The CoREST repressor complex mediates phenotype switching and therapy resistance in melanoma.

Virtually all patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma develop resistance to MAPK inhibitors largely through nonmutational events. Although the epigenetic landscape is shown to be altered in therapy-resistant melanomas and other cancers, a specific targetable epigenetic mechanism has not been validated. Here, we evaluated the corepressor for element 1-silencing transcription factor (CoREST) epigenetic repressor complex and the recently developed bivalent inhibitor corin within the context of melanoma phenotype plasticity and therapeutic resistance. We found that CoREST was a critical mediator of the major distinct melanoma phenotypes and that corin treatment of melanoma cells led to phenotype reprogramming. Global assessment of transcript and chromatin changes conferred by corin revealed specific effects on histone marks connected to epithelial-mesenchymal transition-associated (EMT-associated) transcription factors and the dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSPs). Remarkably, treatment of BRAF inhibitor-resistant (BRAFi-R) melanomas with corin promoted resensitization to BRAFi therapy. DUSP1 was consistently downregulated in BRAFi-R melanomas, which was reversed by corin treatment and associated with inhibition of p38 MAPK activity and resensitization to BRAFi therapies. Moreover, this activity was recapitulated by the p38 MAPK inhibitor BIRB 796. These findings identify the CoREST repressor complex as a central mediator of melanoma phenotype plasticity and resistance to targeted therapy and suggest that CoREST inhibitors may prove beneficial for patients with BRAFi-resistant melanoma.

Feasibility of Remote Administration of the Uniform Data Set-Version 3 for Assessment of Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the feasibility and concurrent validity of a modified Uniform Data Set version 3 (UDSv3) for remote administration for individuals with normal cognition (NC), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and early dementia. METHOD: Participants (N = 93) (age: 72.8 [8.9] years; education: 15.6 [2.5] years; 72% female; 84% White) were enrolled from the Wake Forest ADRC. Portions of the UDSv3 cognitive battery, plus the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, were completed by telephone or video within ~6 months of participant's in-person visit. Adaptations for phone administration (e.g., Oral Trails for Trail Making Test [TMT] and Blind Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA] for MoCA) were made. Participants reported on the pleasantness, difficulty, and preference for each modality. Staff provided validity ratings for assessments. Participants' remote data were adjudicated by cognitive experts blinded to the in person-diagnosis (NC [N = 44], MCI [N = 35], Dementia [N = 11], or other [N = 3]). RESULTS: Remote assessments were rated as pleasant as in-person assessments by 74% of participants and equally difficult by 75%. Staff validity rating (video = 92%; phone = 87.5%) was good. Concordance between remote/in-person scores was generally moderate to good (r = .3 -.8; p < .05) except for TMT-A/OTMT-A (r = .3; p > .05). Agreement between remote/in-person adjudicated cognitive status was good (k = .61-.64). CONCLUSIONS: We found preliminary evidence that older adults, including those with cognitive impairment, can be assessed remotely using a modified UDSv3 research battery. Adjudication of cognitive status that relies on remotely collected data is comparable to classifications using in-person assessments.

A Scoping Review of the Complementary Feeding Practices and Early Eating Experiences of Children With Down Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Children with Down syndrome may experience more challenges in their early feeding and may be introduced to complementary foods comparatively later than typically developing (TD) children. This scoping review aimed to identify and synthesize the existing literature that describes feeding problems and early eating experiences relating to the period of complementary feeding for children with Down syndrome. METHODS: Scopus, PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, and PsycInfo were searched. Journal articles published between January 1991 and June 2022 that reported on the complementary feeding period with children with Down syndrome were included. RESULTS: Eighteen journal articles met the inclusion criteria. Children with Down syndrome were introduced to complementary foods later than TD children and progressed to more challenging food textures at a slower rate. Gross and fine motor skill delays and sensory difficulties contributed to secondary feeding problems such as difficulties chewing, biting, and reduced awareness of food on lips and tongue. Parents of children with Down syndrome reported exercising more caution and employing more controlling feeding practices compared to TD and had higher levels of concern regarding their child's weight. CONCLUSIONS: Guidelines and early feeding support specific to children with Down syndrome should be available before the first complementary foods are introduced and throughout this period. Feeding support should aim to address parental concerns and provide assistance when feeding problems occur, to minimize delays and encourage the optimum development of eating abilities. Future research should address the development of feeding problems during this period and explore possible interventions.

Are Physician Assistants Able to Correctly Identify Prescribing Errors? A Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: (1) To describe how often physician assistant (PA) students correctly identify prescribing errors and (2) examine between-cohort differences on ability to correctly identify prescribing errors. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 2 cohorts of PA students at one institution. Students were presented with 3 hypothetical prescriptions, 2 of which contained a prescribing error. For each prescription, students were asked to (1) identify whether an error occurred and (2) indicate the type of error. A simple Poisson regression model analyzed the data. RESULTS: We received responses from 130 students (72.6% response rate). Approximately 12% (12.3%, n = 16) correctly identified whether all 3 prescriptions were correct. The median number of correctly identified prescriptions was 1 (interquartile range = 1). There was not a statistically significant between-cohort difference identifying the correct number of prescriptions (ß = 0.27, P = .10). CONCLUSION: Physician assistant students' prescribing error identification was similar to previous research in medical and nursing students. Efforts to improve prescribing training are critical to ensure patient safety.

Parenteral Nutrition in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Intravenous Lipid Emulsions.

Intravenous lipid emulsions (ILEs) are a source of nonprotein calories and fatty acids and help promote growth in preterm infants and infants with intestinal failure. An ILE dose and oil source determines its fatty acid, phytosterol, and vitamin E delivery. These factors play a role in the infant's risk for essential fatty acid deficiency and cholestasis, and help modulate inflammation, immunity, and organ development. This article reviews different ILEs and their constituents and their relationship with neonatal health.

Impact of Undergoing Thoracolumbar Surgery on Patient Psychosocial Profiles.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: Investigate the impact of thoracolumbar surgery on patients' psychosocial profiles. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of thoracolumbar surgery patients (N = 177). Measures of interest collected at baseline and 24-months after surgery were: modified Oswestry Disability Index (mODI), Numerical Rating Scores for Back Pain (NRS-B), Leg Pain (NRS-L), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire-8 (CPAQ-8), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Mental Component Summary (MCS) and patient expectations for surgery impacts on mental well-being. Cohorts were separated based on attaining meaningful change defined as either 30% improvement or minimal scores in NRS-B, NRS-L and mODI. Mixed measures ANOVAs were run (α = .05). RESULTS: Patients who showed meaningful change had significant improvements in PCS, TSK and CPAQ-8 scores but not in MSPSS scores. Patients had improvement in MCS scores over 24-months follow-up, but this change was not significantly different based on attainment of meaningful change. Overall, 75.9% of patients reported their mental well-being expectations were met. Patients who did not achieve meaningful change showed no change on any psychosocial measures with only 55.9% reporting their mental well-being expectations met. CONCLUSION: Thoracolumbar surgery results in significant improvement of psychosocial variables for patients who experienced meaningful change for pain and disability. Worsening of psychosocial health was not evident in patients who did not attain meaningful change.

Adaptation and factor structure of three psychometric instruments measuring behavioral aspects of medication prescribing in physician assistants.

OBJECTIVES: (1) Present the factor structure of two psychometric instruments for self-efficacy and one for outcome expectations of medication prescribing; (2) evaluate the reliability of the scales, and (3) present preliminary evidence of validity. METHODS: Physician assistants (PA) and PA students completed a survey evaluating three psychometric instruments: (1) Self-Efficacy in Prescribing (SEP), (2) Self-Efficacy in Prescribing-Geriatric (SEPG), and (3) Outcomes Expectations of Prescribing Errors (OEP). Students also evaluated 3 hypothetical prescriptions, two of which contained a prescribing error. Students were instructed to identify (1) if an error occurred and (2) what type of error. The data were analyzed using parallel analysis with a varimax rotation, Cronbach's α, Pearson and Spearman correlations. RESULTS: One hundred eighty five (n = 185) respondents completed the survey (response rate = 63.8%). The parallel analysis found that the SEP had one 7-item factor with α = 0.94 (M = 5.7 (SD = 1.9) out of 10). The SEPG also had one 7-item factor with α = 0.95 (M = 5.5 (1.9). The OEP had one 6-item factor with α = 0.89 (M = 3.5 (SD = 0.8) out of 5). The SEP and SEPG, were correlated to the OEP each other (both p < 0.01). Actively practicing PAs had the highest composite mean SEP and SEPG scores. First-year PA students had the highest mean scores for the OEP. There was a weak association between the mean SEPG score and the number of correctly identified prescriptions (rs = 0.18, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The SEP, SEPG, and OEP show preliminary evidence of reliability and structural, construct, and known-group validities using simulated prescriptions. These tools may be able to be used by educators and implementation scientists as one method to show the effectiveness of future interventions to reduce incidence of prescribing errors.

Hypertensive Aspects of Cardiometabolic Disorders Are Associated with Lower Brain Microstructure, Perfusion, and Cognition.

BACKGROUND: Cardiometabolic disorders (hypertension, diabetes) are key modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. They often co-occur; yet, the extent to which they independently affect brain structure and function is unclear. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized their combined effect is greater in associations with cognitive function and neuroimaging biomarkers of white matter (WM) health and cerebral perfusion in a diverse older adult cohort. METHODS: Participants aged 50-85 years received: clinical evaluation, oral glucose tolerance testing, neuroimaging, cognitive testing, and adjudication. Neuroimaging included: T1 (gray [GM]/WM segmentation, regional volumes/thicknesses); FLAIR (WM hyperintensity volume [WMHv]; arterial spin labeling (cerebral blood flow); diffusion tensor imaging (fractional anisotropy [FA]); and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (Free Water). Hypertension (HTN) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were staged and cardiometabolic status was categorized (HTN only, IGT only, IGT+HTN, neither). Multivariable linear regression modeled associations with cognitive and neuroimaging measures (covariates: age, gender, race). RESULTS: MRI was available for 478 participants (35% mild cognitive impairment, 10% dementia) with mean age 70±8 years, 74% with HTN, 61% with IGT, and 15% self-identified as Black/African-American. IGT+HTN was significantly associated with cognitive impairment, higher WM Free Water and WMHv, lower FA, and lower GM perfusion compared to neither factor. HTN alone was associated with poorer cognition and lower GM perfusion. Cardiometabolic factors were not associated with GM macrostructure (volumes, temporal lobe cortical thickness) or cognitive status. CONCLUSION: HTN and its co-occurrence with IGT (HTN+IGT) were associated with lower global cognitive performance and reduced GM perfusion and impaired WM microstructure.

Changes to household food shopping practices during the COVID-19 restrictions: Evidence from the East of England.

Measures to control the spread of COVID-19 have changed the way we shop for food and interact with food environments. This qualitative study explored food shopping practices in the East of England, a large diverse region including coastal, urban and rural settings. In 2020/2021 we interviewed 38 people living in the region and 27 professionals and volunteers providing local support around dietary health. Participants reported disruption to supermarket shopping routines; moving to online shopping; and increased reliance on local stores. COVID-19 has impacted disproportionately upon lower-income households and neighbourhoods. The longer-term implications for dietary health inequalities must be investigated.

Mothers' accounts of mealtime and feeding challenges for children with Tourette syndrome or persistent tic disorders.

Parenting a young person with a tic disorder can present daily challenges to families struggling to manage their child's tics and establish routines. Research recognises that tics can be problematic to everyday activities, however no attention has been given to mealtimes, arguably an important family activity closely related to quality of life of the family. The current qualitative study aimed to investigate the mealtime experiences of families with a child with a tic disorder from the perspective of mothers, looking at mealtime challenges, their impact and how these challenges are navigated. Seventeen mothers with children diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome (TS) or a Persistent Tic Disorder (PTD) (aged 3-14) took part in semi-structured interviews. Interpretative phenomenological analysis of 17 semi-structured interviews resulted in seven subthemes which were grouped under two superordinate themes: (1) tics as a barrier to positive mealtime experiences and (2) eating behaviours and other mealtime challenges. The findings highlight tics to create functional mealtime challenges, affecting a young person's ability to eat, drink and be seated, with mothers noting the family dynamic was often intensified and compounded by additional challenges related to their child's tics and comorbidities. Tics also have the power to disrupt the conviviality of mealtimes. For example, eating out-of-home can be especially challenging, with restaurants being high-pressure environments for young people with tics and their families. The cumulative effect of dissatisfaction, stress and additional foodwork can have a diminishing effect on maternal and familial resilience and wellbeing. Mealtime-related interventions need to be considered to help increase confidence and skills in managing mealtimes.

Vascular and microstructural markers of cognitive pathology.

Introduction: Arterial stiffness may play a role in the development of dementia through poorly understood effects on brain microstructural integrity and perfusion. Methods: We examined markers of arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity [cfPWV]) and elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) in relation to cognitive function and brain magnetic resonance imaging macrostructure (gray matter [GM] and white matter [WM] volumes), microstructure (diffusion based free water [FW] and fractional anisotropy [FA]), and cerebral blood flow (CBF) in WM and GM in models adjusted for age, race, sex, education, and apolipoprotein E ε4 status. Results: Among 460 participants (70 ± 8 years; 44 dementia, 158 mild cognitive impairment, 258 normal cognition), higher cfPWV and SBP were independently associated with higher FW, higher WM hyperintensity volume, and worse cognition (global and executive function). Higher SBP alone was significantly associated with lower WM and GM CBF. Discussion: Arterial stiffness is associated with impaired WM microstructure and global and executive cognitive function.

Drugging the Epigenome: Overcoming Resistance to Targeted and Immunotherapies in Melanoma.

This past decade has seen tremendous advances in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of melanoma and the development of novel effective therapies for melanoma. Targeted therapies and immunotherapies that extend survival of patients with advanced disease have been developed; however, the vast majority of patients experience relapse and therapeutic resistance over time. Moreover, cellular plasticity has been demonstrated to be a driver of therapeutic resistance mechanisms in melanoma and other cancers, largely functioning through epigenetic mechanisms, suggesting that targeting of the cancer epigenetic landscape may prove a worthwhile endeavor to ensure durable treatment responses and cures. Here, we review the epigenetic alterations that characterize melanoma development, progression, and resistance to targeted therapies as well as epigenetic therapies currently in use and under development for melanoma and other cancers. We further assess the landscape of epigenetic therapies in clinical trials for melanoma and provide a framework for future advances in epigenetic therapies to circumvent the development of therapeutic resistance in melanoma.

Relationships between feeding problems, eating behaviours and parental feeding practices in children with Down syndrome: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Research investigating feeding problems in children with Down syndrome is scarce. This study investigated feeding problems, eating behaviours and parental feeding practices in children with Down syndrome (n = 40), and typically developing (TD) children of the same age and sex (n = 40). METHOD: Parents of children aged 6-months to 5-years in the UK completed questionnaires assessing their child's feeding problems and eating behaviours and parental feeding practices. RESULTS: For children with Down syndrome, feeding problems were: significantly greater than for TD children; negatively associated with breast milk duration and appetite during exclusive milk feeding; and positively associated with drinking more slowly. For both groups, feeding problems were significantly correlated with more food avoidant eating behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides new information about the relationships between feeding problems and eating behaviours in early development. Longitudinal research is needed to further investigate these relationships, so that effective support can be developed for families.

Mechanotransduction channel Piezo is widely expressed in the spider, Cupiennius salei, mechanosensory neurons and central nervous system.

Mechanosensory neurons use mechanotransduction (MET) ion channels to detect mechanical forces and displacements. Proteins that function as MET channels have appeared multiple times during evolution and occur in at least four different families: the DEG/ENaC and TRP channels, as well as the TMC and Piezo proteins. We found twelve putative members of MET channel families in two spider transcriptomes, but detected only one, the Piezo protein, by in situ hybridization in their mechanosensory neurons. In contrast, probes for orthologs of TRP, ENaC or TMC genes that code MET channels in other species did not produce any signals in these cells. An antibody against C. salei Piezo detected the protein in all parts of their mechanosensory cells and in many neurons of the CNS. Unspecific blockers of MET channels, Ruthenium Red and GsMTx4, had no effect on the mechanically activated currents of the mechanosensory VS-3 neurons, but the latter toxin reduced action potential firing when these cells were stimulated electrically. The Piezo protein is expressed throughout the spider nervous system including the mechanosensory neurons. It is possible that it contributes to mechanosensory transduction in spider mechanosensilla, but it must have other functions in peripheral and central neurons.

Bergmann's rule is followed at multiple stages of postembryonic development in a long-distance migratory songbird.

Bergmann's rule is a well-established, ecogeographical principle that states that body size varies positively with latitude, reflecting the thermoregulatory benefits of larger bodies as temperatures decline. However, this principle does not seem to easily apply to migratory species that are able to avoid the extreme temperatures during winter at higher latitudes. Further, little is known about the ontogeny of this relationship across life stages or how it is influenced by ongoing global climate change. To address these knowledge gaps, we assessed the contemporary relationship between latitude and body size in a long-distance migratory species, the prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria citrea) across life stages (egg to adult) on their breeding grounds. We also measured historic eggs (1865-1961) to assess if the relationship between latitude and size during this life stage has changed over time. In accordance with Bergmann's rule, we found a positive relationship between latitude and body mass during all post-embryonic life stages, from early nestling stage through adulthood. We observed this same predicted pattern with historic eggs, but contemporary eggs exhibited the reverse (negative) relationship. We suggest that these results indicate a genetic component to this pattern and speculate that selection for larger body size in altricial nestlings as latitude increases may possibly drive the pattern in migratory species as even rare extreme cold weather events may cause mortality during early life stages. Furthermore, the opposite relationships observed in eggs, dependent on time period, may be related to the rapidly warming environments of higher latitudes that is associated with climate change. Although it is unclear what mechanism(s) would allow for this recent reversal in eggs (but still allow for its maintenance in later life stages). This evidence of a reversal suggests that anthropogenic climate change may be in the process of altering one of the longest-standing principles in ecology.

The Menopause Alters Aerobic Adaptations to High-Intensity Interval Training.

INTRODUCTION: Postmenopausal women have lower resting cardiac function than premenopausal women, but whether the menopause influences maximal cardiac output and hence exercise capacity is unclear. It is possible that premenopausal and postmenopausal women achieve similar improvements in maximal aerobic capacity (V˙O2max) and cardiac output with exercise training via different regional left ventricular muscle function ("LV mechanics"), as suggested by in vitro and animal studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the menopause on LV mechanics and adaptations to exercise training. METHODS: Twenty-five healthy untrained middle-age women (age, 45-58 yr; 11 premenopausal, 14 postmenopausal) completed 12 wk of exercise training. Before and after exercise training, (i) V˙O2max and blood volume were determined, and (ii) LV mechanics were assessed using echocardiography at rest and during two submaximal physiological tests - lower-body negative pressure and supine cycling. RESULTS: The increase in V˙O2max after exercise training was 9% smaller in postmenopausal than premenopausal women, concomitant with a smaller increase in blood volume (P < 0.05). However, cardiac output and LV volumes were not different between premenopausal and postmenopausal women (P > 0.05) despite altered regional LV muscle function, as indicated by higher basal mechanics in premenopausal women during the physiological tests after exercise training (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings are the first to confirm altered LV mechanics in postmenopausal women. In addition, the reduced aerobic adaptability to exercise training in postmenopausal women does not appear to be a central cardiac limitation and may be due to altered blood volume distribution and lower peripheral adaptations.

The relationship between sensory sensitivity, food fussiness and food preferences in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Heightened sensitivity to sensory information has been associated with food fussiness in both atypical and typical development. Despite food fussiness and sensory dysfunction being reported as common concerns for children with neurodevelopmental disorders, the relationship that exists between them, and whether they differ between disorders, has yet to be established. The current study aimed to examine sensory sensitivity as a predictor of food fussiness in three different neurodevelopmental disorders, whilst controlling for comorbidity amongst these disorders. Ninety-eight caregivers of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD; n = 17), Tourette Syndrome (TS; n = 27), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD; n = 27), and typical development (TD; n = 27) were compared using parental reports of child food fussiness, food preferences and sensory sensitivity. Children with neurodevelopmental disorders were reported to have significantly higher levels of both food fussiness and sensory sensitivity, with children with ASD and TS also showing significantly less preference for fruit than children with TD. Importantly, higher levels of taste/smell sensitivity predicted food fussiness for all four groups of children. In addition, taste/smell sensitivity fully mediated the differences in food fussiness between each group of neurodevelopmental disorders compared to the TD group. The findings highlight that food fussiness is similar across these neurodevelopmental disorders despite accounting for comorbidity, and that greater sensitivity to taste/smell may explain why children with neurodevelopmental disorders are more likely to be fussy eaters.

The role of sensory sensitivity in predicting food selectivity and food preferences in children with Tourette syndrome.

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by involuntary, repetitive and non-rhythmic motor and vocal tics. Despite suggestion that diet may affect tics, and the substantial research into children's diet, eating behaviours and sensory processing in comorbid disorders (e.g. ASD), research in TS is lacking. The present study examined differences between children with and without TS in parental reports of child selective eating, food preferences and sensitivity, and aimed to examine sensory sensitivity as a predictor of food selectivity outcomes in children with and without TS. Thirty caregivers of children with TS (M = 10 years 8 months [SD = 2.40]) and the caregivers of 30 age- and sex-matched typically developing (TD) children (M = 9 years 9 months [SD = 2.50]) completed the following measures online: Short Sensory Profile, Food Preference Questionnaire for Children, Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire. Children with TS were reported to have significantly higher levels of food selectivity and sensory sensitivity, and less preference for fruit and vegetables than TD children. Importantly, while higher levels of overall sensory sensitivity predicted eating outcomes in the TS group, only sensitivity to taste/smell was found to be a predictor of food selectivity and preference for vegetables for both groups of children. The findings suggest that efforts to address food selectivity in children with TS may be enhanced by including strategies that address atypical sensory processing.

Infant temperament, maternal feeding behaviours and the timing of solid food introduction.

Despite guidance from the World Health Organization and the U.K. Department of Health, many mothers introduce solid food before their infant is 6 months old. The current study aimed to investigate relationships between maternal feeding behaviours (preintroduction and postintroduction to solids), infant temperament, and the timing of introduction to solid food. Eighty-one women were recruited on low-risk maternity units and were contacted at 1 week, 3, and 6 months postpartum. Mothers of infants (45 males, 36 females, mean birth weight 3.52 kg [SD 0.39]) completed the behaviours component of the Infant Feeding Style Questionnaire via telephone interview at 3 months. At 6 months, they were observed feeding their infant solid food at home and reported infant temperament using the Infant Behaviour Questionnaire-Revised (short form). Partial correlations (covariates: birth weight, maternal age, breastfeeding duration, and postnatal depression) revealed negative associations between age of introduction to solid food and temperament (smiling and laughter) and laissez-faire milk feeding behaviours; and positive associations between age of introduction to solid food and restrictive milk feeding behaviours and verbal involvement during an observed mealtime. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that an infant's birth weight and the degree to which their mothers perceive them to smile and laugh are key predictors of when they will be introduced to solid food, over and above other variables of interest (e.g., maternal milk feeding behaviours, breastfeeding duration, and postnatal depression).

The Montreal Children's Hospital Feeding Scale: Relationships with parental report of child eating behaviours and observed feeding interactions.

Feeding problems are common, with implications for nutrition, growth and family stress, placing burden on primary care services. The Montreal Children's Hospital Feeding Scale (MCHFS) is a quick and reliable measure of feeding problems for clinical settings, but there is little examination of its relationship to commonly used research measures of parental feeding practice, child eating behaviour and observations of parent-infant interaction at mealtimes. We examined the relationships between the MCHFS, demographics and early feeding history, weight across the first year, parental report of feeding practices and child eating behaviours, and observations of maternal-infant feeding interaction at 1 year. The MCHFS, Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire (CFPQ) and Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) were completed by 69 mothers when their infants were 1-year-old (37 male, 32 female). Infant weight was measured at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months and 1 year. Mothers were observed feeding their infants at 1 year. The MCHFS was reliable (Cronbach's alpha = .90) and showed significant overlap with other measures of feeding and eating. Potential feeding problems were identified in 10 of the children (14%) reflecting similar rates in other community samples. Higher MCHFS scores were associated with lower birthweight and weight across the first year, greater satiety responsiveness, fussiness and slowness in eating, lower enjoyment of food and food responsiveness, and less observed infant food acceptance. Parents of infants with more feeding problems reported less encouragement of balance and variety in their children's diets. CONCLUSION: MCHFS showed good criterion validity with other parental report measures of eating and observations of mealtime interactions. MCHFS may be a useful tool for researching feeding problems in community samples.