Specialist Nurse Anaesthesia and Theatre [Temporary Cover]
Fixed Term: 12 months in the first instance, with the potential to become permanent thereafter, subject to review and organisational requirements.
Are you keen to expand and develop your veterinary nursing skills in a fast-paced and dynamic environment? If so, we have an exciting opportunity to join our Veterinary Theatre Nursing Team at the Queens Veterinary School Hospital which is an integral part of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and is an RCVS accredited teaching Hospital that provides veterinary care 24/7 365 days a year.
We are seeking individuals with a passion for nursing, and the ability to communicate with all levels of staff, students and clients for this varied and interesting position. Full time or Part Time hours are available.
Working as part of a multi-skilled team of Veterinary Clinicians and Nurses the Specialist Nurse Anaesthesia and Theatre role is essential in supporting our specialist veterinary teams to deliver outstanding patient care and manage workflow throughout the hospital working in surgical theatres, medicine procedure rooms maintenance and monitoring of patients under general anaesthesia or sedation whilst having procedures, including diagnostic imaging. You will be available to assist specialist nurses with the care of their patients and teams and if necessary to the wards teams e.g. to monitor an intensive recovery or provide one-to-one patient care.
The referral hospital is a very fast-paced environment which requires the role holder to be adaptable with the ability to work on your own initiative with minimal supervision and working well under pressure is essential.
In return, we offer an encouraging and nurturing environment and have a dedicated team of clinicians and nurses who are committed to providing the best care for our patients.
The role is offered with a salary of between £31,236.00-£35,608.00 per annum depending on experience, plus on call allowance and an abundance of benefits such as:
- Competitive salary
- Friendly and caring environment, including plenty of cakes for birthdays
- Enhanced annual leave allowance of 36 days including bank holidays
- Enhanced pension scheme
- Access to CAMbens employee discounts, including discounted travel across Cambridge by bus
- Cycle to work scheme and travel to work loan scheme
- Family friendly benefits and enhanced leave
- Health and Wellbeing benefits such as discounted membership to the University's Sport Centre
- Training and Development and Career Development
Both full-time and part-time candidates may apply for this post. Working patterns can be discussed with candidates, so please include your preference in your application.
Informal enquiries about this role and to arrange informal visits, please contact James Gasson via email: jpg74@cam.ac.uk
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
To submit an application for this vacancy, please click on the link 'Apply online'. This will route you to the University's Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) before completing the online application form or visit the following website: http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/
Further particulars for the role and information about the Department are available in the Further Particulars document enclosed with this advert. If you are viewing this advert on an external site, please visit the University's job pages for access.
Closing date: Midnight on Wednesday 29 April 2026
Interviews will take place on Monday 11 May 2026
Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.
Please quote reference PP49353 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Investigation and systematic review of temporal associations between vaccination and onset of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia or thrombocytopenia in dogs
J Vet Intern Med. 2026 Mar 2;40(2):aalag057. doi: 10.1093/jvimsj/aalag057.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Vaccination is implicated in development of human immune-mediated diseases, but studies in dogs yielded conflicting results for immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) and thrombocytopenia (ITP).
HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To investigate temporal relationships between onset of IMHA or ITP and vaccination in dogs.
ANIMALS: Client-owned dogs with nonassociative IMHA (n = 295) and ITP (n = 163) at 4 referral hospitals, alongside control dogs (n = 1180 for IMHA, 652 for ITP) presented contemporaneously.
METHODS: Multicenter retrospective case-control study, with meta-analysis of published studies. Proportions vaccinated ≤ 30 days before disease onset were compared to controls, along with times since last vaccine.
RESULTS: Proportion of dogs vaccinated ≤ 30 days of disease onset was significantly higher in the IMHA group (35/295, 11.9%) compared with controls (72/1180, 6.1%; P = .0015). Dogs with IMHA vaccinated ≤ 30 days of disease onset were more likely to have received a L2 vaccine (Leptospira serovars Canicola and Icterohemorrhagiae) in their last dose than those vaccinated > 30 days before onset (P = .04). Meta-analysis indicated dogs with IMHA were 2.48 times (95% CI, 1.69-3.63) more likely to have been vaccinated in the past month than controls, but with high heterogeneity across this and 2 other studies. There was no difference in proportion of ITP dogs and controls vaccinated ≤ 30 days of disease onset, and meta-analysis with 1 other study showed no temporal association, though both analyses were likely underpowered.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: These results support a possible temporal association between vaccination and onset of IMHA in dogs. Our results do not establish a causal relationship between vaccination and IMHA.
PMID:41964608 | DOI:10.1093/jvimsj/aalag057
Veterinary Radiographer [Temporary Cover] (Part Time)
Are you a qualified Radiographer looking to specialise in veterinary imaging?
Are you a Veterinary Radiographer looking for an exciting change?
Are you a Veterinary Nurse looking for a new challenge?
If you have answered yes to any of the above we want to hear from you!
We have an exciting opportunity for a Radiographer to join a team of friendly radiographers, on a part time basis, in this busy Veterinary Teaching Hospital. This post is fixed-term for 12 months or the return of the post holder, whichever is the earlier.
Applicants should be a Registered Veterinary Nurse, or a qualified Diagnostic Radiographer holding either a BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography, or other relevant degree/qualification.
The role holder will be responsible for producing high quality clinical diagnostic images of small and large animals. This is an excellent opportunity to learn new skills to complement your existing knowledge and experience.
Experience of working in the veterinary profession would be advantageous but not essential as full training will be given.
Candidates with existing experience in veterinary radiography will be expected to take part in the out-of-hours rota as part of their role, for which additional remuneration will be made in line with the current University Policy. Candidates without prior veterinary radiography experience will not be required to participate in the rota initially; however, participation may be expected once appropriate training has been completed and competency has been achieved.
In return, we can offer a supportive and engaging environment and generous paid annual leave, plus public holidays. We encourage CPD and provide an allowance to support this, along with competitive staff benefits and services.
Further particulars for the role and information about the Department are available in the Further Particulars document enclosed with this advert. If you are viewing this advert on an external site, please visit the University's job pages for access.
Candidates who apply for the position are strongly encouraged to spend half a day in the Department to get a good understanding of the role, the Hospital and to meet the Radiography team prior to the interview. To arrange a visit please contact Sarah Mooney, Head Radiographer by email: sam284@cam.ac.uk
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the QVSH Clinical HR Team, by email: qvsh.hr@vet.cam.ac.uk. Please quote reference PP49342 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
To submit an application for this vacancy, please click on the link 'Apply online' or visit the vacancy pages on the following website: www.jobs.cam.ac.uk This will route you to the University's Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) before completing the online application form.
Closing date for applications: Midnight on Monday 4 May 2026
Interviews will be held mid/late May 2026.
Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.
Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.
Please quote reference PP49342 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Author Correction: Trade-offs in the externalities of pig production are not inevitable
Nat Food. 2026 Apr 9. doi: 10.1038/s43016-026-01345-w. Online ahead of print.
NO ABSTRACT
PMID:41957471 | DOI:10.1038/s43016-026-01345-w
The Cambridge Festival welcomes students from across the country for a taste of university life
Running over two days (24 and 26 March), students attended talks held in the Ray Dolby Centre and explored the multiverse with Dr Matthew Bothwell, a maths workshop delivered by NRICH and explored Must Farm with Department of Archaeology and the Cambridge Archaeological Unit.
Workshops held in the Department of Computer Science and Technology allowed students to get hands on with mini robots while sessions at the Department of Material Sciences and Metallurgy found out what happens when you freeze a squash ball with liquid nitrogen in sessions exploring the science of temperature, structure and materials.
The Cambridge University Vet School gave students the opportunity see what a career as a vet could involve by getting hands-on with animal x-rays, discovered how each professional works together to treat animals as well as meeting some of the school’s cows and horses to learn how veterinarians diagnose and treat these large animals.
Students investigated physics in workshops held by the outreach team at the Department of Physics as well as discovering coding with Raspberry Pi, understanding the human body and the history of medicine with the Whipple Museum, learning how to disagree well with Dr Elizabeth Phillips from The Woolf Institute, how to get creative through a poetry workshop and how antibodies save lives.
We were delighted to welcome KS2 pupils from Cheveley Primary School, Hope Street School, Kettlefields Primary, St Andrews Primary, Meldreth Primary School, St Anthonys Prep, Mayfield Primary, Stephen Perse, William Westley Primary School, Wetheringsett Manor, Isle of Ely Primary School, Holme Court School, St Laurence Catholic Primary School, and the University of Cambridge Primary School.
Our group of KS3 pupils came from Hope Street School, Marshland High School near King’s Lynn, Thomas Clarkson Academy from Wisbech, Wetheringsett Manor, Lymm High School from Warrington, Rickmansworth School, Impington Village College, Ipswich High School, The Duston School from Northampton, Charter School North Dulwich, Heritage School Cambridge, Ballard School from Hampshire and The Harleston Sancroft Academy from Norfolk.
We are also delighted that we have a growing number of homeschool pupils joining us on both days. One parent said: “"I want to thank you for all your time and support to help my son to attend activities on both days. It was fantastic and he has learned a lot and actively interacted with the academics and children he met. Now he likes science even more!"
Another said: "Just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the festival yesterday- organisation, the quality of presentations, communication. Thank you!"
Now in their fourth year, the Cambridge Festival schools days are offering students the opportunity to experience studying at Cambridge with a series of curriculum linked talks and hands on workshops.
The Cambridge Festival runs from 16 March – 2 April and is a mixture of online, on-demand and in-person events covering all aspects of the world-leading research happening at Cambridge. The public have the chance to meet some of the researchers and thought-leaders working in some of the pioneering fields that will impact us all.
Over 1,200 KS2 and KS3 pupils from across the region and beyond flocked to the Cambridge West site to experience studying at the University of Cambridge with a selection of lectures and workshops held as part of the Cambridge Festival.
Chad Cox for Cambridge FestivalPupils wear blue scrubs, masks, and caps stand attentively indoors, conveying focus and teamwork in a medical setting.
The text in this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Images, including our videos, are Copyright ©University of Cambridge and licensors/contributors as identified. All rights reserved. We make our image and video content available in a number of ways – on our main website under its Terms and conditions, and on a range of channels including social media that permit your use and sharing of our content under their respective Terms.
From Regeneration to Analgesia: The Role of BPC-157 in Tissue Repair and Pain Management
Int J Mol Sci. 2026 Mar 22;27(6):2876. doi: 10.3390/ijms27062876.
ABSTRACT
Body Protective Compound-157 (BPC-157) is a synthetic pentadecapeptide derived from gastric proteins that has demonstrated notable reparative and anti-inflammatory properties across diverse preclinical models. Experimental evidence reveals that BPC-157 supports angiogenesis, collagen synthesis, fibroblast activity, and modulation of nitric oxide pathways, contributing to enhanced healing of muscle, tendon, ligament, bone, and gastrointestinal tissue. Studies also report reduced inflammatory cytokine activity, improved microvascular integrity, and beneficial effects on pain modulation through peripheral and dopaminergic mechanisms. Although animal data indicate favorable safety and pharmacokinetics, human research remains limited to small pilot studies investigating musculoskeletal pain, interstitial cystitis, and intravenous administration, all suggesting potential therapeutic value without reported major adverse effects. However, inconsistent preparation standards, limited clinical validation, and regulatory restrictions underscore the need for rigorous controlled trials. BPC-157 remains a promising candidate for regenerative medicine, yet comprehensive evaluation is required before clinical translation can be recommended.
PMID:41898733 | DOI:10.3390/ijms27062876
International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. CXXI. Apelin receptor pharmacology in the human cardiovascular system and emerging clinical applications
Pharmacol Rev. 2026 Mar 14;78(3):100130. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmr.2026.100130. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
The apelin receptor binds 2 families of endogenous peptide, apelin and Elabela, but unusually these share little sequence similarity in the N-terminal sequences of the binding domains. Cryo-electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography combined with AlphaFold has yielded a molecular map of the interaction of amino acids with the apelin receptor in complex with endogenous peptides and biased ligands. In the early embryo, the apelin signaling pathway is essential for cardiovascular development, with receptor knockout models displaying severe cardiovascular defects. In adults, the principal short-term effects of [Pyr1]apelin-13, infused into healthy volunteers was increased cardiac output and decreased peripheral resistance without side effects. Importantly, these beneficial effects of systemic apelin were retained in patients with heart failure and pulmonary arterial hypertension. In chronic kidney disease, [Pyr1]apelin-13 showed additional therapeutic potential, increasing glomerular filtration rate while reducing proteinuria. Identification of these favorable actions in disease has sparked the development of more effective agonists with improved pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics profiles. Among these are G protein-biased peptide agonists, designed to minimize receptor desensitization by reducing internalization via the β-arrestin pathway. These have shown efficacy in proof-of-concept studies and in animal models of pulmonary arterial hypertension, one of the most promising therapeutic targets. This review focuses on the clinical pharmacology of the apelin receptor, exploring the pathophysiology of diseases where the apelin signaling pathway is dysregulated that have emerged during the last 5 years. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This review focuses on the pharmacology of the apelin receptor where structural analysis has generated a molecular map of interaction with endogenous ligands, apelin and Elabela, as well as with peptide and small molecule agonists. Novel unbiased and biased apelin agonists are progressing through the clinic targeting pathophysiological conditions where the apelin signaling pathway is dysregulated.
PMID:41895070 | DOI:10.1016/j.pharmr.2026.100130
Human urinary extracellular vesicle preparations inhibit <em>in vitro</em> biofilm formation against several uropathogens
Front Microbiol. 2026 Mar 11;17:1782549. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1782549. eCollection 2026.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) rank as one of the most frequent bacterial infections globally, with multiple bacterial species such as uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa being significant causative agents that can develop biofilms associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and recurrence. Urinary extracellular vesicles (UEVs) are nanosized particles secreted by cells lining the urinary tract which carry nucleic acid and protein cargo, including antibacterial proteins, and high concentrations of UEVs exert antibacterial activity against UPEC in vitro. This study investigated the antibiofilm potential of UEVs against biofilm-forming uropathogens.
METHODS: UEV preparations from healthy human volunteers were added to bacteria, and biofilm formation was assessed using safranin-based biofilm quantification.
RESULTS: UEV preparations from the majority of volunteers significantly inhibited biofilm formation of multiple uropathogens, including UPEC (66.2% [34.8%-85.6%] inhibition vs. control), P. aeruginosa (37.2% [5.8%-42.6%]), and K. pneumoniae (31.8% [18.0%-60.4%]), an effect evident at physiologically relevant concentrations. UEV concentrations that exhibited antibiofilm activity were also not sufficient to inhibit bacterial growth.
DISCUSSION: These findings highlight the potential role of UEVs as innate modulators of uropathogen biofilms and lay the groundwork for future exploration of the relevance of host-derived UEVs in determining risks of recurrent UTIs.
PMID:41889641 | PMC:PMC13013504 | DOI:10.3389/fmicb.2026.1782549
Client Services Administrator
We have an exciting opportunity for a personable and effective administrator to work in the Client Services function of the Queen's Veterinary School Hospital (QVSH). This position is full-time and operates on a rota system to cover the hospital reception's opening hours, which are currently Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 7:00pm.
The Client Service Administrator is the first point of contact within the Small Animal Hospital aiming to provide a first-class customer service, rotating between front desk and telephone to provide all front-of-house services, therefore a friendly, calm and confident communicator is essential. You will be responsible for receiving incoming calls and emails, processing payments, reconciling patient invoices, booking appointments, and liaising with clients, referring veterinary practices, QVSH clinicians, nurses and students. You should have experience of working in a busy administrative role, have excellent customer care skills, be numerate, accurate and have an eye for detail.
You must be efficient and experienced in Microsoft Office packages and have the ability to establish professional and effective working relationships with the wider team. Excellent organisation skills, attention to detail and flexibility are all essential parts of the role.
In return, we offer an encouraging and nurturing environment and have a dedicated team of clinicians and nurses who are committed to providing the best care for our patients.
Benefits:
- Generous paid annual leave including bank holidays
- Defined benefit pension scheme
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Access to a dedicated Personal and Professional Development team
- Wellness programme including Occupational Health team and Staff counselling
- Staff discount scheme including shopping vouchers
- Cycle to work scheme
- Travel to work loans
- Eye care voucher scheme
- Discounted gym membership
There may also be a requirement to participate in a weekend working, for which additional remuneration will be made in line with the University Policy.
For informal enquiries please contact the Clinical HR Team, by email: qvsh.hr@vet.cam.ac.uk. Please quote reference PP49062 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
Please outline in your job application how you meet the essential criteria set out in the Further Particulars.
Further particulars for the role and information about the Department are available in the Further Particulars document enclosed with this advert. If you are viewing this advert on an external site, please visit the University's job pages for access.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Closing date for applications: Midnight on Sunday 12 April 2026
Interviews will be held on Wednesday 22 April 2026
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications or extend it if we do not receive a sufficient number of applications. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Computational hermeneutics: evaluating generative AI as a cultural technology
Front Artif Intell. 2026 Feb 26;9:1753041. doi: 10.3389/frai.2026.1753041. eCollection 2026.
ABSTRACT
Generative AI (GenAI) systems are increasingly recognized as cultural technologies, yet current evaluation frameworks often treat culture as a variable to be measured rather than fundamental to the system's operation. Drawing on hermeneutic theory from the humanities, we argue that GenAI systems function as "context machines" that must inherently address three interpretive challenges: situatedness (meaning only emerges in context), plurality (multiple valid interpretations coexist), and ambiguity (interpretations naturally conflict). We present computational hermeneutics as an emerging framework offering an interpretive account of what GenAI systems do, and how they might do it better. We offer three principles for hermeneutic evaluation-that benchmarks should be iterative, not one-off; include people, not just machines; and measure cultural context, not just model output. This perspective offers a nascent paradigm for designing and evaluating contemporary AI systems: shifting from standardized questions about accuracy to contextual ones about meaning.
PMID:41837244 | PMC:PMC12979437 | DOI:10.3389/frai.2026.1753041
New title: Re-evaluating environmental associations with meningitis risk across Africa
Wellcome Open Res. 2026 Feb 13;10:497. doi: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.24771.2. eCollection 2025.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Previous analytical work, defining the distribution of meningitis epidemics in Africa is over 20 years old, with climate change representing an ongoing issue. We aim to update this analysis and determine if the meningitis belt geography and associated environmental risk factors have changed in the last two decades.
METHODS: Epidemic bacterial meningitis data from 2003-2022 were provided by WHO-AFRO. Districts across Africa were coded 1 if they experienced a meningitis outbreak and 0 if not. Monthly means of windspeed, rainfall, dust, and humidity were processed into climatic profiles using k-means clustering. We undertook logistic regression with meningitis epidemic history as the dependent variable and k-means clusters of rainfall, dust, humidity, and windspeed, alongside land-cover type as independent variables. A sensitivity analysis was conducted, excluding the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), due to limited laboratory confirmation of cases.
RESULTS: Rainfall, dust, windspeed and humidity demonstrated the strongest statistical association with outbreaks and were included in our final model. With a probability cut-off >0.4, our model had specificity and sensitivity of 82.07% and 82.22%, respectively, in identifying districts having experienced a meningitis epidemic. The Sahelian region had the highest risk of meningitis outbreaks (probability >0.8), consistent with previous findings. The inclusion/exclusion of the DRC had a significant impact on our model. In the full model the Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and Angola had a moderate risk of meningitis (probability >0.4), suggesting a possible expansion of the belt. However, when the DRC was excluded, no countries surrounding the meningitis belt were at risk for outbreaks, highlighting the importance of laboratory testing and case confirmation.
CONCLUSIONS: The apparent extension of risk beyond the belt possibly reflects surveillance limitations rather than alterations in disease ecology. Where possible, laboratory confirmation should be used to support surveillance of suspected meningitis outbreaks and cases.
PMID:41836644 | PMC:PMC12982989 | DOI:10.12688/wellcomeopenres.24771.2
Emergence of novel zoonotic and multi-drug resistant Streptococcus suis lineages
Clin Microbiol Infect. 2026 Mar 13:S1198-743X(26)00129-1. doi: 10.1016/j.cmi.2026.03.012. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Streptococcus suis is an emerging zoonotic porcine pathogen and a leading cause of adult bacterial meningitis in Southeast Asia, associated with raw pork consumption. Most zoonotic S. suis infections globally are caused by strains from lineage CC1 carrying a serotype 2 capsule. However, in Thailand, ∼40% of the reported zoonotic infections are caused by two endemic lineages, CC104 and CC233 which also have a serotype 2 capsule. In this study, we aimed to identify the drivers of the emergence and recent evolution of these two lineages.
METHODS: We sequenced the whole genomes of 141 Thai S. suis zoonotic and porcine strains isolated over a 15-year period and combined them with a curated global dataset of 2761 published S. suis genomes. Using comparative genomics, Bayesian evolutionary models and multivariate analysis we investigated the emergence of zoonotic potential and multi-drug resistance in CC104 and CC233.
RESULTS: We estimated recent emergence dates for both CC104 (1990; 95% posterior: 1987-1992) and CC233 (2002; 95% posterior: 2000-2004). Both lineages acquired a serotype capsule 2 from CC1 through a capsule locus switching event, prior to their emergence. Both lineages have also experienced multiple antimicrobial resistance (AMR) acquisition events, with some strains carrying 12 determinants encoding resistance against eight classes of antibiotics. Most importantly, CC104 and CC233 lineages are the first zoonotic lineages to have acquired increased resistance to penicillin and ceftriaxone, which form the standard therapy to treat S. suis infections in humans.
CONCLUSIONS: Horizontal transfer of multiple genomic regions can cause rapid emergence of novel multi-drug-resistant zoonotic S. suis lineages. As S. suis is mainly controlled and treated through the use of antibiotics in both pigs and humans, these findings highlight the urgent need for improved and enhanced surveillance, infection control, and treatments.
PMID:41833604 | DOI:10.1016/j.cmi.2026.03.012
Preliminary assessment of an adhesive gel barrier for the treatment of udder cleft dermatitis in dairy cows
Vet Rec. 2026 Mar 13. doi: 10.1002/vetr.70494. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Udder cleft dermatitis (UCD) is increasingly recognised in dairy cows. Severe lesions present with foul odour and open wounds, resulting in pain and discomfort. There is no established treatment for UCD. This open-label pilot study aimed to investigate the potential for an adhesive gel barrier to treat UCD.
METHODS: Two veterinary centres undertook the study on four farms. First, in five cows on one farm, proof-of-principle was sought in terms of benefit with weekly applications over 4 weeks, followed, second, by a small open-label study on a total of 25 cows on three other farms with weekly applications for up to 9 weeks.
RESULTS: In the initial five cows, adverse events were not observed and there was marked improvement in the lesions. The subsequent 25 cows had UCD lesions ranging from grade 2 to 5 on day 0, and consistent improvements were seen over time, especially in terms of malodour, discharge, lesion depth and re-epithelisation.
LIMITATIONS: This is a small, uncontrolled, open-label study.
CONCLUSION: Adhesive gel barriers appear to offer a solution for the treatment and management of UCD and should now be tested in a larger controlled trial.
PMID:41826247 | DOI:10.1002/vetr.70494
Diffuse alveolar damage, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema (NCPE). Part 2: NCPE apart from ARDS, molecular and cellular consequences of primary injury to the lung interstitium, with comparative immunology...
J Vet Diagn Invest. 2026 Mar 12:10406387251415457. doi: 10.1177/10406387251415457. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) and the related clinical syndrome-acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)-result in non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema (NCPE) through acute endothelial and/or alveolar epithelial injury. ARDS endotypes that have been suggested for human medicine may be applicable to veterinary contexts, and the molecular signatures of those endotypes require classification. Both the primary injury and the subsequent amplification by secondary inflammatory processes contribute to the molecular signature; raising awareness of these primary and secondary input processes increases the resolution of data analysis. Furthermore, species-specific differences in inflammatory pathways should be considered when interpreting data or applying new precision immunomodulatory therapeutics. We review other causes of NCPE in dogs and cats and explore the challenges in diagnosing pathologic pulmonary edema with histology. We explore the subsequent immune and cell-death processes that amplify the primary insult to the lung interstitium, ultimately leading to ARDS or DAD, along with the comparative immunology. For cases of acute lung damage-which result in non-cardiogenic edema that lack the classical histologic features of DAD-the histologic changes in dogs and cats can be subtle and nonspecific. Combining these subtle findings with a multidisciplinary approach to reviewing case evidence can yield greater diagnostic accuracy. Therefore, we summarize the histologic features that support a diagnosis of pathologic pulmonary edema and differentiate this condition from peracute agonal pulmonary edema or artefact.
PMID:41814885 | DOI:10.1177/10406387251415457
Junior Clinical Training Scholar in Veterinary Anaesthesia
SCHOLARSHIP AWARD: £21,970.00 (TAX EXEMPT) per annum
One-Year Junior Clinical Training Scholarship in Veterinary Anaesthesia (Anaesthesia Internship) Start date: 25 April 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter)
We are pleased to offer a one-year Junior Clinical Training Scholarship in Veterinary Anaesthesia, designed for veterinary graduates who wish to develop their knowledge and clinical skills in this specialty.
This hands-on programme provides broad exposure to all aspects of veterinary anaesthesia (primarily small animal) beyond the professional degree, providing extra practical experience and training in the clinical and basic sciences relating to anaesthesia under the supervision of EBVS approved Diplomates.
As part of the role, you will contribute to the Departments clinical service, including participation in the out-of-hours rota, and support the small-group teaching of veterinary students. The programme offers extensive experience with a wide variety of medical cases and procedures, making it an excellent stepping stone towards a residency or advanced clinical practice.
What We Offer
- Competitive tax-free stipend including onsite accommodation (available for £300 per month including bills) in Central Cambridge
- CPD allowance and encouragement to attend and present at scientific meetings
- Good work-life balance with manageable out of hours duties on a shared rota
- Academic opportunities, e.g. teaching Cambridge students during rotations and College supervision opportunities; weekly department research and clinical seminars; journal and book clubs
- Proven track-record with publications and research projects with guidance on presentation and scientific writing skills.
- Assigned supervisor: - regular progress meetings, interview practice, provision of professional references and CV/cover letter proof reading by experienced senior clinicians to aid residency applications
- University library and extensive journal access
Who Can Apply
Applicants must be Members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons or hold a veterinary degree that qualifies them for membership. A minimum of one years' experience in a UK-based primary care small animal practice, during which you have gained knowledge of UK veterinary regulations and practices, is preferred. Applicants should have completed their VetGDP.
Interested?
We warmly invite prospective applicants to arrange a visit to the hospital to meet the team and find out more. For informal enquiries about the scholarship programme and to arrange to visit please contact Professor Alice Bird, Teaching Professor and Principal Clinical Anaesthetist, by email: arb59@cam.ac.uk.
For general enquires on the application process please direct these to the HR Team via: vetmed@vet.cam.ac.uk.
Further information about the internship is provided in the Further Information Pack enclosed with this advert. If you are viewing this advert on an external website, please visit the University's job pages to access the pack.
How to Apply
Download the application form (JCTS1) and information pack from our website: www.vet.cam.ac.uk/job
Submit your completed application form (JCTS1), CV, and Covering Letter (outlining your motivation for applying) as one attachment via email to: vetmed@vet.cam.ac.uk
Deadline: Midnight on 29 March 2026
Interviews will be held on the week commencing 06 April 2026.
Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and we may contact suitable candidates before the closing date. We reserve the right to close or extend this vacancy at any time should we receive a sufficient number of applications. If you are interested in this role, we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.
For more information about the Department and the role please visit www.vet.cam.ac.uk.
Important Information
Please note: The ability to take up this Scholarship is contingent upon you being able to evidence your right to work in the UK, or through gaining the right to work via the UK immigration system. Evidence will need to be provided before an offer can be made. Regrettably, this Scholarship is not suitable for sponsorship via the Skilled Worker or Temporary Worker visa routes as the minimum requirements cannot be met. Other visa options may be available depending on your individual circumstances. Further information can be found on the UK Government website: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas. All visa related costs are the responsibility of the applicant. These charges will not be reimbursed by the University, regardless of the outcome of the application.
Toll-like receptor signaling outcome is determined by the stoichiometry of the endogenous TRIFosome
Sci Adv. 2026 Mar 6;12(10):eaeb9507. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aeb9507. Epub 2026 Mar 6.
ABSTRACT
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) drive innate immunity via assembly of macromolecular signal transduction platforms [supramolecular organizing centers (SMOCs)] coordinated by adaptor proteins such as Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) domain-containing adaptor-inducing interferon-β (TRIF), but whether oligomeric TRIFosomes form is unknown. Here, using cryo-electron microscopy and biophysical characterization of full-length TRIF in vitro, we show that it forms filamentous oligomers, which associate with the TRIF signaling partners receptor interacting protein 1 (RIP1) and RIP3 kinases, suggesting that oligomeric TRIFosomes could form. Endogenous TRIF, however, is predominantly monomeric in the absence of ligand, only forming TRIFosome oligomers in macrophages after stimulation of TLR4 or TLR3 when large, macromolecular signaling complexes form. TRIFosomes are fully formed 45 min after TLR3 or 60 min after TLR4 stimulation, commensurate with activation of nuclear factor κB in these cells. TLR3/4 activation triggers rapid interferon signaling prior to TRIFosome formation through monomeric TRIF, unexpectedly suggesting that a macromolecular platform of TRIF is not required to drive this signaling pathway. Collectively, these data show TRIFosome macromolecular platform formation and, unexpectedly, that TLR signaling can be SMOC-independent in addition to being SMOC-dependent.
PMID:41790885 | DOI:10.1126/sciadv.aeb9507
Transforming women's health
Endometriosis affects around 10% of women worldwide and is often a cause of infertility. Léa Wenger's start-up, Cyclana has set itself the task of understanding the disease and finding a treatment.
Comparing artificial intelligence and healthcare professional performance in surgical and interventional video analysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
NPJ Digit Med. 2026 Mar 6. doi: 10.1038/s41746-026-02401-2. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the design of studies comparing the performance of artificial intelligence (AI) with that of healthcare professionals in the analysis of videos from surgical and interventional procedures, and quantitatively evaluates the performance of AI, unassisted healthcare professionals, and AI-assisted healthcare professionals. From the 37,956 studies identified, 146 were included, with 76 providing sufficient information for inclusion in our exploratory meta-analysis. AI had significantly greater sensitivity and comparable specificity compared to unassisted healthcare professionals at their respective peak performance levels, with a relative risk of 1.12 (95% CI 1.07-1.19, p < 0.001) and 1.04 (95% CI 0.98-1.10, p = 0.224), respectively. AI-assisted healthcare professionals had significantly greater sensitivity and specificity compared to unassisted healthcare professionals across all levels of expertise, with a relative risk of 1.18 (95% CI 1.12-1.25, p < 0.001) and 1.05 (95% CI 1.02-1.08, p < 0.001), respectively. There was no significant difference in sensitivity and specificity of AI-assisted expert healthcare professionals versus AI, with a relative risk of 0.99 (95% CI 0.95-1.04, p = 0.787) and 1.03 (95% CI 0.97-1.08, p = 0.395), respectively. Whilst most studies to date have evaluated AI head-to-head against unassisted healthcare professionals, fewer studies examined AI as an assistive tool, despite the real-world integration of AI more likely to involve assistance than autonomy.
PMID:41786868 | DOI:10.1038/s41746-026-02401-2
Diffuse alveolar damage, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Part 1: ARDS endotypes, including systemic inflammatory response syndrome and sepsis, with dog and cat examples
J Vet Diagn Invest. 2026 Mar 4:10406387261418009. doi: 10.1177/10406387261418009. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Diffuse alveolar damage (DAD)-one histologic manifestation of severe acute interstitial lung injury-includes a subset of cases with the clinical diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ARDS and DAD both involve acute damage to endothelial and alveolar epithelial cells, resulting in pulmonary edema. DAD has well-defined histologic stages, including cell exudation and hyaline membranes, followed by type II pneumocyte hyperplasia. More severe lesions progress to chronic interstitial fibrosis. ARDS and DAD have diverse causes in humans and animals, yet historically were viewed as universal pathways of tissue dysfunction irrespective of cause. Molecular data have suggested that ARDS has heterogeneous signatures in epithelial, endothelial, and inflammatory cells that can characterize the specific pathogenesis of individual cases and therefore support targeted treatment. The signatures are grouped into endotypes classified according to the mechanism of primary damage. The proposed ARDS endotypes are epithelial injury, endothelial injury, angiopathy, systemic inflammatory response, and local inflammatory response. We present the pathogeneses that form the foundation of the ARDS endotypes, including evidence from dogs and cats. Specific canine and feline causes of ARDS can be assigned to an ARDS endotype. For some etiologies, multiple endotypes are applicable, highlighting the need for increased resolution of the underpinning evidence to best support the accurate application of ARDS endotypes to clinical cases.
PMID:41782298 | DOI:10.1177/10406387261418009
Veterinary Care Assistant
Salary: £23,934.67 (pro rata for 0.95 FTE) + 15% Shift Allowance = £27,524.87 per annum.
This equates to an hourly rate of £13.24 plus a 15% shift allowance.
We have an exciting opportunity for someone to join us as a 24/7 Veterinary Care Assistant in our Small Animal Wing on a permanent basis. The referral hospital is a very fast-paced environment working with complex and seriously ill animals.
The main objective of the role is to provide animal care to an excellent standard for the Queen's Veterinary School referral Hospital, to meet the needs of the service in the Small Animal Wing. The small animal wing consists of four dog, two cat, critical care, isolation wards housing an average of 15-25 patients during the overnight period and Theatre Suite.
You will play an important part in a primary care team working alongside nurses and other veterinary care assistants. Responsibilities will include cleaning and animal care duties in order to assist veterinary nurses in the inpatient area and in theatres.
In return, we offer an encouraging and nurturing environment and have a dedicated team of clinicians, nurses and veterinary care assistants who are committed to providing the best care for our patients.
Benefits
- Generous paid annual leave including bank holidays
- Defined benefit pension scheme
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Access to a dedicated Personal and Professional Development team
- Wellness programme including Occupational Health team and Staff counselling
- Staff discount scheme including shopping vouchers
- Cycle to work scheme
- Travel to work loans
- Eye care voucher scheme
- Discounted gym membership
If you have any questions about this role please contact the QVSH Clinical HR Team by email: qvsh.hr@vet.cam.ac.uk. Please quote reference PP48989 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
Further particulars for the role and information about the Department are available in the Further Particulars document enclosed with this advert. If you are viewing this advert on an external site, please visit the University's job pages for access.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Closing date: Midnight on Sunday, 15 March 2026
Interviews will take place late March/early April 2026.
Applications will be monitored regularly, and we may contact candidates prior to the closing date. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.