SummaryThe opportunistic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa synthesizes significant amounts of an additional phospholipid, identified as 2Ј alanylphosphatidylglycerol (A-PG), when exposed to acidic growth conditions. At pH 5.3 A-PG contributed up to 6% to the overall lipid content of the bacterium. Sequence analysis of P. aeruginosa revealed open reading frame PA0920 showing 34% sequence identity to a protein from Staphylococcus aureus involved in tRNA-dependent formation of lysylphosphatidylglycerol. The P. aeruginosa deletion mutant DPA0920 failed to synthesize A-PG. Heterologous overproduction of PA0920 in Escherichia coli resulted in the formation of significant amounts of A-PG, otherwise not synthesized by E. coli. Consequently, the protein encoded by PA0920 was named A-PG synthase. The enzyme was identified as an integral component of the inner membrane. The protein was partially purified by detergent solubilization and subjected to an in vitro activity assay. tRNA

Under both drugs, driving performance was worse than at baseline. Even though deterioration of driving performance was only slightly less pronounced under OXC than under CBZ, it might be recommended as more appropriate than CBZ for epileptic patients who need to drive a car.

ObjectivesVirtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is a promising treatment for patients with fear of driving. The present pilot study is the first one focusing on behavioral effects of VRET on patients with fear of driving as measured by a post-treatment driving test in real traffic. MethodsThe therapy followed a standardized manual including psychotherapeutic and medical examination, two preparative psychotherapy sessions, five virtual reality exposure sessions, a final behavioral avoidance test (BAT) in real traffic, a closing session, and two follow-up phone assessments after six and twelve weeks. VRE was conducted in a driving simulator with a fully equipped mockup. The exposure scenarios were individually tailored to the patients' anxiety hierarchy. A total of 14 patients were treated. Parameters on the verbal, behavioral and physiological level were assessed.

Comparing drug-induced driving impairments with the effects of benchmark blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) is an approved approach to determine the clinical relevance of findings for traffic safety. The present study aimed to collect alcohol calibration data to validate findings of clinical trials that were derived from a representative test course in a dynamic driving simulator. The driving performance of 24 healthy volunteers under placebo and with 0.05% and 0.08% BACs was measured in a double-blind, randomized, crossover design. Trained investigators assessed the subjects’ driving performance and registered their driving errors. Various driving parameters that were recorded during the simulation were also analyzed. Generally, the participants performed worse on the test course (P < 0.05 for the investigators’ assessment) under the influence of alcohol. Consistent with the relevant literature, lane-keeping performance parameters were sensitive to the investigated BACs. There were significant differences between the alcohol and placebo conditions in most of the parameters analyzed. However, the total number of errors was the only parameter discriminating significantly between all three BAC conditions. In conclusion, data show that the present experimental setup is suitable for future psychopharmacological research. Thereby, for each drug to be investigated, we recommend to assess a profile of various parameters that address different levels of driving. On the basis of this performance profile, the total number of driving errors is recommended as the primary endpoint. However, this overall endpoint should be completed by a specifically sensitive parameter that is chosen depending on the effect known to be induced by the tested drug.

Nonci This doouBinl it (IIMMIIJIHIXI nndn* UM «wniBwhip of th* DMUtaMBt of Tntnspoitetion iu the intentt of information owhtng^ Th» United no liability for its oontants or on thnoof. i" I Ttchnicol Report D«cum«ntotion Pogt I. ntpüti No. FAA-AM-75-7 2. Co¥*rnfn*nt Acctttien No.