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In this work, the novel graphene oxide/titanate nanotubes (GTNT) composites were synthesized through a facile and high-yield alkaline hydrothermal method. SEM, TEM, XRD, BET, and TGA/DTA were applied to study the morphology and structure of the GTNT composites. The results show that a huge number of titanate nanotubes are closely attached to the graphene sheet structure and overlap each other. This hierarchical morphology endows the GTNT composites with not only the high specific surface area of 236.9 m2/g but also abundant porous structure, both of which are benefit for Co(II) adsorption. The batch adsorption experiments demonstrate that the GTNT composites have a high adsorption capacity and rapid kinetics for Co(II) adsorption (10 min for equilibrium). The adsorption capacity of the GTNT composites reaches 211.1 mg/g. The adsorption kinetics of the GTNT composites fits well to the pseudo-second-order model, while the adsorption isotherm of which fits well to the Langmuir model. The adsorption performance of Co(II) ions on the GTNT composites has a great relationship with the pH value, in the pH range of 1–7, the Co(II) adsorption capacity of the GTNT composites greatly increases with the increase of the pH value. In addition, the effect of coexisting anions on fluoride removal is also investigated. Na+, K+, and Mg2+ ions have shown a negligible effect on the Co(II) adsorption efficiency of the GTNT composites. However, the existences of Cu2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+ ions would clearly have an effect on the Co(II) adsorption of the GTNT composites. The adsorption mechanism is also discussed. It is believed that the GTNT composites can be considered as a potential functional material for removing the radioactive metals containing wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To evaluate the effectiveness of a new VMAT-2 inhibitor NBI-641449 in controlling hyperkinetic movements of Huntington disease ( HD) and to investigate its possible therapeutic effects. Methods We applied three different doses of NBI-641449 (1, 10, 100 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks in 4-month-old YAC128 mice and wild-type ( WT) mice. Rotarod performance and locomotive activities were tested during the administration of the drug. The concentration of dopamine ( DA) and its metabolites was quantified in the striatal tissues by high-performance liquid chromatography ( HPLC). Neuron survival in striatum and huntingtin protein aggregates were assessed with immunostaining. Expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum ( ER) stress proteins were detected by immunoblotting. Results Rotarod performance was significantly improved after treatment with low or middle dose of NBI-641449 in YAC128 mice. Open field test showed that NBI-641449 treatment could attenuate the increased horizontal activity ( HACTV), total vertical movement, moving time, and moving distance in YAC128 mice. High dose of NBI-641449 might cause sedative effects in WT and YAC128 mice. HPLC showed that NBI-641449 caused a dose-dependent decrease of DA, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, and homovanillic acid levels in the striatum. NeuN and DARPP-32 immunostaining revealed that NBI-641449 had no significant effect on the neuron survival in the striatum. However, NBI-641449 treatment reduced the huntingtin protein aggregates in the cortex of YAC128 mice. In addition, the levels of ER stress proteins were increased in YAC128 mice, which can be suppressed by NBI-641449. Conclusions These findings suggest that this new VMAT-2 inhibitor NBI-641449 may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of HD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Paired-like homodomain transcription factor 3 has been found to be important for the differentiation and survival of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Methods: To determine whether genetic variation in the coding region of the paired-like homodomain transcription factor 3 gene plays a role in Parkinson's disease, genetic analysis was performed in 112 patients with Parkinson's disease. Results: We did not identify any mutations except rs2281983, but when we extended the analysis of rs2281983 and 2 intron variants (rs4919621 and rs3758549) in 336 patients with Parkinson's disease and 244 controls, we found that rs2281983 and rs4919621 appeared to confer susceptibility to Parkinson's disease, especially in early-onset Parkinson's disease and familial Parkinson's disease. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]