Atomically Precise Alloy Nanoclusters.

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Yuichi Negishi at Tokyo University of Science. The image depicts the alloy nanoclusters reported in this review. Read the full text of the article at 10.

Elucidating ligand effects in thiolate-protected metal clusters using AuPt(TBBT) as a model cluster.

2-Phenylethanethiolate (PET) and 4-tert-butylbenzenethiolate (TBBT) are the most frequently used ligands in the study of thiolate (SR)-protected metal clusters. However, the effect of difference in the functional group between these ligands on the fundamental properties of the clusters has not been clarified. We synthesized [Au24Pt(TBBT)18]0, which has the same number of metal atoms, number of ligands, and framework structure as [Au24Pt(PET)18]0, by replacing ligands of [Au24Pt(PET)18]0 with TBBT.

Hetero-biicosahedral [AuPd(PPh)(SCHPh)Cl] nanocluster: selective synthesis and optical and electrochemical properties.

A recent study implied that a hetero-biicosahedral 25-atom cluster composed of two kinds of icosahedral 13-atom clusters could serve as a molecular rectifier and dipole material. However, no hetero-biicosahedral 25-atom clusters containing three types of ligands, in this case, phosphines, halogens, and thiolates, have been reported. In this study, we selectively synthesized [Au24Pd(PPh3)10(SC2H4Ph)5Cl2]Cl (Au = gold, Pd = palladium, PPh3 = triphenylphosphine, SC2H4Ph = phenylethanethiolate, Cl = chloride), in which one Au was replaced with a Pd.

Historical control data on developmental toxicity studies in rodents.

Historical control data on rodent developmental toxicity studies, performed between 1994 and 2010, were obtained from 19 laboratories in Japan, including 10 pharmaceutical and chemical companies and nine contract research organizations. Rats, mice, and hamsters were used for developmental toxicity studies. Data included maternal reproductive findings at terminal cesarean sections and fetal findings including the spontaneous incidences of external, visceral, and skeletal anomalies.

Degradation of target oligosaccharides by anthraquinone-lectin hybrids with light switching.

Anthraquinone-lectin hybrids were effectively synthesized using water-soluble anthraquinone derivative 11 with concanavalin A (ConA) and hygrophorus russula lectin (HRL) to give anthraquinone-ConA (16) and anthraquinone-HRL (17) hybrids, respectively. These anthraquinone-lectin hybrids effectively and selectively degraded oligosaccharides containing a mannose residue as a non-reducing terminal sugar, which has affinity for ConA and HRL, under photo-irradiation with long-wavelength UV light without additives and under neutral conditions. In addition, anthraquinone-HRL (17) selectively photo-degraded only Man(α1,6)Man, which has a high affinity for HRL, among several mannosides by recognition of both the type and glycosidic linkage profile of the sugar in an oligosaccharide.

How good is transplantation of corneal parts compared with penetrating keratoplasty?

The concept of transplantation of corneal parts is to replace only diseased tissues, while leaving healthy host tissues intact. Advantages of the new surgical approaches include fast recovery, resistance to trauma, and less postoperative complications. Despite the theoretical benefits, however, only few data are available in terms of the pros and cons of the new surgical methods.