Publications by authors named "Velasquez D"

Background: Reproductive health technology has evolved significantly since the introduction of in vitro fertilization in 1978, enhancing the possibility of conceiving children at later stages in life. Despite these advancements, there remains a critical gap in fertility knowledge among young adults, as demonstrated by recent studies. This gap is compounded by the growing influence of social media on health information, where misinformation can distort public understanding of fertility-related issues.

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Purpose: Despite the importance of socioeconomic status (SES) diversity within the health care workforce, little progress has been made toward this elusive goal. Although centuries of structural disadvantage underlie this stagnation, medical schools are well positioned to increase enrollment and retention of students from low-SES backgrounds. In this research report, the authors investigate existing efforts in undergraduate medical education to improve SES diversity.

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Bowel obstruction, perforation and acute drug overdose due to packet rupture are known complication of "body-packing". We present the case of a 47-year-old man, who ingested drug-filled packets with acute bowel obstruction. A CT scan revealed multiple hyperdense ovoid bodies along distended and fluid-filled small bowel loops and an infiltrating appendiceal tumor with proximal packet retention.

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Background: Varicocele, a common vascular abnormality surrounding the testis, is known to be associated with impaired semen parameters and male infertility in adults. However, its impact on the adolescent and young adult (AYA) population is less well known.

Objectives: The study aimed to assess the improvement in sperm parameters following varicocelectomy in the AYA population, comparing them to matched adult counterparts, and investigating potential advantages of early intervention.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of using an operating microscope (OM) versus dental loupes (DL) for alveolar ridge augmentation (ARP) after tooth extraction, focusing on wound healing and bone quality.
  • Forty teeth from 33 patients were randomly divided into two groups; one received treatment with OM and the other with DL. Results showed that the OM group had significantly fewer tissue remnants and better healing scores at 2 and 4 weeks post-surgery.
  • By the 12-week mark, both groups had similar bone healing and quality results, suggesting the early benefits of OM in reducing tissue remnants did not translate into long-term differences in bone health.
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Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the audiological test results from a sample of 60 adults with self-reported misophonia.

Method: Audiological testing was completed prior to participant randomization in a controlled trial for misophonia treatment. Participants completed the Inventory of Hyperacusis Symptoms Survey (IHS), the Tinnitus and Hearing Survey (THS), the Misophonia Questionnaire (MQ), and behavioral and objective audiometric measures.

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Purpose: Intracavernosal injections are used to treat erectile dysfunction. Patient compliance with intracavernosal injections is required for success, though factors influencing compliance are unknown. This study aimed to identify factors that influence compliance with intracavernosal injections among men with erectile dysfunction.

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The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had widespread implications on various aspects of life; however, there is a paucity of longitudinal data regarding its impact on sexual behavior. To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on changes in frequency of sexual activity and partner dynamics in the United States, we utilized data from the General Social Survey (GSS). This biannual survey of adults in the United States, provided responses from 12,791 participants, enabling a comparative analysis of sexual behaviors between pre-COVID-19 (2016 and 2018, n = 5215 respondents) and COVID-19 periods (2021 and 2022, n = 7576 respondents).

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Objective: To describe the evidence of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), Stem cells therapy (SCT) and Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWL) for the treatment of Peyronies disease (PD), including information from the main urological society guidelines.

Materials And Methods: A literature review of PubMed articles published between 2000 and 2023 was conducted, utilizing keywords such as "Peyronie's Disease", "Penile curvature", "Platelet Rich Plasma", "Stem cells", and "Extracorporeal shockwave therapy". Only full-text articles in English were included, excluding case reports and opinions.

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Introduction: Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is a common challenge post Radical Prostatectomy (RALP), affecting men's sexual health after undergoing definitive cancer therapy. Despite employing nerve-sparing techniques, ED remains a prevalent issue in this population. Studies indicate that approximately 70%-85% of men experience varying degrees of ED following RALP.

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Article Synopsis
  • Partial penectomy (PP) is often preferred over total penectomy (TP) for treating penile cancer because it helps preserve urinary function, but direct comparisons of results between the two procedures were previously lacking.
  • A study analyzed data from 260 penile cancer patients (67 TP and 193 PP) to evaluate differences in pre-operative risk factors and outcomes, finding that PP patients generally had fewer health issues and better recovery metrics than TP patients.
  • Key findings indicated that PP patients experienced shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, less need for additional surgeries, and fewer comorbid conditions; however, information on postoperative sexual function post-treatment is still limited.
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  • The rising issue of microplastics (MPs), tiny particles less than 5 mm, poses serious risks to both the environment and human health, finding their way into food and drink.
  • A study aimed to investigate the presence of MPs in human penile tissue sampled from patients undergoing surgery for inflatable penile prosthetics, using advanced imaging techniques for analysis.
  • Results showed that MPs were detected in 80% of samples, with common types found being polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene, prompting concerns about the impact of these pollutants on sexual health.
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Purpose Of Review: This narrative review aims to outline the current available evidence, challenges, and future perspectives of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the diagnosis and management of priapism, a condition marked by prolonged and often painful erections that presents unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Recent Findings: Recent advancements in AI offer promising solutions to face the challenges in diagnosing and treating priapism. AI models have demonstrated the potential to predict the need for surgical intervention and improve diagnostic accuracy.

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Many physicians are pursuing additional advanced degrees, though no study has evaluated the characteristics and career choices of physicians who have pursued graduate policy degrees. We therefore searched employment and alumni data from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in addition to publicly available information to identify physicians who graduated with a policy degree from 1964 to 2002. We identified 258 physicians with policy degrees and found that they are increasing in number, though females are underrepresented when compared to the female physician workforce; likely to pursue clinical training in specialties highly proximate to public policy challenges, with most physicians remaining medically licensed after residency; and more likely to hold nonclinical roles in academia, clinical leadership, and the private sector than in nonprofits and government.

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Introduction: Obstructive azoospermia occurs when there is a blockage in the male reproductive tract, leading to a complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate. It constitutes around 40% of all cases of azoospermia (1, 2). Blockages in the male reproductive tract can arise from either congenital or acquired factors, affecting various segments such as the epididymis, vas deferens, and ejaculatory ducts (3).

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Background: Priapism is a rare condition characterized by persistent erection of the penis that lasts more than 4 hours in the absence of sexual stimulation and is associated with significant morbidity and complications, including erectile dysfunction and penile fibrosis. Surgical management of priapism can be extremely challenging. We herein provide a comprehensive review that aims to evaluate the role of penile prosthesis (PP) implantation in the management of priapism.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The video provides a detailed tutorial on microsurgical reconstruction for obstructive azoospermia, specifically focusing on the procedure of connecting the vas deferens to the rete testis, aimed at aiding healthcare professionals in reproductive medicine.
  • - It utilizes advanced technology, like the ORBEYE 4K 3D Camera, to offer clear surgical footage while ensuring ethical standards by obtaining patient consent and reviewing medical histories.
  • - The findings suggest that this surgical method is an effective option for treating obstructive azoospermia, especially in cases with non-dilated epididymis tubules, contributing valuable insights to the field of reproductive medicine.
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The Peruvian guanaco () is classified as being "in critical danger of extinction" by the government. In this study, we evaluate how the conflict between farmers and guanacos in the Susapaya and Estique Districts, Tacna Department (Southern Peru) may represent a threat to their survival. To evaluate the situation, we 1.

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Background: Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) affects 3% to 15% of all cancer patients. In patients with advanced cancer and inoperable MBO, the average survival varies between four to nine weeks. Parenteral nutrition (PN) may improve survival in specific patient populations with malignant bowel obstruction.

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  • Peyronie's Disease (PD) causes painful erections and penile curvature due to fibrotic plaques, and current treatments are not very effective.
  • A study at the University of Miami tested the safety and effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) as a treatment by comparing it to a placebo with forty-one PD patients, each receiving both treatments over six months.
  • Preliminary results show that while PRP appears safe and effective in reducing curvature over time in one group, pain reduction was not significantly different between PRP and placebo, indicating the need for more research on PRP’s long-term effects.
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Unlabelled: Wound healing monitoring for abnormality identification and intervention is crucial to securing a successful surgical outcome. Indices have been used to summarize the degree of healing. Given the increasing frequency of regenerative procedures which preserve dentition and implant stability, and the higher esthetic demands, an appraisal of the available indices is needed to identify the current knowledge gap.

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