BESII Detector Simulation

A Monte Carlo program based on Geant3 has been developed for BESII detector simulation. The organization of the program is outlined, and the digitization procedure for simulating the response of various sub-detectors is described. Comparisons with data show that the performance of the program is generally satisfactory.Comment: 17 pages, 14 figures, uses elsart.cls, to be submitted to NIM

Migration of retinal pigment epithelial cells in vitro modulated by monocyte chemotactic protein-1: enhancement and inhibition

Background: The migration of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is an initial step in the development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). This in vitro study was carried out to investigate the effects of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) on the migration and proliferation of RPE cells. Methods: We used an in vitro wound healing model in which a small area of a confluent monolayer of human RPE (HRPE) cells was denuded with a razor blade. The cultures were subsequently incubated with MCP-1, IL-1#, TNF-!, or combinations thereof. Neutralizing IgG1 of anti-human MCP-1, dexamethasone (DEX) or daunorubicin were also added to the cultures to test their inhibitory effects on migration of RPE cells. HRPE migration was measured as the number of cells that entered the denuded area. The effect of MCP-1 on proliferation of HRPE cells was examined by MTT assay. Results: MCP-1 stimulated HRPE cell migration in a dose-dependent manner. IL-1# or TNF-! slightly stimulated HRPE cell migration, but adding anti-MCP-1 IgG1 significantly reduced this effect. MCP-1-induced migration could be inhibited by DEX but not by daunorubicin. MCP-1 did not show a significant effect on HRPE cell proliferation. Conclusion: MCP-1 stimulates HRPE cell migration, suggesting that this chemokine regulates the development of PVR at the initial stage. The migration of HRPE cells induced by IL-1# and TNF-! may be associated with the MCP-1 that HRPE cells secretes under the stimulation of these two cytokines. The knowledge that MCP-1-induced migration of HRPE cells is inhibited by DEX may be useful in devising an effective treatment for PVR

Association between the 8-item Morisky medication adherence scale (MMAS-8) score and glycaemic control among Chinese diabetes patients

Adherence with oral hypoglycaemic agent is crucial to achieve optimal glycaemic control. The 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) has been frequently used, yet the association between MMAS-8 score and glycaemic control among Chinese diabetes patients is largely unknown. Two general out-patient clinics were randomly selected in a district with socio-demographic characteristics representative of the entire Hong Kong population. A consecutive sample of adult type-2 diabetes patients currently taking oral hypoglycaemic agents was included. The glycaemic control was reflected by the level of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) taken within the previous 6 months. Factors associated with poor glycaemic control (HbA1c ≥ 7.0%) were evaluated by linear regression analysis. From 565 eligible Chinese patients with an average age of 63.2 years (SD 9.7) and male proportion of 46.5%, the average HbA1c was 7.1% (SD 1.1%), and 52.0% had poor glycaemic control. The proportion of poor medication adherence (MMAS-8 ≤ 6) was 32.2%. After controlling for socio-demographics, lifestyle, medication use, and health characteristics, the MMAS-8 score was correlated with better glycaemic control (beta −0.095; 95%CI −0.164 to −0.026, P = .007). The MMAS-8 score had a weak and negative correlation with HbA1c level. The instrument should be applied with caution when predicting glycaemic control in clinical practice

Prevalence, time trends, and correlates of major depressive episode and other psychiatric conditions among young people amid major social unrest and COVID-19 in Hong Kong: a representative epidemiological study from 2019 to 2022Research in context

Summary: Background: Hong Kong is among the many populations that has experienced the combined impacts of social unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite concerns about further deteriorations in youth mental health globally, few epidemiological studies have been conducted to examine the prevalence and correlates of major depressive episode (MDE) and other major psychiatric disorders across periods of population-level changes using diagnostic interviews. Methods: We conducted a territory-wide household-based epidemiological study from 2019 to 2022 targeting young people aged 15–24 years. MDE, generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD), and bipolar disorder (BD) were assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview–Screening Scales in 3340 young people. Psychotic disorders were assessed by experienced psychiatrists according to the DSM. Help-seeking patterns were also explored. Findings: 16.6% had any mental disorder (13.7% 12-month MDE, 2.3% BD, 2.1% GAD, 1.0% PD, 0.6% psychotic disorder). The prevalence of MDE increased from 13.2% during period 1 (May 2019–June 2020) to 18.1% during period 2 (July–December 2020), followed by 14.0% during period 3 (January–June 2021) and 13.2% during period 4 (July 2021–June 2022). Different stressors uniquely contributed to MDE across periods: social unrest-related stressors during period 1, COVID-19 stressors during period 2, and personal stressors during periods 3–4. Lower resilience, loneliness, frequent nightmares, and childhood adversity were consistently associated with MDE. Compared to other conditions, those with MDE showed the lowest service utilisation rate (16.7%). Perceiving services to “cost too much” and “talked to friends or relatives instead” were among the major reasons for not seeking help. MDE was also significantly associated with poorer functioning and health-related quality of life. Interpretation: MDE can be sensitive to population-level changes, although its persistently elevated prevalence across the study period is of concern. Efforts to mitigate their impacts on youth mental health alongside personal risk factors are needed. Further work is required to increase the availability and acceptability of youth-targeted mental health services. Funding: Food and Health Bureau (HKSAR Government)