• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.1017-1028
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between fetus-related pregnancy stress and temperament, parenting attitude, parent-fetal attachment, and marital quality. Respondents were 285 pregnant women and their spouses who participated in Pregnant Education Programs. Data was collected by means of questionnaire. The results are summarized as follows: The total fetus-related pregnancy stress level of pregnant couples demonstrated a higher relationship while parent-fetal attachment level demonstrated a very significant relationship. There were significant differences between spouses with regard to fetus-related pregnancy stress, parenting attitude, parent-fetal attachment, and marital quality.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.183-187
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• 2003

Purpose : Long-term stress to the fetus causes alterations in adrenal steroidogenesis. The purpose of this study was to analyze the association of cord blood cortisol with stress during delivery. Methods : Cord blood samples were collected from 58 neonates at once to labor. Cortisol was measured by RIA method(DPC, USA). Cortisol level according to gestational age(<34, 34-37, >38 wks) and method of delivery(Cesarean section vs. vaginal delivery), Apgar score and uterine contraction, were compared to know stress during labor. Results : Cortisol of cord blood had considerable differences between each group, according to gestational age(P<0.001). It was statistically higher in the cases of vaginal delivery than cessarian delivery(P<0.001). The concentration of cortisol was significantly higher according to duration of labor (P<0.05). There was a significant relationship between cortisol level and uterine contraction(P<0.05). The concentration of cortisol was significantly low when Apgar score at 1 min was low(P<0.05). Conclusion : Cord cortisol has close association with stress during labor. And so do with post birth prognosis of neonate.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.1 s.81
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• pp.12-17
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• 2007

Curcumin is a natural phenolic yellow curry spice, derived from the tumeric, which has been used for the treatment of diseases associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. Curcumin is known to have both anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties can be beneficial to protect the brain from the neurodegenerative diseases. We now report the neuroprotective effects of curcumin pretreatment in primary hippocampal neurons to glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. Pretreatment of embryonic mouse hippocampal cell cultures with low does of curcumin protected neurons against glutamate-induced death, however, this neuroprotection was not correlated with the modulation of oxidative stress. Interestingly, high dose of curcumin showed the cytotoxicity in primary cultured hippocampal neurons. Immunoblot analyses showed that levels of stress response. protein HSP70 were significantly elevated in neurons exposed to low dose of curcumin, whereas levels of cleaved PARP were increased in neurons exposed to high dose of curcumin. These findings show that curcumin can modulate neuronal responses to glutamate, and suggest possible use of curcumin and related compounds in the prevention and/or treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.429-435
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• 2023

Epidemiological studies suggest that maternal infection, maternal stress, and environmental risk factors during pregnancy increase the risk of brain development abnormalities associated with cognitive impairment in the offspring and increase susceptibility to schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. Several animal models have demonstrated that maternal immune activation (MIA) is sufficient to induce abnormal brain development and behavioral defects in the fetus. When polyinosine:polycytodylic acid (poly I:C) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is commonly used in maternal immune activation animal models, was introduced into a pregnant dam, an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines and microglial activity was observed in the offspring's brain. Microglia are brain-resident immune cells that play a mediating role in the central nervous system, and they are responsible for various functions, such as phagocytosis, synapse formation and branching, and angiogenesis. Several studies have reported that microglia are activated in MIA offspring and influence offspring behavior through interactions with various cytokines. In addition, it has been reported that they play an important role in brain circuits through interactions with neurons and astrocytes. However, there is controversy concerning whether microglia are essential to brain development or lead to behavioral defects, and the exact mechanism remains unknown. Therefore, for the potential diagnosis and treatment of brain developmental disorders, a functional study of microglia should be conducted using MIA animal models.