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Objective: We developed a mathematical model using interpolation function, to characterize the correlation between blood ATP levels in the right ventricle of rabbit and post mortem interval (PMI) at different ambient temperatures. Methods: Forty-eight healthy rabbits were randomly divided into 6 groups of 8 each. The sacrificed rabbits were maintained in calorstats at 10 °C, 15 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C and 35 °C, respectively. Blood from the right ventricle was sampled every 4 h until 72 h after death. At different time points, ATP concentrations in the blood samples were measured using an ATP fluorescence rapid detector, and then displayed on the detector screen in the form of relative light units (RLU). Relationship between PMI and ATP degradation levels was investigated statistically by SPSS 17.0 and MATLAB 10.0 software. Results: We obtained six regression equations (R2a= 0:887-0:929) with RLU values at PMIs of 72 h (10 °C), 60 h (15 °C), 56 h (20 °C), 52 h (25 °C), 40 h (30 °C) and 32 h (35 °C), and an interpolation function (R2a= 0:930) was established with PMI as the dependent variable (z), RLU value as independent variable (x) and temperature as independent variable (y). Conclusion: Interpolation function is an appropriate choice for PMI estimation by weakening influence of ambient temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We herein report the first case of fatal extensive bone cement embolism appearing in pulmonary arterioles following surgical vertebral screw augmentation, which histological evidence of bone cement emboli was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. A 47-year-old woman has accepted multilevel spine fusion and pedicle screw augmentation with totally 4 ml bone cement infusion. She suddenly developed low blood pressure, dyspnoea, and unconsciousness approximately 1 h post anaesthetic recovery, and then she was dead. It was shown both lungs were edematous in autopsy, and bluish emboli were appeared in extensive pulmonary arterioles in H&E stained sections. Negative information was shown in Molybdenum target X-ray imaging, but the emboli were confirmed to be PMMA bone cement by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The present case indicated it might be effective to confirm the dubious trace component in histology by FTIR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]