J Smith

Publications (3)6.34 Total impact

• Article: Loop-mediated isothermal amplification for rapid detection of the causal agents of cassava brown streak disease.

  J A Tomlinson, S Ostoja-Starzewska, I P Adams, D W Miano, P Abidrabo, Z Kinyua, T Alicai, M J Dickinson, D Peters, N Boonham, J Smith
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  ABSTRACT: The causal agents of cassava brown streak disease have recently been identified as Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV). Primers have been developed for rapid detection of these viruses by reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP). Performance of the RT-LAMP assays compared favourably with published RT-PCR and real-time RT-PCR methods. Furthermore, amplification by RT-LAMP is completed in 40min and does not require thermal cycling equipment. Modification of the RT-LAMP reactions to use labelled primers allowed rapid detection of amplification products using lateral flow devices containing antibodies specific to the incorporated labels, avoiding the need for fluorescence detection or gel electrophoresis.
  Journal of virological methods 07/2012; · 2.13 Impact Factor
• Article: The complete genome sequence of the Tanzanian strain of Cassava brown streak virus and comparison with the Ugandan strain sequence.

  Wendy A Monger, T Alicai, J Ndunguru, Z M Kinyua, M Potts, R H Reeder, D W Miano, I P Adams, N Boonham, R H Glover, J Smith
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  ABSTRACT: The complete genome sequence for an isolate of the Ugandan and Tanzanian strain types of Cassava brown streak virus have been determined using the novel approach of non-directed next generation sequencing. Comparison of the genome sequences revealed that CBSV is highly heterogeneous at the isolate level as well as the strain level. The isolate of the Ugandan strain was found to have a genome 9,070 nucleotides long coding for a polypeptide with 2,902 amino acid residues. The isolate of the Tanzanian strain was 9,008 nucleotides long and coded for a polypeptide with 2,916 amino acid residues. Nucleotide identity between the isolates across the genome was 76%, with protein encoding regions 57-77% and individual proteins had 65-91% amino acid similarity. In addition between the two strains four protein products (PIPO, CI, NIa-Vpg and coat protein) varied in size and an unusual HAM1-like protein, whilst of identical nucleotide length, was found to have the lowest homology. The implication of diversity of CBSV is discussed in the context of speciation, evolution, development of diagnostics, and breeding for resistance.
  Archives of Virology 03/2010; 155(3):429-33. · 2.11 Impact Factor
• Article: A prospective observational study of post‐operative analgesic requirements for fundonlication

  J. Smith, J. Craske, R. Howard
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  ABSTRACT: Introduction Laparoscopic surgical techniques have developed more slowly in children than adults. This is due to technical problems, a longer surgical learning curve and an underappreciation of post-operative pain and surgical stress in small children (1). Fundoplication is a well-established procedure that is commonly performed in children. The laparoscopic approach is becoming increasingly popular and it is claimed to result in a significantly lower or even no post-operative opioid requirement (2,3)Methods Over a one-year period all children undergoing elective Fundoplication were prospectively studied. The surgical technique (laparoscopy or laparotomy) and intra-operative analgesic requirements were recorded. Postoperatively the pain control service reviewed the analgesic requirements twice daily and any parenteral or epidural infusions weaned as appropriate to the pain scores.Results A total of 64 cases were studied, 40 performed via laparotomy, and 24 by laparoscopy. Post-operative pain was controlled with a morphine nurse controlled analgesia system (NCA) in all the laparoscopy patients and 18 of the laparotomy patients. The remaining 22 patients in the laparotorny group received epidural analgesia postoperatively. The mean weight was 12 kg for each group. Laparotomy took a mean of 103 min while laparoscopy a mean of 163 min. Mean time to first oral intake was 46 hours for laparotomy and 38 hours for laparoscopy.Discussion As the population studied included one whole years caseload selection bias was minimised so we feel that these results truly reflect the analgesic requirements for this operation. Suprisingly intra-operative opioid administration was greater during laparoscopy than laparotomy. This may just reflect the longer surgical time but could also be explained by the anaesthetists responding to the cardiovascular responses of hypertension and tachycardia elicited by pneumoperitoneum (2). Contrary to other studies (2,3) we found that even on days 3–4 post-laparoscopy a significant number of patients needed parenteral opioids augmented with simple analgesics. Patients who are discharged within 3 days of their operation are in danger of experiencing significant pain at home and must be followed up. The laparoscopy group had a shorter time to first oral intake and a better cosmetic outcome reflecting the reported advantages of this approach.Conclusions Laparoscopic fundoplication has a significant intra and post-operative analgesic requirement that has previously been underestimated. The laparoscopic approach leads to a quicker oral intake and a better cosmetic result.
  Pediatric Anesthesia 12/2002; 12(9):828 - 828. · 2.10 Impact Factor