CCN1-Yes-Associated Protein Feedback Loop Regulates Physiological and Pathological Angiogenesis.

Cellular communication network factor 1 (CCN1) is a dynamically expressed, matricellular protein required for vascular development and tissue repair. The gene is a presumed target of Yes-associated protein (YAP), a transcriptional coactivator that regulates cell growth and organ size. Herein, we demonstrate that the promoter is indeed a direct genomic target of YAP in endothelial cells (ECs) of new blood vessel sprouts and that deficiency in mice downregulates and alters cytoskeletal and mitogenic gene expression.

Attenuation of Robust Glial Scar Formation Facilitates Functional Recovery in Animal Models of Chronic Nerve Compression Injury.

Background: Late surgery for chronic nerve compression injuries usually improves sensation but rarely reverses motor atrophy. We hypothesized that a persistent glial scar after chronic nerve compression injury might account for poor motor recovery and that degradation of the glial scar as an adjunct to surgical decompression would improve functional recovery.

Methods: A previously described model of chronic nerve compression injury was created in C57BL/6 mice and Sprague-Dawley rats, and the nerves were harvested early or late after electrophysiological confirmation of the injury.

Topical tranexamic Acid does not affect electrophysiologic or neurovascular sciatic nerve markers in an animal model.

Background: Tranexamic acid is a safe and effective antifibrinolytic agent used systemically and topically to reduce blood loss and transfusion rate in patients having TKA or THA. As the hip does not have a defined capsule, topical application of tranexamic acid may entirely envelop the sciatic nerve during THA. Accidental application of tranexamic acid onto the spinal cord in spinal anesthesia has been shown to produce seizures; therefore, we sought to investigate if topical application of tranexamic acid on the sciatic nerve has a deleterious effect.