10th Anniversary Congress of the World Muscle Society in Iguaçu, Brazil, September 2005: Reflections

10th Anniversary Congress of the World Muscle Society in Iguac¸u, Brazil, September 2005: Reflections Close your eyes and imagine yourself at a five-star luxury resort hotel, lounging by the poolside in swimwear, sipping cocktails and soaking up the embracing warmth of a Brazilian spring. What better way to top this, after a dip in the thermal waters, than to tuck into a Barbara Cartland novel, or a spot of Carol Vorderman’s Sudoku puzzle-solving. Not so for the faithful disciples of the World Muscle Society. On arriving at the Mabu and Thermos Resort Hotel at Iguac¸u in 28o of sunshine wearing my winter clothing, following a chilly evening departure from London and a 6-hour wait in a cool and rainy Sao Paulo (though experiencing one of the famous E’s—Excitement—on seeing the Ferrari back-up team in bright red, checking in for a flight following the weekend’s Grand Prix), I found myself somewhat overdressed, identifying various members of the WMS sunning themselves and reading—not light novels—but such serious texts as Neuromuscular Disorders, The Floppy Infant, and Second Edition of Muscle Biopsy. far more gripping reading for our muscle devotees, as they flexed their mental muscles in readiness for the 10th Anniversary Congress of the World Muscle Society. [One delegate was even reading the minutes of the last NMD editorial board meeting, but I promised not to reveal his/her identity.] Back in the hotel foyer at 6pm, delegates and their accompanying persons were greeted with a choice of three cocktails: pineapple flavour, strawberry or a caipirinha, a traditional Brazilian cocktail made with a spirit (cachac¸a) with freshly squeezed lemon and plenty of sugar—a chance to experience another E: Exotic. Delegates made their way to the main congress hall for the opening ceremony and a welcome from our hosts, Mayana Zatz and Mariz Vainzof. After a light-hearted and very entertaining introduction by Mayana on some important Brazilian genes, including the BHF gene [Big Hug Friendly] reflecting the particular Brazilian characteristic of calor humano, we were treated to a masterly presentation by Dr. Sergio D. Pena, an eminent Brazilian researcher who in fact began his scientific career in the muscle field, giving a very interesting talk E-talk— Ethnographic—on the genetic origins of the Brazilian people. The Brazilian population has a worldwide gene pool, with ancestors over the centuries originating from Asia, Europe and Africa, surely an excellent prognosis for the survival of the Brazilian population for years to come. Various marker studies on the different population categories, black, white or brown, showed that each had a remarkably similar mix of all three. Following the talk, delegates moved on to the dining hall for more cocktails, soft drinks, a buffet supper and quiet conversation to the accompaniment of some soft music performed by Luana. By 10pm the majority of delegates, relaxed and tired, retreated to their slumber. A few, however, took a late evening bathe or a hydro-massage in the warm waters, while others chatted at the poolside or drank a beer and played billiards. While the academic proceedings began in earnest at 8.30 a.m. on Thursday morning, accompanying persons were able to take a later, more leisurely breakfast. There were a number of extra-curricular activities on offer within the hotel complex and outside. At the hotel, one could keep fit by working out in a gymnasium area, swimming, or by jogging around the beautifully landscaped grounds adorned with exotic and brightly coloured birds and flowers. Alternatively one could be pampered by a relaxing massage and allow one’s mind to slowly drift away into a soporific haze in the tranquil surroundings of a secluded patio area decorated in a fashion that would delight all feng shui aficionados, with giant soft cushions, warm wood flooring, trickling miniature water fountain, wind chimes and ambient melodies floating in the atmosphere. Beyond the hotel complex there was a choice of two bird parks to visit, one of which allowed the visitor to enter the enclosures and experience the birds at very close quarters. The obligatory activity on everyone’s agenda, however, was to view the Iguac¸u Falls, from both the Argentinian and the Brazilian side. My first encounter with the falls was from Argentinian side. After a rather protracted and bureaucratic haul through passport control into Argentina followed by a similar process into the national park to gain access to the waters, visitors were ushered onto a train taking them on a 2 km ride to a point from which one could reach the waterfalls from the river above the falls at Devil’s Throat, via a (500 m) long walkway over the broad and deceptively tranquil waters before the falls with only the occasional alligator sliding past and causing a ripple. With the twists and turns in the walkway between islands of rich vegetation, one had no inkling of the dramatic tumbling waters a few hundred metres ahead. The first hint of this was the sight of a steamy haze ahead that rose and dropped gently and silently. 0960-8966/$ - see front matter doi:10.1016/j.nmd.2005.11.007

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It was only in the final 100 m approach that a rumbling could be heard. And finally, on a platform virtually hanging over the precipice, one finally experienced the true energy and noise of the falls. This definitely warranted another E: Exhilaration—as the force of the tumbling water rebounding off the rocks soaked the sightseers. However, this excursion to the Devil’s Throat from above was only one part of the adventure on the Argentinian side. Returning the starting point either by train or—far more interesting—on foot, there was a choice of three paths that led embryonic Amazon explorers to various areas and levels of the extensive falls. By following the lowest path one could go out on a platform to the very foot of a great waterfall and almost touch it, and once again a giant cold shower was on offer to refresh and invigorate walkers on this hot day. Visitors keen to experience the waterfalls in a still more dramatic and adventurous way and to confront them head on—such as our President and also the intrepid Elsevier flying Dutchman and publishing editor extraordinaire, Peter Bakker, [also accustomed to head-on confrontations—with editors of scientific journals!]—could take a speedboat up the river and speed right up to the Devil’s Throat and take in torrents of tumbling water. Returning to the congress, Thursday evening saw the grand 10th anniversary party for the WMS. At the end of the dining hall this time there was a stage behind some fairly unassuming white curtains. Congress attendees, their thoughts flowing either with muscle matters or waterfalls, depending on what they had undertaken that day, queued to select their supper from a rich and appetising selection from a buffet. To complete the meal there was an irresistible array of brightly coloured sweets— strawberry flan, chocolate gateau, lemon luxury, noisette layer cake and any amount of exotic fresh fruit. Quiet conversation over starters, however, was interrupted rather abruptly by the booming intro of the night’s entertainment, Champion Band, a lively and dynamic young group of singers, musicians and dancers from Londrina, Parana´. The music subsided for a while, however, as the WMS 10th Birthday cake was brought to the front of the stage. The WMS foundation members were called to step forward for photographs followed by blowing out the candles to celebrate ten golden years. And then the REAL party in true Brazilian style began, and leading the revelers was the local cohort of Brazilian delegates who immediately started off the dancing with wild abandon, followed by an Italian contingent hot on their heels. Out came the ornate carnival head costumes, out came the maracas. While a number of delegates slipped away to a quiet haven in their rooms, most soon warmed to the carnival atmosphere as their dinner digested and the caipirinhas took their effect. Lead singer, Marcio, radiating such energy and enthusiasm, whipped the party up into near frenzy as scientists-turned-party animals joined linked arms and held onto shoulders at various times dancing the conga, the can-can, the rumba. A moment of glory for Mariz: she lured Haluk Topalog˘lu and Francesco Muntoni into dancing the samba! By midnight the converted carnival fans were screaming for encores as Marcio, still brimming over with energy and charisma, finally had to take a final bow to allow party-goers to retire to bed in order to be fit for Friday’s cerebral exertions. Friday’s academic proceedings had been scheduled to finish early to enable a whole-congress visit to the Brazilian side of the Iguac¸u falls. This was a major organisational operation, with 10 coaches ferrying all delegates into the Brazilian National Park to the falls. On departing from the hotel, everyone was given a special T-shirt sporting a picture of the falls, courtesy of Carl Zeiss, and a pocket sized packaged waterproof poncho, provided by Elsevier. This excursion provided an excellent opportunity for everyone to relax and enjoy the full panorama and changing dramatic views of the falls as one headed towards the Devil’s Throat. En route back to the hotel there was also an opportunity for some ‘retail therapy’ including all kinds of craft souvenirs, and most importantly: plenty of chocolate. On Friday evening the festivities and socialising continued. At the gala banquet, delegates were served at table and watched some typical carnival dancing in full costume, followed by a traditional stick-fighting performed by dance group Capoeira from the province of Bahia. After dinner it was time to present some very special awards to celebrate those delegates who had attended all ten WMS congresses, the Iguac¸u 10-timers. The honoured recipients of a special medal generously provided by Elsevier were: Katie Bushby, Gillian Butler-Browne, Marianne de Visser, Victor Dubowitz, David Hilton-Jones, Eugenio Mercuri, Luciano Merlini, Francesco Muntoni, Anders Oldfors, Ros Quinlivan, Caroline Sewry, Fernando Tome´, Haluk Topalog˘lu, Kiri Vajsar, Thomas Voit, with an “honorary 10-timer” medal to Giovanni Nigro, who was unavoidably prevented from attending one congress. There were in addition posthumous awards for two colleagues and friends who would have certainly been at Iguac¸u if they had not been struck by such bad fortune: Kiichi Arahata and Louise Anderson, both of whom are sadly missed personally and professionally. And so to the final day of the congress. After the academic activities the congress concluded with some words of farewell from WMS President Victor Dubowitz. First and foremost a huge thank-you to Mariz Vainzof, whose life over the past few months had been consumed by congress organisation. All her hard work had paid off and the event had been an overwhelming success, not only academically but also socially, with a record number of delegates bringing along family members, (64 accompanying persons) making the congress a well-rounded, socially inclusive experience. Appreciation was expressed for Julio and the young and dynamic Idealiza congress organising team—Monica, Juliana, Rafael and Cris, who added the sparkle to the occasion—and plenty of balloons—800 in fact! And a special thank you to Alessandro, who was always helpful and a great support for Mariz. Working for Blumar, who were responsible for all the accommodation, Vivian Barbosa had been indispensable in her role in the secretariat, and always sensitive to everyone’s needs, while Bruno Vale had provided essential

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support for the pre-congress course. And let’s not forget Enio and Arlete from Convenio, who had organised the transfers between hotels and airport, as well as mobilising 400 people to reach the falls on the congress special excursion. Finally came the handing over of the WMS flag to the next incumbent, Peter Van den Bergh—with an unexpected hitch.no flag! Interpol are currently investigating the disappearance! It was last seen at the handing over ceremony from Anders Oldfors to Mayana Zatz in Goteborg last year. Has anyone seen our flag? Still the congress was not completely finished. In previous years at this stage, delegates would gradually vapourise and by 7 pm the congress rooms and hotel lobby would be quiet, empty and ghostly. However, this was not the Brazilian way of

Figs. 1–6. (1) Exploratory pre-congress visit to the Mabu Resorts Hotel: V. Dubowitz and F. Tome´ meet the local organizing committee and the hotel management. Enigmatic rainbow alighting on Mother Nature’s ‘pot of gold’ (2) as the organizers familiarize themselves with the local attractions, and take an Exhilarating white-knuckle ride (3) to Devil’s Throat. After such Exertions it’s back to the hotel to take it Easy, (4) testing the facilities in the massage suite. The candles on the Tenth Anniversary cake Extinguished (5), there’s Exuberance as the partying begins (6).

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concluding events: at 7 pm yet another party was getting underway—caipirinhas by the poolside to sharpen the appetite and weaken the knees, followed by a final banquet in the dining hall. Farewell Iguacu! Farewell waterfalls! An idyllic location for the anniversary congress. But already people are contemplating possible venues for the next major milestone, 15th anniversary congress in 2010. any ideas? Please contact the President! Jane Miller

Figs. 7–12. (7) The Endeavours of some delegates to attend all ten congresses are rewarded with a medal, and all at the party are Entertained by Effervescent dancers (8). Mariz and Mayana proudly present their Erudite young cohort of Extroverts from Sao Paulo (9), who also Excel themselves on stage (10) dancing Exotically. (11) Many myologists also Expended Excess Energy in the pool playing volleyball. Delegates collect their waterproof ponchos and T-shirts (12) for the great anniversary Excursion to the Iguac¸u Falls. Thanks to all our roving camera persons for the excellent selection of illustrative material for us to choose from.