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Research Article
Genetic Variability of Pitx2 Exon 4 in Senegalese Patients with Rheumatic Mitral Valve Disease with and Without Atrial Fibrillation: A Prospective Study with in Silico Analysis
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 2, June 2026
Pages:
53-61
Received:
10 February 2026
Accepted:
16 March 2026
Published:
28 March 2026
Abstract: Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In sub-Saharan Africa, AF frequently occurs at a younger age, most often in the context of rheumatic mitral valve disease (RMVD), and is characterized by advanced atrial remodeling. Genetic studies have identified the Paired-like Homeodomain Transcription Factor 2 (PITX2) gene at the 4q25 locus as a major susceptibility factor for AF. Objective: to investigate genetic variability within exon 4 of the PITX2 gene in African patients with RMVD and to explore its potential role in AF susceptibility. Materials and Methods: this prospective observational study was conducted at the Cuomo Cardiac Surgery Center, Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital (Dakar, Senegal). Forty-five patients undergoing surgery for RMVD were included, along with 15 control subjects without documented AF. Intraoperative left atrial endocardial biopsies were obtained in operated patients. Genomic Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) extracted from atrial tissue and control blood samples was used for targeted amplification and Sanger sequencing of exon 4 of PITX2. Identified variants were annotated using public databases and evaluated with in silico prediction tools. Variants were classified according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. Results: the study population was young (mean age 31 years) and predominantly female. AF was present in 56% of patients and was associated with marked left atrial dilatation and preserved left ventricular systolic function. Sequencing identified four rare missense variants (c.59C>T, c.97A>G, c.121C>G, and c.149G>T) located within the conserved homeobox domain of PITX2. All variants were heterozygous and showed extremely low allele frequencies in population databases. In silico predictions were heterogeneous, and all variants were classified as variants of uncertain significance. Genetic diversity analyses revealed slightly higher haplotype and nucleotide diversity in AF patients, without significant genetic differentiation between groups. Conclusion: rare variants in exon 4 of PITX2 were identified in African patients with RMVD. Although their functional significance remains uncertain, these findings support a potential modulatory role of PITX2 in susceptibility to atrial fibrillation and highlight the importance of genetic studies in underrepresented African populations.
Abstract: Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In sub-Saharan Africa, AF frequently occurs at a younger age, most often in the context of rheumatic mitral valve disease (RMVD), and is characterized by advanced atrial remodeling. Genetic studies have ...
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Research Article
Effectiveness and Safety of Clonidine for Controlling Blood Loss, Hemodynamic Stability, and Surgical Field Quality in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 2, June 2026
Pages:
62-78
Received:
6 March 2026
Accepted:
25 March 2026
Published:
7 April 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.sdmed.20260102.12
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Abstract: Background: Clonidine is an α-adrenoreceptor agonist that reduces sympathetic outflow and releases certain neurotransmitters by acting on receptors in the brain and peripheral tissues. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is about the effectiveness and safety of clonidine for controlling blood loss, hemodynamic stability and surgical field quality comparing with tranxemic acid, placebo and dexmedetomidine. The randomized controlled trials that determine the effect of clonidine on blood loss, hemodynamic stability, and surgical field quality in adult patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery were included. The articles included in this systematic review were searched through the electronic databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar from July to September 17, 2025. The primary outcomes were controlling blood loss, hemodynamic stability, and surgical field quality. Secondary outcomes were duration of surgery and adverse events. The risk of bias was assessed by the Cochrane Collaboration tool (ROB2). Subgroup and sensitivity analysis was conducted to investigate the study of high risk of bias. Mean difference and relative risk with a 95% confidence interval were used for analysis. There were 15 articles included in the review after screening 615, with a total population of 1143. Clonidine was less blood loss than tranxemic acid (MD=40.17, 95% CI: 4.95- 75.38; p=0.03), more blood loss control than with placebo (MD=-75.15, 95% CI: -96.04-54.25; p <0.00001), and less blood loss control than with dexmedetomidine (MD=7.65, 95% CI: 1.19-14.11; p=0.02). Clonidine maintained mean arterial blood pressure than placebo (MD = -3.87, 95% CI: -6.01--1.72; p = 0.0004). Clonidine is maintained MAP in normal range than placebo when administered Pre-induction (MD=-1.88,95% CI: -3.7--0.07; p=0.04) compared with post induction (MD = -8.16.95% CI: -13.7--2.62; p=0.004). Clonidine has less poor and fair surgical field quality than placebo (RR=0.1, 95% CI: 0.02-0.42, p=0.002; RR=0.82, 95% CI: 0.67-1, p=0.05) respectively. Clonidine decreases blood loss more than placebo. Clonidine is less likely inferior to dexmedetomidine to reducing blood loss for oral and maxillofacial surgery. Clonidine maintains mean arterial blood pressure in the normal range than placebo when administered pre-induction than after induction. Clonidine maintains MAP before induction, and it is effective pre-induction as well as post-induction to maintain a mean heart rate comparable with dexmedetomidine. Clonidine is shortening the duration of surgery comparably with tranxemic acid and dexmedetomidine but more than placebo.
Abstract: Background: Clonidine is an α-adrenoreceptor agonist that reduces sympathetic outflow and releases certain neurotransmitters by acting on receptors in the brain and peripheral tissues. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is about the effectiveness and safety of clonidine for controlling blood loss, hemodynamic stability and surgical...
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Review Article
Chronic Non-Cancer Pain in the UAE: A Review of Clinical Challenges in Practice
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 2, June 2026
Pages:
79-84
Received:
10 June 2025
Accepted:
16 March 2026
Published:
10 April 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.sdmed.20260102.13
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Abstract: Chronic non-cancer pain (i.e. non-cancer pain that lasts ≥ 3 months) is common, complex and a distressing long-lasting morbidity. The Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 restated that chronic pain is an insidious public health burden and a leading cause of disability globally. However, chronic non-cancer pain in the UAE has received little attention and insufficient information is available on the social, cultural, psychological determinants and management-care available in the region. If left untreated chronic non-cancer pain can lead to a myriad of negative effects on patients’ physical and psychological well-being as well as adverse effects on quality of life and work productivity. The condition poses a significant financial burden to patients, families and society at large. Various treatment options including non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions exists, but there are number of challenges with the current clinical management options. Further, in the UAE, the receding increase in sedentary behavioural lifestyle may further adversely impact the prognostics and consequences of chronic non-cancer pain. In this commentary, we expand on the current confronting challenges in the management of chronic non-cancer pain in the UAE in the pursuit of highlighting some contextual factor that could help meet patient’s health needs in the region.
Abstract: Chronic non-cancer pain (i.e. non-cancer pain that lasts ≥ 3 months) is common, complex and a distressing long-lasting morbidity. The Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 restated that chronic pain is an insidious public health burden and a leading cause of disability globally. However, chronic non-cancer pain in the UAE has received little attentio...
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Research Article
Advances and Limitations of Rodent Models in Alzheimer’s Disease Pathogenesis and Therapeutics
Abhinav Singh*
,
Lena Duerner
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 2, June 2026
Pages:
85-98
Received:
14 February 2026
Accepted:
4 March 2026
Published:
14 April 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.sdmed.20260102.14
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Abstract: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative condition characterised by several markers and physiological manifestations. While Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of people throughout the world, the intricacy of the condition and the limits of experimental models have slowed the discovery of viable treatments. Rodent models helped researchers identify critical features of Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis and test novel treatment strategies. This chapter gives a detailed summary of rodent models used in Alzheimer’s disease research, concentrating on the numerous types of transgenic, knock-in and knock-out models that replicate the genetic alterations linked with familial AD. We look into pharmacological and neurotoxin-induced models as well as infusion models, to imitate particular pathological characteristics of the disease. In these models, pathological assessments are essential for determining the development of amyloid plaque, hyperphosphorylation of tau and neuroinflammatory responses, immunohistochemistry, ELISA as well as synaptic marker investigations, all play significant contributions. Regardless of the benefits they provide, rodent models have substantial limitations in recreating the complete spectrum of human Alzheimer’s disease, notable the neurodegeneration and comorbidities present in sporadic AD. As a result, the research is shifting toward more advanced humanised models and gene-editing tools, such as CRISPR/Cas9, to eliminate the disparity between research on rodents and human therapeutic applications. This chapter finishes with a discussion of future AD research paths, highlighting the importance of improved models that combine environmental, genetic, and lifestyle components in order to better portray the complexity of AD. Rodent models are still in an angle to contribute significantly to our understanding of AD and the development of disease-transforming treatments by overcoming these constraints.
Abstract: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative condition characterised by several markers and physiological manifestations. While Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of people throughout the world, the intricacy of the condition and the limits of experimental models have slowed the discovery of viable treatments. Rodent models helped researchers ...
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