Background : Seed germination for Adenophora triphylla var. japonica Hara. is not good when grown in direct seeding. This experiment was conducted to identify seedling box suitable for seedling transplantation and cultivation to improve farm income and public health. Methods and Result : To investigate the effect on growth, sizes of seedling box used were as follows (width × length × height, in ㎝); 2.5 × 2.5 × 4 (custom), 4 × 4 × 4, 4.5 × 4.5 × 6, 5.0 × 5 × 9.6, 5 × 5 × 11.2, 5 × 5 × 17, and for sowing in narrow strips; 33.5 × 55 × 13, 33.5 × 49 × 23, 33.5 × 49 × 30. The weight of the ground part decreased as box height became lower, highest at 17 ㎝ tall (0.65 g) and lowest at 4 ㎝ (0.23 g). In terms of root length of the seedlings, the longest was 9.0 - 9.3 ㎝ at box height of 17 ㎝ and decreased as height decreased. Root weight increased as box height decreased, the highest at 4 ㎝. After the seedlings were planted, more than 90% survived in seedling box compared to the 50% rooting rate on sown in narrow strips where root net formation did not occur. During harvesting period, plant height was 15.8 - 17.5 ㎝ with a shoot diameter of 13.3 - 20.7 ㎜, leaf length of 5.6 - 7.9 ㎝ and leaf numbers 15.6 - 22.3. Moreover, leaf width was the widest at 8.6 ㎝ at 6 ㎝ box height while dry weight was the most at 6.7 g at 11.2 ㎝. Survival rate and growth characteristics of the ground part were lower in seedling box for sowing in narrow strips. For the underground characteristics, root number increased as box height decreased while dry weight increased as box height increased, with 1.7 - 3.5 and 6.2 - 6.8 less in seedling box for sowing in narrow strips, respectively. The yield in a 17 ㎝ high seedling box was 152 ㎏ per 10 a, 16% higher than conventional level, and decreased as box height decreased. Conclusion : These results suggest that the optimum seedling box height is 11.2 - 17 ㎝ to have lower root numbers and higher dry weight and yield.

Background : Rehmannia glutinosa belonging to the family of Scrophulariaceae have been utilized as a traditional medicine. This study was conducted to elucidate an effect of air curing for seed rhizome of R. glutinosa on storaging ability and yield. Methods and Results : The root of R. glutinosa cultivar (Dagang) was harvested in the end of November. Seed rhizomes were air curing for one to seven days then wrapped with newspaper and further stored in a plastic container box at 1℃. The weight loss and decay rates were significantly lower in seed air curing treatment than in untreated. Especially, the decay rate of control was approximately 50% at 120 days after storage. But, the decay rate of all air curing treatment groups was less than 1%. Also air curing led to an increase in germination rate of seeds and root yield compared with untreatment. Taken together, the best air curing treatment period was 3 days, under the that conditions, germination rate and yield were 88.7% and 2,185 ㎏/10 a, respectively. Conclusion : This study has successfully demonstrated that the air curing of rhizome as a seeds led to considerable increasement of both storaging ability and yield in R. glutinosa.

Background : Angelica gigas is a perennial herb belonging to the family Umbelliferae. Its roots have been utilized as a traditional medicine. The aim of this study is to increase the yield and two indicator components (decursin and decursinol angelate) of Angelica gigas. Methods and Results : The roots of A. gigas were harvested 4 times from early September to late October. Two elicitors (micro element, plant hormone) were treated 4 times at intervals of 2 weeks. The two indicator components were analyzed by HPLC. HM treatment group showed the greatest increase in underground part yield and root diameter. The content of two indicator components in underground part were highest in control (non-treatment) group, but the content of elicitor treatment groups were higher in the aerial part. In the ground part of indicator components content tended to decrease in the elicitor treatment groups, but that groups exceeded the total content of indicator components level of 6% set by the Korean Pharmacopoeia. Conclusion : The highest underground part yield was found in HM treatment group. The highest decursin and decursinol angelate were found in control group. This study provides the basic information for improvement to yield of A. gigas.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) as an acute form and a catastrophic manifestation of coronary artery disease (CAD) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The prevalence and incidence of myocardial infarction can be influenced by demographic, biological and psychosocial factors, and it is rare in childhood and adolescent years. Contrary to the elderly, where cardiac attack is mainly caused by CAD, exercise-induced cardiac attack is relatively more prevalent in a young adult. We report here on a case of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in a young adult during vigorous physical activity and we review the relevant literatures.

Background: The current regulations regarding the storage of medicinal herbs do not define the storage temperature; instead, but the only requirement is that the plastic bags used for storing the medicinal herbs should be tightly sealed during storage. The practice of storing medicinal herbs at room temperature (28℃), causes many problems, including growth of insect pests on the stored medicinal herbs. Thus, it is necessary to understand the effect of insect pests on the quality of medicinal herbs stored at room temperature (28℃) for the improving the relevant regulations. Methods and Results: Cnidium rhizome and Angelica radix were infested with Lasioderma serricorne F. adults and incubated at 28℃ for 2.5 and 5 months. The population of L. serricorne was established rapidly, and left many holes, cadavers, and feces on the stored medicinal herbs, thereby greatly damaging the product appearance and hygiene. In addition, active ingredients of the medicinal herbs were significantly decreased, probably reducing their medicinal quality as well. Conclusions: These results indicate that the current regulations are not sufficient to prevent the establishment of storage insect pests and guarantee the quality and hygiene of stored medicinal herbs. Therefore, it is necessary to devise proper storage protocols and upgrade the current relevant regulations to maintain the quality of medicinal herbs during storage.