Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Dec 2021
Historical Article[Unfairly Forgotten: Carl Ludwig: The Founder of Modern Physiology].
Cardiovascular physiology was the dominant area of research for Ludwig. He developed instruments to record hemodynamic and other physiologic events accurately, allowing him to identify previously unrecognized physiologic relationships. His classical textbook of physiology challenged traditional scientific theories and suggested new concepts. ⋯ He put scientific research and results ahead of personal recognition. He mentored his colleagues and pupils without ever putting himself or his own interests ahead of everybody else. He decided to forgo academic recognition and did not play political games.
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Because physical and psychological processes cannot be separated, there is a nexus between medicine and theology. In the early church, theologians were widely medically educated; the author of the third gospel was considered as a physician. ⋯ Pastoral care can learn from medicine to take the embodiment of the human being seriously - and medicine can let theology open up perspectives of hope for itself. Medicine and theology unite the interest in life-promoting transfigurations in the body.
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In an unprecedented collaborative effort, basic and clinical scientists have provided us with an effective COVID-19 vaccine within less than one year after SARS CoV-2 emergence. Virus or vaccine induced immunity may offer different degrees of protection against infection, transmission and pathology (disease). Immunity decides on the outcome of COVID-19, both at an individual as well as a population level. ⋯ Based largely on clinical data, this literature analysis suggests that antiviral immunity against Coronaviruses including SARS CoV-2 is waning significantly over time regarding infection and transmission protection. However, in individuals who have recovered from infections with human Coronaviruses (including SARS CoV-2) or been vaccinated against SARS CoV-2, immunity is robust in its most critical quality: protection against pathology/severe disease. Thus, immunologists see the glass half-full and envisage the transition of COVID-19 from an epidemic to an endemic state with semiannual peaks of incidence but, most importantly, protection from severe COVID-19 or death in the vast majority of individuals (as observed in other human Coronavirus infections).