ABSTRACT
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the world population faced various mental health challenges, highlighting a need for new community-based psychosocial interventions. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and feasibility of Nature-Based Therapy (NBT) for the community experiencing psychological distress during the pandemic. A multi-site trial comparing NBT and control groups was conducted in Korea with 291 participants exhibiting mild to severe depression or anxiety. A total of 192 participated in 30 sessions of therapeutic gardening, while 99 remained in the control group. Psychological distress and well-being were assessed using seven measures of depression, anxiety, daily activity, life satisfaction, mindfulness, stress, and loneliness. The effect sizes (Cohen's d) of NBT compared to the control group were medium to large: depression (0.583), anxiety (0.728), daily activity (1.002), life satisfaction (0.786), mindfulness (0.645), stress (0.903), and loneliness (0.695). Multilevel analysis revealed significant Time × Group interaction effects for all measures. Pearson correlation (r = - 0.28 to 0.71) showed that changes in all variables correlated significantly with each other, with small to large effect sizes. Therapeutic alliance at post-test positively moderated the intervention effects on the outcomes. We concluded that NBT is a promising psychosocial intervention for treating psychological distress for community dwellers.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Psychological Distress , Humans , Anxiety/therapy , COVID-19/psychology , Mindfulness , Pandemics , Stress, Psychological/therapy , Stress, Psychological/psychologyABSTRACT
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264576.].
ABSTRACT
Chimeric plants composed of green and albino tissues have great ornamental value. To unveil the functional genes responsible for albino phenotypes in chimeric plants, we inspected the complete plastid genomes (plastomes) in green and albino leaf tissues from 23 ornamental chimeric plants belonging to 20 species, including monocots, dicots, and gymnosperms. In nine chimeric plants, plastomes were identical between green and albino tissues. Meanwhile, another 14 chimeric plants were heteroplasmic, showing a mutation between green and albino tissues. We identified 14 different point mutations in eight functional plastid genes related to plastid-encoded RNA polymerase (rpo) or photosystems which caused albinism in the chimeric plants. Among them, 12 were deleterious mutations in the target genes, in which early termination appeared due to small deletion-mediated frameshift or single nucleotide substitution. Another was single nucleotide substitution in an intron of the ycf3 and the other was a missense mutation in coding region of the rpoC2 gene. We inspected chlorophyll structure, protein functional model of the rpoC2, and expression levels of the related genes in green and albino tissues of Reynoutria japonica. A single amino acid change, histidine-to-proline substitution, in the rpoC2 protein may destabilize the peripheral helix of plastid-encoded RNA polymerase, impairing the biosynthesis of the photosynthesis system in the albino tissue of R. japonica chimera plant.
ABSTRACT
Although many people affected by COVID-19 suffer from some form of psychological distress, access to proper treatment or psychosocial interventions has been limited. This study aimed to examine the feasibility and preliminary effects of a therapeutic gardening program conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program consisted of 30 sessions and was conducted at 10 nationwide sites in Korea from June to November 2021. Mental health and well-being were assessed using the Mental Health Screening Tool for Depressive Disorders, Mental Health Screening Tool for Anxiety Disorders, Engagement in Daily Activity Scale, brief version of World Health Organization Quality of Life, and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale. Cohen's d value was calculated for the effect size, and a multilevel analysis was used to determine the longitudinal effects of therapeutic gardening. The effect sizes for depression, anxiety, daily activities, quality of life, and mindfulness were 0.84, 0.72, 0.61, 0.64, and 0.40, respectively. Multilevel analyses showed that all five mental health variables improved significantly over time as the therapeutic gardening program progressed. Therapeutic gardening is promising and applicable as a nature-based intervention to improve the mental health of individuals experiencing psychological distress especially in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Mental Health , COVID-19/epidemiology , Feasibility Studies , Gardening , Humans , Pandemics , Quality of LifeABSTRACT
The genus Artemisia is an important source of medicines in both traditional and modern pharmaceutics, particularly in East Asia. Despite the great benefits of herbal medicine, quality assessment methods for these medicinal herbs are lacking. The young leaves from Artemisia species are generally used, and most of the species have similar morphology, which often leads to adulteration and misuse. This study assembled five complete chloroplast genomes of three Artemisia species, two accessions of A. gmelinii and A. capillaris, and one A. fukudo. Through comparative analysis, we revealed genomic variations and phylogenetic relationships between these species and developed seven InDel-based barcode markers which discriminated the tested species from each other. Additionally, we analyzed specialized metabolites from the species using LC-MS and suggested chemical markers for the identification and authentication of these herbs. We expect that this integrated and complementary authentication method would aid in reducing the misuse of Artemisia species.
Subject(s)
Artemisia , Genome, Chloroplast , Plants, Medicinal , Artemisia/genetics , Phylogeny , Phytotherapy , Plants, Medicinal/geneticsABSTRACT
The genetic relationship between Taraxacum species, also known as the dandelion, is complicated because of asexual and mixed sexual apomictic reproduction. The usage of Taraxacum species in traditional medicines make their specialized metabolism important, but interspecific chemical difference has rarely been reported for the genus. In this study, we assembled the chloroplast genome and 45S rDNA of six Taraxacum species that occur in Korea (T. campylodes, T. coreanum, T. erythrospermum, T. mongolicum, T. platycarpum, and T. ussuriense), and performed a comparative analysis, which revealed their phylogenetic relationships and possible natural hybridity. We also performed a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based phytochemical analysis to reveal interspecific chemical diversity. The comparative metabolomics analysis revealed that Taraxacum species could be separated into three chemotypes according to their major defensive specialized metabolites, which were the sesquiterpene lactones, the phenolic inositols, and chlorogenic acid derivatives. The CP DNA- and 45S rDNA-based phylogenetic trees showed a tangled relationship, which supports the notion of ongoing hybridization of wild Taraxacum species. The untargeted LC-MS analysis revealed that each Taraxacum plant exhibits species-specific defensive specialized metabolism. Moreover, 45S rDNA-based phylogenetic tree correlated with the hierarchical cluster relied on metabolite compositions. Given the coincidence between these analyses, we represented that 45S rDNA could well reflect overall nuclear genome variation in Taraxacum species.
Subject(s)
Taraxacum , Phylogeny , Republic of Korea , Species Specificity , Taraxacum/geneticsABSTRACT
Hosta capitata (Koidz.) Nakai is an herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the Asparagaceae family and has become a popular ornamental plant. In this study, the chloroplast genome sequence of H. capitata was completed by de novo assembly with whole genome sequence data. The chloroplast genome of H. capitata is 156,416 bp in length, which is composed of a large single-copy (LSC) of 84,788 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) of 18,206 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRa and IRb) of 26,711 bp, as four distinct parts. In total, 114 genes were identified including 80 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that H. capitata has a close relationship with other Hosta species, H. minor and H. ventricosa, but is farther than the distance between them.
ABSTRACT
Magic Lily (Lycoris squamigera), belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, is cultivated for ornamental and medicinal purposes. To characterize its genomic information, we obtained the complete chloroplast genome sequence of L. squamigera by assembling Illumina whole genome sequence data. The complete chloroplast genome is 158,482 bp in length which is composed of four unique regions, a large single copy region (LSC) of 86,454 bp, a small single copy region (SSC) of 18,500 bp, and a pair of inverted repeats (IR) of 26,764 bp. The genome annotation predicted 159 genes including 105 protein-coding genes, 46 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that L. squamigera clustered with Allium species belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family.
ABSTRACT
We characterized the complete chloroplast genome sequence of Ligularia fischeri, a collection from Halla Mountain in Jeju Island, Korea. The plants are utilized as edible functional plant species harbouring useful antioxidant compounds in family Asteraceae. De novo assembly with whole genome sequencing data of L. fischeri completed the chloroplast genome of 151 133 bp long, which included two inverted repeats (IRs) blocks of 24 831 bp, separated by the large single-copy block of 83 238 bp and small single-copy block of 18 233 bp. The genome encoded 113 genes consisting of 80 protein-coding genes, 29 tRNA genes and 4 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis with protein coding gene sequences of reported Asteraceae chloroplast genomes revealed a close relationship of L. fischeri with Jacobaea vulgaris, a weed species world-widely distributed.
ABSTRACT
Taraxacum officinale is a distributed weedy plant used as a traditional medicinal herb belonging to the family Asteraceae. The complete chloroplast genome of T. officinale was generated by de novo assembly with whole genome sequence data. The chloroplast genome was 151 324 bp in length, which consisted of a large single copy region of 83 895 bp and a short single copy region of 18 549 bp separated by a pair of inverted repeat regions of 24 440 bp. The chloroplast genome contained 79 protein-coding genes, 29 tRNA genes and four rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that T. officinale was closely related to Lactuca sativa.
ABSTRACT
In this study, complete chloroplast sequences of Artemisia gmelinii and Artemisia capillaris (the Asteraceae family), which have been used as herbal medicine in Korea, were characterized by de novo assembly with whole-genome sequence data. The genomes of A. gmelinii and A. capillaris were 151,318 bp and 151,056 bp in length, respectively. Both genomes harbored identical number of annotated genes, such as 80 protein coding genes, 4 rRNA genes and 30 tRNA genes. Phylogenetic tree revealed that both A. gmelinii and A. capillaris were closely grouped with other Artemisia species.
ABSTRACT
Eclipta prostrata is an herbal medicinal plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. In this study, complete chloroplast genome sequence of the E. prostrata was characterized by de novo assembly using whole genome sequence data. The genome of E. prostrata was 151,757 bp in length, which was composed of large single copy region of 83,285 bp, small single copy region of 18,346 bp and a pair of inverted repeat regions of 25,063 bp. The genome harboured 80 protein coding sequences, 30 tRNA genes and 4 rRNA genes. We confirmed close taxonomic relationship between E. prostrata and Helianthus annuus through phylogenetic analysis with chloroplast protein-coding genes.
ABSTRACT
In this study, a complete chloroplast genome sequence of Artemisia fukudo (Asteraceae family) was characterized by de novo assembly using whole genome sequence data. The chloroplast genome was 151,011 bp in length, comprising a large single-copy region of 82,751 bp, a small single copy region of 18,348 bp and a pair of inverted repeats of 24,956 bp. The genome contained 80 protein-coding genes, 4 rRNA genes and 30 tRNA genes. Phylogenetic tree revealed that A. fukudo was closely located in other Artemisia species, Artemisia montana and Artemisia frigida.
ABSTRACT
Taraxacum platycarpum and Taraxacum mongolicum are perennial plants utilized for medicinal purposes in the family Asteraceae. The complete chloroplast genome sequences of the two species were characterized by de novo assembly with whole genome sequencing data. The chloroplast genomes of T. platycarpum and T. mongolicum were 151,307 and 151,451 bp in length, respectively, and showed a typical quadripartite structure. The chloroplast genomes of both species contained the same number of genes, 79 protein-coding genes, 29 tRNA genes and 4 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the two Taraxacum species were grouped with T. officinale, all of which showed sister relationship with Lactuca sativa.
ABSTRACT
De novo assembly with whole genome sequencing data of Hydrangea serrata for. fertilis, a great ornamental landscape plant species worldwide, facilitated to generate the complete chloroplast genome sequence in this study. The complete sequence was a circular DNA molecule of 157 730 bp in length, containing the large single-copy (LSC) region of 86 789 bp, small single-copy (SSC) region of 18 711 bp and two inverted repeats (IRs) regions of 26 115 bp. The genome encoded 114 genes consisting of 80 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes and four rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis with matK gene-coding sequences of 19 species in family Hydrangeaceae showed a close relationship of H. serrata for. fertilis Nakai with H. macrophylla.
