Search

Minimizing the energy difference between the lowest singlet (S1) and the lowest triplet states, ΔEST, is the main strategy to design thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) molecules, and spatially separating the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) is the general method in the design. However, such a separation also tends to reduce the oscillator strength of the S1 state. In real systems, vibrations change the S1 oscillator strength, and thus one needs to consider the vibronic coupling toward searching for TADF candidate molecules. Here, we evaluate the importance of vibronic coupling by including the first-order perturbative correction to the transition dipole moments of carbazolyl-phthalonitrile derivatives. Indeed, some molecules display large enhancements in their oscillator strengths, with their fluorescence lifetimes reduced by 2 orders of magnitude. The twisting mode between the carbazole groups and phthalonitrile is the most important mode in inducing the perturbations. Thus, performing the perturbative correction is crucial in attaining more reliable predictions on their fluorescence propensities. We also observe that some other molecules, whose zeroth-order predicted fluorescence rates are much slower than the actual experimental data, are affected little by the same first-order correction. For these molecules, we deduce that the geometry-dependent excited-state switching kicks in. Our results demonstrate the significance of vibronic coupling in TADF molecules and the importance of adopting correction schemes as the guidelines for screening of useful TADF molecules.

The polysaccharide fraction from the rhizome ofTrichosanthes kirilowii (Cucurbitaceae) showed marked antitumor and cytotoxic activity with immunopotentiating activity. It was evidenced by the increase in the number of circulating leucocytes and peritoneal exudate cells and the recovery of lowered antibody forming activity in mice. The polysaccharide was mainly composed of glucose, galactose, fructose, mannose and xylose and a samll amount of protein.

Received May 11, 2011 Revised August 2, 2011 Accepted August 5, 2011 Address for correspondence Chin-Saeng Cho, MD Department of OtorhinolaryngologyHead & Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Eulji University, 1306 Dunsan-2 dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon 302-799, Korea Tel +82-42-611-3133 Fax +82-42-611-3136 E-mail cds8922@naver.com Background and ObjectivesZZSudden deafness is not rare but its pathophysiology has not been fully determined and treatment is controversial at present. There is much debate regarding the prognostic factors in sudden deafness patients. Various studies have been done to find out factors concerned with the recovery of sudden deafness, but there are still many unknown components as the probability of recovery from sudden deafness depends on many factors. The aim of this study is to identify an expectation of recovery by regression formula. Subjects and MethodZZWe reviewed the records of 241 patients who were admitted for treatment between 2002 and 2005 under the initial diagnosis of idiopathic sudden hearing loss. The patients were treated with steroid, vasodilator and plasma expander. Improvement of hearing was measured by Siegel’s criteria and correcting rate. Prognostic factors that might be associated with the degree of hearing recovery were classified and analyzed by the optimal scale regression analysis method using SPSS ver. 12.0. ResultsZZSiegel’s criteria and correcting rate have statistical correlation with respect to age, initial hearing level, patterns of pure tone audiogram and duration of initial treatment from onset to hearing improvement after treatment. Vertigo is not associated with hearing improvement. ConclusionZZThe initial hearing level, patterns of pure tone audiogram and duration of initial treatment from onset are associated with the degree of hearing recovery. We produced a calculating model of hearing improvement based on factors affecting hearing improvement. Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2011;54:603-9

Background and ObjectivesZZWe aimed to evaluate associated symptoms in patients with Bell’s palsy and prognosis according to associated symptoms. Subjects and MethodZZSeventy-four patients with Bell’s palsy were enrolled in this study. We evaluated the degree of facial palsy with Facial Nerve Grading System 2.0. The grade of facial palsy was determined as initial facial palsy at admission and as final facial palsy at visit after 3 months. Afterwards, we examined symptoms (such as otalgia, facial numbness, taste disturbance, eye problems, hyperacusis, and tinnitus) and co-morbid diseases (such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension) associated with facial palsy. After 3 months of the onset of facial palsy, we examined the changes in the associated symptoms. ResultsZZAt admission, 71.6 percent of all patients had symptoms associated with facial palsy. Of the associated symptoms, facial numbness and taste disturbance were the most common, which were still found in 23% of the patients after 3 months of the onset of facial palsy. Patients with a high initial grade of facial palsy were accompanied by taste disturbance and hyperacusis more than by other symptoms. Also patients who had auricular pain during the recovery period of Bell’s palsy showed poor prognosis. Compared to non-hypertension patients, for patients with hypertension, taste disturbance was more common during the early period whereas eye problems were more common during the recovery period. ConclusionZZPatients with Bell’s palsy had diverse symptoms associated with facial palsy. During the early period of Bell’s palsy, we concluded that there was no correlation between the symptoms and the prognosis. However, patients with pain around the ear during the recovery period showed poor recovery of facial palsy. � Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2011;54:683-7 Key WordsZZBell’s palsy ㆍPrognosis ㆍAssociated symptoms.

Background and Objectives Spectral gradient acoustic reflectometry (SGAR) determines the probability of middle ear fluid by measuring the response of the tympanic membrane to a sound. To assess the sensitivity and specificity of SGAR for the diagnosis of otitis media with effusion (OME) in the Korean population, we compared accurate diagnostic rates of OME obtained from SGAR and tympanometry. Pneumatic otoscope was used for diagnostic standard of OME. Subjects and Method SGAR and tympanometry were performed on 488 ears from May 27th, 2008 to July 30th, 2008. Exclusion criteria were the presence of tympanic membrane perforation, and/or pressure equalization tubes, noncompliance, otorrhea, external auditory canal stenosis and signs of acute inflammation such as fever or otalgia. In all cases, pneumatic otoscopic examination was conducted and diagnostic accurate rates of OME were calculated in SGAR and tympanogram. Results Using spectral gradients of 3 or higher as breakpoints for indicating OME, in the case of pediatrics under 2 years old, with the sensitivity of 58.3%, specificity of 94.7%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 77.8% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 87.8%. In the case of the pediatrics between 2 and 12 years old, it showed the sensitivity of 67.2%, specificity of 90.3%, PPV of 74.5% and NPV of 86.8%. In the case of the pediatrics over 12 years old, they showed sensitivity of 87.3%, specificity of 88.8%, PPV of 67.6% and NPV of 96.3%. Conclusion SGAR has the higher tendency of specificity and NPV, and will be a useful screeningtest with good portability and economical efficiency.

The polysaccharide fraction from Taraxii Herba showed potent immunopotentiating activities with antitumor activities. The fraction having small amount of protein inhibited the growth of solid tumor and increased peritoneal exudate cells and immunoorgan weights in normal mice, and also increased hypersensitivities in tumor bearing mice.