Organizing a Mass Gathering Amidst a Rising COVID-19 Public Health Crisis: Lessons Learned From a Chinese Public Health Forum in Vancouver, BC.

Introduction The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) evolved from a rising public health concern to a pandemic over mere weeks. Before March 11, 2020, the Public Health Agency of Canada had not advised against any mass gatherings. Herein, we highlight practical precautions taken by event organizers to adapt to the rising public health threat from COVID-19 and maintain public safety when conducting a health forum for the Chinese community of Vancouver, British Columbia on February 22, 2020.

The test of infant motor performance: reliability in spinal muscular atrophy type I.

Purpose: The aim of this article was to determine reliability of the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) in infants with spinal muscular atrophy, type I (SMA-I).

Methods: Interrater reliability training was undertaken by 17 physical therapist evaluators using 6 infants with hypotonia and weakness (5 videotaped, 1 live). Eight trained evaluators then conducted a test-retest reliability study at their own center, performing 2 tests approximately 1 month apart on each of 11 infants with genetically confirmed SMA-I (5 boys, 6 girls; age range 37-501 days; 3 on pulmonary support).

The gross motor function measure is a valid and sensitive outcome measure for spinal muscular atrophy.

Spinal muscular atrophy is a genetic disease of the anterior horn cell with high morbidity rate in childhood. Certain drugs may be of benefit and are in or under consideration for Phase II trials. Outcome measures that are age appropriate and representative of disease activity remain under study.

Postoperative malnutrition in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Dysphagia and aspiration seem to be rare in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but cachexia can be associated with early death. Commonly, weight loss can be attributed to inadequate caloric intake caused by loss of ability to self-feed and/or fatigue. Our objective was to determine whether scoliosis repair is associated with malnutrition.