Search Results (47)

Intensive farming methods have improved productivity, but public concerns have arisen regarding the welfare of production animals, particularly laying hens, and consumers demand higher animal welfare standards in all animal production systems. This study evaluated the impact of conventional cage (CC) versus cage-free (CF) housing systems on the gene expression of some peptide hormones regulating food intake along the gut–brain axis in laying hens at 80 wks. Sixty thousand Hy-Line Brown hens were reared under commercial farm conditions until week 15. At 16 wks, hens were randomly assigned into two housing systems: CC (450 cm²/bird) and CF (1111 cm²/bird). At week 80, hypothalamic, proventricular, duodenal, jejunal, and ileal tissues were sampled from six hens per system for qPCR analysis. Relative mRNA transcript levels of peptide hormones involved in the regulation of food intake (GHRL, Ghsr, NPY, AGRP, POMC, CCK, CART, CRH, MC4R, MC1R, MC5R) were quantified by qPCR using the most stable reference genes. CC hens exhibited upregulation of duodenal anorexigenic genes (POMC, CCK, CART, CRH) and stress-related MC4R, while CF hens showed higher ileal expression of foraging-related AGRP. No differences were observed in orexigenic peptides (GHRL/Ghsr, NPY). These findings suggest that housing systems differentially modulate gut–brain axis signaling. Specifically, CC environments appear to upregulate satiety signals, whereas CF systems seem to enhance the expression of genes linked to foraging behavior. Full article

Background: The human fetal adrenal gland is a unique endocrine organ with distinct morphology and functional dynamics, which is significantly different from the postnatal adrenal. Its rapid growth and vital steroidogenic role during gestation have positioned it as a key regulator of fetal development and pregnancy maintenance. Objectives: To provide a comprehensive overview of the morphogenesis, function, regulatory mechanisms, and clinical implications of the human fetal adrenal gland, highlighting recent advances in understanding its development and its role in prenatal and postnatal health outcomes. Methods: A systematic review was conducted, including original research articles focused on human fetuses or validated animal models, examining the genetic, molecular, and hormonal mechanisms underlying adrenal development and function. Studies were excluded if they were editorials, case reports, focused on adult adrenal physiology, had small sample sizes, or were non-English publications. Study quality was evaluated using PRISMA guidelines. Results: The fetal adrenal gland develops from both mesodermal and ectodermal origins, forming three primary zones: fetal, transitional, and definitive. Each zone has distinct functions and developmental pathways. The fetal zone, which predominates, is responsible for producing dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, DHEA-S, which is crucial for placental estrogen synthesis. The adrenal gland undergoes rapid growth and functional maturation, regulated by ACTH, placental CRH, IGF, and the renin–angiotensin system. Disruption of adrenal function is associated with conditions such as preterm birth, adrenal hypoplasia, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and intrauterine growth restriction. Emerging evidence suggests that fetal adrenal hormones may influence long-term health through fetal programming mechanisms. Conclusions: The fetal adrenal gland plays a critical and multifaceted role in fetal and placental development. This gland influences placental development via steroid precursors (DHEA-S → estrogen synthesis), while also being regulated by placental factors such as the corticotropin-releasing hormone. Understanding its complex structure–function relationships and regulatory networks is essential for predicting and managing prenatal and postnatal pathologies. Future research should focus on elucidating molecular mechanisms, improving diagnostic tools, and exploring long-term outcomes of altered fetal adrenal function. Full article

Maternal behavior encompasses a range of biologically driven responses whose expression and duration vary across species. Maternal responses rely on robust adaptive changes in the female brain, enabling mothers to engage in caregiving, nourishing, and offspring protection. Morphological and functional changes in the maternal brain enhance sensitivity to offspring cues, eliciting maternal behaviors, rewarding responses, and social processing stimuli essential for parenting. Maternal behavior comprises a range of biological responses that extend beyond basic actions, reflecting a complex, evolutionarily shaped neurobiological adaptation. These behaviors can be broadly categorized into direct behaviors, which are explicitly aimed at the care of the offspring, and indirect behaviors that, overall, ensure the protection, nourishment, and survival of the newborn. The secretion of main neuropeptide hormones, such as oxytocin (OT), prolactin (PRL), and placental lactogens (PLs), during the peripartum period, is relevant for inducing and regulating maternal responses to offspring cues, including suckling behavior. Although PRL is primarily associated with reproductive and parental functions in vertebrates, it also modulates distinct neural functions during pregnancy that extend from lactogenesis to adult neurogenesis, neuroprotection, and neuroplasticity, all of which contribute to preparing the maternal brain for motherhood and parenting interactions. Parvocellular OT-containing neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and in the anterior hypothalamic nucleus (AHN) project axon collaterals to the medial preoptic area, which, in turn, projects to the nucleus accumbens (NACC) and lateral habenula (lHb) via the retrorubral field (RRF) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA), which mediate the motivational aspects of maternal responses to offspring cues. The reshaping process of the brain and neural networks implicated in motherhood depends on several factors, such as up- and downregulation of neuronal gene expression of bioactive peptide hormones (i.e., OT, PRL, TIP-39, galanin, spexin, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), peptide receptors, and transcription factors (i.e., c-fos and pSTAT)) in target neurons in hypothalamic nuclei, mesolimbic areas, the hippocampus, and the brainstem, which, overall, regulate the expression of maternal behavior to offspring cues, as shown in postpartum female rodents. In this review, we describe the modulatory neuropeptides, the neural networks underlying peptide transmission systems, and cell signaling involved in parenthood. We highlight the dysregulation of neuropeptide hormones and their receptors in the central nervous system in relation to psychiatric disorders. Full article

The purpose of this article is to examine a previously unrecognized role for the vasopressin–oxytocin (VP-OT) system in mammalian “stress-response hormesis.” The current review adds hormesis to the long list of beneficial effects of OT. Hormesis, a biphasic adaptive response to low-level stressors, is introduced here to contextualize the dynamic roles of oxytocin and vasopressin. As with hormesis, the properties of the VP-OT system are context-, time-, and dose-sensitive. Here we suggest that one key to understanding hormesis is the fact that VP and OT and their receptors function as an integrated system. The VP-OT system is capable of changing and adapting to challenges over time, including challenges necessary for survival, reproduction and sociality. Prior research suggests that many beneficial effects of OT are most apparent only following stressful experiences, possibly reflecting interactions with VP, its receptors and other components of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. The release of OT is documented following various kinds of hormetic experiences such as birth, vigorous exercise, ischemic events and the ingestion of emetics, including psychedelics. The phasic or cyclic modulation of VP and related “stress” hormones, accompanied or followed by the release of OT, creates conditions that conform to the core principles of hormesis. This concept is reviewed here in the context of other hormones including corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and urocortin, as well as cytokines. In general, VP and classic “stress hormones” support an active response, helping to quickly mobilize body systems. OT interacts with all of these, and may subsequently re-establish homeostasis and precondition the organism to deal with future stressors. However, the individual history of an organism, including epigenetic modifications of classical stress hormones such as VP, can moderate the effects of OT. Oxytocin’s effects also help to explain the important role of sociality in mammalian resilience and longevity. A hormetic perspective, focusing on a dynamic VP-OT system, offers new insights into emotional and physical disorders, especially those associated with the management of chronic stress, and helps us to understand the healing power of social behavior and perceived safety. Full article

The stochastic fluctuation characteristics of wind speed can significantly affect the control performance of train suspension systems. To enhance the running quality of trains in non-stationary wind fields, this paper proposes a semi-active control method for trains based on fuzzy rules of non-stationary wind fields. Firstly, a dynamic model of the train and suspension system was established based on the CRH2 (China Railway High-Speed 2) high-speed train and magnetorheological dampers. Then, using frequency–time transformation technology, the non-stationary wind load excitation and train response patterns under 36 common operating conditions were calculated. Finally, by analyzing the response patterns of the train under different operating conditions, a comprehensive control rule table for the semi-active suspension system of the train under non-stationary wind fields was established, and a fuzzy controller suitable for non-stationary wind fields was designed. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, the running smoothness of the train was analyzed using a train-semi-active suspension system co-simulation model based on real wind speed data from the Lanzhou–Xinjiang railway line. The results demonstrate that the proposed method significantly improves the running quality of the train. Specifically, when the wind speed reaches 20 m/s and the train speed reaches 200 km/h, the lateral Sperling index is increased by 46.4% compared to the optimal standard index, and the vertical Sperling index is increased by 71.6% compared to the optimal standard index. Full article

Background: Firefighters’ work exposes them to high levels of stress. Oxytocin (OXT) and corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) are hormones released in response to stress. Prolonged exposure to stress can have negative effects, such as increased blood pressure and glucose levels, and a weakened immune system. Methods: This study involved 57 fire department cadets, randomly divided into craniosacral therapy (CS) and contralateral therapy (CO) groups. This study aimed to check whether 5-week craniosacral therapy affects CRH and OXT levels, determined from blood. Results: For the CS group, CRH_1 and CRH_2 showed slight increases in median values, 1.73 vs. 2.16, and OXT_1 and OXT_2 showed significant increases in median values, 54.71 vs. 57.77. Spearman’s correlation coefficient for CRH_1 vs. OXT_1 was r = 0.26, p = 0.124; similarly, for CRH_2 vs. OXT_2 was r = −0.02, p = 0.920; for CRH_ 1 vs. CRH_2 was r = 0.25, p = 0.173; and for OXT_1 vs. OXT_2 was r = 0.77, p < 0.00001. The values of the point statistics for CRH were similar in CO_1 and CS_1. After the end of therapy, in the CS_2 group, the values of the point statistics were greater than those for the CO_2 group. The median values for oxytocin in the CO_1 group were greater than those in the CS_1 group. After the end of therapy, in the CO_2 group, the values of the scoring statistics were smaller than those for the CS_2 group. The effect of the intervention in the CS group and the CO group showed a significance of p = 0.0003 and p = 0.023. Conclusions: After the end of therapy, a significant increase in OXT levels was observed, as well as a slight increase in CRH levels. Full article

The problem of marine noise pollution has a long history. Strong noise (>120 dB re 1 µPa) will affects the growth, development, physiological responses, and behaviors of fish, and also can induce the stress response, posing a mortal threat. Although many studies have reported that underwater noise may affect the survival of fish by disturbing their nervous system and endocrine system, the underlying causes of death due to noise stimulation remain unknown. Therefore, in this study, we used the underwater noise stress models to conduct underwater strong noise (50–125 dB re 1 µPa, 10–22,000 Hz) stress experiments on small yellow croaker for 10 min (short-term noise stress) and 6 days (long-term noise stress). A total of 150 fishes (body weight: 40–60 g; body length: 12–14 cm) were used in this study. Omics (metabolomics and transcriptomics) studies and quantitative analyses of important genes (HPA (hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal)-axis functional genes) were performed to reveal genetic and metabolic changes in the important tissues associated with the HPA axis (brain, heart, and adrenal gland). Finally, we found that the strong noise pollution can significantly interfere with the expression of HPA-axis functional genes (including corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 2 (CRHR2), and arginine vasotocin (AVT)), and long-term stimulation can further induce metabolic disorders of the functional tissues (brain, heart, and adrenal gland), posing a lethal threat. Meanwhile, we also found that there were two kinds of death processes, direct death and chronic death, and both were closely related to the duration of stimulation and the regulation of the HPA axis. Full article

As a crucial component of CRH (China Railway High-speed) trains, the safety and stability of the suspension system are of paramount importance to the overall vehicle system. Based on the framework of probabilistic relevant principal component analysis (PRPCA), this paper proposes a novel method for incipient fault diagnosis in the CRH suspension system using PRPCA and support vector machine (SVM). Firstly, simulation data containing multiple types of fault information are obtained from the Simpack2018.1-Matlab2016a/Simulink co-simulation platform. Secondly, the nonlinear PRPCA approach, based on the Wasserstein distance, is employed for fault detection and data preprocessing in the suspension system. Furthermore, SVM is used for fault recognition, and the F1-Measure index is utilized for a comprehensive evaluation to assess the fault diagnosis performance more intuitively. Finally, based on the comparison results with traditional principal component analysis (PCA) and SVM-based methods, the proposed incipient fault diagnosis method demonstrates superior efficiency in fault detection and recognition. However, the proposed method is not very sensitive to sensor faults, and the performance of sensor fault diagnosis needs to be further improved in subsequent research. Full article

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons within the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVH) play a crucial role in initiating the neuroendocrine response to stress and are also pivotal in coordination of autonomic, metabolic, and behavioral stress reactions. Although the role of parvocellular CRH^PVH neurons in activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis is well established, the distribution and function of CRH-expressing neurons across the whole central nervous system are less understood. Stress responses activate complex neural networks, which differ depending on the type of stressor and on the sex of the individual. Because of the technical difficulties of localizing CRH neurons throughout the rodent brain, several CRH reporter mouse lines have recently been developed. In this study, we used Crh-IRES-Cre;Ai9 reporter mice to examine whether CRH neurons are recruited in a stressor- or sex-specific manner, both within and outside the hypothalamus. In contrast to the clear sexual dimorphism of CRH-mRNA-expressing neurons, quantification of CRH-reporting, tdTomato-positive neurons in different stress-related brain areas revealed only subtle differences between male and female subjects. These results strongly imply that sex differences in CRH mRNA expression occur later in development under the influence of sex steroids and reflects the limitations of using genetic reporter constructs to reveal the current physiological/transcriptional status of a specific neuron population. Next, we compared the recruitment of stress-related, tdTomato-expressing (putative CRH) neurons in male and female Crh-IRES-Cre;Ai9 reporter mice that had been exposed to predator odor. In male mice, fox odor triggered more c-Fos in the CRH neurons of the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, central amygdala, and anterolateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis compared to females. These results indicate that male mice are more sensitive to predator exposure due to a combination of hormonal, environmental, and behavioral factors. Full article

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a multifactorial psychological disorder that affects different neurotransmitter systems, including the central CRH system. CRH acts via the CRHR1 and CRHR2 receptors, which exert opposite effects, i.e., anxiogenic or anxiolytic. The aim of this work was to investigate how intranasal administration of the CRHR2-specific agonist urocortin 2 (Ucn2) or urocortin 3 (Ucn3) affects manifestations of PTSD in a single prolonged stress (SPS) animal model of PTSD. Elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field (OF) tests were used to assess anxiety-like behavior. Changes in the gene expressions of CRH, CRHR1, CRHR2, glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and FKBP5 were measured in brain regions (BNST, amygdala, and PVN) responsible for modulating the stress response. The SPS animals spent less time in the OF central zone and were less mobile than the controls; however, the Ucn3 treatment reversed this effect. SPS decreased the GR and FKPB5 mRNA levels in the PVN. Ucn3 suppressed the effect of SPS on FKBP5 mRNA expression in the PVN and increased FKBP5 mRNA in the BNST and PVN compared to the stressed animals. We demonstrate that Ucn3 has the potential to ameliorate anxiety-like behavior in SPS animals and also to affect the neuroendocrine system in the BNST and PVN. In addition, we confirm the important role of CRHR2 signaling in mediating the stress response. Full article

In this paper, a novel multiple-model second-level adaptive failure compensation scheme is proposed for high-speed trains with unknown failures to achieve the desired system performance. High-speed train dynamics with unknown system parameters actuator failures are first derived in detail. Multiple identification models are used to handle the parametric uncertainties and realize the desired speed and position tracking of a high-speed train with actuator failures in a first-level adaptation; identification errors of multiple identification models are used to obtain a virtual model for improving the convergence rate of parameters in a second-level adaptation. A second-level adaptive controller set is designed by using the parameters of the corresponding virtual model and the convex combination of the parameter estimates from the identification models. Finally, a switching mechanism associated with individual controllers is introduced to select the correct controller from the controller set. The stability of the closed-loop system and the performance of asymptotic state tracking are proved via the Lyapunov stability theory. Further, a simulation study was carried out by using the real line data of the CRH380A-type high-speed train from the Jinan section to the Xuzhou section. The simulation results show that in the presence of unknown actuator failures, the control scheme can control the speed tracking error within 0.4 km/h, and the switching strategy can quickly switch to the correct controller within 1 s, which verifies the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed failure compensation scheme. Full article

The safety and reliability of high-speed train electric traction systems are crucial. However, the operating environment for China Railway High-speed (CRH) trains is challenging, with severe working conditions. Dataset imbalance further complicates fault diagnosis. Therefore, conducting fault diagnosis for high-speed train electric traction systems under data imbalance is not only theoretically important but also crucial for ensuring vehicle safety. Firstly, when addressing the data imbalance issue, the fault diagnosis mechanism based on support vector machines tends to prioritize the majority class when constructing the classification hyperplane. This frequently leads to a reduction in the recognition rate of minority-class samples. To tackle this problem, a self-tuning support vector machine is proposed in this paper by setting distinct penalty factors for each class based on sample information. This approach aims to ensure equal misclassification costs for both classes and achieve the objective of suppressing the deviation of the classification hyperplane. Finally, simulation experiments are conducted on the Traction Drive Control System-Fault Injection Benchmark (TDCS-FIB) platform using three different imbalance ratios to address the data imbalance issue. The experimental results demonstrate consistent misclassification costs for both the minority- and majority-class samples. Additionally, the proposed self-tuning support vector machine effectively mitigates hyperplane deviation, further confirming the effectiveness of this fault diagnosis mechanism for high-speed train electric traction systems. Full article

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the central nervous system, usually diagnosed during the reproductive period. Both MS and its commonly used animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), exhibit sex-specific features regarding disease progression and disturbances in the neuroendocrine and endocrine systems. This study investigates the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis response of male and female Dark Agouti rats during EAE. At the onset of EAE, Crh expression in the hypothalamus of both sexes is decreased, while males show reduced plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone levels. Adrenal gland activity is increased during EAE in both males and females, as evidenced by enlarged adrenal glands and increased StAR gene and protein expression. However, only male rats show increased serum and adrenal corticosterone levels, and an increased volume of the adrenal cortex. Adrenal 3β-HSD protein and progesterone levels are elevated in males only. Serum progesterone levels of male rats are also increased, although testicular progesterone levels are decreased during the disease, implying that the adrenal gland is the source of elevated serum progesterone levels in males. Our results demonstrate a sex difference in the response of the HPA axis at the adrenal level, with male rats showing a more pronounced induction during EAE. Full article

A large body of evidence indicates that vasopressin (AVP) and steroid hormones are frequently secreted together and closely cooperate in the regulation of blood pressure, metabolism, water–electrolyte balance, and behavior, thereby securing survival and the comfort of life. Vasopressin cooperates with hormones of the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA) at several levels through regulation of the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and multiple steroid hormones, as well as through interactions with steroids in the target organs. These interactions are facilitated by positive and negative feedback between specific components of the HPA. Altogether, AVP and the HPA cooperate closely as a coordinated functional AVP-HPA system. It has been shown that cooperation between AVP and steroid hormones may be affected by cellular stress combined with hypoxia, and by metabolic, cardiovascular, and respiratory disorders; neurogenic stress; and inflammation. Growing evidence indicates that central and peripheral interactions between AVP and steroid hormones are reprogrammed in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and that these rearrangements exert either beneficial or harmful effects. The present review highlights specific mechanisms of the interactions between AVP and steroids at cellular and systemic levels and analyses the consequences of the inappropriate cooperation of various components of the AVP-HPA system for the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Full article

Fetal hypoxia and maternal stress frequently culminate in neuropsychiatric afflictions in life. To replicate this condition, we employed a model of prenatal severe hypoxia (PSH) during days 14–16 of rat gestation. Subsequently, both control and PSH rats at 3 months old were subjected to episodes of inescapable stress to induce learned helplessness (LH). The results of the open field test revealed an inclination towards depressive-like behavior in PSH rats. Following LH episodes, control (but not PSH) rats displayed significant anxiety. LH induced an increase in glucocorticoid receptor (GR) levels in extrahypothalamic brain structures, with enhanced nuclear translocation in the hippocampus (HPC) observed both in control and PSH rats. However, only control rats showed an increase in GR nuclear translocation in the amygdala (AMG). The decreased GR levels in the HPC of PSH rats correlated with elevated levels of hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) compared with the controls. However, LH resulted in a reduction of the CRH levels in PSH rats, aligning them with those of control rats, without affecting the latter. This study presents evidence that PSH leads to depressive-like behavior in rats, associated with alterations in the glucocorticoid system. Notably, these impairments also contribute to increased resistance to severe stressors. Full article