ABSTRACT
The paper describes an interactive computer program for an IBM-compatible personal computer, which creates a convenient way of teaching Chinese students of the physiological and biological sciences about the relationship of several aspects of ionic equilibria to the generation of resting membrane potential. Students may work through this program following the scheduled lectures on those subjects. Laboratory time is also used for discussion and questions, and to present advanced examples of ionic equilibria in biological systems. The authors believe that this program will provide students with a clear understanding of the rules of ionic electricity and the generation of membrane potentials, as well as improving their problem-solving skills.
Subject(s)
Electrolytes/metabolism , Membrane Potentials , Software , HumansABSTRACT
An outbreak of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) poisoning from the consumption of contaminated rice oil, covering four counties in central Taiwan, was investigated. There were 1843 cases by the end of 1980. The highest frequency of incidence occurred during the period from March to July 1979. The severity of clinical manifestations varied. Most patients showed symptoms of mild or moderate severity. The major age group affected was between 11 and 20 years old. Most of the victims were students and factory workers. The amount of PCB intake in each victim was estimated to be 0.7 to 1.84 g and the latent period from the time of intake to the onset of clinical manifestations was approximately 3 to 4 months. The patients' blood PCB concentrations ranged from 3 ppb to 1156 ppb; 44.27% of 613 patients had levels of 51 to 100 ppb and 27.6% PCB blood levels over 100 ppb. In the course of 3.5 years, 2061 persons were determined to be PCB poisoning victims. Now, except for a few severe cases, their skin symptoms are very much improved. Thirty-nine babies showing hyperpigmentation were born from PCB-poisoned mothers. The fatality rate was high: eight of them died. Another 24 deaths were reported among the PCB-poisoned group, almost half of them (12) from hepatoma, liver cirrhosis or liver diseases with hepatomegaly.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks/epidemiology , Oils/poisoning , Oryza/poisoning , Polychlorinated Biphenyls/poisoning , Adolescent , Adult , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Food Contamination , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Japan , Male , Middle Aged , Occupational Diseases/chemically induced , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications/chemically induced , Skin Diseases/chemically induced , TaiwanABSTRACT
An outbreak of PCB poisoning through consumption of the contaminated rice oil in Central Taiwan was investigated. It covered four counties and there were 1,843 cases by the end of 1980. The highest frequency of incidence occurred during the period from March to July 1979. Severity of clinical manifestations was graded, most patients exhibiting mild or moderate severity. The major age group of the outbreak was between 11 to 20 years old. Most of the victims were students and factory workers. The amount of PCB intake in each victim was estimated to be 0.7 to 1.84 gm and the latent period from the time of intake to the onset of clinical manifestations was approximately three to four months. The patients' blood PCB concentrations ranged from 3 to 1,156 ppb. In 613 patients, 44.37% (272 patients) had PCB levels of 51-100 ppb, and 27.57% (169 patients) had levels over 100 ppb.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks/epidemiology , Polychlorinated Biphenyls/poisoning , Acne Vulgaris/chemically induced , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Food Contamination , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Middle Aged , Occupational Diseases/chemically induced , Oils/adverse effects , Oryza , Polychlorinated Biphenyls/blood , Taiwan , Time FactorsABSTRACT
An outbreak of PCB poisoning through consumption of the contaminated rice Oil in Central Taiwan was investigated. It covered four counties and there were 1,843 cases by the end of 1980. The highest frequency of incidence occurred during the period from March to July 1979. Severity of clinical manifestations was graded, most patients exhibiting mild or moderate severity. The major age group of the outbreak was between 11 to 20 years old. Most of the victims were students and factory workers. The amount of PCB intake in each victim was estimated to be 0.7 to 1.84 gm and the latent period from the time of intake to the onset of clinical manifestations was approximately three to four months. The patients' blood PCB concentrations ranged from 3 to 1,156 ppb. In 613 patients, 44.37% (272 patients) had PCB levels of 51-100 ppb, and 27.51% (169 patients) had levels over 100 ppb.
