Predictors of Long-term Mortality after Hospitalization for Severe COPD Exacerbation.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a global health problem resulting in significant morbidity. Acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) is a severe complication associated with increased short- and long-term mortality. Identifying predictors of long-term mortality after a severe AECOPD may improve management and long-term outcome of this disease.

Overlapping regional distribution of CCK and TPPII mRNAs in Cynomolgus monkey brain and correlated levels in human cerebral cortex (BA 10).

Unlabelled: Tripeptidyl peptidase II (TPPII) is a high molecular weight exopeptidase important in inactivating extracellular cholecystokinin (CCK). Our aims were to study the anatomical localization of TPPII and CCK mRNA in the Cynomolgus monkey brain as a basis for a possible functional anatomical connection between enzyme (TPPII) and substrate (CCK) and examine if indications of changes in substrate availability in the human brain might be reflected in changes of levels of TPPII mRNA.

Methods: mRNA in situ hybridization on postmortem brain from patients having had a schizophrenia diagnosis as compared to controls and on monkey and rat brain slices.

Pentagastrin test for anxiety--psychophysiology and personality.

Rationale: CCK(B) receptor agonists such as pentagastrin or CCK(4) have anxiogenic panic-like effects in humans. Our previous findings are in agreement with a relationship between C-peptide plasma levels (as a measure of insulin release) and sensitivity to psychotropic activation by CCK(B) receptor stimulation.

Objectives: Our present aim was to study the transient humoral, physiological and psychotropic effects of pentagastrin bolus injection and whether personality might affect the outcome.

Anxiogenic effects of the CCK(B) agonist pentagastrin in humans and dose-dependent increase in plasma C-peptide levels.

Rationale: Cholecystokinin type B (CCK(B)) receptor agonists such as pentagastrin or CCK-4 have panic-like anxiogenic effects in humans. It has also been shown that CCK-4 can stimulate insulin release and thus C-peptide release from pancreatic islet cells. Combined, these mechanisms may provide a basis for a bioassay.