This study shows for the first time that both the putatively selective oestrogen receptor a and oestrogen receptor b agonists PPT (4,4 0 ,4 00 -(4-propyl-[ 1 H]-pyrazole-1,3,5-triyl) tris-phenol) and DPN (2,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionitrile) can acutely relax precontracted isolated rat mesenteric arteries at pharmacological (i.e. mm) concentrations. When compared to responses observed to similar concentrations of 17b-oestrogen obtained on the same tissues, PPT had a significantly greater vasodilatory effect, while DPN had a significantly smaller effect. All responses were rapid being complete within 5 min exposure time. Thus, both PPT and DPN can acutely relax isolated mesenteric arteries with the relative potency of PPT417b-oestrogen4DPN.

cThe accuracy of matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) in the identification of Haemophilus, Aggregatibacter, Cardiobacterium, Eikenella, and Kingella (HACEK) species was compared to that of phenotypic methods (Remel RapID and Vitek 2). Overall, Vitek MS correctly identified more isolates, incorrectly identified fewer isolates, and failed to identify fewer isolates than both phenotypic methods. Haemophilus, Aggregatibacter, Cardiobacterium, Eikenella, and Kingella organisms have been placed in the HACEK group because of their slow growth, nutritional needs, and role as oropharyngeal flora (3). These organisms are responsible for approximately 3% of the pediatric infectious endocarditis cases in which a causative agent is isolated and also cause other significant diseases, including pneumonia, meningitis, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, abdominal abscesses, and urinary tract infections (2, 3). Though the ability to detect these species has improved greatly (9), it is still difficult to correctly identify these organisms. Identification methods typically use biochemical tests to determine organism phenotypes. Despite the relatively new status of matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) as a diagnostic technique for bacterial identification, its rapid turnaround time and high specificity and sensitivity could prove quite useful in addressing the challenges associated with the identification of these organisms.MALDI-TOF MS identifies bacterial isolates by comparing the protein spectra of isolates to a database of spectra. MALDI-TOF MS technology has previously been shown to successfully identify a wide range of clinically relevant bacteria (4). Several studies have also applied MALDI-TOF MS technology to fastidious pediatric pathogens, though no large-scale comprehensive studies have evaluated Vitek MS for use with these genera (1,(5)(6)(7)(8). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of the Vitek MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer for the identification of members of the genera Haemophilus, Aggregatibacter, Eikenella, and Kingella compared to Remel RapID NH tests and Vitek 2 NH cards (identification systems currently FDA approved), with 16S ribosomal sequencing as the reference method.(This work was previously presented and published in abstract form

Urinary tract infections are one of the most common reasons for health care visits. Diagnosis and optimal treatment often require a urine culture, which takes an average of 1.5 to 2 days from urine collection to results, delaying optimal therapy. Faster, but accurate, alternatives are needed. Light scatter technology has been proposed for several years as a rapid screening tool, whereby negative specimens are excluded from culture. A commercially available light scatter device, BacterioScan 216Dx (BacterioScan, Inc.), has recently been advertised for this application. Paired use of mass spectrometry (MS) for bacterial identification and automatedsystem-based susceptibility testing straight from the light scatter suspension might provide dramatic improvement in times to a result. The present study prospectively evaluated the BacterioScan device, with culture as the reference standard. Positive light scatter specimens were used for downstream rapid matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) MS organism identification and automated-system-based antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Prospective evaluation of 439 urine samples showed a sensitivity of 96.5%, a specificity of 71.4%, and positive and negative predictive values of 45.1% and 98.8%, respectively. MALDI-TOF MS analysis of the suspension after density-based selection yielded a sensitivity of 72.1% and a specificity of 96.9%. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the samples identified by MALDI-TOF MS produced an overall categorical agreement of 99.2%. Given the high sensitivity and negative predictive value of results obtained, BacterioScan 216Dx is a reasonable approach for urine screening and might produce negative results in as few as 3 h, with no downstream workup. Paired rapid identification and susceptibility testing might be useful when MALDI-TOF MS results in an organism identification, and it might decrease the time to a result by more than 24 h. KEYWORDS mass spectrometry, susceptibility testing, urinary tract infection U rinary tract infections (UTI) are a leading cause of health care visits in the United States (1). Consequently, urine cultures are one of the most frequently ordered tests in clinical microbiology laboratories (2). Given that culture requires 18 to 24 h for pathogen growth and an additional 18 to 48 h for identification (ID) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) results, rapid alternatives are needed to streamline therapy. Screening tests, including point-of-care leukocyte esterase and nitrite detection, exist; however, these tests often produce false negatives, particularly in the setting of

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