Reexamining age, race, site, and thermometer type as variables affecting temperature measurement in adults – A comparison study

BACKGROUND: As a result of the recent international vigilance regarding disease assessment, accurate measurement of body temperature has become increasingly important. Yet, trusted low-tech, portable mercury glass thermometers are no longer available. Thus, comparing accuracy of mercury-free thermometers with mercury devices is essential. Study purposes were 1) to examine age, race, site as variables affecting temperature measurement in adults, and 2) to compare clinical accuracy of low-tech Galinstan-in-glass device to mercury-in-glass at oral, axillary, groin, and rectal sites in adults. METHODS: Setting 176 bed accredited healthcare facility, rural northwest US Participants Convenience sample (N = 120) of hospitalized persons ≥ 18 years old. Instruments Temperatures (°F) measured at oral, skin (simultaneous), immediately followed by rectal sites with four each mercury-glass (BD) and Galinstan-glass (Geratherm) thermometers; 10 minute dwell times. RESULTS: Participants averaged 61.6 years (SD 17.9), 188 pounds (SD 55.3); 61% female; race: 85% White, 8.3% Native Am., 4.2% Hispanic, 1.7 % Asian, 0.8% Black. For both mercury and Galinstan-glass thermometers, within-subject temperature readings were highest rectally; followed by oral, then skin sites. Galinstan assessments demonstrated rectal sites 0.91°F > oral and ≅ 1.3°F > skin sites. Devices strongly correlated between and across sites. Site difference scores between devices showed greatest variability at skin sites; least at rectal site. 95% confidence intervals of difference scores by site (°F): oral (0.142 – 0.265), axilla (0.167 – 0.339), groin (0.037 – 0.321), and rectal (-0.111 – 0.111). Race correlated with age, temperature readings each site and device. CONCLUSION: Temperature readings varied by age, race. Mercury readings correlated with Galinstan thermometer readings at all sites. Site mean differences between devices were considered clinically insignificant. Still considered the gold standard, mercury-glass thermometers may no longer be available worldwide. Therefore, mercury-free, environmentally safe low-tech Galinstan-in-glass may be an appropriate replacement. This is especially important as we face new, internationally transmitted diseases

In vitro follicular growth affects oocyte imprinting establishment in mice

International audienceIn vitro folliculogenesis of cryopreserved ovarian tissue could be an effective method for insuring fertility for patients who receive gonadotoxic treatment. Although several culture systems have been described for growing female gametes in vitro, the production of competent oocytes for further development remains a considerable challenge. The purpose of our study was to determine whether maternal primary imprinting progresses normally during mouse oocyte growth in vitro. We analysed the DNA methylation status of differentially methylated regions of the imprinted genes H19, Mest/Peg1 and Igf2R using fully grown germinal vesicle-stage oocytes (fg oocytes) produced by in vitro folliculogenesis from early preantral follicles. When compared to fg oocytes removal from control females, we observed after in vitro development, a loss of methylation at the Igf2R locus in six out of seven independent experiments and Mest/Peg1 locus (one out of seven), and a gain of methylation at the H19 locus (one out of seven). These results provide insight into the dysregulation of the process of primary imprinting during oocyte growth in vitro and highlight the need for effective new biomarkers to identify complete nuclear reprogramming competence after in vitro folliculogenesis