Ovarian stromal luteoma in a patient with endometrial carcinoma

A 65-year-old patient with endometrial adenocarcinoma underwent hysterectomy. Pathological examination of the right ovary revealed a coexisting stromal luteoma. The possible relationship between the two neoplasms as well as the intriguing pathogenesis and controversial nomenclature of ovarian steroid cell tumors are discussed. The incidental discovery of a stromal luteoma in a total hysterectomy specimen removed for endometrial carcinoma raises interesting questions about the perceived innocuous nature of these rare lipid cell tumors.     

Stage IIB carcinoma of the cervix that is associated with pelvic kidney: A therapeutic dilemma

Locally advanced cervical cancer with congenital pelvic kidney is reported uncommonly. A 50-year-old patient with stage IIB cervical cancer and pelvic kidney was treated with irradiation and concurrent chemotherapy. Follow-up evaluation for 2 years revealed normal renal function and no evidence of recurrent disease.     

Histamine-induced contraction and relaxation of placental chorionic plate arteries

Studies of the human placental vasculature suggest a low resistance circulation. Using wire myography, endothelial-dependent relaxation of human chorionic plate arteries has been difficult to demonstrate with any consistency. However, histamine has been suggested to relax placental vessels in the perfused organ in vitro. Here we aimed to demonstrate endothelial-dependent relaxation to histamine under physiological conditions of stretch and oxygenation. Histamine administration to pre-contracted arteries induced a triphasic response; an initial contraction followed by a dilatation which stabilized to a significant relaxation compared to time control arteries. Relaxation was partially inhibited by blockers of endothelial-dependent relaxation pathways. The initial contraction was abolished by H(1)-receptor blockade with mepyramine. The relaxation was significantly reduced by H(2)-receptor blockade with famotidine but only abolished in the presence of both H(1)- and H(2)-receptor antagonists. In conclusion, histamine induced contraction and relaxation of human chorionic plate arteries. Our data suggest that contraction is mediated by activation of H(1)-receptors. Relaxation occurs directly, via activation of H(2)-receptors on vascular smooth muscle cells, and indirectly via H(1)-receptor stimulation of endothelial-dependent relaxation.