ObjectiveTo compare the morphological characteristics， phenological stages， and chemical components of two traditional Chaenomeles speciosa cultivars—"Luohanqi" and "Pingguohong"， thus providing a basis for new cultivar breeding， standardized cultivation， and quality evaluation of authentic medicinal materials. MethodsThe morphological indices of leaves， floral organs， and fruits of the two cultivars were measured， and the phenological sequences were recorded. Microplate assays and high-performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） were employed to determine the levels of total flavonoids， total phenols， polysaccharides， amino acids， oleanolic acid， and ursolic acid. Finally， comprehensive comparative analysis was conducted. ResultsThe two cultivars exhibited generally similar tree vigor but showed significant differences in internode length， leaf morphology， floral organs， fruit development， and phenological stages. "Luohanqi" had significantly larger leaves ［length： （124.7±11.97） mm vs. （105.06±9.16） mm； width： （47.81±4.68） mm vs. （41.98±5.15） mm］， a wider ovary diameter ［（10.76±1.25） mm vs. （8.28±1.18） mm］， a higher fruit shape index （1.6 vs. 1.2）， and a much higher calyx persistence rate （78.28% vs. 8.02%） than "Pingguohong". Its phenological stages were 7-18 days later than those of "Pingguohong". No significant differences were found in the levels of total flavonoids， total phenols， total polysaccharides， total amino acids， or oleanolic acid， while "Pingguohong" had significantly higher ursolic acid content than "Luohanqi". ConclusionThe two main cultivars of C. speciosa in Xuancheng city， Anhui province exhibit marked differences in leaf morphology， floral organ structure， fruit traits， calyx persistence， phenological stages， and chemical composition. These findings provide a scientific basis for subsequent breeding of new cultivars， targeted cultivation， and studies on quality formation of authentic medicinal materials.

ObjectiveTo compare the morphological characteristics， phenological stages， and chemical components of two traditional Chaenomeles speciosa cultivars—"Luohanqi" and "Pingguohong"， thus providing a basis for new cultivar breeding， standardized cultivation， and quality evaluation of authentic medicinal materials. MethodsThe morphological indices of leaves， floral organs， and fruits of the two cultivars were measured， and the phenological sequences were recorded. Microplate assays and high-performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） were employed to determine the levels of total flavonoids， total phenols， polysaccharides， amino acids， oleanolic acid， and ursolic acid. Finally， comprehensive comparative analysis was conducted. ResultsThe two cultivars exhibited generally similar tree vigor but showed significant differences in internode length， leaf morphology， floral organs， fruit development， and phenological stages. "Luohanqi" had significantly larger leaves ［length： （124.7±11.97） mm vs. （105.06±9.16） mm； width： （47.81±4.68） mm vs. （41.98±5.15） mm］， a wider ovary diameter ［（10.76±1.25） mm vs. （8.28±1.18） mm］， a higher fruit shape index （1.6 vs. 1.2）， and a much higher calyx persistence rate （78.28% vs. 8.02%） than "Pingguohong". Its phenological stages were 7-18 days later than those of "Pingguohong". No significant differences were found in the levels of total flavonoids， total phenols， total polysaccharides， total amino acids， or oleanolic acid， while "Pingguohong" had significantly higher ursolic acid content than "Luohanqi". ConclusionThe two main cultivars of C. speciosa in Xuancheng city， Anhui province exhibit marked differences in leaf morphology， floral organ structure， fruit traits， calyx persistence， phenological stages， and chemical composition. These findings provide a scientific basis for subsequent breeding of new cultivars， targeted cultivation， and studies on quality formation of authentic medicinal materials.

Objective:The epidemiological characteristics of tuberculosis deaths among Chinese residents from 2006 to 2021 were analyzed, and the tuberculosis mortality rate from 2022 to 2027 was predicted to provide a reference for tuberculosis prevention and control in China.Methods:The data set of tuberculosis deaths from 2006 to 2021 was published regularly by the China CDC, and the crude mortality rate (CMR) and age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) were calculated according to the population structure of China in 2000. The distribution characteristics of age, sex, region, and time of tuberculosis deaths were analyzed, the Joinpoint regression analysis model was used to analyze the changing trend, and the grey model was applied to predict CMR and ASMR from 2022 to 2027.Results:From 2006 to 2021, the CMR and ASMR of tuberculosis showed a downward trend among males and females, urban and rural areas, and all age groups, in a word, all the Chinese residents. Except for the age group ≥85 years old, the mortality trend was insignificant. In the eastern, central, or western regions. CMR and ASMR were significantly higher in males than in females.CMR and ASMR were significantly lower in urban areas than in rural areas. In general, active tuberculosis patients present a higher mortality rate. The CMR and ASMR in the western region were higher than those in the eastern and central regions and lower in the eastern region than in the central region, but the differences were less obvious. The ASMR of the eastern cities was lower than that of the central and western regions, and the ASMR of the central cities was higher than that of the western region from 2006 to 2009 and 2012 and lower than that of the western region in other years. The ASMR in the western countryside was higher than that in the eastern and central regions and lower in the eastern part than in the central region, but the difference was not obvious. The grey model prediction results show that the CMR (/100 000) of Chinese residents from 2022 to 2027 is 1.585, 1.471, 1.360, 1.250, 1.143, and 1.038, and the ASMR (/100 000) is 0.779, 0.653, 0.531, 0.411, 0.295 and 0.181, respectively.Conclusions:The CMR and ASMR of tuberculosis will continue to decline, and extraordinary achievements have been made in tuberculosis prevention and control in Chinese residents from 2006 to 2021 and, presumably, from 2022 to 2027. However, tuberculosis screening and treatment programs in the western region, men, the elderly population, and rural areas should be further strengthened, and targeted prevention and control measures should be formulated to reduce mortality.

Objective:To analyze long-term outcomes of inoperable non-metastatic pancreatic cancer patients treated with definitive radiotherapy-based comprehensive treatment.Methods:Clinical data of 168 patients with medically unfit, refusal to surgery or inoperable non-metastatic pancreatic cancer treated with radiotherapy-based comprehensive treatment in PLA General Hospital between January 2016 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Survival outcomes,prognostic factors and patterns of treatment failure were analyzed in the radiotherapy ( n=95) and combined chemoradiotherapy ( n=73) groups. The survival analysis was conducted by Kaplan-Meier method. The survival curve was compared by log-rank test. Independent prognostic factors were identified by Cox proportional harzard model. Results:With a median follow-up of 20.2 months in the entire group, the median overall survival (OS) and median progression-free survival (PFS) were 18.0 and 12.3 months. The corresponding median OS and median PFS after receiving radiotherapy were 14.3 and 7.7 months. The 1-, 2-and 3-year OS rates were 72.1%, 36.6% and 21.5%, and the 1- and 2-year local control rates were 82.6% and 64.3%, respectively. The median OS for stage Ⅰ, stage Ⅱ and stage III were 27.1, 18.0 and 17.0 months, respectively. There was no significant difference in the median OS of patients with localized disease (stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ) between the radiotherapy and combined chemoradiotherapy groups (21.1 vs. 20.4 months, P=0.470). In patients with locally advanced disease (stage Ⅲ), combined chemoradiotherapy group showed better median OS compared with radiotherapy group (19.2 vs. 13.8 months, P=0.004). Clinical stage, CA19-9 before radiotherapy, comprehensive treatment and biological effective dose (BED 10) were identified as the independent prognostic factors for OS ( P=0.032, 0.011, 0.003 and 0.014). The cumulative 1- and 2-year actuarial rates of treatment failure, local-regional recurrence and distant metastasis were 48% and 74.4%, 15.0% and 27.4%, 23.6% and 33.1%, respectively. Liver metastasis (16.1%, 27/168) and local recurrence (11.9%, 20/168) were the primary patterns of treatment failure. Conclusions:Definitive radiotherapy-based comprehensive treatment effectively prolongs long-term survival in patients with inoperable non-metastatic pancreatic cancer. Definitive radiotherapy can be an alternative treatment option with curative intent for patients with localized pancreatic cancer who are medically unfit or refuse to undergo surgery. The combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy remains an effective treatment choice for locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer.

The occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） induced by chronic infection of hepatitis B virus （HBV） is a typical process of Cancer Evolution-development. Viral replication， viral mutation， and viral integration are three major mechanisms by which HBV promotes evolution of HCC. The replication of HBV induces and maintains chronic inflammatory microenvironment， that induces the generation of somatic mutation and viral mutation and provides selective pressure. HBV mutation helps cells to get stem-ness characteristics by activating key signaling pathways. HBV integration activates oncogenes， participates in the mechanism underlying the male predilection of HCC， and promotes the maintenance of chronic infection. Biomarkers related with HBV are effective predictive and prognostic markers of HCC. Anti-viral treatment significantly reduces the risk of HCC occurrence. High risk HBV mutations can be applied for predicting the effect of anti-viral treatment on improving HCC survival. Continuing to exploring mechanisms of HBV induced hepatocarcinogenesis can improve the specific prophylaxis of HCC by providing more effective biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Objective To summarize and investigate the therapeutic effects of reconstruction of contracture of the first web space with snuff-box flap. Methods Eighteen patients with contracture of the first web space were treated by snuff-box flap. The width and the angle of the first web space was 19 mm and 20°on average. According to the first web space skin defects, the flap designed to nasopharyngeal fossa centers as rotation point, the radial line when the forearm in the neutral position as the axis. Results The followedup for 5-26 months revealed that 17 flaps had a success, but 1 case was partly necrosis. The width of the first web space was augmented by an aveage of 45 mm, the angle of the first web space was augmented by an average of 50°. Conclusion It is ralatively simple and reliable to repair the contracture of the first web space using the snuff-box flap.

Objective To report the results of aesthetic reconstruction of distal finger or middle-distal finger segment with transplant harvested from 2nd, 3rd or 4th toe. Methods In a series of 108 cases of distal finger or middle-distal finger segment defect, 141 fingers were reconstructed with transplants harvested from 2nd, 3rd or 4th toe according to the outward appearance of donor toe. The blood-supply was restored by anastomosis of digital artery and vein. In first-stage reconstruction, refinement of outward appearance was applied in doner toe if the toe pulp is bulky or middle part of toe was relatively thinner. Results One hundred and forty fingers survived. The successful rate was 99.3%. Among them, 81 patients had been followed up from 1 to 10 years (mean 3.5years) postoperatively. 61 cases were graded to be excellent and 16 eases good as assessed with Criterion of Functional Evaluation on Finger Reconstruction issued by Chinese Society of Hand Surgery. Conclusion For aesthetic reconstruction of distal finger or middle-distal finger segment, the 2nd toe is usually considered to be donor of first choice. In case the outward appearance of 2nd toe was inferior to that of 3rd or 4th toe, the 3rd or 4th toe should be chosen for better result. In some cases, revisional aesthetic surgery were necessary to refine the outward appearance in first-stage reconstruction.

Objective To explore small size toe tissue flap for aesthetic reconstruction of the thumb and / or finger. Methods Six kinds of small size toe tissue transplants had been applied in repairing skin-bone-joint composite tissue defects of the thumb or finger in 74 cases. Results Among 83reconstructed flaps of the 74 patients, 81 flaps survived completely. Follow-up examination made three to forty-eight months postoperatively showed that the outward appearance were excellent in most cases. The function of the thumbs or fingers were good. The donor feet can walk normally with no pain. Conclusion A variable combinations of toe tissues including skin, soft tissue, bone and joint can be harvested to form a lot of small size transplants for refined aesthetic reconstruction of thumb and finger. The functional and aesthetic results are good and the treatment course is shortened.

Objective To expore the method of clinical application and the final result of pedicled flap supplied by radial osteo cutaneous branch of anterior interosseous artery Methods Basing on the anatomic basis that the osteo cutaneous and myocutaneous branches of the anterior interosseous artery have constant collateral anastomoses which can give forth a large size dorso radial flap on dorsum of the forearm Four cases of skin defect of first web had been reconstructed by this flap Results All 4 cases were successful with good functional and cosmetic results Conclusion Reconstruction with dorso radial flap of forearm is simple,reliable procedure which bring minimum trauma to the patient and is an ideal alternative operation