/180 VS 16/178, HR 2.71, 95% CI: 1.449-5.067, P=0.001). In the ICI group, after receiving ICI treatment, cardiac biomarkers including average cardiac troponin T and N terminal pro B type natriuretic peptide increased significantly, peak in about 1 month, and then gradually decreasing. After the third or fourth month, the cardiac biomarkers gradually increased again. In conclusion, ICI may lead to various ACEs, and its incidence is higher than that of patients who only receive traditional chemotherapy. The changing trend of cardiac biomarkers reflects that ICI may cause acute and chronic myocardial damage. Regularly performing ECG, echocardiogram and cardiac biomarker examinations are helpful for early detection of ACEs caused by ICI and providing timely treatment.

Worst Itch Numerical Rating Scale for Prurigo Nodularis: A Psychometric Evaluation

BACKGROUND

Study TR03 evaluated the safety and efficacy of nalbuphine ER for prurigo nodularis (PN) (NCT02174419).

OBJECTIVE

We conducted supplementary analyses to assess the psychometric properties of the Worst Itch Numeric Rating Scale (WI-NRS), the TR03 primary endpoint.

METHODS

Study TR03 was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial in PN patients with documented scores ≥5 on the WI-NRS (0 [no itch]-10 [worst itch imaginable]) on ≥5 of 7 days before baseline. Using TR03 data, the WI-NRS's psychometric properties, including reliability, validity, and ability to detect change, were evaluated. A responder threshold was estimated to facilitate interpretation of WI-NRS score changes.

RESULTS

Among 62 treated patients, improvements in mean [SD] (median) WI-NRS scores were observed between baseline (8.2 [1.21] (8.1)) and Week 10 (5.8 [2.43] (6.0)). The WI-NRS had an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.96 (95% confidence interval, 0.93-0.98) in 42 patients who had stable Itch verbal rating scale (VRS) scores from Week 9-10, supporting strong test-retest reliability. Construct validity was supported, with strong correlations at Week 10 with Average Itch NRS (r=0.87) and Itch VRS single-day/weekly mean scores (r=0.81/0.89) and moderate correlations with ItchyQoL^TM total/domain scores (r=0.41-0.43). The WI-NRS discriminated between predefined severity subgroups based on the Itch VRS and detected changes in itching severity (effect-size estimate: -2.05; standardized response mean: -1.21). An anchor-based threshold based on a two-category improvement in the single-day Itch VRS suggests a responder threshold of ≥3.8 points (~40% improvement).

CONCLUSIONS

The WI-NRS demonstrates good measurement properties, supporting its use in evaluating treatment change in PN.

A Retrospective Observational Study of the Association Between Plasma Levels of Interleukin 8 in 42 Patients with Sepsis-Induced Myocardial Dysfunction at a Single Center Between 2017 and 2020

Background

This retrospective, observational study from a single center aimed to evaluate the association between complement (C)3 and C4, lymphocytes markers CD4 and CD8, and the interleukins IL-1β, IL-2R, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-8 in patients with sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction (SIMD) and a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of < 50%.

Material/Methods

Patients with sepsis from July 2017 to December 2020 were divided into a SIMD group (42 patients) and NO-SIMD group (214 patients). Diagnostic criteria of sepsis were based on SEPSIS 3.0 guidelines. SIMD was defined as LVEF <50% by echocardiography and global ejection fraction <25% by transpulmonary thermodilution during hospitalization. The lymphocyte markers and interleukins were detected by flow fluorescence immunomicrobead assay, and C3 and C4 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Plasma levels of IL-8 in the SIMD group were significantly higher than those in the NO-SIMD group, 133.90 (80.20, 402.79) vs 46.35 (16.80, 125.00) pg/mL (P<0.001). Logistic regression showed that N terminal pro B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP; 95%CI 1.000–1.000, P<0.001) and IL-8 (95%CI 1.000–1.002, P=0.019) were independent risk factors for SIMD. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed NT-proBNP, IL-8, and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) had different predictive values for SIMD: AUC_NT-proBNP (0.810) >AUC_IL-8 (0.748) >AUC_cTnT (0.710). The cut-off value of IL-8 was 67.55 pg/mL; using this cut-off value, IL-8 predicted SIMD in sepsis with a sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 59.3%.

Conclusions

Increased plasma levels of IL-8 were significantly associated with cardiac dysfunction in patients with SIMD.

Effects of Genetic Background and Altitude on Sugars, Malic Acid and Ascorbic Acid in Fruits of Wild and Cultivated Apples (Malus sp.)

Soluble sugars, malic acid, and ascorbic acid in 17 apple cultivars (Malus domestica Borkh.) and three wild forms (M. pumila 'Saiwaihong', M. prunifolia (Willd.) Borkh. and M. micromalus Makino) from three major apple cultivation regions in China were quantified using gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Fructose was the most abundant sugar, followed by sucrose, glucose, and sorbitol. Wild apples contain more sorbitol and less sucrose and were significantly more acidic than cultivated fruits. The total sugar content varied from 110 to 160 mg/g fresh fruits, total acid content from 2 to 6 mg/g, with a strong influence of genetic background and growth location. Overall, 'Gala', 'Xiali', 'Liuyuehong', 'Lihong', 'Starking Delicious', and 'Starkrimson' were characterized by higher sugar/acid ratio indicating sweeter taste compared to other cultivars. The wild apples had the highest content of ascorbic acid (0.6-0.96 mg/g). Compared to other cultivars, 'Zhongqiuwang', 'Qinguan', and 'Nagafu No. 2' were richer in ascorbic acid. The ascorbic acid content in the commercial cultivars was highly dependent on growth location. The content of malic acid and sucrose positively correlated to altitude, and that of glucose negatively. Malic acid positively correlated with ascorbic acid and sucrose, glucose content with ascorbic acid.