Molecular basis of vitamin K driven γ-carboxylation at membrane interface.

The γ-carboxylation of glutamate residues enables Ca-mediated membrane assembly of protein complexes that support broad physiological functions including hemostasis, calcium homeostasis, immune response, and endocrine regulation. Modulating γ-carboxylation level provides prevalent treatments for hemorrhagic and thromboembolic diseases. This unique posttranslational modification requires vitamin K hydroquinone (KH) to drive highly demanding reactions catalyzed by the membrane-integrated γ-carboxylase (VKGC).

University Students Implement a Nutrition and Cooking Education Curriculum With Fidelity.

Objective: To assess the ability of trained university students to implement Cooking Matters for Kids, a hands-on nutrition and cooking education curriculum for third through fifth-grade children.

Methods: Process evaluation data were collected from 6 Cooking Matters for Kids courses led by university students in the fall of 2019 and spring of 2020 at 6 afterschool programs in Orange County, North Carolina. Trained research assistants observed lessons and reported whether key intervention components were implemented as planned, the level of participant engagement, what worked well, and what could be improved on.

Awareness, experiences, and beliefs related to ultra-processed foods among young people in Cebu, Philippines.

Ultra-processed food (UPF) intake is rising in low- and middle-income countries, where non-communicable diseases are now the leading contributor to disease burden. The purpose of this study was to assess awareness and knowledge of UPFs, factors that influence consumption of UPFs, and beliefs about the relationship between UPF intake and health among young people (18-20 years old) in a metropolitan area of the Philippines, a lower middle-income country. We conducted eight focus group discussions across four strata defined by gender and urban-rural neighborhood designation.

Assessing the acceptability of a culturally adapted group-based pediatric intervention, Kokajjiriri, for Marshallese mothers and infants to improve nutrition and prevent childhood obesity.

Background: Marshallese Pacific Islanders experience higher rates of obesity than other racial and/or ethnic communities. Despite the obesity rates experienced in this community, there are currently no childhood obesity prevention interventions designed for Marshallese Pacific Islanders in the United States. The purpose of this study is to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a culturally adapted group-based pediatric intervention, Kokajjiriri, with Marshallese mothers to improve nutrition and reduce childhood obesity.