Topiramate is biochemically classified as a fructopyranose sulphamate. Discovered as early as 1979, during middle 1980's it was approved in many countries for the treatment of epilepsies and migraine prevention. More recently, in the experimental stage, possible new indications have been disclosed: treatment of obesity, bipolar disorder, also cessation of smoking, neuropathic pain, cerebral pseudotumour, bulimia, periventricular leucomalatia in preterm infants and alcohol addiction. Most epileptologists consider it to be the first choice antiepileptic drug in severe pharmacoresistant epilepsies. A substantial corpus of evidence in paediatric population has been accumulated that confirms its efficiency in the treatment of generalised tonic-clonic seizures, Lenox-Gestaut syndrome, partial, absence and combined seizures. Having a unique monosaccharide chemical structure among other anticonvulsant drugs, characterizes it with special pharmacokinetic features. This substance exhibits a low interindividual variability in plasma levels and hence it features predictable pharmacokinetics. A steady state plasma concentration of topiramate increases linearly with higher dosages. Serum protein binding is approximately 15%, and biologic half-life in healthy volunteers is considered to range from 20 to 30 hours. Mean expected distribution volume rates from 0.55-0.8 l/kg, and accordingly, the drug shows a low and saturable binding capacity toward erythrocytes. It has not been present at the market for a sufficiently long time that would enable us to speak about a significant accumulation of data on its metabolism based on post-registration 4th stage clinical trials. For this purpose, we have done a literature review in order to summarise so far reported experience on topiramate pharmacokinetics in patients and healthy adults. Deeper understanding of its pharmacokinetic profile could enable a better technological design of the produced drug and the choice of the adequate route of its administration, and accordingly a more rational treatment of severe epilepsies resistant to other drugs.

A new strategy by which to defeat Carter's "anthropic" argument against extraterrestrial life and intelligence is presented. Our approach is based on relaxing hidden uniformitarian assumptions and considering instead a dynamical succession of evolutionary regimes governed by both global (Galaxy-wide) and local (planet- or planetary system-limited) regulation mechanisms. Notably, our increased understanding of the nature of supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, and strong coupling between the Solar System and the Galaxy, and the theories of "punctuated equilibria" and "macroevolutionary regimes" are in full accordance with the regulation-mechanism picture. The application of this particular strategy highlights the limits of application of Carter's argument and indicates that, in the real universe, its applicability conditions are not satisfied. We conclude that drawing far-reaching conclusions about the scarcity of extraterrestrial intelligence and the prospects of our efforts to detect it on the basis of this argument is unwarranted.

Early diagnosis and treatment of the neonate with suspected infection are essential to prevent severe and life-threatening complications. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the validity of the hematologic scoring system in diagnosing earlyonset neonatal infection (EONI), according to Rodwell et al. We included 341 term singletons of both genders, gestational age of 37th to 42nd week, with risk factors for EONI and without visible anomalies. A diagnosis of EONI was based on clinical, laboratory and/or microbiological findings of EONI, without consideration of hematologic findings. Hematologic findings (white blood with differential count, and platelets count) were scored according to Rodwell et al. The cut-off score was 3. During the study period, there were 12 298 live births, 11 599 terms and 699 prematures. In the first 72 hours of life, 199/341 (58.4%) neonates were considered to have EONI, of which 52/199 (26.1%) neonates with proven and 73.9% probable EONI. The applied hematologic scoring systems in EONI had high specificity (92%) and positive predictive value (PPV) (88%), as same as in probable EONI with specificity of 92% and PPV of 84%. In proven EONI both specificity (92%) and negative predictive value PPV (82%) were high. The validity of the hematologic scoring system in diagnosing EONI among neonates with risk factors is acceptable. The use of the test is available even in the smallest delivery rooms, and the price is reasonable, not only for single but for repeated use.

Emotional abuse, because of its complexity and the difficulty of defining it, still gets very little attention in research compared to other forms of abuse. Characteristics related to parents, some characteristics of the child and socio-economic conditions are risk factors for emotional abuse of children. Consequences for the growth and development of children exposed to emotional abuse may be short or long term. The level of the physician’s and other professionals’ education who work with children on this issue is still not satisfactory. Various forms of preventive programs have been developed over the past few decades; but at the same time, the very important role of families and doctors in prevention of this kind of abuse is emphasized.