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Biomedical subjects

W Doerr

Publications and source records attributed to W Doerr.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1987

Thoracic aortic aneurysms.

The historical development of knowledge of aneurysms is surveyed, particularly of those of thoracic aorta. There follows detailed considerations of the structure and structural properties of the aorta and its supports ("bobbins"). The degenerations of the aorta is described and discussed in considering the various basic types of aneurysm. Improved pathological techniques make possible greater differentiation of inflammatory, degenerative and other changes of the aorta media. These investigations allow the conclusion that the vast majority of thoracic aortic aneurysms are the result of "extras" consumed in and essentials left out of the modern way of life. Progress in preventive measures depends on better knowledge of the metabolism of the "bobbins".

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[Cohnheim's inflammation doctrine and the current debate].

In a historical view the development of the concept of inflammation and the assessment of its importance are considered in the light of the situation in the field of pathologic anatomy in the last century dominated as it was by the work of Cruveilhier, Rokitansky and Virchow. It is to Cohnheim that we owe the realization that inflammatory cells originate in the circulation. He attributed this to an alteration of the vessel wall. Years before the tuberculosis bacillus was discovered, Cohnheim recognized the disease as a single entity. He also distinguished "tumours" of infectious origin from true neoplasms. Observations made by Cohnheim continue to form part of the contemporary body of knowledge, for example the rejection of an acellular origin for inflammatory cells. Cohnheim's work provides the basis for current notions of allergy, granuloma formation and the pathologic changes associated with tuberculosis. Similarly our pathobiochemical views of inflammation are ultimately based on the appreciation of changes in microcirculation and capillary permeability.

Germany↗
PubMed1979

[Rule of homology and morbid anatomy (author's transl)].

1. According to J.W. Goethe, morphology is a theory of evolution, H. Braus defined it as a theory of historic incidents, and according to D. Starck morphology is the role of shapes of the organisms. 2. The term homology was coined by morphologic researchers. Of course, it is used nowadays also in mathematics, chemistry, and linguistics and other logic matters. 3. Homologies have a special position in Goethe's work on the theory of types. Goethe's morphologic research and Schiller's aesthetic speculations are considered to be the origin of a 'typologic point of view.' 4. Coherences of Platon's theory of ideas and Goethe's theory of types are scrutinized. The theory of shapes ('Gestalt theory') is inconceivable without Platon's theory, and scientic morphology is inconceivable without shapes, either, and according to C. v. Ehrenfels "Gestaltphilosophie" could not exist without the shapes of Platon's theory. 5. It is shown that without Gestalt philosophy one cannot comprehend the following coherences: Gestalt (shape) as an idea, idea as a type of Goethe's rule, type as an element of the theory of homologies and even of constitution. 6. Homology will be constituted using certain criterions: a) detection of an equal descent, b) equal position of organismic structures in individuals, c) evidence of interpositions, and d) certain qualities of parts which are compared with each other. Homologous structures may be dissimilar in their architecture. 7. The term homology is explained a) by giving an analysis of morphologic and teratologic lines, b) by scrutinizing froms of symmetry, and c) by presenting the histopathology of topographical diverse but according to the morphogenetic mode coinciding tumours which are resembling each other in their microscopic patterns. 8. The application of the rule of homology in the morphologic investigation of diseases proves to be a) valuable from a heuristic point of view, b) an instrument of communication to characterize comparable matters, c) a means of classification, and d) a basic requirement to uncover inconceivable correlations of morphologic patterns in the first instance and then a basis for the prognosis findings which may be expected in the future. So far the didactic value of proven homologies is inestimably great. 9. The application of the rules of homology in morbild anatomy requires controls by 'regulatives.' There are: a) all facts must be born in mind, b) the rules of the mathematical logic, those of demonstrative and plausible conclusions need to be taken into consideration, and c) the criterions of Ehrenfels should be applied accurately. 10. At the contact surface of two scientific fields special difficulties may emerge. As far as contemporary pathology is concerned, elements of the Arts should be assimilated. This challenge is by no means a novel one. Covered traces of it could be found in our archive 50 years ago. We should not forget but keep in mind these elements.

Biological Evolution↗
PubMed1977

The pathogenesis of cardiac infarction. A few comments on some unanswered questions.

1. Questions concerning coronary heart disease have been raised for more than 200 years, but the concept of coronary insufficiency is only 50 years old. 2. The pathological anatomy of coronary insufficiency is variable, unexpectedly rich and stratified, and full of pecularities. 3. "Coronary insufficiency" is the superimposed concept; "cardiac infarcts" and "inner myocardial layer damage" are subordinate. 4. The logical connection linking all the morphological consequences of so-called coronary insufficiency is the elective necrosis of the parenchyma. The anatomically demonstrable equivalents of coronary insufficiency are, from the point of view of coronary perfusion, the result of an inadequate "vis a tergo". 5. This principle is enshrined in a complex of conditions which has to be disentangled if an individual case is to be analysed. The complex comprises three sets of factors: (a) the critical narrowing of the lumen of the coronary arteries and all their branches leading to a given territory; (b) the weight of the functioning mass of the cardiac muscle; (c) cardiac effort required of the heart during the critical period of damage. 6. The presence of anastomoses between the coronary arteries is no proof of their functional efficiency or readiness in an emergency. The conditions which determine their responsiveness, particularly as far as time is concerned, are at the moment still not adequately known. 7. The behaviour of ions at the membranes of living cells, particularly of muscle fibres, is a fundamental phenomenon, fascinating in its primitive aspects. A disturbance of cellular respiration, produced in the cardiac muscle "regularly" by the "inadequate vis a tergo" of coronary perfusion, leads to an exhaustion of energy stores, and to an increased influx of calcium ions. This activates the ATP-ase of the myofibrils, and thereby reduces the level of adenin nucleotides. This loss of energy-rich substances not only militates against the function of the muscle fibres, it also initiates their necrosis. 8. The cardiac infarct is a phenomenon of a disturbed circulation-- a "dyscirculatory" change. It is found in certain sites of predilection, whose choice becomes intelligible only through an understanding of the developmental history of the coronary arteries. The cardiac infarct is "coronary-dependent"! There are, however, also other forms of, and possibilities leading to, the development of myocardial necrosis. The nosology of the cardiac infarct clearly distinguishes the latter from these other forms. In damage of the inner layers of the myocardium infarcts do not develop by the confluence of necroses of individual fibres or of groups of fibres. Infarcts are not a phenomenon of addition, they do not have the "character of a mosaic". 9. As in other tissues, in the human myocardium also there are lysosomes. They are found in hypertrophied muscle fibres. Topical relations to zones of necrosis have not been found. 10...

Cardiomegaly↗