Molecular and physiological mechanisms of tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) leaf and root in response to nitrogen deficiency.

BACKGROUND: As an economically important crop, tea is strongly nitrogen (N)-dependent. However, the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying the response of N deficiency in tea are not fully understood. Tea cultivar "Chunlv2" [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze] were cultured with a nutrient solution with 0 mM [N-deficiency] or 3 mM (Control) NH4NO3 in 6 L pottery pots containing clean river sands. RESULTS: N deficiency significantly decreased N content, dry weight, chlorophyll (Chl) content, L-theanine and the activities of N metabolism-related enzymes, but increased the content of total flavonoids and polyphenols in tea leaves. N deficiency delayed the sprouting time of tea buds. By using the RNA-seq technique and subsequent bioinformatics analysis, 3050 up-regulated and 2688 down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were isolated in tea leaves in response to N deficiency. However, only 1025 genes were up-regulated and 744 down-regulated in roots. Gene ontology (GO) term enrichment analysis showed that 205 DEGs in tea leaves were enriched in seven GO terms and 152 DEGs in tea roots were enriched in 11 GO items based on P < 0.05. In tea leaves, most GO-enriched DEGs were involved in chlorophyll a/b binding activities, photosynthetic performance, and transport activities. But most of the DEGs in tea roots were involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates and plant hormones with regard to the GO terms of biological processes. N deficiency significantly increased the expression level of phosphate transporter genes, which indicated that N deficiency might impair phosphorus metabolism in tea leaves. Furthermore, some DEGs, such as probable anion transporter 3 and high-affinity nitrate transporter 2.7, might be of great potential in improving the tolerance of N deficiency in tea plants and further study could work on this area in the future. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated N deficiency inhibited the growth of tea plant, which might be due to altered N metabolism and expression levels of DEGs involved in the photosynthetic performance, transport activity and oxidation-reduction processes.

Cellular angiofibroma of the vagina: A case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Cellular angiofibroma (CAF), a rare benign mesenchymal tumor, is histologically characterized by abundant thick-walled vessels with a spindle cell component. As one of the female reproductive system tumors, its clinical and pathological features are not well characterized. METHODS: A 47-year-old woman presented for the removal of intrauterine device on October 28, 2021, as she had achieved menopause one year back. The patient had no discomfort or awareness of any mass in her vagina. She has history of breast cancer and papillary thyroid cancer. Till date, no progression of thyroid cancer or breast cancer has been observed. Her menstrual cycle was regular, and she had one child delivered vaginally. RESULTS: Pelvic examination revealed a mass sized 2.5 × 2.0 cm located near the fornix in the upper segment of the left vaginal wall. Thin prep cytologic test (TCT) revealed negative intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM). HPV test was negative and leucorrhea routine inspection cleanliness II degree. No cervical mass was detected by ultrasound examination. The patients underwent the operation for intrauterine device removal plus vaginal tumor resection on November 1, 2021. Postoperative antibiotics (intravenous cefuroxime sodium 0.75 g bid for 1 day) were administered to prevent infection. The patient showed no signs of recurrence at one-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: In summary, CAF is a rare benign soft tissue tumor. Surgery is the only treatment method, and the definitive diagnosis of CAF is based on histopathological examination of surgical specimen. Long-term follow-up is needed for surveillance of recurrence.