However, a significant decrease was detected in the counts of Campylobacter species in treated animals between day 0 and day 31 (4.86-3.40 log colony-forming units/g; P=0.002). CONCLUSION This study indicates that supplementation with P acidilactici represents a useful approach to control Campylobacter species load in free-range finishing pigs before slaughter. © British Veterinary Association 2020. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.BACKGROUND Refractometric determination of total protein (TP) in synovial fluid (SF) is commonly used for diagnosis and monitoring of synovial sepsis in horses. Previous studies have shown that elevated concentrations of certain anticoagulants may overestimate refractometric determination of TP concentration. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of dipotassium EDTA (K2EDTA) and lithium heparin (LH) on TP determination by using a hand-held refractometer in equine synovial fluid. STUDY DESIGN Cross-section observational study. METHODS Thirty samples of synovial fluid obtained from 22 horses with different synovial conditions were collected. Synovial fluid samples were separated into different aliquots and placed in commercially available collection tubes containing K2EDTA or LH at four different concentrations (1.76, 3.52, 7.04 and 17.6 mg/ml for K2EDTA; 16, 32, 64 and 160 IU/ml for LH) . Refractometric TP determination was performed on untreated and K2EDTA and LH aliquots with a hand-held refractometer and by spectophotometric Biuret method as the gold standard. RESULTS Refractometric TP determination was overestimated in SF samples containing 10 times the recommended K2EDTA concentrations. Lower concentrations of K2EDTA and LH concentrations did not affect refractometric TP determinations. MAIN LIMITATIONS Limited number of samples mostly obtained from large synovial structures. CONCLUSION To avoid incorrect TP determination, the use of LH containing collection tubes may be an appropriate alternative when the SF volume available is not enough to fill the K2EDTA collection tube. © British Veterinary Association 2020. No commercial re-use.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/gpna.html  See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.BACKGROUND The beta-lactamase enzyme OXA-48 has spread widely in recent years in Enterobacteriaceae associated with man, disseminated primarily on incompatibility group L/M plasmids. OXA-48 confers resistance to carbapenems, important antimicrobials for treating highly resistant bacterial infections in humans. This enzyme has rarely been detected in bacteria from animals. Furthermore, the use of carbapenem compounds is not permitted in food-producing animals in Europe and to our knowledge has not been reported in food-producing animals globally. METHODS Bacterial isolates from lesions in stranded, free-living, juvenile common seals (Phoca vitulina) were identified. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole genome sequencing analysis were used to characterise antimicrobial resistance genes carried by the bacteria. RESULTS Here, we report the detection of Klebsiella pneumoniae subspecies pneumoniae carrying the bla OXA-48 gene on an incompatibility group L/M plasmid from an infection in a common seal. CONCLUSION Evidence is accruing that marine mammals may be infected with bacteria originating from anthropogenic sources, such as human sewage, contaminating the environment. © British Veterinary Association 2020. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.BACKGROUND Appraisal of resident clinical performance is critical during training. The most common method for this is feedback to residents based on impressions of supervising clinicians. How effective these practices are for veterinary residents remains unknown. This study focused on establishing perceptions of veterinary residents and supervisors regarding the feedback process. METHODS A qualitative case study format was chosen to investigate the perceptions and experiences within a well-developed residency programme. The study cohort consisted of veterinary residents and supervisors from the same specialties. Qualitative data were collected through individual semistructured interviews continuing iteratively until theoretical saturation was reached (14 in total). RESULTS Mismatches in resident and supervisor perceptions were evident regarding positive feedback delivery and the importance of dialogue. The nature of the resident/supervisor relationship and the efficacy of feedback were closely interlinked. The development of a feedback-friendly culture would be beneficial. Residents perceived that feedback on teaching was lacking. Milestones were perceived to be lacking. CONCLUSION The results highlight a need for change away from the 'no news is good news' culture. Development of training workshops, formation of closer relationships between supervisors and residents, and a transition to competency-based education may be necessary. © British Veterinary Association 2020. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.The development of pollen is a pre-requisite for double fertilization in angiosperms. COPII mediates anterograde transport of vesicles from the endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi. Components of the COPII complex have been reported to regulate either sporophytic or gametophytic control of pollen development. The Arabidopsis genome encodes five Sar1 isoforms, the small GTPases essential for COPII formation. By using a dominant negative (DN) approach, Sar1 isoforms were proposed to have distinct cargo specificity despite their sequence similarity. Here, we examined the function of three Sar1 isoforms through analysis of CRISPR/Cas9-generated mutants. We report that functional loss of Sar1b caused malfunction of tapetum, leading to male sterility. Ectopic expression of Sar1c could compensate for Sar1b loss-of-function in sporophytic control of pollen development, suggesting that they are interchangeable. Functional distinction between Sar1b and Sar1c may have resulted from their different gene transcription levels based on expression analyses. On the other hand, Sar1b and Sar1c redundantly mediate male gametophytic development such that the sar1b;sar1c microspores aborted at anther developmental stage 10. The study uncovers the role of Sar1 isoforms in both sporophytic and gametophytic control of pollen development. It also suggests that distinct function of Sar1 isoforms may be caused by their distinct transcription programs. copyright, serif 2020 American Society of Plant Biologists. All rights reserved.