Screening of potential hub genes involved in Kidney Wilms tumor via bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation.

BACKGROUND: Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common pediatric embryonal tumor. Improving patient outcomes requires advances in understanding and targeting the multiple genes and cellular control pathways, but its pathogenesis is currently not well-researched. We aimed to identify the potential molecular biological mechanism of WT and develop new prognostic markers and molecular targets by comparing gene expression profiles of Wilms tumors and fetal normal kidneys. METHODS: Differential gene expression analysis was performed on Wilms tumor transcriptomic data from the GEO and TARGET databases. For biological functional analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment were utilized. Out of 24 hub genes identified, nine were found to be prognostic-related through univariate Cox regression analysis. These nine genes underwent LASSO regression analysis to enhance the predictive capability of the model. The key hub genes were validated in the GSE73209 datasets, and cell function experiments were conducted to identify the genes' functions in WiT-49 cells. RESULTS: The enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were significantly involved in the regulation of angiogenesis and regulation of cell differentiation. 24 DEGs were identified through PPI networks and the MCODE algorithm, and 9 of 24 genes were related to WT patients' prognosis. EMCN and CCNA1 were identified as key hub genes, and related to the progression of WT. Functionally, over-expression of EMCN and CCNA1 knockdown inhibited cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion of Wilms tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS: EMCN and CCNA1 were identified as key prognostic markers in Wilms tumor, suggesting their potential as therapeutic targets. Differential gene expression and enrichment analyses indicate significant roles in angiogenesis and cell differentiation.

The association between polymorphisms in PITX2 and congenital esophageal atresia susceptibility.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate and analyze the connection between PITX2 polymorphisms and the susceptibility of congenital esophageal atresia. METHODS: From January 2015 to June 2020, 46 children with congenital esophageal atresia undergoing surgery were recruited for the study and placed in an observation group, and 40 neonates born in pediatrics during the same period were also recruited for the study and placed in a control group. The alleles and distribution frequencies of the polymorphisms of PITX2 gene rs2200733 were analyzed, and the odds ratio (OR) of esophageal atresia caused by the rs2200733 polymorphism were calculated using a logistic analysis. RESULTS: In the observation group, there were 23 patients (50.00%) with the TT genotype of rs2200733, 21 patients with the TC genotype (45.65%), and 2 patients with the CC genotype (4.35%). In the control group, there were 13 patients with the TT genotype (32.50%), 17 patients with the TC genotype (42.50%), and 10 patients with the CC genotype (25.00%), and the differences in the genotypes between the two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). The frequencies of the T-alleles and C-alleles of rs2200733 in the observation group were 72.83% and 27.17% respectively, while the frequencies of the control group were 53.75% and 46.25% respectively, and the differences in the rs2200733 allele frequencies were statistically significant (P>0.05). Taking the CC genotype as a reference, the neonates with the TC genotype (OR=2.978, 95% CI=1.084~7.952, P=0.042) or the neonates with the TT genotype (OR=4.778, 95% CI=1.208~13.492, P=0.009) had an increased risk of esophageal atresia, of which the TT genotype indicated a higher risk. CONCLUSION: The polymorphic site rs2200733 (T/C) of the PITX2 gene is connected to the incidence of congenital esophageal atresia. The T-allele is a risk factor for congenital esophageal atresia, and compared with the CC genotype, the TT genotype has an increased risk of esophageal atresia.

Thoracoscopic repair of oesophageal atresia: experience of 33 patients from two tertiary referral centres.

BACKGROUND: With advances in minimally invasive surgery, thoracoscopic repair of oesophageal atresia has become popular in many centres worldwide and indeed has been described as the pinnacle of neonatal surgery. Here, we report our experience in two tertiary referral centres. METHODS: Thoracoscopic technique was introduced in 2007. Thus, a retrospective review of all patients diagnosed with oesophageal atresia was carried out. Patients who had thoracoscopic repair were included, and those who had open repair due to co-morbidities were excluded. Patient demographics, operative data, complications, and associated anomalies were noted. RESULTS: A total of thirty-three patients underwent thoracoscopic repair during the time period. Thirty-one were successfully repaired thoracoscopically. Two patients had conversions due to intra-operative instability. The mean body weight of the neonates was 2.58 kg. The mean operative time was 146 min. Three patients suffered from minor anastomotic leaks, which healed on conservative management. Seven patients had anastomotic strictures, which responded successfully to endoscopic dilatation. Two patients died in the post-operative period due to pneumonia. One patient had a recurrent fistula 3 months after the primary repair, and he subsequently underwent a successful second repair. CONCLUSIONS: In experienced hands, thoracoscopic repair of oesophageal atresia is at least as good as open surgery but with less surgical trauma. Standard of post-operative care contributes significantly to post-operative outcome. Thoracoscopic technique is now our preferred approach.