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Abstract. Nuclei were isolated from somatic embryos of carrot (Daucus carota L.) using a buffer system containing non-ionic detergent. To prepare nuclear matrices, the purified membrane-depleted nuclei xbere digested with DNase I in combination with RNase A, followed by extraction with 1 M NaC1. The DNA residue in the final insoluble fraction was less than 4% of that in isolated nuclei, and most of the residual nuclei retained their sphericity. Electron microscopy revealed that the nuclear matrix was composed of a distinct peripheral layer, an internal matrix structure and some fibrils; residual nucleoli were observed when exogeneous RNase was not incorporated. The proteins extracted from the nuclei and nuclear subfractions were compared by gel electrophoresis, which showed that the residual fraction contained many minor proteins. To identify proteins showing specific localization at the nuclear periphery, we prepared monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against an ion-exchange chromatography fraction extracted from carrot nuclear matrices. Immunofluorescence microscopy with one of the MAbs, CML-1, showed exclusive staining of the nuclear periphery. The MAb recognized several spots showing microheterogeneity, with a narrow range of pI and molecular mass upon immunoblotting. A complete set of these spots was shown to be conserved in nuclear matrices. On the other hand, MAb CML-13 appeared to react with the nuclear interior as well as the periphery, recognizing a 96-kDa polypeptide of the nuclear matrix. These proteins were thus demonstrated to lie at the nuclear periphery, and to constitute the nuclear matrices in carrot. The 96-kDa polypeptide is suggested to be similar to the 92-kDa nuclear protein reported by Beven et al. in carrot (Beven et al., 1991, J. Cell Sci. 98, 293-302).

IntroductionSurvivors who lost their homes in the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami were forced to live in difficult conditions in temporary housing several months after the disaster. Body weights of survivors living in temporary housing for a long period might increase due to changes in their life style and psychosocial state during the medium-term and long-term recovery phases. The aim of this study was to determine whether there were differences between body weight changes of people living in temporary housing and those not living in temporary housing in a tsunami-stricken area during the medium-term and long-term recovery phases.Materials and methodsHealth check-ups were performed about 7 months after the disaster (in 2011) and about 18 months after the disaster (in 2012) for people living in a tsunami-stricken area (n = 6,601, mean age = 62.3 y). We compared the changes in body weight in people living in temporary housing (TH group, n = 2,002) and those not living in temporary housing (NTH group, n = 4,599) using a multiple linear regression model.ResultsWhile there was no significant difference between body weights in the TH and NTH groups in the 2011 survey, there was a significant difference between the mean changes in body weight in both sexes. We found that the changes in body weight were significantly greater in the TH group than in the NTH group in both sexes. The partial regression coefficients of mean change in body weight were +0.52 kg (P-value < 0.001) in males in the TH group and +0.56 kg (P-value < 0.001) in females in the TH group (reference: NTH group).ConclusionAnalysis after adjustment for life style, psychosocial factors and cardiovascular risk factors found that people living in temporary housing in the tsunami- stricken area had a significant increase in body weight.

ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to determine changes in atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk factors with and without serious disaster-related mental and socioeconomic problems represented by relocation (REL).DesignA longitudinal survey.SettingMultiphasic health check-ups for the general population affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.ParticipantsA total 6528 disaster survivors in heavily tsunami-damaged municipalities were recruited. Two sequential surveys were conducted and the data were analysed.Main outcome measuresMultiphasic health check-ups including investigation of lifestyle and psychological and socioeconomic measures were performed in two sequential phases (8 and 18 months) after the disaster for tsunami survivors with REL (n=3160) and without REL (n=3368). Longitudinal changes in cardiometabolic risk factors between the two phases were compared in the REL and non-REL groups.ResultsIn sex/age-adjusted analysis, we found increases in body weight and waist circumference between the two phases that were significantly greater in the REL group than in the non-REL group (body weight:+0.31 (0.23∼0.39) versus −0.24 (−0.32∼−0.16) kg, p<0.001; waist circumference:+0.58 (0.48∼0.68) versus+0.05 (−0.05∼0.15) cm, p<0.001)). A decrease in serum HDLC levels was found and again was significantly greater in the REL group than in the non-REL group (−0.65 (−0.96∼−0.34) versus −0.09 (−0.39∼0.21) mg/dL, p=0.009). In addition, deterioration in physical activity, mental health and socioeconomic status was more prevalent in the REL group than in the non-REL group (all p<0.001).ConclusionsThis study suggests that relocation after the devastating tsunami was related to weight gain and decreasing HDLC among survivors, and this change was associated with prolonged psychological distress and socioeconomic problems after the disaster.

In the general population, plasma BNP was an excellent biomarker for predicting the incidence of cardioembolic stroke when used alone or in combination with established stroke risk factors.

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The Hamarassen Farm provided disaster victims with opportunities for social participation, interpersonal interaction, and physical exercise; such opportunities may improve physical and psychosocial well-being.