Warfarin (also known under the brand names of Coumadin, Jantoven, Marevan, and Waran) is an anticoagulant medication that is administered orally or, very rarely, by injection. It is used for the prophylaxis of thrombosis and embolism in many disorders. Its activity has to be monitored by frequent blood testing for the international normalised ratio (INR). It is named for the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation. Warfarin is a synthetic derivative of coumarin, a chemical found naturally in many plants, notably woodruff (Galium odoratum, Rubiaceae), and at lower levels in liquorice, lavender and various other species. Warfarin was originally developed as a rat poison; however, more modern poisons are much more potent and toxic (e.g., brodifacoum). Warfarin and contemporary rodenticides belong to the same class of drugs (coumarins) and both decrease blood coagulation by interfering with vitamin K metabolism. For this reason, drugs in this class are also referred to as vitamin K antagonists.

Volume 41 of "Progress in Orug Research" contains eight reviews and the various indexes which facilitate its use and establish the con nection with the previous volumes. The articles in this volume deal with teratogenesis; nephrotoxicity; bacterial resistance to P. lactam antibiotics; eradication of diseases by vaccination; chirality and drug design; endogenous digitalis-like factors; erythropoietin; and sero tonin (5HT)-antagonists. 3 All these articles give an excellent overview of the respective fields of research. In the 33 years that POR has existed, the Editor has enjoyed the valu able help and advice of many colleagues. Readers, the authors of the reviews, and last but not least, the reviewers have all contributed greatly to the success of this series. Although the comments received so far have generally been favorable, it is nevertheless necessary to analyze and to reassess the current position and the future direction of such a review series. So far, it has been the Editors intention to help disseminate informa tion on the vast domain of drug research, and to provide the reader with a tool with which to keep abreast of the latest developments and trends. The reviews in POR are useful to the non-specialists, who can obtain an overview of a particular field of research in a relatively short time. The specialist readers of POR will appreciate the reviews' comprehensive bibliographies, and, in addition, they may even get fresh impulses for their own research.

From the contents: · C. Brater and M. D. Murray: The effects of NSAIDs on the kidney · G. Edwards and A. H. Weston: Latest developments in potassium channel modulator drugs · M.R. Juchau and Y. Huang: Chemical teratogenesis in humans: Biochemical and molecular mechanisms · S.P. Gupta: Studies on cardiovascular drugs · G. Polak: Antifungal chemotherapy: An everlasting battle · O. Valdenaire: New insights into the bioamine receptor family.

From the contents: A- C. Brater and M. D. Murray: The effects of NSAIDs on the kidney A- G. Edwards and A. H. Weston: Latest developments in potassium channel modulator drugs A- M.R. Juchau and Y. Huang: Chemical teratogenesis in humans: Biochemical and molecular mechanisms A- S.P. Gupta: Studies on cardiovascular drugs A- G. Polak: Antifungal chemotherapy: An everlasting battle A- O. Valdenaire: New insights into the bioamine receptor family

With over 460 SBAs and EMQs, extensive feedback, illustrations, and cross-references to the best-selling Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine, Oxford Assess and Progress: Clinical Medicine, Second Edition is the ultimate revision resource for medical students and junior doctors.

Maximise your exam success with this essential revision guide. The fourth edition of Oxford Assess and Progress: Clinical Medicine, features over 600 Single Best Answer questions. Packed with new and updated questions written by experienced doctors, this revision tool is an authoritative guide for finals and the UKMLA. Questions on core clinical topics are accompanied by extensive feedback, which explains not only the rationale of the correct answer, but why the other options are incorrect. Further reading resources and updated cross-references to the eleventh edition of Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine expand your revision further. Progess to exam success with the fourth edition of Oxford Assess and Progress: Clinical Medicine.

Progress in Medicinal Chemistry

Fourteen years have elapsed since the appearance of the first volume and it is with great pleasure that the Editor is now able to present volume 17. During these fourteen years various fields of drug research have undergone important, partly revolutionary, changes. A number of these have already been dealt with, so that the series PROGRESS IN DRUG RESEARCH contains a comprehensive review of a substantial part of our current knowledge. The Editor is particularly grateful for the opportunity of transmitting to those connected with the devel opment of drugs the extensive knowledge of the Authors, who, without exception, are themselves actively engaged in research. Drug research is currently in a state of transformation: reconsideration in the light of the past and reorientation with a view to the future. To a large extent this is due to the tumultuous developments in the last 20 years, developments which are unparalleled in the history of medicine and the consequences of which cannot yet be completely evaluated. Unfortunately, however, the current situation is not devoid of its unpleasant and even tragic aspects, aspects which fall outside the research worker's sphere or influence.