ABSTRACT
(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the drooling of adult patients with diverse central nervous system diseases can be treated with botulinum toxin type A. (2) Methods: The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and Embase were all searched for studies that fit the inclusion criteria. The patients in the studies had to be adults (>18 years old), and the studies had to be randomized placebo-controlled trials, controlled trials, or prospective studies. Each study had to have enough quantifiable data available for meta-analysis. The primary outcome measure was the Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale (DSFS). (3) Results: The meta-analysis comprised three studies. A statistically significant difference in DSFS score between the treatment and control groups was observed in the meta-analysis, with an overall standardized mean difference of -0.9377 (95% CI, -1.2919 to -0.5836; p < 0.0001). A total of seven studies were ineligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis and were only assessed as qualitative data. All qualitative studies showed a significant reduction in DSFS score a few weeks or months after the injection of botulinum toxin. (4) Conclusions: Botulinum toxin type A is safe and effective as a treatment for drooling in adult patients with central nervous system diseases.
ABSTRACT
In order to identify the contribution to health risk derived from various emission sources, this study investigated monsoon variations in PM2.5 mass and concentrations of the associated trace elements in a region with complex pollution sources in central Taiwan. This study applied the Chemical Mass Balance model to analyze the source contribution of PM2.5. The source apportionment to obtain the risk contribution of different sources were conducted for different monsoon periods according to the monsoon patterns. In this way, the contributions of individual sources and chemicals to health risk under different monsoon types can be understood to support development of effective control strategies. Among the top contributors of PM2.5 during the north-east monsoon were Secondary Aerosol 28.93% >Coal Boiler 19.82% >Crustal Dust 15.99%; in south-west monsoon were Coal Boiler 37.29% >Traffic Emission 21.19% >Secondary Aerosol 17.84%. The total risk of cancer was above the acceptable risk (3.07 × 10-6), while the non-carcinogenic risk was within the acceptable range (0.262). The variation in the concentration and composition of PM2.5 was related to the change of monsoon type. During the north-east monsoon, the air mass had a long transmission distance and the PM2.5 concentration was relatively high. During the south-west monsoon, the air mass had a short transmission distance and the composition was mainly influenced by nearby emission sources, which resulted in higher risk due to chemical characteristics. To provide sound air quality management, attention should be paid to the composition of PM2.5 in addition to its concentration.
