A truncated retrotransposon disrupts the GRM1 coding sequence in Coton de Tulear dogs with Bandera's neonatal ataxia

Background: Bandera's neonatal ataxia (BNAt) is an autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia that affects members of the Coton de Tulear dog breed. Objective: To identify the mutation that causes BNAt. Animals: The study involved DNA from 112 Cotons de Tulear (including 15 puppies with signs of BNAt) and 87 DNA samples from dogs of 12 other breeds. Methods: The BNAt locus was mapped with a genome‐wide association study (GWAS). The coding exons of positional candidate gene GRM1, which encodes metabotropic glutamate receptor 1, were polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐amplified and resequenced. A 3‐primer PCR assay was used to genotype individual dogs for a truncated retrotransposon inserted into exon 8 of GRM1. Results: The GWAS indicated that the BNAt locus was in a canine chromosome 1 region that contained candidate gene GRM1. Resequencing this gene from BNAt‐affected puppies indicated that exon 8 was interrupted by the insertion of a 5′‐truncated retrotransposon. All 15 BNAt‐affected puppies were homozygous for the insert, whereas all other Cotons de Tulear were heterozygotes (n = 43) or homozygous (n = 54) for the ancestral allele. None of the 87 dogs from 12 other breeds had the insertion allele. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: BNAt is caused by a retrotransposon inserted into exon 8 of GRM1. A DNA test for the GRM1 retrotransposon insert can be used for genetic counseling and to confirm the diagnosis of BNAt.     

Isolation in cell cultures and initial characterisation of two novel bocavirus species from swine in Northern Ireland

We report the isolation in cell cultures of two novel bocavirus species in pigs from farms in Northern Ireland with clinical postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). We have designated the isolates as porcine bocavirus-3 (PBoV3) and porcine bocavirus-4 (PBoV4). To date 5082 and 4125 bps of PBoV3 and PBoV4 have been sequenced, respectively. PBoV3 and PBoV4 show nucleotide homology to other known bocaviruses in swine and other organisms. Open reading frame (ORF) analysis has shown that these viruses have a third small ORF, equivalent to the NP1 ORF that distinguishes the bocaviruses from other parvoviruses. A panel of porcine field sera was screened by indirect immunofluorescence against both viruses. Of the 369 samples analysed, 32 (8.7%) and 35 (9.5%) sera were seropositive for PBoV3 and PBoV4 respectively, thus providing serological evidence of the exposure of swine in the field to bocavirus-like viruses. To date, the clinico-pathological significance of these novel swine bocaviruses, as primary pathogens or as immunosuppresive triggers for other infectious agents, is undetermined.     

Morphology and related chemistry of small lunar particles from tranquillity base

Glass spherules show multiple high-velocity impact craters and are coated with small particles including glass, plagioclase, clinopyroxene, ilmenite, olivine, chromite, rock fragments, and frozen droplets of iron, nickel-iron, and troilite. These spherules passed through an impact cloud of hot fragmental material, condensing iron-rich vapor and high-velocity projectiles. Breccia contains concentric, accretionary lapilli units and appears to be a sintered deposit from a hot lunar base surge generated by impact.     

Breccias from the lunar highlands: preliminary petrographic report on apollo 16 samples 60017 and 63335

Lunar samples 60017,4 and 63335,14 are composed of microbreccias and devitrified glass. These components are predominantly anorthositic, with the exception of a cryptocrystalline clast found in the microbreccia portion of 63335,14 which contains 2.7 percent potassium oxide and 66.7 percent silicon dioxide. The samples have been subjected to extreme shock and thermal metamorphism. The parent materials of the microbreccias include both a coarse-grained anorthosite and a fine-grained subophitic anorthositic gabbro.     

Discovery of vapor deposits in the lunar regolith

Lunar soils contain micrometer-sized mineral grains surrounded by thin amorphous rims. Similar features have been produced by exposure of pristine grains to a simulated solar wind, leading to the widespread belief that the amorphous rims result from radiation damage. Electron microscopy studies show, however, that the amorphous rims are compositionally distinct from their hosts and consist largely of vapor-deposited material generated by micrometeorite impacts into the lunar regolith. Vapor deposits slow the lunar erosion rate by solar wind sputtering, influence the optical properties of the lunar regolith, and may account for the presence of sodium and potassium in the lunar atmosphere.     

Instrumental neutron activation analyses of lunar specimens

Ten Apollo 11 specimnens were divided into 24 samtples. Sodillim contents of 8 diverse specimens clluster tightly abolit 0.3 percent. Plagioclase separated from sample 10044 contains aboltt 1.09 percent Na; barium is not enriched in the plagioclase separate. Contents of the rare earths are strikingly high, and relative abtmndances resemble those of calcium-rich achondrites or abyssal basalts but are depleted in Eu by factors of 2 to 3 and in La by about 20 percent. The plagioclase separate is enriched in Eu and pyroxenes (and opaqtte minerals are Eu-depleted. Fine fractions of 10044 are abotit 20 to 40 percent richer in most rare earths (50 percent for Eu) than coarse fractions, probably becaitse of the presence of small grains in which rare earths are mnarkedly concentrated. "Microgabbro" 10045 is imnpoverished, relative to the soil, in rare eartlhs and Hf. Ratios by mass of Zr to Hf are comlparatively low. Abttndances of Mn, Co, Fe, Sc and Cr stiggest systematic differences between igneous rocks on one hanid and breccias and "soil" on the other. Fromn the Co abuindances, no more than about 3 percent of the present "soil" can consist of chondritic mleteorite conitamination.     

Lunar metallic particle ("mini-moon"): an interpretation

A troilite-rich nickel-iron particle ("mini-moon") recovered from the moon may be a mound detached from a sphere of silicate glass. Erosion and pitting of the particle may have been caused by passage through a cloud of hot gas and particulate matter formed by meteorite impact on the lunar surface. This explanation is in contrast to the theory that the particle was meteoritically derived molten material that was furrowed during solidification after lunar impact, subsequently pitted by high-velocity particles, and then abraded and polished by drifting dust while on the lunar surface.