Publications by authors named "J den Dekker"
Advancing microbiome-gut-brain axis science requires systematic, rational and translational approaches to bridge the critical knowledge gaps currently preventing full exploitation of the gut microbiome as a tractable therapeutic target for gastrointestinal, mental and brain health. Current research is still marked by many open questions that undermine widespread application to humans. For example, the lack of mechanistic understanding of probiotic effects means it remains unclear why even apparently closely related strains exhibit different effects in vivo.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Knowledge about the long-term course and prognosis of persistent somatic symptoms (PSS) is important to improve clinical decision-making and guidance for patients with PSS. Therefore, we aimed to: (1) identify distinct 5-year trajectories of symptom severity, physical and mental functioning in adult patients with PSS and (2) explore patient characteristics associated with these trajectories.
Design: We used longitudinal data (seven measurements over a 5-year period) of the PROSPECTS study: a prospective cohort of adult patients with PSS.
Article Synopsis
- There is evidence suggesting that using stents or decompressing stomas before surgery for left-sided obstructive colon cancer (LSOCC) is safer than emergency surgery, particularly for patients aged 70 and older.
- A study analyzing data from 2012 to 2020 showed a decrease in emergency resections, from 79.7% to 54.7%, with an increase in safer approaches like resection after stent or stoma.
- Despite a national trend towards safer surgical methods, some hospitals still performed over 75% emergency resections, leading to higher mortality rates, emphasizing the need to follow updated guidelines for elderly patients.
The immunologic consequences of using bactericidal versus bacteriostatic antibiotic treatments are unclear. We observed a bacteriostatic (growth halting) treatment was more protective than a bactericidal (bacteria killing) treatment in a murine peritonitis model. To understand this unexpected difference, we compared macrophage responses to bactericidal treated bacteria or bacteriostatic treated bacteria.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- This article discusses common questions and symptoms related to STDs that patients frequently raise with general practitioners and special clinics, emphasizing the importance of understanding sexual behavior in making accurate diagnoses.
- It highlights the need for careful risk assessment and testing policies, particularly for high-risk individuals who should be tested for gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B, while also addressing the significance of early detection and treatment.
- The use of PrEP is mentioned as a preventative measure against HIV, stressing that while it can enhance sexual health, consistent condom usage remains vital for STD prevention.