Injuries to the phrenic nerve resulting in diaphragmatic paralysis with special reference to stretch trauma

Traumatic interruption of the phrenic nerve causing diaphragmatic paralysis occurs much more commonly than realized. Patients present with symptoms referable to the respiratory, gastrointestinal, or cardiovascular systems as a result of anatomic displacement of the respective organ (eventration). Symptoms often occur shortly after the injury but may be delayed for many years; consequently, prolonged follow-up of these patients is essential. If patients are symptomatic after trauma, judicious observation is dictated, since many will experience gradual return of normal diaphragmatic function over the succeeding six to twelve months. In those who remain significantly symptomatic, thoracotomy and imbrication of the eventration is a simple and effective surgical procedure.

Localization of alpha-fetoprotein in human and rat fetal livers. An immunohistochemical method using horseradish peroxidase

α-Fetoprotein (AFP) was successfully demonstrated in paraffin-embedded sections of human and rat fetal livers, by a multilayering immunohistochemical technique using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase system. Serial sections simultaneously subjected to immunofluorescence showed identical sites of localization in hepatocytic cytoplasm and sometimes in perivenous connective tissue. AFP-containing hepatocytes were located around efferent veins as well as randomly in the lobule. The immunoperoxidase technique has certain advantages over the immunofluorescence method which would justify the former's application in studies on the dynamics of AFP synthesis.