Minimal Change Disease Secondary to Either COVID-19 Infection or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccination

Introduction/Objective Kidney injury has now become one of the known complications following COVID-19 infection and vaccination. Only few cases of minimal change disease following administration of COVID-19 vaccination and infection have been reported. This study was to highlight incidence of minimal change disease following COVID-19 infection or vaccination. Methods/Case Report Case 1:15 year-old female with past medical history of asthma and hypercholesterolemia presented for evaluation of periorbital edema, nephrotic-range proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, elevated serum creatinine, elevated blood pressures, and hematuria after COVID-19 infection. Renal biopsy after 1 week of infection showed unremarkable glomeruli and negative immunofluorescent stains in glomeruli, and 20-30% fusion of foot processes. The biopsy was consistent with a minimal change disease with features of natural remission (her nephrotic-range proteinuria resolved soon after). Case 2: 18 year-old female with no significant past medical history presented with a chief complaint of generalized swelling, which started around the same time she received her 1st dose of Pfizer COVID vaccine (the 2nd dose 2 months later). She had a nephrotic range proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia, but normal level of serum creatinine. A renal biopsy after 4 months of vaccination showed unremarkable glomeruli by light microscopy, negative immunofluorescent study, but diffuse effacement of foot processes involving more than 80% of the examined loops by electron microscopy. This biopsy findings were consistent with a minimal change disease. Both patients did not receive any treatment before the renal biopsies. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) NA Conclusion Minimal change disease can be a rare complication following COVID-19 infection or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination, raising a question if there are similar antigens induced by the infection or by the vaccination that trigger the minimal change disease. Further studies are needed to determine the incidence and pathophysiology of minimal change disease either post COVID-19 vaccines or following COVID-19 infections.

A Comparison of Materials for Dry Surface Cleaning Soot-Coated Papers of Varying Roughness: Assessing Efficacy, Physical Surface Changes, and Residue

To provide detailed information to aid conservators faced with soot removal, a survey comparing the removal of lamp black pigment, serving as a model soot, from three sample papers of differing roughness is presented. The efficacy of ten different dry surface cleaning materials—including sponges, firm and kneaded erasers, eraser crumbs, a cleaning putty, a solvent-free polydimethylsiloxane elastomer, and a dry swab—have been assessed using a handheld color spectrophotometer and image analysis of photomicrographs. Inspection of the cleaned substrates with a portable optical microscope revealed detailed information into how physical properties of cleaning materials influence the location of residual soot on the surface. 3D digital light microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were used to assess physical changes to the paper surface and to identify potential residues from the materials after cleaning, respectively. The results of this model study were compared with spot cleaning tests performed on a fire-damaged paper book cover. Limited access to laboratory spaces during Covid-19 lockdown motivated this research to focus on affordable ways to perform hands-on technical research outside of the laboratory, details of which are noted throughout this paper. © American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works 2023.

Myocardial Injury and Altered Gene Expression Associated With SARS-CoV-2 Infection or mRNA Vaccination.

SARS CoV-2 enters host cells via its Spike protein moiety binding to the essential cardiac enzyme angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) 2, followed by internalization. COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are RNA sequences that are translated into Spike protein, which follows the same ACE2-binding route as the intact virion. In model systems, isolated Spike protein can produce cell damage and altered gene expression, and myocardial injury or myocarditis can occur during COVID-19 or after mRNA vaccination. We investigated 7 COVID-19 and 6 post-mRNA vaccination patients with myocardial injury and found nearly identical alterations in gene expression that would predispose to inflammation, coagulopathy, and myocardial dysfunction.

Does sending honey bee, Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae), colonies to lowbush blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium (Ericaceae), for pollination increase Nosema spp. (Nosematidae) spore loads?

In the Canadian Maritimes, many beekeepers rent honey bee, Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae), hives to growers of lowbush blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium (Ericaceae), for pollination services. Anecdotally, hives have less vigour following pollination, potentially due to higher Nosema spp. (Nosematidae) spore loads, the microsporidian causing nosemosis. We undertook a study to determine whether sending honey bee hives to lowbush blueberry fields for pollination (blueberry hives) results in higher Nosema spp. spore loads relative to hives remaining in apiaries (home hives). Nosema spp. spore loads were quantified using light microscopy. Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae were differentiated using polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Nosema spp. spore loads were greatest in April and May and declined to low levels from June to September. Ninety-eight per cent of Nosema detections were positive for N. ceranae. In April, blueberry hives had a lower spore load than home hives did;however, in June, spore loads were significantly higher in blueberry hives. No other differences in Nosema spp. spore loads were observed between hive types. We conclude that Nosema ceranae is the dominant Nosema species in the Canadian Maritimes and that using hives for lowbush blueberry pollination does not appear to influence long-term Nosema spp. spore loads.

Endothelial cell viability after DMEK graft preparation

PurposeTo evaluate the effect of graft preparation and organ‐culture storage on endothelial cell density (ECD) and viability of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) grafts.MethodsDMEK grafts (n = 27) were prepared at Amnitrans EyeBank Rotterdam from 27 corneas (15 donors) that were eligible for transplantation but could not be allocated due to the Covid‐19‐related cancellation of elective surgeries. Cell viability (by Calcein‐AM staining) and ECD of 5 grafts originally scheduled for transplantation, were evaluated on the originally planned surgery day, whereas 22 grafts from paired donor corneas were evaluated either directly post‐preparation or after 3–7 days of storage. ECD was analyzed by light microscopy (LM ECD) and Calcein‐AM staining (Calcein‐ECD)ResultsLight microscopy (LM) evaluation of all grafts showed an unremarkable endothelial cell monolayer directly after preparation. However, median Calcein‐ECD for the 5 grafts initially allocated for transplantation was 18% (range 9–73%) lower than median LM ECD. For the paired DMEK grafts, Calcein‐ECD determined by Calcein‐AM staining on the day of graft preparation and after 3–7 days of graft storage showed a median decrease of 1% and 2%, respectively. Median percentage of central graft area populated by viable cells after preparation and after 3‐7 days of graft storage was 88% and 92%, respectively.ConclusionsCell viability of most of the grafts will not be affected by preparation and storage. Endothelial cell damage may be observed for some grafts within hours after preparation with insignificant additional ECD changes during 3–7 days of graft storage. Implementing an additional post‐preparation step in the eye bank to evaluate cell density before graft release for transplantation may help to reduce postoperative DMEK complications

Just Seeing Is Not Enough for Believing: Immunolabelling as Indisputable Proof of SARS-CoV-2 Virions in Infected Tissue.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that identification of SARS-CoV-2 virions by transmission electron microscopy could be misleading due to the similar morphology of virions and ubiquitous cell structures. This study thus aimed to establish methods for indisputable proof of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virions in the observed tissue. METHODS: We developed a variant of the correlative microscopy approach for SARS-CoV-2 protein identification using immunohistochemical labelling of SARS-CoV-2 proteins on light and electron microscopy levels. We also performed immunogold labelling of SARS-CoV-2 virions. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid proteins and subsequent correlative microscopy undoubtedly proved the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virions in the analysed human nasopharyngeal tissue. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 virions was also confirmed by immunogold labelling for the first time. CONCLUSIONS: Immunoelectron microscopy is the most reliable method for distinguishing intracellular viral particles from normal cell structures of similar morphology and size as virions. Furthermore, we developed a variant of correlative microscopy that allows pathologists to check the results of IHC performed first on routinely used paraffin-embedded samples, followed by semithin, and finally by ultrathin sections. Both methodological approaches indisputably proved the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virions in cells.

A Joint Action in Times of Pandemic: The German BioImaging Recommendations for Operating Imaging Core Facilities During the SARS-Cov-2 Emergency.

Operating shared resource laboratories (SRLs) in times of pandemic is a challenge for research institutions. In a multiuser, high-turnover working space, the transmission of infectious agents is difficult to control. To address this challenge, imaging core facility managers being members of German BioImaging discussed how shared microscopes could be operated with minimal risk of spreading SARS-CoV-2 between users and staff. Here, we describe the resulting guidelines and explain their rationale, with a focus on separating users in space and time, protective face masks, and keeping surfaces virus-free. These recommendations may prove useful for other types of SRLs. © 2020 The Authors. Cytometry Part A published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.

A comprehensive library of fluorescent constructs of SARS-CoV-2 proteins and their initial characterisation in different cell types.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Comprehensive libraries of plasmids for SARS-CoV-2 proteins with various tags (e.g., Strep, HA, Turbo) are now available. They enable the identification of numerous potential protein-protein interactions between the SARS-CoV-2 virus and host proteins. RESULTS: We present here a large library of SARS CoV-2 protein constructs fused with green and red fluorescent proteins and their initial characterisation in various human cell lines including lung epithelial cell models (A549, BEAS-2B), as well as in budding yeast. The localisation of a few SARS-CoV-2 proteins matches their proposed interactions with host proteins. These include the localisation of Nsp13 to the centrosome, Orf3a to late endosomes and Orf9b to mitochondria. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: This library should facilitate further cellular investigations, notably by imaging techniques.

Virtual Microscopy as a Learning Tool in Brazilian Medical Education.

Virtual microscopy (VM) is a widely used teaching method in Medical Education in many developed countries. In Brazil, however, this is not the case for most medical schools, considering Brazilian social inequality and uneven access to technology. Recently, the Covid-19 pandemic has also challenged Universities to seek and make a transition toward more effective methods of full-time online education. Thus, the main goal of this work was to verify student's perception and academic performance, assessed upon VM implementation in a Brazilian Medical School. Ribeirao Preto Medical School students answered a 26-question survey with regards to optical microscopy (OM) and VM. Academic performance was compared between participants that were (year of 2019) or were not (year of 2015) exposed to VM. Taken the results together, subjective impressions such as handling, suitability, learning effectiveness, and pleasure using the tools, have shown a higher score for virtual microscopy (median = 29), when compared to optical microscopy (median = 24) with a P-value < 0.001 by Wilcoxon rank test, upon measurement using an ordinal scale. Regarding academic performance, no statistically significant differences were found between groups (P-value = 0.38, Cohen's d = 0.19). Therefore, VM proved to be adequate to the Brazilian medical education in light of Brazilian social contexts and Covid-19 pandemic.