The PIF7 gene is a member of the bHLH family, playing a pivotal role in plant germination. However, its roles in tea plants (Camellia sinensis) remain largely unexplored. In this study, we cloned the phytochrome-interacting factor gene CsPIF7 to elucidate its role in the germination of tea plants. Subcellular localization analysis demonstrated that CsPIF7 was localized in the nucleus. Yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that CsPIF7 directly bound to a specific region (7-321 bp) of the CsEXP promoter, thereby repressing the expression of CsEXP. These findings suggest that CsPIF7 may modulate the germination of tea plants by inhibiting the expression of CsEXP. Quantitative real-time PCR results showed that both CsPIF7 and CsEXP exhibited high expression levels in tea buds, with different expression patterns in response to abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. Furthermore, both CsPIF7 and CsEXP were upregulated under cold stress at 4 ℃, indicating their involvement in the cold response of tea plants. Taken together, these results suggest that CsPIF7 regulates CsEXP expression in an ABA-dependent manner, thereby influencing the germination of tea plants. This study provides both theoretical and experimental insights into the molecular mechanisms governing the germination of tea plants, laying the groundwork for further exploring the role of PIF7 in plant development and stress responses.
Camellia sinensis/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Abscisic Acid/pharmacology* ; Germination/genetics* ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Cold Temperature

Objective    To evaluate the association of anesthesia regime (volatile or intravenous anesthetics) with the occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods    The electronic medical records of 194 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery under CPB at West China Hospital, Sichuan University between September 2018 and February 2019 were reviewed, including 92 males and 102 females with an average age of 53 years. The patients were classified into a volatile group (n=94) or a total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) group (n=100) according to anesthesia regimen during surgery (including CPB). The primary outcome was the incidence of PPCs within first 7 d after surgery. Secondary outcomes included incidence of reintubation, duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU stay and hospital stay. Results    There was no significant difference in the incidence of PPCs between the two groups (RR=1.020, 95%CI 0.763-1.363, P=0.896), with an incidence of 48.9% in the volatile group and 48.0% in the TIVA group. Secondary outcomes were also found no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion    No association of anesthesia regimen with the incidence of PPCs is found in adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery under CPB.

Objective    To determine whether there was a clinical relevant association between anesthetic regimen (propofol or inhalational anesthetics) and the occurrence of postoperative delirium (POD) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods    This retrospective study was conducted on patients with elective cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) at West China Hospital of Sichuan University between October 2018 and March 2019. The patients were divided into a propofol group or an inhalational anesthetics group according to anesthetic regimen (including CPB). The primary outcome was the occurrence of POD during first 3 days after surgery. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between anesthetic regimen and the occurrence of POD. Results    A total of 197 patients who met the inclusion criteria were included, with an average age of 53 years, and 51.8% (102/197) were females. POD occurred in 21.3% (42/197) patients. The incidence of POD was 21.4% in the propofol group and 21.2% in the inhalational anesthetics group; there was no significant difference between the two groups (RR=1.01, 95%CI 0.51-2.00, P=0.970). Logistic regression analysis did not find that anesthetic regimen was a risk factor for delirium after cardiac surgery after adjusting risk factors (OR=1.05, 95%CI 0.48-2.32, P=0.900). Conclusion    Anesthetic regimen (propofol or inhalational anesthetics) is not associated with an increased risk for POD in adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery under CPB.