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A multi-residue method for the analysis of pesticides in tea was developed by online size exclusion chromatography (SEC)-GC/MS with full scan mode. The sample was fortified with chlorpyrifos-d(10) isotope internal standard and extracted by acetonitrile. After purification by primary secondary amine sorbent and solvent exchange by SEC mobile phase, the sample was detected by online SEC-GC/MS. The purification result of the online system was evaluated by comparing the correlation between Chinese cabbage and tea matrix. The factors for method optimization included sample preparation, matrix effects and the instrument parameters of each online component. Scatter plot was introduced in this study to directly illustrate the results of the condition optimization and matrix effects in the online system. For most of the pesticides, the average recoveries ranged from 70 to 130% and the RSD were below 15%. The feasibility of the application of full scan mode in multi-residue determination of trace amounts of pesticides (LODs below 0.01 mg/kg) in a complex matrix was discussed.

BackgroundUnlike chemical drugs with a single or a few kinds of active compounds, traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs)uses herbal formulas composed of numerous kinds of chemical constituents. Therefore, TCM clinical trials require unique and stricter standards for collecting, preserving, and transporting fecal samples than those used for chemical drugs. Unfortunately, there are no special standards for processing fecal samples in TCM clinical trials.MethodsWe invited interdisciplinary experts within TCM clinical trials and gut microbiome research to help formulate this standard. After more than a year’s in-depth discussion and amendments, we achieved a standard via expert interviews, literature research, questionnaire surveys, and public opinion solicitation. This standard has been reviewed and approved by the Standards Office of China of the Association of Chinese medicine.ResultsWe established a sample information processing method prior to TCM clinical sample collection, which is adapted to the unique features of TCM. The method formulates detailed processing requirements for TCM information in addition to the factors that may disturb the gut microbiome. We also constructed a set of methods for collecting, preserving, and transporting fecal samples that meet the characteristics of TCM. These methods formulate detailed operating specifications on the collection approaches, storage conditions, transportation requirements, and management of fecal samples.ConclusionsThis standard guides the information processing prior to sample collection and the standard operating procedures for the collection, preservation, and transportation of fecal samples in TCM clinical trials, which also can be used as a reference by clinicians and researchers in modern medicines.

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Background: Conflicting results have been reported on the association of C-reactive protein (CRP) level with adverse outcomes in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the predictive value of baseline CRP level in stable CAD patients.Methods: Two reviewers independently searched PubMed and Embase databases from their inception to November 28, 2021 to identify studies assessing the value of baseline CRP level in predicting adverse outcomes in stable CAD patients. The endpoints of interest included cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality, or major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). The predictive value of CRP level was estimated by pooling the multivariable adjusted risk ratio with 95% confidence intervals (CI) compared the highest to the lowest CRP level.Results: Twenty-six studies involving of 22,602 patients with stable CAD satisfied the inclusion criteria. In a comparison of the highest with the lowest CRP level, the pooled multivariable adjusted risk ratio was 1.77 (95% CI 1.60-1.96) for MACEs, 1.64 (95% CI 1.13-2.33) for cardiovascular mortality, and 1.62 (95% CI 2.62-5.12) for all-cause mortality, respectively. Subgroup analyses indicated that the values of elevated CRP level in predicting MACEs were consistently observed in each subgroup.Conclusion: Elevated baseline CRP level was an independent predictor of MACEs, cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality in patients with stable CAD. Baseline CRP level can provide important predictive information in stable CAD patients.Abbreviations: CAD = coronary artery disease, CI = confidence intervals, CRP = C-reactive protein, MACEs = major adverse cardiovascular events, RR = risk ratio.