Publications by authors named "Justin Perez"

Objective: Residents interact, collaborate with, and learn from nurses, advanced practice providers, and physicians in multiple specialties. Both positive and negative experiences in the clinical workspace can affect residents' well-being, their ability to learn, and their development into effective, independent physicians. The aim of this study is to evaluate the general surgery resident experience in the nonsurgical clinical learning environment to identify how interactions outside of the operating room affect resident well-being and their ability to learn.

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Background: Cryolipolysis nonsurgically targets and reduces subcutaneous fat through controlled cooling of skin and underlying fatty tissue. Although skin changes after cryolipolysis treatment have been observed clinically, the mechanisms by which these occur are not well understood.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in the epidermal and dermal layers of human skin following cryolipolysis treatment.

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Importance: Military forces in the State of New York, comprising the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Naval Militia, and State Guard, with contributions from the Army Corps of Engineers, have made major contributions to the state response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Observations: Operation COVID-19 began on March 10, 2020, and will continue uninterrupted at least through June 2022, making it the longest and largest domestic mobilization in state history. More than 7000 service members served across 200 COVID-19 mission sites, administering more than 4 million vaccines, producing more than 35 million testing kits, delivering more than 54 million meals, and administering more than 1.

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Background: Corneal protection is a priority in flaccid facial palsy patients. Denervation of the orbicularis oculi muscle results in weak palpebral closure and predisposes patients to severe corneal sequelae. While periorbital static procedures enhance corneal coverage in repose, voluntary closure is only regained through dynamic reinnervation of the muscle.

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Background: Latinos are one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in the United States, and there is a growing demand for aesthetic rhinoplasty in these patients. The authors provide an individualized, systematic approach for evaluation and improvement of surgical outcomes in Latino patients.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients identified as Latino who underwent primary rhinoplasty and those who did not but had documented nasal photographs was performed.

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Background: The human smile is a complex coordinated activity of mimetic muscles predominantly recognizable by a superolateral pull at the commissure and elevation of the upper lip. The aim of this study was to revisit the muscles of facial expression responsible for these motions, evaluate their relational anatomy and orientation, and relate this to optimal positioning of free muscle transfer in smile reanimation.

Methods: Nineteen hemifaces from fresh cadaveric specimens were dissected.

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Repeated evolution of similar phenotypes is a widespread phenomenon found throughout the living world and it can proceed through the same or different genetic mechanisms. Cave animals with their convergent traits such as eye and pigment loss, as well as elongated appendages, are a striking example of the evolution of similar phenotypes. Yet, few cave species are amenable to genetic crossing and mapping techniques making it challenging to determine the genetic mechanisms causing their similar phenotypes.

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Background: Scar management is critical for every plastic surgeon's practice and, ultimately, the patient's satisfaction with his or her aesthetic result. Despite the critical nature of this component of routine postoperative care, there has yet to be a comprehensive analysis of the available literature over the past decade to assess the best algorithmic approach to scar care. To this end, a systematic review of best practices in preventative scar management was conducted to elucidate the highest level of evidence available on this subject to date.

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Background: Two-stage facial reanimation procedures with a cross-facial nerve graft often have unsatisfactory results in the older patient. Although the cause of result variability is likely multifactorial, some studies suggest that increased donor nerve axonal load improves function of a free muscle transfer after a cross-facial nerve graft. This study attempts to characterize the relationship between age and facial nerve axonal load.

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Background: As vascularization represents the rate-limiting step in permanent incorporation of hydrogel-based tissue-regeneration templates, the authors sought to identify the material chemistry that would optimize endothelial cell adhesion and invasion into custom hydrogel constructs. The authors further investigated induction of endothelial tubule formation by growth factor supplementation and paracrine stimulation.

Methods: Hydrogel scaffolds consisting of combinations of alginate, collagen type I, and chitosan were seeded with human umbilical vein endothelial cells and maintained under standard conditions for 14 days.

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Introduction: Autologous techniques for the reconstruction of pediatric microtia often result in suboptimal aesthetic outcomes and morbidity at the costal cartilage donor site. We therefore sought to combine digital photogrammetry with CAD/CAM techniques to develop collagen type I hydrogel scaffolds and their respective molds that would precisely mimic the normal anatomy of the patient-specific external ear as well as recapitulate the complex biomechanical properties of native auricular elastic cartilage while avoiding the morbidity of traditional autologous reconstructions.

Methods: Three-dimensional structures of normal pediatric ears were digitized and converted to virtual solids for mold design.

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Many gay men in the popular sectors of Lima, Peru participate in vóley callejero, or street volleyball. The ethnographic data presented in this article describes verbal and corporal mechanisms through which gay identity emerges within the particular context of the street volleyball game, ultimately highlighting the contextual nature of identity. The volleyball players are not just hitting a ball back and forth, they are engaging in a meaningful activity that illuminates intersections of language, sexuality, and identity.

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