Abstract Introduction The importance of temporal ordering and sequencing in the auditory system is discussed because these are considered basic functions for language. Objective To verify the correlation between the practice of choir music and the temporal ordering in elderly with no prior formal musical experience. Method The study design is cross-sectional. The sample consisted of 85 elderly individuals of both genders, ≥ 60 years old, and it was composed of 43 elderly individuals with no prior formal musical experience but choir participation (research group) and 42 elderly individuals who never sang in a choir and had no music training during their life (control group). The research group was divided based on three categories of choir time. The performances of the research and control groups were compared with pitch pattern sequence (PPS), verbal condition (PPSverb), humming condition (PPShum), and duration pattern sequence (DPS) tests. Results The mean PPShum and PPSverb showed a statistically significant difference by choir time with a different mean of PPShum between the no singing experience group (59%) and the > 10 years of singing experience group (90%) (p= 0.02). Regarding the averages of PPSverb, there was a statistically significant difference between the no singing experience (23%) and > 10 years of choir time (54%) (p= 0.02) groups. Conclusion The findings indicate a better performance in the temporal ordering of the elderly who are not formal musicians but who have choir experience in the research group in relation to those with no choir experience in the control group.

ABSTRACT Introduction: A total of 57,960 new cases of breast cancer were expected in Brazil in 2016 according to data from the National Cancer Institute, corresponding to 25% of cancers in the country (excluding non-melanoma skin tumors). This study aims at presenting a surgical approach for immediate breast reconstructions with upper retropectoral and lower mixed subcutaneous cavities. Methods: The authors performed breast reconstruction using flaps of the pectoral muscle and inferior cutaneous pedicle associated with insertion of silicone breast implants. The medical records of patients operated between 2012 and 2016 at the Plastic Surgery Service of the senior author’s private clinic at Daher Hospital and Armed Forces Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The results were satisfactory, with low complication rates and high patient and author satisfaction. Thirty-six patients, with a mean age of 59 years, underwent breast reconstruction using the described technique. The complications were nipple-areola complex necrosis, dehiscence, seroma, hematoma, liponecrosis, implant displacement, and deep venous thrombosis. No patient needed salvage surgery or had recurrence of mammary neoplasia during the study period. Conclusion: The present technique preserves the skin located at the lower portion of the breast, with a low risk of dehiscence or extrusion of the implant in this region, providing a double protection of the implant, with the pectoralis major muscle in the upper two thirds and the cutaneous-dermis-fat flap in the lower third, characterizing a “dual-plane” positioning.

RESUMO Introdução: Segundo dados do Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA) de 2016, estima-se em 57.960 novos casos de câncer de mama no Brasil, o que corresponde a 25% dentre todos os tipos de cânceres no país (excluindo-se os tumores de pele não melanoma). O presente artigo visa apresentar uma forma de abordagem para as reconstruções mamárias imediatas com loja retropeitoral superior e subcutânea mista inferior. Métodos: Os autores descrevem da técnica de reconstrução mamária com retalho do músculo peitoral e pedículo cutâneo inferior, associado à inclusão de implante mamário de silicone. Foi realizada análise retrospectiva de prontuários das pacientes operadas entre os anos 2012 e 2016 no Serviço de Cirurgia Plástica da clínica privada do autor sênior, no Hospital Daher e no Hospital das Forças Armadas. Resultados: Os resultados são satisfatórios, com baixos índices de complicações e com satisfação elevada para os pacientes e os autores. Trinta e seis pacientes foram submetidas à reconstrução mamária com a técnica descrita, com média de idade de 59 anos. As complicações apresentadas foram necrose de complexo areolopapilar, deiscência, seroma, hematoma, liponecrose, deslocamento do implante e trombose venosa profunda. Nenhuma paciente teve necessidade de resgate da reconstrução ou apresentou recidiva da neoplasia mamária durante o período do estudo. Conclusão: Trata-se de técnica que preserva a pele da mama em sua parte inferior, com baixa possibilidade de deiscência ou extrusão do implante nesta região, proporcionando uma dupla proteção deste implante com o músculo peitoral maior nos dois terços superiores e o retalho cutâneodermogorduroso no terço inferior, caracterizando um “dual-plane”.

Abstract AIM This study aimed to identify the effects of aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) on gait parameters after a four-month period and to investigate the effects of a four-month program of physical activity, with emphasis on the cognitive components of gait during single and dual task, in people with AD. METHODS Twenty-three people with AD, divided into the Training Group (TG; n=12; aged 79.17±7.62 years) and the Control Group (CG; n=11; aged 77.00±5.57 years), and eleven healthy older adults (Healthy Group - HG; aged 75.82±4.83 years) were included in this study. TG participated in a physical activity program for four months. The CG and HG were instructed not to participate in any kind of regular physical activity in this period. The physical activity program includes motor activities and cognitive tasks simultaneously. The participants attended a 1-h session three times a week. The kinematic parameters of gait were analyzed under two conditions, before and after a physical activity program: single and dual task. Deltas for all dependent variables between pre and post training were calculated. The deltas were compared using two-way ANOVAs with group (TG x CG and CG x HG) and task (single x dual task) as factors, with repeated measures for task. RESULTS After the training period, the TG improved stride length, duration, velocity and cadence compared to the CG. CONCLUSION Physical activity with emphasis on cognitive components promotes better reallocation of attention while walking in people with AD, improving attentional focus on the gait and thus resulting in a safer locomotive pattern.

A investigação de timoma é recomendada em pacientes com miastenia gravis (MG) no início da doença, em caso de haver piora clínica ou aumento dos níveis do anticorpo antirreceptor de acetilcolina. Contudo, não foi estabelecido se é necessário repetir a investigação de timoma em intervalos fixos, na ausência de piora clínica, quando a investigação inicial foi negativa. A taxa de recorrência e a incidência de novo timoma foram analisadas em uma série de pacientes com MG bem controlada. A amostra consiste de 53 pacientes, idade entre 17 e 72 anos, com tempo de acompanhamento variando entre 75 e 472 meses. A primeira tomografia computadorizada de tórax detectou anormalidades no timo em oito pacientes durante a investigação inicial da doença e nenhuma anormalidade no segundo exame, após cinco anos de doença, em todos os pacientes. Os achados desse estudo corroboram a clássica opinião de que a investigação de timoma deveria ser recomendada somente se houver piora clínica da doença.

Thymoma screening is recommended at the onset of myasthenia gravis (MG) or when patients with MG present with clinical deterioration or a progressive increase of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody. However, it is unknown if it is necessary to repeat the screening of thymoma at fixed intervals, even in the absence of MG deterioration, when the initial screening is negative. We analyzed the recurrence rate and incidence of new thymoma in a series of patients with well-controlled MG. The sample consisted of 53 patients, aged 17 to 72 years, and the follow-up varied between 75 and 472 months. The chest computerized tomography detected thymus abnormalities in eight patients at the initial screening and no abnormalities in all patients at a second screening after five years. The findings of this study support the classical opinion that screening for thymoma should be recommended only if there is clinical deterioration due to the disease.