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Sensory neurons use specialized apical processes to perceive external stimuli and monitor internal body conditions. The apical apparatus can include cilia, microvilli, or both, and is adapted for the functions of the particular cell type. Photoreceptors detect light through a large, modified cilium (outer segment), that is supported by a surrounding ring of microvilli-like calyceal processes (CPs). Although first reported 150 years ago, CPs remain poorly understood. As a basis for future study, we therefore conducted a review of existing literature about sensory cell microvilli, which can act either as the primary sensory detector or as support for a cilia-based detector. While all microvilli are finger-like cellular protrusions with an actin core, the processes vary across cell types in size, number, arrangement, dynamics, and function. We summarize the current state of knowledge about CPs and the characteristics of the microvilli found on inner ear hair cells (stereocilia) and cerebral spinal fluid-contacting neurons, with comparisons to the brush border of the intestinal and renal epithelia. The structure, stability, and dynamics of the actin core are regulated by a complement of actin-binding proteins, which includes both common components and unique features when compared across cell types. Further, microvilli are often supported by lateral links, a glycocalyx, and a defined extracellular matrix, each adapted to the function and environment of the cell. Our comparison of microvillar features will inform further research into how CPs support photoreceptor function, and also provide a general basis for investigations into the structure and functions of apical microvilli found on sensory neurons.

Advancing Health Equity Through Innovations and Technology This year’s summit was unique given the COVID-19 pandemic: a major global outbreak that has imposed severe restrictions in all aspects of our life. At the outset, we were faced with three mutually exclusive options. First option was to cancel the summit in its entirety: this was the easiest and most obvious choice once the COVID-19 pandemic forced a near total lockdown all over the country with unprecedented disruptions of normal daily activities as the disease announced its thunderous touchdown on United States (US) soil. It was also the most-logical response faced with uncertainty regarding summit logistics and expected poor attendance due to the raging pandemic. Second option was to conduct a digital summit restricted to local audiences at Baylor College of Medicine: this option entailed implementing a virtual summit with attendance restricted to participants from our institution only. It sounded like a reasonable choice but that would impede the presence of diversity of topics, perspectives, insights and experiential learning opportunities, which are what render the summit exciting and worth attending. And finally, the last option was to conduct a digital unrestricted summit open to all interested audiences throughout the US. The conduct of a virtual summit open to all participants from around the country was initially considered daunting given the likelihood of amplified technical problems associated with an array of internet access differentials around the country, which would require a strong Information Technology (IT) presence throughout the sessions. Nonetheless, the attractiveness of going national with a virtual summit, despite the pandemic and logistical challenges, slowly gained converts and became the dominant choice. The response and level of participation in this first virtual summit showed an unanticipated surge despite the increase in registration fees to cover IT costs. This year, we had attendees from all regions of the US as well as from the United Kingdom. The range of topics was quite diverse encompassing health disparities in relation to cancers, nutrition, musculo-skeletal disorders, amputation rates, vaccination uptakes and COVID-19 infections. Various solutions were passionately presented to address these disparities including novel health technologies, community engagement and partnerships, improvement in health literacy and alternative therapeutics. There were no hitches despite the complex breakout sessions, and above all, attendees were satisfied and offered outstanding evaluation scores. This was definitely a summit that metamorphosed from pessimism to a triumphant success! Copyright © 2020 Salihu et al. Published by Global Health and Education Projects, Inc. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in this journal, is properly cited.

Myocardial Infarction with Nonobstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA), as the name implies, is an acute myocardial infarction (MI) in the absence of significant coronary artery obstruction. Diagnosis and management of such cases have been challenging. There are many etiologies of MINOCA including coronary artery spasm, coronary microvascular dysfunction, plaque disruption, spontaneous coronary thrombosis or emboli, spontaneous coronary artery dissection, or cardiomyopathies. In this paper, the pathophysiology, diagnostic work-up, and clinical management for each subtype are described, and an overarching approach on how to evaluate and manage a patient presenting with MINOCA., MINOCA, Pathophysiology, Coronary artery spasm, Coronary plaque disruption.