Perseveration and Shifting in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder as a Function of Uncertainty, Punishment, and Serotonergic Medication.

Background: The nature of cognitive flexibility deficits in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which historically have been tested with probabilistic reversal learning tasks, remains elusive. Here, a novel deterministic reversal task and inclusion of unmedicated patients in the study sample illuminated the role of fixed versus uncertain rules/contingencies and of serotonergic medication. Additionally, our understanding of probabilistic reversal was enhanced through theoretical computational modeling of cognitive flexibility in OCD.

Case report: PIK3CA somatic mutation leading to Klippel Trenaunay Syndrome and multiple tumors.

We report a case of Klippel Trenaunay Syndrome that was monitored both clinically and molecularly over a period of 9 years. A somatic mosaic mutation of (p(E545G)) was identified using both cfDNA NGS liquid biopsy and tissue biopsy. At the age of 56, due to intervening clonal mutations in background, she developed a squamous cell carcinoma in the right affected leg which was treated surgically.

Risk taking for potential losses but not gains increases with time of day.

Humans exhibit distinct risk preferences when facing choices involving potential gains and losses. These preferences are believed to be subject to neuromodulatory influence, particularly from dopamine and serotonin. As neuromodulators manifest circadian rhythms, this suggests decision making under risk might be affected by time of day.

Molecular Polymorphisms of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene and Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Very Low Birth Weight Infants.

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease affecting primarily preterm and very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Despite the advances in perinatal care, BPD remains a major clinical and costly complication in premature infants. The pathogenesis of BPD is complex and multifactorial.