Outer retinal degeneration in two closely related Goeldi's monkeys (Callimico goeldii)

This case report comprises studies of four Goeldi's monkeys (Callimico goeldii) from the same enclosure. Globe samples from two related C goeldii (the female C goeldii and her male offspring) were available for a histopathological evaluation. Both cases presented histopathologically evident outer retinal degeneration with differences in severity. There was marked outer retinal atrophy characterized by loss of the outer and inner photoreceptor segments, and depletion of the outer retinal nuclear layer. Furthermore, we report a reduction in the thickness of the outer retinal plexiform, inner retinal nuclear layer, and inner retinal plexiform layer in these C goeldii monkeys. To the authors’ knowledge, these findings have not yet been reported in wild‐ or captive‐bred population of C goeldii.     

Serological evidence for a non-protective RHDV-like virus

The data were recorded during a Rabbit haemorrhagic disease outbreak that occurred in France in 2001 in a wild population of rabbits that we have been monitoring since 2000. These data suggested the existence of non-protective antibodies due to a putative RHDV-like virus. Twenty-one blood and 22 liver samples were taken from the 26 corpses of recently dead rabbits that were found. RHDV was found in all liver samples. A first screening for RHD antibodies, carried out using an ELISA based on the detection of VP60-RHDV antigen, showed that 20 of the rabbits were seropositive. Moreover, we determined antibody titres for 13 of these 20 seropositive samples. All were > or = 1/400. Such titres normally indicate antibody levels sufficient to confer protection to all known RHDV or RHDV-like strains. For 16 samples, we determined whether these rabbits had died of a chronic or an acute form of the disease, by employing monoclonal antibody (Mabs)--based differential ELISA. All had died of an acute form of RHD. Because the antibodies detected by this VP60-ELISA test are known to appear 5-6 days after infection and since acute RHD generally kills the rabbits 2-3 days after infection, we assumed that the detected antibodies must have been present before the exposure to the virus that killed these rabbits. A second detection of antibodies was made with Mabs that are specific for RHDV. The results were negative, showing that the antibodies detected with the VP60 ELISA test were not specific for RHDV. We sequenced a portion of the VP60 gene of viruses isolated in 17 rabbits. All RHDV isolates were very similar to the RHDV strains commonly isolated in France during this period, suggesting that this viral strain was not a putative variant that is not neutralised by antibodies. Therefore we conclude that the detected antibodies were probably due to a RHDV-like virus that induces the production of detectable but non-protective antibodies.     

Monitoring the fate of a 30-year-old truffle orchard in Burgundy: from Tuber melanosporum to Tuber aestivum

Truffles, i.e. tree root-associated fungal fruiting bodies, clearly range among the world’s most exclusive delicacies. Despite the quite restricted natural geographic occurrence of one of the most renowned fungal species, namely Tuber melanosporum, the development of inoculation procedures in the late 1960s made it possible to enlarge its production area in different countries. This was achieved by planting orchards with host tree seedlings colonized by the fungus. In the present work, we investigate the behavior of one of the earliest T. melanosporum orchards planted in Burgundy (France) over a long-term scale (more than 30 years). A picture of the orchard evolution was obtained by recording truffle yields and fungal morphotypes over the seasons and relating them to host-tree development and climate data. The most relevant results include the time-delayed, but rather fast replacement of inoculated T. melanosporum by naturally occurring T. aestivum and the key role of climate in the inter-annual variability of truffle production.     

The new French 2010 Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus causes an RHD-like disease in the Sardinian Cape hare (Lepus capensis mediterraneus)

Lagovirus is an emerging genus of Caliciviridae, which includes the Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) of rabbits and the European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV) of hares that cause lethal hepatitis. In 2010, a new RHDV related virus (RHDV2) with a unique genetic and antigenic profile and lower virulence was identified in France in rabbits. Here we report the identification of RHDV2 as the cause in Sardinia of several outbreaks of acute hepatitis in rabbits and Cape hare (Lepus capensis mediterraneus). This is the first account of a lagovirus that causes fatal hepatitis in both rabbits and hares.     

β-Aminobutyric Acid-induced Resistance in Plants

Thehe broad sprectrum protective effect of the non-protein amino acid -aminobutyric acid (BABA) against numerous plant diseases has been well-documented in the literature. Here, we present an overview of BABA-induced protection in various pathosystems. Contriidictory reports concerning the mechanism of action underlying this type of protection incited us to take advantage of Arabidopsis/pathogen interactions as model systems to investigate the action of BABA at the genetic and molecular level. We present evidence that the protective effect of BABA is due to a potentiation of natural defense mechanisms against biotic and abiotic stresses. In order to dissect the pathways involved in potentiation by BABA describe the use of a mutational approach based on BABA-induced female sterility in Arabidopsis.     

Proteomics: a promising approach to study biotic interaction in legumes. A review

Summary During the 1990s and early 2000s, the genomes of different organisms have been completely sequenced. Nowadays, biological research is directed to understand gene expression and function. Proteomics, understood as protein biochemistry on an unprecedented and high-throughput scale, is becoming a promising and active approach in this post-genomic period. However, its application to plants is still rather limited as compared to other biological systems. After having referred to the most recent plant proteomic reviews, we focused on legume proteomics including studies with the model species Medicago truncatula. This review is aimed at providing to non-proteomic specialists a global overview of what might be expected in entering this field.