Biomedical subjects

Tian Wen

Publications and source records attributed to Tian Wen.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Microarray-in-a-tube for detection of multiple viruses.

BACKGROUND: The detection of multiple viruses is important for pathogenic diagnosis and disease control. Microarray detection is a good method, but requires complex procedures for multiple virus detection. METHODS: We developed a novel PCR assay, the microarray-in-a-tube system, which integrates multiple PCR processes and DNA microarrays for multiple virus detection. A 5 x 5 oligonucleotide microarray for detecting 4 respiratory tract viruses (severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus, influenza A virus, influenza B virus, and enterovirus) with inner controls was arranged on the inner surface of a specially designed Eppendorf cap with a flat, optically transparent window. RESULTS: We were able to perform all detection processes in the encapsulated system without opening the cap. The 4 viruses were successfully amplified by one-step reverse transcription-PCR in the encapsulated tube. After the PCR process, the microarray-in-a-tube was inverted, and the fluorescence-labeled PCR products were directly hybridized on the microarray. Hybridization signals were obtained with an ordinary fluorescent microscope. The sensitivity of the system for virus detection reached 10(2) copies/microL. With the help of inner controls, the system provided reliable results without false negatives and false positives. CONCLUSIONS: The microarray-in-a-tube system is a rapid, labor-saving tool for multiple virus detection with several advantages, such as convenience, prevention of cross-contamination of the PCR products, and potential for multiple-gene detection.

DNA Probes↗

PubMed2005

A semi-quantitative microarray method to detect fetal RNAs in maternal plasma.

OBJECTIVES: To set up a semi-quantitative microarray method for the detection of fetal RNAs in maternal plasma. METHODS: We developed a semi-quantitative microarray method for the detection of placental RNA in maternal plasma. Firstly, the selected fetal RNAs were linearly amplified from the maternal plasma and then fluorescently labeled as the target DNAs. Finally, the targets were hybridized and detected by capturing DNA probes on a microarray slide. Two genes of beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta-hCG) and zinc finger gene on the Y chromosome (ZFY) were assayed with the microarray, and beta actin gene was used as an internal standard. Eighty-five pregnant women in the first trimester and the third trimester of gestation joined in this experiment, 14 of them also sampling in 36 h after delivery for the same assay. Real-time quantitative PCR was performed for comparison. RESULTS: It was found that the mRNA level of beta-hCG decreased with the increasing of gestation age, and it was much higher in the carriers of the female fetus than in the carriers of the male fetus in the first trimester of gestation, which was consistent with the real-time quantitative PCR results. The results also reveal that delivery would result in the clearance of fetal mRNA in maternal plasma. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the semi-quantitative microarray method has great potential as a high-throughput assay in prenatal diagnosis and clinical laboratory.

Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human↗

PubMed2004

The abdominal flap using scarred skin in the treatment of postburn hand deformities of severe burn patients.

PURPOSE: To present a random-pattern flap technique using scarred skin from the abdominal wall to cover the defect after burn scar was released from the hand and the scarred skin raised from the hand was transferred to the abdominal wall to cover the flap-donor area in patients who suffered from severe burns involving the entire body and had no available healthy skin to be used for coverage. METHODS: Ten hands of 7 patients (5 males, 2 females) were treated in our department between April 1994 and February 2001. The total body surface area involved with second-or third-degree burns was 85% to 96% and there was no available healthy skin to be used for reconstruction. All hands had severe scar contracture on the dorsum and lost most of their function and the patients lost the ability to take care of themselves. The scarred skin on the dorsum of the hand was elevated integrally as a flap based on the ulnar border of the hand. The tendons were released, the stiff metacarpophalangeal joints were mobilized by closed capsulotomies, and the contracture of the thumb web space was released. A random-pattern abdominal flap using scarred skin was designed and elevated to cover the defect of the scar-released hand and the scarred skin raised from the dorsum of the hand was transferred to cover the defect of the abdominal flap donor site. RESULTS: The flaps that were transferred to the dorsum of the hands survived entirely and the defects of the flap donor area were covered perfectly without further skin graft. All patients were evaluated for 0.5 to 4 years after surgery. The range of motion of the metacarpophalangeal joints and the space capacity of the thumb web were improved greatly. All patients regained the ability to take care of themselves. CONCLUSIONS: This method is simple and has satisfactory results. It appears from our experience that the mature postburn scarred skin on the abdomen can be used for a flap procedure for reconstructing the burned hand and that the scarred skin raised from the dorsum of the hand can be transferred to cover the flap donor sites on the abdomen. Under circumstances in which there is no normal skin for reconstruction the function of the burned hand could be improved greatly by this method.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Nontraumatic paralysis of the radial nerve with multiple constrictions.

PURPOSE: To present an uncommon lesion of radial nerve paralysis with multiple constrictions. METHOD: Eight patients were treated in our department between January 1994 and August 2000. There were 4 men and 4 women with a mean age of 26 years (10-43 y). The radial nerves of all patients were explored. There were 1 to 5 segmental constrictive lesions at the main trunks of the radial nerves or the posterior interosseous nerves; no obvious extrinsic compression was noted. Epineurolysis was performed in 3 patients, in the other 5 patients the constricted portions of the nerves were resected, and neurorrhaphy was performed in 2 patients, nerve-grafting in 3. Histologic examination of the resected portions showed concentration of inflammatory cells around the vessels in the perineurium. RESULTS: The patients were followed-up for 6 months to 4 years after surgery. Seven patients had at least grade 4 muscle strength in the involved muscles. One patient who was treated by external neurolysis 15 months after onset had no signs of recovery 10 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Nontraumatic paralysis of the radial nerve with multiple constrictions is very uncommon. The etiology may be a focal inflammatory response around the feeding arteries in the perineurium.

Adolescent↗