Foods in squeeze pouches are widely available and are marketed as practical, convenient, and healthy food options for infants and children. However, these products do not provide adequate nutrition for growth(1) or align with the front-of-pack health claims. To develop effective strategies and guidance for squeeze pouch consumption, we need to understand which squeeze pouches are used, by whom, and why. A cross-sectional online survey of Tasmanian residents was conducted and included questions about the frequency and types of squeeze pouches consumed by infants and children (aged 0–18 years), the demographics of families who use squeeze pouches frequently and an open-ended question to explore parental motivations for using these products. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression identified demographic predictors of frequent squeeze pouch use (weekly or more). Thematic analysis of qualitative survey responses explored parental experiences. Parents (n = 179; 78% female, 37% aged 35–45 years, 84% born in Australia; 73% university educated) reported on the squeeze pouch use of n = 248 children. Most infants (0–2 years; 71.4%) used squeeze pouches weekly (85.7% consumed in past year), favouring fruit-based (57%), dairy-based (57%), vegetable-based (50%), and meal-based (36%) pouches. Over half of children aged 2–5 years (62.5%) consumed pouches weekly (81.3% consumed in past year), preferring dairy-based (73%) and fruit-based (19%) pouches. Over a third of 6–12-year-olds (35.2%) consume pouches weekly (69.3% consumed in past year), including dairy-based (66%) and fruit-based pouches (20%). A smaller proportion (13.1%) of teenagers (13–17 years) consume pouches weekly (33.3% consumed in past year), primarily choosing dairy-based (26%) and fruit-based (6%) pouches. Younger parents were over 5 times more likely to be frequent users than parents aged over 46 years (18–34 years OR: 5.3, 95% CI 1.8–15.7; 35–45 years OR: 6.0, 95% CI 2.8–12.8). Speaking a language other than English (OR: 4.8; 95% CI 1.5–14.6) also significantly predicted frequent squeeze pouch use, while gender, education, employment status, income, and food security were not associated. Key themes from parents who identified as frequent squeeze pouch users centred around convenience, on-the-go feeding, and managing fussy eating or sensory needs. Parents discussed the societal paradox they experienced, with parents expressing a dislike for squeeze pouches yet using them for behaviour modification as a food reward or buying in bulk when discounted. An understanding of commercial food influences, and greater environmental consciousness were the most common themes described by parents who identified as non-users. This study highlights the widespread use of squeeze pouches among children, particularly in younger age groups but also into middle childhood and adolescence. Comprehensive national data is needed to inform public health strategies that minimise the use of squeeze pouches in children of all ages.

Establishing early healthy eating behaviours in the complementary feeding period through to adolescence is fundamental as it can affect the health trajectory of an infant’s life into adulthood and impact lifelong eating patterns(1). Consumer demand for commercial squeeze pouches is increasing and now expanding from infants to older children. Yet, emerging research suggests that these products are nutritionally poor(2), and are frequently marketed with misleading claims that oppose infant and child feeding guidelines(3). There is a paucity of information to inform public health strategies regarding the use of squeeze pouches throughout infancy and beyond. The aim of this scoping review was to determine the frequency and types of squeeze pouches consumed by children aged 0–18 years, the sociodemographic characteristics of users, and insights from parental experiences when using these products. The scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines for scoping reviews. Three online databases were searched (MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL) in addition to grey literature. Screening of papers was completed by two independent reviewers. The database and grey literature search identified 125 articles, of which 16 underwent full-text review and 11 studies across five countries were included. In eight studies, the prevalence of squeeze pouch consumption ranged from 23.5% to 82.8% of infants and children, with studies reporting daily (n = 4; 8.7–29.2%), weekly (n = 7; 20.9–75.2%), and monthly consumption (n = 7; 16.7–70.4%). The predominant types of squeeze pouches consumed were fruit-based and dairy-based squeeze pouches. Frequent squeeze pouch use was 2.5 times more likely among families residing in areas of high deprivation, or if childcare was used. Household composition also impacted squeeze pouch use as families with two or more children were more likely to use these products. Additionally, frequent pouch use was associated with early cessation of breastfeeding and early introduction of solids. Five studies on parental perceptions of squeeze pouches reported benefits including convenience, perceived health, and perceived low cost while four studies expressed concerns relating to waste and environmental impacts, health and nutrition, and perceived high cost. This review highlights that the widespread use of squeeze pouches, particularly fruit and dairy-based pouches among infants and children is driven by convenience, changing family needs and effective marketing strategies. Public health policy is needed to address concerns regarding the nutritional quality of squeeze pouches and regulate marketing strategies to ensure parents are adequately informed about the health implications of these products. Further research should focus on identifying barriers to safe and nutritious complementary feeding practices and developing targeted education programs to promote optimal feeding practices that minimise the use of squeeze pouches in infants and children of all ages.

Nutrition plays a key role in brain development in the first 1000–2000 days of life(1). Furthermore, fussy eating is broadly defined as the inconsistent rejection and acceptance of both familiar and unfamiliar foods(2). Fussy eating is reportedly found in 10–15% of 2–3-year-old children, although typically starts to decrease in prevalence by 4 years old(3). Despite this decrease in the general population, children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder, can see a protracted continuation of fussy eating and reject approximately 30% more foods than typically developing children(4). Consequently, for some children with neurodevelopmental disabilities maintaining adequate nutritional intake can be a challenge. Key nutrients for optimal neurodevelopment include iron, omega-3, protein, zinc and folate(1), and underconsumption of these nutrients can lead to poorer developmental outcomes in some children(1). Limited empirical evidence has been published on fussy eating in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and no studies has examined the effects of poor diet variety on their emotional regulation. This study aims to systematically review current evidence to determine the association between fussy eating, diet variety and experiences of emotional regulation in children with neurodevelopmental disability. The search strategy was designed with the use of database specific index phrasing and was modified and tested several times before the formal search day. The systematic literature review was conducted across Medline, Scopus, Embase, Cinahl and Google Scholar. Studies included were dated from 2014–2024 and must have included children with a diagnosed or suspected neurodevelopmental condition and be aged been 1 to 9 years. Articles were excluded if children were following diets restricted by caregivers such as vegetarianism or ketogenic diets. Studies which focused primarily on a psychological outcome were also excluded due to the scope of the research not being within a nutrition related field. All articles were stored in Endnote, with duplicates removed before screening. The search results yielded 500 articles, following screening 10 full text articles met all inclusion criteria. Following data extraction, results illustrated that children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and observed fussy eating behaviours can experience difficulties regulating emotions. Additionally, diet variety was found to be consisting primarily of processed grains and meats, with minimal wholegrain and vegetable intake. Further research is needed to understand the aetiology and causative pathways between fussy eating, diet variety and emotional regulation for children with neurodevelopmental disability to better inform potential dietary interventions in this population.

Recently there have been extraordinary instances of public and political elite complaints toward the Supreme Court. Through a survey experiment, we find that when respondents read that a copartisan executive is offended by recent Supreme Court decisions and threatening to ignore future decisions, respondents increase their support of executives’ not complying with and going public against the Court. Additionally, we find that partisans reward candidates by voting for them at higher rates if they ignore a Court decision that harmed the participant’s party. Our findings hold implications for continued institutional arrangements and our understanding of the functioning of our democracy.

Routine pre-Fontan cardiac catheterization remains standard practice at most centres. However, with advances in non-invasive risk assessment, an invasive haemodynamic assessment may not be necessary for all patients.

Using retrospective data from patients undergoing Fontan palliation at our institution, we developed a multivariable model to predict the likelihood of a composite adverse post-operative outcome including prolonged length of stay ≥ 30 days, hospital readmission within 6 months, and death and/or transplant within 6 months. Our baseline model included non-invasive risk factors obtained from clinical history and echocardiogram. We then incrementally incorporated invasive haemodynamic data to determine if these variables improved risk prediction.

Our baseline model correctly predicted favourable versus adverse post-Fontan outcomes in 118/174 (68%) patients. Covariates associated with adverse outcomes included the presence of a systemic right ventricle (adjusted adds ratio [aOR] 2.9; 95% CI 1.4, 5.8; p = 0.004), earlier surgical era (aOR 3.1 for era 1 vs 2; 95% CI 1.5, 6.5; p = 0.002), and performance of concomitant surgical procedures at the time of Fontan surgery (aOR 2.5; 95% CI 1.1, 5.0; p = 0.026). Incremental addition of invasively acquired haemodynamic data did not improve model performance or percentage of outcomes predicted.

Invasively acquired haemodynamic data does not add substantially to non-invasive risk stratification in the majority of patients. Pre-Fontan catheterization may still be beneficial for angiographic evaluation of anatomy, for therapeutic intervention, and in select patients with equivocal risk stratification.

Little is known about Se intakes and status in very young New Zealand children. However, Se intakes below recommendations and lower Se status compared with international studies have been reported in New Zealand (particularly South Island) adults. The Baby-Led Introduction to SolidS (BLISS) randomised controlled trial compared a modified version of baby-led weaning (infants feed themselves rather than being spoon-fed), with traditional spoon-feeding (Control). Weighed 3-d diet records were collected and plasma Se concentration measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In total, 101 (BLISS n 50, Control n 51) 12-month-old toddlers provided complete data. The OR of Se intakes below the estimated average requirement (EAR) was no different between BLISS and Control (OR: 0·89; 95 % CI 0·39, 2·03), and there was no difference in mean plasma Se concentration between groups (0·04 μmol/l; 95 % CI −0·03, 0·11). In an adjusted model, consuming breast milk was associated with lower plasma Se concentrations (–0·12 μmol/l; 95 % CI −0·19, −0·04). Of the food groups other than infant milk (breast milk or infant formula), ‘breads and cereals’ contributed the most to Se intakes (12 % of intake). In conclusion, Se intakes and plasma Se concentrations of 12-month-old New Zealand toddlers were no different between those who had followed a baby-led approach to complementary feeding and those who followed traditional spoon-feeding. However, more than half of toddlers had Se intakes below the EAR.

Background: Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common solid malignant pediatric brain neoplasm. Group 3 (G3) MB, particularly MYC amplified G3 MB, is the most aggressive subgroup with the highest frequency of children presenting with metastatic disease, and is associated with a poor prognosis. To further our understanding of the role of MSI1 in MYC amplified G3 MB, we performed an unbiased integrative analysis of eCLIP binding sites, with changes observed at the transcriptome, the translatome, and the proteome after shMSI1 inhibition. Methods: Primary human pediatric MBs, SU_MB002 and HD-MB03 were kind gifts from Dr. Yoon-Jae Cho (Harvard, MS) and Dr. Till Milde (Heidelberg) and cultured for in vitro and in vivo experiments. eCLIP, RNA-seq, Polysome-seq, and TMT-MS were completed as previously described. Results: MSI1 is overexpressed in G3 MB. shRNA Msi1 interference resulted in a reduction in tumour burden conferring a survival advantage to mice injected with shMSI1 G3MB cells. Robust ranked multiomic analysis (RRA) identified an unconventional gene set directly perturbed by MSI1 in G3 MB. Conclusions: Our robust unbiased integrative analysis revealed a distinct role for MSI1 in the maintenance of the stem cell state in G3 MB through post-transcriptional modification of multiple pathways including identification of unconventional targets such as HIPK1.

Complexes formed between 0·034 m dimethyltin dichloride solutions and Na-montmorillonite at pH 2·4 and 4·0 have been characterized using 119Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and water sorption isotherms. The dominant exchange cation at pH 2·4 is Me2Sn2+ characterized by an isomer shift, δ, and quadrupole splitting, Δ values of 1·25 and 3·80 mm s−1, respectively. The major exchange cation at pH 4·0 is the dimer, [Me2SnOH]2 2+, (δ = 1·38, Δ = 3·34 mm s−1) although the monomer, Me2Sn(OH)+, (δ = 0·95, Δ = 3·29 mm s−1) is also present. These complexes have basal spacings of 15·0 and 16·0 Å, respectively, which are stable up to 200°C. Mössbauer spectroscopy has shown that these ions are converted to SnO2 via Me2SnO upon thermal degradation. The temperature at which these oxides appear coincides with the collapse of the basal spacing. Both complexes display BET Type IV isotherms for the adsorption of water, following thermal pretreatment at 150°C, but the complex prepared at pH 4·0 has a lower sorption capacity. Both complexes, contrary to the normal behaviour of layer-silicates, have a definite pore volume and no further uptake occurs when this is filled.

Background: Children diagnosed with medulloblastoma (MB) that are refractory to upfront therapy or experience recurrence have very poor prognoses. Reports of phase I and II studies for these children exist, but bear significant treatment related morbidity and mortality. Methods: A retrospective review of children diagnosed with a pediatric MB from 2002-2015 from the McMaster Pediatric Brain Tumour Study Group (PBTSG) captured a number of pediatric recurrent MB. Results: Over the 13-year period, 31 children with a histological diagnosis of MB were treated. At two years, 21 (67.7%) of 31 patients were free of recurrence and 25 (80.6%) survived. Thirteen children had recurrent or treatment refractory MB. mean time to recurrence was 14.6 months. The mean follow-up for survivors of recurrent MB was 4.0 years. In 3 recurrent MB, the disease had significantly progressed and the patients palliated. For the remaining children, therapy offered included surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy agents either in isolation or in varying combinations. Conclusions: Recurrent MB in our cohort carried a poor prognosis despite administration of salvage therapy. Though there is standardization of the upfront treatment exists, we observed great heterogeneity in the treatment of our 13 patients experiencing recurrence. A greater understanding of the biology of recurrent MB has the potential to guide salvage therapy.