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X-ray microbeams have become increasingly valuable in protein crystal- lography. A number of synchrotron beamlines worldwide have adapted to handling smaller and more challenging samples by providing a combination of high-precision sample-positioning hardware, special visible-light optics for sample visualization, and small-diameter X-ray beams with low background scatter. Most commonly, X-ray microbeams with diameters ranging from 50 μm to 1 μm are produced by Kirkpatrick and Baez mirrors in combination with defining apertures and scatter guards. A simple alternative based on single-bounce glass monocapillary X-ray optics is presented. The basic capillary design considerations are discussed and a practical and robust implementation that capitalizes on existing beamline hardware is presented. A design for mounting the capillary is presented which eliminates parasitic scattering and reduces deformations of the optic to a degree suitable for use on next-generation X-ray sources. Comparison of diffraction data statistics for microcrystals using microbeam and conventional aperture-collimated beam shows that capillary-focused beam can deliver significant improvement. Statistics also confirm that the annular beam profile produced by the capillary optic does not impact data quality in an observable way. Examples are given of new structures recently solved using this technology. Single-bounce monocapillary optics can offer an attractive alternative for retrofitting existing beamlines for microcrystallography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Lacosamide is approved for the adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures in adults. Phase II/III clinical trials suggest that it is a safe, effective and well-tolerated medication. However, there is little post-marketing information available about this medication., Methods: We report our clinical experience from a tertiary referral epilepsy centre, which has been using lacosamide for the past 18 months, with 128 patients treated during this time., Results: Fifty-three patients (41%) achieved at least a 50% reduction in seizure frequency, with 14 patients (11%) achieving seizure freedom for a mean time of 35 weeks. This 50% responder rate matches, and the seizure free rate outperforms that seen in previous pooled trials. The efficacy of lacosamide did not vary with concurrent sodium channel blocking agent (SCB) use, and a statistically significant dose-dependent response was not shown, which is in contrast to previous trials. Treatment emergent adverse effects (TEAEs) were noted in 52 patients (41%), with 24 patients (19%) discontinuing the medication. TEAEs were more frequent in patients on concurrent SCBs, affecting 51% vs. 28% of patients not on other SCBs. This increased risk of TEAEs from concurrent SCB use was of statistical significance (P = 0.01). The most frequently noted TEAEs from lacosamide were dizziness, sedation and diplopia, which all appeared to be dose-related., Conclusion: This post-marketing analysis suggests that lacosamide in clinical practice at least mirrors, and possibly outperforms the results seen in previous phase II/III trials., (© 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and demographic distribution of treated epilepsy in a community-based population., Materials & Methods: We surveyed all residents in Tasmania, Australia, who were supplied at least one antiepileptic drug prescription between July 1, 2001 and June 30, 2002, recorded on the national prescription database. We adjusted for the effect of disease-related non-response bias by imputation methods., Results: After three mail contacts, 54.0% (4072/7541) responded, with 1774 (43.6%) indicating treatment for epilepsy, representing 86.0% of the estimated total possible cases in Tasmania. The adjusted treated epilepsy prevalence was 4.36 per 1000 (95% CI 4.34, 4.39); lower in women (prevalence ratio 0.92 (95% CI 0.84, 1.00)); greater with increasing age (P < 0.001); similar in the three main geographic regions; and similar with socioeconomic status of postcode of residence., Conclusions: Although our estimates are likely to be affected by access to health services, overall treated epilepsy prevalence of 4.4 per 1000 is similar to previous studies. Our finding of high elderly prevalence has been reported in a few recent studies in developed countries and has important clinical and public health implications in populations with similar aging demographics., (© 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

Volumetric MRI data acquisition permits reliable and accurate measurement of mesial temporal lobe structures. In normal subjects, these structures are very symmetric. A high degree of pathological specificity is associated with the finding of even minor volume asymmetries. Definition in this manner allows precise estimation of both absolute and relative volume differences, and precise anatomical localisation of volume loss within the hippocampus. There are good EEG and clinical correlates with the distribution of volume loss defined on MRI studies. Volumetric assessment is fast, reliable, non-invasive, and a relatively inexpensive component of the pre-operative work-up. It is the method of choice when imaging patients with clinical temporal lobe epilepsy undergoing pre-surgical evaluation. The finding of significant hippocampal volume asymmetry in a patient with clinical temporal lobe seizures being evaluated for epilepsy surgery may obviate the need for alternative sophisticated, invasive, or expensive investigative procedures. At our centre, such MRI allows "fast track" cases to proceed to surgery without further invasive investigations, and is likely to have a dramatic effect on pre-operative evaluation in most centres practising epilepsy surgery.