Rod McNeil breaks down the impact of the Brexit deal on healthcare in the UK, including medicines regulation, research funding, sharing of information and the ability to work abroad. A disorderly no-deal exit from the European Union (EU) was averted...
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) recently conducted a very short consultation without notice regarding changes to the NHS (England, Performers Lists) Regulation 2013.
In a recent discussion with colleagues, someone recognised that many, when asked what they do, say, “I am a doctor”. Rather than “I work as a doctor”. This sense of belonging, pride and duty comes with responsibility. Becoming a surgeon,...
MicroRNAs (miR) are small non-coding RNA that target mRNA for destruction. MiR target about 30% of the protein coding genes and fine tune their expression. MiR have been shown to be involved in several cellular processes including cell cycle, tissue...
Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union (EU) or leave? It’s a big decision involving some complex issues, and there’s no doubt the EU will continue to change. Ipsos MORI’s monthly EU voting intention poll published...
Collecting points and ticking boxes – as we come to the end of another three year cycle of continuing education and training (CET), the rush to ensure that everything has been completed on the myGOC (General Optical Council) dashboard feels...
Pathological myopia (PM) is a leading cause of irreversible visual impairment worldwide, and efforts are dedicated to the study of its underlying mechanisms. Axial extension of the eyeball is regulated via a cascade of biochemical molecules that are initiated in...
A new set of data protection regulations became law in the EU (including the UK) in May 2018. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) replaces the 1988 Data Protection Act. The regulation brings new rights and expectations about how our personal...
MicroRNAs (miR) are small non-coding single-stranded RNA molecules, normally 22 nucleotides long. There is a large family of miR that control protein expression by binding to mRNAs, leading to their degradation. One important role of miR is in tumours where...
This article reviews the risk factors, clinical presentation and therapies that have been investigated for non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAAION). Additionally, it provides an update from recent rodent and primate models, offering a new insight into the pathophysiology of...
This study investigated the influence of nicotine in an experimentally induced diabetic rat model. They used non-invasive high-resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) imaging to provide quantitative information on the temporal alterations of retinal structures at the micrometer resolution...
Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) is a debilitating, sight-threatening, systemic autoimmune disease with no effective treatment available. SS is characterised by lacrimal gland lymphocytic infiltration and epithelial cell death, as well as by the presence of serum autoantibodies. Patients have severe dry...