ACAD10 is not required for metformin's metabolic actions or for maintenance of whole-body metabolism in C57BL/6J mice.

AIM: Acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase family member 10 (ACAD10) is a mitochondrial protein purported to be involved in the fatty acid oxidation pathway. Metformin is the most prescribed therapy for type 2 diabetes; however, its precise mechanisms of action(s) are still being uncovered. Upregulation of ACAD10 is a requirement for metformin's ability to inhibit growth in cancer cells and extend lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans. However, it is unknown whether ACAD10 plays a role in metformin's metabolic actions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed the role for ACAD10 on whole-body metabolism and metformin action by generating ACAD10KO mice on a C57BL/6J background via CRISPR-Cas9 technology. In-depth metabolic phenotyping was conducted in both sexes on a normal chow and high fat-high sucrose diet. RESULTS: Compared with wildtype mice, we detected no difference in body composition, energy expenditure or glucose tolerance in male or female ACAD10KO mice, on a chow diet or high-fat, high-sucrose diet (p ≥ .05). Hepatic mitochondrial function and insulin signalling was not different between genotypes under basal or insulin-stimulated conditions (p ≥ .05). Glucose excursions following acute administration of metformin before a glucose tolerance test were not different between genotypes nor was body composition or energy expenditure altered after 4 weeks of daily metformin treatment (p ≥ .05). Despite the lack of a metabolic phenotype, liver lipidomic analysis suggests ACAD10 depletion influences the abundance of specific ceramide species containing very long chain fatty acids, while metformin treatment altered clusters of cholesterol ester, plasmalogen, phosphatidylcholine and ceramide species. CONCLUSIONS: Loss of ACAD10 does not alter whole-body metabolism or impact the acute or chronic metabolic actions of metformin in this model.

Reuse of face masks among adults in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, over 99% of adults in Hong Kong use face masks in public. With the limited supply of face masks in the market and the uncertainty about the future development of COVID-19, reusing face masks is a legitimate way to reduce usage. Although this practice is not recommended, reusing face masks is common in Hong Kong. This study aimed to examine the practice of reusing face masks among adults in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic and its association with their health beliefs toward this health crisis. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. A quota sample of 1000 adults was recruited in Hong Kong in April 2020. Guided by the Health Belief Model, the subjects were invited to answer questions on their practice of reusing face masks and health beliefs toward COVID-19 through telephone interview. Their practice on reuse, storage, and decontamination of used face masks were summarized by descriptive statistics. The difference in health beliefs between the subjects who reused and did not reuse face masks was examined by conducting an independent t test. The association between health beliefs and reuse of face masks was determined by conducting a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: One-third (n = 345, 35.4%) of the subjects reused face masks in an average of 2.5 days. Among them, 207 subjects stored and 115 subjects decontaminated their used face masks by using various methods. The subjects who reused face masks significantly perceived having inadequate face masks (t = 3.905; p <  0.001). Having a higher level of perception of having inadequate face masks increased the likelihood of reusing face masks (OR = 0.784; CI 95%: 0.659-0.934; p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Despite having 90 face masks in stock, the adults who reused face masks significantly perceived that they had inadequate face masks. Concerted effort of health care professionals, community organizations, and the government will improve individuals' practice in use of face masks and alleviate their actual and perceived feeling of having inadequate face masks, which lead them to reuse.

Living in a Region With a Low Level of COVID-19 Infection: Health Belief Toward COVID-19 Vaccination and Intention to Receive a COVID-19 Vaccine in Hong Kong Individuals.

INTRODUCTION: Vaccination is vital for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals' vaccination intention is a good predictor of vaccine uptake and is influenced by individuals' health belief toward vaccination. Regions with different levels of pandemic severity may present varying effects. This study aimed to determine the influence of health belief on COVID-19 vaccination intention in a region with a low level of COVID-19 infection. METHODS: This cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted on a quota sample of 800 adults in Hong Kong before the commencement of the local COVID-19 vaccination program. The Health Belief Model Scale-COVID-19 was developed to assess health belief toward COVID-19 vaccination. The contribution of health belief on explaining intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine was assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS: The subjects demonstrated moderate levels in all aspects of health belief. Only 28.9% of the subjects indicated an intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. After controlling for age, educational level, marital status, and high risk status, the logistic regression analysis indicated that perceived benefits of vaccination (OR = 1.615; CI 95%: 1.443-1.807; P < .001), perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 (OR = 1.130; CI 95%: 1.032-1.237; P = .008), cues to action toward vaccination (OR = 1.212; CI 95%: 1.108-1.326; P < .001), and perceived barriers to vaccination (OR = .696; CI 95%: .641-.756; P < .001) were associated with intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. CONCLUSION: Vaccination campaigns in regions with good control of the pandemic should promote the benefits of vaccination, emphasizing how it can help individuals regain a sense of normalcy in their daily lives and stop the spread of COVID-19. Although the COVID-19 pandemic affects countries worldwide, this study highlights the importance of adopting specific vaccination promotion strategies for regions with different levels of pandemic severity.