Quality Assessment of Processed Graphene Chips for Biosensor Application.

The quality of graphene intended for use in biosensors was assessed on manufactured chips using a set of methods including atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy, and low-frequency noise investigation. It is shown that local areas of residues on the graphene surface, formed as a result of the interaction of graphene with a photoresist at the initial stage of chip development, led to a spread of chip resistance (R) in the range of 1-10 kOhm and to an increase in the root mean square (RMS) roughness up to 10 times, which can significantly worsen the reproducibility of the parameters of graphene chips for biosensor applications. It was observed that the control of the photoresist residues after photolithography (PLG) using AFM and subsequent additional cleaning reduced the spread of R values in chips to 1-1.

Porous PZT Films: How Can We Tune Electrical Properties?

Porous ferroelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) films are a promising material for various electronic applications. This study focuses on understanding how the structure-directing agent, polyvinylpyrrolidone, can alter the structure and electrical properties of porous PZT films prepared through chemical solution deposition. Films with various porosities of up to ~40 vol.

Investigation of the Morphology and Electrical Properties of Graphene Used in the Development of Biosensors for Detection of Influenza Viruses.

In this study, we discuss the mechanisms behind changes in the conductivity, low-frequency noise, and surface morphology of biosensor chips based on graphene films on SiC substrates during the main stages of the creation of biosensors for detecting influenza viruses. The formation of phenylamine groups and a change in graphene nano-arrangement during functionalization causes an increase in defectiveness and conductivity. Functionalization leads to the formation of large hexagonal honeycomb-like defects up to 500 nm, the concentration of which is affected by the number of bilayer or multilayer inclusions in graphene.

Ipidacrine (Axamon), A Reversible Cholinesterase Inhibitor, Improves Erectile Function in Male Rats With Diabetes Mellitus-Induced Erectile Dysfunction.

Background: Management of diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction (DMED) is challenging because of its insufficient responses to phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors.

Aim: To compare the effects of ipidacrine, a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor, and sildenafil on DMED in a rat model of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes.

Methods: Erectile dysfunction (ED) caused by STZ-induced diabetes mellitus was modeled in adult male Wistar rats, which were randomized to 4 groups: untreated diabetic rats, sildenafil (5 mg/kg), ipidacrine (3.

[Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy and epilepsy: a case report].

A clinical case of a young man with rapid bilateral visual impairment developed 2 months after the onset of generalized convulsive seizures is presented. The replacement of valproate to levetiracetam led to the remission of seizures, but the prognosis for vision remains poor, particularly given the pessimistic results of optical coherence tomography (OCT).

[Isolation of the Chikungunya virus in Moscow from the Indonesian visitor (September, 2013)].

The results of the virological identification of the Chikungunya fever case in Moscow (September, 2013) in an Indonesian visitor are presented. The clinic, electron microscopy, and molecular genetic data are discussed. The Ghikungunya virus (CHIKV) strain CHIKVILEIV-Moscow/1/2013 belonging to the Asian genotype (ID GenBank KF872195) was deposited into the Russian State Collection of viruses (GKV 1239; 18.

[An ultrastructural study of the cervix epitelium infected with the human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 before and after treatment with contrasting thermo-laser therapy].

The results of the ultrastructural study of the epithelium of the patient cervix infected by the human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 before and after treatment by contrasting thermo-laser therapy (CTLT) are presented. It was shown in this work that 1.5 and 6 months after treatment HPV DNA was not detected in the biopsy and the smear of the cervix using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Herpes simplex virus inoculation in murine rete testis results in irreversible testicular damage.

This study aimed to establish the influence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) on testis morphology and germ cell development using a model of ascending urogenital HSV infection in mice. Adult C57BL/6J mice were inoculated with 100 plaque-forming units of HSV1 in rete testis. Viral proteins and HSV DNA were detected from 3 days postinoculation (DPI), while capsids and virions could be visualized at 6 DPI.

[Analysis of the cell tissue culture contamination with the bovine viral diarrhea virus and mycoplasmas].

Different cell tissue cultures and commercial fetal calf sera (FTS) used in biological and virological research were screened for the bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV, Pestivirus genus, Flaviviridae family) and mycoplasma contamination. BVDV was detected using RT-PCR and Indirect immunofluorescence (with monoclonal antibodies) methods in 33% cases of the studied cell lines and in > 60% cases of FCS. BVDV was shown to present and reproduce in high spectra of human cell lines, as well as in monkey, pig, rabbit, goat, dog, and cat cells at high levels (up to 100-1000 genome-equivalent copies per cell) and reached up to 10(3)-10(7) genome-equivalent copies per serum ml.

Characterization of silicon heterojunctions for solar cells.

Conductive-probe atomic force microscopy (CP-AFM) measurements reveal the existence of a conductive channel at the interface between p-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) and n-type crystalline silicon (c-Si) as well as at the interface between n-type a-Si:H and p-type c-Si. This is in good agreement with planar conductance measurements that show a large interface conductance. It is demonstrated that these features are related to the existence of a strong inversion layer of holes at the c-Si surface of (p) a-Si:H/(n) c-Si structures, and to a strong inversion layer of electrons at the c-Si surface of (n) a-Si:H/(p) c-Si heterojunctions.

[Localization of human cytomegalovirus immediate-early protein IE-1 pp72 in the juxtanuclear inclusion at the late stage of infection].

Immediate-early protein IE-1 pp72 is one of the most abundant proteins at the early stage of human cytomegalovirus infection and has a number of intranuclear activities. This paper gives immunocytochemical and ultrastructural data on IE-1 pp72 accumulation in the juxtanuclear inclusion at the late stage of low-multiplicity infection. Detection of a new localization site infers that this protein may participate in the final steps of virus morphogenesis and play a functional role in the pathogenesis of cytomegalovirus infection.

[Isolation of Getah virus (Togaviridae, Alfavirus) strains in North- Eastern Asia].

Fifteen strains of Getah alfavirus were for the first time isolated from Aedes and Culex mosquitoes in Yakutia, Magadan region, Buryatia, and Khabarovsk region of the Russian Federation and in Mongolia. The area of this virus dissemination in the above regions was steppe, mixed forest, Northern taiga, and forest-tundra zones, reaching the tundra zone in the North. Getah virus is the only alfavirus occurring under such severe climatic conditions.

[Kama, a new virus (Flaviviridae, Flavivirus, Tiulenii antigenic group), isolated from Ixodes lividus ticks].

Three identical strains of a new virus Kama (Flaviviridae, Flavivirus, Tyuleny antigenic group) were isolated from Ixodes lividus Roch, obligate parasites of Riparia riparia L. The ticks were collected in June, 1990 in Tatarstan on the islands in the basin of the Kama river. The strains were examined under electron microscope and by serological tests (neutralization, complement fixation, hemagglutination inhibition, and indirect immunofluorescence).

[Morphological analysis of a cell system, infected with different strains of the human immunodeficiency virus].

Cell systems infected with 63 strains of types 1 and 2 HIV virus (HIV-1 and HIV-2) were examined under electron microscope. HIV virions were most frequently detected near the cell membrane or budding from it. In the cytoplasm HIV occurred only in vacuole-like formations.

[Amplification of the activity of HIV-1 isolates purified from seropositive children after cryopreservation of persistently-infected cells].

HIV-1 strains MC-1974 and MC-1978 were isolated from children infected in hospital. Both children presented with symptoms of HIV infection by the moment the blood samples for virus isolation were collected. In vitro the isolated strains showed weak infective activity and caused no cytopathic effect in sensitive cells.

[The isolation of the herpesvirus from yaks during the epizootic in Mongolia in 1990].

Strains of virus belonging, according to the results of electron microscopic examinations, to the herpes virus family, were isolated in Vero cell culture from the organs and aphtha secretions in the buccal cavity of yaks developing the disease during an epizootic (more than 500 animals) in Khubsugul aimak (Mongolian village) in Mongolia, 1990. Virus-neutralizing antibodies were detected in the blood sera of the sick animals. The isolated strains differ from herpes viruses affecting man.

[The isolation of the herpes virus from the white crane and a study of its properties].

Isolation of a virus agent from sick white cranes in National Oka Preserve is described. The results of virological and serological studies on specimens from the sick birds permitted a conclusion that the infection in the cranes could be induced by avian herpes virus.

[The isolation and identification of the Sindbis virus from migratory birds in Estonia].

The data on isolation from birds and identification of two strains of alphaviruses in Estonia in the territory of Vilsandy natural reserve are presented. Electron microscopy of purified virions allowed the isolates to be classified into the family of togaviruses, and serological identification (neutralization test, CFT) using polyvalent sera and monoclonal antibody showed them to belong to Sindbis virus.

[The characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus strains isolated from HIV-infected persons on the territory of the USSR].

Fifty-seven HIV-1 strains were isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes of 102 HIV-infected persons involved in epidemic outbreaks in different cities of the USSR. The effectiveness of isolation was 29.1% in asymptomatic infection, 51.

[The characteristics of the HIV isolated from HIV-infected persons and AIDS patients on the territory of the CIS].

HIV strains were isolated from HIV-infected patients and AIDS patients in CIS. A total of 81 HIV isolates were obtained. The isolates were identified by using immunofluorescence and enzyme immunoassay, by determining the activity of reverse transcriptase, immunoblot, electron microscopy, polymerase chain reaction.

[Antiviral activity of ribamidyl in experimental infections with California encephalitis group viruses].

A preparation of ribamydil, an analogue of natural nucleosides, synthesized at the Latvian SSR Institute of Organic Chemistry showed a sufficiently high activity against bunyaviruses of California encephalitis complex both in vitro and in vivo. Various modifications of the enzyme immunoassay may be used for control of the effectiveness of treatment with this drug. Some advantages of the subcutaneous route over the intramuscular one were found.

[Experimental infection of ixodid ticks with Karshi virus].

The ixodid ticks Hyalomma asiaticum, H. anatolicum, Dermacentor niveus were infected experimentally with Karsha virus. The virus replication has been proved to occur in the tick's organism.