Dopamine Release in the Nucleus Accumbens Core Encodes the General Excitatory Components of Learning.

Dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens core (NAcC) is generally considered to be a proxy for phasic firing of the ventral tegmental area dopamine (VTA) neurons. Thus, dopamine release in NAcC is hypothesized to reflect a unitary role in reward prediction error signaling. However, recent studies reveal more diverse roles of dopamine neurons, which support an emerging idea that dopamine regulates learning differently in distinct circuits.

Effects of COVID-19 Status on Hip Fracture Surgical Outcomes: An ACS NSQIP Study.

Background: Studies have indicated that patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus fare worse clinically after a traumatic injury, especially those who are older and have other comorbidities.

Objective: This study aims to understand the effects of Corona Virus Disease 19 (COVID-19) diagnosis on patients undergoing surgery for hip fractures.

Methods: This is a retrospective review of the 2021 American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Targeted Hip Fracture database for patients who underwent surgery.

COVID-19 Pandemic Effects on Clinical Outcomes of Hip Fractures Among Pediatric and Adult Patients.

Background: Little is known about the distribution and outcomes of hip fractures in pediatric patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: To study the clinical outcomes of both pediatric and adult patients who underwent hip fracture surgeries and determine the effects of changes surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Both pediatric and adult surgical hip fracture cases were analyzed from the pandemic year (2020) and the control year (2019) using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.