Histomorphometric evaluation of cannabinoid receptor and anandamide modulating enzyme expression in the human endometrium through the menstrual cycle.

Plasma anandamide (AEA) levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle and in early pregnancy in a pattern suggesting its involvement in implantation and early pregnancy maintenance through mechanisms that might involve its binding to cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. Plasma AEA levels are maintained by the actions of the enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD). All of these component parts of the 'endocannabinoid system' have been demonstrated in rodent but not in human uteri.

Uterine adenomyosis is associated with ultrastructural features of altered contractility in the inner myometrium.

Objective: To study the ultrastructure of the inner and outer myometrium, in the presence and absence of uterine adenomyosis.

Design: Case control blinded comparison.

Setting: University departments.

Patient initiated home blood pressure recordings are accurate in hypertensive pregnant women.

Objective: We undertook this study to determine the accuracy and reliability of patient initiated blood pressure measurement and recording.

Methods: We recruited 72 women from the antenatal hypertension clinic in a university teaching hospital. All were at high risk for preeclampsia and were asked to measure and record their blood pressure three times per day at home using a validated blood pressure device with an internal memory.