Expression of Key Steroidogenic Enzymes in Human Placenta and Associated Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

Steroid hormones,including progestagens,estrogens,androgens,corticosteroids,and their precursor cholesterol,perform essential functions in the successful establishment and maintenance of pregnancy and normal fetal development.As the core endocrine organ at the prenatal stage,the human placenta is involved in the biosynthesis,metabolism,and delivery of steroid hormones.Steroidogenic pathways are tightly regulated by placenta-intrinsic cytochrome P450 and hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.However,the relationship between placental steroidogenic enzyme expression and adverse pregnancy outcomes is controversial.In this review,we summarize the possible upstream regulatory mechanisms of placental steroidogenic enzymes in physiologic and pathophysiologic states.We also describe the human placental barrier model and examine the potential of single-cell sequencing for evaluating the primary functions and cellular origin of steroidogenic enzymes.Finally,we examine the existing evidence for the association between placental steroidogenic enzyme dysregulation and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Mechanisms of Immune Tolerance and Inflammation via Gonadal Steroid Hormones in Preterm Birth

In 2019,preterm births(PTB)accounted for approximately 0.66 million deaths globally.PTB is also associated with a significantly higher risk of mortality and long-term complications for newborns.Long-term studies associated several factors,including disruption of immune tolerance and inflammation,with PTB.However,the pathogenesis of PTB remains unclear.Gonadal steroid hormones are critical for pregnancy maintenance and regulation of immune and inflammatory responses.However,it is not clear how unbalanced gonadal steroid hormones,such as imbalanced estrogen/androgen or estrogen/progesterone contribute to PTB.In this review,we discuss how gonadal steroid hormones mediate dysfunction in immune tolerance and inflammatory responses,which are known to promote the occurrence of PTB,and provide insight into PTB prediction.

Comparison of biochar properties from 5 kinds of halophyte produced by slow pyrolysis at 500℃

Glycophyte biomass-derived biochars are currently concerned in most studies.However,little attention is given to the char-acteristics of halophyte-derived biochars.In this study,five typical halophytes of euhalophytes(Suaeda altissima,Suaeda salsa,and Kalidium foliatum),recretohalophytes(Phragmites australis),and pseudohalophytes(Tamarix chinensis)which are widely distributed in the arid and semiarid regions of northwestern China were selected for producing biochars with a slow pyrolysis process at 500℃for 1 h.The harvested biochars were characterized in elemental content,pores,surface area,and surface charges,and then their potential value as a soil conditioner was evaluated.The results showed that the halophyte-derived biochars had variable ash and Na+contents,ranging from 7.26 to 23.64%and 1.06 to 33.93 g kg^(−1)respectively.The EC value of the biochars ranged from 1.76 to 23.45 mS cm^(−1).The biochar derived from Suaeda altissima had a very low specific surface area(SSA),3.50 m^(2)g^(−1),while that derived from Phragmites australis(BPA)had a very high SSA,344.02 m^(2)g^(−1).All the biochars carried both positive and negative charges.Kalidium foliatum biochar(BKF)possessed more nega-tive charges,while Suaeda altissima biochar(BSA)contained more positive charges.In general,the halophyte biochars had a higher ash content and lower point of zero net charge(PZNC)value,compared with the biochars derived from glycophytes,which would imply their higher potential value as an acidic soil conditioner.